Empirical Evidence Research Articles

The value of statistical life in air and road transport

Purpose Accidents occur in all transport modes and can cause significant material damage and loss of life. To efficiently allocate resources that enable the reduction of accidents, it is necessary to estimate the value of a statistical life (VSL). This study aims to show how the statistical value of human life in air and road traffic is determined. Design/methodology/approach This study examines and applies recent empirical evidence aimed at clarifying the basic concept of the VSL and defining the reasons for its importance in evaluating public policies in aviation safety and road traffic safety. The research focuses on the principal equity indicators, both theoretical and empirical, that must be confronted to provide a credible estimate of the VSL. Findings Previous research shows that the VSL could have a considerable range of possible values. This study emphasizes that risk reduction funds need to be distributed in a consistent and equitable manner to achieve the best outcomes for society as a whole. Practical implications This research will guide future research efforts towards understanding the impact of the estimated statistical life value on air and road safety implications. Social implications This study strengthens awareness of the importance of the VSL in evaluating public policies in the field of aviation and road safety. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to compare air and road traffic from the perspective of the VSL evaluation.

Can diplomatic activities promote foreign direct investment? Empirical evidence from China

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of Chinese senior leaders’ diplomatic visits on outward and inward foreign direct investment (OFDI and IFDI, respectively). Additionally, it aims to discern the differential impacts of diplomatic visits on FDI across different Chinese administrations.Design/methodology/approachWe utilize data about the diplomatic visits of Chinese senior leaders to 146 host countries. The dataset was divided into two leadership eras: the tenure of President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao from 2003 to 2012 and the period from 2013 to 2021 under President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang. We employ generalized least squares, lagged effect, and two-stage least squares methods to estimate the econometric model. This analytical framework assesses the influence of high-level diplomatic visits on FDI flows, addressing potential time-serial and endogeneity concerns.FindingsThe findings reveal that senior leaders’ diplomatic visits significantly boost Chinese OFDI. The effect on IFDI in China is not statistically significant. The administrations of Hu and Xi played positive roles in promoting OFDI. However, only Hu’s administration showed a statistically significant positive relationship with IFDI. The result suggests a potential increase in IFDI between China and host countries within two to three years following diplomatic visits.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the understanding of how Chinese senior leaders’ diplomatic activities affect foreign direct investment. It provides a deeper understanding of Chinese senior leaders’ diplomatic efforts to compensate for investment across two administration periods. It offers insights into the potential influence of diplomatic efforts on FDI, enriching the understanding of diplomacy’s role in international business contexts.

Exploring barriers to Quality 4.0 implementation: a multivariate analysis

PurposeIndustry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and practices are changing the way quality is managed in organizations, giving rise to the movement known as “Quality 4.0” (Q4.0). In this context, this study aims to analyze the barriers organizations face when trying to implement Q4.0 and to examine whether there are significant differences according to size, sector, level of excellence and degree of readiness for Q4.0 implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe sample comprises 107 Spanish organizations with some form of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence recognition system. The methodology includes multivariate techniques (factor analysis and mean difference analysis).FindingsThe study has managed to summarize the ten main barriers to the implementation of Q4.0 identified in the literature in three groups: organizational (five barriers), knowledge (two barriers) and technological (three barriers). The main barriers are the high investment in technology required to implement Q4.0 and the need for more training and competence of workers. In addition, SMEs encounter more significant technological barriers when implementing Q4.0 than large companies. However, organizational and knowledge barriers are the same. Organizations in the service sector come across more organizational and knowledge barriers to implementing Q4.0 than industrial organizations; no differences were identified for technological barriers. The higher the EFQM seal of excellence achieved, the lower the knowledge barriers faced, with no differences in organizational and technological barriers. Finally, it is observed that the more prepared organizations are to implement Q4.0, the lower the barriers they face.Research limitations/implicationsThe study helps managers identify the barriers they may encounter when implementing Q4.0, which helps design short- and long-term plans to mitigate or break down these barriers.Originality/valueThe study provides empirical evidence on an organization’s barriers to implementing Q4.0. On the other hand, the barriers are related to some of the relevant characteristics that define the organizations, such as their size, the sector of activity, their level of excellence and their degree of preparation for implementing Q4.0.

