Search results
1 – 10 of over 297000Timothy Galpin and Maja de Vibe
Aspects of ESG have become key considerations during many M&A transactions. This ranges from the type of assets a firm purchases, to evaluating the management practices of target…
Abstract
Purpose
Aspects of ESG have become key considerations during many M&A transactions. This ranges from the type of assets a firm purchases, to evaluating the management practices of target firms, to incorporating ESG assessments into due diligence checklists and valuation models, to including specific ESG provisions in the sale and purchase agreement (SPA). Companies are increasingly concluding that a more robust focus on ESG in deal-making allows for greater value to be captured. This article identifies how companies can go about incorporating ESG throughout the deal process, from pre-deal analysis through post-transaction integration. A case example is provided.
Design/methodology/approach
This article provides key actions firms can take to incorporate ESG throughout the deal process, from pre-deal analysis through post-transaction integration. A case example from a large state-owned Norwegian utility is provided.
Findings
Various components of ESG have rapidly become key considerations in transactions. Firms that incorporate ESG across their M&A process, both pre- and post-deal can reap significant benefits. While firms that ignore ESG during M&A not only miss the upside potential, but also risk making damaging and costly deal mistakes.
Practical implications
M&A practitioners will find this article particularly useful, as many firms struggle with how to effectively include ESG in their transactions. This article provides M&A practitioners with key actions they can take to incorporate ESG throughout the deal process, from pre-deal analysis through post-transaction integration. A case example from a large state-owned Norwegian utility is provided.
Originality/value
The body of literature about M&A transactions is extensive, as is the recent writing about the importance of ESG to firms' costs, revenue, and societal impact. This article brings these two aspects together by providing M&A practitioners with key actions they can take to incorporate ESG throughout the deal process, from pre-deal analysis through post-transaction integration.
Details
Keywords
Gabriel Kojovi Liashiedzi, Florence Elorm Eto, Roger Ayimbillah Atinga and Patience Aseweh Abor
This study examined the determinants of mobile health (M-Health) application, adoption, usage and discontinuation among corporate workers diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examined the determinants of mobile health (M-Health) application, adoption, usage and discontinuation among corporate workers diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
The diffusion innovation and reasoned action theories were employed using an exploratory design. Three hundred corporate workers diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension from three health facilities for the past six months were sampled for the study using a multi-stage sampling technique and administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression tools were employed in the analysis of data.
Findings
The study found a significant number of factors influencing m-health applications adoption, usage and discontinuity. These factors include nature and demand of job, perceived advantage, compatibility, complexity, triability, aesthetics and trust. Aesthetics emerged as the strongest predictive factor for the adoption, usage and discontinuity of use among diabetic and hypertensive corporate workers. With the adoption of M-Health applications, compatibility, as well as nature and demand of job, were significant predictors. With the usage of M-Health applications, complexity, triability, aesthetics and trust were significant predictors. Moreover, perceived advantage, compatibility, complexity and triability influenced significantly the choice to discontinue using M-Health applications. The study concluded that M-Health application functionalities play a valuable role in patients’ intention to adopt, use and discontinue the use of an M-Health application in Ghana.
Originality/value
This exploratory study offers in-depth insight into how major M-Health application features affect its adoption, usage and discontinuity, providing crucial information for future research and the improvement of chronic condition healthcare delivery.
Details
Keywords
Bingbing Qi, Lijun Xu and Xiaogang Liu
The purpose of this paper is to exploit the multiple-Toeplitz matrices reconstruction method combined with quadratic spatial smoothing processing to improve the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to exploit the multiple-Toeplitz matrices reconstruction method combined with quadratic spatial smoothing processing to improve the direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation performance of coherent signals at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNRs).
Design/methodology/approach
An improved multiple-Toeplitz matrices reconstruction method is proposed via quadratic spatial smoothing processing. Our proposed method takes advantage of the available information contained in the auto-covariance matrices of individual Toeplitz matrices and the cross-covariance matrices of different Toeplitz matrices, which results in a higher noise suppression ability.
Findings
Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that, compared with the existing Toeplitz matrix processing methods, the proposed method improves the DOA estimation performance in cases with a low SNR. Especially for the cases with a low SNR and small snapshot number as well as with closely spaced sources, the proposed method can achieve much better performance on estimation accuracy and resolution probability.
Research limitations/implications
The study investigates the possibility of reusing pre-existing designs for the DOA estimation of the coherent signals. The proposed technique enables achieve good estimation performance at low SNRs.
Practical implications
The paper includes implications for the DOA problem at low SNRs in communication systems.
Originality/value
The proposed method proved to be useful for the DOA estimation at low SNR.
Details
Keywords
The damping accumulated discrete MGM(1, m) power model is proposed for the problem of forecasting the share of agricultural output value and the share of employment in China.
