Chinese Manufacturing Research Articles

Mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment and prevention of gastric cancer

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) ranks as the fifth most prevalent malignancy worldwide. Conventional treatments, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, often induce severe side effects and significant adverse reactions, and they may also result in drug resistance. Consequently, there is a critical need for the development of new therapeutic agents. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and natural products are being extensively researched due to their low toxicity, multi-targeted approaches, and diverse pathways. Scholars are increasingly focusing on identifying active anticancer components within TCM. PurposeThis review aims to summarise research conducted over the past 14 years on the treatment of GC using TCM. The focus is on therapeutic targets, mechanisms, and efficacy of Chinese medicine and natural products, including monomer compounds, extracts or analogues, and active ingredients. MethodsRelevant articles on TCM and GC were retrieved from PubMed using appropriate keywords. The collected articles were screened and classified according to the types of TCM, with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms underlying the treatment of GC. ResultsThe research on TCM indicates that TCM and natural products can effectively inhibit the metastasis, proliferation, and invasion of tumour cells. They can also induce apoptosis, autophagy and improve the chemosensitivity of drug-resistant cells. Additionally, injections derived from Chinese herbal medicine, when used as an adjunct to conventional chemotherapy, can significantly improve the prognosis of GC patients by reducing chemotherapy toxicity. ConclusionThis review summarises the progress of TCM treatment of GC over the past 14 years, and discusses its therapeutic application of GC, which proves that TCM is a promising treatment strategy for GC in the future.

Bootstrap variable selection for corporate distress prediction: evidence from the Chinese manufacturing industry

ABSTRACT This study explores the corporate distress prediction of Chinese manufacturing firms over 2013–2018 by using a large number of financial predictors. We extend the bootstrap resampling procedure into corporate distress prediction, combining with the existing selection techniques such as best subset selection, forward stepwise selection, backward stepwise selection, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). We provide empirical evidence of the advantage of LASSO in selecting key predictors. The models constructed by these four techniques all outperform the prominent two models in the literature. This study proves the effectiveness of combining the bootstrap resampling method with variable selection techniques to predict corporate distress.

Does the application of industrial robots promote export green transformation? Evidence from Chinese manufacturing enterprises

Green exports are key in propelling China's foreign trade toward high-quality development. Based on rigorous theoretical analysis, this article employs comprehensive data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) from 2006 to 2014, along with data from the China Customs and industrial enterprise databases, to evaluate the impact of industrial robot utilization on fostering the green transformation of exports. The results reveal that the application of industrial robots unequivocally contributes to advancing the eco-friendly transformation of exports. This conclusion withstands endogeneity and robustness tests. In particular, industrial robots directly promote the green transformation of exports and exert an indirect influence through technological and scale effects. Technological effects can be divided into technological progress and green production, while scale effects relate to enterprise size and industry competitiveness. In terms of heterogeneity, the promoting effect of industrial robot utilization on the green transformation of exports is more pronounced in foreign-funded enterprises, technology-intensive enterprises, and enterprises in the eastern region. To efficiently leverage policy effects and facilitate the green transformation of exports, this article suggests strengthening policy guidance, providing special funds, tax incentives, and rewards, enhancing enterprise research and development capabilities, and encouraging domestic and non-technology-intensive enterprises, and enterprises in the eastern region to utilize industrial robots.

Strategic cooperation of high tech companies of China and Russia

The sanctions imposed on the Russian economics in 2022 by a number of countries created an external shock for many industries in Russia with the strongest impact on the enterprises of high tech industries. At the same time, there is an emerging potential for cooperation between Russian and Chinese manufacturers which is forming new strategies of development of Russian high tech enterprises. In order to evaluate the prospects and trends of development of Chinese high tech industry in this context, the authors applied methods of economic analysis including the correlation analysis. Factors, determining potential of cooperation between Russia and China in this sphere, were systematized on the basis of the methodology of strategizing by Professor Vladimir L. Kvint.It has been stated that Chinese manufacturers are able to replace either partially or completely European and American suppliers in a number of high tech industries: innovative components and equipment for engineering, semiconductors and chips, telecommunications equipment and components. It has been discovered that the number of registered patents and the number of researchers involved in RD in China have a significant correlation with the growth of export of high tech products of China. Further growth will be able to ensure the expansion of technology and knowledge exports from China to Russia.Thus, it can be stated for sure that there are perspective industries and fields of Russia-China cooperation in high tech industry. The sphere of cooperation which can become the basis for the strategy of development of Russian high tech manufacturers is scientific and patent cooperation with Chinese organizations. The authors have also discovered limitations in this cooperation: there is a threat of imposing international sanctions on Chinese manufacturers; Chinese enterprises are working at a high level of workload in the context of the global economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic; decrease of competitiveness of Russian high tech industry has a negative impact on the expected benefits from the cooperation between the countries. These strategic threats can be overcome with the help of a well-grounded foreign economic strategy developed by Russian and Chinese authorities.

