This empirical study of one of China's biggest take-out platforms during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) explores the legal rights and protections for gig workers'…
Abstract
Purpose
This empirical study of one of China's biggest take-out platforms during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) explores the legal rights and protections for gig workers' availability time.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a quantitative survey and interviews of take-out platform riders, investigating the intrinsic features of working time and availability time. Labour law professionals and scholars are interviewed to verify the findings.
Findings
The availability time of take-out platform riders is difficult to define under the current legal working-time framework. There is a need for a specific method to define availability time, considering the multiple factors in gig-take-out-sector work. One option is to apply working-time regulations to availability time but to use a proportionality test to preserve flexibility whilst the platform offers protection to the riders during that time.
Research limitations/implications
Pandemic-related travel restrictions limited the authors' study to one take-out platform in Beijing. Future studies should cover a wider geographical area and multiple take-out platforms.
Originality/value
The study uniquely evaluates the availability time of take-out platform riders to determine appropriate public policy and theoretical implications. It proposes a proportionality test regulating riders' availability. In particular, the workers being “at leisure” during availability time could mitigate the platform's liability for full remuneration or moderate the ceiling of working hours. The occupational health and safety of riders must be fully protected, as they are still “at the platform's disposal” at that time.
Details
Keywords
Focusing on the corporate entrepreneurship in China's emerging economy, the purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of network capabilities on entrepreneurial orientation…
Abstract
Purpose
Focusing on the corporate entrepreneurship in China's emerging economy, the purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of network capabilities on entrepreneurial orientation and business performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaires and statistical analysis are applied in this research.
Findings
Based on the survey of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the north‐east of China, it is found that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has a positive effect on business performance, and network capabilities (NC) can significantly moderate relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance.
Originality/value
This paper, theoretically, fills a gap by finding out how network capabilities impact the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance in China's emerging economy; it enriches China's entrepreneurial theory, and, in the practical sense, pays attention to the development of network capabilities in the day‐to‐day running of SMEs, to further their competitive advantages in the continuous process of corporate entrepreneurship.
Details
Keywords
Nan Lin, Yanlong Zhang, Wenhong Chen, Dan Ao and Lijun Song
The paper advances the argument that social capital operates on both the supply and demand sides of the labor market. Organizations have significant needs for employees with…
Abstract
The paper advances the argument that social capital operates on both the supply and demand sides of the labor market. Organizations have significant needs for employees with social capital capacity and skills as they do with human capital. We articulate a theory on why organizations have such needs and how social capital may be differentially and strategically deployed to different positions. Specifically, three types of positions (the top positions, the edge positions, and the exchange-oriented positions) are identified with such needs. We formulated two hypotheses derived from the theoretical articulation: (1) the deploying hypothesis – organizations are expected to strategically recruit and deploy workers with social capital capacity and skills to such key internal and edge positions and (2) the institutional contingency hypothesis – organizations in the more competitive environment (e.g., the private sector) are more likely to show such differential deployment than those in the less competitive environment (e.g., the state sector). The hypotheses were subjected to an empirical examination with a set of firm data from China. Both hypotheses were confirmed. Further, we also found evidence for differential deployment of human capital (education and experience) and hierarchical capital (statuses of prior positions and organizations) in different sectors. We discuss the implications of the theory and findings for future research on organizations in different economic sectors beyond China and how a theory of deploying various types of capital – social capital, human capital, and hierarchical capital – in different economic sectors may be developed.
Weixia Yang, Congli Xie and Lindong Ma
The construction of geographical indications agri-food (GIAF) brands play an important role in rural revitalization in China, this study aims to explore how to jointly promote…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction of geographical indications agri-food (GIAF) brands play an important role in rural revitalization in China, this study aims to explore how to jointly promote brand building among multiple parties.
Design/methodology/approach
A tripartite game model of the producers, sales operating enterprises, and local governments is constructed to analyze the strategy choice of the parties in the complex system behavior evolution stability, and the simulation analysis of the influence factors of brand construction of GIAF and verify the game result.
Findings
(1) Increased government subsidies and supervision costs are beneficial to accelerating variety improvement and quality improvement of agri-food, but it is not conducive to the government, Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the subsidy and supervision cost is kept within a reasonable range; (2) The dividend distributed to producers by sales operating enterprises play an important role in encouraging producers to improve the quality safety of agri-food, but it must be kept within a reasonable range to avoid discouraging the enthusiasm of sales operating enterprises; (3) Cost reduction, and revenue improvement are also effective ways to cooperate with all parties in brand co-construction.
