T. Bhavan, Changsheng Xu and Chunping Zhong
South Asia has been an important destination of foreign aid over the past decades. Since a large part of aid is disbursed for social and economic infrastructure development in…
Abstract
Purpose
South Asia has been an important destination of foreign aid over the past decades. Since a large part of aid is disbursed for social and economic infrastructure development in South Asian countries, and the volume of aid has tremendously increased in recent years, the purpose of this study is to investigate how far various categories of foreign aid affects economic growth rate in these countries. In addition, as the trend of each category of aid transfer appears to have been volatile, this study also investigates whether the volatilities inhibit growth rate in these countries.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, South Asia refers to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Random effects approach is employed incorporating panel data for the period of 1995‐2008. The aggregate foreign aid is classified into various categories to have a comprehensive investigation.
Findings
Foreign aid positively associated with growth whereas the volatility of aid hurts it. Long‐impact aid promotes growth more than short‐impact aid does. The volatility of short‐impact aid hurts growth, whereas the volatility of long‐impact aid has no effect on it. Pure aid and its volatility have no effect on growth.
Originality/value
This study has identified the structure of foreign aid disbursed in these countries, and explored how far each category and respective volatility affects growth. These findings would be useful to the scholars and policy makers in the recipient countries as well as donors, to make foreign aid much more effective in future.
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Changsheng Wang, Yang Wang, Caixia Yang, Xiangkui Zhang and Ping Hu
Severe accuracy loss may occur when finite element comes to the distorted mesh model, and the calculation may fail when element mesh degenerates into concave quadrangle or the…
Abstract
Purpose
Severe accuracy loss may occur when finite element comes to the distorted mesh model, and the calculation may fail when element mesh degenerates into concave quadrangle or the element boundary is curved. This is a valuable research topic, and many efforts have been made to develop new finite element models. This paper aims to propose two quasi-conforming membrane elements based on the assumed stress quasi-conforming method and fundamental analytical solutions to overcome the difficulties.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the fundamental analytical solutions which satisfied both the equilibrium and the compatibility relations of plane stress problem are used as the initial assumed stress of both elements. Then, the stress-function matrices are used as the weighted functions to weaken the strain-displacement equations, which makes only string-net functions on the boundary of the elements are needed in the process of strain integration. Finally, boundary interpolation functions expressed by unknown nodal displacement parameters are adopted to the process of strain integration.
Findings
The formulations of both elements are simple and concise, and the elements are immune to the distorted mesh, which can be used to the mesh shape degenerates into a triangle or concave quadrangle and curved-side element. The results of the numerical tests have proven that the new models possess high accuracy.
Originality/value
New formulations of quasi-conforming method are described is detail, and the new strategy exhibits advantages of both analytical and discrete methods.
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Jian Feng Li, Qin Shi, HeJun Zhu, ChenYu Huang, Shuai Zhang, Weixiang Peng and ChangSheng Li
This paper aims to clarify the size and morphology of transition metal dichalcogenides has an impact on lubrication performance of Cu-based composites. This study is intended to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to clarify the size and morphology of transition metal dichalcogenides has an impact on lubrication performance of Cu-based composites. This study is intended to show that Cu-based electrical contact materials containing Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2 have better electrical and tribological properties than those containing NbSe2. The tribological properties of Cu-based with different Ti-dopped NbSe2 content were also discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
The NbSe2 and Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2 particles were fabricated by thermal solid state reaction method. The powder metallurgy technique was used to fabricate composites with varying Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2 mass fraction. The phase composition of Cu-based composites was identified by X-ray diffraction, and the morphology of NbSe2/Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2 and the worn surface of composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the tribological properties of composites were appraised using a ball-on-disk multi-functional tribometer. The data of friction coefficient and resistivity were analyzed and the corresponding conclusion was drawn.
Findings
In comparison with the pure copper, Cu-based composites containing Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2/NbSe2 had a lower friction coefficient, illustrating the Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2 with nano-size particles prepared in this work is a perfect choice for the fabrication of excellent electrical contact composites. Compared to composites with NbSe2, composites containing Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2 have better tribological and electrical properties.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the use of thermal solid state reaction method, the size of NbSe2 and Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2 is relatively large. Therefore, the fabrication of finer particles of Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2 is encouraged.
Originality/value
In this paper, the authors discuss the tribological and electrical properties of Cu-based composites, and the value of optimum obtained as Nb0.91Ti0.09Se2 content is 15 Wt.%.
