Do village leaders’ engagement, social interaction and financial incentive affect residents’ solar PV adoption? – an empirical study in rural China?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Shi ◽  
Liping Ding ◽  
Chenchen He ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Zumeng Zhang ◽  
...  

Purpose This study aims to analyze those factors affecting the rural resident’s willingness to adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) which is important for accelerating the popularization of clean energy in China. Design/methodology/approach This study contained a sample of 653 households in 8 provinces/regions by stratified, and random sampling in rural China. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis techniques have been used for analytical purposes. Findings The empirical results indicate that financial incentive and social interaction have positive effects on rural residents’ adoption willingness, while village leaders’ engagement can indirectly influence their adoption willingness through social interaction and residents’ cognition. Research limitations/implications This study mainly considers external and internal factors but ignores the effect of technical factors. In addition, the samples are just selected from the residents who have adopted solar PV. Practical implications This study is expected to be useful for the government, regulators, village leaders, village leaders and other institutions. Originality/value This study conducts a systematic analysis and clarifies the relationship between factors (external and internal) and rural residents’ adoption willingness. The village leaders’ engagement is first added to the conceptual model as an external factor, which is very essential in rural residents’ adoption in China.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Shih-Tse Wang ◽  
Fang-Tzu Hu

PurposeFor Internet celebrities, self-disclosure (SD) is a crucial step in building relationships with their followers who perceive this communication as para-social interaction (PSI), which facilitates socialization among followers. Normative commitment (NC) is critical for creating bonds among community members that are strengthened through socialization. However, research on the predictive relationships among SD, PSI and NC has been insufficient. This paper aims to investigate the effects of two facets of Internet celebrity SDs (i.e. private life and opinion) and two facets of PSI (i.e. companionship and following) on NC. The mediating role of PSI on the effects of SD on NC was also analyzed.Design/methodology/approachPeople who follow at least one Internet celebrity on a social networking site were recruited to participate in this study, and 494 valid questionnaires were collected for examination. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe results revealed that both private-life and opinion SDs have positive effects on companionship and following PSI, which consequently influence NC. A mediation test revealed that companionship and following PSI mediate the effects of private-life and opinion SD on NC. This study's findings also revealed that NC is influenced more by following PSI than it is by companionship PSI. Furthermore, opinion SD was determined to be the more influential factor in following PSI, whereas private-life SD was the more influential factor in companionship PSI.Originality/valueThis paper is useful for understanding the influence mechanism of the SD of Internet celebrities on PSI and NC.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 594-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Goel

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the concept of abolition of black money and the demonetization movement started in India for cleaning black money and its impact on corporate world and Indian economy. It discusses the corporate governance effect of the demonetization scheme and various policy measures taken by the government to unearth and curb the black money in the country. It also states the challenges in its process of implementation and implications for future. Design/methodology/approach It appraises and reviews the concept of demonetization and its process in India since its implementation on November 8, 2016. Findings The biggest positive effects of this move were eradication of stocked and staked up money, cleansing of the financial system and improving governance in India. But its implementation had mix outcomes with its own challenges for future improvement. Practical implications The lessons drawn from the experience are expected to pave way for the countries at large. Originality/value It is an original paper on demonetization in India, and it is hoped that the lessons learnt thereof will pave the way for the world at large.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Magdalena Solis-Radilla ◽  
Mauricio Carvache-Franco ◽  
Orly Carvache-Franco ◽  
Wilmer Carvache-Franco

