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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2021

Yan Liu

As a failure analysis emphasizing school leadership in underprivileged schools serving socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority students, the study is interested in…

Abstract

Purpose

As a failure analysis emphasizing school leadership in underprivileged schools serving socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority students, the study is interested in determining whether and to what extent variations in distributed leadership (DL) practices are related to student performance through the mediating effects of four-path variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This research conducted secondary data analysis using the 2015 PISA American data. The study employed factor analysis and structural equation models (SEMs) to investigate multidimensional associations among a set of variables, including school socioeconomic status (SES), student composition, DL practices, school four-path factors and student performance. The research used a design-based resampling approach with balanced repeated replication (BRR) weights to analyze the complex survey data.

Findings

The results indicate that, within a DL framework, teacher leadership in instructional management is positively and directly related to student performance. Governing board leadership in school administration is indirectly related to student performance through four-path variables' mediating effects. Importantly, though the two leadership sources help improve student performance, they are less prevalent in underprivileged schools with disproportional minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

Originality/value

This research is a failure analysis through the lens of DL for underprivileged schools. The study used rigorous quantitative approaches and examined multidimensional associations among school socioeconomic status (SES), DL, school factors that school leaders could maneuver and student performance. The evidence sheds light on remedial actions in failed schools to focus on improving teacher leadership and organizational capacity.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 59 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 October 2024

Xian Zheng, Yiling Huang, Yan Liu, Zhong Zhang, Yongkui Li and Hang Yan

As the complex influencing factors for financing decisions and limited information at the early project stage often render inappropriate financing mode and scheme (FMS) selection…

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Abstract

Purpose

As the complex influencing factors for financing decisions and limited information at the early project stage often render inappropriate financing mode and scheme (FMS) selection in the large-scale urban rail transit (URT) field, this study aims to identify the multiple influencing factors and establish a revised case-based reasoning (CBR) model by drawing on experience in historical URT projects to provide support for effective FMS decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Our research proposes a two-phase, five-step CBR model for FMS decisions. We first establish a case database containing 116 large-scale URT projects and a multi-attribute FMS indicator system. Meanwhile, grey relational analysis (GRA), the entropy-revised G1 method and the time decay function have been employed to precisely revise the simple CBR model for selecting high-similarity cases. Then, the revised CBR model is verified by nine large-scale URT projects and a demonstration project to prove its decision accuracy and effectiveness.

Findings

We construct a similarity case indicator system of large-scale URT projects with 11 indicators across three attributes, in which local government fiscal pressure is considered the most influential indicator for FMS decision-making. Through the verification with typical URT projects, the accuracy of our revised CBR model can reach 89%. The identified high-similarity cases have been confirmed to be effective for recommending appropriate financing schemes matched with a specific financing mode.

Originality/value

This is the first study employing the CBR model, an artificial intelligence approach that simulates human cognition by learning from similar past experiences and cases to enhance the accuracy and reliability of FMS decisions. Based on the characteristics of the URT projects, we revise the CBR model in the case retrieval process to achieve a higher accuracy. The revised CBR model utilizes expert experience and historical information to provide a valuable auxiliary tool for guiding the relevant government departments in making systematic decisions at the early project stage with limited and ambiguous project information.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2020

Yingbo Ji, Kai Qi, Yuan Qi, Yan Li, Hong Xian Li, Zhen Lei and Yan Liu

This research aims to propose a comparative environmental analysis of conventional and prefabricated construction techniques utilizing a building information modelling (BIM…

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Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to propose a comparative environmental analysis of conventional and prefabricated construction techniques utilizing a building information modelling (BIM) technique.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of indicators are selected to assess the environmental emissions throughout the construction life cycle, based on BIM platform. An existing project involving ten apartment buildings in Shanghai is selected as a case study.

Findings

The results reveal that prefabricated construction demonstrates environment-friendly performance with some exceptions of acidification and mineral resource consumption. Environmental impacts can also be further reduced by increasing the projected area ratio and percentage of project prefabrication.

Originality/value

Overall, the proposed method can be used to identify relevant environmental merits and for decision-making of appropriate construction techniques in building construction projects.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 27 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 September 2019

Davood Darvishi, Jeffrey Forrest and Sifeng Liu

Ranking and comparing grey numbers represent a very important decision-making procedure in any given grey environment. The purpose of this paper is to study the existing…

Abstract

Purpose

Ranking and comparing grey numbers represent a very important decision-making procedure in any given grey environment. The purpose of this paper is to study the existing approaches of ordering interval grey numbers in the context of decision making by surveying existing definitions.

