Search results

1 – 10 of 453
Article
Publication date: 10 August 2010

Xiaopan Zhang, Xide Fu and Xiaohui Yuan

The purpose of this paper is to propose a rolling horizon procedure (RHP) to deal with the large‐scale and strongly NP‐hard problem on cooperative lockage‐timetables and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a rolling horizon procedure (RHP) to deal with the large‐scale and strongly NP‐hard problem on cooperative lockage‐timetables and service‐policies of the five locks in the Three Gorges Project.

Design/methodology/approach

RHP based approach is composed of a series of periodical short‐time sub‐optimizations instead of global optimization. Each of the sub‐optimizations is modeled by a mixed‐integer‐programming and solved by a branch and bound algorithm with terminal penalty.

Findings

The RHP method is found to be effective and efficient. The size of the rolling horizon is positively correlated to the total weighted area of ships.

Research limitations/implications

Precision of short‐time predictions is the main limitation.

Originality/value

This procedure promotes the navigation capacity of the Three Gorges Project and proposes a solution to the lockage‐scheduling problem of the Three Gorges Project.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 39 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 August 2012

Jun Zhang, Zuqiang Liu, Yanjie Liu and Yong Liu

The purpose of this paper is to apply grey statistical model to identify and classify live fault rupture.

184

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply grey statistical model to identify and classify live fault rupture.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on grey statistical mode, this paper uses eight faults' ripping speed observation data from 1997 to 2001, according to the grey statistics method for analysis, and recognizes active fault rupture situation. Using the conventional methods, namely taking all faults monitoring stations' average dislocation rate to analysis and make judgment, the average results are obtained.

Findings

The results show that the results are closer to reality because the grey statistical evaluation method has considered dislocation rate and other discrete factors.

Practical implications

The method exposed in the paper can be used to monitor and recognize live fault rupture in earthquake prediction.

Originality/value

According to the fault dislocation rate, this paper advances active fault rupture identification and classification method based on grey statistical model.

Article
Publication date: 6 May 2014

C.L. Kappagomtula

Out of all the countries that rose in a mercurial fashion, after the Second World War, the People ' s Republic of China (in short, China) has emerged as an all-pervasive…

Abstract

Purpose

Out of all the countries that rose in a mercurial fashion, after the Second World War, the People ' s Republic of China (in short, China) has emerged as an all-pervasive dominant nation in the world. It has been giving a stiff competition to the well-developed western nations in all facets of its national growth. Despite the fact that work extracted under duress will not excel in qualitative terms, almost all the large projects that the country has undertaken have been of spectacular success raising every nation ' s eyebrows. At the same time, it is very glaring to note, that despite India too enjoying similar infrastructure growth facilities, and as the other fastest growing economy of the world, has not been able to keep pace with China ' s growth in equal proportions. In order to unearth the causal factors which are aiding China, when compared with its nearest rival India, for its major successes in implementing large infrastructure projects, an empirical, investigative study has been undertaken by the Author. The study spanned nearly 20 years. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical study which is the first of its kind to probe into both China and India to compare the success outcomes for large projects. The methodology used was unstructured interviews and administration of a scheduled instrument designed for the study – bilingual (English/Chinese) for the Chinese population and in English for Indian population.

Findings

The study has revealed that, given the same kind of infrastructure facilities for both China and India, China has been able to move their projects onto successful completion, almost staying within the time and cost resources. However, in India, as is the case in most of the other nations of the world, there has always been both time and cost over-runs. The empirical findings conclusively prove that three sociocultural factors in China play a significant role in determining the success outcomes of Chinese projects.

Research limitations/implications

China being a staunchly communistic country, with a close-knit society operating, gaining access to investigative research information has been really challenging for the author. Gaining access to sample populations has been a daunting task, and the researcher had to first get into the “out-group” of the Chinese “wu lun” relationship to elicit responses from an ethnic Chinese sample population.

Practical implications

Being an empirically proven study, the results have wider ramifications for all global nations, especially in knowing why the Chinese are more successful in all their large projects? The study opens up new vistas to other global nations who can emulate the Chinese model of project management. Further, the study also throws open the doors for exploratory as well as post-doctoral research studies in this area.

Originality/value

This is a maiden empirical study in China and in India. Wide-ranging investigative studies may follow, once this study ' s results are widely disseminated to the world. The author feels that the Chinese model when adopted by other countries in the world may result in both time and cost savings for projects. This may in turn result in increased economic benefits to those nations.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-3162

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 September 2005

320

Abstract

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Article
Publication date: 30 March 2012

Wei‐Wei Wu, Bo Yu and Chong Wu

The purpose of this paper is to investigate two issues: understanding how Chinese equipment manufacturing firms can achieve successful independent innovation; and studying the…

3395

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate two issues: understanding how Chinese equipment manufacturing firms can achieve successful independent innovation; and studying the roles of technology management (TM) and technological capability (TC) in independent innovation. The paper will develop a new model for independent innovation for China's equipment manufacturing firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews literature related to independent innovation models, then develops a theoretical framework combining and integrating research from different fields. First, it examines how indexes of independent innovation are defined from the perspectives of technology, patents, standard, R&D and the market. Second, technology management and technological capability are interpreted. Third, relationships among TM, TC, and independent innovation are theoretically analyzed and discussed. Based on these, the paper conducts an in‐depth case study of Harbin Electric Corporation to explain how independent innovation is achieved from perspectives of TM and TC. Finally, the paper constructs and discusses the double helix model of TC and TM for independent innovation.

Findings

The paper finds that: technology management and technological capability both exert important influences on successful independent innovation; the improvement of TC follows cyclical steps of acquisition, assimilation and improvement, and TM is promoted by reforming and updating strategy management, organization management, regulation management and resource‐quality management; TM and TC have interactive effects; and TM and TC are coupled in the form of a double helix to realize independent innovation.

