Youxi Zhang, Yu Liu, Rui Yu, Jian Zuo and Na Dong
Prefabricated construction (PC) can benefit construction industry due to its high efficiency, energy saving, consumption reduction and safety. However, the high capital cost is a…
Abstract
Purpose
Prefabricated construction (PC) can benefit construction industry due to its high efficiency, energy saving, consumption reduction and safety. However, the high capital cost is a critical challenge hindering its development in China. The collaboration of PC stakeholders is conducive to improving cost management efficiency and optimizing resource allocation which has been ignored in previous studies. Therefore, this study aims to explore the collaboration paths of stakeholders in the process of solving critical cost influencing factors (CIFs) of PC to reduce costs.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, 25 CIFs and five main stakeholders that affect PC capital cost were identified through literature research and expert interviews. Then, questionnaires were used to investigate the relationship between stakeholders and CIFs from the perspectives of three stakeholder attributes of proximity, attitude and power, respectively. Finally, based on the survey data, three stakeholder-CIF networks from three attributes perspective and a comprehensive network were constructed and used for subsequent social network analysis.
Findings
(1) Stakeholders mainly show willingness and potential to collaborate on organization and management factors; (2) More stakeholders pay attention to incentive policies and the setting of prefabrication rates and assembly rates, while all stakeholders have the right to facilitate information and resource sharing in the PC supply chain; (3) The comprehensive network shows a core-periphery structure. As core stakeholders, contractor, designer and manufacturer are more likely to actively manage the 14 core CIFs.
Originality/value
This paper innovatively combined stakeholder and cost management in PC, and used two-mode network based on three stakeholder perspectives to reveal the collaboration potential and motivation of stakeholders in PC cost management. The findings not only provide guidance for stakeholders to find potential partners and optimize resource allocation in solving specific cost issues, but also facilitate stakeholders' sustainable collaboration to achieve PC's cost performance.
Details
Keywords
Shiyang Hu, Chunyan Wei, Rui Xue, Liang Yin and Bo Zhu
This paper examines the effect of board reforms on managerial risk-taking incentive provision in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) whose managers are undue risk-averse.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the effect of board reforms on managerial risk-taking incentive provision in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) whose managers are undue risk-averse.
Design/methodology/approach
We use the staggered implementation of board reforms in Chinese central government-controlled state-owned enterprises (CSOEs) as an exogenous shock to board governance. We collect data on board reforms for a set of pilot CSOEs during the period 2005 to 2020 from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) website by hand. We use a generalized difference-in-difference (DID) design to test the effect of staggered board reform adoption on managerial risk-taking incentive provision.
Findings
We find a positive relationship between board reforms and risk-taking inventive provision, i.e. pay-performance sensitivity, promotion-performance sensitivity and performance target difficulty. The documented relationship is stronger when the value of risk-taking is higher. We also find that board reforms lead to greater risky but value-enhancing investments and that managerial risk-taking incentive provision acts as an important channel through which board reforms improve value-enhancing risk-taking.
Originality/value
Our findings suggest that board reforms that improve board governance are effective in addressing risk-related agency conflicts in emerging markets. The findings also highlight the importance of managerial risk-taking incentive provision in inducing risky but value-enhancing investments.
Details
Keywords
Brad McKenna, Wenjie Cai and Hyunsun Yoon
Research into older adults' use of social media remains limited. Driven by increasing digitalisation in China, the authors focus on Chinese older adults (aged 60–75)’ use of…
Abstract
Purpose
Research into older adults' use of social media remains limited. Driven by increasing digitalisation in China, the authors focus on Chinese older adults (aged 60–75)’ use of WeChat.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative interpretive approach and interviewed Chinese older adults to uncover their social practices of WeChat use in everyday life.
Findings
By using social practice theory (SPT), the paper unfolds Chinese older adults' social practices of WeChat use in everyday life and reveals how they adopt and resist the drastic changes in Chinese society.
Originality/value
The study contributes to new understandings of SPT from technology use by emphasising the dynamic characteristics of its three elements. The authors synthesise both adoptions and resistance in SPT and highlight the importance of understanding three elements interdependently within specific contexts, which are conditioned by structure and agency.
Details
Keywords
Weerapong Kitiwong, Thanu Prasertsoontorn, Ausanee Ratsamewongjan, Puritud Inya and Pornsit Jiraporn
As the debate over CEO duality’s impact on firm performance is still ongoing, the purpose of this study is to redefine CEO duality in Thai family firms and examine its impact on…
Abstract
Purpose
As the debate over CEO duality’s impact on firm performance is still ongoing, the purpose of this study is to redefine CEO duality in Thai family firms and examine its impact on the relationship between earnings management and firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a sample of 1,360 firm-year observations from listed firms on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. A fixed effect regression is used to obtain the empirical results. The results of this study are further validated using two-stage least squares estimation, subsample regression and an alternative measure of family firms.
