Xiufeng Cheng, Ziming Zhang, Yue Yang and Zhonghua Yan
Social coding platforms (SCPs) have been adopted by scores of developers in building, testing and managing their codes collaboratively. Accordingly, this type of platform (site…
Abstract
Purpose
Social coding platforms (SCPs) have been adopted by scores of developers in building, testing and managing their codes collaboratively. Accordingly, this type of platform (site) enables collaboration between enterprises and universities (c-EU) at a lower cost in the form of online team-building projects (repositories). This paper investigates the open collaboration patterns between these two parties on GitHub by measuring their online behaviours. The purpose of this investigation is to identify the most attractive collaboration features that enterprises can offer to increase university students' participation intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
The research process is divided into four steps. First, the authors crawled for numerical data for each interactive repository feature created by employees of Alibaba on GitHub and identified the student accounts associated with these repositories. Second, a categorisation schema of feature classification was proposed on a behavioural basis. Third, the authors clustered the aforementioned repositories based on feature data and recognised four types of repositories (popular, formal, normal and obsolete) to represent four open collaboration patterns. The effects of the four repository types on university students' collaboration behaviour were measured using a multiple linear regression model. An ANOVA test was implemented to examine the robustness of research results. Finally, the authors proposed some practical suggestions to enhance collaboration between both sides of SCPs.
Findings
Several counterintuitive but reasonable findings were revealed, for example, those based on the “star” repository feature. The actual coding contribution of the repositories had a negative correlation with student attention. This result indicates that students were inclined to imitate rather than innovate.
Originality/value
This research explores the open collaboration patterns between enterprises and universities on GitHub and their impact on student coding behaviour. According to the research analysis, both parties benefit from open collaboration on SCPs, and the allocation or customisation of online repository features may affect students' participation in coding. This research brings a new perspective to the measurement of users' collaboration behaviour with output rates on SCPs.
Details
Keywords
Bin Liang, David Moltow and Stephanie Richey
The aim of this article is two-fold. First, it offers a unique account of San Min, the prototype of the current Chinese educational principle proposed by Yan Fu (1854–1921) that…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this article is two-fold. First, it offers a unique account of San Min, the prototype of the current Chinese educational principle proposed by Yan Fu (1854–1921) that aimed at improving people’s physical, intellectual and moral capacities. This system of educational thinking has received only marginal attention in Anglophone research literature. Second, given the influence of Yan Fu’s interpretation and promulgation of Herbert Spencer’s educational philosophy during that period, it investigates the extent to which San Min is derived from Spencer’s educational thought (the “Spencerian Triad”). This article focusses on how Yan Fu adapted the ideas of San Min from Spencer’s account.
Design/methodology/approach
This article considers Yan Fu’s principle of San Min in relation to Spencer’s educational triad through a close reading and comparison of key primary texts (including Yan Fu’s original writing). It explores the similarities and differences between each account of education’s goals and its proposed means of attainment.
Findings
Yan Fu’s principle of San Min is shown to have been adapted from the Spencerian Triad. However, using the theory of Social Organism, Yan Fu re-interpreted Spencer’s individual liberty as liberty for the nation. While Spencer’s goal was to empower individuals, Yan Fu aimed to serve collective independence, wealth and power.
Originality/value
This article addresses oversights concerning San Min’s Western origins in the Spencerian Triad and its influence on Chinese education under Yan Fu’s sway. It is significant because San Min is still at the core of the current Chinese educational policy.
Details
Keywords
The rich primary and secondary data sources for studying historical Chinese marketing theory and practice are discussed. This paper aims to briefly address possible challenges…
Abstract
Purpose
The rich primary and secondary data sources for studying historical Chinese marketing theory and practice are discussed. This paper aims to briefly address possible challenges (and their solutions) to using these sources.
Design/methodology/approach
A bibliographic review is used to analyze historical sources pertaining to Chinese marketing theory and practice.
Findings
Marketing scholars can draw from multiple but neglected and underused Chinese sources to glean important historical data reflecting pre-1949 Chinese marketing.
Research limitations/implications
Underused Chinese multilateral historical marketing materials are inalienable to extending historical marketing study. Many studies about marketing theory and practice are amenable to such materials.
Practical implications
By scrutinizing these materials, contemporary marketers can formulate parallel strategies from the repertoire of historical marketing strategies.
Originality/value
This is the first comprehensive survey of an invaluable non-Western source for historical research in marketing.