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Changsheng Wang, Xiaoxiao Sun, Xiangkui Zhang and Ping Hu
A higher-order Reissner-Mindlin plate element method is presented based on the framework of assumed stress quasi-conforming method and Hellinger-Reissner variational principle. A…
Abstract
Purpose
A higher-order Reissner-Mindlin plate element method is presented based on the framework of assumed stress quasi-conforming method and Hellinger-Reissner variational principle. A novel six-node triangular plate element is proposed by utilizing this method for the static and free vibration analysis of Reissner-Mindlin plates.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the initial assumed stress field is derived by using the fundamental analytical solutions which satisfy all governing equations. Then the stress matrix is treated as the weighted function to weaken the strain-displacement equations after the strains are derived by using the constitutive equations. Finally, the arbitrary order Timoshenko beam function is adopted as the string-net functions along each side of the element for strain integration.
Findings
The proposed element can pass patch test and is free from shear locking and spurious zero energy modes. Numerical tests show that the element can give high-accurate solutions, good convergence and is a good competitor to other models.
Originality/value
This work gives new formulations to develop high-order Reissner-Mindlin plate element, and the new strategy exhibits advantages of both analytical and discrete methods.
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Huixiang Zeng, Li Yang and Jing Shi
Internal audit executives instruct the internal audit department to supervise corporate business management activities, evaluate internal controls and risks and provide…
Abstract
Purpose
Internal audit executives instruct the internal audit department to supervise corporate business management activities, evaluate internal controls and risks and provide recommendations for operating. Therefore, this paper aims to confirm whether and how the supervisory ability of the chief internal audit executive enhances the internal audit department’s function to prevent corporate fraud. Based on the results, this paper further researches the role of the supervisory board position in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines 922 small and medium-sized listed enterprises in China from 2010 to 2017 and empirically investigates the influence of the internal audit executive’s supervisory ability (IAESA) on the occurrence of corporate fraud.
Findings
The results reveal that the IAESA is significantly negatively correlated with the occurrence of corporate fraud. This suppression effect is more pronounced when the internal audit executive is also the company’s supervisor. However, if the internal audit executive is the chairman of the board of supervisors, the suppression effect no longer exists. This paper therefore confirms that the IAESA curbs corporate fraud via the improvement of the internal corporate control level.
Research limitations/implications
Because the sample data was limited by the information disclosure level of the included companies, the sample size was relatively small as compared with those of other studies.
Practical implications
This study not only expands the research perspective in the field of internal audit functions but also provides a decision-making reference for the prevention of corporate fraud.
Social implications
This paper extends an approach that might be able to curb corporate fraud.
Originality/value
A comprehensive index was developed using data envelope analysis to quantify the supervisory ability of internal audit executives. Based on this, this research confirms that the internal audit department performs a “firewall function” to prevent corporate fraud.
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The purpose of this paper is to assess the application of the nascent corporate opportunity doctrine in China by comparison with its well-established English counterpart; in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the application of the nascent corporate opportunity doctrine in China by comparison with its well-established English counterpart; in particular, it evaluates whether the fine balance between business integrity and business efficiency has been struck.
Findings
It is argued that the scope of application of the corporate opportunity doctrine in China should be extended, and the rules on the burden of proof should be amended. Moreover, a stricter approach should be adopted by the Chinese judiciary for the purpose of protecting the company’s interests and enhancing business integrity.
Research limitations/implications
This paper mainly focuses on the corporate opportunity doctrine. It does not discuss other duties of directors in detail.
Practical implications
It is useful for directors in balancing business integrity and business efficiency.
Originality/value
It is an original piece of work which assesses the corporate opportunity doctrine by making comparison with English law.
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Wei Yan, Huan Chen, Yan He and Cuilian Zhang
This study aims to understand how abusive supervision influences employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB). In particular, the mediating effect of moral disengagement…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand how abusive supervision influences employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB). In particular, the mediating effect of moral disengagement and moderating role of traditionality on this relationship were examined.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted a two-wave questionnaire survey using data collected from 629 employees from different companies in China. Moderated mediation analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results show that moral disengagement mediates the relationship between abusive supervision and employees’ UPB. Employee traditionality enhances the relationship between abusive supervision and moral disengagement as well as the indirect effect of abusive supervision on employees’ UPB via moral disengagement.
Originality/value
First, by exploring the positive impact of abusive supervision on UPB, the authors enhance the current understanding of the role of negative leadership in the development of UPB and enrich the research on the antecedents of UPB and outcomes of abusive supervision. Second, based on social cognitive theory, this study enriches the literature on abusive supervision and employee UPB by identifying moral disengagement as a mediator. Third, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the authors are among the first to incorporate traditionality to tell a Chinese story about how traditional employees respond to the effects of abusive supervision on UPB, providing a new lens for the cultural boundary condition in the occurrence mechanism of UPB.