Findings
This study finds that firms with CEO duality are more likely to engage in REM, supporting Agency Theory. However, family-controlled firms with CEO duality engage less in REM in pursuit of firm performance. This study’s findings highlight the potential benefits of CEO duality in family firms as a mechanism to support Socioemotional Wealth of the controlling family. Therefore, the mandatory ban on CEO duality may have unintended consequences for family firms.
Originality/value
This paper provides further evidence on the impact of CEO duality on the relationship between earnings management and firm performance in Thailand’s family-dominated stock market. A new definition of CEO duality is proposed, including firms where the CEO is related to the chair of the board. This boarder definition provides more comprehensive measurement compared to the traditional definition which may fail to capture the full scope of influence exerted by controlling family, as they may obscure CEO duality by appointing individuals with kinship ties to the CEO as the chair of the board.
Details
Keywords
Bowen Li, Xiaoci Huang, Jiaming Cai and Fang Ma
In large-scale environments, LIO-SAM (Tightly-coupled Lidar Inertial Odometry via Smoothing and Mapping) exhibits poor robustness due to the accumulation of errors caused by…
Abstract
Purpose
In large-scale environments, LIO-SAM (Tightly-coupled Lidar Inertial Odometry via Smoothing and Mapping) exhibits poor robustness due to the accumulation of errors caused by factors such as the prevalence of similar surroundings and the lack of features in certain open areas. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to optimize the loop detection module of LIO-SAM to reduce error accumulation and enhance mapping and localization performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the LIO-SAM framework, the LinK3D (Linear Keypoints Representation for 3D LiDAR Point Cloud) feature extraction algorithm is integrated in the front end, while the BoW3D (Bag of Words for Real-Time Loop Closing in 3D LiDAR SLAM) loop detection algorithm is integrated in the back end. The features extracted by LinK3D serve as the range factors for the LiDAR, the BoW3D generates loop closure factors and these, along with inertial measurement unit (IMU) preintegration factors and global positioning system (GPS) factors, are added to the factor graph of LIO-SAM. This addition of constraints enhances the mapping and localization effects, optimizing the overall mapping and localization performance.
Findings
Based on the electrically controlled car, experiments were conducted in the experimental scenario proposed in this paper. Compared to LIO-SAM, the method presented in this paper significantly reduces cumulative errors. While ensuring real-time performance, it demonstrates superior mapping and localization effects.
Originality/value
This paper proposes and validates a method that integrates LinK3D, BoW3D and LIO-SAM, named LB-LIOSAM, which enhances the accuracy of feature extraction, optimizes the loop detection module of LIO-SAM and improves its mapping and localization performance in specific environmental scenarios.
Details
Keywords
Xiaolin Ge, Qing Zhang, Rui Xiong, Haibo Yu, Siyuan Liu, Shanghao Song and Xiaokun Liu
Drawing upon strengths-based inclusive work theory, this study explores how strengths-based leadership promotes employee career sustainability, particularly in the absence of…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing upon strengths-based inclusive work theory, this study explores how strengths-based leadership promotes employee career sustainability, particularly in the absence of protean career orientation (PCO), with career adaptability as a mediator.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-wave survey of 329 Chinese employees tested the moderated mediation model. Hypotheses were assessed using SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.3.
Findings
Strengths-based leadership positively influences career adaptability, leading to greater career sustainability. The effect is stronger when PCO is low, highlighting the compensatory role of strengths-based leadership.
Originality/value
The present paper extends the existing literature on strengths-based leadership and unveils that strength-based leadership can compensate for a lack of PCO. Also, it augments strengths-based inclusive work theory and provides meaningful insights to cultivate employee career sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
The cross-sectional design and self-reported data limit causal conclusions. Future research should use longitudinal methods and diverse cultural contexts to improve generalizability.
Details
Keywords
Xiaochuan Tong, Weijie Wang and Yaowu Liu
The authors study and compare the effects of three CEO compensation restricting policies issued by the Chinese government in 2009, 2012 and 2015. This paper aims to shed light on…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors study and compare the effects of three CEO compensation restricting policies issued by the Chinese government in 2009, 2012 and 2015. This paper aims to shed light on the conditions under which CEO compenstation can be effectively regulated without negatively affecting firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
These policies targeted state-owned enterprises (SOEs), especially central state-owned enterprises (CSOEs). Using these policies as natural experiments, the authors investigate how their effects differ on CEO compensation, firm performance and two known performance-decreasing mechanisms: perk consumption and tunneling activities.
Findings
The authors show that restricting CEO pay does not necessarily backfire in terms of deteriorating firm performance. This non-decreasing firm performance can be achieved by restricting perk consumption and tunneling activities while introducing CEO pay regulations.
