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1 – 9 of 9Tai Wai Kwok, Siwei Chang and Heng Li
The unitized curtain wall system (UCWS), one of the prefabricated technologies, is increasingly attracting attention in the Hong Kong construction industry. However, this…
Abstract
Purpose
The unitized curtain wall system (UCWS), one of the prefabricated technologies, is increasingly attracting attention in the Hong Kong construction industry. However, this innovative technology still lacks on-site implementation in high-rise residential buildings. To promote its development, this study aims at identifying the influential factors of UCWS adoption in Hong Kong's high-rise residential buildings from a multi-stakeholder perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
Factors were first selected through an in-depth literature review and a semi-structured interview. Then the factors were validated through a questionnaire survey using Cronbach's Alpha Reliability Test. Next, the factors were ranked regarding their importance using mean-score ranking and standard deviation. Meanwhile, different stakeholders were clustered using an experimental factor analysis (EFA) model to find the shared preferences (namely common factors).
Findings
The result shows that reduction of construction time (B1) and insufficient site storage area (C1) are the most important factors. The six stakeholder groups were clustered into two segments. B1 and improved quality control are the shared interests. While C1 and the need of specification change are the common concerns.
Originality/value
There are two major breakthroughs in this study. First is the novelty of research objects. UCWS, particularly its application preference in high-rise residential buildings, has rarely been studied, yet it is urgently required. Second is the novel research perspective. The influential factors were studied from a multi-stakeholder perspective. Not only the significant factors for six specific stakeholders but also the shared preference for stakeholder groups was identified. The findings contribute to promoting UCWS more targeted, efficient and comprehensive, as well as demonstrating the collaborative possibilities of multi-stakeholders.
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Tai Wai Kwok, SiWei Chang and Heng Li
The unitized curtain wall system (UCWS), a symbol of modern architecture, is gaining popularity among prefabricated components. Previous studies have focused on both construction…
Abstract
Purpose
The unitized curtain wall system (UCWS), a symbol of modern architecture, is gaining popularity among prefabricated components. Previous studies have focused on both construction technology advances and material selection strategies to facilitate the UCWS. However, the topic of client satisfaction, which drives industry development by targeting clients' demands, has gone unnoticed. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate client satisfaction with UCWS products in Hong Kong by finding its influential factors.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review was employed to first identify the influential factors. A semi-structured interview was employed to validate the reliability of the extracted factors. The machine learning algorithm Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and the Pearson correlation were then employed to rank the importance and correlation of factors based on the 1–5 Likert scale scores obtained through a questionnaire survey.
Findings
The findings revealed that “reduction in construction time” and “reduction in construction waste” are the most important factors and have a strong positive influence on client satisfaction.
Originality/value
Unlike previous studies, the present study focused on a novel research topic and introduces an objective analysis process using machine learning algorithms. The findings contribute to narrowing the knowledge gap regarding client preference for UCWS products from both individual and collaborative perspectives, providing decision-makers with an objective, quantitative and thorough reference before making investments in the curtain wall management development.
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Ming Fung Francis Siu, Joseph Lai, Yi Sun and Michael Anson
Qiang Sun, Quantong Jiang, Siwei Wu, Chang Liu, Heng Tang, L. Song, Hao Shi, Jizhou Duan and BaoRong Hou
The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of ZnO on the structure and properties of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating on rare earth magnesium alloy under large…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of ZnO on the structure and properties of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating on rare earth magnesium alloy under large concentration gradient.
Design/methodology/approach
The macroscopic and microscopic morphology, thickness, surface roughness, chemical composition and structure of the coating were characterized by different characterization methods. The corrosion resistance of the film was studied by electrochemical and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy. The results show that the addition of ZnO can significantly improve the compactness and corrosion resistance of the MAO coating, but the high concentration of ZnO will cause microcracks, which will reduce the corrosion resistance to a certain extent.
Findings
When the concentration of zinc oxide is 8 g/L, the compactness and corrosion resistance of the coating are the best, and the thickness of the coating is positively correlated with the concentration of ZnO.
Research limitations/implications
Too high concentration of ZnO reduces the performance of MAO coating.
Practical implications
The MAO coating prepared by adding ZnO has good corrosion resistance. Combined with organic coatings, it can be applied in corrosive marine environments, such as ship parts and hulls. To a certain extent, it can reduce the economic loss caused by corrosion.
Originality/value
The effect of ZnO on the corrosion resistance of MAO coating in electrolyte solution was studied systematically, and the conclusion was new to the common knowledge.
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Xin Li, Siwei Wang, Xue Lu and Fei Guo
This paper aims to explore the impact of green finance on the heterogeneity of enterprise green technology innovation and the underlying mechanism between them.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the impact of green finance on the heterogeneity of enterprise green technology innovation and the underlying mechanism between them.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the data of China's A-share listed enterprises from 2008 to 2020 and the fixed effect model, the authors empirically explore the relationship and mechanism between green finance and green technology innovation by constructing the green finance index while considering both the quality and quantity of innovation.
