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This study aims to examine the impact of China's “Manufacturing and Internet Integration Development Pilot Demonstration Project” (MIP) policy on the digital transformation (DT) and labor structure optimization (LSU) of manufacturing enterprises, reveal the relationship between DT and LSU at the micro level and investigate the mechanism between them.

This study employs MIP as a quasi-natural experiment and develops a time-varying difference-in-difference (DID) model based on a sample of 2,445 Chinese A-share listed manufacturing enterprises in the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets from 2013 to 2021.

The implementation of MIP significantly increases DT by 0.4366 and optimizes LSU by 0.0507. By enhancing the two mediated variables of organizational learning inputs (SI) and employees' personal digital cognition (PDC), DT can optimize the LSU of pilot enterprises by 0.035 and 0.034, according to the results of the mechanism analysis. The study also reveals that the impact of MIP on LSU is highly heterogeneous. With effects of 0.0691 and 0.0632, the optimization effect is more pronounced in state-owned firms and firms with low ownership concentration, respectively.

This study demonstrates the dual effects of the MIP pilot on DT and LSU. In addition, this study pioneers research on the significance of optimizing the labor structure through SI and PDC on the basis of DT, which provides an empirical foundation for the Chinese Government to expand the scope of MIP pilots and revise policy content, as well as for manufacturing enterprises to upgrade the labor structure.

This paper aims to investigate the differences in hot corrosion behavior of the GTD222 superalloy and TiC/GTD222 composite in a mixed salt of 75% Na₂SO₄ and 25% K₂SO₄ at 900°C.

The GTD222 superalloy and TiC/GTD222 nickel-based composite were prepared using selective laser melting (SLM). Subsequently, the hot corrosion behavior of the two alloys was systematically investigated in a salt mixture consisting of 75% Na₂SO₄ and 25% K₂SO₄ (Wt.%) at 900°C.

The TiC/GTD222 composite exhibited better hot corrosion resistance compared to the GTD222 superalloy. First, the addition of alloying elements led to the formation of a protective oxide film on the TiC/GTD222 composites 20 h before hot corrosion. Second, TiC/GTD222 composite corrosion surface has a higher Ti content, after 100 h of hot corrosion, the composite corrosion surface Ti content of 10.8% is more than two times the GTD222 alloy 4% Ti. The Ti and Cr oxides are tightly bonded, effectively resisting the erosion of corrosive elements.

The hot corrosion behavior of GTD222 superalloy and TiC/GTD222 composites prepared by SLM in a mixed salt of 75% Na₂SO₄ and 25% K₂SO₄ was studied for the first time. This study provides insights into the design of high-temperature alloys resistant to hot corrosion.

This paper aims to address the limitations of current deep learning algorithms for sound source localization (SSL), which focus on a single feature and frequency scale, neglecting the integration of multi-scale information. The method developed in this study enhances localization accuracy by effectively using the spatial information and spectral diversity provided by microphone arrays.

The method is based on a multi-scale cross-short-time Fourier transform (STFT) complex-valued convolutional neural network (CCNN). It uses cross-STFT spectra at different scales to capture detailed acoustic information across various frequencies. The effectiveness of the algorithm was validated through both simulations and experimental studies.

Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed multi-scale cross-STFT CCNN not only outperforms the single-scale cross-STFT model but also delivers superior localization performance compared to other advanced methods, achieving consistently higher accuracy. The method shows excellent robustness across various signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions and performs well even on imbalanced datasets, confirming its strong generalization capabilities.

This paper introduces a novel approach to SSL that integrates multi-scale information, addressing a key limitation of existing methods. The findings offer significant value to researchers and practitioners in the field of acoustic signal processing, particularly those focused on deep learning-based localization techniques.

Unlike previous research that primarily utilized structural equation modelling (SEM) to evaluate safety hazards in subway projects, this research aims to utilize a hybrid approach to investigate and scrutinize the key indicators of safety hazards leading to accidents, thereby hindering the progress of subway projects in China, taking into cognizance the multiple stakeholder’s perspective.

