Showing papers by "Ming Chuan University published in 2013"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the direct and interactive effects of external technology acquisition and external technology exploitation on firm performance and further examined the moderation effects of two factors (i.e., internal R&D and environmental turbulence) on the relationship between both types of open innovation and firm performance.
388 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the impact of CEO attributes on the internationalization-performance relationships of SMEs and found that age, educational level, international experience, and duality of the CEO have moderating effects on the relationship between internationalization and firm performance.
338 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that integrating perceived enjoyment and user involvement into the ECT provides better insights into continuous use in the blog context.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to understand factors that affect continuance intention of a popular hedonic information system, blogs. The expectation-confirmation theory (ECT) is adapted with perceived enjoyment, habit and user involvement. Data was collected via an online survey. A total of 430 valid responses were collected. The research model was assessed by structural equation modelling (SEM). The results show that continuance intention of blog use was predicted collectively by user involvement, satisfaction and perceived enjoyment. Habit, however, exhibited no strong relationship with satisfaction and use intention. Users' satisfaction with blog use was predicted primarily by perceived enjoyment, followed by users' confirmation of expectation and user involvement. Perceived enjoyment was predicted by users' involvement and users' confirmation of expectation. Blogging time significantly moderates the effect of habit on perceived enjoyment, but not on satisfaction and continuance intention. The integrat...
140 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a cross-industry survey of 587 frontline hospitality employees in hotel/resort, tourist attraction, and airline industries was conducted to explore how leisure benefit systems affect frontline employees' quality of life while they encounter work-to-leisure conflicts.
112 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that the detection of incongruities was associated with greater activation in the right middle temporal gyrus and right medial frontal gyrus, and the resolution of incONGruities with greateractivation in the left superior frontal Gyrus and left inferior parietal lobule.
108 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a model of cognitive capital-based risk management capability building in which integrates communication, knowledge, relationship and learning, and concluded that cognitive capital plays a crucial role in accumulating structural and relational capital.
Abstract: This article addresses the under-researched issue of risk management (RM) and risk management capability building in small and medium sized enterprise (SMEs). It draws upon theories of social capital to explain enablers and obstacles for RM capability building and practice sharing in a small and medium-sized construction enterprise in China. Two related propositions are made: first, RM capability is built by SMEs without formal structures and knowledge; and second, such firms are more likely to adopt informal processes to develop RM capability. The article concludes that the role of cognitive capital is the most important for the RM capability building of SMEs and that cognitive capital plays a crucial role in accumulating structural and relational capital. It proposes a model of cognitive capital-based RM capability building in which integrates communication, knowledge, relationship and learning.
104 citations
TL;DR: The data suggest that, although prostate malignancy can originate from both basal and luminal populations, these two populations differ in aggressive potential.
Abstract: Prostate glands comprise two major epithelial cell types: luminal and basal. Luminal cells have long been considered the cellular origin of prostate cancer (CaP). However, recent evidence from a prostate regeneration assay suggests that prostate basal cells can also give rise to CaP. Here, we characterize Pten -deficient prostate lesions arising from keratin 5–expressing basal cells in a temporally controlled system in mice. Pten -deficient prostate lesions arising from basal cells exhibited luminal phenotypes with higher invasiveness, and the cell fate of Pten -deficient basal cells was traced to neoplastic luminal cells. After temporally ablating Pten in keratin 8–expressing luminal cells, luminal-derived Pten -deficient prostate tumors exhibited slower disease progression, compared with basal-derived tumors, within 13 weeks after Pten ablation. Cellular proliferation was significantly increased in basal-derived versus luminal-derived Pten -deficient prostate lesions. Increased tumor invasion into the smooth muscle layer and aberrantly regulated aggressive signatures ( Smad4 and Spp1 ) were identified exclusively in basal-derived Pten -deficient lesions. Interestingly, p63-expressing cells, which represent basal stem and progenitor cells of basal-derived Pten -deficient prostate lesions, were significantly increased, relative to cells of the luminal-derived prostate lesion. Furthermore, castration did not suppress cellular proliferation of either basal-derived or luminal-derived Pten -deficient prostate tumors. Taken together, our data suggest that, although prostate malignancy can originate from both basal and luminal populations, these two populations differ in aggressive potential.
98 citations
TL;DR: The data showed that kaempferol attenuated the MAPK signaling pathways including ERK, JNK and p38 and resulted in the decreased DNA binding ability of AP-1, and hence, the downregulation in the expression and enzymatic activities of MMP-2, M MP-9 and uPA, contributing to the inhibition of metastasis of U-2 OS cells.