Design/methodology/approach

Different methods developed for comparing grey numbers are presented along with their disadvantages and advantages in terms of comparison outcomes. Practical examples are employed to show the importance and necessity of using appropriate methods to compare grey numbers.

Findings

Most the available methods are not suitable for pointing out which number is larger when the nuclei of the grey numbers of concern are the same. Also, these available methods are also considered in terms of partial order and total order. Kernel and degree of greyness of grey numbers method is more advantageous than other methods and almost eliminates the shortcomings of other methods.

Originality/value

Different methods for ranking grey numbers are presented where each of them has disadvantages and advantages. By using different methods, grey interval numbers are compared and the results show that some methods cannot make grey number comparisons in some situations. The authors intend to find a method that can compare grey numbers in any situation. The findings of this research can prevent errors that may occur based on inaccurate comparisons of grey numbers in decision making. There are various research studies on the comparison of grey numbers, but there is no research on the comparison of these methods and their disadvantages, advantages or their total or partial order.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2024

Yanping Liu, Bo Yan and Xiaoxu Chen

This paper studies the optimal decision-making and coordination problem of a dual-channel fresh agricultural product (FAP) supply chain. The purpose is to analyze the impact of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper studies the optimal decision-making and coordination problem of a dual-channel fresh agricultural product (FAP) supply chain. The purpose is to analyze the impact of information sharing on optimal decisions and propose a coordination mechanism to encourage supply chain members to share information.

Design/methodology/approach

The two-echelon dual-channel FAP supply chain includes a manufacturer and a retailer. By using the Stackelberg game theory and the backward induction method, the optimal decisions are obtained under information symmetry and asymmetry and the coordination contract is designed.

Findings

The results show that supply chain members should comprehensively evaluate the specific situation of product attributes, coefficient of freshness-keeping cost and network operating costs to make decisions. Asymmetric information can exacerbate the deviation of optimal decisions among supply chain members and information sharing is always beneficial to manufacturers but not to retailers. The improved revenue-sharing and cost-sharing contract is an effective coordination mechanism.

Practical implications

The conclusions can provide theoretical guidance for supply chain managers to deal with information asymmetry and improve the competitiveness of the supply chain.

Originality/value

This paper combines the three characteristics that are most closely related to the reality of supply chains, including horizontal and vertical competition of different channels, the perishable characteristics of FAPs and the uncertainty generated by asymmetric demand information.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 52 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2022

Yan Liu and Yan Wang

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the growth behavior of fatigue cracks on bionic coupling surface of vermicular cast iron.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the growth behavior of fatigue cracks on bionic coupling surface of vermicular cast iron.

Design/methodology/approach

The thermal fatigue cyclic experiments were carried out on the bionic specimens processed by laser bionic treatment, in which the thermal fatigue was generated by heating at 600°C ± 5°C and cooling at 25°C ± 5°C. The thermal fatigue cracks of bionic units were analyzed using fractal theory. The relation between fractal dimensions of thermal fatigue cracks and thermal fatigue cycles was discussed.

Findings

The results show that the fractal dimensions can better characterize the fatigue crack growth behavior on bionic coupling surface of vermicular cast iron.

Originality/value

The fractal theory is first used to discuss the growth behavior of fatigue cracks on bionic coupling surface of vermicular cast iron, which is processed by laser bionic treatment.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 69 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2017

Yan Liu, Bryan Fuller, Kim Hester, Rebecca J. Bennett and Marcia Simmering Dickerson

The purpose of this paper is to examine how authentic leadership influences employees’ workplace behavior through three intermediate mechanisms.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how authentic leadership influences employees’ workplace behavior through three intermediate mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

The cross-sectional surveys were conducted at a large health organization with over 500 employees. Multi-source data were drawn from 124 employees and 16 supervisors.

Findings

This study provides empirical evidence that authentic leadership is positively related to subordinates’ proactive behavior and negatively related to subordinates’ workplace deviance behavior through mediation effects of three psychological factors, including supervisor identification, psychological safety, and job engagement.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the selected survey approach, the data are correlational. The small sample size of the study may reduce the ability to find statistically significant results. The current study would have benefited from organizational data on individual performance and proactive behavior, such as archival annual performance appraisals.

Practical implications

To practitioners, this study provides evidence that authentic leadership is sufficient in creating a positive work climate within which the employees feel safe to contribute their effort on their jobs. Based on the current findings, the practitioners can be more confident to hire or to promote authentic persons to be leaders in the organization.

