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21 – 30 of 132Rehana Naheed, Aws AlHares, Yasir Shahab and Rukhsana Naheed
This study aims to investigate the impact of the board’s financial expertise (BFE) on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in China.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of the board’s financial expertise (BFE) on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of Chinese listed firms from 2009-2016 (making 3272 firm-year observations), this study uses the generalized method of moments (GMM) and panel data estimation techniques.
Findings
Using the resource dependence theory, the findings of this study are twofold. First, the is positively associated with the disclosure level of CSR. Second, this positive impact is more pronounced in firms with female CEO and state ownership. The findings are robust to the potential issues of endogeneity and sensitivity analyses.
Practical implications
Practically, the findings hold value for the senior management of Chinese firms to ensure the presence of financial experts in boards to yield both financial and non-financial outcomes.
Social implications
This study points out how financial experts on boards influence the societal outcomes via disclosure of CSR. Financial experts encourage participation in social and sustainable practices which creates a positive image of the firm not only in the eyes of society but also for investors.
Originality/value
This study is unique and contributes to the extant literature by examining the impact of a new attribute, i.e. the BFE on the level of CSR disclosure in China.
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Xian Zhang, Gedong Jiang, Hao Zhang, Xialun Yun and Xuesong Mei
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the time-dependent reliability of harmonic drive.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the time-dependent reliability of harmonic drive.
Design/methodology/approach
The transient finite element analysis (FEA) of harmonic drive is established to calculate the stress under different loads. Combined with the residual strength model and random variables, the time-dependent reliability model of harmonic drive is deduced by the stochastic perturbation method and Edgeworth series. Based on accelerated life tests, the degradation parameters are estimated by maximizing likelihood function. Under variable load, the key stress from transient FEA is transformed into probability density function by kernel density estimation, and the residual strength model is modified by adding adjustment factors to deal with strength degradation under different loads.
Findings
The critical position of stress concentration from transient FEA is consistent with the fatigue fracture position at the accelerated life test sample. Compared with the time-dependent reliability method with equivalent circular-shell static stress or empirical degradation parameters, the proposed method has the smallest prediction error of failure life. Under variable load, the state function should be expanded to second-order series for avoiding error items relevant to variance. The failure life expectation under random variable load is smaller than that under constant load.
Originality/value
The time-dependent reliability method of harmonic drive is firstly proposed under constant and variable load. The transient FEA of harmonic drive is established to calculate the stress for strength analysis. The accelerated life test of harmonic drive is conducted for degradation parameters estimation. The adjustment factor is added to the residual strength model for strength degradation under different loads.
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Wenhong Luo and Nelson Graburn
China has been going through a “museum boom” paralleling the domestic tourism boom since 2000; such growth changed the cultural landscape; museums became a vital characteristic of…
Abstract
Purpose
China has been going through a “museum boom” paralleling the domestic tourism boom since 2000; such growth changed the cultural landscape; museums became a vital characteristic of some Chinese cities for both residents and tourists. Encouraged by this growth, the more ambitious “All-for-one Museum (全域博物馆)” was proposed. The physical boundary between museums and living spaces is infinite ambiguity, challenging the idea of museums as “heterotopias.” This study aims to explore the musealization of urban spaces in the context of anthropology and museology, scrutinizing the cultural-political intentions and meanings of these developments, and seeks to ignite further investigation into the reconstruction of historical imaginaries for tourists and urban populations across related disciplines.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines two cases in Chinese metropolises, Beijing and Shanghai, to illustrate this development of musealization, that is, how the cities actively leverage museological values and methods to connect with their past. In the Beijing case, the authors explore how the local government is leading the effort to musealize the city; in the Shanghai case, they will see how tourists, especially dweller-tourists, navigate through a curated past story in the city and connect their own experience, memory and identity with the place.
Findings
The all-for-one museum creates a museal layer projected onto the bigger urban space, even though the authenticity of the “past” is challenged by the modernization development of the city. The authors also find out that for some tourists (especially dweller-tourists), an existential sense of authenticity plays a more significant role as they not only seek to sightsee the past of the city but also to take part in its creation.