Abstract: Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid that possesses anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities in several cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the anti-metastatic activity of kaempferol and its molecular mechanism(s) of action in human osteosarcoma cells. Kaempferol displayed inhibitory effects on the invasion and adhesion of U-2 osteosarcoma (OS) cells in a concentration-dependent manner by Matrigel Transwell assay and cell adhesion assay. Kaempferol also inhibited the migration of U-2 OS cells in a concentration-dependent manner at different treatment time points by wound-healing assay. Additional experiments showed that kaempferol treatment reduced the enzymatic activities and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) by gelatin and casein-plasminogen zymography assays and western blot analyses. Kaempferol also downregulated the mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by quantitative PCR analyses. Furthermore, kaempferol was able to reduce the protein phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK by western blotting. By electrophoretic mobility-shift assay (EMSA), we demonstrated that kaempferol decreased the DNA binding activity of AP-1, an action likely to result in the reduced expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and uPA. Collectively, our data showed that kaempferol attenuated the MAPK signaling pathways including ERK, JNK and p38 and resulted in the decreased DNA binding ability of AP-1, and hence, the downregulation in the expression and enzymatic activities of MMP-2, MMP-9 and uPA, contributing to the inhibition of metastasis of U-2 OS cells. Our results suggest a potential role of kaempferol in the therapy of tumor metastasis of OS.
88 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identified the role of relational benefits between service quality and customer loyalty in the airline industry and found that service quality has positive impacts on relational benefit and user loyalty.
Abstract: Service quality, in essence, seeks to measure firm performance along transactional dimensions, whereas relational benefits measure the intangible aspects of relationships, over and above the core elements of the service. Thus, the interaction between the consumer and service provider is ongoing (relational) rather than one-off (transactional). The purpose of this study aims to identify the role of relational benefits between service quality and loyalty. In order to achieve the objective of this paper, a quantitative analysis through a personal survey of passengers was performed. Four hundred and fifty questionnaires were distributed and 403 useable samples were obtained with 89% response rate. The results of this study found that service quality has positive impacts on relational benefit and customer loyalty in the airline industry. Additionally, relational benefit influences customer loyalty directly. Furthermore, service quality would also affect customer's loyalty through customer relational benefits.
85 citations
TL;DR: A Multiple Criteria Decision- making model that combines Decision-Making Trail and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Analytic Network Process (ANP) to demonstrate the interactions and relations among the criteria is constructed.
83 citations
TL;DR: A slack-based version of the Super SBM, which is an alternative super-efficiency model for the SBM proposed by Tone, and the projection identified from the approach is strongly Pareto efficient.
Abstract: The current paper proposes a slack-based version of the Super SBM, which is an alternative super-efficiency model for the SBM proposed by Tone. Our two-stage approach provides the same super-efficiency score as that obtained by the Super SBM model when the evaluated DMU is efficient and yields the same efficiency score as that obtained by the SBM model when the evaluated DMU is inefficient. The projection identified by the Super SBM model may not be strongly Pareto efficient; however, the projection identified from our approach is strongly Pareto efficient.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a conceptual model of the effects of service quality on customer loyalty that reflects the mediating role of customer satisfaction and the moderating role on service recovery and perceived value.
Abstract: This study develops a conceptual model of the effects of service quality on customer loyalty that reflects the mediating role of customer satisfaction and the moderating role of service recovery and perceived value, and applies this model to the travel industry. A survey and analysis confirm that customer satisfaction is positively influenced by service quality, and customer loyalty is positively influenced by customer satisfaction. Furthermore, customer loyalty is indirectly influenced by service quality through the mediator of customer satisfaction. The relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction is found to be stronger for customers who have a positive experience of service recovery; and the correlation between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty is stronger for customers who perceive high service value.
TL;DR: A new Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model for DfE performance evaluation where the simultaneous increase of desirable outputs and decrease of undesirable outputs are considered with a focus on identifying inefficiency as a result of higher levels of undesirable performance is developed.
Abstract: Design for the environment (DfE) has been recognized as one of the most important practices for achieving sustainability. One major challenge in DfE implementation is how to effectively deal with the mix of the both the desirable outputs (to maintain or improve traditional product attributes) and the undesirable outputs (to reduce environmental impacts) in the design process. In this paper, we develop a new Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model for DfE performance evaluation where the simultaneous increase of desirable outputs and decrease of undesirable outputs are considered with a focus on identifying inefficiency as a result of higher levels of undesirable performance. We show that our proposed method is capable of establishing a benchmark with lower undesirable outputs for an inefficient decision making unit (DMU) than other models in the existing literature. We also use empirical data to demonstrate the applications of our DEA model in evaluating the sustainable design performances of different vehicle designs for the automobile industry. By treating the undesirable factors as the dominating factors in evaluating a DMU's sustainable design performance, our model can help identify the most eco-efficient way to improve the performance attributes of a product while minimizing its various negative impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and solid wastes, on the natural environment.
