Taiwanese Case Research Articles

Networks, Politics, and the Literary Public Sphere: The Foundation of Modern Democracy in Taiwan (1970s–1990s)

This article examines how literature is a networked social space of political repression and resistance, refracting broader contestations over national sovereignty, self-determination, and identity. Politicizing the traditionally apolitical “world of letters” in Habermas’s Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere, this article employs a novel analysis of the influence that the literary public sphere wields over political consciousness. Using the historical case of Taiwan’s literary networks from the 1970s to the 1990s, this article asserts that the literary public sphere produces a rational-critical generalization of knowledge and exposure to dissonant perspectives that invigorates civil society by creating intelligentsia. Through intelligentsia, ideas within the Taiwanese literary public sphere birthed powerful Dangwai parties that instituted democracy, informed their platforms, and ushered in a new wave of political elites. The Taiwanese case demonstrates how civic tasks can predict political tasks with enough force to stimulate a unique postcolonial political consciousness and spark a revolution.

Active surveillance for suspected COVID-19 cases in inpatients with information technology

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) struck many countries worldwide in early 2020, the Taiwan government responded rapidly to minimize imported cases and community spread in Taiwan [1]. Many hospitals took proactive measures, including quarantine strategies at the entrances [2]. However, as shown by several reports, SARS-CoV-2 might be transmitted by asymptomatic carriers [3,4]; also symptomatic individuals may evade hospital entrance quarantine measures. On 19th February 2020 the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported a Taiwanese case who was admitted for pneumonia, with a diagnosis of COVID-19 made three weeks after her admission [5].

The SNP rs560426 Within ABCA4-ARHGAP29 Locus and the Risk of Nonsyndromic Oral Clefts.

Nonsyndromic oral clefts are common birth defect with complex etiology. In the present study, we attempt to further validate the possible role for ABCA4 and ARHGAP29 in the susceptibility to nonsyndromic oral clefts. We performed allelic transmission disequilibrium test analysis, on 10 eligible single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and SNP haplotypes using the Family-Based Association Test. The study sample consisted of 334 case-parent trios of nonsyndromic oral clefts from Taiwanese population, separated into nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) and nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO) groups. We found only the SNP rs560426 within the ABCA4 gene showed strong association with NSCPO (P = .03498; Permuted P = .05382). No association between other 9 selected SNPs in ABCA4-ARHGAP29 region and the risk of nonsyndromic oral clefts was found. For the haplotype analyses, we found only haplotype T-C (rs570926 and rs3789431) in ABCA4 block 2 showed significant association with nonsyndromic NSCL/P in these Taiwanese trios. We used a family-based analysis in 334 Taiwanese case-parent trios to validate the possible role for ABCA4 and ARHGAP29 in the susceptibility to nonsyndromic oral clefts. This study provides a new evidence for an association between the intron variant rs560426 within ABCA4 and nonsyndromic cleft palate which may contribute their regulatory role in craniofacial development.

Use of hydrochlorothiazide and risk of skin cancer: a nationwide Taiwanese case\u2013control study

BackgroundThe antihypertensive agent hydrochlorothiazide has been associated with increased risks of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and possibly some melanoma subtypes. Previous studies were, however, conducted in predominantly Caucasian populations. We therefore examined the association between hydrochlorothiazide and skin cancer risk in an Asian population.MethodsBy using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), we conducted three separate case–control studies of lip cancer, non-lip non-melanoma skin cancer and melanoma. Cases (n = 29,082) with a first-ever skin cancer diagnoses (2008–2015) were matched 1:10 to population controls. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) associating hydrochlorothiazide use with skin cancer risk by using conditional logistic regression.ResultsHydrochlorothiazide use showed no overall association with any of the three outcomes: ORs for high cumulative use of HCTZ (≥50,000 mg) were 0.86 (95% CI 0.09–7.81) for lip cancer, 1.16 (95% CI 0.98–1.37) for non-lip NMSC and 1.07 (95% CI 0.65–1.76) for melanoma. There was some evidence of a dose–response pattern for non-lip NMSC, with an OR of 1.66 (95% CI 0.82–3.33) for 100,000–149,999 mg of HCTZ. The null findings were robust across subgroup and sensitivity analyses.ConclusionUse of HCTZ appears safe in terms of skin cancer risk in an Asian population.

