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1 – 10 of 886Geoffrey Wall and Ning Ryan Zhao
The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate red tourism in China and, in doing so, shed light on the complex relationships between tourism, heritage and identity…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate red tourism in China and, in doing so, shed light on the complex relationships between tourism, heritage and identity politics.
Design/methodology/approach
Mixed methods – literature review, document analysis, interviews with government officials, travel agents and tourists.
Findings
Red tourism is an initiative to preserve, promote and pass down China’s communist past that is underpinned by political purposes. It has resulted in an imbalance between the government’s designation of communist heritage sites all over the country and the concentration of visitors in a small number of popular destinations. Red tourism fosters allegiance to the Communist Party of China. At the same time, it is expected to bring economic opportunities to remote locations through tourism spending and the branding opportunities that it provides. However, a different emphasis can be discerned at the national and local levels, whereby the former emphasizes political cohesion and the latter stresses local economic development.
Research limitations/implications
Four sites are investigated in detail out of the hundreds that might have been explored.
Practical implications
Recommendations are made to: diversify the product, increase stakeholder involvement, enhance heritage conservation plans, improve interpretation.
Social implications
Many implications for relationships between governments at all levels and the Chinese population. Also implications for the economic well-being of places and people adjacent to red tourism sites.
Originality/value
One of very few papers in either English or Chinese that addresses the red tourism policy in detail and with substantial empirical materials.
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Zhenshuang Wang, Yanxin Zhou, Xiaohua Jin, Ning Zhao and Jianshu Sun
Public-private partnership (PPP) projects for construction waste recycling have become the main approach to construction waste treatment in China. Risk sharing and income…
Abstract
Purpose
Public-private partnership (PPP) projects for construction waste recycling have become the main approach to construction waste treatment in China. Risk sharing and income distribution of PPP projects play a vital role in achieving project success. This paper is aimed at building a practical and effective risk sharing and income distribution model to achieve win–win situation among different stakeholders, thereby providing a systematic framework for governments to promote construction waste recycling.
Design/methodology/approach
Stakeholders of construction waste recycling PPP projects were reclassified according to the stakeholder theory. Best-worst multi–criteria decision-making method and comprehensive fuzzy evaluation method (BWM–FCE) risk assessment model was constructed to optimize the risk assessment of core stakeholders in construction waste recycling PPP projects. Based on the proposed risk evaluation model for construction waste recycling PPP projects, the Shapley value income distribution model was modified in combination with capital investment, contribution and project participation to obtain a more equitable and reasonable income distribution system.
Findings
The income distribution model showed that PPP Project Companies gained more transaction benefits, which proved that PPP Project Companies played an important role in the actual operation of PPP projects. The policy change risk, investment and financing risk and income risk were the most important risks and key factors for project success. Therefore, it is of great significance to strengthen the management of PPP Project Companies, and in the process of PPP implementation, the government should focus on preventing the risk of policy changes, investment and financing risks and income risks.
Practical implications
The findings from this study have advanced the application methods of risk sharing and income distribution for PPP projects and further improved PPP project-related theories. It helps to promote and rationalize fairness in construction waste recycling PPP projects and to achieve mutual benefits and win–win situation in risk sharing. It has also provided a reference for resource management of construction waste and laid a solid foundation for long-term development of construction waste resources.
Originality/value
PPP mode is an effective tool for construction waste recycling. How to allocate risks and distribute benefits has become the most important issue of waste recycling PPP projects, and also the key to project success. The originality of this study resides in its provision of a holistic approach of risk allocation and benefit distribution on construction waste PPP projects in China as a developing country. Accordingly, this study adds its value by promoting resource development of construction waste, extending an innovative risk allocation and benefit distribution method in PPP projects, and providing a valuable reference for policymakers and private investors who are planning to invest in PPP projects in China.
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Jifu Wang, Jinghua Zhao, Yixi Ning and Peng Yu
The impact of globalization and worldwide competition has become excruciatingly noticeable in China. The purpose of this study is to examine China’s transformation of state‐owned…
Abstract
The impact of globalization and worldwide competition has become excruciatingly noticeable in China. The purpose of this study is to examine China’s transformation of state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) to competitive, capable organizations by identifying the dominant challenges and forces for change to State‐Owned Enterprises in China (SOE), the nature of SOE responses to those forces, and the degree of SOE success in making the necessary transformations to compete in a global business environment.