TL;DR: A machine learning-based question-answering framework, which integrates a question classifier, simple document/passage retrievers, and the proposed context-ranking models, which provides flexible features to learners.
TL;DR: LED light illumination could be a more accessible and safe practice for riboflavin photochemical treatments to achieve hygienic requirements in vitro to develop an effective antimicrobial treatment.
Abstract: The micronutrients in many cellular processes, riboflavin (vitamin B2), FMN, and FAD are photo-sensitive to UV and visible light to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). The riboflavin photochemical treatment with UV light has been applied for the inactivation of microorganisms to serve as an effective and safe technology. Ultra-violet or high-intensity radiation is, however, considered as a highly risky practice. This study was working on the application of visible LED lights to riboflavin photochemical reactions to development an effective antimicrobial treatment. The photosensitization of bacterial genome with riboflavin was investigated in vitro and in vivo by light quality and irradiation dosage. The riboflavin photochemical treatment with blue LED light was proved to be able to inactivate E. coli by damaging nucleic acids with ROS generated. Riboflavin is capable of intercalating between the bases of bacterial DNA or RNA and absorbs lights in the visible regions. LED light illumination could be a more accessible and safe practice for riboflavin photochemical treatments to achieve hygienic requirements in vitro.
TL;DR: This work defines and develops general constructions for threshold multiple-secret visual cryptographic schemes (MVCSs) as integer linear programs which minimize the pixel expansions under all necessary constraints.
Abstract: A conventional threshold (k out of n) visual secret sharing scheme encodes one secret image P into n transparencies (called shares) such that any group of k transparencies reveals P when they are superimposed, while that of less than k ones cannot. We define and develop general constructions for threshold multiple-secret visual cryptographic schemes (MVCSs) that are capable of encoding s secret images P1,P2,...,Ps into n shares such that any group of less than k shares obtains none of the secrets, while 1) each group of k, k+1,..., n shares reveals P1, P2, ..., Ps, respectively, when superimposed, referred to as (k, n, s)-MVCS where s=n-k+1; or 2) each group of u shares reveals P(ru) where ru ∈ {0,1,2,...,s} (ru=0 indicates no secret can be seen), k ≤ u ≤ n and 2 ≤ s ≤ n-k+1, referred to as (k, n, s, R)-MVCS in which R=(rk, rk+1, ..., rn) is called the revealing list. We adopt the skills of linear programming to model (k, n, s) - and (k, n, s, R) -MVCSs as integer linear programs which minimize the pixel expansions under all necessary constraints. The pixel expansions of different problem scales are explored, which have never been reported in the literature. Our constructions are novel and flexible. They can be easily customized to cope with various kinds of MVCSs.
TL;DR: The core and emerging knowledge of electronic commerce (e-commerce) research is explored to provide core knowledge and directions for researchers and practitioners interested in the electronic commerce field.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore the core and emerging knowledge of electronic commerce (e-commerce) research. Data was collected from the top six e-commerce journals from 2006---2010. A total of 1,064 electronic commerce related articles and 33,173 references were identified. There were 48 high value research articles identified using a citation and co-citation analysis. Using statistical analysis including factor analysis, multidimensional scaling, and cluster analysis, we identified five research areas: trust, technology acceptance and technology application, e-commerce task-related application, e-markets, and identity and evaluation. We also identified emerging core knowledge, information systems success. The findings of this study provide core knowledge and directions for researchers and practitioners interested in the electronic commerce field.
TL;DR: Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this paper developed a behavioral model for food festival visitors and examined behavioral models for visitors with different lifestyles by classifying participants according to lifestyle.
Abstract: Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study developed a behavioral model for food festival visitors. Behavioral models for visitors with different lifestyles were also examined by classifying participants according to lifestyle. This quantitative study implemented a questionnaire survey and literature review to design TPB and lifestyle scales. A total of 489 participants completed a survey during the Eighth Macau Food Festival 2008 (n = 244) and the 2008 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition (n = 245). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was then used for model fitting and verification. The analytical results indicated that visitors with different lifestyles exhibited different behavioral patterns that affected the influences of TPB variables on behavioral intention. Integrating lifestyle factors and TPB thus increase the completeness of the theory. In terms of festival organization, this study also proposed practical suggestions and theoretical implications. Finally, the limitations of this study and p...
