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1 – 10 of over 78000
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2019

Dongxiao Niu, Weibo Zhao and Zongyun Song

There are thousands of areas excluded from using electrical energy in China. It is mainly because that these places, which are away from towns, have the characteristics of…

Abstract

Purpose

There are thousands of areas excluded from using electrical energy in China. It is mainly because that these places, which are away from towns, have the characteristics of scattered living and low-power consumption and are difficult to construct the power grid. The utilization of energy in remote areas could improve the level of education and quality of life for people living in there, which has great social significance. However, how to choose the optimal power generation model quantitatively according to local energy advantages is a difficult problem.

Design/methodology/approach

To carry out a better assessment of the energy benefits of Chinese rural areas to assist the decision-making of energy utilization project, this paper takes Sunan Yugu Autonomous County in Gansu Province as an example. Four feasible energy utilization scenarios are proposed by analyzing its geographical conditions and re-source advantage, respectively, are photovoltaic power generation, biomass power generation, wind power generation and power grid extension. Based on the above scenarios, the evaluation index system of comprehensive utilization of energy in remote areas is constructed, and the comprehensive benefit of each model is evaluated by adopting entropy-based fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model.

Findings

Evaluation results show that the comprehensive benefits of photovoltaic power generation is the best, followed by power grid extension. Thus, preference should be given to the two models in the energy utilization in Sunan County. This evaluation model can provide a scientific reference for the selection decision-making of energy utilization project, which is helpful to provide the feasibility and efficiency of the construction of energy utilization project.

Originality/value

The authors construct the comprehensive benefit evaluation index system and evaluate the comprehensive benefits of different scenarios are by using entropy - fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model. Then the qualitative problem can be analyzed quantitatively. The purpose of this study is to support the decision-making of energy investment. Simultaneously, the paper also has some practical significance in improving the credibility of the government and the quality of local people’s life.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 20 October 2021

Kun-cheng Zhang, Xin-chang Guo, Shi-zheng Tian, Qi Cui, Mao-chong Shi and Pei-fang Guo

Many experts suggest that the human being explore marine resources and marine new energy sources to alleviate the shortage of land resources and the ecological degradation…

Abstract

Purpose

Many experts suggest that the human being explore marine resources and marine new energy sources to alleviate the shortage of land resources and the ecological degradation. However, island coastal zones are considered to be fragile ecosystems; their geographical location and natural characteristics, their biodiversity and associated ecosystems, and their exposure to diverse land and sea conditions all make them highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve the goals of environmental protection and sustainable development on the basis of a comprehensive evaluation and understanding of islands.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the importance of island groups, this paper conducts evaluation studies on them. Using the Delphi, AHP and TOPSIS methods, this study evaluated quantitatively the comprehensive development level and comprehensive development potential of island groups in terms of resources, natural environment, economy and society. Innovatively using them as two subsystems, the present study combined the coupling coordination model and the obstacle factor calculation method.

Findings

The prospective index of comprehensive development was applied to the Changdao Island Group in Yantai, Shandong Province as an example, and the final evaluation revealed that the comprehensive development prospect of this island group had an upward trend from 2010 to 2017. Future efforts should be made to improve its economic and social conditions and economic development status, apart from promoting its comprehensive development by improving human resources management, increasing the GDP growth rate, and improving fresh water and electricity supply.

Originality/value

This study takes the integrated development level of the island and the integrated development potential of the island as two subsystems, and the innovative application of the coupling coordination degree model is used to calculate the integrated development index of the island to understand the development status of the island area. On the basis of this model, the obstacle factor identification method is designed to identify the main obstacle factors, and on the basis of evaluation and identification, specific measures to ensure the sustainable development of the island area are effectively proposed.

Details

Marine Economics and Management, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-158X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2022

Fei Sun and Changjun Li

In order to improve the comprehensive evaluation level of shield tunnel structure health, taking a subway tunnel section as an example, and combined with the onsite measured data…

Abstract

Purpose

In order to improve the comprehensive evaluation level of shield tunnel structure health, taking a subway tunnel section as an example, and combined with the onsite measured data, such as regular inspection, health monitoring and disease remediation, this paper introduces the variable weight theory to improve the traditional fixed-weight evaluation method from structural deformation, current durability and disease status.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the influence of the fluctuation of each index value on the index weight, a comprehensive structural health evaluation model of shield tunnel based on an improved variable weight matter-element extension model is proposed.

