Competitive strategies for ensuring Fintech platform performance: Evidence from multiple case studies

The emergence of Fintech platforms has revolutionized the way financial services are provided. And yet, in spite of their growing prominence in the global financial sector, there remains a lack of understanding of the competitive strategies that are appropriate for these platform-based businesses, and the implications of those strategies for their performance. Examining four case studies of some of the most successful Fintech platforms in China from the theoretical perspective of the core logics of strategy, we develop a theoretical framework that suggests that the nature of the competitive strategies deployed by a Fintech platform should be contingent on (1) the extent to which their services can be differentiated, as well as (2) the tangibility and physical presence of the platform’s service offerings. More specifically, our framework presents four different combinations of competitive strategies that Fintech platforms can adopt contingent on the nature of their services along these two dimensions. In addition, beyond the two dimensions, our framework suggests that all Fintech platforms should be underpinned by a common strategic core consisting of strategies that align the platform with social pressures. These pressures include those exerted by the government, the market, and society in general. With its findings, it is hoped that our study will provide specific guidance for Fintech practitioners on the appropriate competitive strategies to adopt in order to set their platforms on the path of commercial success.     

Compositional Inhomogeneity in Li- and Ta-Modified (K, Na)NbO3 Ceramics

Compositional inhomogeneity is examined in Li- and Ta-modified potassium sodium niobate (K,Na)NbO₃ perovskite ceramics. The inhomogeneous distribution of the A-site (K and Na) and B-site (Nb and Ta) cations is found to be correlative. The inhomogeneity could not be eliminated by prolonged high-temperature annealing in samples prepared by direct mixing of alkaline carbonates and Ta and Nb oxides. In contrast, the precursor method, where a (Nb _x Ta_{1− x} )₂O₅ solid solution was first formed, led to a considerably improved compositional homogeneity and appreciably enhanced dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties. Our results suggest that more attention needs to be paid toward controlling the compositional fluctuation of this complex solid solution system.     

Measurement of the temperature dependence of the 50 Hz alternating current losses of superconducting stabilized niobium conductors

Measurements in the temperature range of 1.6 K to 6 K were carried out on fully stabilized niobium conductors. The calorimeter used for varying the temperature and the electrical measuring method for determining the 50 Hz losses are described. The results obtained agree well with theoretical derivations. The evaluation gives the temperature dependence of characteristic superconductor properties: the lower critical magnetic field strength H_c1, the critical current density j_c, the surface screening field ΔH, and enables certain facts to be stated on the nature of the niobium surface.     

Grade Level and Task Difficulty in Learning by Discovery and Verbal Reception Methods.

The present study compared the acquisition, retention, and transfer performance of subjects taught by the verbal reception and discovery methods. First-, third-, and sixth-grade subjects acquired a simple or complex conceptual rule by either the verbal reception or discovery method. The results indicated that discovery subjects took significantly longer than verbal reception subjects to reach the original learning criterion. Verbal reception subjects generally demonstrated performance which was superior to discovery subjects on all measures of retention and transfer. The level of task difficulty interacted with the method of instruction so that increases in task difficulty led to an increase in the differential effectiveness of the two teaching methods. Differences in experience with the two instructional methods was proposed as one of the variables contributing to the above results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A quantitative literature review of the effectiveness of suicide prevention centers.

Qualitative literature reviews suggest that mixed evidence exists concerning whether suicide prevention centers have attracted individuals at risk for suicide and have lowered suicide rates in the communities they serve. In the present investigation, the more formal methods of meta-analysis were applied to several series of studies to evaluate more objectively the effectiveness of prevention centers. Results indicate that centers do attract a high-risk population: center clients were more likely to commit suicide than were members of the general population, and individuals who committed suicide were more likely to have been clients than were members of the general population. However, existing studies, when considered as a set, provide no evidence of center effects on community suicide rates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social support, life events, and depressive symptoms: A 1-year prospective study.

Examined associations between life events, social support, and depressive symptoms in a sample of 709 married women. Ss were administered the SCL-90, a life events scale, a social support scale, and a marital conflict scale in 1981 and again 1 yr later. For a sample of 473 Ss who initially were relatively asymptomatic and reported nonconflicted marital relationships, life events and social support were significant prospective predictors of depressive symptomatology (assessed 1 yr later). In contrast, identical analyses performed on the full, unselected sample yielded discrepant, likely misleading, results. The implications of these findings for the longitudinal study of dynamically interactive processes are discussed. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alzheimer's dementia: Performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination.

The performance of 141 Alzheimer's patients on the Mini-Mental State Examination was analyzed. Performance on all items showed significant negative correlation with the duration of illness. The most difficult item was "recall," and little improvement in recall was obtained with cuing. The second-most-difficult item was "copy a design." Only 3% of the patients passed both items. The early-onset group (age?     

U.S. Proposal for Progress Through Negotiations

"If international agreements and national laws are adopted out of narrow self-interest or the fear of abuse, the chance to exploit the benefits of advanced technology will be severely restricted and delayed."