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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 11 October 2023

Shenghua Lou and Chunlin Tang

This paper attempts to explain the phenomenon that Macau has a parliament (Legislative Assembly) and mass suffrage but no political parties.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper attempts to explain the phenomenon that Macau has a parliament (Legislative Assembly) and mass suffrage but no political parties.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the development process of “parliament – mass suffrage – political party” in Hong Kong and Macau and tries to explain why Macau does not have a party using comparative research methods.

Findings

The political party development of Hong Kong and Macau was influenced by both the (former) colonial power and China, and whether there were political parties in these two regions was the result of the game between China and the (former) colonial power. China hoped to limit the development of party politics in the two regions. Since Britain felt reluctant to cooperate with China, political parties in Hong Kong developed. At the same time, Portugal chose to defer to China, which led Macau not to have a political party.

Originality/value

Existing studies have yet to explain why there are no political parties in Macau, and this paper is the first attempt to do so.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 12 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-3162

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2023

Dongqing Yu and Junjun Chen

The current study investigated the impact of organisational trust on emotional well-being and performance of middle leaders during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Abstract

Purpose

The current study investigated the impact of organisational trust on emotional well-being and performance of middle leaders during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A convenience sample of 265 middle leaders in kindergartens in China responded involving trust in schools (e.g. trust in principal and trust in colleagues), emotional well-being and job performance. Both confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used in the investigation.

Findings

Three hypotheses on the relationships between the three constructs were verified. Trust in schools significantly influenced emotional well-being and job performance of middle leaders which correlated with each other. The interactive effects of trust in principal and trust in colleagues were discussed for improving the well-being and job performance of middle leaders. Relationships between the two kinds of trust and pride were also identified in the research.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies may put efforts towards improving these three outcomes synchronously.

Practical implications

Based on the evidence of the current study, future research may focus on how middle leaders act as a bridging role between different stakeholders such as principal and teachers, principal and parents, teachers and children, meanwhile how to boost the leaders' own well-being and performance in the early childhood education (ECE).

Originality/value

This study established the empirical linkages between school trusts, emotional well-being and job performance.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 61 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 January 2024

Xin Jin, Geoffrey Shen, Lizi Luo and Xin Zhou

Modular integrated construction (MiC) is an innovative and effective manufacturing-based method of construction that has become the mainstream development direction of projects in…

Abstract

Purpose

Modular integrated construction (MiC) is an innovative and effective manufacturing-based method of construction that has become the mainstream development direction of projects in Hong Kong (HK). However, large-scale promotion of MiC practice still needs efforts. A pressing concern is that the impact of relevant policies on stakeholders during project implementation is rarely explored in depth. Therefore, to fill the research gap, this study aims to investigate the influence of policies on stakeholders to drive the successful implementation of MiC in HK.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a strategy of multiple methods. First, a comprehensively literature review and survey were adopted to identify critical policies and stakeholders. Second, semi-structured interviews with 28 experts were conducted to quantify their relationships. Third, three policy–stakeholder networks at initiation, planning and design and construction stages were established using social network analysis.

Findings

Environmental protection policy, COVID-19 pandemic policy and environmental protection policy and quality acceptance standard for project completion are found to be the most important policies of the three stages, respectively. The HK government and developers are highlighted as prominent stakeholders influencing policy implementation at all three stages. The dynamics of the influence stakeholders receive from critical policies at different stages of MiC are discussed. Valuable recommendations are accordingly proposed to enhance the successful implementation of MiC projects from the perspective of various stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge by considering the mediating influence of stakeholders during policy implementation in the MiC uptake, and is valuable in helping policymakers to deeply understand the influence of policies to further forward successful MiC implementation and practicality in HK.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 May 2023

Xiaolin Li, Huimin Li, Ruirui Zhang, Yilin Yin, Shaonan Sun, Juan Bai and Ruihua Liu

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of asymmetric trust on construction project management performance in China's construction industry. Moreover, the authors…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of asymmetric trust on construction project management performance in China's construction industry. Moreover, the authors explore the mediating role of two types of knowledge sharing (explicit knowledge sharing and tacit knowledge sharing) in explaining the association between asymmetric trust and project management performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model based on the research hypotheses proposed in this study was developed and a questionnaire survey was conducted with 271 professionals. The data collected was analyzed by the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that there is a significant and negative association between asymmetric trust and project management performance. Moreover, two types of knowledge sharing (explicit knowledge sharing and tacit knowledge sharing) have different degrees of impact on improving project management performance. In addition, tacit knowledge sharing is a mediator between asymmetric trust and project management performance.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in this study is from Chinese scenarios, so the research conclusions and application effects based on this are bound to have certain regional limitations. Besides, there are many factors that affect project management performance improving, and the relationships among them are so complex. The theoretical model proposed in this study may not be fully considered. Therefore, follow-up researchers can consider bringing more suitable variables into their researches, so that the theoretical researches can be more in line with the actual project management practice, and the specific mechanism for improving project management performance can be explained more deeply.

