The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of organizational culture on paternalistic leadership in Chinese SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises). Based on pertinent researches and the four types of organizational culture identified by Competing Values Framework (CVF), this research formulated hypotheses concerning the impact of group, developmental, hierarchical and rational culture on benevolent, moral and authoritarian leadership. Data stem from 515 cases in 23 Chinese SMEs. The results show that four culture types positively associated with benevolent leadership. In addition, hierarchical culture positively impacts on moral leadership, but it is not significantly related to authoritarian leadership. The impact of group, developmental and rational culture on moral and authoritarian leadership is not statistically significant in Chinese SMEs. The findings of this paper extend the research on antecedents of paternalistic leadership as well as provide theoretical guidance for entrepreneurs to establish proper organizational culture and adopt effective leadership.

The research aims to examine Chinese tourists’ motivation, travel characteristics and satisfaction in Taiwan. We investigated 335 Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan during December 2011 and January 2012, and the demographic background of respondents comply with the general structure of whole Chinese outbound tourists. The results showed that main motivation are releasing tension, exploring culture and sharing travel experience. Chinese tourists were most interested in sightseeing with coastal landscape, followed by historical monument. It also found Chinese tourist were most satisfied with transportation, including driver quality, safety and comfortable service. This study found some policy implication in attracting Chinese outbound tourist for international tourism market. We suggested that the marketing policies of continue attracting, may include to emphasis the overseas Chinese culture for heterogeneous experience, to develop the shopping district around the hotel for shopping hobby and to explore various goods and diversity Chinese food under reasonable price. To shed light on Chinese outbound tourists in general, there is a need for more research on the motivation from the dimensions of heritage of Chinese culture. This study provides an understanding of different dimensions of Chinese outbound tourists for Asian economies.

Product innovation is vitally important to the economic success of firms. In today’s deregulated European insurance markets, stagnating growth, increasing competition and new market entrants challenge insurance companies to innovate. At the same time, product innovation is a risky business with tremendous reported failure rates. In consumer goods and durable goods markets, quantitative sales forecasting models based on consumer response are an essential and widely accepted practice used to minimize failure risks. However, although the insurance business has grown into a significant economic sector, reliable scientific studies regarding successful implementations of new product sales forecasting models do not exist so far. Against this background, this paper develops and empirically validates a framework for a quantitative sales forecasting model. The presented approach is based on the principles of simulated test market models. However, as we show, fitting the specific issues of the insurance sector requires major modifications to existing standard models. A real-world application provides promising results and illustrates the value of the new approach.

The present study explores the effect of Shouren Guanxi, mianzi and renqing on the ethical judgment of Chinese accounting professionals. A survey was designed to measure the likelihood of compromising professional integrity for maintaining a Shouren Guanxi, or for gaining face (mianzi), or for the obligation to reciprocate (renqing). The result reflects the dark size of Guanxi and reveals the possible reason for moral compromise. Based on the examination of these linkages, the present study attempts to suggest a theoretical structure model that link Guanxi to ethical judgment for further investigative research to be undertaken.

Brand age related factors have been suggested to impact consumers’ attitudes and behaviors. Such relationships might have significant implications for marketing, branding, advertising researchers and practitioners. This study focuses on the impact of perceived brand age and consumers’ attitudes towards new products brought to the market by established and well-known brand names. To test and validate whether and how perceived brand age influences brand attitudes among the consumers, the investigation surveyed 1,000 subjects nation-wide. The study adopted a 2x2x2 experimental design. One-way ANOVA was used to determine if there were significant differences between consumers’ attitudes towards products, expected to be brought to the market by brands perceived as “newer” and “older.” The results from this research suggest that the older brands stand an equal chance of success as the newer, younger ones, assuming all else is held constant. Indeed, in some cases, the older brands may actually have an advantage.

The purpose of this paper is to examine franchise relationships by using an interaction approach which involves several exchanges or actor bonds between a franchisor and franchisee. The study is based on a web survey directed towards franchisees in Sweden. A total of 191 survey responses were obtained from a wide range of industries, representing a 16.2% response rate. A Pearson Correlation test was performed for the  hypotheses. Results demonstrate a significant correlation on the impact which adaptations have on commitment in franchise relationships. Furthermore, information exchange is positively related to enhanced franchise outlet performance. The paper contributes to filling the gap within franchise relationship literature by applying an interaction approach in contrast to prior economic theories in this field of study.

This study analyzed six qualitative variables that are hypothesized to influence franchisee satisfaction; i) franchisee’s previous job experience, ii) duration as a franchisee, iii) number of recruited franchisees, iv) businesstypes, v) the franchisor’s policies, vi) the franchisor’s services.  The results show no significant differences in franchisee satisfaction among those with previous job experience, duration as a franchisee, number of recruited franchisees and business-types. However, there is a significant weak positive correlation between franchisors’ policies, franchisor’s services and franchisee satisfaction. Conflicts were identified in advertising, procurement, royalty payment, and territorial encroachment. There are also differences in risk aversion between franchisor and franchisee.