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Ning Wang, Yang Zhao and Ruoxin Zhou
As a derivative model of e-commerce, social commerce has received increasing attention in recent years. Empirical studies on social commerce have examined the key factors that…
Abstract
Purpose
As a derivative model of e-commerce, social commerce has received increasing attention in recent years. Empirical studies on social commerce have examined the key factors that influence users' attitudes or adoption intentions, but their conclusions are context-based and are not entirely consistent. This study aims to draw a general conclusion by systematically synthesizing the findings of previous studies and examine whether cultural differences play a moderating role in users' social commerce adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
A meta-analysis based on 11,786 independent samples from 39 empirical studies was conducted to integrate their results and develop a comprehensive conceptual model. A moderator analysis was carried out to investigate the moderating effect of culture by dividing the context into subgroups of individualistic and collectivistic cultures.
Findings
The results show that this comprehensive conceptual model can help better understand the adoption of social commerce. Meanwhile, the moderator analysis indicates that cultural differences have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between the determinants and the adoption of social commerce.
Originality/value
The findings of this paper have theoretical implications and make managerial contributions.
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Keywords
Bingjun Li, Shuhua Zhang, Wenyan Li and Yifan Zhang
Grey modeling technique is an important element of grey system theory, and academic articles applied to agricultural science research have been published since 1985, proving the…
Abstract
Purpose
Grey modeling technique is an important element of grey system theory, and academic articles applied to agricultural science research have been published since 1985, proving the broad applicability and effectiveness of the technique from different aspects and providing a new means to solve agricultural science problems. The analysis of the connotation and trend of the application of grey modeling technique in agricultural science research contributes to the enrichment of grey technique and the development of agricultural science in multiple dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the relevant literature selected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Web of Science, SpiScholar and other databases in the past 37 years (1985–2021), this paper firstly applied the bibliometric method to quantitatively visualize and systematically analyze the trend of publication, productive author, productive institution, and highly cited literature. Then, the literature is combed by the application of different grey modeling techniques in agricultural science research, and the literature research progress is systematically analyzed.
Findings
The results show that grey model technology has broad prospects in the field of agricultural science research. Agricultural universities and research institutes are the main research forces in the application of grey model technology in agricultural science research, and have certain inheritance. The application of grey model technology in agricultural science research has wide applicability and precise practicability.
Originality/value
By analyzing and summarizing the application trend of grey model technology in agricultural science research, the research hotspot, research frontier and valuable research directions of grey model technology in agricultural science research can be more clearly grasped.
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Ning Zhao, Hai‐tao Ma and Lai Wang
The paper aims to investigate the interfacial reactions between two Sn‐Cu based multicomponent Pb‐free solders, Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni and Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni‐0.5Au (wt per cent), and Ni…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to investigate the interfacial reactions between two Sn‐Cu based multicomponent Pb‐free solders, Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni and Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni‐0.5Au (wt per cent), and Ni substrates during soldering and aging.
Design/methodology/approach
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to measure the melting behaviors of the solders and determine the temperature of soldering. DSC tests showed that the onset temperature were 227.47 and 224.787°C for Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni and Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni‐0.5Au, respectively. Two intermetallic compounds (IMCs), Cu6Sn5 and (Cu,Ni)6Sn5, were formed in Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni solder. While the IMCs detected in Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni‐0.5Au matrix were (Cu,Ni)6Sn5, (Cu,Au)6Sn5 and (Cu,Ni)6Sn5. The IMC layer formed at the both solder/Ni interfaces was (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 with stick‐lick morphology after soldering at 260°C.
Findings
The interfacial IMC layers became planar when aged at 170°C for 500 h. However, cracks were found in the IMC layers at both joints when the aging time reached 1,000 h, that implies reliability problem may exist in the joints. Moreover, Au‐containing IMCs were found on the top of the IMC layer in Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni‐0.5Au/Ni joint after for 1,000 h.
Originality/value
This study focuses on the interfacial reactions of Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Ni/Ni and Sn‐2Cu‐0.5Au/Ni during soldering and isothermal aging.
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Fuda Ning, Yingbin Hu and Weilong Cong
The purpose of this paper is to identify if the implementation of ultrasonic vibration in laser engineered net shaping (LENS) process can help to reduce internal weaknesses such…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify if the implementation of ultrasonic vibration in laser engineered net shaping (LENS) process can help to reduce internal weaknesses such as porosity, coarse primary TiB whisker and heterogeneous distribution of TiB reinforcement in the LENS-fabricated TiB reinforced Ti matrix composites (TiB-TMC) parts.
Design/methodology/approach
An experimental investigation is performed to achieve the results for comparative studies under different fabrication conditions through quantitative data analysis. An approach of microstructural characterization and mechanical testing is conducted to obtain the output attributes. In addition, the theoretical analysis of the physics of ultrasonic vibration in the melting materials is presented to explain the influences of ultrasonic vibration on the microstructural evolution occurred in the part fabrication.
