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This paper aims to explain the causal complexity between ecosystems of doing business and living standards based on the theoretical model of the ecosystem of doing business proposed by Li (2019) and Du et al. (2020). By integrating ecological theory, transaction cost theory and institutional logics theory, this study explored effective ecosystems of doing business that achieve high living standards and explained the interpretive mechanisms behind different ecosystems of doing business. Moreover, this study also analyzed whether there were any necessary elements that lead to high living standards and discussed how the interactions between these elements influence carrying capacity and transaction costs from government logic and market logic, thus affecting living standards.

In this study, fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and necessary condition analysis (NCA) were combined to analyze the data from the 2020 China City Statistical Yearbook, covering the main socioeconomic statistical data of cities at all levels in 2019.

This study found that no individual factor of the ecosystems of doing business was necessary to achieve high living standards, but the high level of human capital, innovation capacity, financial access and market demand play a significant role in achieving high living standards. Furthermore, two effective types of ecosystems of doing business lead to high living standards, namely, market dominance (government’s “invisible hand” or “nudging hand”) and government–market logic mutualism/symbiosis (government’s “helping hand”).

First, this work found that individual elements were not a necessary condition for high living standards, not only in kind but also in degree, complementing fsQCA with NCA, which indicates that environmental elements can be substituted by others. Second, this study considered the complex effects and explained the mechanisms behind different ecosystems of doing business, drawing on ecological theory, transaction cost theory and institutional logics theory from a configurational perspective. This study deepened the theories’ applications in the field of living standards and further discussed the elements interactions. Third, this study introduced configurational perspective and QCA into living standards research and adopted a mixed method that combines fsQCA and NCA to analyze the causal complexity between ecosystems of doing business and people’s living standards.

This paper aims to develop a parsimonious and robust formative index for evaluating and measuring the brand relationship quality of automobile brands.

Survey questionnaires were used to collect empirical data from 395 car owners, out of which 362 samples were included in the final analysis. Partial least squares technique was used for index construction.

The empirical findings exhibit that the automobile brand relationship quality (ABRQ) index based on the final set of six indicators effectively captures the conceptual domain of brand relationship quality. In addition, the external validity check affirms positive and significant influence of ABRQ index toward enhancing customer loyalty.

ABRQ index can assist the brand managers and academicians for benchmarking and market strategy formulation while contributing to the limited literature on brand relationship quality. Also, this index having six-indicators can considerably reduce the time and effort of respondents for filling the questionnaires, in turn, improving response rates.

This study represents a novel attempt to formulate a brand relationship quality index using formative measurement indicators, and as per the authors’ knowledge, has not been attempted by prior researchers in this domain.

This study aims to focus on understanding how the characteristics of the bed and breakfast (B&B) host responses to online reviews impact the subsequent business performance of review volume, including volume, timeliness and length of responses.

The study constructs a theoretical framework to model for the relationships among characteristics of the B&B host responses, heterogeneity of B&B houses and subsequent reviews. The model is then examined by an econometric model using data from Ctrip.com.

Prompt and lengthy responses to online reviews increase the number of subsequent reviews, and the effects are larger for higher level houses. The main theoretical contribution is to build a model explaining how multiple attributes of the host responses can affect business performance and how these effects are moderated by the class levels of B&B houses, which are empirically tested by real data.

This study highlights managerial implications of host responses for online B&B business practices. For the higher-quality B&B houses, based on price and reviews, lengthy and timely responses are necessary, as tourists expect increased customer service from these hosts.

The research provides insights in understanding the mechanism of B&B host responses on subsequent reviews. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the moderating effect of price and volume of online reviews on responses.

共享民宿房主对在线评论的反应如何影响后续评论：房屋等级的调节效应

本研究旨着重探讨民宿房主对网上评论的回应特性如何影响评论量的后续经营绩效, 包括回复数量、及时性和回复的长度。

方法 -- 本研究首先构建理论框架, 对民宿房主的在线回应特征、民宿房屋的异质性特征与后续评论之间的关系进行建模。该模型通过一个计量经济学模型对从携程网收集的数据进行了检验.

研究结果 -- 本研究的结果显示, 对在线旅游评论提供及时和冗长的回复, 可能会增加未来的预订数量, 从而增加后续的评论,并且这个影响随着房屋等级的提高而增加。本文的主要理论贡献是建立一个模型来解释房屋主人在线回应的多重属性如何影响他们的经营绩效, 以及这些影响是如何被房屋等级所调节的,并通过真实数据对理论进行了验证。

研究意义 -- 该研究有助于将研究重点从在线评论和口碑转移到管理层的回应效应。我们的研究结果印证了之前的研究关于评论量可以影响口碑信息说服力及其他口碑相关特征（如管理层回应）影响的结论。

