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Glocalization of consumer culture: An emerging pattern in the post-globalized world
No full textPurpose: The paper examines the complex and often contradictory nature of consumer identity and consumption patterns within our contemporary landscape, shaped by post-globalization processes and geopolitical consequences. It delves into the implications of this dynamic environment for marketing strategies, highlighting the depth and complexity of consumer behavior in an era characterized by constant connectivity and curated digital experiences.Design/methodology/approach: This conceptual paper builds upon the emerging body of literature in consumer studies, international marketing, international business, information systems and general management. Findings: We reconceptualize the glocalization of consumer culture, in light of a newly developed concept - post-global consumer culture - by critically analyzing scholarly works and industry reports. Originality: We have developed the concept of a post-global consumer culture, which is grounded in a complex typology of political identity and digital consumer culture. Additionally, we have reconceptualized the glocalization of consumer culture, considering the dynamic and evolving nature of today’s world. Practical implications: The paper offers useful insights into why and how post-globalized consumers vary in terms of their attitude toward global and local brands. Accordingly, international marketers can develop useful segmentation and positioning strategies
Systematic synthesis and crystallographic characterisation of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives bearing linear, achiral branched, and guerbet-type substituents
No full textA systematic series of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives bearing linear, achiral branched and Guerbet-type branched hydrocarbons at the lower rim were synthesised via Williamson etherification. Sodium hydride yielded tetra-substituted products, while potassium carbonate produced 1,3-di-substituted derivatives. All compounds were characterised by NMR, FTIR, and mass spectrometry.. Single crystals were obtained from tetra-O-alkylated derivatives with n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl and 2-ethylbutyl hydrocarbon chains; Guerbet-type derivatives remained viscous oils, reflecting the inability of racemic β-branched architectures to crystallise. X-ray diffraction revealed invariant calix[4]arene core geometries but distinct supramolecular packing: linear chains form head-to-head bilayers through interdigitation, while 2-ethylbutyl disrupts bilayer packing, adopting staggered arrangements stabilised by C–H···π contacts. The 2-ethylbutyl derivative represents the first crystallographic characterisation of any branched-alkyl calix[4]arene, demonstrating that substituent topology fundamentally alters supramolecular organisation
Welfare-Enhancing Annuity Divisor for Notional Defined Contribution Design
No full textIn this study, we investigate the optimal annuity divisor for a Notional Defined Contribution (NDC) pension scheme. Our analysis reveals that both the constant and actuarially fair annuity divisors, commonly used in practice, disproportionately benefit high-income individuals, resulting in an unintended wealth transfer from low-income to high-income groups. To address this issue, we employ an optimization framework based on a weighted social welfare function and derive the optimal annuity divisor using optimal control techniques. We present the explicit solution when the income distribution follows either Pareto or Pareto-lognormal and when the S-Gini function is adopted in prioritizing different income classes. Our findings suggest that excluding the low-income class from the NDC plan, as practiced in China, renders the NDC plan unnecessary unless the society is nearly inequality-neutral. By calibrating our model with Chinese data, we propose a progressive annuity divisor formula that adjusts for income inequality and mortality differentials, demonstrating its potential to enhance social welfare and achieve a more equitable pension system
Closed-form Harmonic Contrast Control with Surface Impedance Coatings for Conductive Objects
No full textThe problem of suppressing the scattering from conductive objects is addressed in terms of contrast reduction. A unique compact closed-form solution for a surface impedance Zs(m, kr) is found in a straightforward manner and without any approximation as a function of the harmonic index m (scattering mode to suppress) and of the frequency regime kr (product of wavenumber k and radius r of the cloaked system) at any frequency regime. In the quasi-static limit, mantle cloaking is obtained as a particular case for kr << 1 and m = 0. In addition, beyond quasi-static regime, impedance coatings for a selected dominant harmonic wave can be build with their proper dispersive behaviour, resulting in improved reduction levels and harmonic filtering capability
Highly tunable band structure in ferroelectric R-stacked bilayer WSe<sub>2</sub>
No full textTransition metal dichalcogenide homobilayers unite two frontiers of quantum materials research: sliding ferroelectricity, arising from rhombohedral (R) stacking, and moir´e quantum matter, emerging from small-angle twisting. The spontaneous polarization of ferroelectric R-stacked homobilayers produces a highly tunable band structure, which, together with strain-induced piezoelectricity, governs the topology and correlated electronic phases of twisted bilayers. Here we present a systematic low-temperature optical spectroscopy study of R-stacked bilayer WSe2 to quantitatively establish its fundamental electronic and ferroelectric properties. Exciton and exciton-polaron spectroscopy under doping reveals a pronounced electron–hole asymmetry that confirms type-II band alignment, with the conduction and valence band edges located at the Λ and K valleys, respectively. Through distinct excitonic responses and tunable interlayer–intralayer exciton hybridization under displacement fields, we uncover the coexistence of AB and BA ferroelectric domains. Using exciton-polarons as a probe, we directly measure the intrinsic polarization field and extract the interlayer potential. Finally, we demonstrate electric-field-driven symmetric switching of the valence band maximum, attributed to ferroelectric domain switching. These results provide a complete experimental picture of the band alignment, spontaneous polarization field, and domain dynamics of R-stacked WSe2, establishing key parameters to understand twisted bilayers and enabling new ferroelectric and excitonic device opportunities
Welfare-Enhancing Annuity Divisor for Notional Defined Contribution Design