TL;DR: The results reveal that students who received the combined treatment of online CL with initiation and SRL with feedback attained the best grades for their computing skills for website design among the five groups.
Abstract: In modern business environments, work and tasks have become more complex and require more interdisciplinary skills to complete, including collaborative and computing skills for website design. Howe...
TL;DR: In this paper, a hydrogen nanobubble can be generated and stabilized in an aqueous solution of Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) protein via an electron radiolysis process.
Abstract: Although the stability of the nanobubble remains a controversial issue that is subject to the classical predictions of high Laplace pressure, we demonstrate that a hydrogen nanobubble can be generated and stabilized in an aqueous solution of Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) protein via an electron radiolysis process. The hydrogen gas inside the nanobubble is in a “dense gas” phase that is characterized by a Knudsen number and number density of hydrogen molecules. The dynamics of nanobubbles are analyzed using time-series electron microscopy images. The growth of small nanobubbles will be affected by the largest neighboring nanobubble; however, a diffusive shielding effect for small nanobubbles is observed. Locally, anti-Ostwald ripening of nanobubbles can be observed; however, the global growth behavior among the nanobubbles is randomly correlated because the characteristic diffusion length of the hydrogen molecules is considerably greater than the average spacing among the nanobubbles.
TL;DR: Microarray analysis in patients with AF revealed that 391 genes were differentially expressed between the LA-PV junction and the LAA, including genes related to arrhythmia, cell death, fibrosis, hypertrophy, and inflammation.
TL;DR: In this article, a hybrid multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model is applied to select optimal supplier, which can lead to better criteria selection, is used to modify criteria.
Abstract: The sustainable supplier selection would be the vital part in the management of a sustainable supply chain. In this study, a hybrid multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model is applied to select optimal supplier. The fuzzy Delphi method, which can lead to better criteria selection, is used to modify criteria. Considering the interdependence among the selection criteria, analytic network process (ANP) is then used to obtain their weights. To avoid calculation and additional pairwise comparisons of ANP, a technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is used to rank the alternatives. The use of a combination of the fuzzy Delphi method, ANP, and TOPSIS, proposing an MCDM model for supplier selection, and applying these to a real case are the unique features of this study.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors extend and elaborate social capital approaches to organizational creativity by identifying different mechanisms that employees can deploy to promote the development of social capital through social interaction, relationship quality and network ties.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to extend and elaborate social capital approaches to organizational creativity by identifying different mechanisms that employees can deploy to promote the development of social capital through social interaction, relationship quality and network ties. The findings, based on data from a sample of 382 employees across different areas of expertise and countries in a multinational manufacturing firm, indicate that relationship quality and network ties play a mediating role between social interaction and organizational creativity. The findings of this study contribute to the development of a conceptual theoretical model for explaining the interrelationships among three mechanisms of social capital and organizational creativity performance.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors empirically tested the determinants of executive pay and found that the size of a firm is the most important determinant of CEO compensation and that there is a general lack of linkage between pay and performance.
Abstract: This paper empirically tests the determinants of executive pay. In order to gain more understanding of the fat cat problem that have been subject to hot debate, we also examine a sample firms that suffer from the “fat cat problem”, defined as firms with poor performance while their Chief Executive Offers (CEOs) receive high compensation. Based on a sample of 903 US firms between 2007 and 2010, we find that there is a substitution effect between CEO compensation and the level of CEO ownership and that larger firms give higher pay to their CEOs. When the sample is limited to fat cat companies only, we find that tenure and firm size are significantly positively associated with CEO compensation. The firm size, leverage ratio and investment opportunities are found to be significantly associated with the CEO total compensation when the sample is limited to fat cat companies in the financial services industries. Overall, firm size appears to be the most important determinant of CEO compensation and that there is a general lack of linkage between pay and performance. The evidence thus calls for public attention for reexamining the effectiveness of current pay system.
TL;DR: This paper explored the differences among tourists in their wayfinding performances, strategy preferences, and anxieties, and examined how individual tourist differences in the perceived wayfinding difficulties, strategy preference, and anxiety affect wayfinding task performance in unfamiliar tourist destinations.
