A hydrodynamic semiconductor device simulator, DYNA, is introduced. A new relaxation time evaluation scheme for two‐valley semiconductors is proposed to account for the dependence…
Abstract
A hydrodynamic semiconductor device simulator, DYNA, is introduced. A new relaxation time evaluation scheme for two‐valley semiconductors is proposed to account for the dependence of the electron mobility on the impurity scattering. Some robust solution methods are used in the simulator for treating the highly nonlinear system of equations. The simulation results for a nonuniformly‐doped GaAs MESFET are also shown.
Chunxiu Qin, Yulong Wang, XuBu Ma, Yaxi Liu and Jin Zhang
To address the shortcomings of existing academic user information needs identification methods, such as low efficiency and high subjectivity, this study aims to propose an…
Abstract
Purpose
To address the shortcomings of existing academic user information needs identification methods, such as low efficiency and high subjectivity, this study aims to propose an automated method of identifying online academic user information needs.
Design/methodology/approach
This study’s method consists of two main parts: the first is the automatic classification of academic user information needs based on the bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) model. The second is the key content extraction of academic user information needs based on the improved MDERank key phrase extraction (KPE) algorithm. Finally, the applicability and effectiveness of the method are verified by an example of identifying the information needs of academic users in the field of materials science.
Findings
Experimental results show that the BERT-based information needs classification model achieved the highest weighted average F1 score of 91.61%. The improved MDERank KPE algorithm achieves the highest F1 score of 61%. The empirical analysis results reveal that the information needs of the categories “methods,” “experimental phenomena” and “experimental materials” are relatively high in the materials science field.
Originality/value
This study provides a solution for automated identification of academic user information needs. It helps online academic resource platforms to better understand their users’ information needs, which in turn facilitates the platform’s academic resource organization and services.
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Yaxi Liu, Chunxiu Qin, Yulong Wang and XuBu Ma
Exploratory search activities are ubiquitous in various information systems. Much potentially useful or even serendipitous information is discovered during the exploratory search…
Abstract
Purpose
Exploratory search activities are ubiquitous in various information systems. Much potentially useful or even serendipitous information is discovered during the exploratory search process. Given its irreplaceable role in information systems, exploratory search has attracted growing attention from the information system community. Since few studies have methodically reviewed current publications, researchers and practitioners are unable to take full advantage of existing achievements, which, in turn, limits their progress in this field. Through a literature review, this study aims to recapitulate important research topics of exploratory search in information systems, providing a research landscape of exploratory search.
Design/methodology/approach
Automatic and manual searches were performed on seven reputable databases to collect relevant literature published between January 2005 and July 2023. The literature pool contains 146 primary studies on exploratory search in information system research.
Findings
This study recapitulated five important topics of exploratory search, namely, conceptual frameworks, theoretical frameworks, influencing factors, design features and evaluation metrics. Moreover, this review revealed research gaps in current studies and proposed a knowledge framework and a research agenda for future studies.
Originality/value
This study has important implications for beginners to quickly get a snapshot of exploratory search studies, for researchers to re-align current research or discover new interesting issues, and for practitioners to design information systems that support exploratory search.
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Yaxi Liu, Chunxiu Qin, Xubu Ma and Huigang Liang
Serendipitous information discovery has become a unique and important approach to discovering and obtaining information, which has aroused a growing interest for serendipity in…
Abstract
Purpose
Serendipitous information discovery has become a unique and important approach to discovering and obtaining information, which has aroused a growing interest for serendipity in human information behavior. Despite numerous publications, few have systematically provided an overview of current state of serendipity research. Consequently, researchers and practitioners are less able to make effective use of existing achievements, which limits them from making advancements in this domain. Against this backdrop, we performed a systematic literature review to explore the world of serendipity and to recapitulate the current states of different research topics.
Design/methodology/approach
Guided by a prior designed review protocol, this paper conducted both automatic and manual search for available studies published from January 1990 to December 2020 on seven databases. A total of 207 serendipity studies closely related to human information behavior form the literature pool.
Findings
We provide an overview of distinct aspects of serendipity, that is research topics, potential benefits, related concepts, theoretical models, contextual factors and data collection methods. Based on these findings, this review reveals limitations and gaps in the current serendipity research and proposes an agenda for future research directions.