Originality/value
The authors exploit a powerful experimental setting in the context of China. The evidence contributes to the literature on CEO pay regulations and is relevant to the managerial decisions of policy makers and boards of directors.
Details
Keywords
Yi Liu, Rui Ning, Mingxin Du, Shuanghe Yu and Yan Yan
The purpose of this paper is to propose an new online path planning method for porcine belly cutting. With the proliferation in demand for the automatic systems of pork…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose an new online path planning method for porcine belly cutting. With the proliferation in demand for the automatic systems of pork production, the development of efficient and robust meat cutting algorithms are hot issues. The uncertain and dynamic nature of the online porcine belly cutting imposes a challenge for the robot to identify and cut efficiently and accurately. Based on the above challenges, an online porcine belly cutting method using 3D laser point cloud is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
The robotic cutting system is composed of an industrial robotic manipulator, customized tools, a laser sensor and a PC.
Findings
Analysis of experimental results shows that by comparing with machine vision, laser sensor-based robot cutting has more advantages, and it can handle different carcass sizes.
Originality/value
An image pyramid method is used for dimensionality reduction of the 3D laser point cloud. From a detailed analysis of the outward and inward cutting errors, the outward cutting error is the limiting condition for reducing the segments by segmentation algorithm.
Details
Keywords
Jui-Chung Kao, Hsiang-Yu Ma, Kao Rui-Hsin and Cheng-Chung Cho
The rise of communication software has changed our work style. The objectives of this study are: (1) to explore the effect of supervisors making after-hours work requests using…
Abstract
Purpose
The rise of communication software has changed our work style. The objectives of this study are: (1) to explore the effect of supervisors making after-hours work requests using communication software (SWRUCS) on employees’ job stress, quality of life and (2) to examine the moderating effect of personality traits and the cross-level contextual effect of social support.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain information from 357 employees.
Findings
The results suggested that SWRUCS exacerbated job stress, which negatively impacted on quality of life and well-being. Moreover, different personality traits can either increase or decrease the positive or negative effect of SWRUCS on job stress. This study also revealed that social support can reduce employees’ job stress in a cross-level fashion. Furthermore, social support, especially organizational and supervisory support, can decrease the negative effect of job stress on employees’ quality of life and well-being.
Originality/value
Theoretically, this study has broadened the research scope of the organizational application of communication software, and practically, this study has demonstrated the reason why organizations should provide social support and select employees with suitable personality traits.
Details
Keywords
Xiao Wang, Xuan Liang, Bo Wang, Chang-qing Guo, Shan-gui Zhang, Kai Yang, Shi-ya Shao, Yan Sun, Zheng Guo, Xue-yan Yu, Donghai Zhang, Tai-jiang Gui, Wei Lu, Ming-liang Sun and Rui Ding
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of graphene, basalt flakes and their synergy on the corrosion resistance of zinc-rich coatings. As the important heavy-duty…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of graphene, basalt flakes and their synergy on the corrosion resistance of zinc-rich coatings. As the important heavy-duty anticorrosion coatings, zinc-rich coatings provided cathodic protection for the substrate. However, to ensure cathodic protection, a large number of zinc powder made the penetration resistance known as the weakness of zinc-rich coatings. Therefore, graphene and basalt flakes were introduced into zinc-rich coatings to coordinate its cathodic protection and shielding performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Three kinds of coatings were prepared; they were graphene modified zinc-rich coatings, basalt flakes modified zinc-rich coatings and graphene-basalt flakes modified zinc-rich coatings. The anticorrosion behavior of painted steel was studied by using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique in chloride solutions. The equivalent circuit methods were used for EIS analysis to obtain the electrode process structure of the coated steel system. Simultaneously, the corrosion resistance of the three coatings was evaluated by water resistance test, salt water resistance test and salt spray test.
Findings
The study found that the addition of a small amount of graphene and basalt flakes significantly improved the anticorrosion performance of coatings by enhancing their shielding ability against corrosive media and increasing the resistance of the electrochemical reaction. The modified coatings exhibited higher water resistance, salt water resistance and salt spray resistance. The graphene-basalt flakes modified zinc-rich coatings demonstrated the best anticorrosion effect. The presence of basalt scales and graphene oxide in the coatings significantly reduced the water content and slowed down the water penetration rate in the coatings, thus prolonging the coating life and improving anticorrosion effects. The modification of zinc-rich coatings with graphene and basalt flakes improved the utilization rate of zinc powder and the shielding property of coatings against corrosive media, thus strengthening the protective effect on steel structures and prolonging the service life of anticorrosion coatings.
Originality/value
The significance of developing graphene-basalt flakes modified zinc-rich coatings lies in their potential to offer superior performance in corrosive environments, leading to prolonged service life of metallic structures, reduced maintenance costs and a safer working environment. Furthermore, such coatings can be used in various industrial applications, including bridges, pipelines and offshore structures, among others.