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1 – 10 of 45Xin Feng, Lei Yu, Weilong Tu and Guoqiang Chen
With the development of science and technology, more creators are trying to use new crafts to represent the cultural trends of the social media era, which makes cultural heritage…
Abstract
Purpose
With the development of science and technology, more creators are trying to use new crafts to represent the cultural trends of the social media era, which makes cultural heritage innovative and new genres emerge. This compels the academic community to examine craft from a new perspective. It is very helpful to understand the hidden representational structure of craft more deeply and improve the craft innovation system of cultural and creative products that we deconstruct the craft based on Complex Network and discover its intrinsic connections.
Design/methodology/approach
The research crawled and cleaned the craft information of the top 20% products on the Forbidden City’s cultural and creative products online and then performed Complex Network modeling, constructed three craft representation networks among function, material and technique, quantified and analyzed the inner connections and network structure of the craft elements, and then analyzed the cultural inheritance and innovation embedded in the craft representation networks.
Findings
The three dichotomous craft representation networks constructed by combining function, material and technique: (1) the network density is low and none of them has small-world characteristics, indicating that the innovative heritage of the craft elements in the Forbidden City’s cultural and creative products is at the stage of continuous exploration and development, and multiple coupling innovation is still insufficient; (2) all have scale-free characteristics and there is still a certain degree of community structure within each network, indicating that the coupling innovation of craft elements of the Forbidden City’s cultural and creative products is seriously uneven, with some specific “grammatical combinations” and an Island Effect in the network structure; (3) the craft elements with high network centrality emphasize the characteristics of decorative culture and design for the masses, as well as the pursuit of production efficiency and economic benefits, which represent the aesthetic purport of contemporary Chinese society and the ideological trend of production and life.
Originality/value
The Forbidden City’s cultural and creative products should continue to develop and enrich the multi-coupling innovation of craft elements, clarify and continue their own brand unique craft genes, and make full use of the network important nodes role.
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Noha Omar and Heba Farida El-Laithy
This paper aims to examine the mismatch between multidimensional deprivation and monetary poverty in identifying the poor in Egypt and investigates their determinants empirically.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the mismatch between multidimensional deprivation and monetary poverty in identifying the poor in Egypt and investigates their determinants empirically.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses the Alkire-Foster multidimensional poverty measurement method using data from Egypt’s 2017/2018 Household Income, Expenditure and Consumption Survey (HIECS 2017/2018). Using a logistic regression model, the paper assesses the empirical relationship between multidimensional and monetary poverty and their determinants at the aggregate level and by dimension.
Findings
The paper demonstrates a significant mismatch between multidimensional and monetary poverty measures, underscoring their complementary nature. Statistics indicate that both measures overlap in classifying 35.81% of Egyptians, whereas monetary poverty ignores 63.12% of multidimensionally poor in at least one dimension. Regression estimates show a significant moderate negative association between expenditure per capita and multidimensional poverty and its dimensions. Moreover, they show that household head’s gender, age, education attainment, marital status, job proficiency, household size and location affect poverty mismatch and match in Egypt.
Practical implications
This paper offers Egyptian policymakers the multidimensional poverty index that enables more efficient designing and targeting of poverty alleviation programs and assessing current poverty alleviation programs to modify them if needed.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the mismatch between both poverty measures in Egypt, using the recent full data set of HIECS 2017/2018. This paper confirms that depending only on monetary measures can send inaccurate insights for crafting effective social policies. Also, it offers policymakers a comprehensive insight into the country’s poverty landscape, which enable more efficient design, targeting of poverty alleviation programs and monitoring their effectiveness.
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One of the critical reasons for the nonacceptance of additive manufacturing (AM) processes is the lack of understanding and structured knowledge of design for additive…
Abstract
Purpose
One of the critical reasons for the nonacceptance of additive manufacturing (AM) processes is the lack of understanding and structured knowledge of design for additive manufacturing (DfAM). This paper aims to assist designers to select the appropriate AM technology for product development or redesign. Using the suggestion provided by the design assist tool, the user’s design alterations depend on their ability to interpret the suggestion into the design without affecting the design’s primary objective.
Design/methodology/approach
This research reports the development of a tool that evaluates the efficacy values for all seven major standard AM processes by considering design parameters, benchmark standards within the processes and their material efficacies. In this research, the tool provides analytical and visual approaches to suggestion and assistance. Seventeen design parameters and seven benchmarking standards are used to evaluate the proposed product and design quality value. The full factorial design approach has been used to evaluate the DfAM aspects, design quality and design complexity.
Findings
The outcome is evaluated by the product and design quality value, material suit and material-product-design (MPD) value proposed in this work for a comparative assessment of the AM processes for a design. The higher the MPD value, the better the process. The visual aspect of the evaluation uses spider diagrams, which are evaluated analytically to confirm the results’ appropriateness with the proposed methodology.
