Overseas Chinese University

Purpose This study examines how improvements in auditor partner quality affect the stock price dynamics of client firms by focusing on synchronicity and crash risks. Synchronicity reflects how positively a firm’s stocks are consistent with market volatility, whereas crash risk captures the potential for sudden and severe declines. This study contributes to research on audit quality, market efficiency and financial stability by providing insights for regulators and investors on the role of auditor quality in enhancing market efficiency and reducing crash risks. Design/methodology/approach Using panel data from Taiwan’s publicly listed firms (2005–2021), we applied the fixed-effects methodology of Bertrand and Schoar (2003) and Aobdia et al. (2015) to assess auditor partner quality. Audit quality is measured using the standardized ranks of firm and partner fixed effects, with higher ranks indicating higher quality. Findings The findings show that although individual audit quality has a minimal impact on stock price synchronicity, it significantly reduces crash risk. High-quality audits enhance financial reporting and investor confidence and lower the chances of panic selling during adverse events, thus helping the market absorb negative news. These results underscore the critical role of auditor quality in promoting financial stability and trust despite its limited effect on synchronicity. Research limitations/implications Our findings of studies utilizing fixed effect methodology may not be generalizable beyond the specific context in which the data were collected. This limitation is particularly relevant if the data used is from a specific industry, region or time period. Practical implications The findings of this study offer several practical insights for regulators, investors and policymakers. Regulators can promote financial stability by encouraging higher audit partner quality through stricter standards and rotation policies. Investors may use auditor quality as a signal of reliable reporting to make informed decisions and mitigate crash risks. Firms engaging high-quality auditors can enhance reporting credibility, attract long-term investors and reduce volatility during negative events. Strengthening audit quality supports market efficiency, lowers crash risks and boosts investor confidence. Social implications Improved audit partner quality promotes transparency and accountability, fostering public trust in financial markets. It reduces the likelihood of sudden market crashes that can harm investors and destabilize economies, protecting individual wealth and pension funds. Additionally, by enhancing market efficiency, high audit quality contributes to sustainable economic growth and financial stability, benefiting society at large. These improvements support responsible corporate governance, align firms with stakeholder interests and reduce the social costs associated with financial misconduct or market disruptions. Originality/value Audit quality plays a crucial role in stock price dynamics, influencing both stock price synchronicity and crash risk. Stock price synchronicity measures the extent to which a company’s stock moves in line with broader market or industry trends, with high synchronicity indicating that market-wide factors dominate and low synchronicity suggesting greater influence from firm-specific information. On the other hand, stock price crash risk refers to the likelihood of a sudden, severe price drop, often triggered by financial mismanagement, fraud or unexpected negative events. High-quality audits can reduce crash risk by enhancing financial transparency and mitigating information asymmetry.

ABSTRACT This study explores how big data-powered AI enhances knowledge-based dynamic capabilities, rational marketing decision-making, and marketing innovation in travel agencies. Grounded in knowledge-based view (KBV) and dynamic capabilities theory (DCT), it examines the impact of big data-powered AI on marketing innovation using PLS-SEM analysis on 415 Taiwanese travel agencies. Findings reveal that big data-powered AI significantly strengthens knowledge acquisition and generation capabilities and rational decision-making, while knowledge combination and marketing implementation capability moderate these relationships. This study extends AI-driven marketing research and provides important insights for theoretical and practical applications.

IntroductionThe World Health Organization has identified obesity as an escalating public health concern affecting millions globally, contributing to the increasing demand for anti-obesity supplements. Traditional medicinal systems, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, have historically incorporated botanicals for weight management within a holistic therapeutic framework. However, the widespread commercialization of herbal weight-loss products has resulted in misrepresentation of traditional knowledge and the frequent adulteration of these formulations with synthetic pharmaceuticals to enhance their effectiveness. This phenomenon not only raises ethical concerns regarding the exploitation of traditional medicine but also presents significant health risks to consumers.ObjectivesIn order to develop a longer-term strategy to overcome the challenges of poor quality and adulterated products making medical claims, this study aims to (1) estimate the prevalence of pharmaceutical adulteration in weight-loss natural products; and (2) examine the characteristics of such adulterations.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify relevant studies up to July 2024. The Der Simonian-Laird random-effects model was used for data pooling. Subgroup analyses and a meta-regression model were utilized to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Toxicological Data Reliability Assessment Tool (ToxRTool).ResultsA total of 26 studies qualified for the systematic review, while 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The estimated prevalence of synthetic adulteration exhibited significant variability, ranging from 0% to 100%, with an overall pooled median estimate of 37.5% (Interquartile range (IQR) 25.9%–49.6%). The prevalence of sibutramine adulteration was found to have a median rate of 21.8% (IQR 11.9%–33.5%). The subgroup analysis revealed a high prevalence of synthetic adulteration in Europe, particularly during the years 2012–2014, with a notable occurrence in samples collected from local markets.ConclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis highlights the high prevalence of intentional adulteration in weight-loss natural products, with sibutramine as the most common adulterant. To protect public health and market integrity, a global framework is needed, emphasizing harmonized regulations, international collaboration, and public awareness. Future research should assess long-term health effects to ensure sustainable and safe healthcare solutions worldwide.

