Gui Ying Yang and Thao Lê
One of the main strengths of qualitative research is to focus on ideas, concepts and meanings involving individuals and groups of people in their own discourse. Instead of testing…
Abstract
One of the main strengths of qualitative research is to focus on ideas, concepts and meanings involving individuals and groups of people in their own discourse. Instead of testing a narrow hypothesis or making a generalisation about a population on certain issues under investigation, qualitative research attempts to present different insights which can only be unearthed by direct and personal engagement with research participants (Brannen, 1992). This engagement should take place in a natural social context where real life takes place. However, conducting qualitative research in China can pose a huge challenge for both Chinese and international researchers. This paper examines some problems (ethics, linguistics, etc) of using qualitative research methods and tools such as interviews, participant observation, and Critical Discourse Analysis in China.
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Ying‐Lien Lee, Sheue‐Ling Hwang and Eric Min‐Yang Wang
The primary purpose of this paper is to present an integrated framework for user interface prototyping and evaluation for the development of information systems and to present…
Abstract
Purpose
The primary purpose of this paper is to present an integrated framework for user interface prototyping and evaluation for the development of information systems and to present architecture for evaluating generic applications.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework is constructed through combining two distinctive methods of prototyping and evaluation, statechart and goals, operators, methods, and selection rules. Relevant methods and architectures of the integrated framework are presented in unified modeling language when possible.
Findings
The importance of the usability of information systems is highlighted in this research. However, it still lacks an integrated framework for information system development and usability evaluation. This paper provides a framework that evaluation method is intertwined with user interface prototyping to shorten the time of development lifecycle. The architecture for evaluating generic applications is also invaluable for motion and time study and the procurement of vender‐provided systems.
Research limitations/implications
The user base of information systems is diverse and the requirements of these systems change over time. This paper provides a framework that helps managers and engineers smooth and shorten the development phases. For future works, an object‐oriented programming framework and a tool for evaluating generic applications will be developed.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for combining prototyping and evaluation, as well as architecture for the evaluation of generic applications. It shortens the development phases by using formal modeling for user interface construction and evaluation. It also provides means to evaluate candidate systems whose program logics cannot be accessed and modified. It also complements the models used in the framework by extending their practical and academic values.
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Lorraine Pe Symaco and Roger Y. Chao
This chapter discusses the nature of International and Comparative Education in East and South East Asia through the different organizations, networks, and programs formed to…
Abstract
This chapter discusses the nature of International and Comparative Education in East and South East Asia through the different organizations, networks, and programs formed to cater to the field. It gives an overview of the existing networks in international and comparative education, related activities, and studies instituted to strengthen the field in the region. Given the more developed network in East Asia, this chapter also highlights the increasing importance of international and comparative education in South East Asia, through the broader base of objectives also defined in the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) of 2015. Opportunities and policy reorientations (in education) set to present and utilize the field in both regions are also examined.
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Sifeng Liu, Yingjie Yang, Ying Cao and Naiming Xie
The purpose of this paper is to review systematically the research of grey relation analysis (GRA) models.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review systematically the research of grey relation analysis (GRA) models.
Design/methodology/approach
Three different approaches, the springboard to build a GRA model, the angle of view in modelling, and the dimension of objects, are analysed, respectively.
Findings
The GRA models developed from the models based on relation coefficients of each point in the sequences in early days to the generalized GRA models based on integral or overall perspective. It evolved from the GRA models which measure similarity based on nearness, into the models which consider similarity and nearness, respectively. The objects of the research advanced from the analysis of relationship among curves to that among curved surfaces, and further to the analysis of relationship in three‐dimensional space and even the relationship among super surfaces in n‐dimensional space.
Originality/value
The further research on GRA models is proposed. One is about the property of GRA model. An in‐depth knowledge about the properties of GRA model will help people to understand its function, applicable area and requirements for modelling. The other one is about the extension of research object system. The object to be analysed should be extended from the common sequence of real numbers to grey numbers, vectors, matrices, and even multi‐dimensional matrices, etc.
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Lin Gui, Zhendong Yin and Huihua Nie
The stability maintenance system has played an essential role in maintaining social stability although it also has brought about social problems worthy of attention. Admittedly…
Abstract
Purpose
The stability maintenance system has played an essential role in maintaining social stability although it also has brought about social problems worthy of attention. Admittedly compensation-based stability maintenance policy can address the appeals of citizens whose rights are infringed and the dissolving effect in the provision of compensation can save the cost of stability maintenance but such stability maintenance system lacks equilibrium.
Design/methodology/approach
The establishment of a strict assessment system for stability maintenance performance can encourage the stability maintenance authorities to eliminate the “fuse effect” as much as possible and ensure the effective implementation of the stability maintenance system. However, the rigorous stability maintenance performance assessment also provides the possibility for profit-driven petitions.
Findings
Due to the continuous accumulation of social dissatisfaction and the lack of stability maintenance equilibrium in the implementation of the compensation-based stability maintenance policy, public governance will fall into a stability maintenance paradox of “greater instability resulting from stability maintenance”.
