This article formulates and empirically tests a conceptual framework that considers the antecedents of switching barriers and overall satisfaction, and their roles as drivers of customer retention in on-line settings. To test the proposed hypotheses, structural equation modeling based on data obtained from a large on-line retailing store in Taiwan is used. The results suggest that perceived switching costs and community building exert the greatest impact on repurchase intentions through switching barriers and overall satisfaction. Furthermore, relational orientations significantly moderate the link between switching barriers and repurchase intentions. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the pilot implementation of an industry-specific web portal as an IT resource on textile SMEs organisational performance. Using a resource-based perspective, portal delivery functionalities, considered as non-physical IT resources, are analysed using the dimensions of portal usefulness, portal interface, and service-oriented portal functions on SMEs users' perceived outcomes of organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach-Qualitative and quantitative approaches are used to explore the research hypotheses. Data were collected using field interviews and survey from senior executives of small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Taiwanese textile industry. Findings-Results indicate that the service-oriented portal function dimension, consisting of portal maintenance service, B2B function, and cloud computing, significantly influences organisational performance. Unexpected findings, such as the negative impact of greater industry benchmark information on perceived SME performance, deserve further investigation. Research limitations/implications-The study extends the theory and knowledge on the resource-based view and its implications on e-business organisational performance of SMEs. The study also offers findings relevant to the design of portal sites for SME administrators and information service providers. Limitations of the research include a small size and the industry-specific data limiting the generalisability of the findings. Practical implications-Research results practically serve as informative indicators for policy makers, information service providers, and SMEs executives to evaluate feasible elements for web portal design in traditional industry. Findings from this study may help portal service providers in designing better web portal functionalities for SMEs. Originality/value-This study contributes to the IT business value literature by identifying the linkages between industry-specific portal delivery functionalities and perceived organisational performance through the examination of portal usefulness, portal interface, and service-oriented portal function for textile SMEs.

Small world networks which demonstrate better group cohesiveness have attracted much theoretical attention in enhancing performance and creativity in strategic management. Yet, empirical studies of the benefits that can accrue to business groups' strategic or economic outcomes remain scarce in the business group literature. Conceptualizing the business group as an embedded group network, we investigate the previously untested role of a small world group structure on relationships with group (industrial) diversification, core firm innovation and its internationalization. We find all these have positive and significant impacts. Group diversification is also found to mediate the relationship between a small world group structure and a group's degree of internationalization. However, a small world group structure does not directly relate to a group's degree of internationalization. Drawing on embeddedness and social network perspectives, we find general support for the hypotheses that a small world group structure facilitates strategic and economic outcomes for groups and core firms by virtue of efficiencies in resources exchange in a way that extends the literature on business groups.

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a b s t r a c tTaiwanese businesses exhibit a specific pattern when they enter into an uncertain territory, and tend to start off with a small amount of investments and explore markets by improvising strategies and tactics. This paper integrates theories concerning transaction costs and systems, and develops antecedent causes, and intervening and interference factors, by referring to the perspectives of economic geography. It is found that when faced with high uncertainties in emerging markets, multi-national corporations are highly concerned about institutional environments. Labor cost of different regions is an implicit indicator of the average wages that local companies are willing to pay. Companies that are willing to pay a high labor cost are less likely to face labor shortage, thus ensuring normal operation and better performance.

PurposeAlthough the concept of branding has been considered extensively in products and services, branding in Chinese is a relatively emerging phenomenon. This paper aims to present the enlivenment of branding in Chinese within the cross‐strait markets of Taiwan and Mainland China, which underlies various ideologies.Design/methodology/approachThis study primarily reviews literatures of brand and brand name translation, defines the essentiality of brand naming, and outlines the branding strategies for entering cross‐strait markets. Furthermore, this study validates the using of substantially interpreted brands that support the authors' four developed propositions.FindingsThis study compares substantially interpreted brands in cross‐strait markets with a reference to commonly used translation methods. The results illustrate interesting ideologies among cross‐strait markets and can help managers achieve global brand recognition.Research limitations/implicationsSince China and Taiwan share the same Chinese culture, the qualitative method proposed by the present authors is more applicable to practitioners who are eager to pursue branding in cross‐strait markets. Thus, the relevant techniques may not be applicable to people less familiar with Chinese culture.Practical implicationsThe qualitative case study provides an advisable method for branding in Chinese. The results of this study can provide greater understanding of the various ideologies in cross‐strait markets, as well as help managers achieve global brand recognition.Originality/valueThe various ideologies from branding is complex, especially for those involved with linguistic essentials. Previous research has mainly focused on managerial‐based branding and customer‐based branding. This paper extends the interest into enlivening inspirations.