Originality/value
By analyzing current serendipity research, developing a knowledge framework and providing a research agenda, this review is of significance for researchers who want to find new research questions or re-align current work, for beginners who need to quickly understand serendipity, and for practitioners who seek to cultivate serendipity in information environments.
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This paper intends to provide a thematic literature review of the scholarly research articles orbiting the Sino–African education cooperation and exchange, published between 2005…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper intends to provide a thematic literature review of the scholarly research articles orbiting the Sino–African education cooperation and exchange, published between 2005 and 2022.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used in this paper is qualitative in nature with a thematic approach. The author used content analysis techniques to spotlight the major themes of the topic studied. The author selected the papers and theses, based on their heuristic capacity, from two major databases for the English and Chinese literature: Web of Science and CNKI. The selection process resulted in 60 high-quality peer-reviewed articles and theses. Another 30 research articles and theses were used as supplementary resources.
Findings
The literature concentrates on six points: the historical development, the nature of the exchange, the frameworks of the cooperation, vocational training and knowledge transfer, African students in China and their experiences, and education cooperation and soft power. However, research tends to be somewhat polemical rather than an academic debate between Chinese researchers and their western peers. Therefore, empirical studies beyond the geopolitical preoccupations and the “YEA” or “NAY” to the Sino–African education exchange are critically needed.
Practical implications
The implications of this study go beyond the east/west or developed/developing world rhetoric and focus more on sustainable educational development on a global scale. Understanding how the literature on the Sino–African education engagement is shaping, provides valuable insights into international education in the global south. It can also be implied to approach educational engagement with other destinations such as India, Türkiye and Brazil.
Originality/value
This thematic literature review concentrates on the educational aspect of Sino–African relations. It compares English and Chinese peer-reviewed scholarly articles and theses on China–Africa educational engagement and has heuristic implications for sustainable educational development globally.
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Hamid Zarei, Hassan Yazdifar, Mohsen Dahmarde Ghaleno and Ramin azhmaneh
The purpose of the paper is to investigate the extent to which a model based on financial and non-financial variables predicts auditors' decisions to issue qualified audit reports…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to investigate the extent to which a model based on financial and non-financial variables predicts auditors' decisions to issue qualified audit reports in the case of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors utilized data from the financial statements of 96 Iranian firms as the sample over a period of five years (2012–2016). A total of 480 observations were analysed using a probit model through 11 primary financial ratios accompanying non-financial variables, including the type of audit firm, auditor turnover and corporate performance, which affect the issuance of audit reports.
Findings
The results demonstrated high explanatory power of financial ratios and type of audit firm (the national audit organization vs other local audit firms) in explaining qualifications through audit reports. The predictive accuracy of the estimated model is evaluated using a regression model for the probabilities of qualified and clean opinions. The model is reliable, with 72.9% accuracy in classifying the total sample correctly to explain changes in the auditor's opinion.
Research limitations/implications
This study contains some limitations. First, it is likely that similar researches in developed countries set a large sample (e.g. over 1,000 firms) including more years, but the authors cannot follow such a trend due to data access restrictions. Second, banks and financial institutions, investment and holding firms are removed from the sample, because their financial structure is diverse. The third limitation of the study represents the different economic and cultural conditions of Iran compared to other countries. Future studies could focus on internal control material weaknesses or earnings management to predict audit opinion in emerging economies including Iran.
Practical implications
The paper has practical implications and can assist auditors in identifying factors motivating audit report qualifications, mainly in emerging economies.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to auditing research, since very little is known about the determinants of audit opinion in emerging markets including Iran; it also constitutes an addition to previous knowledge about audit opinion in the context of TSE. The paper is one of the rare studies predicting auditor opinions using both financial variables and non-financial metrics.
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Meng Wang, Azmawani Abd Rahman, Yuhanis Abdul Aziz and Nor Azura Adzharuddin
The distinct characteristics of slow tourism compared to mass tourism determine the differences between slow travelers and mass travelers. This transformation is essential for…
Abstract
Purpose
The distinct characteristics of slow tourism compared to mass tourism determine the differences between slow travelers and mass travelers. This transformation is essential for potential tourists to transition into slow travelers when promoting slow tourism to them. Can travel vlogs, a “fast” way of promoting, achieve such a “slow” transformation? To address this question, the purpose of this paper is to introduce the resonance theory and investigate the impact of resonance with slow tourism vlogs on potential travelers’ destination image and travel intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Through the distribution of online questionnaires on site, this study collected a total of 349 valid questionnaires. Subsequently, the researcher used partial least squares structural equation modeling to analyze the data and test the hypotheses.