Findings

Compared with the traditional fixed-weight evaluation method, this model can correct the evaluation distortion caused by the fluctuation of index value and has optimal effect.

Originality/value

The sensitive analysis shows that several key indicators of the main threats to tunnel structure are obtained to improve the efficiency of operation, maintenance and management of shield tunnel structure.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2018

Le Wang

During the service condition of residential constructions with concrete structure, the influence of inside and exterior factors will result in different degrees of harm to…

Abstract

Purpose

During the service condition of residential constructions with concrete structure, the influence of inside and exterior factors will result in different degrees of harm to concrete engineering. Therefore, it is very necessary to continue engineering work toward the concrete structure. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the factors on the comprehensive performance of the concrete structure engineering.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying a mathematics method to establish the comprehensive evaluation model of the concrete structure engineering performance, qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted for reinforced concrete structural performance analysis.

Findings

The key to a safe construction project is to require all bidders to submit a written safety plan with their bids. The instruction to bidders must include guidelines for an acceptable safety plan and state clearly that the substance of the safety plan will be reviewed, and its adequacy will be a determining factor in who shall be selected as the contractor.

Originality/value

Based on the characteristics of concrete structure, applying the analytic hierarchy process to evaluate the concrete structure engineering comprehensive performance, an evaluation index system was built. The research combines quantitative method with qualitative method evaluation was made.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2023

Yaru Huang, Yaojun Ye and Mengling Zhou

This paper aims to build an improved grey panel clustering evaluation model and evaluate the comprehensive development potential of industrial economy, society and ecological…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to build an improved grey panel clustering evaluation model and evaluate the comprehensive development potential of industrial economy, society and ecological environment in the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China. The purpose of this study is to provide some theoretical basis and tool support for management departments and relevant researchers engaged in industrial sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the driving force pressure state impact response analysis framework to build a comprehensive evaluation index system. Based on the center point triangle whitening weight function, it classifies the panel grey clustering of improvement time and index weight.

Findings

The results show that there are great differences in the level of industrial ecological development in different regions of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which further illustrates the scientificity and rationality of the evaluation method proposed in this paper.

Practical implications

Due to the industrial ecological development is in a constantly changing state, and the information is uncertain. Whitening weight function is introduced to represent the complete information of relevant data. The industrial ecological evaluation involves a comprehensive complex system, which belongs to the panel data analysis problem. The improved grey panel clustering evaluation model is applied to grade the industrial ecological development level of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The results have important guiding significance for the balanced development of industrial ecology in the region.

Social implications

Due to the industrial ecological development is in a constantly changing state, and the information is uncertain. Whitening weight function is introduced to represent the complete information of relevant data. The industrial ecological evaluation involves a comprehensive complex system, which belongs to the panel data analysis problem. In order to improve the effectiveness of industrial ecological evaluation, the improved grey panel clustering evaluation model is applied to grade the industrial ecological development level of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The results have important guiding significance for the balanced development of industrial ecology in the region.

Originality/value

the new model proposed in this paper complements and improves the grey clustering analysis theory of panel data, that is, aiming at the subjective limitation of using time degree to determine time weight in panel grey clustering, a comprehensive theoretical method for determining time weight is creatively proposed. Combining the DPSIR (Driving force-Pressure-State-Influence-Response) model model with ecological development, a comprehensive evaluation model is constructed to make the evaluation results more authentic and comprehensive.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 November 2021

