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Fast state estimation for nonlinear systems has been a key issue in control theory and the recently developed predefined‐time stability acts as an effective tool for the problem. However, the studies of predefined‐time state observer for nonlinear systems are rare. In this article, we consider the predefined‐time extended state observer (PTESO) design for a class of high‐order strict‐feedback systems subject to Hölder continuous nonlinearities and lumped disturbance. By developing an adaptive mechanism and using time‐varying functions, a class of adaptive PTESOs is designed to estimate the unavailable states and the lumped disturbance, in which the convergence time can be tightly and explicitly preset by only one parameter, irrelevant to the initial conditions. The adaptive mechanism is used to improve the transient performance under wide‐range lumped disturbance. Moreover, thanks to the design of the time‐varying gains, the PTESO could realize fast observation with trivial peaking observation errors. Finally, simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed observer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeDesign/methodology/approachFindingsResearch implicationsPractical implicationsOriginalityThis study explores buyers’ online omnichannel transaction experience, focusing on integrating livestreaming commerce and online store channels. It shifts the spotlight from the predominant emphasis on online and offline channel integration to the online-only omnichannel environment.Grounded in social cognitive theory, this study adopts a multi-method approach, integrating structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to capture individual and complex interactions among factors.The study finds that internet usage significantly enhances online omnichannel experience by strengthening the positive effects of factors. While PLS-SEM results assert that channel integration quality positively impacts online omnichannel experience, fsQCA results indicate improved online omnichannel experience can be achieved in configurations where channel integration quality is absent.The study introduces a unique conceptualization of online omnichannel, revealing symmetric causal mechanisms of online omnichannel experience and improving the findings with asymmetric mechanisms, highlighting new insights, such as achieving higher experience without extensive shopping innovation or channel integration quality.This study can guide practitioners in understanding the configuration of causal elements that enhance buyers’ omnichannel transaction experience through integrated online channels.This research employs symmetric and asymmetric approaches to investigate transaction experience in an omnichannel setting, whereas the conceptualization of omnichannel emphasizes the integration of online-only channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global COVID-19 pandemic has led educational institutions to shut down and adopt e-learning practices through computer-mediated communication. An unanticipated switch of online classes from face-to-face classes isolates students from social groups and teachers, causing online disinhibition. Therefore, this paper investigates factors influencing university students' toxic disinhibition behavior in online classrooms, WhatsApp groups, and Telegram groups. Also, social isolation has been used as a moderating variable to identify whether social isolation strengthens or weakens the proposed association. The research holds the basis of "Social Cognitive Theory" and "Theory of Planned Behavior." The data from 506 university students have been collected for analysis. The proposed framework and research hypotheses have been assessed via PLS-SEM using Smart PLS software. Findings from the study show that toxic behavior victimization, attitude, subjective norms, and behavioral control are factors that positively & significantly affect toxic disinhibition online. Furthermore, motives and self-efficacy showed an insignificant influence on toxic disinhibition. Additionally, toxic disinhibition significantly & positively affects toxic behavior. At last, social isolation is likely to have a moderation effect on the variables. Hence, the research yields guidance on reducing toxic disinhibition online. Further, implications and recommendations are discussed at the end of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important informal system, the impact of Confucian culture on enterprise strategic change decision‐making and economic and social development is often ignored. By using the OLS method and drawing from publicly listed companies on China's Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets from 2002 to 2020 as research samples, this article empirically analyzes the relationship between Confucian culture and enterprise strategic change from the perspective of the "golden mean" ethics (a Confucian moral standard and philosophy of conduct). The article also attends to the moderating effects of foreign culture shock and stock rights between the relationship of Confucian culture and enterprise strategic change. A key finding is that the ethical thought of "golden mean" and "harmony" contained in Confucian culture has an inhibitory effect on the initiation of enterprise strategic change. Foreign culture shock positively moderates the relationship between Confucian culture and enterprise strategic change. When "shocked" by dominant foreign cultures, the negative impact of Confucian culture on enterprise strategic change will be weakened. Moreover, unlike previous research findings based on agency theory that suggests how state ownership may retard corporate development, the authors found that in an informal institutional environment with a strong Confucian culture, stock rights can play a positive moderating role in the relationship between Confucian culture and enterprise strategic change. When an enterprise is state‐owned, the inhibitory effect of Confucian culture on enterprise strategic change will be weakened further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant literature highlights the significance of the corporate governance (CG) mechanism in mitigating agency conflict. Literature also confirms the instrumentality of the board structure (measured as size, diversity, independence and CEO duality) in overcoming the agency problem. In this context, the present study examines the impact of board structure on a firm's cash holding (CH) levels. Likewise, the study tests the role of cash‐holding (CH) in the association between board structure and a firm's performance. Secondary data from 262 PSX‐listed manufacturing and servicing sector firms have been taken for analysis. Panel regression and Generalized Methods of Movement (GMM) were employed to test the modelled relationships. Results show that most of the CG variables, that is, CEO duality, board size, executive compensation, and diversity, do not affect a firm's CH levels in the service and manufacturing sectors. However, the results display a negative and significant impact of block holders (BH), measured as the ratio of the top five shareholders, on cash holding in manufacturing. Likewise, the sector‐wise analysis shows that cash holding significantly mediates between board size and ROA. In contrast, its role between other dimensions of CG and RoA was insignificant. The findings also revealed that firms with frailer CG structures tend to have less CH and can be prone to external environmental risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans are willing to punish norm violations even at a substantial personal cost. Using fMRI and a variant of the ultimatum game and functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated how the brain differentially responds to fairness in loss and gain domains. Participants (responders) received offers from anonymous partners indicating a division of an amount of monetary gain or loss. If they accept, both get their shares according to the division; if they reject, both get nothing or lose the entire stake. We used a computational model to derive perceived fairness of offers and participant-specific inequity aversion. Behaviorally, participants were more likely to reject unfair offers in the loss (vs gain) domain. Neurally, the positive correlation between fairness and activation in ventral striatum was reduced, whereas the negative correlations between fairness and activations in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were enhanced in the loss domain. Moreover, rejection-related dorsal striatum activation was higher in the loss domain. Furthermore, the gain-loss domain modulates costly punishment only when unfair behavior was directed toward the participants and not when it was directed toward others. These findings provide neural and computational accounts of increased costly norm enforcement under adversity and advanced our understanding of the context-dependent nature of fairness preference.