Originality/value
The data used in the database is assumed to make the study comprehensive. The output aims to help opt for the best process out of the seven AM techniques for better and optimized manufacturing. This, as per the authors’ knowledge, is not available yet.
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Adil Baykasoglu, Burcu Felekoglu and Ceylin Ünal
Usage of learning management systems (LMSs) has become widespread with the disruption of face-to-face educations after the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several software products…
Abstract
Purpose
Usage of learning management systems (LMSs) has become widespread with the disruption of face-to-face educations after the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several software products, usually named as LMS to enable and support distance education. However, selection of a suitable LMS is a complex multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problem that requires consideration of many criteria and inputs from different parties like students, academicians, education managers, etc. Usability evaluation of LMS is one of the critical steps in deciding which LMS system to be adapted. There are several studies related to usability evaluation of LMS in the literature, but utilization of MCDM methods and real life case studies are very rare. Based on this motivation, perceived usability evaluation of SAKAI-LMS that is in use at an academic department is performed by employing axiomatic design procedure (ADP). This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned issues.
Design/methodology/approach
ADP is considered as a suitable MCDM method for perceived usability evaluation as it allows an easy approach to data fusion and setting performance targets for decision makers. A questionnaire is developed to collect data from three types of system users about predetermined usability criteria and their importance. After detailed statistical analyses and weighting criteria via analytical hierarch process (AHP), ADP is carried out to evaluate usability of the LMS.
Findings
It is found that the proposed ADP based approach is easy to apply in practical circumstances and able to quantify perceived usability of the LMSs.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed approach provides an easy and practical evaluation of perceived usability of the LMSs for decision makers who are responsible for the implementation of LMSs. The developed novel and practical MCDM-based perceived usability approach for LMS in this study has been verified through a real life case study at an academic department. Perceived usability results, therefore, reflects only the views of this focus group and are not generalizable.
Originality/value
First time in the literature, a comprehensive ADP based MCDM approach is proposed based on the analyses of the related literature and information gathered from the system users.
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Qinggang Shi, Peng Li and Zhiwei Xu
The purpose of this paper is to propose a consensus method for multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problems based on preference-approval structure and regret theory…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a consensus method for multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problems based on preference-approval structure and regret theory, which can improve the efficiency of decision-making and promote the consensus level among individuals.
Design/methodology/approach
First, a new method to obtain the reference points based on regret theory and expert weighting method is proposed. Second, a consensus reaching method based on preference-approval structure is proposed. Then, an adjustment mechanism to further improve the consensus level between individuals is designed. Finally, an example of the assessment of elderly care institutions is used to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Findings
The feasibility and validity of the proposed method are verified by comparing with the advanced two-stage minimum adjustment method. The compared results show that the proposed method is more consistent with the actual situation.
Research limitations/implications
This paper presents a consensus reaching method for MAGDM based on preference-approval structure, which considers the avoidance behaviors of individuals and reference points. Decision makers (DMs) can use this approach to rank and categorize alternatives while further increasing the level of consensus among them. This can further help determine the optimal alternative more efficiently.
Originality/value
A new MAGDM problem based on the combination of regret theory and individual reference points is proposed. Besides, a new method of obtaining experts' weights and a consensus reaching method for MAGDM based on preference-approval structure are designed.
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The author develops a bilateral Nash bargaining model under value uncertainty and private/asymmetric information, combining ideas from axiomatic and strategic bargaining theory…
Abstract
The author develops a bilateral Nash bargaining model under value uncertainty and private/asymmetric information, combining ideas from axiomatic and strategic bargaining theory. The solution to the model leads organically to a two-tier stochastic frontier (2TSF) setup with intra-error dependence. The author presents two different statistical specifications to estimate the model, one that accounts for regressor endogeneity using copulas, the other able to identify separately the bargaining power from the private information effects at the individual level. An empirical application using a matched employer–employee data set (MEEDS) from Zambia and a second using another one from Ghana showcase the applied potential of the approach.
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Mohd Azrai Azman, Zulkiflee Abdul-Samad, Boon L. Lee, Martin Skitmore, Darmicka Rajendra and Nor Nazihah Chuweni
Total factor productivity (TFP) change is an important driver of long-run economic growth in the construction sector. However, examining TFP alone is insufficient to identify the…
Abstract
Purpose
Total factor productivity (TFP) change is an important driver of long-run economic growth in the construction sector. However, examining TFP alone is insufficient to identify the cause of TFP changes. Therefore, this paper employs the infrequently used Geometric Young Index (GYI) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to measure and decompose the TFP Index (TFPI) at the firm-level from 2009 to 2018 based on Malaysian construction firms' data.