Entrepreneurial resources and the well-being of women entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry of Uganda

Purpose The purpose of this study is to establish whether all the dimensions of entrepreneurial resources matter in fostering the well-being of women entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach An explanatory research design was used to collect data through a questionnaire survey of 283 women entrepreneurs who benefited from the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP). This study used Statistical Package for Social Sciences to analyze the data. Findings Study results show that social and human capital matter unlike financial capital in boosting the well-being of women entrepreneurs. Originality/value This study provides maiden empirical evidence on contribution of entrepreneurial resource dimensions in fostering the well-being of women entrepreneurs, unlike extant studies that mostly focused on entrepreneurial resources as a global variable. This was done using evidence from Uganda, a developing context where the government and other stakeholders are still grappling with improving the well-being of women as a pathway for social-economic development.

Thinking or feeling? The effect of information diversity on consumption decisions based on the social support framework

PurposeInstrumental and emotional information influence paradoxically on people’s decision-making, and similar influences are more evident in e-commerce scenarios where physical information is limited. This study aims to construct a systematic explanatory framework for the influence of multidimensional recommendation information diversity (RID) on users' click and purchase decisions based on the social support theory (SST).Design/methodology/approachThis study analyses 453,176 data from 67,079 users of a Chinese e-commerce platform, applying lasso algorithmic techniques and cross-fit partialling-out (XPO) regression for empirical analysis.FindingsThe study finds that instrumental support information diversity (ISID) and emotional support information diversity (ESID) play divergent roles, and that the effects of both on user decision-making are inconsistent with mode-flip and marginal change. Differences in users' information craving and information overload processing mechanisms for instrumental and emotional information, leading to an inverted U-shaped effect of ISID on consumption decisions, while ESID has a U-shaped effect. Additionally, supplier certification eliminates the marginal change in ESID, and products with a high information standardisation degree eliminate the marginal change in ISID.Originality/valueResearch results reveal the opposing roles of the two types of RID and the application boundaries of their roles, providing empirical evidence for academic research.

Empirical evidence of resource dependent evolution of payoff matrices in Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations.

In evolutionary game theory, a relative comparison of the cost and benefit associated with obtaining a resource, called payoff, is used as an indicator of fitness of an organism. Payoffs of different strategies, quantitatively represented as payoff matrices, are used to understand complex inter-species and intra-species interactions like cooperation, mutualism, and altruism. Payoff matrices, however, are usually treated as invariant with time - largely due to the absence of any empirical data quantifying their evolution. In this paper, we present empirical evidence of three types of resource-dependent changes in the payoff matrices of evolving Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations. We show that depending on the carbon source and participating genotypes, N-player games could collapse, be born, or be maintained. Our results highlight the need to consider the dynamic nature of payoff matrices while making even short-term predictions about population interactions and dynamics.

Quality, Safety, and Security Systems in the Greek Port Industry: Over Twenty Years of Research, Empirical Evidence, and Future Perspectives

Background: Quality, Safety and Security are embedded in all aspects of port operations and are crucial for port industry stakeholders. Over the past decades, numerous assurance systems, codes, and regulations for quality, safety, and security have been developed and implemented in ports world-wide. This paper examines key insights for the implementation those systems in ports, reviewing over 20 years of empirical research on the impact and outcomes of such systems in Greek ports and internationally. Methods: It compares and discusses evidence from two empirical surveys spanning the first two decades of the 21rst century. The first survey was conducted in 2011 (with evidence from 2000 to 2011) including 12 major Greek ports (SAs) and the second one was conducted up to 2022–2023, including 23 over 25 Greek ports (the same SAs and other ones from the Greek TEN-T network). Results: The higher-level scope of this paper is to investigate critical perspectives on and trends in quality, safety, and security systems in the port industry. Conclusions: This investigation aims to strengthen the assumption that quality, safety, and security play a pivotal role in shaping the image, performance, and growth of ports.

