Yan Yang

Amid the intensifying global ecological crisis and the enduring dominance of anthropocentric ideologies, this study re-examines Shunji Iwai’s Wallace and a Mermaid through the lenses of ecological ethics, posthuman philosophy, and East Asian oceanic culture. Drawing upon Deleuze’s concept of becoming, feminist ecocriticism, and non-anthropocentric thought, this research analyses the mermaid as a hybrid and liminal figure that destabilizes species hierarchies and gender binaries. Simultaneously, the ocean is interpreted as a decentralized and generative space, central to reconfiguring ecological subjectivity and ethics. Integrating East Asian marine imaginaries of maternal generativity and boundary dissolution, the study elucidates how the narrative critiques anthropocentrism and reimagines interspecies coexistence within a global ecological framework. Ultimately, this paper advances a posthuman ethical paradigm grounded in fluid identity, relationality, and planetary interdependence, contributing to contemporary ecological philosophy and oceanic literary studies.

Family firms are facing the dual challenges of intergenerational succession and green transformation. In this process, traditional cultural values such as Confucian and clan cultures rooted in collective responsibility and family reputation play a significant role in promoting family firms to fulfill corporate environmental responsibility (CER). Based on data from Chinese listed family firms from 2010 to 2021, we find that intergenerational succession significantly promotes family firms’ engagement in CER, and this effect is positively moderated by Confucian and clan cultures. Channel tests show that intergenerational succession promotes CER by enhancing the firm’s long-term orientation and reputation value. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive effect of intergenerational succession on CER is more pronounced for successors who are male, highly educated, or possess an overseas background. Furthermore, this effect is more pronounced for firms in heavily polluting industries, in regions with stricter environmental regulations, and in regions with higher levels of green credit. From a cultural perspective, this article clarifies the boundary conditions for how intergenerational succession in family firms impacts their environmental performance, thereby extending the application of socioemotional wealth theory to the strategic decision-making in family firms.

Individual health savings accounts are an important part of the current basic medical insurance system for urban workers in China. Since 1998 when the system of personal medical insurance accounts was first implemented, there has been considerable controversy over its function and significance within different social communities. This paper analyzes the main problems in the practical implementation of individual medical insurance accounts and discusses the social and cultural foundations for the establishment of family health savings accounts from the perspective of Chinese Confucian familism. Accordingly, it addresses the direction of the reform and the development of the current system of individual health insurance accounts in China