管理启示 -- 本研究的结果, 向民宿房主提供了具体的管理启示, 为网上民宿商业管理提供参考。对于价格更高、在线声誉较高的B&B房屋, 应提供更多及时的回应, 因为游客期望得到更友好的客户服务。

原创性 -- 这项研究提供了关于民宿房主在线回应对后续评论量影响机制的探索。并将是首次尝试验证价格和在线评论量对在线回复影响的调节作用。

Entendiendo cómo las respuestas de los dueños de establecimientos de B&B a las opiniones de los turistas en línea promoverán las opiniones subsiguientes: Los efectos moderadores del nivel de clase de los establecimientos de B&B

Resumen

Propósito -- Este estudio se centra en comprender cómo las características de las respuestas de los anfitriones de alojamientos B&B influyen en el rendimiento empresarial de volumen de reseñas; esto incluye el número de respuestas, la puntualidad de la respuesta y la duración de la misma.

Metodología -- En primer lugar, el estudio construye un marco teórico para establecer un modelo de relación entre las características de las respuestas de los anfitriones de alojamientos, heterogéneos de alojamientos B&B y las revisiones posteriores. A continuación, el modelo es examinado por un modelo econométrico a partir de los datos recogidos en ctrip.com.

Resultados -- Se ha demostrado que las respuestas rápidas y extensas a las reseñas en línea pueden aumentar potencialmente el número de reseñas posteriores, y tuvieron un mayor impacto en las viviendas de gran altura. La principal contribución teórica de este trabajo es construir un modelo para explicar cómo los múltiples factores de la respuesta de los anfitriones pueden afectar a su rendimiento empresarial y cómo estos efectos son moderados por las nivel de los alojamientos B&B, través de los datos reales de la prueba empírica.

Implicaciones prácticas -- Proporciona una referencia para la práctica empresarial de los alojamientos B&B en línea, al informar sobre las implicaciones específicas de gestión para los anfitriones de alojamientos B&B. En el caso de las casas de alojamientos B&B de mayor nivel, con precios más altos y más reseñas en línea, se deberían dar más respuestas oportunas, ya que los turistas esperan de los anfitriones un servicio de atención al cliente más amable.

Originalidad -- La investigación permite comprender el mecanismo de las respuestas de los anfitriones de alojamientos B&B en las reseñas posteriores. Sería el primer intento de demostrar el efecto moderador del precio y el volumen de las reseñas en línea sobre el impacto de las respuestas.

In order to develop high shape retention yarn and investigate the effects of spinning process and core yarn contents on the shape retention of yarn, in this paper, three kinds of yarns, JC/T400 18.5tex (55.6dtex) core-spun yarn, JC/T400 18.5tex (44.4dtex) core-spun yarn and JC18.5tex pure cotton yarn were spun by using the complete condensing Siro-spinning technology. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

In this paper, the core-spun yarns were spun by using the complete condensing spinning and Siro-spinning technology. Two key spinning processes, yarn twist factor and core yarn pre-draft ratio, were optimized by using the orthogonal test method first. Then, via the variable control method, the position of the core yarn, the position of the bell mouth and the center distance between two bell mouths were optimized, respectively, and corresponding optimal spinning process of the three yarns was determined. Finally, the yarns were spun under the optimal process, and the performance of the spun yarns was tested and compared.

Results show that the yarn twist factor affects yarn strength and hairiness, the position of bell mouth affects the evenness and hairiness of the yarn mainly, and the position of the core yarn affects the coverage and hairiness of the yarn. For the Z-twist spinning, the core yarn enters the front roller from the left side of two strands center, which is beneficial to improve the covering effect of core yarn, and reduce the pilling phenomenon of the yarn. The contents of core yarn affect indicators of the yarn shape retention, such as yarn strength, elastic recovery and abrasion resistance.

The shape retention of yarns affects the shape retention of fabrics, and the production of yarn with high shape retention is a key step in achieving shape retention of fabrics. At present, there are little studies on the shape retention of yarns, most researchers shave focused on shape retention of fabrics. Using the complete condensing Siro-spinning method to spin the core-spun yarn can improve the quality of the yarn. Compared with traditional ring-spinning yarns, the addition of the core yarn can improve the shape retention of the yarn.

The paper aims to investigate effectiveness of the strengthening method, the construction process monitoring, fielding-load tests before and after strengthening, and health monitoring after reinforcement were carried out. The results of concrete strain and deflection show that the flexural strength and stiffness of the strengthened beam are improved.

This paper describes prestressed steel strand as a way to strengthen a 25-year-old continuous rigid frame bridge. High strength, low relaxation steel strand with high tensile strain and good corrosion resistance were used in this reinforcement. The construction process for strengthening with prestressed steel strand and steel plate was described. Ultimate bearing capacity of the bridge after strengthening was discussed based on finite element model.