Free Speech, Green Power: The Impact of Freedom of Expression on Renewable Energy

Although there has been a growing interest in identifying the key drivers of renewable energy over the last few decades, theoretical connections and empirical evidence on the impact of freedom of expression still need to be made. Within the framework of this gap in the literature, this study tries to solve the mystery by focusing on the impact of freedom of expression on renewable energy in 20 high-income countries from 1990 to 2022. The effects of economic growth, carbon dioxide emissions, trade openness, and foreign direct investment were also examined. The evidence-based on second-generation econometric estimators such as AMG and CCEMG are consistent. Findings show that freedom of expression indicates increased renewable energy consumption. In addition, while economic growth and foreign direct investments increase renewable energy, CO2 emissions reduce renewable energy. Trade has no significant impact. The positive link between freedom of expression and renewable energy is promising for the countries involved and presents a significant win–win opportunity. Therefore, countries need to establish democratic principles.

A study of the first five‐year tenure (2017–2022) of provincial governments in Nepal

AbstractNepal introduced federalism in 2015 with three levels of government: federal, provincial, and local. The preamble of the constitution mentions that the country's new federal system of government shall address three key perennial political and policy problems: (i) centralized governance structure, (ii) geographically disbalancing developmental approach, and (iii) social injustice leveraged by caste‐based social structures and unequal economic opportunities. This research is an attempt to understand the first 5‐year tenure of provincial governments (2017–2022) regarding their efforts to attain the aforesaid constitutional aims. Findings indicate that provincial governments operated in ambiguity during their first electoral tenure, resulting in no tangible outcomes. Instead, they generated rather pessimistic public impressions about provincial government structure in Nepal. The research contributes to broadening the insights on intermediary government mechanisms across federal countries, with empirical evidence from Nepal.

Importance of FinTech and Green Finance to Achieve the Carbon Neutrality Targets: A Study of Australian Perspective

Abstract Based on Australian data from 2000 to 2022, this study examines how FinTech will influence the nation's environmental future. The research shows that by directly intervening, FinTech-supported green finance is a chief driver of carbon reductions. This study contributes to existing literature by examine the role of Fintech and green finance in carbon neutrality targets of Australia. The complex web of interrelationships between technological and financial innovations is revealed as a factor that impacts the environment. When applied to Australia, which has its own FinTech industry and commitment to sustainable development, these results become even more eye-catching. This synergy takes global dimensions, with the research demonstrating a need to harmonize technological development and workable financial plans if environmental breakthroughs are to be made. However, the study points out to policymakers that they must foster a nurturing environment for digital financial innovations, develop stronger regulatory mechanisms, and encourage sustainable financial products. In terms of methodology, the research uses regression and mediation analysis to reach its conclusions. This research provides empirical evidence on the critical role of Fintech in advancing environmental sustainability in Australia, highlighting its direct and mediated effects on carbon emission reductions. By demonstrating the synergistic impact of technological and financial innovations, the study offers valuable insights for policymakers to foster a supportive ecosystem for sustainable digital finance.

Long-term effects of establishing outpatient pooling funds on financial protection: Empirical evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China.

