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1 – 10 of 394Yi Bu, Joy Parkinson and Park Thaichon
This study aims to investigate the relationships between sponsorship disclosure, influencer type and audience value co-creation behaviour in influencer marketing.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationships between sponsorship disclosure, influencer type and audience value co-creation behaviour in influencer marketing.
Design/methodology/approach
This study explores audience value co-creation behaviour in influencer marketing through sponsorship disclosure and influencer type using a 3 (sponsorship disclosure: explicit vs implicit vs no disclosure) × 3 (influencer type: micro vs meso vs macro) factorial between-subjects design.
Findings
This study finds that the influence of explicit disclosure on audience value co-creation behaviour (participation behaviour and citizenship behaviour) is greater than when that information is either implied or not disclosed. Likewise, the influence of macro-influencers on audience participation behaviour is higher than that of micro-influencers and meso-influencers. The findings also show that the interaction effect between influencer type and sponsorship disclosure significantly impacts audience participation behaviour.
Originality/value
This study introduces value co-creation behaviour into influencer marketing and expands research on sponsorship disclosure and influencer type. The study further enriches the value co-creation behaviour antecedent research in influencer marketing.
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Chenglei Qin, Chengzhi Zhang and Yi Bu
To better understand the online reviews and help potential consumers, businessmen and product manufacturers effectively obtain users’ evaluation on product aspects, this paper…
Abstract
Purpose
To better understand the online reviews and help potential consumers, businessmen and product manufacturers effectively obtain users’ evaluation on product aspects, this paper aims to explore the distribution regularities of users’ attention and sentiment on product aspects from the temporal perspective of online reviews.
Design/methodology/approach
Temporal characteristics of online reviews (purchase time, review time and time intervals between purchase time and review time), similar attributes clustering and attribute-level sentiment computing technologies are used based on more than 340k smartphone reviews of three products from JD.COM (a famous online shopping platform in China) to explore the distribution regularities of users’ attention and sentiment on product aspects in this paper.
Findings
The empirical results show that a power-law distribution can fit users’ attention on product aspects, and the reviews posted in short time intervals contain more product aspects. Besides, the results show that the values of users’ sentiment on product aspects are significantly higher/lower in short time intervals which contribute to judging the advantages and weaknesses of a product.
Research limitations/implications
This paper cannot acquire online reviews for more products with temporal characteristics to verify the findings because of the restriction on reviews crawling by the shopping platforms.
Originality/value
This work reveals the distribution regularities of users’ attention and sentiment on product aspects, which is of great significance in assisting decision-making, optimizing review presentation and improving the shopping experience.
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Park Thaichon, Gajendra Liyanaarachchi, Sara Quach, Scott Weaven and Yi Bu
The purpose of this paper is to review the past, current and future trends in empirical research and theoretical insights into online relationship marketing.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the past, current and future trends in empirical research and theoretical insights into online relationship marketing.
Design/methodology/approach
Review over 100 empirical and theoretical studies in the online relationship marketing from top marketing and management journals.
Findings
This paper examined three areas pertinent to online relationship marketing: first, the evolution of online relationship marketing from pre-1990s to the present, which offers a temporal snapshot of changes in and an overview of the critical components that make up the structure of online relationship marketing; second, key theoretical perspectives are underlying the development of online relationship marketing; and third, empirical insights into online relationship marketing. In general, online relationship marketing has evolved from customers being passive receivers of online information and services to active co-producers and value co-creators.
Research limitations/implications
The paper identifies future research areas, including multiple layers of interactions, use of new technologies and platforms and the dark side of online communications.
Originality/value
The authors dedicated summary tables for each area, highlighting key findings, which in turn suggest a series of managerial recommendations for facilitating efficient, effective buyer–seller interactions and maximising firm performance in relation to online relationship marketing.
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Chengzhi Zhang, Tiantian Tong and Yi Bu
Websites have their own features in aspect preference (e.g. the relative importance platforms place on product aspects in product evaluation). The purpose of this paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
Websites have their own features in aspect preference (e.g. the relative importance platforms place on product aspects in product evaluation). The purpose of this paper is to capture characteristics of different book reviews on aspect preferences by opinion mining techniques.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employ two indicators for identifying aspect preferences, and propose a method for quantifying overall differences of reviews on aspect preferences through three dimensions: aspect awareness, aspect satisfaction and comprehensive value.
Findings
The results show that book reviews on e-commerce websites contain information about external aspects of a book (e.g. hardcover), while those on social network websites pay more attention to content-related aspects of the book (e.g. stories). These results indicate that aspect preferences of reviews vary from platforms and make it hard to evaluate book comprehensively based on single-source data. Online book reviews from a wide range of sources can assess book impact from multiple perspectives and dimensions.
Practical implications
In order to illustrate the value of the authors’ method, the authors show book impact assessment based on multi-source data as an application of these difference analyses. Furthermore, the authors present an example of a book promotion to provide customized marketing services for different user clusters.
Originality/value
This study investigates the influence of different data sources on book evaluation from the content of book reviews. The authors also showcase potential applications of these analyses in book impact assessment.
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Baofeng Huo, Chen Liu, Haozhe Chen and Xiande Zhao
The purpose of this paper is to investigate relationships among dependence, trust, and integration in the Chinese 3PL context. 3PL integration is manifested in two key dimensions…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate relationships among dependence, trust, and integration in the Chinese 3PL context. 3PL integration is manifested in two key dimensions: information sharing and process coordination.
