Empiricism Research Articles

Achieving the sustainable development goals in developing countries: The role of remittances and the mediating effect of financial inclusion

This study investigates the pivotal role of remittances in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within developing countries. While previous literature has acknowledged the potential of remittances in fostering growth, empirical analyses on their impact on SDGs remain scant. Utilizing data from 109 developing countries spanning 2000 to 2022 and employing system GMM and the Lewbel's (2012) estimator to tackle endogeneity issues, we unveil significant positive effects of remittances on SDGs. Additionally, we identify financial inclusion as a mediating factor enhancing remittances' impacts on SDGs. Moreover, we show that remittances, international aid, and government spending exhibit complementary roles in SDGs attainment.

Dementia patients in palliative care according to data from the German National Hospice and Palliative Care Register (2009–2021)

BackgroundPeople with dementia are less in focus of palliative care research than other patient groups even though the awareness of their palliative and end-of-life care needs is rising. Empirical data analyses on people with dementia in palliative care services are lacking.AimTo explore the prevalence of dementia diagnoses as per the ICD criteria among users of various palliative care settings and to compare use of palliative services, care pathways, and outcomes in people with and without a dementia diagnosis.DesignWe conducted retrospective analysis of dementia diagnoses as per ICD (F00-F03/G30) in the German National Hospice and Palliative Care Register between 2009 and 2021. The analysis used methods of descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Bonferroni correction for alpha error inflation.Setting/participantsWe limited the analysis to the subsample of people aged over 64.ResultsThe prevalence of dementia in the different settings of palliative care was lower than in the age-comparable population: Of the 69,116 data sets included in the analysis, a small minority (3.3%) was coded with dementia as the principal diagnosis. Among patients on inpatient palliative care wards, 0.8% (148 of 19,161) had a dementia diagnosis, as did 2.2% (52 of 2,380) of those under hospital palliative care support teams and 4.3% (2,014 of 46,803) of those receiving specialized palliative care at home.ConclusionsThe records of the German National Hospice and Palliative Care Register suggest that the prevalence of dementia is lower than one might expect from general population data, though numbers are in line with international studies on proportion of dementia patients receiving palliative care. Future research could usefully examine whether this discrepancy stems either from omissions in coding dementia as patients’ principal diagnosis respectively from lapses in documentation of a dementia diagnosis previously made, or from barriers to accessing palliative care services or even displays being excluded from palliative care when trying to access it.Trial registrationNo registration.

AI-enabled personalized learning: empowering management students for improving engagement and academic performance

Purpose In today’s highly competitive world, the purpose of this research is to emphasize the increasing significance of management education and advocate for the adoption of innovative teaching approaches, specifically focusing on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven personalized learning (PL). This study aims to explore the integration of self-determination theory (SDT) principles into management education, with a primary focus on enhancing student motivation, engagement and academic performance (AP). Design/methodology/approach This interdisciplinary research adopts a multifaceted approach, combining perspectives from AI, education and psychology. The design and methodology involve a thorough exploration of the theoretical foundations of both AI-driven education and SDT. The research demonstrates how these two elements can synergize to create a holistic educational experience. To substantiate the theoretical claims, empirical data-driven analyses are employed, showcasing the effectiveness of AI-enabled personalized learning (AIPL). The study integrates principles from SDT, such as autonomy, competence and relatedness, to create an environment where students are intrinsically motivated, receiving tailored instruction for optimal outcomes. Findings The study, rooted in SDT, demonstrates AIPL’s transformative impact on management education. It positively influences students’ autonomy, competence and relatedness, fostering engagement. Autonomy is a key driver, strongly linked to improved AP. The path analysis model validates these relationships, highlighting AI’s pivotal role in reshaping educational experiences and intrinsically motivating students. Practical implications This study holds substantial significance for educators, policymakers and researchers. The findings indicate that the AIPL model is effective in increasing student interest and improving AP. Furthermore, this study offers practical guidance for implementing AI in management education to empower students, enhance engagement and align with SDT principles. Originality/value Contribute original insights through an interdisciplinary lens. Synthesize AI and SDT principles, providing a roadmap for a more effective educational experience. Empirical data-driven analyses enhance credibility, offering valuable contributions for educators and policymakers in the technology-influenced education landscape.