Comprehensive assessment of regional food-energy-water nexus with GIS-based tool

Integration of the food, energy, and water (FEW) nexus thinking is expected to enhance cross-sectoral discussion during the process of policy development. This process can be improved with comprehensive assessment tools to provide quantitative information regarding the interdependence of the FEW nexus. A comprehensive framework of the regional FEW nexus quantitative assessment was proposed in this study. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was the core method used to evaluate the FEW inter-linkages. Land use data which can further imply the resources consumption or requirement was introduced to estimate potential changes in the nexus in future time periods. In order to display the practicality of the FEW nexus approach, a user-friendly nexus platform, a GIS-based Regional Environmental Assessment Tool for Food-Energy-Water nexus (GREAT for FEW) (http://greatforfew.enve.ntu.edu.tw/FEW/), was developed with a solid conceptual model, a database, and calculation methods. The usability of the tool was demonstrated using a Taiwanese case study. The results of the Taiwanese case showed that Scenario 1 (non-nuclear homeland policy) caused the lowest environmental impacts as compared to both Scenario 0 (baseline) and Scenario 2 (non-nuclear homeland policy with National Spatial Plan) due to better energy structures and maintenance of agricultural lands. These outcomes indicate that the selection of indicators does affect the results. Therefore, it is suggested that additional indicators should be designed based on the characteristics of the case study area and concerns of stakeholders.

Development of a Model for Enhancing Justice in MPA Designation and Zoning and its Application to Taiwan’s South Penghu Marine National Park

Multi-purpose marine protected areas (MPAs) are prevalent world-wide as institutional mechanisms deployed in the marine environment to manage multiple uses, conserve resources and protect ecosystems. Yet some people may experience disadvantage following the implementation of new MPAs. One understudied aspect of MPAs is the distribution of advantages and disadvantages and how best to address the “justice” concerns that they raise. This article identifies a framework of principles, methods and tools to address these concerns. It devises a “MPA justice model” and demonstrates its applicability to a Taiwanese case study. In 2014, Taiwan proclaimed its first multiple-purpose MPA, the South Penghu Marine National Park and the case study shows ways that the MPA’s socio-economic sustainability could have been better accomplished. The article focuses on future MPA establishment that incorporates distributional fairness and procedural legitimacy into MPA site designation and zoning design - but might also be adapted to use retrospectively in MPA review processes.

Does Internet usage inspire offline political participation? Analyzing the Taiwanese case

AbstractWith the emergence of new information and communication technologies, scholars and politicians view the Internet as a means both to govern and to bring citizens, especially younger generations, closer to the political process. Given the tremendous impacts of the Sunflower Movement on Taiwanese politics, this paper sets out to dynamically examine whether and to what extent the Internet inspired offline electoral and non-electoral participations of Taiwanese young adults. While the younger generation's Internet usage for political causes significantly encouraged their voting turnout in the 2014 election, a similar effect was not detected in either the 2012 or 2016 presidential and legislative elections. The estimated statistics not only show the particular effect of the Sunflower Movement on young adults' voting turnout and participation in self-help activities in the 2014 election, but also reveal that the fast-changing and diverse Internet domain did not have a long-lasting influence on young citizens' political engagement in the offline world.

What influences BSW students’ attitudes towards cross-border marriage immigrants? The Taiwanese case of female marriage immigrants from China

ABSTRACTThis study enriches the literature on social work education and attitudes towards immigrants by showing that students in bachelor’s social work programmes generally have friendly attitudes towards Chinese female marriage immigrants in Taiwan. College-level multicultural education does not always improve students’ attitudes; improvement depends on students’ performance in the courses. Direct contact is the most effective form of intergroup contact in terms of improving students’ attitudes. Ethnicity matters in shaping students’ attitudes: Minnanren students have significantly less friendly attitudes towards these immigrants. The findings have implications for social work educators in terms of curriculum design and marriage migration policy advocacy.

Leuprorelin acetate granuloma: A Taiwanese case report treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide

Leuprorelin acetate granuloma: A Taiwanese case report treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide

Censorship and Publication Control in Early Post-War Taiwan: Procedures and Practices

This article explores how state institutions and party organs of the Kuomintang used various means of exercising power and projecting authority in order to shape the literary scene and literary production in Taiwan during the early post-war period (1945–1949). Censorship is examined from two complementary perspectives. First, integrating the Taiwanese case into a broader political and social context, the presentation focuses on the legal framework of the publishing law of Republican China and on regulations propagated in local official bulletins. Second, the article analyses censorship as a practice and set of procedures. This second part is based on the archival files of Taiwan Historica, which holds official documents from both early post-war governments. The archival material unveils some of the motivations behind censorship practices, and helps us to understand chosen strategies to legitimise sociocultural norms.