Findings
The research findings indicate that cognitive resonance only positively affected cognitive image, while emotional resonance was positively associated with both cognitive image and affective image. In addition, it was observed that cognitive image and affective image played a positive mediating role between resonance with slow tourism vlogs and travel intention.
Originality/value
This research is pioneering in quantitatively validating the structure linking resonance, destination image and travel intention in the context of slow tourism. By validating the second-order structure of cognitive and emotional resonance, this study underscores the crucial role of resonance in shaping tourists’ transition toward a slow mindset in slow tourism.
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The present study provides a comprehensive review of the advancements in five active heating modes for cold-proof clothing as of 2021. It aims to evaluate the current state of…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study provides a comprehensive review of the advancements in five active heating modes for cold-proof clothing as of 2021. It aims to evaluate the current state of research for each heating mode and identify their limitations. Further, the study provides insights into the optimization of intelligent temperature control algorithms and design considerations for intelligent cold-proof clothing.
Design/methodology/approach
This article presents a classification of active heating systems based on five different heating principles: electric heating system, solar heating system, phase-change material (PCM) heating system, chemical heating system and fluid/air heating system. The systems are analyzed and evaluated in terms of heating principle, research advancement, scientific challenges and application potential in the field of cold-proof clothing.
Findings
The rational utilization of active heating modes enhances the thermal efficiency of cold-proof clothing, resulting in enhanced cold-resistance and reduced volume and weight. Despite progress in the development of the five prevalent heating modes, particularly with regard to the improvement and advancement of heating materials, the current integration of heating systems with cold-proof clothing is limited to the torso and limbs, lacking consideration of the thermal physiological requirements of the human body. Additionally, the heating modes of each system tend to be uniform and lack differentiation to meet the varying cold protection needs of various body parts.
Research limitations/implications
The effective application of multiple heating modes helps the human body to maintain a constant body temperature and thermal equilibrium in a cold environment. The research of heating mode is the basis for realizing the temperature control of cold-proof clothing and provides an effective guarantee for the future development of the intelligent algorithms for temperature control of non-uniform heating of body segments.
Practical implications
The integration of multiple heating modes ensures the maintenance of a constant body temperature and thermal balance for the wearer in cold environments. The research of heating modes forms the foundation for the temperature regulation of cold-proof clothing and lays the groundwork for the development of intelligent algorithms for non-uniform heating control of different body segments.
Originality/value
The present article systematically reviews five active heating modes suitable for use in cold-proof clothing and offers guidance for the selection of heating systems in future smart cold-proof clothing. Furthermore, the findings of this research provide a basis for future research on non-uniform heating modes that are aligned with the thermal physiological needs of the human body, thus contributing to the development of cold-proof clothing that is better suited to meet the thermal needs of the human body.
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Rashed Al Karim, Md Karim Rabiul, Sunehla Tahrin and Sayed Mohammed Arfat
This study aims to examine how hotel customer relationship management (CRM) practices affect tourist behavioural loyalty. This study also investigates the relationship quality…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how hotel customer relationship management (CRM) practices affect tourist behavioural loyalty. This study also investigates the relationship quality (trust and satisfaction) as a mediator between CRM practices and tourist behavioural loyalty in Bangladesh’s hotel sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Data was collected through a survey using a standardized questionnaire that used a five-point Likert scale. A total of 411 respondents were selected using a convenient sampling method. The data was analysed and interpreted using Smart-PLS.
Findings
Relationship quality (both trust and satisfaction) partially mediates the relationship between hotel CRM practices and tourist behavioural loyalty in the hospitality industry.
Practical implications
The Bangladeshi hotel management can use the outcomes of this study to enhance tourist loyalty by implementing and maintaining better CRM features in the hotel.
Originality/value
The unique contribution to the hotel industry of Bangladesh is the role of relationship quality, which includes trust and customer satisfaction, as a mediator between hotel CRM practices and traveller behavioural loyalty.