Lights dim, exports down: Examining the trade effects of power shortages on Chinese manufacturing firms

While existing research extensively investigates the repercussions of demand shocks on export performance, limited attention has been given to understanding the trade implications of supply-side input shocks. Utilizing a city-level power shortage index and firm-level data from 2006 to 2014 for the Chinese manufacturing sector, we provide novel evidence of a significant negative impact of power shortages on export performance. This finding remains robust across alternative measurements and in addressing endogeneity concerns. Furthermore, we find that power shortages curtail firms' inventory and innovation activities, which are linked to export performance. Heterogeneity tests reveal insignificant impacts on state-owned firms, those in inland areas and high-energy-consuming industries as well. Additionally, our findings indicate that power shortages exclusively affect the intensive margins of exports rather than the extensive margins. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers and managers in devising strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of power shortages.

Strategies for precise regulation of autophagy by traditional Chinese medicine and natural products and their application in neurodegenerative disease models

Strategies for precise regulation of autophagy by traditional Chinese medicine and natural products and their application in neurodegenerative disease models

Promoting corporate independent innovation through judicial protection of intellectual property rights

This study examines the impact of judicial protection of intellectual property rights on firms' independent innovation. Using a staggered difference-in-differences model with panel data from Chinese manufacturing listed businesses (2014–2021) and the successive establishment of intellectual property courts in Chinese prefectural-level cities as a quasi-natural experiment, we find that establishing intellectual property courts in China encourages businesses to accumulate more technology-based intangible assets. Mechanism analysis suggests that judicial intellectual property protection enhances enterprises' independent innovation capacity by establishing a conducive institutional framework. This stimulating effect is particularly significant for industry-leading companies with technological supremacy. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that judicial intellectual property protection increases the generation of patents and trade secrets, with a more pronounced effect on firms receiving higher government research and development subsidies and better tax incentives. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers to encourage corporate independent innovation.

The Marketing Strategies for Increasing Sales Performance of Chinese Tea: Case Study on Ankang Tea in Shaanxi Province in China

This study explores the development of marketing strategies aimed at enhancing the sales performance of Chinese tea, with a specific focus on Ankang Tea from the Shaanxi Province in China. The research delves into a multifaceted approach to increase the market presence and profitability of this unique product. Key aspects of the study include understanding the target audience, establishing a strong online presence, leveraging social media, and utilizing popular e-commerce platforms. Diversification of product offerings, emphasis on quality and authenticity, exceptional customer service, and the implementation of a loyalty program are integral components of the proposed strategies. Furthermore, collaboration with influencers and tea experts, localization of marketing efforts, and continuous monitoring and adaptation of strategies are highlighted. Regulatory compliance, packaging, and shipping considerations, along with the importance of customer feedback and offline promotion, round out the comprehensive approach outlined in this study. The findings offer valuable insights into effectively navigating the e-commerce landscape for Chinese tea products, ensuring sustainable growth and market success.

Probing the CSR-pro-environmental behavior linkage: Insights into green reputation and chief sustainability officer influence

This study aims to examine the impacts of internal and external corporate social responsibility (CSR) on managers’ pro-environmental behaviors with the mediating role of green reputation and moderating of chief sustainability officer (CSO). We acquired information from 609 managers working in various Chinese manufacturing firms using a standardized survey tool. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was performed to analyze data. Our major findings are as follows. First, both internal and external CSR influence the pro-environmental behaviors of managers through the mediation role of corporate green reputation. Second, the CSO significantly moderates the relationship between CSR actions and corporate green reputation. Our study contributes to the body of current knowledge by giving empirical evidence for the theoretical framework linking CSR, reputation, and pro-environmental behavior. The findings from this study offer managerial insights for businesses that deliberately want to promote environmentally friendly activities.