Abstract
Purpose
The damping accumulated discrete MGM(1, m) power model is proposed for the problem of forecasting the share of agricultural output value and the share of employment in China.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the damping accumulated discrete MGM(1, m) power model was developed based on the idea of discrete modelling by introducing a damping accumulated generating operator and power index. The new model can better identify the non-linear characteristics existing between different factors in the multivariate system and can accurately describe and forecast the trend of changes between data series and each of them.
Findings
The validity and rationality of the new model are verified through numerical experiment. It is forecasted that in 2023, the share of agricultural output value in China will be 7.14% and the share of agricultural employment will be 21.98%, with an overall decreasing trend.
Practical implications
The simultaneous decline in the share of agricultural output value and the share of employment is a common feature of countries that have achieved agricultural modernisation. Accurate forecasts of the share of agricultural output value and the share of employment can provide an important scientific basis for formulating appropriate agricultural development targets and policies in China.
Originality/value
The new model proposed in this study fully considers the importance of new information and has higher stability. The differential evolutionary algorithm was used to optimise the model parameters.
Details
Keywords
Ashok K. Barik, Swetapadma Rout, Jnana Ranjan Senapati and M.M. Awad
This paper aims at studying numerically the entropy generation of nanofluid flowing over an inclined sheet in the presence of external magnetic field, heat source/sink, chemical…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at studying numerically the entropy generation of nanofluid flowing over an inclined sheet in the presence of external magnetic field, heat source/sink, chemical reaction along with slip boundary conditions imposed on an impermeable wall.
Design/methodology/approach
A suitable similarity transformation technique has been used to convert the coupled nonlinear partial differential equations to ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The ODEs are then solved simultaneously using the finite difference method implemented through an in-house computer program. The effects of different controlling parameters such as magnetic parameter, radiation parameter, Brownian motion parameter, thermophoresis parameter, chemical reaction parameter, Reynolds number, Brinkmann number, Prandtl number, velocity slip parameter, temperature slip parameter and the concentration slip parameter on the entropy generation and Bejan number have been discussed comprehensively through the relevant physical insights for the first time.
Findings
The relative strengths of the irreversibilities due to heat transfer, fluid friction and the mass diffusion arising due to the change in each of the controlling variables have been delineated both in the near-wall and far-away-wall regions, which may be helpful for a better understanding of the thermo-fluid dynamics of nanofluid in boundary layer flows. The numerical results obtained from the present study have also been validated with results published in open literature.
Originality/value
The effects of different controlling parameters such as magnetic parameter, radiation parameter, Brownian motion parameter, thermophoresis parameter, chemical reaction parameter, Reynolds number, Brinkmann number, Prandtl number, velocity slip parameter, temperature slip parameter and the concentration slip parameter on the entropy generation and Bejan number have been discussed comprehensively through the relevant physical insights for the first time.
Details
Keywords
The paper proposes an efficient and insightful approach for solving neutral delay differential equations (NDDE) with high-frequency inputs. This paper aims to overcome the need to…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper proposes an efficient and insightful approach for solving neutral delay differential equations (NDDE) with high-frequency inputs. This paper aims to overcome the need to use a very small time step when high frequencies are present. High-frequency signals abound in communication circuits when modulated signals are involved.
Design/methodology/approach
The method involves an asymptotic expansion of the solution and each term in the expansion can be determined either from NDDE without oscillatory inputs or recursive equations. Such an approach leads to an efficient algorithm with a performance that improves as the input frequency increases.
Findings
An example shall indicate the salient features of the method. Its improved performance shall be shown when the input frequency increases. The example is chosen as it is similar to that in literature concerned with partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC) circuits (Bellen et al., 1999). Its structure shall also be shown to enable insights into the behaviour of the system governed by the differential equation.
Originality/value
The method is novel in its application to NDDE as arises in engineering applications such as those involving PEEC circuits. In addition, the focus of the method is on a technique suitable for high-frequency signals.
Details
Keywords
Zhuoer Yao, Zi Kan, Daochun Li, Haoyuan Shao and Jinwu Xiang
The purpose of this paper is to solve the challenging problem of automatic carrier landing with the presence of environmental disturbances. Therefore, a global fast terminal…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to solve the challenging problem of automatic carrier landing with the presence of environmental disturbances. Therefore, a global fast terminal sliding mode control (GFTSMC) method is proposed for automatic carrier landing system (ACLS) to achieve safe carrier landing control.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the framework of ACLS is established, which includes flight glide path model, guidance model, approach power compensation system and flight controller model. Subsequently, the carrier deck motion model and carrier air-wake model are presented to simulate the environmental disturbances. Then, the detailed design steps of GFTSMC are provided. The stability analysis of the controller is proved by Lyapunov theorems and LaSalle’s invariance principle. Furthermore, the arrival time analysis is carried out, which proves the controller has fixed time convergence ability.
