Xu Chu, Yuntao Bai and Baoying Zhu
Digital transformation (DX) is advancing in the post-pandemic era, yet regional disparities remain pronounced. This uneven distribution may be attributed to cities’ doing business…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital transformation (DX) is advancing in the post-pandemic era, yet regional disparities remain pronounced. This uneven distribution may be attributed to cities’ doing business environment. As the doing business environment comprises various components, we aim to explore how these components interact to affect local firms' DX, thereby identifying which configurations of the doing business environment contribute to firms' DX.
Design/methodology/approach
The doing business environment in our study contains seven components: public services, government, legal, innovation, market, human resources and financial services environments. We adopt a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach to determine the necessary and sufficient conditions for firms' high-level DX. The sample consists of enterprises listed on the China Science and Technology Innovation Board.
Findings
Firstly, a single doing business environment component is unnecessary for firms to produce a high- or non-high-level DX. Secondly, four configurations of the doing business environment explain firms' high-level DX of three general types: doing business environment configurations (1) dominated by the cost hypothesis, (2) synergised by the cost and resource hypotheses and (3) dominated by the resource hypothesis. Thirdly, the configurational paths generating firms’ high- or non-high-level DX are asymmetric and only one doing business environment configuration will lead to firms' non-high-level DX.
Originality/value
This study presents a ground-breaking exploration of the mechanisms driving firms' DX in terms of the city-level doing business environment and its dual functions. Additionally, we elucidate the reasons for the uneven regional distribution of DX development.
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Rentian Zhang, Longhua Li, Honggeng Zhu, Linbi Yao and Wei Shi
There are three pumping stations in the first stage of Eastern Route S-to-N Water Diversion Project in China, where the mixed-flow pumps with guide vanes are installed, consisting…
Abstract
There are three pumping stations in the first stage of Eastern Route S-to-N Water Diversion Project in China, where the mixed-flow pumps with guide vanes are installed, consisting of Baoying, Hongze and the No. 2 Suining pumping stations. By using flow rate coefficient and head coefficient as expression, firstly the hydraulic performances of the hydro models used are analyzed. Secondly the structural features and system performances are compared. And finally the measurement results in site are comprehensively evaluated. The results show that the pump models both introduced abroad and developed at home and the pumping system types adopted in the three pumping stations have been confirmed satisfying the requirements of operational conditions and high efficiency, stable and safety operation in all working conditions can be ensured.
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Xiaosong Dong, Wenli Cao and Yeqing Bao
This paper provides the strategic direction and coordination mechanism selection for the intelligent transformation of manufacturing enterprises.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper provides the strategic direction and coordination mechanism selection for the intelligent transformation of manufacturing enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical framework is developed through grounded theory and case analysis.
Findings
Collaboration value is the building block of the intelligent product ecosystem. The ecosystem is upgraded via a path of product coordination, platform coordination and network coordination.
Practical implications
This paper provides a framework for enterprises to build an intelligent product ecosystem.
Originality/value
The proposed intelligent product ecosystem framework is new to the literature and lays down a fruitful avenue for future research.
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Bing Zhang, Cui Wang, Xuan Ze Ren and Bo Xia
The construction industry has been investigating “where Henry Ford is in the industry system.” Given that listed construction enterprises are the backbone of the promotion of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry has been investigating “where Henry Ford is in the industry system.” Given that listed construction enterprises are the backbone of the promotion of the high-quality development of the industry, their research and innovation are of considerable importance. This study aims to comprehensively assess the research and development (R&D) status quo and trends within various types of construction enterprises in order to identify effective strategies to enhance R&D efficiency in the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the data won from annual reports and the CSMAR database for the period 2016–2020, this study examines 104 listed construction enterprises in China. By applying both the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method and the Malmquist productivity index, this research compares and analyzes the static and dynamic differences in R&D efficiency across different types of construction enterprises.
Findings
Results suggest that the magnitude of change in the Malmquist decomposition index of 104 listed construction enterprises gradually narrowed, but the comprehensive technological level remained relatively low. Although state-owned enterprises had an advantage in scale efficiency, meaning they could maximize output with given inputs, their technological progress efficiency, also known as the degree of technological innovation, was significantly lower than that of private enterprises. As one finding, state-owned enterprises in comparison with private enterprises experience significant R&D inefficiency. It represents the main cause of their low degree of technological innovation and efficiency.
Originality/value
This study assesses the R&D efficiency of listed construction enterprises in China from the perspective of different market segments, state-owned and private enterprises and suggests approaches to improve strategies for various corporate types. Thus, the study’s new findings contribute to addressing the challenge of low R&D levels in the construction industry in the fields of engineering, construction and architectural management.
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Dimitrios Buhalis, Xi Yu Leung, Daisy Fan, Simon Darcy, Ganghua Chen, Feifei Xu, Garry Wei-Han Tan, Robin Nunkoo and Anna Farmaki