Originality/value
This paper discusses two kinds of musealization in cosmopolitan cities of Beijing and Shanghai: top-down and bottom-up. It approaches questions about the musealization of urban spaces from the perspectives of anthropology and museology, and discusses musealization in the specific historical context of China’s modernization process.
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Yan Zhang, Lijun Guan and Shaosheng Jin
This study aims to explore the degree of Chinese consumers' trust and confidence in the Chinese dairy products supply chain and the relationships between trust and overall…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the degree of Chinese consumers' trust and confidence in the Chinese dairy products supply chain and the relationships between trust and overall confidence in dairy products safety and quality.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected data from 1,278 respondents by field survey from five provinces of China. The data were analyzed using ordered logit model.
Findings
This study shows the following results: (1) Chinese consumer confidence in domestic dairy products and trust in actors of the dairy chain are at a moderate-to-low level. (2) Government regulators are considered to take the most responsibility, with both an optimism-enhancing and a pessimism-reducing effect (the former effect is greater), while perceived trust in dairy farmers and retailers has little effect. (3) Perceived care has both an optimism-enhancing and a pessimism-reducing effect, and the former effect is stronger. Competence and openness have an optimism-enhancing effect and a pessimism-reducing effect, respectively. (4) The importance of the three dimensions of trust related to optimism-increasing and pessimism-reduction is limited, except in the case of government regulators.
Originality/value
This study contributes to a better understanding of consumer trust in food safety and also help demonstrate to the actors and institutions involved in the dairy supply chain the best way to improve the performance of their duties to meet the consumers' needs for safe and quality dairy products.
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The purpose of this paper is to simplify the Explicit Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller (ENMPC) by linearizing the trajectory with Quantum-behaved Pigeon-Inspired Optimization…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to simplify the Explicit Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller (ENMPC) by linearizing the trajectory with Quantum-behaved Pigeon-Inspired Optimization (QPIO).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper deduces the nonlinear model of the quadrotor and uses the ENMPC to track the trajectory. Since the ENMPC has high demand for the state equation, the trajectory needed to be differentiated many times. When the trajectory is complicate or discontinuous, QPIO is proposed to linearize the trajectory. Then the linearized trajectory will be used in the ENMPC.
Findings
Applying the QPIO algorithm allows the unequal distance sample points to be acquired to linearize the trajectory. Comparing with the equidistant linear interpolation, the linear interpolation error will be smaller.
Practical implications
Small-sized quadrotors were adopted in this research to simplify the model. The model is supposed to be accurate and differentiable to meet the requirements of ENMPC.
Originality/value
Traditionally, the quadrotor model was usually linearized in the research. In this paper, the quadrotor model was kept nonlinear and the trajectory will be linearized instead. Unequal distance sample points were utilized to linearize the trajectory. In this way, the authors can get a smaller interpolation error. This method can also be applied to discrete systems to construct the interpolation for trajectory tracking.
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Shuang Wang, Gedong Jiang, Xuesong Mei, Chuang Zou, Xian Zhang and Hao Zhang
Because of the compact structure, short flexspline (FS) harmonic drive (HD) is increasingly used. The stress calculation of FS is very important in design and optimization of HD…
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the compact structure, short flexspline (FS) harmonic drive (HD) is increasingly used. The stress calculation of FS is very important in design and optimization of HD system. This paper aims to study the stress calculation methods for short FS, based on mechanics analysis and finite element method (FEM).
Design/methodology/approach
A rapid stress calculation method, based on mechanics analysis, is proposed for the short FS of HD. To verify the stress calculation precision of short FS, a complete finite element model of HD is established. The results of stress and deformation of short FS in different lengths are solved by FEM.
Findings
Through the rapid calculation method, the analytical relationship between circumferential stress and length of cylinder was obtained. And the circumferential stress has proportional relation with the reciprocal of squared length. The FEM results verified that the rapid stress calculation method could obtain accurate results.
Research limitations/implications
The rapid mechanics analysis method is practiced to evaluate the strength of FS at the design stage of HD. And the complete model of HD could contribute to improving the accuracy of FEM results.