Chunnian Liu, Qi Tian and Xiaogang Zhu

This study aimed to analyze existing problems in the dissemination and management of emergency information on social media platforms, improve social media users' experience…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze existing problems in the dissemination and management of emergency information on social media platforms, improve social media users' experience regarding such information, increase the efficiency of emergency information dissemination and curb the spread of misinformation.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the emergency information quality on social media platforms was examined. Based on the evaluation principles of the quality of mature information, social media information characteristics and the rules of emergency information dissemination, combined with relevant academic research results, an index to evaluate the quality of emergency information on social media was constructed. In addition, the authors have introduced cloud theory as an information quality evaluation method and used social media users' emotional characteristics to assess information quality evaluation results. A comprehensive system for evaluating emergency information quality, including indexes, methods and detection strategies was established. Based on a comprehensive system, a case study was conducted on the forest fires in Sichuan Province and the African swine fever events as reported on the Zhihu platform. In accordance with the results of the case study, the authors expanded the research and introduced the emotional characteristics of social media users as an independent evaluation dimension to evaluate the quality of emergency information on social media.

Findings

The comprehensive system's effectiveness was verified through the case study. Further, it was found that users' emotional characteristics (reflected in their information behavior) are inconsistent with their evaluation of websites' information quality regarding major emergencies. Integrating users' emotional characteristics into the information evaluation system can enhance its effectiveness following major emergencies.

Originality/value

First, an evaluation index system of emergency information quality on social media about major emergencies was offered. Unlike the commonly available index system for information quality evaluation, this proposed evaluation index system not only accounted for the characteristics of social media, such as massive disordered information, multiple information sources and rapid dissemination, but also for the characteristics of emergency events, such as variability and the absence of precursors. This proposed evaluation index system enhances the pertinence of the information quality evaluation and compensates for the shortcoming that the current research only focuses on evaluating social media information quality in a broad context, but pays insufficient attention to major emergencies. Second, cloud theory was introduced as a method to evaluate the emergency information quality found on social media. Existing research has primarily included the use of traditional statistical methods, which cannot transform numerical values into qualitative concepts effectively. Various indeterminate factors inevitably affect the quality of emergency information on social media platforms, and the traditional methods cannot eliminate this uncertainty in the evaluation process. The method to assess emergency information quality based on cloud theory can effectively compensate for the gaps in the research and improve the accuracy of information quality assessment. Third, the inspection and the dynamic adjustment of assessment results are absent in the research on information quality assessment, and the research has relied principally on the information users' evaluation and has paid insufficient attention to their attitudes and behaviors toward information. Therefore, the authors incorporated users' emotional characteristics into the evaluation of emergency information quality on social media and used them to test the evaluation results so that the results of the information quality assessment not only include the users' explicit attitudes but also their implicit attitudes. This enhances the effectiveness of the information quality assessment system. Finally, through this case study, it was found that an inconsistency exists between user evaluation and user emotional characteristics after major emergencies. The reasons for this phenomenon were explained, and the necessity of integrating user emotional characteristics into information quality assessment was demonstrated. Based on this, the users' emotional characteristics were used as a separate evaluation dimension for assessing the quality of emergency information on social media. Compared with assessing the quality of general information, integrating the user's emotional characteristics into the evaluation index system can lead the evaluation results to include not only the users' cognitive evaluation but also their emotional experience, further enhancing their adaptability.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Xue Lin, Lina Zhai, Mengying Zhang, Yunyi Wang and Jun Li

The ergonomic performance of protective clothing for earthquake disaster search and rescue team members is significant for its protective performance. The paper aims to discuss…

Abstract

Purpose

The ergonomic performance of protective clothing for earthquake disaster search and rescue team members is significant for its protective performance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

By experimental simulations of the rescue tasks, an evaluation system for the protective clothing in both static and dynamic conditions was designed and established in this study. In static evaluation, motion capture system was used to measure the ranges of motions. The mobility was analyzed by the comprehensive evaluation method. In dynamic experiments, three types of rescue tasks were simulated for ergonomic evaluation. The results were analyzed based on the multi-levels joint evaluation method.

Findings

It was shown that the established evaluation system could meet well with the requirements of the ergonomic evaluation.

