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1 – 10 of over 6000Sifeng Liu, Qi Li and Yingjie Yang
The purpose of this paper is to present a novel synthetic index of two counts and mathematical model for researcher evaluation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a novel synthetic index of two counts and mathematical model for researcher evaluation.
Design/methodology/approach
A synthetic index L for researcher evaluation considering both the total number of other citations (C) and nonacademic impact (I) and a synthetic evaluation model are proposed in this paper. C and I are verified impact indexes. According to investigation by Delphi method, researchers are divided into five different classes of “below average,” “average,” “good,” “excellent” and “stellar.” The threshold values for counts C of grey class “stellar” are determined by deep investigation. The possibility functions of the two counts C and I on four grey classes of “below average,” “average,” “good” and “excellent” are built.
Findings
The novel synthetic index of two counts and mathematical model for researcher evaluation provide a better way to conduct researcher assessment.
Practical implications
The synthetic index L presented in this paper can be used to evaluate a researcher. It's more reasonable than the current research assessment indexes such as the number of publications and the numbers of so-called high-quality journal publications and the amount of granted funds and so on. The synthetic index L reflects the actual value created by a researcher. No artificial maneuver can change them significantly.
Originality/value
A synthetic index L for researcher evaluation considering both the total number of other citations (C) and nonacademic impact (I) and a synthetic evaluation model are proposed in this paper.
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Hongxia Tong, Jian Cao, ShenSheng Zhang and Yujie Mou
This paper aims to define an extended QoS model to accurately describe the quality of web service in the open distributed environment and propose a fuzzy evaluation approach for…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to define an extended QoS model to accurately describe the quality of web service in the open distributed environment and propose a fuzzy evaluation approach for services selection based on the extended QoS model.
Design/methodology/approach
The extended QoS model classifies the quality criteria of web service as five composite quality criteria, and each composite quality criterion is composed by one or more sub‐quality criteria. Considering the multiple forms of representation for the quality criteria and different types of quality value could not be compared directly, a scaling fuzzy measure for quality criteria is introduced. Based on the scaling fuzzy measure of the quality criteria, a fuzzy synthetic evaluation system for services selection is proposed.
Findings
The quality of web service has multiple facets and multiple forms of representation. The fuzzy synthetic evaluation system can deal well with the fuzzy and implicit concepts about quality evaluations and provides higher expressive force and adaptability.
Research limitations/implications
The quality of service in this paper is static preset.
Originality/value
The extended QoS model and the synthetic fuzzy evaluation system cover the shortage of the related researches and lay the foundations for QoS‐oriented service description and services selection.
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Zongyun Song, Jian Zhang, XInli Xiao and Dongxiao Niu
To improve power system peak dispatching ability, connecting energy-storage device such as electric vehicle (EV) and regenerative electric heater (REH) to power grid is a good…
Abstract
Purpose
To improve power system peak dispatching ability, connecting energy-storage device such as electric vehicle (EV) and regenerative electric heater (REH) to power grid is a good choice.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper establishes a multi-energy combined peak dispatching system MCPDS which includes EV, REH and wind power. The matter-element extension model based on improved variable weight theory is applied to evaluate MCPDS synthetic benefit.
Findings
The research shows that the MCPDS established in this paper performs excellently in security benefit, economic benefit, social benefit and environmental benefit.
Originality/value
With the assistance of energy storage devices such as EV and REH, the electrical system peak dispatching ability and power system operation efficiency has improved. More devices with energy-storage ability should be introduced into electrical power system to improve its synthetic benefit.
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Daniel W.M. Chan, Joseph H.L. Chan and Tony Ma
This paper aims to develop a fuzzy risk assessment model for construction projects procured with target cost contracts and guaranteed maximum price contracts (TCC/GMP) using the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a fuzzy risk assessment model for construction projects procured with target cost contracts and guaranteed maximum price contracts (TCC/GMP) using the fuzzy synthetic evaluation method, based on an empirical questionnaire survey with relevant industrial practitioners in South Australia.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 34 major risk factors inherent with TCC/GMP contracts were identified through an extensive literature review and a series of structured interviews. A questionnaire survey was then launched to solicit the opinions of industrial practitioners on risk assessment of such risk factors.