A limited benefit package for outpatient care in Chinese universal health coverage led to high out-of-pocket outpatient payments, and even medical impoverishment. The outpatient pooling fund model was introduced in China's Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance to reduce cost-sharing for outpatient care. This study attempts to examine the dynamic effects of the outpatient pooling scheme on financial risk protection for its enrollees. A total of 18,097 individual-level observations covering 52 prefectures were extracted from six waves of China Health and Nutrition Survey (2000-2015). The difference-in-differences model with multiple periods and event study were employed to investigate the dynamic effects of reform on catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and impoverishing health expenditure (IHE) and potential mechanisms. Our results showed outpatient pooling scheme generated a significant effect on reducing the probability of incurring CHE (β=-0.004, 95% CI=-0.009 to -0.006) and IHE (β=-0.007, 95% CI=-0.012 to -0.001), especially for elderly people over 60years old. The realization of this effect may depend on the reduction of outpatient cost-sharing, increased outpatient care utilization, as well as decreased inpatient care utilization after reform. However, event study found the effectiveness of outpatient pooling reducing CHE and IHE occurrences appeared to be weak even insignificant in more recent years relative to the initial years of policy implementation. Establishing an outpatient pooling system iseffective to alleviate the financial risk caused by healthexpenditures in China. Optimising health service deliveryaimed at enhancing health insurance purchasing efficiencyare deemed imperative for sustaining the policy effectiveness.

Comparative analysis of embodied carbon in modular and conventional construction methods in Hong Kong

Addressing the rise in global temperatures and the associated increase in greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, is a critical challenge necessitating innovative approaches within the building sector, a significant contributor to worldwide carbon emissions. While previous studies have demonstrated the prefabrication’s potential in reducing emissions, comprehensive assessments using actual project data for buildings constructed entirely with modular methods in Hong Kong are lacking. This study bridges this gap by evaluating the modular integrated construction (MiC) method through an embodied carbon assessment of the Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility. Using comprehensive project data from China State Construction (HK) Limited, the research conducts a comparative analysis between the actual emissions of the MiC method and those of a hypothetical conventional construction approach. Quantitative analysis reveals that MiC achieves a 20.7% reduction in embodied carbon, primarily due to shortened construction timelines, decreased waste generation, and optimized material usage. This significant reduction suggests substantial potential for decreasing the construction industry’s carbon footprint. The study provides empirical evidence supporting the environmental benefits of MiC in Hong Kong construction industry, promoting its broader adoption of MiC as a strategy for achieving carbon reduction targets. The findings align with Hong Kong’s carbon neutrality goals and contribute to the global initiative to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Venus’s Phases: Evidence Supporting Heliocentrism

Abstract The affirmation of the Copernican system marks a milestone in the history of science. However,
in educational settings, theoretical and philosophical aspects are often prioritized, with less atten tion paid to the empirical and quantitative data supporting heliocentrism. The discovery of Venus
phases by Galileo Galilei through his early telescope represents a compelling piece of evidence
corroborating the Sun-centered model. A renowned drawing published in Galilei’s treatise ”Il Sag giatore” (1623) illustrates this phenomenon and the anti-correlation between phases and apparent
diameter. The analysis of the illustration reveals precise quantitative information comparable in
accuracy to that which can be extracted from contemporary astrophotography.
Inspired by this result, the galileian discovery has been revisited and tailored into activities suit able for both high school and college teaching levels. These activities invite students to construct
their own empirical evidence for heliocentrism by analyzing digital images and using interactive
digital tools for image manipulation. The topic has also been proposed at the university level
through more advanced analysis techniques. The common aim at each level is to engage students
in a dynamic ”learning by doing” experience, replicating pivotal moments from the history of sci ence and transforming a topic traditionally confined to the history of ideas into a living, interactive
subject.