To relocate internationally or not to relocate internationally: a Taiwanese case study

PurposeMultinational organizations are often unable to send their first-choice candidates on international assignments because employees are unwilling to relocate internationally. The purpose of this paper is to understand how organizations can effectively increase employees’ willingness to relocate internationally.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample consisted of 229 employees who have not previously worked abroad in a large and global-minded Taiwanese bank.FindingsThis study found that when employees perceived international assignment experience to be valuable to their career and valued by their organization, they reported a higher level of willingness to relocate internationally. Moreover, this study also found the perceived organizational support (POS) on career and adjustment as moderators.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of one company in Taiwan as the source of the sample may limit the generalizability of the results. The cross-sectional design of this study also makes it impossible to examine the causality among variables.Practical implicationsTo enhance employees’ willingness to relocate internationally, organizations should ensure that they communicate clearly that organizations value employees’ international assignment experience before, during, and after the assignment.Originality/valueThis study uses social informational processing theory to examine the effects of international assignment value on employee willingness to relocate internationally, as well as the effects of POS for international assignment on employee willingness to relocate internationally.

Mobile apps and news: a Taiwanese case of curation

ABSTRACTThe smartphone has been widely accepted as a platform wherein users not only interact with their friends but also seek information through its applications. Apps also provide a way for traditional news media to attract audiences who have transferred their interest to digital media. This project explores the use of mobile apps in Taiwanese news media in attracting traditional mass media audiences and examines the impact of mobile apps on journalism. Relevant concepts, such as frame contest, agenda setting, and gatekeeping, will be examined; digital curation is introduced as well to integrate the aforementioned theories. In-depth interviews were employed as the research method. The 12 interviewees are practitioners who manage the use of mobile apps in 12 different news agencies. The findings show that the agenda-setting process has changed because of audience influence. The role of agencies is now more curator and less traditional agenda setter in Taiwanese context.

Proactive Strategy of Corporate Governance Reform and its Consequences

We conceptualize a proactive strategy as additional actions related to an initial decision of whether to comply. Strengthening initial support via both legitimacy and momentum from coercive isomorphism are crucial to triggering proactive accommodation. A proactive strategy improves rewards and legitimacy, which in turn facilitate accommodation by reducing resistance and strengthening support. The results of a Taiwanese case demonstrate that a firm’s proactive strategy to appoint independent directors is positively affected by foreign investor support, which is in turn strengthened by legitimacy, but is negatively affected by controlling shareholders who fear losing power in a principal-principal game. Further, the results illustrate that the proactive strategy improved performance, which in turn diminished controlling shareholder resistance, eventually transforming it into support.

How does resilience matter? An empirical verification of the relationships between resilience and vulnerability

The theoretical relationships between resilience and vulnerability have long been debated, but limited research has been done to test their relationships from an empirical perspective. This study presents an important case to demonstrate the empirical verification of the relationships. After reviewing relevant theories, we propose revisions of two widely adopted disaster risk and vulnerability formulas and apply them in a Taiwanese case of Typhoon Morakot. The data incorporate four natural hazard data sets, a Taiwan Social Change Survey of nonvictims as the reference group, and a longitudinal data set of Social Impact and Recovery Survey for Typhoon Morakot victims (2010–2012). With those data, two sets of models were constructed based on the two revised formulas. The first set of models estimates a disaster risk, defined as the probability and expected value of victimization determined by the typhoon hazard, household’s exposure, and contextual vulnerability composed of social class, ethnicity, education, and family status. The second set of models estimates an affected household’s outcome vulnerability, defined as the continuous trajectory of household living condition consisted of exposure, contextual vulnerability, and resilience. In the second set, outcome vulnerability is measured through household income pre- and post-disaster to depict the impact and dynamism; resilience is measured through social capital variables. Logit, ordinal linear regression (OLS), and fixed-effect regression were applied to statistically estimate the models. The results highlight that contextual vulnerability deteriorates the disaster risk of typhoon. Resilience has an impact on outcome vulnerability, but its effect is uncertain, likely to be restricted in the disaster recovery.

Does multicultural education affect bachelor of social work students' attitudes? The Taiwanese case of female Southeast Asian marriage immigration

In the past two decades, intra‐Asia cross‐border marriage immigration has become a significant phenomenon. This study collected questionnaire data from Bachelor of Social Work students (n = 1,232) in Taiwan to explore the influences of multicultural education, intergroup contact experience, and demographic characteristics on students' attitudes toward female Southeast Asian marriage migrants. Regression analysis revealed that students' attitudes are improved by direct contact with female Southeast Asian marriage migrants but are not correlated with students' demographic characteristics. Although pre‐college multicultural education improves students' attitudes, college‐level multicultural education adversely affects the attitudes of students who perform poorly in multicultural courses. These findings have valuable implications for social work educators.

The capability approach to the wellbeing of poor adolescents: a Taiwanese case study

Owing to the widely accepted limitations of resource-based poverty measures, multiple aspects of children’s agency offer a more appropriate means of investigating this subject. Accordingly, in this paper the capability approach (CA) to studying Taiwanese poor adolescents’ wellbeing situations has been adopted. Two questions are addressed concerning the exploration of both the functionings and capabilities of poor adolescents as well as the determinants in relation to the combination of these facets. The research outcomes demonstrate a marked diversity in disadvantaged adolescents’ wellbeing and lead to the identification of some important factors underpinning this variety. Finally, the research findings have profound implications for reforming child welfare services so as to cater for these adolescents’ needs better.