Details
Keywords
Feng Li, Zhonghua Yu and Zhensheng Yang
This paper aims to focus on investigating the failure mode of fused deposition modeling (FDM) fabricated parts by using acoustic emission (AE) technique.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on investigating the failure mode of fused deposition modeling (FDM) fabricated parts by using acoustic emission (AE) technique.
Design/methodology/approach
Considering the special prototyping way of FDM, the failure modes of FDM-fabricated parts were investigated experimentally. One test was carried out and the other two describe what has been observed on this basis. Acoustic emissions are obtained during the tensile process. AE features of peak frequency, energy and amplitude are extracted and preliminarily analyzed. Then, the unsupervised clustering method of k-means is applied to explore the relationship between the failure modes and the AE signals.
Findings
Failure modes of filament debonding and breakage can be successfully recognized by the pattern recognition technique of k-means.
Practical implications
The results obtained can help us understand the failure process of FDM printed parts. This will provide an available monitoring method in the application of FDM-fabricated parts.
Originality/value
This paper has investigated and characterized the failure modes of FDM fabricated parts for the first time.
Details
Keywords
Chen Zhao, Zhonghua Gao, Yonghong Liu and Ou Yang
The authors propose a new motivation construct, political self-efficacy, and investigate how and when leader political mentoring influences follower political behavior and…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors propose a new motivation construct, political self-efficacy, and investigate how and when leader political mentoring influences follower political behavior and promotability through political self-efficacy.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected four samples to develop a scale for political self-efficacy and conducted two field studies of leader-follower dyads to examine the model.
Findings
Leader political mentoring enhances followers' political behavior and promotability through increasing their political self-efficacy. These positive indirect effects are stronger when followers have a higher positive political perception.
Originality/value
This study integrates mentoring research with organizational politics literature and theorizes how a domain-specific self-efficacy—political self-efficacy, translates the positive impact of leader political mentoring on constructive behavioral and career-related outcomes.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this study is to explore how nationalistic appeals may affect consumers’ perception and purchasing of targeted brands. Qualitative historical data from old China…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore how nationalistic appeals may affect consumers’ perception and purchasing of targeted brands. Qualitative historical data from old China (1900–1949) reveal that social movement groups can adopt nationalistic appeals assisted by meaning framing – defined as a creative interpretation of symbols, designs, behaviors, social events and cultural identities to serve social and political goals – to shape consumers’ attitudes toward foreign brands. After examining the mechanisms and processes underlying consumer boycotts from 1900 to 1949, the responsive strategies of affected foreign companies are illustrated.
Design/methodology/approach
Critical historical research method is applied to historical data and historical “traces” from China’s corporate documents, memoirs, posters, advertisements, newspapers and secondhand sources documenting Chinese boycotts from 1900 to 1949.
Findings
Consumers may pursue interests beyond economic interests. Nationalistic appeals can mobilize consumer boycotts against foreign brands that were perceived to support or relate to targeted countries. Political framing of certain events shapes consumers’ perceptions and concomitant brand choices.
Research limitations/implications
Although differences between historical and current contexts may require tailoring past marketing strategies to current conditions, past strategies can inform current and future strategies.
Practical implications
Strategies adopted by foreign companies in old China (1900–1949) can help contemporary companies design effective marketing strategies for a hostile marketplace infused with nationalistic appeals and competing interests.
Social implications
Although local companies can adopt economic or political nationalism to realize their economic goals, it represents a double-edged sword that can harm national brands.
Originality/value
A historical analysis of nationalistic business appeals in pre-1949 China can inform the counterstrategies modern companies adopt to overcome consumer boycotts.
Details
Keywords
Jian Tian, Jiangan Xie, Zhonghua He, Qianfeng Ma and Xiuxin Wang
Wrist-cuff oscillometric blood pressure monitors are very popular in the portable medical device market. However, its accuracy has always been controversial. In addition to the…
Abstract
Purpose
Wrist-cuff oscillometric blood pressure monitors are very popular in the portable medical device market. However, its accuracy has always been controversial. In addition to the oscillatory pressure pulse wave, the finger photoplethysmography (PPG) can provide information on blood pressure changes. A blood pressure measurement system integrating the information of pressure pulse wave and the finger PPG may improve measurement accuracy. Additionally, a neural network can synthesize the information of different types of signals and approximate the complex nonlinear relationship between inputs and outputs. The purpose of this study is to verify the hypothesis that a wrist-cuff device using a neural network for blood pressure estimation from both the oscillatory pressure pulse wave and PPG signal may improve the accuracy.
