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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 21 November 2018

Lei Wen and Linlin Huang

Climate change has aroused widespread concern around the world, which is one of the most complex challenges encountered by human beings. The underlying cause of climate change is…

1599

Abstract

Purpose

Climate change has aroused widespread concern around the world, which is one of the most complex challenges encountered by human beings. The underlying cause of climate change is the increase of carbon emissions. To reduce carbon emissions, the analysis of the factors affecting this type of emission is of practical significance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identified five factors affecting carbon emissions using the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) decomposition model (e.g. per capita carbon emissions, industrial structure, energy intensity, energy structure and per capita GDP). Besides, based on the projection pursuit method, this paper obtained the optimal projection directions of five influencing factors in 30 provinces (except for Tibet). Based on the data from 2000 to 2014, the authors predicted the optimal projection directions in the next six years under the Markov transfer matrix.

Findings

The results indicated that per capita GDP was the critical factor for reducing carbon emissions. The industrial structure and population intensified carbon emissions. The energy structure had seldom impacted on carbon emissions. The energy intensity obviously inhibited carbon emissions. The best optimal projection direction of each index in the next six years remained stable. Finally, this paper proposed the policy implications.

Originality/value

This paper provides an insight into the current state and the future changes in carbon emissions.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2015

Honglian Guo, Yunxian Hou, Baohong Yang, Hongping Du and Weiqun Xiao

The purpose of this paper is to upgrade the collaborative emergency ability of government in the tier of towns, realizing emergency resource share, emergency cost reduction and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to upgrade the collaborative emergency ability of government in the tier of towns, realizing emergency resource share, emergency cost reduction and emergency efficiency improving. This paper mainly aims to solve the problem of forecasting the natural disaster happening year of every township collaborative region in Fangshan District.

Design/methodology/approach

First, classify the townships into five collaborative regions through grey clustering. Second, set up a grey disaster forecast model for the whole Fangshan District according the annals of disaster from 1985 to 2012, and forecast the disaster grade. Third, build a grey disaster forecast model for the collaborative regions after constructing the buffer operators of catastrophic sequence according the annals of disaster from 1949 to 2012.

Findings

The authors forecasted the happening year and flood grade of future disaster for the whole Fangshan District. The accurate degrees of both flood and drought year model are greater than 90 per cent. The accurate degree of insects calamity year is a little low, but the relative errors are all lower than 3 per cent in recent continuous three times, so in the whole, it can be used. For the collaborative regions, the authors forecasted the future disaster years of them. The accuracy rate of every model is greater than 90 per cent. The result shows that the forecast errors are acceptable.

Research limitations/implications

In the models, for the purpose of good accuracy, the authors used different initial data. For example, in the forecast model for whole Fangshan District disaster year, the authors used the data from 1985 to 2012, while in the forecast model for the disaster grade of it, the authors used the data from 1949 to 2012. In the disaster year forecast model for collaborative region, the authors also used the data from 1949 to 2012. If the authors can find a model that has high accuracy rate by using all the date information, it will be better.

Practical implications

Township is the most basic level of government organization in China, researching on collaborative emergency in township will do help to take targeted precautions measures against calamity according to the characteristic there. At the same time realizing emergency cost reduction and emergency efficiency improving based on the advantages of emergency resource share, short rescue distance, little effects of communication destruction.

Social implications

Because of the stochastic occurring of disasters, it is very important to forecast the happening time of disasters accurately. This paper forecasted the natural disaster happening time of Fangshan District through grey catastrophic model, aimed at giving decision support to related department and strengthen the disaster prevention power targetedly.