Growth of mica porphyroblasts under low-grade metamorphism – A Taiwanese case using in-situ40Ar/39Ar laser microprobe dating

Mica porphyroblasts, a common metamorphic microstructure, are analyzed in the slate belt of northern Taiwan where large fish-like growths are found within a meta-pyroclastics. With constraints on the time-temperature history from deposition through peak metamorphic state to exhumation, in-situ40Ar/39Ar laser microprobe dating was carried out on muscovite and corrensite fibers of mm-scale mica porphyroblasts grown on a pressure-solution seam. Because the peak metamorphic temperature and the porphyroblast formation condition (∼250 °C) remained far below the closure temperature of the K-Ar radioisotope system in muscovite, and the absence of muscovite in the mafic protolith, the dating results likely document the growth of the mica porphyroblast fabrics. The syn-kinematic nature of the analyzed porphyroblasts is confirmed by the ∼6 to ∼2.5 Ma growth ages, suggesting that the host rock was continuously deformed during the earlier two-thirds of the Taiwan Orogeny. The pattern of fiber growth, in contrast to outward-decreasing ages normally observed in peripheral recrystallization, appears random and resembles void fills in boudin openings. We postulate that syntaxial crack-seal following tensile micro-boudinage, along with slips on sub-grain boundaries, as a viable mechanism for the development of mica porphyroblasts and fish especially in lower-grade metamorphic rocks.

Why Do Voters Change Their Evaluations of a President? A Taiwanese Case

AbstractIn this paper, we analyze how citizens evaluate their president, especially focusing on why voters lower their evaluations at an individual-level perspective. We assert that citizens raise their evaluations of a new president when their expectations are met and lower their opinions when his or her performance disappoints them. Furthermore, the evaluations of the president are not only affected by a government's economic and diplomatic performance, but are also influenced by individual awareness of salient political issues, the contents of the news, and their own perceived influence on politics. We test the theoretical hypotheses using Taiwan's Election and Democratization Study (TEDS) panel survey data. The statistical results support our theoretical hypotheses and show that when President Ma's performance did not meet respondents’ expectations of unification and economic prosperity, the respondents updated their evaluations of Ma. In addition, it also shows that the extent of respondents’ media exposure and political efficacy are significantly associated with the change in their opinions of Ma.

Crafting heritage: artisans and the making of Indigenous heritage in contemporary Taiwan

Since the 1990s, Indigenous groups in Taiwan have been increasingly engaged in retrieving and reviving cultural practices that are considered ‘traditional’ and markers of Indigenous identities. This article takes such recent and ongoing revival of cultural practices and connected material culture amongst Taiwanese Indigenous groups as the departure point to argue that the idea of a ‘contemporary Indigenous heritage’ is constructed (notably by Indigenous artists and artisans) through the conflation of ‘tradition’, ‘value’, ‘authenticity’ and ‘indigeneity’, as well as creativity and innovation. In the article, I endeavour to explain this process. To this end, I identify and illustrate a set of strategies and discourses through which Indigenous artists and artisans in Taiwan construct their work as both ‘Indigenous’ and ‘heritage’. I suggest that such strategies and discourses revolve around the following: (i) materiality, (ii) visual display and performance, (iii) Indigenous cultural research and (iv) knowledge transmission. Building on the Taiwanese case study, this article furthers scholarly enquiries into the making of heritage by generating an enhanced understanding of the role of artists and artisans in the creation, renewal, authentication and transmission of ‘Indigenous heritage’.

Modelling Determinants for the Integration of Web 2.0 Technologies into Hospitality Education: A Taiwanese Case

This study explores the applicability of various Web 2.0 technologies in hospitality education in Taiwan. The affordances of Web 2.0 technologies have dramatically changed the landscape of higher education, and hospitality education is no exception. The research presented here involved the distribution of a large-scale survey to all hospitality major students at Taiwanese universities; 839 valid responses were received and subjected to statistical analyses. The results indicated that blogs are the most popular Web 2.0 technology exploited in hospitality education, followed by Facebook. Facebook was shown to cause the greatest cognitive load for learners, although the effect size was small. Next, structural equation modelling was employed to examine nine research hypotheses, in the effort to investigate causal relationships among five proposed constructs: perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, cognitive load, learning effectiveness and learning satisfaction. Five out of nine hypotheses were supported, showcasing, in particular, the significant effect that perceived ease of use had on perceived usefulness and on learning effectiveness. In addition, perceived usefulness positively affected cognitive load and learning effectiveness, and learning effectiveness positively affected learning satisfaction; these effects were also significant.