Originality/value

This research's value is as follows: Firstly, this paper contributes to the trust and relational governance literature by expanding the research perspective of mutual trust to asymmetric trust. Specially, this research designs a measurement scale for asymmetric trust and then reveals the impact mechanism of it on project management performance, which will certainly promote research paradigm change of trust. Secondly, this research is beneficial to knowledge sharing literature in the construction management field by expanding the research scope of knowledge sharing from a cross-organizational perspective.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 January 2023

Husanboy Ahunov

This paper aims to systematically review the field of non-financial reporting (NFR) in hybrid organizations, focusing on state-owned enterprises, third-sector organizations and…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to systematically review the field of non-financial reporting (NFR) in hybrid organizations, focusing on state-owned enterprises, third-sector organizations and public–private partnerships. This is a timely attempt to identify the state of the art in the literature and outline the future research agenda. The paper answers two research questions: RQ1. What can be learned about NFR in hybrid organizations from the existing literature? RQ2. What are the future avenues for research on the topic?

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review method was applied in this paper to summarize evidence from extant literature on NFR in hybrid organizations. The Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases were used to locate 92 articles for the review.

Findings

Recent years have witnessed a sharp increase in the number of articles on the topic. Regarding the implications of NFR for hybrid characteristics, NFR has some potential to strengthen the influence of non-market (i.e. state, community and social) logics in hybrid organizations. However, this potential may be limited due to the effect of market logics and the tensions that arise between the multiple logics in hybrid organizations. Regarding the implications of hybrid characteristics for NFR, these characteristics can not only affect the extent, the quality, the likelihood and the institutionalization of NFR but also result in the development of new NFR frameworks. The review calls for more research on the implications of NFR for multiple institutional logics and the implications of these logics for NFR in hybrid organizations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first literature review that mobilizes insights from hybridity research to analyze NFR literature on diverse hybrid organizations.

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2023

Rajat Kumar, Mahesh Kumar Gupta, Santosh Kumar Rai and Vinay Panwar

The changes in tensile behavior of polycrystalline nanocopper lattice with changes in temperature, average grain size (AGS) and strain rate, have been explored. The existence of a…

Abstract

Purpose

The changes in tensile behavior of polycrystalline nanocopper lattice with changes in temperature, average grain size (AGS) and strain rate, have been explored. The existence of a critical AGS has also been observed which shows that the Hall–Petch relationship behaves inversely.

Design/methodology/approach

Nanoscale deformation of polycrystalline nanocopper has been done in this study with the help of an embedded atom method (EAM) potential. Voronoi construction method has been employed for creating four polycrystals of nanocopper with different sizes. Statistical analysis has been used to examine the observations with emphasis on the polycrystal size effect on melting point temperature.

Findings

The study has found that the key stress values (i.e. elastic modulus, yield stress and ultimate tensile stress) are significantly influenced by the considered parameters. The increase in strain rate is observed to have an increasing impact on mechanical properties, whereas the increase in temperature degrades the mechanical properties. In-depth analysis of the deformation mechanism has been studied to deliver real-time visualization of grain boundary motion.

Originality/value

This study provides the relationship between required grain size variations for consecutive possible variations in mechanical properties and may help to reduce the trial processes in the synthesis of polycrystalline copper based on different temperatures and strain rates.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 December 2022

Xuliang Yao, Xiao Han, Yuefeng Liao and Jingfang Wang

This paper aims to better design the resonant tank parameters for LLC resonant converter. And, it is found that under heavy load, the voltage gain is affected by junction…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to better design the resonant tank parameters for LLC resonant converter. And, it is found that under heavy load, the voltage gain is affected by junction capacitors of the primary side switching and the parasitic parameters of the secondary side diodes converted to the primary side, which will cause the voltage gain decreased when the switching frequency decreased.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes an optimization parameters design method to solve this problem, which was based on impedance model considering the parasitic parameters of switching devices and diodes.

Findings

The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by impedance Bode plots and experimental results.

Originality/value

From the perspective of impedance modeling, this paper finds the reasons for the insufficient voltage regulation capability of LLC resonant converters under heavy load and finds solutions through analysis.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 50 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2024

Xiaowei An, Sicheng Ren, Lunyan Wang and Yehui Huang

The purpose of this paper is to explore the support for multi-party collaboration in project construction provided by building information modeling (BIM). Based on the perspective…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the support for multi-party collaboration in project construction provided by building information modeling (BIM). Based on the perspective of value co-creation, the research results can provide support for the collaborative application and contract design of BIM platform.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an evolutionary game model involving the owner, designer and constructor is constructed by using prospect theory and evolutionary game theory. Through simulation analysis, the evolution law of the strategy choice of each party in the collaborative application of BIM platform is discussed and the key factors affecting the strategy choice of all parties are analyzed.