Purpose The purpose of this study is to find the underlying variables of travel motivations associated with a coastal and marine destination, and the motivations that predict satisfaction and the intention to return and recommend a destination, as loyalty variables. Design/methodology/approach Coastal and marine destinations are highly visited by travelers for their variety of tourist activities. Motivation is one of the crucial aspects to understand visitors’ behavior in these tourist places. This in situ research was conducted in Acapulco, a major tourist destination in Mexico. The 441 questionnaires gathered were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and the stepwise multiple regression method. Findings The results show six underlying variables or motivational factors: heritage and nature, learning, sun and beach and physical activities, authentic coastal experience, social interaction and novelty. The “novelty” dimension is the most important and influential predictor of satisfaction and loyalty, followed by “social interaction” and “learning.” Research limitations/implications Timing was the main limitation of the present study, considering that the survey was administered in March and April, and the demand could vary in different seasons. The findings will contribute to academic literature and will offer valuable information to tourist destination planners. Practical implications Acapulco’s potential for coastal and marine tourism has been identified. This destination should organize activities related to the motivational factors found, for example, visits to museums, craft markets and walks can increase visitors’ “heritage and nature” motivations. Community visits can help to promote the “authentic coastal experience” dimension. Increasing the offer of water sports will better position the “sun & beach and physical activities” motivation. As “novelty” is the most predictive variable, activities that include the novelty component and related to beach festivals, coastal events, educational workshops, sports contests, parades, gastronomic activities and navigable tours should be carried out. Social implications The results will serve as management guides for the destination management organizations and as sources of information for the companies involved in marketing to develop products according to the demand found. Originality/value Until now, tourism studies have been carried out on the influence of motivations as predictive variables of satisfaction and loyalty in different types of destinations. However, research in coastal and marine destinations is scarce, representing a gap in the academic literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-518
Author(s):  
Yi-Fen Liu ◽  
Jun-Fang Liao ◽  
Jacob Jou

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore healthcare waiting time and the negative and positive effects (i.e. the dual effects) it has on outpatient satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach Self-administered surveys with 334 outpatients and follow-up interviews with 20 outpatients in three large hospitals in Taiwan were conducted to collect data. Findings Quantitative surveys demonstrated that perceived waiting time correlated with satisfaction negatively first but then positively. Satisfaction also correlated with doctor reputation and patient sociability. Follow-up qualitative interviews further revealed that, for some patients, waiting contributed positively to patient evaluations through signaling better healthcare quality and facilitating social interaction. Originality/value This research demonstrated the possibility that waiting might have positive effects on healthcare satisfaction. It also identified variables that could produce greater positive perceptions during hospital waiting and underlying mechanisms that could explain how the positive effects work. This research may potentially help hospitals with a better understanding of how they can improve patients’ waiting experiences and increase satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 111-128
Author(s):  
Sushmita Singh ◽  
S.K. Singh ◽  
Shashi Srivastava

Purpose This study is an effort to explore a relationship between benefits of schemes (BoS) on the job satisfaction among handloom weavers. The weavers who are engaged in this work however face lot of challenges in terms of remuneration and working conditions. The government has been immense with various schemes that cater to the work-related problems. This paper aims to understand whether work-related support can be a predictor for job satisfaction in this context. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey design was used where 335 handloom weavers randomly participated in the study. Questionnaire was administered and scale was developed and validated for the measurement of BoS by using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The effect of the benefits on the job satisfaction was investigated by using structural equation modelling on AMOS 21 platform. Findings The outcome suggested that the BoS significantly affects the job satisfaction and a possible predictor. This which was indicated by the value of r^2, i.e.0.38 at significance level p < 0.001. Research limitations/implications The study suggests a method for analyzing the schemes/policies in the light of the benefits that schemes intend to deliver. This would help in making suitable modifications in the schemes order to have wider outreach and large-scale inclusion of the beneficiaries. Practical implications The study can be useful for the policymakers to further strengthen the features of the schemes. They might work in direction of inclusion of more handloom weavers in the framework of the schemes. Originality/value The effects of the work-related policies on job satisfaction is still in nascent stage, so this work is all about exploration in that area.


Significance At its first meeting of 2017, on January 10-11, the COPOM reduced the benchmark Selic interest rate to 13%. The 75-basis-point (bp) rate cut decision, the largest in nearly five years, accelerated the monetary easing cycle that started in October 2016. Economic recession has been relieving inflationary pressures and opening room for more intense cuts in interest rates. Impacts Further reductions of interest rates may contribute to controlling government debt. Private debt renegotiations at lower interest rates may facilitate a recovery in domestic demand and output. Any positive effects of monetary policy on activity may help contain popular dissatisfaction with the government.