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Caiyun Cui, Tingyu Xie, Yong Liu, Meng Liu, Huan Cao and Huilian Li
This paper aims to explore the influencing factors of public perceived efficacy of emergency infrastructure projects based on the triadic interactive determinism, and analyze the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the influencing factors of public perceived efficacy of emergency infrastructure projects based on the triadic interactive determinism, and analyze the relationship among these factors.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the triadic interactive determinism, we explored the factors influencing public perceived efficacy of emergency infrastructure project and empirically verified the relationship among these factors and perceived efficacy by using data drawn from a questionnaire survey of 491 residents near Leishenshan Hospital, Jiangxia District, Wuhan, China.
Findings
Prior experience, emotional response, personal expectation, public trust, context message and interactivity level, namely behavior, individual and environment, affect the perceived efficacy of public emergency infrastructure projects.
Practical implications
The results offer an insight into public perceived efficacy of emergency infrastructure project from the perspective of antecedents in a triadic reciprocal determinism, which provides a reference basis for the sustainable development of the emergency infrastructure projects. This study also suggests valuable practical implications to government departments to improve the quality of administrative decision-making effectively.
Originality/value
Although existing studies have found some influencing factors of public perceived efficacy in general infrastructure, there is still a lack of systematic carding and quantitative description of influencing factors of public perceived efficacy of emergency infrastructure projects. This study bridges this gap by exploring the determinants and their influencing relationship of public perceived efficacy especially for emergency infrastructure projects.
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Zhi Li, Jiuchang Wei, Dora Vasileva Marinova and Jingjing Tian
This paper aims to explore the explanations of “information effect” and “agency effect” of corporate diversification with cross-industry knowledge under a crisis situation.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the explanations of “information effect” and “agency effect” of corporate diversification with cross-industry knowledge under a crisis situation.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on an event study of 203 public companies’ crises in China between 2008 and 2018, the authors verify the information and agency effects of corporate diversification under a crisis situation by, respectively, examining the effects of interactions of corporate unrelated diversification with corporate transparency and knowledge deficiency attribution on the stock market’s responses to the crises.
Findings
It is found that corporate unrelated diversification serves as a buffer in protecting firm value while attribution of knowledge deficiency can be a burden. The buffering effect is stronger when the corporate transparency is higher but weaker when the crisis is attributed to be caused by corporate tacit knowledge deficiency.
Practical implications
Unrelated diversified firms should strengthen information communication with stakeholders so as to break down the stakeholders’ cross-industry knowledge barriers, and thus protect their own value at the crisis’ onset. Also, they can further buffer the loss by reducing stakeholders’ perceptions of the corporate tacit knowledge deficiency revealed in the crisis.
Originality/value
This study is the first to illustrate that the information and agency effects of corporate diversification strategy can be partially explained under a crisis situation, which provides meaningful insights about how firms can conduct knowledge management in their daily operations to deal better with corporate crises.
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Yokesh V., Gulam Nabi Alsath Mohammed and Malathi Kanagasabai
The purpose of this paper is to design a suitable guard trace to reduce the electromagentic interference between two closely spaced high frequency transmission lines. A novel…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to design a suitable guard trace to reduce the electromagentic interference between two closely spaced high frequency transmission lines. A novel cross-shaped resonator combined via fence is passed down to alleviate far-end and near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in tightly coupled high-speed transmission lines. The distance between the adjacent transmission lines is increased stepwise as a function of trace width.
Design/methodology/approach
A rectangular-shaped resonator via fence is connected by a guard trace has been proposed to overcome the coupling between the traces that is separated by 2 W. Similarly, by creating a cross-shaped resonator via fence connected by guard trace that reduces the spacing further by 1.5 W.
Findings
A tightly coupled transmission line structure that needs separation by a designed unit cell structure. Further research needs to be conducted to improve the NEXT, far-end crosstalk (FEXT) and spacing between the transmission lines.
Originality/value
This study portrays a novel method that combines the resonators via fence with a minimum spacing between the tightly coupled transmission lines which reduce the NEXT and FEXT; thereby reducing the size of the routing area. The resultant test structures are characterized at high frequencies using time domain and frequency domain analysis. The following scattering parameters such as insertion loss, NEXT and FEXT of the proposed method are measured as 1.504 dB, >30 dB and >20 dB, respectively.