Research limitations/implications
This study does not consider consumers or logistics companies in the evolutionary game model.
Practical implications
This study proposes innovative policies and suggestions for improvement of the brand co-construction of all parties.
Originality/value
Based on the “Rural Revitalization” initiative, this study enriches research methods about brand value and provides a new perspective for brand value co-construction, and theoretical guidance, and empirical basis for formulating innovation policies and recommendations.
Details
Keywords
Thirty years of rapid development and economic change have created organizations and work relations in China that would have been unthinkable at the start of transition. In…
Abstract
Thirty years of rapid development and economic change have created organizations and work relations in China that would have been unthinkable at the start of transition. In December of 1978, the Chinese Communist Party agreed with Deng Xiaoping to allow agricultural privatization, a stark contrast to the communes of Mao Zedong's era. This change established the financial foundation that would lead to development in eastern, coastal cities and that would ultimately fuel an extraordinary transformation of China's economy and its global position. As a result, organizational structures have changed, and new organizational forms have emerged. There have also been dramatic changes in the way work organizations behave and in the nature and implications of work. This volume provides a glimpse into the state of organizations and work at the 30-year mark. The contributors are top scholars in the field, including many who have observed and studied China's transition for decades, who are drawing on some of the most up-to-date and innovative data sources available. The chapters are samples of the current work of these researchers that, taken together, provide a snapshot of the state of research on China's organizations and work behaviors as transition enters its fourth decade.
Tao Li, Jiajun Shu, Yue Li, Yanlong Wang and Bo Liu
This study aims to provide a reference basis for waterproofing for the long-term safe operation of shield tunnels. Shielding subways in the long-term operation of tunnel tube…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide a reference basis for waterproofing for the long-term safe operation of shield tunnels. Shielding subways in the long-term operation of tunnel tube seams leads to opening, dislocation and other issues, which in turn cause the tube sealing gasket to break and ultimately cause water seepage, and the existing symmetrical sealing gasket arrangement cannot meet the waterproofing requirements of the tunnel structure.
Design/methodology/approach
First, we carry out an indoor “one-seam” hydrostatic test to quantitatively determine the waterproofing performance of symmetric and four asymmetric arrangements of gaskets. And the arrangement with the best stability and waterproofing performance is selected. Second, we establish a three-dimensional numerical seepage model for the waterproof failure of gaskets with different arrangements, which mechanistically explains the whole course of the gradual failure of the waterproof performance of gaskets with the wedging of water. Finally, we compare and analyze the experimental results with the numerical results to verify the reliability of the different analysis methods.
Findings
The results of the research show that the gasket will undergo four stages: the initial stage, deformation stage, wedging stage, and breakthrough stage during the continuous wedging process of the water body. Compared with the symmetric arrangement of the gasket, the asymmetric arrangement of the effective contact part of the gasket stress wave peaks and troughs is smaller, the deformation stage of the ability to resist the deformation of the water pressure is stronger, and the role of the water pressure between the two sealing gaskets of the stress path is less likely to be damaged.
Research limitations/implications
The current test can't fully reproduce real engineering site conditions as it ignores factors like temperature, time and aging during waterproofing tests and lacks tests based on actual application. Only one – seam test is done, lacking research on other seams. The current seepage model has difficulty reflecting some details and needs refinement.
Practical implications
The study focuses on the tube sheet joint problem in underground tunnels and proposes four asymmetric gasket arrangements, which are tested and analysed using a variety of methods. The results show that the asymmetric arrangement has a slower decline in waterproofing capacity and better stability, providing a new method and basis for solving tunnel waterproofing problems.
Originality/value
The study focuses on the tube sheet joint problem in underground tunnels and proposes four asymmetric gasket arrangements, which are tested and analysed using a variety of methods. The results show that the asymmetric arrangement has a slower decline in waterproofing capacity and better stability, providing a new method and basis for solving tunnel waterproofing problems.