Originality/value

It is well known that the greater the system, the steadier it is, and the easier to forecast it. Fangshan District, Beijing, is a medium-sized and small system in regional research, while townships are small systems. It is rarely a big challenge for the authors to forecast the disaster years in Fangshan and its collaborative townships. In this paper, the authors used grey system model and Markov transfer matrix in forecasting the disaster years and the disaster grade of flood in Fangshan District. All of them are new trying to using grey system theory in disaster forecast for Fangshan District, Beijing.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 5 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 August 2022

Shengbin Ma, Zhongfu Li, Long Li and Mengqi Yuan

The coordinated development of the urbanization and construction industry is crucial for the sustainable development of cities. However, the coupling relationship and coordination…

Abstract

Purpose

The coordinated development of the urbanization and construction industry is crucial for the sustainable development of cities. However, the coupling relationship and coordination mechanism between them remain unclear. To bridge this gap, this study attempts to explore the level of coupling coordination between new urbanization and construction industry development and investigate the critical driving factors influencing their coupling coordination degree.

Design/methodology/approach

By referring to the existing literature, two index systems were established to evaluate the development level of the new urbanization and construction industry. The spatiotemporal characteristics of the coupled coordinated development of the new urbanization and construction industry in China from 2014 to 2020 were investigated using the coupling coordination model. The Markov chain and geographic detector were adopted to understand the transition probability and driving factors of the coupling coordination degree.

Findings

The results indicate that the coupling degree of China's new urbanization and construction industry is high, and the two systems exhibit obvious interaction phenomena. However, the construction industry in most provinces lags behind the new urbanization. A positive interactive relationship and coordination mechanism has not been established between the two systems. Furthermore, the  coupling contribution degree of the driving factors from high to low is as follows: market size > labor resource concentration > government investment ability > economic development level > industrial structure > production efficiency > technology level. Accordingly, a driving mechanism including market, policy, economic, and production technology drivers was developed.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a set of scientific analysis methods to address the deficiency of coordination mechanism research on new urbanization and the construction industry. The results also provide a theoretical basis for decision makers to develop differentiated sustainable development policies.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 May 2007

Frederic Carluer

“It should also be noted that the objective of convergence and equal distribution, including across under-performing areas, can hinder efforts to generate growth. Contrariwise

Abstract

“It should also be noted that the objective of convergence and equal distribution, including across under-performing areas, can hinder efforts to generate growth. Contrariwise, the objective of competitiveness can exacerbate regional and social inequalities, by targeting efforts on zones of excellence where projects achieve greater returns (dynamic major cities, higher levels of general education, the most advanced projects, infrastructures with the heaviest traffic, and so on). If cohesion policy and the Lisbon Strategy come into conflict, it must be borne in mind that the former, for the moment, is founded on a rather more solid legal foundation than the latter” European Commission (2005, p. 9)Adaptation of Cohesion Policy to the Enlarged Europe and the Lisbon and Gothenburg Objectives.

Details

Managing Conflict in Economic Convergence of Regions in Greater Europe
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-451-5

Article
Publication date: 30 March 2020

Hussaan Ahmad and Nasir Hayat

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the historical gas allocation pattern for seeking appropriate arrangement and utilization of potentially insufficient natural gas supply…

120

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the historical gas allocation pattern for seeking appropriate arrangement and utilization of potentially insufficient natural gas supply available in Pakistan up to 2030.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents Markov chain-based modeling of historical gas allocation data followed by its validation through error evaluation. Structural prediction using classical Chapman–Kolmogorov method and varying-order polynomial regression in the historical transition matrices are presented.

Findings

Markov chain model reproduces the terminal state vector with 99.8 per cent accuracy, thus demonstrating its validity for capturing the history. Lower order polynomial regression results in better structural prediction compared with higher order ones in terms of closeness with Markov approach-based prediction.

Research limitations/implications

The data belongs to a certain geographic region with specific gas demand and supply profile. The proposition may be tested further by researchers to check the validity for other comparable structural predictions/analyses.

Practical implications

This study can facilitate policy-making in the field of natural gas allocation and management in Pakistan specifically and other comparable countries generally.