Generalized transport costs in intermodal shipping: the context of the Northeast Passage

Intermodality is regarded as one way of achieving more sustainable transport solutions. To make intermodal transport the preferred solution among shippers, it must be attractive according to the concept of generalized transport costs. An extended model for generalized transport costs is developed which includes elements important for comparing maritime transport solutions in the Artic. This framework forms the basis for a principal discussion on the conditions that make one transport solution preferable to another within the context of maritime logistics. This model is then applied to the context of the Northeast Passage to discuss the necessary requirements for making an intermodal transport solution attractive relative to the current main route from Northeast Asia to Northwest Europe through the Suez Canal. Even though intermodality could be preferable in principle, current solutions cannot compete with either Arctic routes using unimodal solutions with high ice-class vessels or with the Suez route. Due to uncertainty and limited empirical evidence, a sensitivity analysis is conducted, focusing on the variables with the greatest impact on the result. Policymakers and stakeholders can consider the findings to improve transport competitiveness via the Northeast Passage.

The effect of exercise motivation on college students’ self-efficacy: the mediating roles of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness

BackgroundThe theory of motivation suggests that individual motivation is moderately stimulated to drive individuals to engage in the behaviors for which they are motivated. It is therefore that the moderate stimulation of exercise motivation will likely lead to the enhancement of college students’ participation in exercise.ObjectiveInvestigate the effect of exercise motivation on college students’ self-efficacy, reveal the mediating role of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness, and provide empirical evidence improving college students’ self-efficacy through exercise motivation.MethodsA stratified whole-sample approach was employed to survey 715 college students, based on a correlation table with good reliability and validity. Scale items were designed to collect subjects’ exercise motivation, self-efficacy, leisure satisfaction, and mental toughness in the study context. Mediation effect analyses were carried out using SPSS and AMOS.Results and conclusionA significant positive effect of exercise motivation on self-efficacy (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), leisure satisfaction (β = 0.50, p < 0.001), and mental toughness (β = 0.45, p < 0.001). Leisure satisfaction and mental toughness had a significant positive effect on self-efficacy (β = 0.40, p < 0.001; β = 0.30, p < 0.001). Furthermore, leisure satisfaction and mental toughness significantly mediated in exercise motivation and self-efficacy. In conclusion, our findings further explored the effects of exercise motivation on college students’ self-efficacy and revealed the mediating roles of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness.

Exploring EFL learners’ need satisfaction, need frustration, and their motivational change in a blended English learning environment

AbstractDespite increasing scholarly attention on L2 motivational changes, little is known about learners’ L2 motivational changes in a blended English learning environment and their relationship with need satisfaction and need frustration. Drawing on self‐determination theory, this study investigated how a blended English learning environment satisfied and frustrated 15 EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners’ basic needs and the relationship between basic needs and motivational changes. Data were collected via questionnaire responses, semi‐structured interviews, and learning records. Thematic analysis revealed that learners exhibited five profiles of motivational changes, with “remaining autonomously motivated” and “changing from controlled to autonomous motivation” as two major types. In addition, the learners’ need satisfaction and need frustration exerted both independent and joint impacts on motivational changes. The joint effect exhibited variation between learners depending on need categories and need strength. Theoretically, the study extends self‐determination theory by adding the need for novelty to the original tripartite taxonomy of basic needs. In addition, the study provides empirical evidence for the debate on the independent and interaction effects regarding the roles of need satisfaction and need frustration. Pedagogical implications are proposed regarding the design of blended English courses.

Impact of China’s environmental protection tax on green total factor productivity: based on the perspective of digital transformation

Greening and digital transformation have become the new driving forces of China’s economic development. The environmental protection tax (EPT) represents a significant economic measure for environmental protection in China, with the primary objective of safeguarding the environment. Using a 2012–2021 sample of Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies and the difference-in-differences (DID) method, we empirically investigate the effect of the implementation of China’s EPT on green total factor productivity (GTFP) of heavily polluting enterprises. The results show a significant increase in firms’ GTFP after the implementation of the tax. A mechanism test reveals that firms’ digital transformation has a masking effect, which inhibits the growth of firms’ GTFP. Further analyses investigate the variations in effects based on ownership type, firm size, and market concentration. The positive effect is more pronounced for state-owned enterprises, large enterprises, and those operating in highly concentrated markets. This paper provides theoretical support and empirical evidence for the digital transformation and green development of heavily polluting enterprises, the rational optimization of EPT policies, and the promotion of sustainable economic development.