Interdecadal variability of winter and spring Eurasian snow depth and its impact on Eastern China precipitation

Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and correlation analyses were employed to investigate the winter and spring snow depth in Eurasia and its relationship with Eastern China precipitation based on the observed and reanalyzed data from 1980 to 2016. The results show that the winter and spring snow cover in Eurasia not only highlights a decreasing trend due to global warming (the first EOF mode, its variance accounted for 24.4% and 22.6% of the total variance) but also exhibits notable interdecadal variation (the second EOF mode, its variance accounted for 10.2% and 11.5% of the total variance). The second EOF mode of winter snow depth in Eurasia is characterized by a west-east dipole pattern. It was observed that the spatial correlation pattern between the EOF2 of Eurasian snow depth and summer precipitation in China closely resembles the meridional quadrupole structure of the third EOF mode of summer precipitation in China. This pattern is characterized by excessive rainfall in Northeast China and the lower-middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and less rainfall over the Yellow River basin and southern China. The EOF mode of spring snow depth not only reflects the declining trend but also regulates precipitation in Eastern China. The possible mechanisms by which snow depth causes changes in soil moisture and subsequently affects atmospheric circulation are then explored from the perspective of the hydrological effects of snow cover. Decreased (Increased) snow depth in Eurasia during the winter and spring directly leads to diminished (increased) soil moisture while increasing (decreasing) net radiation and sensible heat flux at the surface. The meridional distribution of surface temperature also exhibits a dipole pattern, leading to enhanced subtropical westerly jet in the upper troposphere. The Eurasian snow cover anomalies pattern triggered an anomalous mid-latitude Eurasian wave train, which strengthened significantly in the Western Siberian Plain. It then splits into two branches, one continuing to propagate eastward at high latitudes and the other shifting towards East Asia, thereby impacting precipitation in Eastern China. This work indicates that the second EOF mode of Eurasian snow cover can impact the precipitation variability in Eastern China during the same period and in summer on an interdecadal scale.

A comprehensive assessment of the importance of the “Maritime Silk Road” route based on multi-dimensional data-driven approaches

Worldwide straits are crucial pathways for global trade and energy transportation, occupying key strategic positions. Therefore, this study utilizes automatic identification system (AIS) data and the structure of the maritime transportation network formed by ship navigation, combined with geospatial big data analysis, to fully consider factors including the natural navigational conditions of routes, the support capabilities of surrounding ports, the geographic advantages of neighboring countries, and the distribution of the shipping network importance in the CCAS evaluation model. To assess the navigability of maritime routes, a data-driven model was constructed using three layers of this model. Empirical analyses were conducted on 22 major routes along China's coast and the “Maritime Silk Road”. This method has significantly enhanced the accuracy and reliability of route assessments, and the improved assessment model demonstrated better navigational conditions in the South China Sea routes, identifying internal factors hindering the development of these critical maritime routes. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive assessment and analysis framework for global maritime transportation, offering crucial reference information for key stakeholders, including policy makers, port and berth infrastructure investors, maritime economists, and large shipping companies. Additionally, the study's results can be practically applied in the actual shipping trade, emphasizing the role of our framework in facilitating effective decision-making and strategic planning within the maritime industry.

Interest, Need, or Reputation? Determinants of Qatar's Foreign Aid

Abstract The literature on the motivations behind emerging donors’ foreign aid contributions—with the exception of larger countries such as China, India, Brazil and Turkey—lacks original data and empirical analyses. This article addresses this gap by providing a novel, detailed dataset of the foreign aid allocations of one resilient, relatively small emerging donor, Qatar, for the period from 2014 to 2021. The contents of our database, which we dub Qatar Aid Database, encapsulate the features of Qatar's international aid. To illustrate our dataset's efficacy, we investigate whether Qatar's foreign aid operations aim to satisfy donor interests, recipient needs, or something else. Our empirical findings affirm that although Qatar's aid allocation decisions prioritize recipient needs, its aid provision depends more on Qatar's foreign policy interests in the targeted countries.