Originality/value
The rapid calculation method is developed based on mechanics analysis method of cylinder and equivalent additional bending moment model, through which the analytical relationship between circumferential stress and length of cylinder was obtained. The complete three-dimensional finite element model of HD takes the stiffness of bearing into consideration, which can be used in the numerical simulation in the future work to improve the accuracy.
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This article was based on the information from The 5th International Conference of Institutes and Libraries for Chinese Overseas Studies held in the University of British Columbia…
Abstract
Purpose
This article was based on the information from The 5th International Conference of Institutes and Libraries for Chinese Overseas Studies held in the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada in which the author was a presenter in session 4.2.9a of the Early life of Yuan Shikai and the formation of Yuan family. The paper aims to include comprehensive analysis and development of the history of Chinese migration. An annotated bibliography of suggested readings was offered to highlight the subject knowledge for further research in this area.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper includes comprehensive analysis and development of the history of Chinese migration and the experiences and family histories of overseas Chinese in Canada. An annotated bibliography of suggested readings was offered to highlight the subject knowledge for further research in this area.
Findings
The paper offers full description and comprehensive analysis of the history of Chinese migration and overseas Chinese studies in Canada. A bbibliography of suggested readings was offered for further research in this area.
Research limitations/implications
This research study has a strong subject focus on Chinese migration, overseas Chinese studies, and resource-sharing in the subject area. It is a specific field for research in Asian studies.
Practical implications
The result of this study will assist students, researchers, and the general public in the area of overseas Chinese studies and developing their interests in the social and historical value of Chinese migration history and resource-sharing in the area.
Originality/value
Very little research has been done in the area of Chinese migration and historical development. The paper would offer historians, sociologists, ethnologists, librarians, administrations, professors, as well as students in the fields of Asian history, anthropology, sociology, political science, geography, and other Asian-related interdisciplinary studies.
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Jing Zheng, Chuan‐You Deng, Shao‐Min Cheng, Wen‐Ya Liu and A‐Tao Wang
The purpose of this paper is to examine the great contributions made by the American library expert, Mary Elizabeth Wood, to Chinese library development.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the great contributions made by the American library expert, Mary Elizabeth Wood, to Chinese library development.
Design/methodology/approach
As a pioneer of the modern library movement Mary Elizabeth Wood devoted herself to a Chinese library career. It was structured according to the following theme: setting up the Boone Library and introducing the modern American public library into China; establishing Boone Library School and initiating Chinese library science education; raising money and appealing for China's library development; helping forward the foundation of the Library Association of China; as well as promoting Chinese library intercommunion and cooperation with the West.
Findings
With the background of underdeveloped Chinese librarianship, Mary Elizabeth Wood introduced modern American public library spirit into China, opened the gate of Chinese library science, and promoted Chinese library science.
Research limitations/implications
The paper discusses the library history of China and the role of an American librarian in Chinese library history; thus, it should be of wide interest to researchers involved in library history.
Originality/value
Mary Elizabeth Wood devoted herself to a Chinese library career, and promoted Chinese library science greatly, but research on her is limited. This paper considers her contribution to Chinese library science.
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Jian Fu, Wen‐hua Chen and Qing‐xian Wu
This article proposes a chattering‐free sliding mode control scheme with unidirectional auxiliary surfaces (UAS‐SMC) for small miniature autonomous helicopters (Trex 250).
Abstract
Purpose
This article proposes a chattering‐free sliding mode control scheme with unidirectional auxiliary surfaces (UAS‐SMC) for small miniature autonomous helicopters (Trex 250).
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed UAS‐SMC scheme consists of a nested sequence of rotor dynamics, angular rate, Euler angle, velocity and position loops.
Findings
It is demonstrated that the UAS‐SMC strategy can eliminate the chattering phenomenon exhibiting in the convenient SMC method and achieve a better approaching speed.
Originality/value
The proposed control strategy is implemented on the helicopter and flight tests clearly demonstrate that a much better performance could be achieved, compared with convenient SMC schemes.
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