The cumulative upward deflection of the second span the third span was 39.7 mm, which is basically consistent with the theoretical value, and the measured value is smaller than the theoretical value. The deflection value of the second span during data acquisition was −20 mm–10 mm, which does not exceed the maximum deflection value of live load, and the deflection of the bridge is in a safe state during normal use. Thus, this strengthened way with prestressed steel wire rope is feasible and effective.

This paper describes prestressed steel strand as a way to strengthen a 25-year-old continuous rigid frame bridge. To investigate effectiveness of the strengthening method, the construction process monitoring, fielding-load tests before and after strengthening and health monitoring after reinforcement were carried out.

Adding Pd element to Au wire can improve the reliability of Au-Al bonding, but the mechanism of Pd element has not been well revealed so far. The purpose of this study is to reveal in more detail the mechanism of the role of Pd elements in Au/Al bonding.

In this paper, the microstructure changes and tensile data of 99.99% (4N) gold wire and 99% (2N) gold wire with 1 at % Pd were compared through high-temperature thermal aging treatment of the specimens, so as to explore the influence mechanism of Pd element on Au-Al bonding reliability.

The addition of Pd element effectively reduces the thickness of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) layer and strengthens the fracture tension and reliability. Compared with the 4N specimen, the average thickness of the IMCs layer of the 2N specimen under the same conditions is reduced by 1 µm, and the tensile value of the 2N specimen is increased by 1−3 g. Stored at 200°C for 200 h, the failure rate of bond point of 4N specimen reached 94.64%, and that of 2N specimen was 20%, with a difference of 4.73 times.

Through comparative analysis of the data, this study found that the doping of Pd element in Au-Al IMCs in the early stage slowed down the growth rate of the IMCs, and the precipitation of Pd element in the late stage to form a better Pd-rich layer hindered the element mutual diffusion behavior between Au and Al.

Drawing from social contagion theory, this study aims to clarify whether consumers become motivated to help a brand and its community when observing other members contributing to society. The authors also analyzed the boundary conditions and mechanisms of this process.

A mixed-method approach was used to test hypotheses. Study 1 collected survey data from Chinese automobile brand communities, which were analyzed by using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Study 2 conducted an experiment with a fictional Chinese smartphone brand community.

Results showed that brand community social responsibility influenced brand community citizenship behavior but did not directly influence brand citizenship behavior. Collective self-esteem respectively mediated the relationships between brand community social responsibility and both brand community citizenship behavior and brand citizenship behavior. Additionally, a sequential mediation mechanism was identified, where collective self-esteem and brand community citizenship behavior functioned as the first and second mediators. Furthermore, membership duration positively moderated the relationship between brand community social responsibility and collective self-esteem and moderated the mediation effects.

Brand community managers should conduct various social responsibility activities to elicit community and brand citizenship behaviors by cultivating ethical awareness. These activities should be tailored to the membership duration.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explore how brand community social responsibility cultivates community and brand citizenship behavior. It is also based on social contagion theory to demonstrate the sequential mediation mechanism.

For two-sided platforms, the utility of users on one side of the platform depends in part on the number of users on the other side of the platform, a phenomenon called indirect network externalities. With the rapid development of two-sided platform and the popularity of platform membership, more and more two-sided platforms have launched joint membership through horizontal cooperation in order to take advantage of indirect network externalities to increase platform profits.

Our study explores the optimal bundling strategy for platform memberships under horizontal cooperation considering indirect network externalities. The main purpose of our study is to obtain the optimal pricing under different strategies (pure component, pure bundling, and mixed bundling) and contrast different strategies under different indirect network externalities.

Results suggest that the platform's optimal pricing for consumers and sellers depends on the indirect network externalities. Interestingly, the higher the indirect network externalities from consumers, the higher the price of the platform charges to sellers, and the platform might even subsidize sellers. Besides, when there are equal proportions of different types of consumers in the market, indirect network externalities that are too high, too low, or heavily lopsided may discourage the platforms from bundling their memberships. When the composition of consumers changes, the optimal strategy will also change. Our results can be employed in practical applications of bundling, which can help the platform increase profits.

In today's world, all firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions are coming under increasing public scrutiny. This is especially true for large companies whose decisions can and do have impact on society. Public service advertisements (PSAs), a mass-media approach, are advertisements which inform audiences of a firm's CSR actions and enhance its public image. In this chapter, we focus on a supply chain system consisting of two firms and their coordination strategy for public service advertising. To describe the synergistic effect between a PSA and a normal commercial advertisement, a modified Nerlove–Arrow model is employed in this chapter. Using differential game theory, we calculate and compare the optimal advertising levels for each stage of the supply chain system under two different decision scenarios, i.e., (i) the two firms make decisions independently and (ii) the two firms make decisions as an integral system. A coordination mechanism on the public service advertising between the two firms has also been proposed for the supply chain system and has been proved effective.