Design/methodology/approach
A PPG sensor was integrated into a wrist blood pressure monitor, so the finger PPG and the oscillatory pressure wave could be detected at the same time during the measurement. After the peak detection, curves were fitted to the data of pressure pulse amplitude and PPG pulse amplitude versus time. A genetic algorithm-back propagation neural network was constructed. Parameters of the curves were inputted into the neural network, the outputs of which were the measurement values of blood pressure. Blood pressure measurements of 145 subjects were obtained using a mercury sphygmomanometer, the developed device with the neural network algorithm and an Omron HEM-6111 blood pressure monitor for comparison.
Findings
For the systolic blood pressure (SBP), the difference between the proposed device and the mercury sphygmomanometer is 0.0062 ± 2.55 mmHg (mean ± SD) and the difference between the Omron device and the mercury sphygmomanometer is 1.13 ± 9.48 mmHg. The difference in diastolic blood pressure between the mercury sphygmomanometer and the proposed device was 0.28 ± 2.99 mmHg. The difference in diastolic blood pressure between the mercury sphygmomanometer and Omron HEM-6111 was −3.37 ± 7.53 mmHg.
Originality/value
Although the difference in the SBP error between the proposed device and Omron HEM-6111 was not remarkable, there was a significant difference between the proposed device and Omron HEM-6111 in the diastolic blood pressure error. The developed device showed an improved performance. This study was an attempt to enhance the accuracy of wrist-cuff oscillometric blood pressure monitors by using the finger PPG and the neural network. The hardware framework constructed in this study can improve the conventional wrist oscillometric sphygmomanometer and may be used for continuous measurement of blood pressure.
Details
Keywords
This article aims to clarify the impact of stock market liberalization on corporate green technology innovation, analyze its mechanism from the perspectives of financing…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to clarify the impact of stock market liberalization on corporate green technology innovation, analyze its mechanism from the perspectives of financing constraints and environmental management level and explore heterogeneity.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the panel data of Chinese enterprises from 2010 to 2020, this article adopts the multi-point difference-in-difference (DID) method to test the impact of stock market liberalization on enterprise green technology innovation and its conduction pathway.
Findings
The outcomes demonstrate that stock market liberalization contributes to the furthering of green technology innovation. The heterogeneity test reveals that this promotion is more pronounced for private companies, small-scale companies and companies with high information transparency. The mediating effect test shows that stock market liberalization boosts green technology innovation by alleviating corporate financing constraints and improving corporate environmental management.
Originality/value
This article elucidates the impact path of stock market liberalization on corporate green innovation based on alleviating corporate financing constraints and improving corporate environmental management levels. From the perspective of corporate green technology innovation, this article provides evidence from emerging market countries for the economic effects of capital market opening, which helps to further improve the level of green innovation.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical historical analysis of the business (mis)behaviors and influencing factors that discourage enduring cooperation between…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical historical analysis of the business (mis)behaviors and influencing factors that discourage enduring cooperation between principals and agents, to introduce strategies that embrace the social values, economic motivation and institutional designs historically adopted to curtail dishonest acts in international business and to inform an improved principal–agent theory that reflects principal–agent reciprocity as shaped by social, political, cultural, economic, strategic and ideological forces
Design/methodology/approach
The critical historical research method is used to analyze Chinese compradors and the foreign companies they served in pre-1949 China.
Findings
Business practitioners can extend orthodox principal–agent theory by scrutinizing the complex interactions between local agents and foreign companies. Instead of agents pursuing their economic interests exclusively, as posited by principal–agent theory, they also may pursue principal-shared interests (as suggested by stewardship theory) because of social norms and cultural values that can affect business-related choices and the social bonds built between principals and agents.
Research limitations/implications
The behaviors of compradors and foreign companies in pre-1949 China suggest international business practices for shaping social bonds between principals and agents and foreign principals’ creative efforts to enhance shared interests with local agents.
Practical implications
Understanding principal–agent theory’s limitations can help international management scholars and practitioners mitigate transaction partners’ dishonest acts.
Originality/value
A critical historical analysis of intermediary businesspeople’s (mis)behavior in pre-1949 (1840–1949) China can inform the generalizability of principal–agent theory and contemporary business strategies for minimizing agents’ dishonest acts.