Exploring Key Elements for Achieving Intergenerational Family Business Succession in the Chinese Context

In the rapidly evolving Chinese economy, family-owned businesses, integral to the nation's GDP and innovation, face a significant challenge with an impending wave of intergenerational succession. With over 5.5 million such businesses, less than 20% have identified successors, and only 6% have established succession plans. This study examines intergenerational succession in these businesses, applying Handler's (1989) satisfaction and effectiveness framework, alongside Pyromalis et al. (2006)'s model. The research, conducted through interviews with second-generation owners, aims to uncover factors influencing succession satisfaction and effectiveness. Key findings highlight the unique impact of Chinese cultural values on the succession process. Unlike expectations, the reluctance of incumbents to relinquish control isn't a source of frustration for successors, reflecting the cultural emphasis on respect and deference to elders. The study broadens its scope beyond family dynamics to stakeholder relationships, acknowledging their importance in succession. This research merges theoretical and empirical analyses, adapting a Greek-tested model to the Chinese context, thus enhancing its global relevance. It provides insights into Chinese family business succession, shaped by cultural norms, and demonstrates the versatility of Western models in diverse cultural landscapes, enriching the understanding of global family business succession.

Re-imagining the futures of geographical thought and praxis

The question of geography's future has recurred throughout the history of geographical thought, and responses to it often presume a linear trajectory from the past and present to a possible future. Yet one of the major contributions that geographers have made to understanding spatio-temporality is reconceiving both space and time as plural, fluid, and co-constituted through multiple space–time trajectories simultaneously. Amidst the ongoing crises of the present, this article opens the current special issue with a call to pluralize geography's futures by diversifying the voices speaking in the name of ‘geography’ and broadening the horizon of possibilities for the futures of geographical thought and praxis. We have assembled the contributions in this collection with the aim of raising important theoretical, methodological, and empirical questions about how geography's past and present shape the conditions of possibility for its potential futures. In doing so, we seek to demonstrate how the worlding of geography's futures is fundamentally a matter of transforming its disciplinary reproduction in the here-and-now.

Empirical Chiroptical Analyses of Vicinal Bromochloro Natural Products by van't Hoff's Principle of Optical Superposition: Assignment of the C-16 Configurations of Callophycols A and B.

A simple empirical method is described that allows the assignment of absolute configurations of natural products containing chiral vicinal bromochloro (VBC) units, including the bromochloro substituted isoprenyl units present in the structures of antiproliferative halomon (1a) and its halogen-swapped isomer iso-halomon (1b) from the red alga, Portieria hornemannii, and callophycols A (3) and B (4) from Callophycus serratus. The relative configurations of 3 and 4, published in 2007, were incomplete: C-16 was left unassigned. It is now shown that the additivity of molar rotations, [M]D (herein, abbreviated [M])─a consequence of van't Hoff's principle of optical superposition─could be used to deconvolute rotatory contributions, designated as [MX] and [MY] of the two remotely spaced chiral substructures within 3 and 4 using simple arithmetic. Input of proxy values, [M Y1] and [MY2], for the two different VBC units in two equations for [MX] and application of a "conditional test" returns the same value for [MX] only when a proxy with the correct configuration is included. It is revealed that 3 and 4 have opposite configurations at the C-16 stereocenter: 16S and 16R, respectively. Two important implications lie in these findings: 3 and 4 appear to qualify as paired-regioisomers, coupled through a putative dyotropic rearrangement (DR), and the biosyntheses of other Callophycus secondary metabolites, now numbering over 50, are tightly controlled by stereoelectronic considerations including neighboring group interactions of the DR. It now appears, counter to earlier suggestions, that the chirality of Callophycus secondary metabolites, despite their high chemodiversity, are surprisingly highly conserved. Enantiofacial halogenation additions to the C═C double bonds of precursor alkenes appear to direct the formation of the remaining stereocenters at both the halogenated benzoate-decalin core and the distal VBC of 3 and 4. A consistent hypothesis is proposed to account for macrolactonizations in other Callophycus natural products including bromophycolides A and B. The conditional test of molar rotations was applied in a different context to understand the chiroptical properties and trends observed in the highly iodinated meroditerpenes, iodocallophycols A-E, also from Callophycus sp., resulting in the revision of the configuration of callophycol E from (10R,14R) to (10S,14S).