SYNOPSIS We examine how well machine learning algorithms can leverage historical pricing data to reduce the initial bargaining gap between sellers and buyers, aiming to improve personalized price effectiveness for traditional offline firms. In collaboration with a Chinese wholesaler, we construct a pricing model and apply it to real transactions. We show that under the model’s prices, the acceptance rate of initial pricing among buyers increases by 9.91 percent, and the adjustment frequency of initial pricing decreases by 23.52 percent, compared to prices set by traditional salespeople. Furthermore, interviews with practitioners reveal the model’s ability to streamline pricing workflows for salespeople and unlock new revenue potential for the company. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that machine learning can help traditional companies make better-personalized pricing decisions by narrowing the initial bargaining gap and concluding transactions more quickly.

Wood waste management is an important issue in the Mojowarno Jombang area, due to the high production of waste from the wood processing industry while its utilisation is only for firewood. This service aims to increase community awareness about the utilisation of wood waste into economically valuable products, while reducing negative impacts on the environment. The service partners include small and medium enterprise (SME) groups and local communities active in the handicraft industry. The method used is socialisation and technical training on processing wood waste into creative products such as handicrafts and economic goods. The training covers basic processing techniques, product design, and marketing. The results showed an increase in community skills and understanding in managing wood waste, as well as an increase in income through the sale of processed products. In conclusion, this service successfully created a circular economy model in Mojowarno by utilising wood waste into value-added products. This result is important because it shows that a community-based approach to waste management can be an effective solution to environmental and local economic problems. This service is expected to be an example for other areas with similar problems.

Abstract Introduction Stair is common equipment for various situation in our life. It is a connection on floor-to-floor built in buildings. However, a poor design is inconvenient for people’s walk. It caused people to slip and fall, and subsequent medical and insurance issues. In this study, we attempted to discover the effect of Chinese Male during material handling work on stairs. Methods An ergonomics experiment design as psychophysical approach to explore the effect of stair type, carrying style and stair slope on maximum acceptable weight of carrying (MAWC), heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) on Chinese Male participants. The appropriate set was determined by ANOVA. Results and discussion The result showed that the combination of line stair, 15-degree stair slope and both hands carrying is benefit to Chinese Male during material handling work on stairs. Conclusion The issue is suitable for government to make the relevant law to protect people during material handling on stairs in the future.

Foot weight bearing (FWB) is important in foot-measurement studies. Methods used to estimate the subject’s FWB in standing posture were usually not practicable in that sitting postures, and FWB was then usually assumed in previous studies. This study investigated the FWB variations in sitting postures with respect to trunk angle and thigh length on the chair. Thirty-six subjects (18 males and 18 females) were recruited in this study. A four-factor factorial design was conducted, including gender (male, female), trunk angle (0°, 45°, Max), thigh length on the chair (1/3-, 1/2-, 2/3-thigh length), and foot side (left, right). FWB was calculated as the proportion of the subject’s own body weight for further analyses. The results showed that both trunk angle and thigh length on the chair had significant effects on FWB. As the trunk angle increased, the mean FWB increased, ranging from 6.57% to 21.91%; as the thigh length on chair decreased, the mean FWB increased, ranging from 12.17% to 17.19%. Overall, the mean FWB ranged from 5.53% and 24.89%. The results provided values of FWB variations in nine sitting postures with respect to three trunk angles and three thigh lengths on chair in both feet of the male and the female subjects (also total population). As a general referential protocol in foot measurement studies, these values can be used by researchers as the predetermined FWB of their studies and then to determine the subject’s sitting postures in terms of trunk angle and thigh length accordingly, or vice versa.