Design/methodology/approach
To improve the TFPI estimation, normally unobserved environmental variables were included in the GYI-TFPI model. These are the physical operation of the firm (inland versus marine operation) and regional locality (West Malaysia versus East Malaysia). Consequently, the complete components of TFPI (i.e. technological, environmental, managerial, and statistical noise) can be accurately decomposed.
Findings
The results reveal that TFP change is affected by technological stagnation and improvements in technical efficiency but a decline in scale-mix efficiency. Moreover, the effect of environmental efficiency on TFP is most profound. In this case, being a marine construction firm and operating in East Malaysia can reduce TFPI by up to 38%. The result, therefore, indicates the need for progressive policies to improve long-term productivity.
Practical implications
Monitoring and evaluating productivity change allows an informed decision to be made by managers/policy makers to improve firms' competitiveness. Incentives and policies to improve innovation, competition, training, removing unnecessary taxes and regulation on outputs (inputs) could enhance the technological, technical and scale-mix of resources. Furthermore, improving public infrastructure, particularly in East Malaysia could improve regionality locality in relation to the environmental index.
Originality/value
This study contributes to knowledge by demonstrating how TFP components can be completely modelled using an aggregator index with good axiomatic properties and SFA. In addition, this paper is the first to apply and include the GYI and environmental variables in modelling construction productivity, which is of crucial importance in formulating appropriate policies.
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Hui Zhao, Simeng Wang and Chen Lu
With the continuous development of the wind power industry, wind power plant (WPP) has become the focus of resource development within the industry. Site selection, as the initial…
Abstract
Purpose
With the continuous development of the wind power industry, wind power plant (WPP) has become the focus of resource development within the industry. Site selection, as the initial stage of WPP development, is directly related to the feasibility of construction and the future revenue of WPP. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study the siting of WPP and establish a framework for siting decision-making.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, a site selection evaluation index system is constructed from four aspects of economy, geography, environment and society using the literature review method and the Delphi method, and the weights of each index are comprehensively determined by combining the Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and the entropy weight method (EW). Then, prospect theory and the multi-criteria compromise solution ranking method (VIKOR) are introduced to rank the potential options and determine the best site.
Findings
China is used as a case study, and the robustness and reliability of the methodology are demonstrated through sensitivity analysis, comparative analysis and ablation experiment analysis. This paper aims to provide a useful reference for WPP siting research.
Originality/value
In this paper, DEMATEL and EW are used to determine the weights of indicators, which overcome the disadvantage of single assignment. Prospect theory and VIKOR are combined to construct a decision model, which also considers the attitude of the decision-maker and the compromise solution of the decision result. For the first time, this framework is applied to WPP siting research.
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Rajalaxmi Singh and Hrushikesh Mallick
The aim of the paper is to examine the status and determinants of financial inclusion in India by using the recent micro-level survey data.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the paper is to examine the status and determinants of financial inclusion in India by using the recent micro-level survey data.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors construct a multidimensional financial inclusion index to measure the status of financial inclusion in the selected 17 states of India. Subsequently, the authors use the probit model estimation to examine the determinants of all financial inclusion indicators.
Findings
The authors find that southern and north-eastern states perform better in the overall financial inclusion index. In contrast, states like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh lag behind. The estimated result shows that the probability of being financially included is higher among urban, richer, educated and salaried individuals. Further, the findings indicate the lower penetration of bank branches and ATMs in the rural parts of the country.
Originality/value
While numerous studies have explored financial inclusion from a macro-level perspective, there exists a notable gap in the literature at the micro-level. This paper aims to address this gap and contributes to the existing literature in two ways. Firstly, it uses the recent micro-level survey data to construct a multidimensional financial inclusion index for the selected Indian states. Secondly, it examines individual-level attributes as the determining factors of financial inclusion, which has been overlooked in India.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2023-0162
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Jing An, Suicheng Li and Xiao Ping Wu
Project managers bear the responsibility of selecting and developing resource scheduling methods that align with project requirements and organizational circumstances. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
Project managers bear the responsibility of selecting and developing resource scheduling methods that align with project requirements and organizational circumstances. This study focuses on resource-constrained project scheduling in multi-project environments. The research simplifies the problem by adopting a single-project perspective using gain coefficients.
Design/methodology/approach
It employs uncertainty theory and multi-objective programming to construct a model. The optimal solution is identified using Matlab, while LINGO determines satisfactory alternatives. By combining these methods and considering actual construction project situations, a compromise solution closely approximating the optimal one is derived.
Findings
The study provides fresh insights into modeling and resolving resource-constrained project scheduling issues, supported by real-world examples that effectively illustrate its practical significance.
Originality/value
The research highlights three main contributions: effective resource utilization, project prioritization and conflict management, and addressing uncertainty. It offers decision support for project managers to balance resource allocation, resolve conflicts, and adapt to changing project demands.
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