Suchergebnisse

In the past two decades, China has achieved world renown for reducing rural poverty. However, it is becoming harder to reduce poverty and inequality further in China, even though its economy continues to grow. This report compares the impact specific rural public investments can have on promoting growth and reducing poverty and inequality. Returns to these investments are calculated for the nation as a whole and for three economic zones in the west, central, and coastal regions of the country. Government expenditures that have the highest impact on poverty and growth include education, agricultural research and development, and rural infrastructure (roads, electricity, and telecommunications). Notably, spending on irrigation and anti-poverty loans had minimal impact. The report discusses the implications of these findings for setting future priorities for government investment. It also suggests avenues for future research and calls for a better understanding of how to improve the effectiveness of public resources. This report will be of interest to professionals involved in rural poverty reduction, rural development, agricultural growth, food security, and public investment policy. ; PR ; IFPRI1; GRP3; Theme 9; Public Policy and Investment

This research manuscript is aimed at to examine entrepreneurial intentions through the cognitive approach of Chinese and Pakistani adults. Data for this research was acquired from the database of GEM 2012 APS Global Individual Level. The entrepreneurial intention was a dependent variable while independent variables were individual perceptions, socio-cultural perceptions and perceptions of economic opportunities. Their effect on intentions is tested along with some control variables. Four logistic regressions were employed to test three hypotheses. Fear of failure was not found as a significant predictor of entrepreneurial intentions in both countries. Gender is also not a significant predictor of entrepreneurial intentions in China. But it is significant in Pakistan; therefore, we can say that males are more likely to hold entrepreneurial intentions in Pakistan. The results of role model, self-efficacy and perception of economic opportunities are positive and significant predictors of entrepreneurial intentions in both countries. From socio-cultural perceptions, status and respect and news in media have been found strong predictors of entrepreneurial intentions among Chinese adults while career choice and news in media have been found strong predictors of entrepreneurial intentions among Pakistani adults. Pakistani government should encourage Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority to provide basic entrepreneurial training (Entrepreneurial Idea Generation) to adults and commercial and micro-finance banks/institutes to lend small and big loans to adults who prefer to open their firms/businesses.

Introduction -- Knowing and Re-forming Place -- Research Design -- Australia's Supply of International Landscape Architectural Services -- China as a Site of Demand for International Landscape Architectural Services -- The Li Lake Area and the Proposed Development -- The Practice of Australian Landscape Architects -- The Identified Local Characteristics.

This paper examines two cases of Zhuang religious revival involving multiple actors. It shows how consideration of "superstition" (迷信, mixin) places some religious practice outside the institutional framework when discussing the modern concept of religion in China. In this paper, I particularly focus on two main dimensions of religious revival among the Zhuang people. The first is a grassroots dimension that involves the revival of a so-called "superstitious" cult in which Zhuang people along the Sino-Vietnamese border carry out shamanic rituals to make offerings to a powerful chief-turned-deity, Nong Zhigao, and his wife. The second dimension is a top-down dynamic and involves a series of projects conducted by Zhuang officials, scholars and business persons, which aim to standardize a Zhuang religion, known as Mo religion. These two cases of religious revival demonstrate the varied strategies utilized by different actors in response to government policies regarding religion in China. (JCCA/GIGA)

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) offers a legal framework for the sustainable development of the oceans and their natural resources. However, recently there have been calls to amend the Convention due to some ambiguous provisions which are unable to address a variety of contemporary maritime issues. This book evaluates the applicability and effectiveness of UNCLOS as a settlement mechanism for addressing ocean disputes. The book's central focus is on the South China Sea (SCS) dispute, one of the most complex and challenging ocean-related conflicts in the world. The

This study assesses the impacts of the social institutions of a transitional economy on its market by examining how China's political, economic and cultural institutions influence consumers' sentiment and their purchase planning behaviors. We propose and empirically validate a four‐factor model of consumer sentiment that captures the impacts of these powerful social institutions. The validity of the model was supported with data from a multi‐level stratified survey that involved 9 cities and 3,960 consumers across a number of product categories. Our findings confirm the salience of social institutions in affecting consumers' sentiment as well as their consumption behaviors in China.

PurposeWith the rapid development of fresh food e-commerce, sustaining customer loyalty is becoming critical for fresh food e-tailers (FFE) to be competitive. This study aims to investigate how to sustain customer loyalty of FFE in China.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive literature review leads to the development of a conceptual model using the American customer satisfaction index (ACSI). This model is then tested and validated through structural equation modelling (SEM) of the survey data in China.FindingsThe study reveals that trust and perceived product risk significantly affect customer loyalty. It states that trust is significantly influenced by customer satisfaction and perceived product risk. Furthermore, the study shows that perceived risk of online shopping does not significantly influence customer trust and loyalty.Originality/valueThis study is the first in China for exploring how to sustain customer loyalty of FFE. The findings are significant for FFE to develop customer loyalty by formulating appropriate policies and strategies.

We explored the stability of, and between-group differences in, the implicit self-esteem of Internet-addicted and Internet-nonaddicted college students in China. Internet addiction was assessed using Young's Internet Addiction Scale and the participants comprised 52 Internet addicts
(26 men, 26 women) and 52 Internet nonaddicts (26 men, 26 women). We then used the Implicit Association Test to assess levels of implicit self-esteem, employing a 2 (addiction, nonaddiction) × 2 (positive feedback, negative feedback) between-subjects factorial design. The pretest implicit
self-esteem level of the Internet-addicted group was significantly higher than that of the control group; however, the implicit self-esteem levels of both groups were unstable. Positive feedback did not change the level of implicit self-esteem of the Internet addiction group. In future studies
researchers need to pay more attention to the measurement of implicit self-esteem, long-term stability, and addiction to online games.

published_or_final_version ; Social Work and Social Administration ; Doctoral ; Doctor of Philosophy

Traditional International Relations (IR) theories consign small states to the reactive roles of "bargaining, bandwagoning or buffering." Small states are deemed to be inherently vulnerable, forever concerned with their mere survival. However, the present global system of states is characterized by numerous smaller states, many of which are not only surviving but also thriving in both economically and politically spheres. To unravel this anomaly, this study proposes a theory of wedge states as a separate category of small states, which are compelled to deep engagement with two or more rival powers simultaneously. The study analyzes a case of a typical wedge state using the interaction between Nepal and its neighbors China and India to inquire if the "wedge" situation of Nepal being located between two rival powers provides it any strategic agency or autonomy. To understand such outcomes, the study uses material gains as the proxy for strategic autonomy. The analysis of three cases of Nepal's tripartite interaction—policies on Tibetan exiles and refugees; competitive Chinese and Indian investments in the hydropower sector in Nepal; and environmental cooperation along the fragile ecosystem of the shared Himalayan region—finds that Nepal has often enjoyed significant agency and generated material gains due to the rivalry between its two larger neighbors. Nepal's strategic options and material gains, especially in economic and environmental realms, contradict the conventional IR theories and point to increasing autonomy of similar cases of small wedge states in the global system.