Subject Retail sector woes. Significance The trend towards online shopping is progressing fast in the advanced economies at the same time as rising housing, transport, health and utility costs are squeezing incomes and adding to the decline of traditional retailing. Sharply weaker UK consumer spending is putting yet more pressure on retailers’ profit margins, forcing rapid cost cutting, restructuring and the widespread closure of less viable outlets. Job losses and vacant retail premises are rising; the latter adding to urban decay in the worst affected areas. Impacts Retailing job losses dominate headlines but shop closures will have a larger and more pernicious impact on economic and social conditions. If UK regeneration efforts gain momentum and boost the budget and the government popularity, other regions could follow the UK template. Action needs to be taken to find urban redevelopment solutions and to boost public confidence in the positive effects of new technologies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
xiaoling Hao ◽  
Daqing Zheng ◽  
Qingfeng Zeng ◽  
Weiguo Fan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how to use social media in e-government to strengthen interactivity between government and the general public. Design/methodology/approach – Categorizing the determinants to interactivity covering depth and breadth into two aspects that are the structural features and the content features, this study employs general linear model and ANOVA method to analyse 14,910 posts belonged to the top list of the 96 most popular government accounts of Sina, one of the largest social media platforms in China. Findings – The main findings of the research are that both variables of the ratio of multimedia elements, and the ratio of external links have positive effects on the breadth of interactivity, while the ratio of multimedia features, and the ratio of originality have significant effects on the depth of interactivity. Originality/value – The contributions are as follows. First, the authors analyse the properties and the topics of government posts to draw a rich picture of how local governments use the micro-blog as a communications channel to interact with the public. Second, the authors conceptualize the government online interactivity in terms of the breadth and depth. Third, the authors identify factors that will enhance the interactivity from two aspects: structural features and content features. Lastly, the authors offer suggestions to local governments on how to strengthen the e-government interactivity in social media.


Subject The outlook for solar power in Mexico. Significance Mexico's second-largest solar park -- Central Los Santos Solar I -- began operations on April 18. Its inauguration followed the first long-term power auction to supply the state-owned utility Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) on March 28, and is part of a modest expansion of solar power infrastructure in the north of the country. Impacts The government plans to hold an electricity tender every year, with the terms released in April. The outcome of the second long-term power auction will be made public on September 30. According to Under-Secretary of Clean Energy Efrain Villanueva Arcos, the government may increase further its clean energy goals for 2021.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manogna R L

PurposeInnovation strategy and its outcomes may be different for agricultural input firms in developing countries than those operating in developed countries; hence, a study of developing economy should be an important addition to the literature which has earlier focussed mainly on developed countries. Indian firms which were previously catering to domestic demand are now the exporters of major agricultural machinery such as tractors and pesticides.Design/methodology/approachRapid growth in demand for the agricultural inputs and improvement in technology implementations have led us to study the performance and transformation of these input industries. An empirical analysis was performed on the listed agricultural input firms during 2001–2019 to investigate the relationship between the R&D efforts and growth of firms in the seed, pesticide, fertiliser and agricultural machinery industries using the system-generalised methods of moments (GMM) technique on the panel of 1,320 firm-year observations.FindingsThe findings reveal that investments in innovations have a positive and lagged effect on the growth of firms in the Indian agricultural inputs industry. A further analysis reveals that younger firms grow faster when they invest in R&D. More specifically, the author finds evidence in the case of the agricultural inputs industry that import of raw materials negatively affects the firms' growth (FG) and export intensity (EI) positively affects the growth in the case of R&D firms. Investments in R&D are also seen to enable firms to reap benefits from externalities present in the industry.Research limitations/implicationsThis study suggests that the government should encourage the industries to invest optimally in R&D projects by providing favourable fiscal treatments and R&D subsidies which are observed to have positive effects in various developed countries.Originality/valueThere are very few studies that have explored the impact of R&D expenditure on the firm performance in agricultural inputs industry, especially in an emerging economy context like India.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document