Managerial ability, digital transformation and innovation efficiency: empirical evidence from Chinese manufacturing listed companies

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between managerial ability and innovation efficiency, the mediating effect of digital transformation and the moderating effect of internal control. Design/methodology/approach This study collected A-share manufacturing listed companies in China from 2008 to 2019 and analyzed the data by means of multiple regression analysis, mediating effect test, moderating effect test and heterogeneity test. Finally, the authors conducted robustness test by remeasuring key variables and adding control variables. Findings The empirical results show that the higher managerial ability can improve innovation efficiency, internal control has a positive moderating effect and digital transformation plays a partial mediating effect on the relationship between managerial ability and innovation efficiency. Specially, it is found that the mediating effect of digital transformation is not significant in non-state-owned firms. Practical implications This study suggests that it is necessary to focus on the managerial ability in terms of both cultivation and supervision, to further deepen the digital transformation from the aspects of firms, government and society, especially to support the digital transformation of non-state-owned firms, and to make efforts to improve the corporate governance mechanism and internal control system, so as to better comprehensively realize the improvement of enterprise innovation efficiency. Originality/value Based on the mediating effect analysis of digital transformation and the moderating effect analysis of internal control, this study explores the role of managerial ability on innovation efficiency from a new perspective, expanding the related theoretical framework and research boundaries.

Analysis of the Brand Internationalization Status and Development Environment of Chinese Enterprises

Driven by the wave of economic globalization in the 21st century, brand internationalization has become an important strategic choice for the enterprise and even the national level. With the internationalization of the market, the transnational of enterprises, the multinational capital and the intensification of competition, the brand has become a key indicator to measure the economic strength of a country or region. Although Chinese enterprises have cost and product advantages in the international market, their brand advantages are relatively weak, which leads to the limited image of Chinese products in overseas markets, and faces intellectual property challenges and dumping charges. To meet this challenge, the Chinese government has included independent innovation and brand building as the focus of the 11th Five-Year Plan since 2005, with the aim of enhancing international competitiveness. However, Chinese enterprises still face many problems in the process of brand internationalization, including the lack of brand strategy, the lack of understanding of the importance of brand internationalization, and the lack of grasp of development models and methods. At present, the theoretical research of brand internationalization has not yet formed a systematic framework, and there is a relative lack of systematic research on enterprise brand internationalization. Moreover, the practical history of Chinese enterprises in this field is relatively short, which provides a broad space for theoretical research and practical exploration. This paper aims to provide theoretical reference and strategic guidance for Chinese enterprises to enhance their brand competitiveness in the international market through in-depth study of the theory and practice of brand internationalization. Through the elaboration of the relevant theory of brand internationalization, the analysis of the development environment of Chinese brand internationalization, and the construction of the development strategy and mode of enterprise brand internationalization, this paper discusses the support system of brand internationalization development, in order to provide systematic theoretical support for the road of brand internationalization of Chinese enterprises.

The impact of China certified emission reduction market resumption on manufacturers' stock market valuations: The role of OSCM factors

The research investigates how the resumption of the China certified emission reduction (CCER) market affects Chinese manufacturers' stock market valuations from an operations and supply chain management (OSCM) perspective. The paper draws from a resource-based view to examine the moderating effects of supply chain concentration (SCC), operational slack, and operational efficiency (OE) on the relationship between the CCER market and manufacturers’ stock market valuations. This paper employs the event study method to examine market responses to CCER. The results reveal that the resumption of the CCER market significantly enhances the market valuations of high-pollution manufacturers to a greater extent than those of manufacturers with lower pollution levels. Additionally, the research findings indicate that SCC and operational slack attenuate the positive effect of CCER market resumption while OE amplifies it. This paper contributes to the OSCM literature by urging businesses to focus on the roles of SCC, operational slack, and OE in the CCER framework to harness the advantages of the CCER system better.