Findings
The most important 14 key risk factors after the computation of normalised values were selected for undertaking fuzzy evaluation analysis. Five key risk groups (KRGs) were then generated in descending order of importance as: physical risks, lack of experience of contracting parties throughout TCC/GMP procurement process, design risks, contractual risks and delayed payment on contracts. These survey findings also revealed that physical risks may be the major hurdle to the success of TCC/GMP projects in South Australia.
Practical implications
Although the fuzzy risk assessment model was developed for those new-build construction projects procured by TCC/GMP contracts in this paper, the same research methodology may be applied to other contracts within the wide spectrum of facilities management or building maintenance services under the target cost-based model. Therefore, the contribution from this paper could be extended to the discipline of facilities management as well.
Originality/value
An overall risk index associated with TCC/GMP construction projects and the risk indices of individual KRGs can be generated from the model for reference. An objective and a holistic assessment can be achieved. The model has provided a solid platform to measure, evaluate and reduce the risk levels of TCC/GMP projects based on objective evidence instead of subjective judgements. The research methodology could be replicated in other countries or regions to produce similar models for international comparisons, and the assessment of risk levels for different types of TCC/GMP projects (including new-build or maintenance) worldwide.
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Joseph H.L. Chan, Daniel W.M. Chan, Albert P.C. Chan, Patrick T.I. Lam and John F.Y. Yeung
The purpose of this paper is to develop a fuzzy risk assessment model for construction projects procured with target cost contracts (TCC) and guaranteed maximum price (GMP…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a fuzzy risk assessment model for construction projects procured with target cost contracts (TCC) and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contracts using factor analysis (FA) and fuzzy synthetic evaluation method, based on an empirical questionnaire survey with relevant industrial practitioners in Hong Kong.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 34 key risk factors (RFs) inherent with TCC/GMP contracts were identified through an extensive literature review and a series of structured interviews. A questionnaire survey was then launched to solicit the opinions of industrial practitioners on risk assessment of such RFs.
Findings
The most important 17 principal RFs after the calculation of normalised values were selected for undertaking FA. Five principal risk groups (PRGs) were then generated in descending order of importance as: design risks, pre‐contract risks, economic and financial risks, lack of experience in TCC/GMP procurement process and post‐contract risks. These survey findings also reveal that design risks may be the major hurdle to the success of TCC/GMP projects in Hong Kong.
Originality/value
An overall risk index (ORI) associated with TCC/GMP construction projects and the risk indices of individual PRGs can be generated from the model for reference. An objective and reliable assessment can be achieved. The model provides a solid platform to measure, evaluate and reduce the risk levels of TCC/GMP projects based on objective evidence instead of subjective judgments. The research methodology could be replicated in other countries or regions to produce similar models for international comparisons and the assessment of risk levels for different types of TCC/GMP projects worldwide.
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Corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance is critical to address construction activities’ environmental and social impacts. This study aims to evaluate the level of CSR…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance is critical to address construction activities’ environmental and social impacts. This study aims to evaluate the level of CSR implementation across various categories within the context of the Vietnamese construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The literature review and semi-structured interviews were conducted to determine Vietnamese construction organizations’ most commonly implemented CSR activities. A total of 252 valid responses were then obtained through a questionnaire survey. In addition, the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method was used to evaluate the extent to which CSR categories have been implemented in construction companies.
Findings
The findings revealed 31 commonly implemented CSR activities of the Vietnamese construction firms, which were grouped into four categories. Of the four categories, the FSE analysis showed that stakeholder CSR was the most critical category, followed by ethical CSR, philanthropic CSR and environmental CSR.
Originality/value
This research provides valuable CSR activities to construction companies that intend to develop sustainably. Moreover, the proposed prioritization methodology offers practitioners a reliable and easy-to-use evaluation tool that clearly understands CSR performance within their organizations.
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Ernest Effah Ameyaw, Albert P.C. Chan, De-Graft Owusu-Manu and Ekow Coleman
The purpose of this paper is to identify and then evaluate perceived risk factors influencing variability between contract sum and final count, and to develop a fuzzy risk…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify and then evaluate perceived risk factors influencing variability between contract sum and final count, and to develop a fuzzy risk assessment model for evaluating the overall impact of established critical risk factors impacting on variability between contract sum and final account in government-funded construction projects. Construction projects are characterised by risk factors that significantly impact on variability between the contract sum and final account.
Design/methodology/approach
A research approach integrating questionnaire survey, mean scoring ranking and principal component factor analysis (PCFA) methods was adopted to evaluate and classify the critical risk factors. A fuzzy synthetic evaluation method was sequentially applied to compute the overall risk impact (ORI) of eight critical risk factors’ impact on variability between contract sum and final account.