Originality/value

Two major literature gaps filled through this study are: first, Markov chain model becomes stationary when projected using Chapman–Kolmogorov relation in terms of a fixed, average transition matrix resulting in an equilibrium state after a finite number of future steps. Second, most of the previous studies analyze various gas consumption sectors individually, thus lacking integrated gas allocation policy.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 February 2015

Hongyan Huan and Qing-mei Tan

– The purpose of this paper is to employ the Grey-Markov Chain Model for the scale prediction of cultivated land and took an empirical research with the case of Jiangsu province.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to employ the Grey-Markov Chain Model for the scale prediction of cultivated land and took an empirical research with the case of Jiangsu province.

Design/methodology/approach

Along with China’s industrialization and urbanization accelerated, a large number of cultivated land converse into construction land. The change of utilization of cultivated land concerns national food security and sustainable development of economy and society. Due to the fact that the different investigation methods of arable land usually cause a uncertain. The Grey-Markov model combines the Grey GM(1,1) and Markov chain, with two advantages of dealing with poor information and long-term and volatile series. A numeric example of scale prediction of cultivated land in Jiangsu province is also computed in the third part of the paper.

Findings

The results show that the Grey-Markov Chain Model has a higher prediction accuracy compared with GM (1,1), which is a reliable guarantee for the change of cultivated land resources.

Practical implications

The forecast of cultivated land can provide useful information for the general land use planning.

Originality/value

The paper confirmed the feasibility of the Grey-Markov model in scale prediction of cultivated land.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 February 2023

Ming Chen and Lie Xie

The flexibility of batch process enables its wide application in fine-chemical, pharmaceutical and semi-conductor industries, whilst its complexity necessitates control…

Abstract

Purpose

The flexibility of batch process enables its wide application in fine-chemical, pharmaceutical and semi-conductor industries, whilst its complexity necessitates control performance monitoring to ensure high operation efficiency. This paper proposes a data-driven approach to carry out controller performance monitoring within batch based on linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) method.

Design/methodology/approach

A linear time-varying LQG method is proposed to obtain the joint covariance benchmark for the stochastic part of batch process input/output. From historical golden operation batch, linear time-varying (LTV) system and noise models are identified based on generalized observer Markov parameters realization.

Findings

Open/closed loop input and output data are applied to identify the process model as well as the disturbance model, both in Markov parameter form. Then the optimal covariance of joint input and output can be obtained by the LQG method. The Hotelling's Tˆ2 control chart can be established to monitor the controller.

Originality/value

(1) An observer Markov parameter approach to identify the time-varying process and noise models from both open and closed loop data, (2) a linear time-varying LQG optimal control law to obtain the optimal benchmark covariance of joint input and output and (3) a joint input and output multivariate control chart based on Hotelling's T2 statistic for controller performance monitoring.

Details

Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing and Special Equipment, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2633-6596

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2018

Maogen Ge, Jing Hu, Mingzhou Liu and Yuan Zhang

As the last link of product remanufacturing, reassembly process is of great importance in increasing the utilization of remanufactured parts as well as decreasing the production…

Abstract

Purpose

As the last link of product remanufacturing, reassembly process is of great importance in increasing the utilization of remanufactured parts as well as decreasing the production cost for remanufacturing enterprises. It is a common problem that a large amount of remanufactured part/reused part which past the dimension standard have been scrapped, which have increased the production cost of remanufacturing enterprises to a large extent. With the aim to improve the utilization of remanufacturing parts with qualified quality attributes but exceed dimension, the purpose of this paper is to put forward a reassembly classification selection method based on the Markov Chain.

Design/methodology/approach

To begin with, a classification standard of reassembly parts is proposed. With the thinking of traditional ABC analysis, a classification management method of reassembly parts for remanufactured engine is proposed. Then, a homogeneous Markov Chain of reassembly process is built after grading the matching dimension of reassembly parts with different variety. And the reassembly parts selection model is constructed based on the Markov Chain. Besides, the reassembly classification selection model and its flow chart are proposed by combining the researches above. Finally, the assembly process of remanufactured crankshaft is adopted as a representative example for illustrating the feasibility and the effectiveness of the method proposed.

