Internet Entrepreneurship: Networks and Performance of Internet Ventures In China

This article examines the contingent value of entrepreneurs' networks to survival likelihood of Internet ventures, and the dynamics of entrepreneurs' networks over time. The empirical data are composed of the longitudinal surveys of 94 Internet ventures in Beijing, China. The study found the positive and the negative contingent effects of structural holes on the survival likelihood of new firms. The study found that networking skills of entrepreneurs are associated positively with the changes in networks over time. Improved social skills lead to greater firm legitimacy.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/40139/3/wp753.pd

Show us you are poor and a good citizen: public assistance eligibility in Chinese main cities

This paper examines the eligible criteria of the Minimum Living Standard Scheme (MLSS) in Chinese main cities. The MLSS policy documents of 31 Chinese cities were obtained from relevant local governments' websites and then analysed by NVivo 10 for Windows. It was found that the cities are using several criteria to assess the eligibility of public assistance applicants, including income, expenditures, living space, household electrical appliances, leisure, motivation to work, and acceptable behaviour. It is obvious that the local governments have adopted a life-style assessment approach to decide the eligibility of the applicants. This approach, however, has two main weaknesses. Firstly, the MLSS claimants have to demonstrate that they are in extreme hardship and this has separated them from the rest of society. Their poor quality of life will be a barrier to their social integration to community. Secondly, some terms about the quality of life style are too ambiguous and different cities have different criteria on a poor living standard. As public assistance criteria vary from city to city, this leads to an unequal access to public benefits among Chinese citizens

Social Media’s impact on Intellectual Property Rights

This is a draft chapter. The final version is available in Handbook of Research on Counterfeiting and Illicit Trade, edited by Peggy E. Chaudhry, published in 2017 by Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4337/9781785366451. This material is for private use only, and cannot be used for any other purpose without further permission of the publisher.Peer reviewe

Research in multi-cultural relationship building

This study aims to explore the ‘missing gap' between the values of an Accounting firm and the preference shown by Maaori on how they would like to be approached when wanting to build a trusted relationship within a business sense. This study makes use of qualitative approaches in which data is collected primarily through interviews and analysed to produce results and recommendations. The study found that Maaori would like to be approached in a way that makes sense to them and also identifies with their cultural proceedings. It also provides insight into how important trust is when establishing a relationship with Maaori. The study recommends that further studies conducted should interview a wider variety of focus groups to add different elements to this research and that FIRM A's small business department's offerings do not align with what Maaori want so need to be rethought to adapt to Maaor expectations

Analysis and optimization of distribution logistics for Just Water Company

This report details the various factors that affect the operational efficiency of distribution logistics. The research aimed at studying the existing components involved in the distribution logistics of Just Water. Distribution logistics begins at the end of the production line where the finished product is emerged until it reaches the customers. The literature review explains the key components of distribution logistics in an organisation. This research analyses the existing components of the distribution logistics of Just Water and discusses possible improvements that can be adapted to increase the overall efficiency of the distribution logistics operation. The background of the research is that Just Water faces difficulty with delivering its products on time during peak seasons. The research tries to unveil the reason for this delay and finds that the demands for extra water-out deliveries are interfering with the normal runs of the trucks, therein delaying their regular schedule. One another cause was found to be the shortage of supplies due to slow or less return logistics. The research suggests a change in the existing drop shipping distribution model and recommends the adaptation of intermediary or multi-stage distribution networks, possibly the ‘Last Mile Delivery’ configuration in order to reduce delivery lead-time, reduce transportation costs and improve customer satisfaction

Explanations, economic consequences and perceptions of internet financial reporting by Chinese listed companies - an empirical study of Chinese stock exchanges

The aim of this study is to examine Internet financial reporting (IFR) in an emerging capital market. It has three main objectives: first, to examine the provision of financial information on the websites of Chinese listed companies and identify the factors determining the financial information on such websites; second, to examine the economic consequences of IFR on a company’s value in China; and, third, to investigate the perceptions of Chinese participants regarding IFR. Fifteen research questions were designed and twelve hypotheses formulated to accomplish the above aims and objectives. This study applies an empirical approach to investigating IFR practices of Chinese listed companies. The study combines quantitative and qualitative research methods, with an emphasis on quantitative research methods. To answer the research questions and test the twelve hypotheses, data collection comprised an IFR index review and semi-structured interviews. Descriptive analyses showed relative improvement in the disclosures of financial information, corporate governance information, social responsibility, timeliness of disclosure, presentation and usability on the sampled websites. The results of a univariate analysis and a multivariate analysis indicated that company size, industry type, big-4 auditor type, state share ownership, foreign share ownership, CEO duality, and the proportion of independent directors are significant explanatory variables associated with disclosures on corporate websites. Conversely, leverage, profitability, legal person ownership, and board size have no predictive value for determining Internet financial reporting practices among listed companies. Sensitivity analyses were performed and the results were consistent. This finding meets the expectations of agency theory, signalling theory, institutional theory, the cost and benefit approach, and stewardship theory. The finding from the interviews with company participants suggested that factors determining whether companies adopt IFR include: communication tools with investors and other stakeholders, provision of timely information to investors, the extent to which having a website improves a company’s image and reputation, management decisions and likelihood of winning awards. Factors influencing companies not to disclose financial information on their websites included the presence of financial information in other media. Additionally, some companies had no website because there is no legal requirement to do so and so a website is not a management priority. Participants from companies also provided some ideas for IFR improvement from China’s perspective. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to discover whether IFR and its components affect a firm’s value. Models for both 2010 and 2011 revealed that IFR total score has a significant negative impact on firm value. Additional regression tests were therefore performed to examine firm value and IFR components, IFR content, timeliness, corporate governance, social factors, presentation and usability all have a negative effect on firm value. A significant negative association between IFR information and firm value suggests proprietary costs are particularly relevant for IFR disclosure. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical and theoretical evidence about IFR practices of China listed companies. Results from statistical analysis, together with perceptions of participants, as expressed in interviews, provided a better understanding of IFR practices. In light of the research results, regulators and policy makers are expected to benefit from a clearer understanding of the needs of the market, thereby creating a new challenge for regulators when developing future schemes regarding the financial reporting regulatory framework, in order to achieve a higher level of compliance and transparency. These empirical results provide a significant benefit to professional bodies; in particular, furthering understanding of IFR practices and their characteristics, helping to standardise IFR content, to define codes of conduct, and to dictate rules and recommendations for the future. The findings will benefit companies seeking to learn about how to exhibit best practice. The results will be interesting to academics and future researchers in the area of emerging markets, as the Chinese stock market is developing rapidly and offers a unique institutional environment. This research also provides useful insights into the relationship between agency issues, the cost and benefit approach, unique institutional frameworks and IFR