Multi-foci commitments in the Chinese service context: evaluating commitment outcomes, interactions, and profiles

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between frontline service employees (FLSE)’s multiple commitment foci and work related outcomes to address the question of how commitment may result in Chinese FLSE’s staying and performing in service organizations. The study applied a unidimensional and target-free commitment model (KUT) to examine the relationship between six multiple commitments and six related outcomes likely to be salient in the China service frontline context. FLSE’s boundary spanner role is taken into account, the effects and joint effects of multiple foci to FLSE’s work related behaviors (intention to quit, in-role performance and OCB) and wellbeing are examined, and the patterns of multiple commitment subgroups has been investigated. The results of this study confirm the validity of the KUT model in the China FLSEs’ work context, and indicate a synergistic relationship between commitment to supervisor and organizational commitment, and a compensatory interaction between occupational commitment and commitment to customer to certain outcomes. Further, the qualitative and quantitative differences of commitment subgroups provide practical insights for management

How Risk Perceptions and Level of Trust of Information Influence Individuals’ Health Services Usage

Background: When facing health-related issues, decision-making is not an easy thing. Some people look for advice from health care professionals, and some people trust their family members\u27 and friends’ experiences more. Previous studies in health communication have suggested differences across various demographic groups in information seeking access and skills, including variables related to the knowledge gap assumption and individuals\u27 risk perceptions. Methods: Multiple linear regression and logistic regression are used to examine how individuals’ health risk perceptions influence their health service usage by analyzing the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5 Cycle 4. HINTS conducts national surveys to monitor the influence and changes in cancer communication among U.S. adult citizens. It is a cross-sectional survey of the adult population conducted every few years by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 2003. HINTS 5 Cycle 4 data were collected from February through June in 2020 with 3,865 respondents participated in the study. Results: The results showed that people who have higher risk perceptions are more likely to seek health information and seek information online. In addition, socioeconomic status (SES), age, and race/ethnicity also impact individuals’ health information-seeking behaviors as well as health service usage. Conclusion: Health professionals’ recommendations often have a significant influence on individuals’ decision-making. If health professionals can spend just a couple of extra minutes in conversation with patients and their family members to emphasize the importance of health service usage (eg. Examination, regular body checkout), individuals’ willingness of using health services may be changed

Surface Engineering of Cellulose for Phenols and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) Removal

The cellulose was extracted from abundantly available oil palm agrowaste in Malaysia. The cheap sorbents were prepared by modification of cellulose with carboxylic acids such as EDTA, fumaric and maleic acid. Modifications of cellulose are carried out using soxhlet apparatus. The carboxylic acids 0.1M of fumaric acid, maleic acid and EDTA each was substituted on the cellulose O-H group at carbon position C-2, C-3 and C-6. The metal, phenol and phenol derivative 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid are the main pollutant obtained from industrial and agricultural sources. This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the usage of cellulose in removing phenol and 2,4-D in water. Analysis on surface engineered cellulose onto phenol, 2,4-D and metal ions are carried out in this study. Metal loading onto the modified cellulose was studied using lead ion. Cellulose-malate gives the highest lead ion removal (98%) with adsorption capacity, qe of 62.8 mg/g. For 2,4-D removal, cellulose-malate (Pb-loaded) showed the highest sorption of 2,4-D compared to other modified cellulose, with sorption percentage of 85.2% and qe of 42.6 mg/g. On the other hand, cellulose-EDTA (Pb-loaded) gives the highest sorption percentage of phenol at 79.2% and adsorption capacity, qe of 39.6 mg/g. The results show that modified cellulose has higher sorption capacity for divalent metal ions and phenol and 2,4-D. The adsorption of 2,4-D and phenol is found to be more effective in acidic condition (pH=5) compared to alkali condition (pH=10). The adsorption process follows Freundlich adsorption isotherm and pseudo second-order, which is based on chemical adsorption mechanism

VIX to S&P 500 Correlation Over the Weekend: Are Market Makers Using S&P 500 Weekend Returns to Price VIX on Monday Morning?

This paper studied the correlation between the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) weekend returns and the VIX changes. Two distinct patterns are found: (1) VIX is dropping intraday and rising overnight; (2) a negative SPY weekend return correlates with VIX weekend change. We found the negative correlation is statistically significant (P=0.000). This proves that option market makers are using SPY Friday overnight returns to adjust the implied volatility the next morning. This may lead to a profitable options model that sells high IV options closing on Friday and buys them back next Monday, especially before the earnings announcement

Will My Disclosure Harm the Relationship? Factors that Impact Mother-Daughter Cancer Communication in Taiwan

Since 1982, cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (2020), in 2019 more than a quarter (28.6%) of deaths were caused by cancer, an increase of about 5% from 1999. Family communication can help encourage social and physical support, especially for those who face traumatic, life-changing events, such as receiving a cancer diagnosis. However, people may avoid self-disclosing information about their diseases, treatments, and emotions with their families for different reasons. Between May and July 2014, fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted to explore what factors influence breast cancer mothers’ desire to engage in cancer communication with their daughters. Six themes representing individual factors, relational factors, and cultural factors that influence self-disclosure emerged. These themes were: 1) Cancer stage when the mother was first diagnosed, 2) Mother’s dependency/Daughter’s maturity, 3) Philosophy of “face it, accept it, deal with it, and let it be”, 4) Societal expectations of women’s roles, 5) Religion, and 6) Support group engagement

The Redevelopment and Preservation of Historic Lilong Housing in Shanghai

In this thesis, I examine development projects in the inner city of Shanghai, especially the redevelopment of historic residential blocks, or lilongs, during the economic transition period in China. My object is to find out how different patterns worked to preserve the old residential blocks under the effects of the redevelopment