NK model simulation study of intelligent manufacturing transformation path selection in pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises

Under the wave of Industry 4.0, traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises are in urgent need of intelligent manufacturing transformation and upgrading, and exploring the optimal realization path of intelligent manufacturing transformation can help accelerate the transformation process of pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises. This paper uses grounded theory research methods to conduct a multi-case study to summarize six influencing factors of the intelligent manufacturing transformation of Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises; and then analyzes the correlation between the intelligent manufacturing influencing factors based on the DEMATEL method and the NK model, and identifies the key influencing factors according to this, and then draws the fitness landscape map of the intelligent manufacturing transformation, and finally arrives at the optimal path selection of the intelligent manufacturing transformation of pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises. The study enriches and extends the research paradigm of intelligent manufacturing transformation, and provides lessons for pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises to realize intelligent manufacturing transformation and upgrading.

Successful corticosteroid therapy for severe liver injury secondary to herbal traditional Chinese medicine, Mega Defends X, assessed for causality by the updated RUCAM: A case report.

In China, herbal traditional Chinese medicine products are readily obtained without any requirement of prescription and widely used in real life, thereby increasing the incidence of their related herb-induced liver injury (HILI). However, the diagnosis of HILI is still challenging because its clinical manifestations are variable due to lack of any specific biomarkers. Misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment may result in the progression of HILI. A 55-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital due to progressive jaundice. The diagnoses of HILI secondary to Mega Defends X, an herbal traditional Chinese medicine product, for which the score was 9 based on the updated Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method of 2016. The patient received corticosteroid with a stepwise dosage reduction. The liver injury significantly improved by corticosteroid treatment. Corticosteroids should be potentially effective and safe in patients with severe HILI.

Comparing the Impact of Green Supplier Selection and Integration on Environmental Performance: An Analysis of the Moderating Role of Government Support

As the green market becomes increasingly saturated, companies must allocate limited resources to more precise and efficient projects. This study aims to explore and compare the impact of green supplier selection and green supplier integration on environmental performance, with a particular focus on the moderating role of government support. The research was conducted through a survey of 391 Chinese manufacturing firms by a specialized research institution, employing hierarchical regression analysis. The results indicate that both green supplier selection and integration have a positive impact on environmental performance, with green supplier integration having a more significant effect. Moreover, active government support weakens the relationship between green supplier selection and environmental performance but strengthens the relationship between green supplier integration and environmental performance. Given the study’s context, scope, and sample size, certain limitations exist. This research highlights more strategically significant supplier management practices and emphasizes the moderating role of government support in different contexts, while also providing valuable and practical recommendations for relevant practitioners.

Effect of top management team attention to digital transformation on innovation activities

Digital transformation, as a global trend, has captured a lot of attention from management. How management allocates attention resources has become an important issue if a firm plans to pursue digital transformation. We provide an empirical analysis for this problem from the perspective of the attention-based view. We use data from 493 listed Chinese manufacturing firms from 2012–2020 to examine how the allocation of top management team (TMT) attention to digital transformation affects innovation activities. The results reveal that TMT attention to digital transformation and its intensity has a positive impact on corporate innovation activities, while the breadth of attention exhibits an inverted U-shaped impact on innovation activities. These findings are consistent with theoretical predictions. We also examine the moderating roles of external factors such as market conditions, corporate ownership, CEO duality, and policy support that distract managers’ attention, and reveal different characteristics of moderating role of Chinese state-owned firms. These findings provided a reference for further promoting digital transformation.

Study on the TCM Products Descriptions Translation on Cross-border E-commerce Platforms

In recent years, with the vigorous development of the international internet and cross-border logistics, the cross-border e-commerce industry has gained tremendous momentum in China. Traditional Chinese medicine products have also been venturing into foreign markets in large quantities through the cross-border e-commerce platforms. However, the author has noticed that the English copywriting for some traditional Chinese medicine products on cross-border e-commerce platforms is of uneven quality, which harms the overseas sales of these products. Therefore, this article analyzes the characteristics and text types of English copywriting for traditional Chinese medicine products on Alibaba and proposes some translation strategies in accordance with Newmark's text type theory. The author believes that for titles and efficacy descriptions, which have the characteristics of both informational and vocative texts, it is advisable to utilize the domestication translation strategy as possible as we can. However, given the unique roles of product titles and efficacy descriptions, there should be some differences in the translation process. Titles translation should prioritize the use of trending keywords, while translating efficacy descriptions should primarily rely on domestication and paraphrasing strategies.

How does organizational support for creativity affect research and development (R&D) employees’ innovative behavior?