Originality/value

The paper provides new aspects of technology management, technological capability and their interaction to deconstruct independent innovation. The paper also offers insights in presenting a detailed case study of on‐the‐ground innovation and upgrading in China.

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 October 1999

203

Abstract

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 2 August 2006

Lei Xie and Arthur P.J. Mol

This chapter explores the characteristics of emerging environmental movement organizations in China, and more specifically the role of guanxi – or personal networks – in Chinese…

Abstract

This chapter explores the characteristics of emerging environmental movement organizations in China, and more specifically the role of guanxi – or personal networks – in Chinese environmental activism. While organizational networks of environmental NGOs are still weak in Chinese environmental activism, personal networks of environmental activists are instrumental in building the first sprouts of a green civil society. We explore this via an in-depth case study of relatively successful environmental activism to halt the construction of a number of hydro-electric projects on the Nu River. The case study illustrates that in China, more so than in western countries, informal personal networks, rather than formal organizational networks, play a crucial role in the organization and success of contemporary environmental campaigns. This is partly explained by the immature environmental movement, and partly by the specifics of Chinese social networks.

Details

Community and Ecology
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-410-2

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2010

Qianjin Dong, Xueshan Ai, Guangjing Cao, Yanmin Zhang and Xianjia Wang

The purpose of this paper is to obtain risk indicators of water security of drought periods in which the indices of reliability, resiliency, and vulnerability are integrated.

687

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain risk indicators of water security of drought periods in which the indices of reliability, resiliency, and vulnerability are integrated.

Design/methodology/approach

It is not reasonable that weight coefficients of different risk indices are often determined subjectively in conventional procedures, so the entropy weight method is introduced and chosen to solve the problem. Entropy weight method can get the weight coefficients of different risk indices objectively and is valid from the case study.

Findings

The feasibility and validity of entropy weight methods to determine weight coefficients of different risk indices objectively are recognized.

Research limitations/implications

Accessibility and availability of data are the main limitations.

Practical implications

The paper provides a more objective risk indicator of water security of drought periods for water resources managers.

Originality/value

This paper determines the weight coefficients of different risk indices for risk assessment of water security of drought periods based on hazard entropy. The paper is aimed at water resources managers and relative researchers, especially those who deal with risk assessment of water security of drought periods.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 39 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 18 February 2013

Lilach Nachum and Michael Schmid

Purpose – We seek explanation for the existence of international activity in industries whose characteristics provide conflicting rationales for international expansion. In such…

Abstract

Purpose – We seek explanation for the existence of international activity in industries whose characteristics provide conflicting rationales for international expansion. In such industries, the competitive value of some industrial characteristics is magnified by international expansion, whereas the value of others is undermined by these moves. The tension is amplified in the presence of sustainability concerns and the quest for meeting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals.Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on case studies of the world's largest multinational enterprise (MNE) producers of hydropower plant equipment, which provide representative examples of MNEs in renewable energy industries. We examine the strategic balances that these MNEs strike to deal with the conflicting pressure of international strategy and their performance outcomes.Findings – The insights we generate from the case studies suggest that there might be plural ways to successfully address such tensions, and firms’ histories and competitive advantages shape the choices they make in the face of these conflicts.Implications – Our contribution is of notable merits in the contemporary world whereby the pressure for international expansion extends to industries whose characteristics both favour and inhibit international activity. We outline the distinctive impact that sustainability concerns have in this tension.Originality/value of chapter – Our study serves to deepen the understanding of international activity in the renewable energy sector, a relatively understudied sector, whose significance in the world economy and in international business is growing rapidly. It is novel in extending the tension of international activity to include sustainability and CSR concerns.

Details

International Business, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-625-5

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 January 2023

Pengcheng Xiang, Xin Xia and Xianya Pang

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel integrated risk assessment method from the system perspective to evaluate the risk of the cross-regional mega construction project

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel integrated risk assessment method from the system perspective to evaluate the risk of the cross-regional mega construction project (CMCP). Furthermore, this paper aims to confirm the core risk source factors and refine the risk management strategies of CMCPs through a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the analysis of the risk system of CMCPs, the concept model and risk assessment principles of integrated risk assessment were confirmed. The risk source factors and project objectives of the CMCP were identified from a literature review, export interview and case analysis. According to the vulnerability theory, the integrated risk assessment model was developed by involving vulnerabilities, threats, objectives and interaction of those factors synthetically. Then, ZW high-speed railway from China was analyzed to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Findings

As a result, 12 threat factors and 12 vulnerability factors were identified. Based on the case study, the main external threat comes from T13 (conflicts of interest between local governments) and T23 (harsh natural environment); the most easily exploited internal vulnerabilities were V11 (complexity of technology), V13 (lack of experience in technical application), V21 (inadequate experience) and V23 (lack of interest coordination mechanism). Moreover, the economic objective was most affected.

Practical implications

It is essential to develop an interest coordination mechanism for CMCPs. The harsh natural environment is a critical factor, but it also promotes technological innovation and iteration. Public opinions in different regions are critical for CMCPs, and more emphasis should be placed on public opinion surveys of CMCPs. Moreover, diverse and flexible environmental protection strategies should apply in CMCPs.

Originality/value

This research has the following three contributions. First, based on vulnerability theory, an integrated risk assessment approach of CMCPs is developed, which enriches the risk measurement method system and provides inspiration for future research on risk in the construction industry. Second, the risk sources of CMCPs are identified from the perspective of vulnerability and threat to provide clear guidance for the risk management of CMCPs. Third, the core risk source factors and management strategies confirmed by the case study will be beneficial for various governments in different regions and project managers to optimize the project management scheme, as they are transferable management experiences.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

1 – 10 of 453