Findings

The reassembly classification selection method based on the Markov Chain is an effective method in improving the utilization of remanufacturing parts/reused parts. The average utilization of remanufactured crankcase has increased from 35.7 to 80.1 per cent and the average utilization of reused crankcase has increased from 4.2 to 14 per cent as shown in the representative example.

Originality/value

The reassembly classification selection method based on the Markov Chain is of great importance in enhancing the economic benefit for remanufacturing enterprises by improving the utilization of remanufactured parts/reused parts.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 38 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2021

Ruirui Shao, Zhigeng Fang, Liangyan Tao, Su Gao and Weiqing You

During the service period of communication satellite systems, their performance is often degraded due to the depletion mechanism. In this paper, the grey system theory is applied…

Abstract

Purpose

During the service period of communication satellite systems, their performance is often degraded due to the depletion mechanism. In this paper, the grey system theory is applied to the multi-state system effectiveness evaluation and the grey Lz-transformation ADC (availability, dependability and capability) effectiveness evaluation model is constructed to address the characteristics of the communication satellite system such as different constituent subsystems, numerous states and the inaccuracy and insufficiency of data.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is based on the ADC effectiveness evaluation method, combined with the Lz transformation and uses the definite weighted function of the three-parameter interval grey number as a bridge to incorporate the possibility of system performance being greater than the task demand into the effectiveness solution algorithm. At the same time, using MATLAB (Matrix laboratory) to solve each state probability, the same performance level in the Lz transform is combined. Then, the system effectiveness is obtained by Python.

Findings

The results show that the G-Lz-ADC model constructed in this paper can accurately evaluate the effectiveness of static/dynamic systems and certain/uncertain system and also has better applicability in evaluating the effectiveness of the multi-state complex system.

Practical implications

The G-Lz-ADC effectiveness evaluation model constructed in this paper can effectively reduce the complexity of traditional effectiveness evaluation models by combining the same performance levels in the Lz-transform and solving the effectiveness of the system with the help of computer programming, providing a new method for the effectiveness evaluation of the complex MSS. At the same time, the weaknesses of the system can be identified, providing a theoretical basis for improving the system’s effectiveness.

Originality/value

The possibility solution method based on the definite weighted function comparing the two three-parameter interval grey numbers is constructed, which compensates for the traditional calculation of the probability based on numerical values and subjective preferences of decision-makers. Meanwhile, the effectiveness evaluation model integrates the basic theories of three-parameter interval grey number and its definite weighted function, Grey−Markov, grey universal generating function (GUGF), grey multi-state system (GMSS), etc., which is an innovative method to solve the effectiveness of a multi-state instantaneous communication satellite system.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

Asli Özdemir and Güzin Özdagoglu

Prediction problems raised in uncertain environments require different solution approaches such as grey prediction models, which consider uncertainty in information and also…

Abstract

Purpose

Prediction problems raised in uncertain environments require different solution approaches such as grey prediction models, which consider uncertainty in information and also enable the use of small data sets. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the comparative performances of grey prediction models (GM) and Markov chain integrated grey models in a demand prediction problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The modeling process of grey models is initially described, and then an integrated model called the Grey-Markov model is presented for the convenience of applications. The analyses are conducted on a monthly demand prediction problem to demonstrate the modeling accuracies of the GM (1,1), GM (2,1), GM (1,1)-Markov, and GM (2,1)-Markov models.

Findings

Numerical results reveal that the Grey-Markov model based on GM (2,1) achieves better prediction performance than the other models.

Practical implications

It is thought that the methodology and the findings of the study will be a significant reference for both academics and executives who struggle with similar demand prediction problems in their fields of interest.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study comes from the fact that the GM (2,1)-Markov model has been first used for demand prediction. Furthermore, the GM (2,1)-Markov model represents a relatively new approach, and this is the second paper that addresses the GM (2,1)-Markov model in any area.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

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