Originality/value

This study is among those few empirical studies which help to validate the authentic leadership theory and provide a clear understanding of the mechanisms by which authentic leadership influences outcomes.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2016

Xia Wang, Hong Ren, Weiguang Cai, Yan Liu and Lizi Luo

Green building (GB) has been actively promoted in many countries, but it has not become the mainstream in Chinese construction industry due to various reasons. This paper aims to…

Abstract

Green building (GB) has been actively promoted in many countries, but it has not become the mainstream in Chinese construction industry due to various reasons. This paper aims to investigate the major driving factors for the development of GB with reference of the Chinese construction market. Twenty-one factors influencing the development of GB were identified through a literature review, questionnaire survey, and face-to-face interview with professionals in the construction industry. Structural equation model was established to identify the critical driving path and three critical factors hierarchies. The result of model analysis also verifies the theoretical hypotheses that government body is the biggest motivation for the development of GB, and the path coefficient is high. The results demonstrate the necessity for the formulation of incentive policies and power of GB propaganda. We identify distinct government and market effects and then induce a government-led GB development path. These findings provide a valuable reference for government body aiming at promoting GB in the construction industry to put forward relevant policies and incentives and for the market body to understand the major driving factors and path when making decisions.

Details

Open House International, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 August 2021

Yunlong Duan, Yan Liu, Yilin Chen, Weiqi Guo and Lisheng Yang

This study aims to focus on the impact of multi-level knowledge sharing between and within organizations on the risk control of rural inclusive finance. The paper presents…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the impact of multi-level knowledge sharing between and within organizations on the risk control of rural inclusive finance. The paper presents a synergistic risk control system integrating external and internal factors for rural inclusive finance by constructing different knowledge-sharing platforms in an environment, which is full of many uncertainties.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on survey methods. To achieve the research objectives, the authors adopt a single case study approach. For data collection, the authors apply a wide variety of methods such as semi-structured interviews, field visits, second-hand databases and official websites.

Findings

The results emphasize that using multi-level knowledge sharing such as the inter- and intra-organizational level, can facilitate the risk control of rural inclusive finance during the post-COVID-19 era. Furthermore, it is also noted that achieving knowledge sharing at different levels by building diverse knowledge-sharing platforms can promote the risk control of rural inclusive finance from the individual-organization level to the chain level of multi-organization collaboration, which contributes to the formation of symbiotic risk control ecology.

Research limitations/implications

The authors have formed the “Chinese wisdom” to deal with inclusive financial risks and to promote in-depth development in relation to the “last mile” practice of inclusive finance, which means the final and the most important phase of a project. The conclusions contribute to enriching the outcomes regarding the risk control of rural inclusive finance, provide experiences to its sustainable development and offer a reference to other countries with their risk control of rural inclusive finance.

Originality/value

Drawing on the knowledge-sharing approach, this study creatively resolves the persistent problems in the risk control of rural inclusive finance, which forms a powerful supplement to the extant literature. Meanwhile, the paper combines the two contextual factors of the post-COVID-19 era and emerging economies, which can be deemed as a novel attempt.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 July 2020

Yajun Guo, Zinan Yang, Zhishun Yang, Yan Quan Liu, Arlene Bielefield and Gregory Tharp

The purpose of this paper is to identify the measures employed in the provision of patron services in Chinese academic libraries responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the measures employed in the provision of patron services in Chinese academic libraries responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the challenges and issues inherent in providing substantial services while undergoing a public health emergency.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses an analytical survey study of 137 Chinese academic libraries using data collected through a combination of website investigation, social media access and direct correspondences.

Findings

Over 94% of Chinese academic libraries released COVID-19-related information through their websites; the majority switched their service focus to partly or solely remotely online, including remote access, free electronic resources, virtual references reachable 24/7 and research support services deliverable online; services of print materials were altered to e-books for conveniences.

Research limitations/implications

It should be noted that the survey was conducted from February 12 to April 5, 2020; because of the rapid updates to the library's website and social media channels, the status of their patron services are in the process of dynamic changes and that there should be many libraries that have adopted some patron service methods, but this study is difficult to cover comprehensively. In addition, patron services carried out offline by the surveyed libraries but not disclosed on the online platform could not be analyzed in a way that would be consistent with the data provided by the survey.

Originality/value

By providing evidence of the current status of patron services in Chinese academic libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study helps fulfill the scant empirical attention given to the impact of nationwide public health crises on academic libraries and offers new data of the best practices that help library administrators enhance the impact, efficiency and value of library services to their target community users.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

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