By administering a survey questionnaire to 373 highly involved stakeholders in subway projects spanning Changsha, Beijing and Qingdao, China, our approach incorporated a four-staged composite amalgamation of exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) to develop an optimized model that determines the causal relationships and interactions among safety hazards in subway construction projects.

The optimized model delineated the influence of individual safety hazards on subway projects. The feasibility and applicability of the model developed was demonstrated on an actual subway project under construction in Changsha city. The outcomes revealed that the progress of subway projects is significantly influenced by risks associated with project management, environmental factors, subterranean conditions and technical hazards. In contrast, risks related to construction and human factors did not exhibit a significant impact on subway construction progress.

While our study provides valuable insights, it is important to acknowledge the limitation of relying on theoretical approaches without empirical validation from experiments or the field. In future research, we plan to address this limitation by assessing the SEM using empirical data. This will involve a comprehensive comparison of outcomes derived from CB-SEM with those obtained through SEM-ANN methods. Such an empirical validation process is crucial for enhancing the overall efficiency and robustness of the proposed methodologies.

The established hybrid model revealed complex non-linear connections among indicators in the intricate project, enabling the recognition of primary hazards and offering direction to improve management of safety in the construction of subways.

This study aims to explore the effect of collaboration networks (domestic and international collaboration networks) on the innovation performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also investigates the mediating role of business model innovation, the moderating role of entrepreneurial orientation and government institutional support between them.

Hierarchical regression analysis is adopted to test the hypotheses based on survey data provided by 223 manufacturing SMEs in China.

The results reveal that domestic and international collaboration networks positively affect SMEs' innovation performance. Business model innovation mediates domestic and international collaboration networks-SMEs’ innovation performance relationships. Entrepreneurial orientation positively moderates international collaboration networks–SMEs’ innovation performance relationship, and government institutional support positively moderates domestic and international collaboration networks–SMEs’ innovation performance relationships.

The findings indicate that managers of SMEs should invest in domestic and international collaboration networks and business model innovation to enhance SMEs' innovation performance. Moreover, entrepreneurial orientation and government institutional support should be valued when SMEs try to enhance their innovation performance by embedding in domestic and international collaboration networks.

This study broadens the authors' understanding of the relationship between collaboration networks and firms' innovation performance by classifying collaboration networks into domestic and international dimensions and investigating their direct impacts on SMEs' innovation performance. Besides, this study reveals how and when domestic and international collaboration networks influence the innovation performance of SMEs.

Business research has highlighted the importance of knowledge transfer and innovation in multinational firms for better performance outcomes. However, the existing body of literature is characterized by differentiated theories, antecedents and outcomes. This study aims to address this gap by adopting a systematic approach to analyze knowledge transfer and innovation literature from the perspective of multinational organizations.

This study follows “preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines for conducting a systematic literature review. The study adopts a systematic approach for analyzing the literature using School of thought (S), Contexts (C), Methodologies (M), Triggers (T), Barriers (B), Facilitators (F) and Outcomes (O) framework (SCM-TBFO framework) devised for holistic literature review. The study analyzes 75 articles from reputed journals from 2000 to 2022.

In general, knowledge transfer and innovation in multinationals is a relatively new area and is evolving rapidly. There are many opportunities to study the various perspectives that are included in the SCM-TBFO framework. The key schools of thought included the evolutionary theory of innovation, institutional theory and internationalization theory. The studies had differing settings or contexts, including China, Europe, the USA and Taiwan. Further, key methodologies that were used included regression, case studies, structural equation modeling (SEM) and theoretical studies. Knowledge transfer and innovation triggers included competitive advantage, competitive pressure, constant requirements for better products and services, foreign direct investment (FDI) and globalization. Knowledge transfer and innovation facilitators were categorized into strategy-related facilitators, organization culture and orientation-related facilitators, and resource-related facilitators. Knowledge transfer and innovation barriers included autonomy, international knowledge dispersion, risk of knowledge leakage, search breadth, ambiguity and institutional voids. Key outcomes of knowledge transfer and innovation in multinationals included financial performance, innovation performance, knowledge flow, transfer effectiveness, patents and new product development.