No full textIn this study, we investigate the optimal annuity divisor for a Notional Defined Contribution (NDC) pension scheme. Our analysis reveals that both the constant and actuarially fair annuity divisors, commonly used in practice, disproportionately benefit high-income individuals, resulting in an unintended wealth transfer from low-income to high-income groups. To address this issue, we employ an optimization framework based on a weighted social welfare function and derive the optimal annuity divisor using optimal control techniques. We present the explicit solution when the income distribution follows either Pareto or Pareto-lognormal and when the S-Gini function is adopted in prioritizing different income classes. Our findings suggest that excluding the low-income class from the NDC plan, as practiced in China, renders the NDC plan unnecessary unless the society is nearly inequality-neutral. By calibrating our model with Chinese data, we propose a progressive annuity divisor formula that adjusts for income inequality and mortality differentials, demonstrating its potential to enhance social welfare and achieve a more equitable pension system
Nudge waste out: Understanding the impacts of green nudges on on-site construction waste management based on metaverse serious game
No full textNudge theory proposes that subtle changes in choice presentation can have a profound influence on people's decisions and behaviors. Grounded in this theory, researchers and practitioners started to design and implement ‘green nudges’ that can alter workers' behavior in conducting on-site construction waste management (CWM). However, how exactly such nudges can be designed and implemented remains unclear. This paper explores ‘green nudges’ that can be deployed to boost CWM on site. Instead of developing physical nudges and implementing them, this research adopts the metaverse serious games. Firstly, several green nudge options were developed based on the literature and CWM practices. Their on-site implementations were simulated in metaverse serious games. Next, seventy participants with construction site management experience were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (exposed to green nudges) or a control group (operating under conventional conditions). The Mann-Whitney U tests and XGBoost-based SHAP analyses were conducted to compare the results between the two groups. It is discovered that participants who were exposed to green nudges, such as ‘moral suasion’, ‘simplification’, and ‘social comparison’ with timely feedback, showed improved performance in ‘participation count’, ‘waste collection rate’, and ‘sorting accuracy’ in CWM. Moreover, attitudes, perceived convenience, and emotion were found to significantly influence CWM performance. Waste managers should consciously tap into these green nudges to improve these aspects and ultimately achieve improved CWM performance.</p
Acylindrical hyperbolicity for Artin groups with a visual splitting
No full textWe establish a criterion that implies the acylindrical hyperbolicity of many Artin groups admitting a visual splitting. This gives a variety of new examples of acylindrical hyperbolic Artin groups, including many Artin groups of FC-type.Our approach relies on understanding when parabolic subgroups are weakly malnormal in a given Artin group. We formulate a conjecture for when this happens, and prove it for several classes of Artin groups, including all spherical-type, all two-dimensional, and all even FC-type Artin groups. In addition, we established some connections between several conjectures about Artin groups, related to questions of acylindrical hyperbolicity, weak malnormality of parabolic subgroups, and intersections of parabolic subgroups
The Least Action Admissibility Principle
No full textThis paper provides a new admissibility criterion for choosing physically relevant weak solutions of the equations of Lagrangian and continuum mechanics when non-uniqueness of solutions to the initial value problem occurs. The criterion is motivated by the classical least action principle but is now applied to initial value problems which exhibit non-unique solutions. Examples are provided for Lagrangian mechanics and the Euler equations of barotropic fluid mechanics. In particular, we show that the least action admissibility principle prefers the classical two shock solution to the Riemann initial value problem to certain solutions generated by convex integration. On the other hand, Dafermos’s entropy criterion prefers convex integration solutions to the two shock solutions. Furthermore, when the pressure is given by p(ρ)=ρ2, we show that the two shock solution is always preferred whenever the convex integration solutions are defined for the same initial data
Land Use/Cover Dynamics and Associated Impacts on Eutrophication, Land Surface Temperature, and Ecosystem Service Values: An Eco-Climatological Investigation of Chilika Lake, India
No full textChilika Lake, the largest lagoon in Asia, located in Odisha, India, has been subjected to substantial anthropogenic pressures over the past 30 years, necessitating a comprehensive examination of its evolving landscape. Employing Landsat data spanning from 1991 to 2021, our research focuses on meticulous Land use/Land cover (LULC) classification, revealing an alarming 11.7% reduction in the lake area in the last 30 years. This decline is attributed to the conversion of vital mangrove and wetland areas into urban and agricultural expenses. The consequences extend to a 9.3% reduction in plant cover and a 7.8% decrease in catchment area. Notably, visible eutrophication patches and escalating nutrient concentrations in the past decade underscore the lake's vulnerability to environmental stressors. In parallel, the study integrates key indicators such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), and Land Surface Temperature (LST), revealing a significant 4°C increase in surface temperature from 1991 to 2021. A forward-looking CA-Markov model forecasts a continued reduction in the lake's area until 2026, coupled with an expansion of urban and agricultural domains. While the pandemic-induced restrictions temporarily improved lake levels in 2021, our overarching findings underscore the urgent need for strategic interventions to safeguard this vital natural resource. This research contributes valuable insights into the ongoing transition and future trajectory of Chilika Lake's landscape, offering a nuanced understanding for stakeholders and policymakers to formulate evidence-based strategies for the preservation and sustainable management of this ecologically significant ecosystem
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