Findings
Initial results showed that eight critical risk factors have high impact on variations between contract sum and final account, namely (in order): project funding problems, underestimation of quantities, variations by client, change in scope of works, inadequate specification, change in design by client, defects in design and unexpected site (ground) conditions. PCFA produced two factor solutions: “professional-related factors” and “client factors”. The fuzzy model further showed that the ORI is 5.48, indicating that these risk factors have a high impact on variability between contract sum and final account in public construction projects. The client factors have a very high impact (5.59), while the professional-related factors indicated a high impact (5.41) on project cost variability.
Originality/value
A practical model is proposed to evaluate the key risks associated with cost overruns in public projects. By giving effective and sustained attention to these factors, variability between contract sum and final account, a common situation in Ghana, can be controlled to achieve cost savings in public infrastructure projects.
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Mazen M. Omer, Tirivavi Moyo, Ahmad Rizal Alias and Rahimi A. Rahman
This study aims to develop workplace well-being indexes for construction sites of different project types (infrastructure, high-rise and low-rise). Accordingly, the study…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop workplace well-being indexes for construction sites of different project types (infrastructure, high-rise and low-rise). Accordingly, the study objectives are to identify the critical factors that affect workplace well-being at construction sites, compare the critical factors between different project types, categorize the critical factors into subgroups and compute indexes for the critical factors and subgroups.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with construction industry professionals were used to extract 19 potential factors that affect workplace well-being. Then, a structured questionnaire survey was distributed, and 169 valid responses were collected. Finally, the data were analyzed using normalized mean analysis, agreement analysis, factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
Findings
The study findings revealed that there are 11, 11, 8 and 12 critical factors across overall infrastructure, high-rise and low-rise construction projects. Out of those, six critical factors are overlapping across project types, including “general safety and health monitoring,” “salary package,” “timeline of salary payment,” “working hours,” “communication between workers” and “planning of the project.” Accordingly, the critical factors can be categorized into two subgroups within each project type. Finally, the development of indexes shows that infrastructure construction projects have the greatest index compared to other project types.
Originality/value
This study contributes to filling the current knowledge gap by developing workplace well-being indexes at construction sites across different project types. The indexes would assist decision-makers in understanding the current state of workplace well-being. This increases the commitment and recognition of well-being across different construction project types.
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During the service condition of residential constructions with concrete structure, the influence of inside and exterior factors will result in different degrees of harm to…
Abstract
Purpose
During the service condition of residential constructions with concrete structure, the influence of inside and exterior factors will result in different degrees of harm to concrete engineering. Therefore, it is very necessary to continue engineering work toward the concrete structure. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the factors on the comprehensive performance of the concrete structure engineering.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying a mathematics method to establish the comprehensive evaluation model of the concrete structure engineering performance, qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted for reinforced concrete structural performance analysis.
Findings
The key to a safe construction project is to require all bidders to submit a written safety plan with their bids. The instruction to bidders must include guidelines for an acceptable safety plan and state clearly that the substance of the safety plan will be reviewed, and its adequacy will be a determining factor in who shall be selected as the contractor.
Originality/value
Based on the characteristics of concrete structure, applying the analytic hierarchy process to evaluate the concrete structure engineering comprehensive performance, an evaluation index system was built. The research combines quantitative method with qualitative method evaluation was made.
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Hamid Nayebpour and Mohsen Nazem Bokaei
The purpose of this paper is to present a new technique for the determination of effective criteria weight on satisfaction using genetic algorithm and fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a new technique for the determination of effective criteria weight on satisfaction using genetic algorithm and fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
Design/methodology/approach
The weight values express the relative importance of criteria. In most of research works, weight values depend heavily on expert knowledge, and customer’s perspective have not been considered. The proposed approach determines the criteria weight on satisfaction using genetic algorithm and fuzzy synthetic evaluation considering Euclidean distance between the computed overall satisfaction evaluation and the surveyed overall satisfaction evaluation.
Findings
The research findings show that different segments of customer have various needs and explain causes of various needs in customers using genetic algorithm and fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
Originality/value
The value of the paper is in it using a new approach in order to determine the weight of criteria. The main advantage of proposed approach is that it will help managers and researchers to determine the weight of criteria on satisfaction, and this process will no longer just rely on expert knowledge.
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