A Reciprocal Relationship between Formal and Informal Social Engagement and Handgrip Strength of Older Adults in South Korea

Introduction: The relationship between social engagement and handgrip strength has been underexplored. Further, no prior research examined a plausible reciprocal association between them. Methods: The study employed the seven waves of data (2006–2018) from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) survey (7,927 respondents, mean age: 59 years old at wave 1 [71 years old at wave 7], women: 58%). It used ML-SEM, a cross-lagged panel model with fixed effects fitted by structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation. In particular, the ML-SEM examined whether a reciprocal relationship existed between formal social engagement (number of association memberships and frequency of organizational activities)/informal social engagement (frequency of contact with familiar persons) and handgrip strength (the average of the four dynamometer measurements). Results: The empirical analyses identified a systematic reciprocal association between formal social engagement and handgrip strength. Specifically, formal social engagement was positively associated with handgrip strength over time (the number of association memberships standardized coefficient: 0.012*, the frequency of organizational activities standardized coefficient: 0.022***). Conversely, handgrip strength was positively related to the number of memberships (the handgrip strength standardized coefficient: 0.025*) and the frequency of organizational activities (the handgrip strength standardized coefficient: 0.042**). Conclusion: The study thus supports the social causation proposition that formal social engagement in and through diverse associations may be positively associated with handgrip strength. It also validates the health selection argument that handgrip strength may increase the likelihood of formal social engagement.

CFO co-option and dividend payments: the moderating role of CFO talent

Purpose This study aims to investigate the association between the co-option of the chief financial officer (CFO) and dividend payments, assessing whether the talent of the CFO affects this association. Design/methodology/approach The empirical analyses were based on hand-collected data for 922 firm-year observations from 157 European listed firms, during the period 2013–2019. Empirical models, based on a two-step estimation procedure, involved the use of instrumental variables and the generalised moment method. Findings The results show that CFO co-option is negatively associated with the level of dividend payments. It was also found that the degree of CFO talent moderates the negative association between CFO co-option and dividend payments. Research limitations/implications This investigation responds to the call for literature which examines how chief executive officer (CEO) – CFO relationships influence firms’ policies and outcomes. The study offers novel evidence for the individual-level characteristics of CFOs which are likely to reduce the effectiveness of CEO power and increase monitoring on corporate decisions on dividends. Practical implications The study sheds light on the effect of the interactions between CEOs and CFOs, which are important for investors’ expectations. In this regard, investors may be interested in the CFO profiles which may reduce CEO power over dividend policies. Originality/value Unlike previous research, which focused on CEOs, the authors are the first to shed light on the role of CFOs as key decision makers in influencing the dividend policies in modern corporations.

Investigating Mixed Methods Research in Applied Linguistics: Methodological Avoidance and Possible Barriers in the Field

The field of applied linguistics is becoming increasingly transdisciplinary as recognition for the need to approach empirical questions from a variety of epistemological and theoretical perspectives grows (Douglas Fir Group, 2016). One methodological approach that holds promise for advancing sophisticated inquiry into complex issues of applied linguistics is mixed methods research (MMR); however, studies adopting MMR to its fullest potential remain infrequent. Employing an exploratory sequential mixed methods design that includes a focus group and survey questionnaire, this empirical study investigates the internal and external factors that may lead applied linguistics researchers to avoid conducting and/or publishing MMR. Integrated analyses revealed that participants’ methodological and publishing decisions were influenced by factors such as their socialization into research practices in graduate school, the pressure to publish, and the considerations of the research journal industry. Implications for future applied linguistics researcher education programs and the impact of the publishing industry on research agendas are discussed.