Abstract: This study explores the differences among tourists in their wayfinding performances, strategy preferences, and anxieties, and examines how individual tourist differences in the perceived wayfinding difficulties, strategy preferences, and anxieties affect wayfinding task performance in unfamiliar tourist destinations. The study participants were 540 outbound tourists traveling from Taiwan to Venice. The analysis revealed the following: (1) There was a higher level of anxiety in female tourists and a greater preference for the route wayfinding strategy. Male tourists reported a lower level of wayfinding anxiety and used orientation wayfinding more often than route strategy. (2) Study participants with independent overseas travel experience showed lower levels of wayfinding anxiety than did those without independent travel experience. (3) Participants’ level of anxiety is significantly positively correlated with their perceptions of wayfinding difficulties and the orientation strategy preference but...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the interplay between effective communication and interpersonal conflict in influencing satisfaction and argued that a high level of effective communication not only diminishes the negative impact of relationship conflict on satisfaction, but also suppresses the positive impact of task conflicts on satisfaction.
TL;DR: Quantitative PCR results indicate that the induction of APase mRNA transcription is very sensitive to phosphorus availability and population growth, and sequence alignment suggests that PtAPase belongs to the PhoA family, and it possesses key residues at the Escherichia coliPhoA active site.
Abstract: In phosphorus-deficient conditions, Phaeodactylum tricornutum releases an alkaline phosphatase (PtAPase) to the medium that is readily detectable by activity staining. Nucleic acid and amino acid sequence of this alkaline phosphatase (APase) was identified by performing proteomic analysis and database searches. Sequence alignment suggests that PtAPase belongs to the PhoA family, and it possesses key residues at the Escherichia coli PhoA active site. Quantitative PCR results indicate that the induction of APase mRNA transcription is very sensitive to phosphorus availability and population growth. The molecular mass of native PtAPase (148 kDa) determined by gel filtration chromatography indicates that PtAPase, like most PhoA, is homodimeric. Zn and Mg ions are essential cofactors for most PhoA enzymes; however, PtAPase activity did not require Zn ions. In fact, 5 mM Zn²⁺, Mo²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, or Cu²⁺ inhibited its enzymatic activity, whereas 5 mM Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, or Ca²⁺ enhanced its enzymatic activity. The responses of PtAPase to divalent metal ions were different from those of most PhoAs, but were similar to the PhoA in a marine bacterium, Cobetia marina. Phylogenetic analysis shows that homologs of PhoA are also present in other diatom species, and that they clustered in a unique branch away from other PhoA members. PtAPase may represent a novel class of PhoA that helps diatoms to survive in the ocean. Quantification of the PtAPase mRNA may help monitor the physiological condition of diatoms in natural environments and artificial bioreactors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of CEO characteristics on R&D investment are contingent on board social capital, and the results show that board's social capital mitigates/enhances the negative/positive effect of CEO tenure/CEO educational level on research and development investment.
Abstract: The findings of the chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics–research and development (R&D) investment relationship remain incomplete if previous unexamined contingencies are not considered. Very few studies in this area have invariably focused on the constraints from the external environment and overlooked the important influence of board social capital on such relationship. This study uses insights from resource dependence theory to examine how the effects of CEO characteristics on R&D investment are contingent on board social capital. The results show that board social capital mitigates/enhances the negative/positive effect of CEO tenure/CEO educational level on R&D investment, supporting the view that board social capital, as an important conduit to link firms to critical information and essential resources in the environment, may offer better counsel to CEOs and enhance their decision-making capabilities in moving toward R&D. One important implication is that firms wishing to encourage innovation through R&D spending should consider nominating directors with rich social capital to the board because they may assist CEOs in coping with R&D complexities and acquiring requisite resources, leading to a better planning of R&D.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated how service process fit and facilitating conditions affect usage behavior of check-in kiosks and found that check-ins can provide a service experience that defines how passengers are to be boundary when dealing with airline companies.
TL;DR: BD-SDOCT is a power-efficient method which is particularly helpful for high speed SDOCT to eliminate random intensity noise and to achieve shot noise limited detection and allows in vivo three-dimensional tissue visualization with high imaging quality and high speed.
Abstract: The use and advantages of applying balanced-detection (BD) operation method to high speed spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) are presented in this study, which we believe is the first such demonstration. Compared to conventional SDOCT, BD-SDOCT provides two unique advantages. First, the method can suppress background noise and autocorrelation artifacts in biological tissues. Second, it is a power-efficient method which is particularly helpful for high speed SDOCT to eliminate random intensity noise and to achieve shot noise limited detection. This performance allows in vivo three-dimensional tissue visualization with high imaging quality and high speed.