Findings

The results show that there is an ideal local equilibrium point with progressive stability in the evolutionary game between the three parties: “the construction party shares information, the designer receives the information and optimizes the project and the owner does not provide incentives”; in addition, the opportunistic behaviors of the design and construction parties, as well as the probability of such behaviors being detected and the subsequent punishment have a significant impact on the evolutionary outcome.

Originality/value

This method can provide support for the collaborative application and contract design of BIM platform.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 May 2023

Abdullatif Abdallah, Hemanta Doloi and Dominik Holzer

The present study employs social network analysis (SNA) to demonstrate the extent to which various building information modeling (BIM) functions can be used to address significant…

Abstract

Purpose

The present study employs social network analysis (SNA) to demonstrate the extent to which various building information modeling (BIM) functions can be used to address significant issues faced by the Tanzanian public sector construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted secondary data obtained from a comprehensive literature review on core BIM functions and the underlying issues faced by the Tanzanian public sector construction projects. This study then adopted SNA for associating the BIM functions with relevant construction issues.

Findings

For Objective 1, the findings revealed that BIM can address 68% of significant issues faced by the Tanzanian public sector construction projects. For Objective 2, the findings revealed that the identified functions mainly addressed issues in the early phases of the project. Finally, for Objective 3, the most effective function was “spatial coordination.”

Research limitations/implications

This literature-based study does not fully capture both the current contextual issues faced by the industry and the BIM capability of stakeholders involved. In addition, this research does not distinguish between public project size and type which can influence the types of issues faced and consequently the use of BIM function. Accordingly, the research presented in this study needs to be complemented by on-the-ground feedback of industry stakeholders and needs to investigate how project size and type impacts the types of issues that emerge and the use of BIM.

Practical implications

With respect to practice, the findings of the present study highlight key BIM functions practitioners can begin to target.

Social implications

In Tanzania, public sector construction projects contribute greatly to social development of Tanzania's population. Owing to the current state of public sector projects underperforming and the negative impact the projects have on the country's development, an intervention measure such as BIM has the potential to enhance the effective and efficient delivery of these projects and thereby promote the social development of the country's population.

Originality/value

With respect to theory, this study demonstrates how core functions of BIM can be mapped with various construction-related issues in order to evaluate the efficacies of the BIM-based investments for improving overall performance in the public sector projects. With respect to practice, the method illustrated in the present study can be applied by policymakers and practitioners to identify core BIM functions to target to address pressing contextual issues faced by public sector projects in the respective contexts.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 January 2024

Frank Ato Ghansah and Weisheng Lu

While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the construction industry, it is still unclear from prior studies about adequately positioning the quality assurance (QA) for the…

Abstract

Purpose

While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the construction industry, it is still unclear from prior studies about adequately positioning the quality assurance (QA) for the post-pandemic era and future pandemics, especially cross-border construction logistics and supply chain (Cb-CLSC). Thus, this study aims to develop a managerial framework to position the QA of Cb-CLSC during pandemics and post-pandemics by taking lessons from how COVID-19 has impacted the existing QA systems and has been managed successfully.

Design/methodology/approach

This is achieved pragmatically through an embedded mixed-method design involving a literature review, survey and interview from experts within the Hong Kong SAR–Mainland China links, typically known as the world’s factory. The design is further integrated with the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach.

Findings

The study revealed 10 critical managerial practices (MPs) to position the QA to be adequate for the post-pandemic and during future pandemics, with the top three including “strict observance of government regulations (MP1)”, “planning ahead the period of quality assurance with the quarantine days in host countries (MP6)” and “modification of contract to cater for uncertainties (MP4)”. This attained a relatively good percentage agreement of 53% between the industry and academia. However, the top four MPs regarded as very effective include “implementing digital collaborative inspections with subcontractors and trades (MP8)”, “implementing a digital centralized document and issue management system (MP7)”, “strict observance to government regulations, including vaccination of workers, social distancing, use of prescribed nose masks, etc. (MP1)” and “planning ahead the period of quality assurance with the quarantine days in host countries (MP6)”. Two underlying components of the MPs were revealed as policy-process (PP)-related practices and people-technology-process (PTP)-related practices, and these can be modelled into a managerial framework capable of effectively positioning the QA to be adequate during pandemics through to the post-pandemic era.

Practical implications

The findings of this study depicted significant theoretical and practical contributions to the proactive management of QA activities during pandemics through to the post-pandemic era. It could empower organisations to pay attention to smartly and innovatively balancing people, processes, pandemic policy and technology to inform decisions to effectively position the QA for the post-pandemic era and survive the risks of future pandemics.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the body of knowledge in that it develops a managerial framework to position the QA of Cb-CLSC during pandemics and post-pandemics by taking lessons from how COVID-19 has impacted the existing QA systems and has been managed successfully. It is original research with invaluable primary data in the form of surveys and interviews from experts within the Hong Kong SAR–Mainland China links, typically known as the world’s factory.

Details

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

Keywords

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