IMPACTS OF INNOVATION EVENTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS: A CASE STUDY OF CAMPUS PARTY BRASIL

This study investigates the impact of student participation in innovation events on the development of entrepreneurial skills, using Campus Party Brasil 2023 as a case study. The research adopts a qualitative and quantitative approach, combining primary data obtained through questionnaires applied to 25 students, with secondary data extracted from a literature review. Data analysis was conducted using Bardin's (2004) content analysis method, with pre-analysis and coding stages. Triangulation between primary and secondary data ensured the validity of the findings. The results indicate that innovation events provide a favorable environment for the development of skills such as problem-solving, creativity, leadership, and teamwork. The study advances the literature by offering empirical evidence that reinforces the importance of integrating practical experiences, such as hackathons and entrepreneurship marathons, into the formal entrepreneurial education curriculum. In addition, it highlights the role of these events in forming contact networks and expanding internship and employment opportunities for students, which is not widely addressed in previous studies. By examining the interaction between theory and practice in the development of entrepreneurial skills, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of how innovation events can complement academic training, providing an interdisciplinary education and preparing students for market challenges. The study suggests that the systematic inclusion of events, such as Campus Party, in educational programs can be an effective strategy to strengthen experiential learning and foster an entrepreneurial mindset.

The roles and unexplored potential of policy experimentation in climate adaptation governance: A systematic literature review

AbstractPolicy experimentation has emerged globally as a novel governance approach to address complex socio‐environmental problems. In the climate adaptation literature, policy experiments that test technical and governance innovations on a small scale in real‐world conditions are increasingly utilized to explore new pathways for climate adaptation. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence on how policy experiments lead to transformative change in climate adaptation governance, particularly regarding their role as a change strategy. This systematic literature review aims to thoroughly investigate the topic by mapping the empirical characteristics of policy experiments, their role and their outcomes. An existing analytical framework was adapted to fulfill this objective by qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing 27 empirical papers. The findings reveal that policy experiments in climate adaptation often address multiple climate hazards, sectors and actors, yet they are spatially and temporally limited, being predominantly located in Europe. Moreover, the study highlights the transformative potential of policy experiments in climate adaptation governance, emphasizing their effectiveness in testing technical and governing innovations, as well as implementing adaptation policies. Policy experiments predominantly contribute to social learning rather than direct policy changes, requiring specific strategies to upscale the knowledge generated. We conclude the paper with a research agenda that stresses the need for more cumulative and comparative (post)assessments of climate adaptation experiments. This is important given the potential of policy experiments as governing approaches in the advancement of climate adaptation.

The That-Trace Effect—A Surface or a Deep Island Phenomenon? Evidence from Resumption and Prolepsis in Igbo

In many languages, a subject/non-subject Ā-extraction asymmetry can be observed: While non-subject extraction is unproblematic, long extraction of the subject requires repair strategies. This phenomenon is known as the that-trace effect. Two broad types of approaches to this effect have been proposed in the literature: (a) structural accounts that prohibit subject extraction in the syntax; (b) surface-oriented PF accounts according to which nothing blocks long subject movement in the syntax, but a surface filter prohibits the output string where a trace follows the complementizer. In this paper, we argue for a syntactic cause of the effect in Igbo (Benue-Congo, Nigeria). The empirical evidence centers around the distribution of resumptive pronouns in the language. We show that Igbo has all the ingredients required for a PF approach to the that-trace effect (viz., long Ā-movement and trace spell-out); nevertheless, it does not apply them to enable long subject extraction but rather resorts to prolepsis (among other strategies). Further evidence against a PF account comes from the impossibility of short subject extraction. Finally, we provide evidence from subextraction from subjects for an antilocality component underlying the subject extraction restriction in Igbo.