Originality/value
The provision of sufficient means for the people to protect their interest by implementing measures such as strengthening the rule of law mechanisms is the key to achieve long-term social stability.
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Abdulaziz Ahmad, Weidong Wang, Shi Qiu, Wenjuan Wang, Tian-Yi Wang, Bamaiyi Usman Aliyu, Ying Sun and Abubakar Sadiq Ismail
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…
Abstract
Purpose
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.
Design/methodology/approach
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.
Findings
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.
Research limitations/implications
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.
Originality/value
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.
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Xiao-feng Zhang, Xiao-juan Zhang, Lei Li, Gui-quan Li and You-min Xi
This study aims to focus on the authority formation process of Chinese enterprise leaders, with the purpose of finding out how an ordinary newly established firm leader develops…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on the authority formation process of Chinese enterprise leaders, with the purpose of finding out how an ordinary newly established firm leader develops into a real top leader and achieves the status of legitimacy in a well-known enterprise.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on constructivist grounded theory, this paper investigates the formation mechanism of entrepreneurial authority in China by using the rich data of Liu Chuan-zhi’s leader activities.
Findings
In the “evolution” path of authority formation, leaders continually consolidate and improve their authority through two classes of exceptional management activities: “emergency rescue” and “promotion activities”. The successful realization of exceptional management activities benefits from a leader’s management experience accumulation and relationship maintenance with the government. In the “design” path of authority formation, leaders consolidate and improve their authority by exercising their position of power. Leaders’ legitimacy is reflected by making strategic decision and demonstrating discretion of position power. Additionally, passing on an inspiring leader’s thoughts and ideas to an organization’s members is accomplished through the construction of organization culture, institutionalization and convention.
Research limitations/implications
First, the findings are based on only Liu Chuan-zhi’s case. The authors still need more cases to compare and develop the findings and seek theoretical saturation in a broader sense. Second, the qualitative analysis is based on secondary data and future research could consider the introduction of interviews, video and other types of research data.
Originality/value
Under the parallel paths which are “evolution” and “design”, the dynamic leader authority formation model in China is founded.
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Huiyu Sun, Guangming Song, Zhong Wei and Ying Zhang
This paper aims to tele-operate the movement of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the obstructed environment with asymmetric time-varying delays. A simple passive proportional…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to tele-operate the movement of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the obstructed environment with asymmetric time-varying delays. A simple passive proportional velocity errors plus damping injection (P-like) controller is proposed to deal with the asymmetric time-varying delays in the aerial teleoperation system.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents both theoretical and real-time experimental results of the bilateral teleoperation system of a UAV for collision avoidance over the wireless network. First, a position-velocity workspace mapping is used to solve the master-slave kinematic/dynamic dissimilarity. Second, a P-like controller is proposed to ensure the stability of the time-delayed bilateral teleoperation system with asymmetric time-varying delays. The stability is analyzed by the Lyapunov–Krasovskii function and the delay-dependent stability criteria are obtained under linear-matrix-inequalities conditions. Third, a vision-based localization is presented to calibrate the UAV’s pose and provide the relative distance for obstacle avoidance with a high accuracy. Finally, the performance of the teleoperation scheme is evaluated by both human-in-the-loop simulations and real-time experiments where a single UAV flies through the obstructed environment.
Findings
Experimental results demonstrate that the teleoperation system can maintain passivity and collision avoidance can be achieved with a high accuracy for asymmetric time-varying delays. Moreover, the operator could tele-sense the force reflection to improve the maneuverability in the aerial teleoperation.
Originality/value
A real-time bilateral teleoperation system of a UAV for collision avoidance is performed in the laboratory. A force and visual interface is designed to provide force and visual feedback of the slave environment to the operator.
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Hongru Lu, Juan Xie, Ying Cheng and Ya Chen
This study aims to investigate how the public formed their need for information in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. Exploring the formation of information needs can…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how the public formed their need for information in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. Exploring the formation of information needs can reveal why the public's information needs differ and provide insights on targeted information service during health crises at an essential level.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 46 participants and analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Concepts, sub-categories and categories were developed, and a model was built to examine how the public formed the need for information about the pandemic.
Findings
The authors found that participants were stimulated by information asymmetry, severity of the pandemic and regulations to control the pandemic, which triggered their perceptions of information credibility, threat and social approval. After the participants perceived that there was a threat, it activated their basic needs and they actively formed the need for information based on cognitive activities. Moreover, information delivered by different senders resulted in a passive need for information. Participants' individual traits also influenced their perceptions after being stimulated.
Research limitations/implications
Long-term follow-up research is needed to help researchers identify more detailed perspectives and do comparative studies. Besides, this study conducted interviews through WeChat voice calls and telephone calls, and might be limited compared with face-to-face interviews.
Practical implications
The findings of this study provide theoretical contributions to the information needs research and practical implications for information services and public health management.
Originality/value
There is little systematic research on how the public formed information needs in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.