Browsing by Author "Chen, Mei-Fang"

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Bio-imaging of alpha-bungarotoxin binding to target cell by carboxylated nanodiamond
(2008-04-01)
Chao, Jui-I
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Liu, Kuang-Kai
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Chen, Mei-Fang
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Chen, Po-Yi
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Lee, Tony J. F.
Combining fuzzy AHP with MDS in identifying the preference similarity of alternatives
(2008-01-01)
Chen, Mei-Fang
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Tzeng, Gwo-Hshiung
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Ding, Cherng G.
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經營管理研究所
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科技管理研究所
Multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis is a dimension-reduction technique that is used to estimate the coordinates of a set of objects. However, not every criterion used in multidimensional scaling is equally and precisely weighted in the real world. To address this issue, we use fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) to determine the weighting of subjective/ perceptive judgments for each criterion and to derive fuzzy synthetic utility values of alternatives in a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (FMCDM) environment. Furthermore, we combine FAHP with MDS to identify the similarities and preferences of alternatives in terms of the axes of the space, which represent the perceived attributes and characteristics of those alternatives. By doing so, the visual dimensionality and configuration or pattern of alternatives whose weighted distance structure best fits the input data can be obtained and explained easily. A real case of expatriate assignment decision-making was used to demonstrate that the combination of FAHP and MDS results in a meaningful visual map. (c) 2006 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
Interplay between Structure and Fluidity of Model Lipid Membranes under Oxidative Attack
(2010-12-02)
Tai, Wan-Yu
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Yang, Yi-Cyun
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Lin, Hui-Jen
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Huang, Chin-Ping
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Cheng, Yi-Lin
A proper regula:ion of membrane fluidity is critical for cellular activities such as communication between cells, mitosis, an :I endocytosis. Unsaturated lipids, a main component of biological membranes, are particularly susceptible to oxidative attack of reactive oxygen species. The oxidation of lipids can produce structural derangement of membranes and eventually alter the membrane fluidity. We have applied fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and Raman spectroscopy to investigate the fluidity and structure of model membranes subject to oxidative attack. Hydrogen peroxide has little effect on the lateral fluidity of membranes. whereas hydroxyl radical causes a significantly increased fluidity. The latter is rationalized with the cleavage of the acyl chains of lipids caused by hydroxyl radical; this interpretation is founded on the diminished intensities of lines in Raman spectra associated with -CH(2) and C = C moieties in lipids and supported by mass-spectral measurements. The same approach provides a mechanistic account of the inhibitory capability of vitamins C and E against ate increased membrane fluidity resulting from an oxidative attack. Membranes with much cholesterol exhibit a novel resistance against altered membrane fluidity induced with oxidative attack; this finding has biological implications. Our approach combining FCS and Raman measurements reveals the interplay between the structure and fluidity of membranes and provides insight into the pathophysiology of cellular oxidative injury.
Modelling job stress as a mediating role in predicting turnover intention
(2011)
Chen, Mei-Fang
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Lin, Chieh-Peng
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Lien, Gin-Yen
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經營管理研究所
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Institute of Business and Management
Turnover intention has been an important issue for decades since management has long recognized that low turnover intention of employees is helpful for consequently obtaining high organizational performance and avoiding the potential costs related to recruiting and training new employees. For that reason, this study proposed a research model of turnover intention based on Hackman and Oldham's [(1976). Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16(2), 250-279.] job characteristics theory. The proposed research model is empirically tested using a survey of 255 employees from Taiwanese banks. Tests results of structural equation modelling provide evidence that role conflicts, role ambiguity, and role overload indeed have positive impacts on job stress. Employees with higher levels of job stress are more likely to think about leaving, while those perceiving more fairness of rewards are less likely. Implications for managerial administration and future research are discussed.
The impact of trust on Web purchase intention
(2004)
Chen, Mei-Fang
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Tang, Yingchan Edwin
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Kau, Ah Keng
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交大名義發表
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National Chiao Tung University
This study examines the effect of trust as a moderating variable to Internet shopper's Web purchase decisions in terms of extrinsic motivation, information search and online purchase intention. Drawing from research in electronic marketing with a focus on the flow mechanism, the authors suggest that information search motive and trust enhance the probability of consumer purchasing on the Web. Based on a sample of 2700 Internet users in Asia, this study explores their motives and concerns to engage in online information search and how the trust moderates the relationship between online information search and online purchase intention. The results indicate that brand comparison from information search serves as an important indicator for online shopping. Those with higher level of trust toward online shopping have higher intention to purchase online. The managerial implications of these findings are also discussed.
The impacts of green claims on coffee consumers\' purchase intention
(2015-01-01)
Chen, Mei-Fang
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Lee, Chia-Lin
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經營管理研究所
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Institute of Business and Management
Purpose - As huge environmental impacts caused by the coffee industry are significant and controversial in the course from cultivation to consumption, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether or not different types of green claims based on the product lifecycle can lead to different extents of green psychological variables including purchase intention. Design/methodology/approach - The green claims of Starbucks were chosen as the research target for this study not only because the coffee chain store is working on the "Starbucks" Shared Planet\' program, which makes a commitment to do business in ways that are good for people and the planet, but also because such a program can be categorized into three major green message elements on the basis of the product lifecycle. A total of 920 valid self-reported questionnaires collected in Taiwan were used for this empirical analysis. Findings - One-way ANOVA results reveal that all of the three green claims of Starbucks can lead to consumers building up the same level of green brand image of this company, with "ethical sourcing" significantly possessing more impacts on the other green psychological variables (i.e. green trust, green satisfaction, green brand equity, and green purchase intention). Practical implications - The empirical results and findings from this study are helpful to the coffee industry marketers if they, in formulating various promotion campaigns, can communicate with the consumers with an eye to increasing their green brand image and other green psychological variables, including green purchase intention. Originality/value - This study is among the first to introduce different types of green claims on a basis of the product lifecycle to examine whether or not consumers\' green psychological variables will be different.
The impacts of the food traceability system and consumer involvement on consumers' purchase intentions toward fast foods
(2013-10-01)
Chen, Mei-Fang
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Huang, Chien-Hsien
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經營管理研究所
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Institute of Business and Management
This study aims to ascertain whether or not the Food Traceability System (FTS) can decrease an individual's perceived uncertainty and strengthen his/her purchase intention regarding fast foods. A website-based questionnaire study was conducted in Taiwan and a total of 435 valid subjects collected. The empirical results of structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis indicate that when a fast food store adopts FTS then consumers' perceived uncertainty can be reduced because both their perceived information asymmetry and fears of seller opportunism are also reduced, which in turn strengthen their purchase intentions regarding fast foods. In addition, with FTS, not only are both consumers' perceived product diagnosticity and informativeness are increased but consumers' trust in the farmers records kept for this system is also increased, which in turn mitigate both consumers' perceived information asymmetry and fears of seller opportunism. Finally, the higher the degree of involvement an individual has and the more FTS mitigates his/her perceived uncertainty, the higher his/her purchase intention regarding fast foods than otherwise. Based on the findings from this study, attempts are made to provide some suggestions to the public health sector and the fast food marketers to promote FTS. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.