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BRAC, the largest non‐government organization (NGO) of the world, empowers the rural community underserved by the capitalistic market environment. It is an important phenomenon, especially in the case of serving the very poor in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the factors influencing mobile payment in China's bottom‐of‐the‐pyramid (BOP) market via in‐depth interviews with mobile payment users in several geographic regions in China. This article investigates factors influencing mobile payment adoption in the BOP context. The results show that product bundling, after‐sale services, interference from other institutions, perceived corporate integrity, and monopoly and information opaqueness can influence mobile payment adoption in the BOP context. The findings will help practitioners understand and improve mobile payment adoption in the BOP context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the business community has emerged as a "dangerous stakeholder" group, while both the labor community and policymakers have emerged as "dominant stakeholder" groups under the broad class of expectant stakeholders. In many countries, there have been critical reactions to the emergence of Chinese multinationals as foreign investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have differential impact on developing customer loyalty in the context of two leading international sportswear companies operating in China. Academic interest in CSR in China has grown over the years. The findings suggest a relatively strong impact of CSR dimensions (e.g., workplace, marketplace, and environment support) and other related attributes (e.g., price, product quality, and uniqueness) on developing customer loyalty in China. There are regional differences in China in relation to customers' CSR perceptions and the likelihood of being influenced by a company's CSR initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If brand orientation is used as a strategy ensuring the 'relative advantage' attribute of an innovation in the 'bottom of the pyramid' market, it may influence the adoption of an innovation in the developing and emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Uterine innate immunity remains poorly characterized, and while endometrial endothelial cells are known to express Toll-like receptors ( TLRs), little is known about their function in these cells. The present study evaluated the effect of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) on human endometrial endothelial cell ( HEECs) cytokine secretion and tissue factor expression, and the role of TLR-4 in these responses. Methods Human endometrial endothelial cells were treated with or without LPS ± LPS- RS, a TLR-4 antagonist, via the binding of MD-2. After 24 hr, cell-free supernatants were evaluated for cytokines by multiplex analysis and cell lysates were analyzed for tissue factor expression by Western blot. Results Treatment of HEECs with LPS significantly upregulated the secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and G- CSF, and this was prevented by LPS- RS. LPS also induced tissue factor expression by the HEECs; however, this was unaffected by LPS- RS. Conclusion These findings suggest that TLR-4 is functional in HEECs and its activation by bacterial LPS induces a specific cytokine/chemokine response. However, bacterial LPS also induced tissue factor expression in what seemed to be a TLR-4-independent fashion, suggesting that this bacterial component can act on the HEECs through TLR-4-dependent and TLR-4-independent pathways. These findings indicate that endometrial endothelial cells may play an active role in uterine innate immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors are leading to improved world economic growth but under certain limiting conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This issue sets out to examine the economic and social progress being made in China at a time when growth has fallen a little from its peak. Sustaining a high level of development will be crucial for both China and the global economy. The recent forecast of lackluster growth in the United States and Europe puts more pressure on Chinese growth in the global context. Recent falls in the Chinese real-estate market and the uncertainty of a bubble in the stock market create further pressure on China to maintain long-term stable growth. The most critical factors for achieving a favorable result will be whether China can maintain an increasingly international and open approach toward economic development. China has begun to successfully develop its own identity and global brands, including the targeting of firms (e.g., Huawei and Haier), as well as taking successful stakes in car companies (e.g., the Volvo/Geely collaboration). Recent activity has included the service sector and a stake in the Thomas Cook brand in travel and tourism. The articles in this issue suggest where the main focus in economic and social development needs to be in order to help achieve a positive result for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]