By synthesizing the literature, the study aims to provide an overview of the current state of research on knowledge transfer and innovation in multinationals. The study develops a holistic model for fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in multinationals. The proposed novel framework can also be applied to perform a holistic assessment of the current literature in various research domains. Further, the study suggests future theory development and research agendas. The study also provides implications for practitioners using the framework to achieve more desirable outcomes.

Based on the resource bricolage theory, we investigate the impact of proactive market orientation and responsive market orientation on firms’ disruptive green innovation. We also examine the impact of resource bricolage on disruptive green innovation and the mediating role of resource bricolage.

Quantitative data were collected from 232 firms in China. Structural equation modelling was used to test hypotheses.

The result show that proactive market orientation had positive effect on firm’s disruptive green innovation, whereas responsive market orientation had negative effect on firm’s disruptive green innovation. In addition, resource bricolage positively promotes firm’s disruptive green innovation. Resource bricolage played a mediating role between proactive market orientation and disruptive green innovation. Resource bricolage had a suppressing effect between responsive market orientation and disruptive green innovation.

This study makes up for the deficiency of the existing research on the relationship between market orientation and enterprise disruptive green innovation, improves the guidance mechanism of disruptive green innovation.

This chapter explores how the development of football fandom for the Chinese national team and local football clubs is strongly associated with societal changes. Although the performances of Chinese football teams, especially the national team, have failed to impress the world, football remains the most popular because of millions of supporters with loyalty and passion. Most studies related to fans mainly focus on the economic and political implications of spectatorship along with the rise of China. Nevertheless, few articles are available to answer the fundamental questions, such as ‘When did these supporters come out?’ and ‘What were the factors of the development of fandom?’. By going through archival records and published documents over the last decades, this chapter offers a comprehensive and historical analysis of the development of football fandom in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and deals with these unanswered questions. As such, this chapter does not intend to be the most authoritative one but is one of the rare sources to lay down the foundation for research on Chinese football fandom. Furthermore, this chapter also proves that studies on football fandom can be a useful window for observing Chinese society.

Damage to the pipe structure and increased bolt stress in operating tunnels will significantly affect the long-term stability of shield tunnels. However, due to the large number of segments and complex bolt installation methods, it is difficult to directly obtain the conditions of segments and bolts. Convergence deformation, as an important indicator for the health assessment of operating tunnels, is easy to collect and can directly reflect the structural state of tunnel segments and bolts.

Taking the typical sections of Hangzhou Metro Line 1 and Line 3 as an example, the current structural damage is simulated by monitoring tunnel convergence deformation. First, based on the disease data, the relationship between convergence deformation and segment leakage, segment misalignment as well as the longitudinal joint opening between two segments is analyzed statistically. The stress of bolts, steel bars and segments under different convergence deformations is simulated by Midas. Then a reinforcement measure of circumferential internal tension steel rings is proposed.

It is found that when the segment convergence exceeds 85 mm, although the overall force on the segment has not reached the material limit, there are certain safety risks in the structure. After comparison, the reinforcement measure has a relatively significant effect on controlling the lateral deformation of segments.

The results have important guiding significance for the evaluation of structural diseases, early warning and control of structural diseases at different convergence deformations.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between corporate environmental responsibility (CER) and risk-taking in Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2020. It seeks to understand the influence of CER on risk-taking behavior and explore potential moderating factors.

A quantitative approach is used, using data from Chinese A-share listed companies over the specified period. Regression analysis is used to examine the relationship between CER and risk-taking, while considering moderating variables such as performance aspiration, environmental enrichment and contextual factors.

The findings indicate that CER positively influences corporate risk-taking, with significant impacts on information asymmetry and corporate reputation. Moreover, positive performance aspiration strengthens the effect of CER on risk-taking, while negative performance aspiration and environmental enrichment weaken this effect. Cross-sectional analysis shows that the positive association between CER and risk-taking is more prominent for firms located in areas with strict environmental regulation, for nonstate-owned firms, and for firms with higher levels of internal control.

This research contributes to the literature by providing insights into the dynamics between CER and risk-taking in the Chinese market context. It expands existing knowledge by considering the influence of performance aspiration on this relationship, offering practical implications for firms seeking to enhance corporate performance through strategic management of environmental responsibilities.