Findings
Because of the nonlinear effects of acoustic streaming and cavitation induced by ultrasonic vibration, porosity is significantly reduced and a relatively small variation of pore sizes is achieved. Ultrasonic vibration also causes the formation of smaller TiB whiskers that distribute along grain boundaries with a homogeneous dispersion. Additionally, a quasi-continuous network (QCN) microstructure is considerably finer than that produced by LENS process without ultrasonic vibration. The refinements of both reinforcing TiB whiskers and QCN microstructural grains further improve the microhardness of TiB-TMC parts.
Originality/value
The novel ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) LENS process of TiB-TMC is conducted in this work for the first time to improve the process performance and part quality.
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Keywords
Dong Wang, Guoyu Lin, Wei-gong Zhang, Ning Zhao and Han Pang
One of the major shortcomings in the data process of the traditional wheel force transducers (WFTs) is the theoretical errors of initial value determination. A new method to…
Abstract
Purpose
One of the major shortcomings in the data process of the traditional wheel force transducers (WFTs) is the theoretical errors of initial value determination. A new method to identify the initial values of the WFT for the solution of this problem is proposed in this paper. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
With this method, the initial values can be obtained by equations which are established based on multiple stops on horizontal road.
Findings
The calibration and contrast tests on the MTS calibration platform illustrate the better performance with the new method. Moreover, the real vehicle test confirms the effectiveness in practice.
Originality/value
The test results show that the new method of initial calibration has an advanced performance compared to the traditional one. In addition, it is effective in the brake test with a real vehicle.
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Keywords
Ning Zhao, David C. Yen and I‐Chiu Chang
Financial statements are not as important to investors as they once were, as technology has changed the way companies create value today. While these changes pose serious threats…
Abstract
Financial statements are not as important to investors as they once were, as technology has changed the way companies create value today. While these changes pose serious threats to the economic viability of auditing, they also create new opportunities for auditors to pursue. Both the American Institute of Certified of Public Accountants and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) Task Force on Assurance Services have identified continuous auditing as a service that should be offered. Continuous auditing is significantly different from an annual financial statement audit. A latest research report produced by the CICA defines a continuous audit as: “a methodology that enables independent auditors to provide written assurance on a subject matter using a series of auditors’ reports issued simultaneously with, or a short period of time after, the occurrence of events underlying the subject matter.” However, continuous auditing would present significant technical hurdles. These technical hurdles could be overcome if certain conditions exist. Computer‐assisted audit tools (CAATs) are one of the conditions that must exist in order to conduct the continuous auditing. CAATs are defined as computer‐assisted tools that permit auditors to increase their productivity, as well as that of the audit function. Therefore, with the real‐time accounting and electronic data interchange popularizing, CAATs are becoming even more necessary. The demand for timely and forward‐looking information hints that the continuous audit will eventually replace the traditional audit report on year‐end results.
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Saznizam Sazmee Sinoh, Faridah Othman and Zainah Ibrahim
This paper aimed to identify critical success factors (CSFs) of building information modeling (BIM) implementation among architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) firms in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aimed to identify critical success factors (CSFs) of building information modeling (BIM) implementation among architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) firms in Malaysia using quantitative statistical methods.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted on the population of all AEC firms in Malaysia to rank the relative importance of 15 success factors (SFs) for BIM implementation in the firm on a 5-point Likert scale. The sampling frame consisted of all members registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) from which 184 responses were received. The distinction between SFs and CSFs was achieved by a normalized mean cutoff value. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the relative groupings of the CSFs and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine the underlying relationships between the CSF groupings.
Findings
Results of this study validated 11 previously identified CSFs for successful implementation of BIM among Malaysian AEC firms. Non-technical factors such as management, leadership and coordination were found to have higher relevance compared to technical factors such as software and hardware. Ranking analysis of the CSFs found internal coordination factors to have more importance compared to external coordination factors. PCA revealed 4 principal components (PCs) from the 11 CSFs. Together, these four PCs explain 74.3% of the variance in the data. Also, six hypothesized relationships between these groupings were supported using PLS-SEM.
Research limitations/implications
This study found an interaction between internal and external coordination factors for the implementation of BIM. Future research could explore the dynamics of both intra- and inter-firm coordination, which may create an environment suitable for BIM implementation.
Practical implications
This study provides Malaysian AEC firms with a general strategy on how to approach the implementation of BIM within the firm. In addition, government initiatives should focus on increasing BIM competency of graduates entering the workforce. This can be achieved through the development of a national BIM curriculum. Apart from that, the implementation of BIM requires a radical shift in the traditional building delivery process, not just simply acquiring new software and hardware.
Originality/value
This study revealed that the interactions between different firms at the industry level can influence successful implementation of BIM at the firm level. CSFs for BIM implementation at the firm level have been extensively studied. However, few studies exist which explore the inter-firm collaborations at the industry level that facilitate successful BIM implementation.
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