Malaysia’s “Triadic Maritime Diplomacy” Strategy in the South China Sea

The importance of safeguarding Malaysia’s Kasawari gas field in the South China Sea has reoriented Malaysia’s maritime diplomatic strategies vis-à-vis China’s growing assertiveness in this semi-enclosed sea. China’s increased sea infringements through its coast guards and maritime constabulary forces have led Malaysia to adopt what this article coins as “triadic maritime diplomacy,” a combination of coercive, persuasive, and co-operative maritime diplomacy. Malaysia’s maritime diplomatic strategies thus act more as a set of contradictory policies rather than a decisive attempt to defend Malaysia’s sovereignty at sea. This article engages in qualitative inquiry to address two central empirical questions: Firstly, how has Malaysia managed the delicate balance between safeguarding its sovereignty at sea and maintaining close economic ties with China? Secondly, what accounts for Malaysia’s persistent “downplaying” stance despite the escalating intrusions around the Luconia Shoals, particularly concerning the Kasawari gas field? The findings of this study reveal three key aspects: Firstly, Malaysia’s prioritization of developing the Kasawari gas field has necessitated the adoption of seemingly contradictory policies, employing coercive maritime measures utilizing its naval assets while simultaneously adopting rhetoric that downplays crises. Secondly, Malaysia’s maritime diplomacy can be aptly characterized as “triadic” strategies, encompassing the adoption of coercive, persuasive, and co-operative approaches. Lastly, these seemingly inconsistent policies are a strategic response aimed at accommodating both immediate and prospective economic opportunities involving China, all while signaling its nonaligned stance to major global powers.

The relevance of governance, external monitoring, and instructional quality to public-private school differences in student achievement in the Western Chitwan Valley of Nepal: An exploratory analysis

This study uses a theoretical perspective known as organizational institutionalism to explain the higher test scores observed among private school students in Nepal. We argue that the differing “institutional charters” of public and private schools in Nepal result in different forms of school governance, external monitoring, and instructional practice in public and private schools and that these organizational features of schooling affect students’ learning outcomes. Empirical analyses presented in the paper show that public and private schools in Nepal do show expected differences in school governance, external monitoring, and instructional practice, but that only the instructional practice variable positively affects student achievement.

Impact of analytic decisions on test-retest reliability of individual and group estimates in functional magnetic resonance imaging: a multiverse analysis using the monetary incentive delay task.

Empirical studies reporting low test-retest reliability of individual blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signal estimates in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data have resurrected interest among cognitive neuroscientists in methods that may improve reliability in fMRI. Over the last decade, several individual studies have reported that modeling decisions, such as smoothing, motion correction and contrast selection, may improve estimates of test-retest reliability of BOLD signal estimates. However, it remains an empirical question whether certain analytic decisions consistently improve individual and group level reliability estimates in an fMRI task across multiple large, independent samples. This study used three independent samples (Ns: 60, 81, 119) that collected the same task (Monetary Incentive Delay task) across two runs and two sessions to evaluate the effects of analytic decisions on the individual (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC(3,1)]) and group (Jaccard/Spearman rho) reliability estimates of BOLD activity of task fMRI data. The analytic decisions in this study vary across four categories: smoothing kernel (five options), motion correction (four options), task parameterizing (three options) and task contrasts (four options), totaling 240 different pipeline permutations. Across all 240 pipelines, the median ICC estimates are consistently low, with a maximum median ICC estimate of .43 - .55 across the three samples. The analytic decisions with the greatest impact on the median ICC and group similarity estimates are the Implicit Baseline contrast, Cue Model parameterization and a larger smoothing kernel. Using an Implicit Baseline in a contrast condition meaningfully increased group similarity and ICC estimates as compared to using the Neutral cue. This effect was largest for the Cue Model parameterization; however, improvements in reliability came at the cost of interpretability. This study illustrates that estimates of reliability in the MID task are consistently low and variable at small samples, and a higher test-retest reliability may not always improve interpretability of the estimated BOLD signal.

The impact of corporate digital transformation on share price synchronisation

With the rapid development of the digital economy, digital transformation of firms has become an important factor affecting their operations and market performance. This study examines the impact of corporate digital transformation on stock price synchronisation, focusing on the mediating role of disclosure and corporate governance in it. Through empirical analyses of A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2010 to 2021, this paper finds that digital transformation significantly reduces firms' stock price synchronicity. Specifically, digital transformation reduces information asymmetry by enhancing the transparency of firms' disclosure and the efficiency of corporate governance, which reduces the synchronisation of firms' share prices with market volatility. In addition, this paper finds that digital transformation has a more significant impact on manufacturing and high-tech firms. This study not only enriches the theoretical research on the impact of corporate digital transformation, but also provides practical references for corporate managers and policy makers.