Design/methodology/approach
This study develops a dependence-trust-3PL integration-performance model and tests it using structural equation modeling with survey data collected from 361 companies in the Greater China area (i.e. mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan).
Findings
The results show that switch dependence is indirectly related to information sharing and process coordination through goodwill trust, while goal dependence has direct links with both integrative behaviors. The authors also found that only goodwill trust mediates the relationship between dependence and integrative behaviors, while ability trust does not mediate any relationships. Finally, the analysis validated the direct link between process coordination and financial performance, but did not find a significant link between information sharing and financial performance.
Originality/value
Different from most previous studies on similar topics, this study examines the impacts of different types of dependence and trust on different 3PL integration dimensions. As a result, the findings are more specific and have direct relevance to effective 3PL relationship management in China.
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China is a fast‐growing economy, and many multinational companies (MNCs) have found their ways to infiltrate that market. The competition among the MNCs has generated human…
Abstract
Purpose
China is a fast‐growing economy, and many multinational companies (MNCs) have found their ways to infiltrate that market. The competition among the MNCs has generated human resource management (HRM) problems. When formulating approaches in dealing with these problems, the expatriate management of the MNCs often “speak for” their local employees, as if the latter has no voice of its own. It is suspected that MNCs know partly what their local employees value. With such limited understanding, the former may be ineffective in managing their local staff. The purpose of this paper is to report a study that explores the HRM problems from local employees' perspectives. To understand Chinese employees, the conceptual lens, stemmed from Chinese philosophical traditions instead of that derived from western experience, is used.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews with Chinese employees working in MNCs.
Findings
The findings suggest that “asymmetrical understanding” exists between expatriate managers and their Chinese employees, and that the former may know much less about the latter than it is normally assumed.
Research limitations/implications
The findings, illustrated through interviews, have shed light on how MNCs could manage their Chinese employees, and how a meaningful dialogue could take place: understanding the other (Chinese employees) on their own intellectual ground to overcome “asymmetrical understanding”.
Originality/value
By allowing the voice of the other to come forth rather than to keep it in the background as, at best, a whisper, the study helps create a platform for a meaningful cross‐cultural dialogue between voices from the west and the other.
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Yi Bu, Park Thaichon and Joy Parkinson
This chapter is a descriptive study of digital marketing to stimulate electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) through the social impact of content creation. This chapter firstly…
Abstract
This chapter is a descriptive study of digital marketing to stimulate electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) through the social impact of content creation. This chapter firstly introduces the background, concept, and development of e-WOM. Secondly, discuss the relationship between digital marketing and e-WOM. Finally, make recommendations for the business. In the discussion of the relationship between digital marketing and e-WOM, this chapter expounds the social impact of content-generating, one of the essential means in digital marketing. It discusses the relationship between social impact and e-WOM. This chapter can provide references and the basis for exploring the relationship between digital marketing and e-WOM.
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Recognising interest in the nascent “rise of China”, the purpose of this paper is to engage with the normative social science approach to comparative management, positing that it…
Abstract
Purpose
Recognising interest in the nascent “rise of China”, the purpose of this paper is to engage with the normative social science approach to comparative management, positing that it is inadequate for an enlightened view of the Chinese subject.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a critical appraisal of extant literature, specifically Redding's The Spirit of Chinese Capitalism, by drawing resources from Fabian's epistemological critique of anthropology and Levinas' ethics to replace ontology as first philosophy, and by reference to historical studies on China's economic culture and its language.
Findings
Attention is drawn to how Redding's research subject is made an object of knowledge. In the objectification process, the subject's continuity is interrupted, its voice deprived, and its capacity for dialogue denied. This is evident in Redding's framework for analysis. Indeed, his Weberian social science template manifests a certain “imperialism of the same” and is symptomatic of much in comparative management regarding non‐western subjects. After critique, this essay then explores a supplement to Redding.
Practical implications
The paper proposes three principles for finding one's way out of objectification: ethics before “knowledge”, justice before “power”, and dialogue before “vision”.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to discourse on how comparative management must transcend its imperial social science legacy before it can find a just footing, and be born again.
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Kwok Wah Ronnie Lui and Sarojni Choy
This paper aims to report on a study that used the practice theory lens to understand how Chinese ethnic culture influences restaurant workers' learning through engagement in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report on a study that used the practice theory lens to understand how Chinese ethnic culture influences restaurant workers' learning through engagement in everyday work practices.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple case study approach was used. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews and site observations. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify how workers learnt the sayings, doings and relatings in their workplaces.
Findings
The findings show that the ethnic culture of the participants influences and enriches their learning in practice settings such as small Chinese restaurants.
Research limitations/implications
The understandings presented here need to be verified through more research in different regions and nations. In addition, cross-cultural studies on other ethnic restaurants may contribute to deeper understandings of the influences of ethnic culture on practice-based learning.
Social implications
The research contributes to understanding the influence of ethnic culture on practice-based learning.
Originality/value
The understandings gained from the findings of this study form a useful basis for curriculum development and instructional design of training programmes for practice-based as well as work-integrated-learning components of vocational curriculum. Furthermore, awareness of the strengths of the ethnic culture is of interest to owner/managers of small Chinese restaurants to afford supportive learning environments for workers.
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