Originality/value

Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is an effective tool in ergonomic evaluation of clothing. The newly designed coverall and suit are of better ergonomic performance compared with the in-service clothing.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 28 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 4 September 2003

Arch G. Woodside and Marcia Y. Sakai

A meta-evaluation is an assessment of evaluation practices. Meta-evaluations include assessments of validity and usefulness of two or more studies that focus on the same issues…

Abstract

A meta-evaluation is an assessment of evaluation practices. Meta-evaluations include assessments of validity and usefulness of two or more studies that focus on the same issues. Every performance audit is grounded explicitly or implicitly in one or more theories of program evaluation. A deep understanding of alternative theories of program evaluation is helpful to gain clarity about sound auditing practices. We present a review of several theories of program evaluation.

This study includes a meta-evaluation of seven government audits on the efficiency and effectiveness of tourism departments and programs. The seven tourism-marketing performance audits are program evaluations for: Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota, Australia, and two for Hawaii. The majority of these audits are negative performance assessments. Similarly, although these audits are more useful than none at all, the central conclusion of the meta-evaluation is that most of these audit reports are inadequate assessments. These audits are too limited in the issues examined; not sufficiently grounded in relevant evaluation theory and practice; and fail to include recommendations, that if implemented, would result in substantial increases in performance.

Details

Evaluating Marketing Actions and Outcomes
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-76231-046-3

Article
Publication date: 17 August 2012

Rong Zhang, Hui Zhang and Bin Liu

The purpose of this paper is to establish an evaluation index system to select the reverse‐logistics servicer of electronic products, based on characteristics of electronic…

1038

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish an evaluation index system to select the reverse‐logistics servicer of electronic products, based on characteristics of electronic products' recycling and reuse.

Design/methodology/approach

First of all, according to the characteristics of electronic products' recycling and reuse, an evaluation index system is designed to select its reverse‐logistics servicer, then the index weights are determined by factor analysis method based on abundant investigation. Finally, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used to evaluate and select a reverse‐logistics servicer of electronic products.

Findings

The results are convincing: an evaluation index system is developed according to the characteristics of electronic products' recycling and reuse, and then the index weights are determined by factor analysis method.

Practical implications

The method exposed in the paper can be used to evaluate and select a reverse‐logistics servicer of electronic products.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in realising both designing of an evaluation index system according to characteristics of electronic products' recycling and reuse, and in determining the index weights by the factor analysis method based on abundant investigation.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 May 2023

Hongliang Yu, Zhen Peng, Zirui He and Chun Huang

The purpose of this paper is to establish a maturity evaluation model for the application of construction steel structure welding robotics suitable for the actual situation and…

100

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a maturity evaluation model for the application of construction steel structure welding robotics suitable for the actual situation and specific characteristics of engineering projects in China and then to assess the maturity level of the technology in the application of domestic engineering projects more scientifically.

Design/methodology/approach

The research follows a qualitative and quantitative analysis method. In the first stage, the structure of the maturity model is constructed and the evaluation index system is designed by using the ideas of the capability maturity model and WSR methodology for reference. In the second stage, the design of the evaluation process and the selection of evaluation methods (analytic hierarchy process method, multi-level gray comprehensive evaluation method). In the third stage, the data are collected and organized (preparation of questionnaires, distribution of questionnaires, questionnaire collection). In the fourth stage, the established maturity evaluation model is used to analyze the data.

Findings

The evaluation model established by using multi-level gray theory can effectively transform various complex indicators into an intuitive maturity level or score status. The conclusion shows that the application maturity of building steel structure welding robot technology in this project is at the development level as a whole. The maturity levels of “WuLi – ShiLi – RenLi” are respectively: development level, development level, between starting level and development level. Comparison of maturity evaluation values of five important factors (from high to low): environmental factors, technical factors, management factors, benefit factors, personnel and group factors.

Originality/value

In this paper, based on the existing research related to construction steel structure welding robot technology, a quantitative and holistic evaluation of the application of construction steel structure welding robot technology in domestic engineering projects is conducted for the first time from a project perspective by designing a maturity evaluation index system and establishing a maturity evaluation model. This research will help the project team to evaluate the application level (maturity) of the welding robot in the actual project, identify the shortcomings and defects of the application of this technology, then improve the weak links pertinently, and finally realize the gradual improvement of the overall application level of welding robot technology for building steel structure.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 78000