Regional Climate Risk and Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from China

ABSTRACT Although firms suffer from regional climate risk in their production and operation, they are still highly expected by the public to play a leading role in addressing regional climate risk. In this paper, we study how regional climate risk affects corporate social responsibility (CSR). By constructing regional climate risk indicators and employing the OLS method to conduct empirical analyses, we find that regional climate risk can significantly promote CSR. Furthermore, regional climate risk can suppress firm’s cash flow, thereby exerting internal pressure on firms to assume CSR. Meanwhile, regional climate risk can raise higher public expectations for firms, imposing external pressure on them to assume CSR. We suggest that external pressure from the public plays a dominant role in CSR decision-making. Besides, we confirm that CSR can achieve a win-win goal for both firms and the public by mitigating the damage of regional climate risk on the firm’s long-term performance. We provide a new perspective for studying firm’s motivation to assume CSR under the influence of regional climate risk.

The effect of prosocial behavior and its intensity on doctors’ performance in an online health community

Online health communities (OHCs) are encouraging doctors to engage in prosocial behaviors to promote sustainable development of OHCs and benefit the user base, which may further influence doctor-level performance. However, it is unclear how prosocial behavior and its intensity affect doctor-level performance, such as doctor-patient relationship, online reputation, and online demand. The purpose of this study is to test the effects of prosocial behavior and its intensity on doctor-patient relationship, online reputation, and online demand. We conducted a series of empirical analyses on 103,208 doctor-level samples from a leading OHC in China. Initially, we applied the propensity score matching (PSM) method to obtain a more balanced sample, then, we employed a negative binomial regression model to analyze the sample after PSM, and finally, we performed a robustness test using a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model and changing the time window. Our research findings indicate that prosocial behavior positively affects the doctor-patient relationship, doctors’ online reputation, and online demand. The intensity of prosocial behavior has an inverted U-shaped relationship with the doctor-patient relationship, online reputation, and online demand. The doctor’s clinical title negatively moderates the effect of prosocial behavior on the doctor-patient relationship and online demand. Therefore, OHC operators can draw on our findings to encourage more doctors to engage in prosocial behavior while suggesting they consider the role of the intensity of prosocial behavior and clinical title.

Maximizing green innovation: the impact of government subsidies and R&D in digital supply chains

PurposeThis research examines the relationship between green innovation and firm performance, focusing on identifying the moderating effects of government subsidies and digital transformation R&D investments. The study aims to provide insights on how firms can leverage green innovation for enhanced performance while addressing potential drawbacks.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both analytical models and empirical analyses. It investigates the curvilinear relationship between green innovation and firm performance and explores the moderating roles of government subsidies and digital transformation R&D investments.FindingsThe findings reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship between green innovation and firm performance, indicating that initial investments in green innovation led to performance improvements, but beyond a certain point, the returns diminished. The study also finds that government subsidies and digital transformation R&D investments significantly enhance the positive impact of green innovation up to the optimal threshold and help mitigate negative effects.Practical implicationsThe research provides practical guidance for firms on managing their green innovation investments to maximize performance benefits. It also offers insights for policymakers on designing effective subsidies and support mechanisms to promote environmental sustainability and economic growth.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by elucidating the complex relationship between green innovation and firm performance and highlighting the critical roles of government subsidies and digital transformation R&D investments. It offers valuable implications for businesses seeking to balance environmental and economic objectives and policymakers aiming to foster sustainable and profitable practices.

How Product Background Color Combination in Brand Post Affects Product Evaluation on Instagram

The influence of visual content and heuristic cues on product evaluation, such as color composition on Instagram, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of product background color combinations (similar vs. contrastive) on product evaluation. Two empirical analyses were conducted, and the findings revealed that when the color is similar between product and background, it can significantly influence product evaluation in both brand layout and post situations on Instagram. The product type (functional vs. sensory-social) was found to moderate the relationship between product background color and product evaluation. This study contributes to the existing literature on color theory and visual marketing research, providing valuable practical implications and novel insights for leveraging color cues when presenting products on brand Instagram accounts.