Details
Keywords
Weiming Tong, Yanlong Liu, Xianji Jin, Zhongwei Li and Jian Guan
The unilateral axle counting sensor is an important railway signal device that detects a train. For efficient and stable detection, the amplitude of induced electromotive force…
Abstract
Purpose
The unilateral axle counting sensor is an important railway signal device that detects a train. For efficient and stable detection, the amplitude of induced electromotive force and its changes must be big enough. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find a way to design and optimize the sensor structure quickly and accurately.
Design/methodology/approach
With the help of extensive electromagnetic field calculations, the study puts forward a modified model based on the finite element method, establishes an independent air domain around the sensor, wheel and the railway and adopts a unique grid division method. It offers a design optimization method of the induction coil angles and its spatial location with respect to the excitation coil by using the combination weighting algorithm.
Findings
The modified modeling method can greatly reduce the number of finite element mesh and the operation time, and the method can also be applied to other areas. The combination weighting algorithm can optimize the structure of the sensor quickly and accurately.
Originality/value
This study provides a way to design and optimize the structure of the sensor and a theoretical basis for the development. The results can improve and expand the technology of the axle counting sensor.
Details
Keywords
Jiasi Sun, Jiali Bu, Jinglai Yang, Yanlong Hao and Hong Lang
Ball bearings in gas turbine have played a critical role in supporting heavy radial loads but with higher failure rates and repair costs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is…
Abstract
Purpose
Ball bearings in gas turbine have played a critical role in supporting heavy radial loads but with higher failure rates and repair costs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to introduce and study a method for their failure analysis with an actual industrial example to guarantee operation reliability and safety.
Design/methodology/approach
Spectrometric oil analysis was used as an early abnormal wear indicator, based on which emergent in-use oil replacement was carried out to reduce the wear rate. However, with wear deterioration, further wear failure investigation was conducted by LaserNet Fines and ferrography to detect the imminent wear failure. Finally, with the assistance of elemental analysis of the typical wear particles, the root cause and worn components were determined by scanning electronic microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
Findings
The results have shown that an extraneous source led to wear failure, which later caused overheat between the outer bearing ring and ball. It is in accordance with visual inspection of the disassembled engine.
Originality/value
This method has specified the occasion under which the suitable measurement can be taken. It can achieve the rapid wear condition assessment allowing for root cause and worn parts identification. In addition, wear rate reduction by change of oil can be efficient for most of the time to avoid premature disassemble, especially with the possibility of contamination. It has provided experience to address similar industry-level practical wear failure analysis problems.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to examine the effect of innovation-driven polices on innovation efficiency of sport firms listed on the new Third Board in China.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the effect of innovation-driven polices on innovation efficiency of sport firms listed on the new Third Board in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Firm innovation efficiency, including comprehensive innovation efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale innovation efficiency were calculated by using data envelopment analysis (DEA) models. The input variables and output variable in the DEA model were selected through correlation analysis. The effects of several innovation-driven policies on the innovation efficiency of sport firms were analyzed by a series of multiple regression analyses.
Findings
Regarding the innovation efficiency evaluation of sport firms, total research and development (R&D) investment and total R&D staff are two suitable input variables, and total profit, sales revenue and new effective patent are three suitable output variables. Income tax relief for high-tech enterprise has a positive effect on comprehensive innovation efficiency and pure technical efficiency, and governmental subsidies have a negative effect on comprehensive innovation efficiency and pure technical efficiency. However, pretax deduction of R&D expenses does not have a significant effect on comprehensive innovation efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale innovation efficiency, and income tax relief for high-tech enterprise and pretax deduction of R&D expenses also have no effect on scale innovation efficiency. For a large-scale sport firm, the negative effect of “governmental subsidies” and the positive effect of “income tax relief for high-tech enterprise” on its pure technical efficiency are more significant. For a sport firm with more R&D staff, governmental subsides and “income tax relief for high-tech enterprise” have more positive effect on its innovation efficiency.
Practical implications
The study findings could potentially provide practical guidance to both managers and government-industry policymakers in the sports industry.
Originality/value
Firstly, this paper focused on Chinese sport firms from a rising industry in a developing country (China). The related conclusions are conducive to the governmental management of new industries and the innovation management of new enterprises. Second, this paper analyzed the effect of three special innovation-driven policies on three types of innovation efficiency and explored enterprise innovation development in more detail. Third, this paper not only discusses the effect of innovation-driven policies on innovation efficiency, but also the heterogeneity of their effects.