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationships among organizational support for creativity, employees’ creative self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and employees’ innovative behavior in the Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.Design/methodology/approach: A quota sample (n = 385) and a quantitative research methodology were employed in this study.Data from R&D staff at Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing companies was gathered using an online survey. The study examined the validity and reliability of the measuring tools as well as the variables’ correlation analysis. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), hypotheses were investigated. The specific indirect impacts were quantified through the use of bootstrapping.Findings:The investigation indicates that organizational support is positively related to employees’ innovative behavior. Employee inventive behavior and organizational support for creativity are positively impacted by the twin mediation roles that creative self-efficacy and work satisfaction levels play. Job satisfaction was found to have a greater impact on inventive behavior among employees compared to creative self-efficacy in terms of size. Research, practical, and social implications: In addition to fostering the interdisciplinary application of psychology and organizational behavior, this study creates a dual-mediation model that bridges the gap in the mechanisms of individual cognitive and attitudinal roles between organizational support for creativity and employee innovative behavior. Furthermore, this research advances management strategies and fosters innovation in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.Originality/value: From the perspective of individual perceptions and attitudes, this study examined the mechanism of action between employees’ innovative behaviors and the organizational support for creativity among employees. This investigation offers a fresh viewpoint on the factors influencing employees’ innovative behaviors. The research enhances our comprehension of the correlation between employee job contentment, their belief in their creative abilities, and their capacity for innovative performance. The outcomes of the study can offer valuable perspectives for executives in the business realm.

How do global value chains respond to climate change? A case study of Chinese manufacturing firms

This study investigates climate risk and its effects on global value chain (GVC) participation, with a focus on the impact of drought on the export value-added ratio (DVAR) of Chinese manufacturing firms. Using fixed effects (FE) and system GMM models, the main findings are: Drought significantly reduces manufacturing firms' DVAR, with the lagged dependent variable showing a strong persistence effect and an even greater impact in the second lag period. This impact varies based on the firm's location, the complexity of its value chain, and its ability to adapt to and mitigate climate change effects. Strategies such as improving operational efficiency, investing in sustainable technologies, and enhancing competitiveness in developed markets may help mitigate or reverse the adverse effects of climate change on these firms. Additionally, significant industry and regional differences are observed, with the Northeast, East, and South China regions being most severely affected by drought. Global innovation value chains and regional processing value chains are significantly negatively impacted, while labor-intensive value chains are affected only in the current period. These findings provide new insights into the economic impacts of climate change and offer a basis for policymakers to develop strategies that help firms adapt to and mitigate climate risks.

Insight into the autochthonous lactic acid bacteria as starter culture for improving the quality of Sichuan radish paocai: Changes in microbial diversity and metabolic profiles

Paocai is a traditional Chinese fermented vegetable product popular in Asian countries. Recently, functional starters were used to control the fermentation process and improve the quality of paocai. In this study, three autochthonous lactic acid bacteria including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LB6, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LB3, and Weissella cibaria W51 were selected as starters and the effect of the starters on the fermentation of paocai was investigated. The results suggested that the inoculated fermentation led to a lower nitrite peak and more pronounced changes in pH and total titratable acid in the early stage of fermentation, compared with natural fermentation. Analysis of the flavor compounds indicated that the total content of volatile organic compounds of paocai through natural fermentation was significantly lower than that in inoculated fermentation. As for free amino acids, in the early stage of fermentation, the types and contents of free amino acids in the inoculated fermentation paocai were higher than those in the blank group. In the later stage of fermentation, the contents of amino acids representing umami and sweet tastes were also higher than those in the blank group. The bacterial community analysis showed that Lactobacillus and Lactococcus were the dominant bacteria in both inoculated fermentation and natural fermentation. Then, the correlations among physicochemical properties, microbial community and flavor compounds were revealed, and it was found that the dominant bacteria such as Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus and Weissella displayed a considerable impact on the physical and chemical properties and flavor of paocai. In addition, the metabolic pathways involved in flavor formation and the abundance of related enzymes were elucidated. The abundance of enzymes involved in generating prephenic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid, butanoic acid, etc., and in the pathway of producing flavor substances (His, Met, ethyl hexanoate, etc.) was up-regulated in the inoculated fermentation. Results presented in this study may provide a reference for the development of paocai starters and further guidance for the flavor improvement of Sichuan paocai.