Findings
The study suggests that green finance is positively related to the quality and quantity of enterprise green technology innovation, while green finance is more effective in stimulating the quality of green technology innovation than quantity. In addition, alleviating financial mismatch and improving the quality of environmental information disclosure are core mechanisms during the process of green finance facilitating green technology innovation. Furthermore, green finance exerts a more positive effect on the quality and quantity of green technology innovation with large-size enterprises, heavily polluting industries and enterprises in the eastern region.
Originality/value
This paper enriches the literature on green finance and green technology innovation and provides practical significance for green finance implementation.
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Fen Peng, Wensheng Liu, Yunzhu Ma, Chaoping Liang, Yufeng Huang and Siwei Tang
To explore substitutes for traditional Sn-Pb solder, Sn-20In-2.8Ag was considered because of its appropriate melting temperature, good reliability and high ductility at less than…
Abstract
Purpose
To explore substitutes for traditional Sn-Pb solder, Sn-20In-2.8Ag was considered because of its appropriate melting temperature, good reliability and high ductility at less than 100°C. However, the mechanical properties of Sn-20In-2.8Ag were not satisfactory. The reason for the poor mechanical properties of the Sn-20In-2.8Ag/Cu joint was revealed, and a way to solve the problem was found.
Design/methodology/approach
The microstructure evolution, characteristics of melting and solidification and joining performance with Cu were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and mechanical testing.
Findings
SEM results showed that the microstructure of Sn-20In-2.8Ag was composed of coarse dendritic Ag2In and γ phases, with Ag2In distributed at the grain boundaries. DSC measurements revealed that small amount of low temperature eutectic reaction, L → Ag2In + β + γ, occurred at 112.9°C. This reaction was caused by the segregation of indium, which is a process that has a strong driving force. In the lap-shear testing, a crack propagated along the grain boundary of the solder, and failure showed an intergranular fracture. This failure was connected with the three-phase eutectic and coarse Ag2In. Thus, to improve the mechanical properties, segregation of indium should be reduced and coarsening of Ag2In should be prevented.
Originality/value
The reason for the unsatisfactory mechanical properties of Sn-20In-2.8Ag was revealed via microstructural observations and solidification analysis, and the way to solve this problem was found.
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This study aims to understand the epistemic foundation of the classification applied in the first Chinese library catalogue, the Seven Epitomes (Qilue).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand the epistemic foundation of the classification applied in the first Chinese library catalogue, the Seven Epitomes (Qilue).
Design/methodology/approach
Originating from a theoretical stance that situates knowledge organization in its social context, the study applies a multifaceted framework pertaining to five categories of textual data: the Seven Epitomes; biographical information about the classificationist Liu Xin; and the relevant intellectual, political, and technological history.
Findings
The study discovers seven principles contributing to the epistemic foundation of the catalogue's classification: the Han imperial library collection imposed as the literary warrant; government functions considered for structuring texts; classicist morality determining the main classificatory structure; knowledge perceived and organized as a unity; objects, rather than subjects, of concern affecting categories at the main class level; correlative thinking connecting all text categories to a supreme knowledge embodied by the Six Classics; and classicist moral values resulting in both vertical and horizontal hierarchies among categories as well as texts.
Research limitations/implications
A major limitation of the study is its focus on the main classes, with limited attention to subclasses. Future research can extend the analysis to examine subclasses of the same scheme. Findings from these studies may lead to a comparison between the epistemic approach in the target classification and the analytic one common in today's bibliographic classification.
Originality/value
The study is the first to examine in depth the epistemic foundation of traditional Chinese bibliographic classification, anchoring the classification in its appropriate social and historical context.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the uniqueness of management development in China during 1990 and 2010 as represented by the MBA education, and to explore its successes…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the uniqueness of management development in China during 1990 and 2010 as represented by the MBA education, and to explore its successes and challenges in the Chinese transitioning context.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopted an approach that integrated content analysis of literature, historical data and interviews.
Findings
It was found that successful practices such as the National MBA Education Supervisory Committee, the top‐down approach by the government, the emphasis on international collaborations and faculty development, national MBA entrance examinations, and other related measures have maintained the MBA education system on its current development course, while challenges from the ever‐changing context, the balance between internationalization and localization, curriculum design with the Chinese characteristics will continue to shape the future of MBA education in China.
Practical implications
Copying from others for management development in the initial stage may be feasible, but it is the localization that ensures flexibility and sustainability.
Originality/value
There has been insufficient systematic assessment of MBA education in China. This paper examined MBA practices and challenges in the past two decades of development and offers policy implications for future program development.
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