Findings
The numerical simulations are conducted. The simulation results reveal that the proposed method can guarantee a finite convergence time and safe carrier landing under various conditions. And the superiority of the proposed method is further demonstrated by comparative simulations and Monte Carlo tests.
Originality/value
The GFTSMC method proposed in this paper can achieve precise and safe carrier landing with environmental disturbances, which has important referential significance to the improvement of ACLS controller designs.
Details
Keywords
Ziyuan Ma, Huajun Gong and Xinhua Wang
The purpose of this paper is to construct an event-triggered finite-time fault-tolerant formation tracking controller, which can achieve a time-varying formation control for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to construct an event-triggered finite-time fault-tolerant formation tracking controller, which can achieve a time-varying formation control for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during actuator failures and external perturbations.
Design/methodology/approach
First, this study developed the formation tracking protocol for each follower using UAV formation members, defining the tracking inaccuracy of the UAV followers’ location. Subsequently, this study designed the multilayer event-triggered controller based on the backstepping method framework within finite time. Then, considering the actuator failures, and added self-adaptive thought for fault-tolerant control within finite time, the event-triggered closed-loop system is subsequently shown to be a finite-time stable system. Furthermore, the Zeno behavior is analyzed to prevent infinite triggering instances within a finite time. Finally, simulations are conducted with external disturbances and actuator failure conditions to demonstrate formation tracking controller performance.
Findings
It achieves improved performance in the presence of external disturbances and system failures. Combining limited-time adaptive control and event triggering improves system stability, increase robustness to disturbances and calculation efficiency. In addition, the designed formation tracking controller can effectively control the time-varying formation of the leader and followers to complete the task, and by adding a fixed-time observer, it can effectively compensate for external disturbances and improve formation control accuracy.
Originality/value
A formation-following controller is designed, which can handle both external disturbances and internal actuator failures during formation flight, and the proposed method can be applied to a variety of formation control scenarios and does not rely on a specific type of UAV or communication network.
Details
Keywords
Hongqiang Sang, Fang Huang, Wei Lu, Rui Han and Fen Liu
The patient-side manipulator (PSM) achieves high torque capability by combining harmonic servo system with high reduction ratio and low torque motor. However, high reduction ratio…
Abstract
Purpose
The patient-side manipulator (PSM) achieves high torque capability by combining harmonic servo system with high reduction ratio and low torque motor. However, high reduction ratio can increase inertia and decrease compliance of the manipulator. To enhance the backdrivability of the minimally invasive surgical robot, this paper aims to propose a resistance torque compensation algorithm.
Design/methodology/approach
A resistance torque compensation algorithm based on dynamics and Luenberger observer is proposed. The dynamics are established, considering joint flexibility and an improved Stribeck friction model. The dynamic parameters are experimentally identified by using the least squares method. With the advantages of clear structure, simple implementation and fast solution speed, the Luenberger observer is selected to estimate the unmeasured dynamic information of PSM and realize the resistance torque compensation.
Findings
For low-speed surgical robots, the centrifugal force term in the dynamic model can be simplified to reduce computational complexity. Joint flexibility and an improved Stribeck friction model can be considered to improve the accuracy of the dynamic model. Experiment results show that parameter identification and estimated results of the Luenberger observer are accurate. The backdrivability of the PSM is enhanced in ease and smoothness.
Originality/value
This algorithm provides potential application prospects for surgical robots to maintain high torque while remaining compliant. Meanwhile, the enhanced backdrivability of the manipulator helps to improve the safety of the preoperative manual adjustment.
Details
Keywords
Zujin Jin, Zixin Yin, Siyang Peng and Yan Liu
Large optical mirror processing systems (LOMPSs) consist of multiple subrobots, and correlated disturbance terms between these robots often lead to reduced processing accuracy…
Abstract
Purpose
Large optical mirror processing systems (LOMPSs) consist of multiple subrobots, and correlated disturbance terms between these robots often lead to reduced processing accuracy. This abstract introduces a novel approach, the nonlinear subsystem adaptive dispersed fuzzy compensation control (ADFCC) method, aimed at enhancing the precision of LOMPSs.
Design/methodology/approach
The ADFCC model for LOMPS is developed through a nonlinear fuzzy adaptive algorithm. This model incorporates control parameters and disturbance terms (such as those arising from the external environment, friction and correlation) between subsystems to facilitate ADFCC. Error analysis is performed using the subsystem output parameters, and the resulting errors are used as feedback for compensation control.
Findings
Experimental analysis is conducted, specifically under the commonly used concentric circle processing trajectory in LOMPS. This analysis validates the effectiveness of the control model in enhancing processing accuracy.
Originality/value
The ADFCC strategy is demonstrated to significantly improve the accuracy of LOMPS output, offering a promising solution to the problem of correlated disturbances. This work holds the potential to benefit a wide range of practical applications.
Details