Search results

Engineered material arresting systems (EMASs) are dedicated to stopping aircraft that overrun the runway before they enter dangerous terrain. The system consists of low-strength foamed concretes. The core component of the arresting system design is a reliable simulation model. Aircraft test verification is required before the practical application of the model. This study aims to propose a simulation model for the arresting system design and conducts serial verification tests.

Six verification tests were conducted using a Boeing 737 aircraft. The aircraft was equipped with an extra inertia navigation system and a strain gauge system to measure its motion and the forces exerted on the landing gears. The heights of the arrestor beds for these tests were either 240 or 310 mm, and the entering speeds of the aircraft ranged from 23.9 to 60.6 knots.

Test results revealed that both the aircraft and the pilots on board were safe after the tests. The maximum transient acceleration experienced by the dummies on board was 2.5 g, which is within the human tolerance. The model exhibited a satisfied accuracy to the field tests, as the calculation errors of the stopping distances were no greater than 7 per cent.

This study proposes a simulation model for the arresting system design and conducts serial verification tests. The model can be used in EMAS design.

The present paper constructed a new framework for government data governance based on the concept of a data middle platform to elicit the detailed requirements and functionalities of a government data governance framework.

Following a three-cycle activity, the design science research (DSR) paradigm was used to develop design propositions. The design propositions are obtained based on a systematic literature review of government data governance and data governance frameworks. Cases and experts further assessed the effectiveness of the implementation of the artifacts.

The study developed an effective framework for government data governance that supported the digital service needs of the government. The results demonstrated the advantages of the framework in adapting to organizational operations and data, realized the value of data assets, improved data auditing and oversight and facilitated communication. From the collection of data to the output of government services, the framework adapted to the new characteristics of digital government.

Knowledge of the “data middle platforms” generated in this study provides new knowledge to the design of government data governance frameworks and helps translate design propositions into concrete capabilities. By reviewing earlier literature, the article identified the core needs and challenges of government data governance to help practitioners approach government data governance in a structured manner.

As a world leader in the textiles and clothing trade, Hong Kong has played an important role in world denim products trade. To obtain a sound understanding of the current status and position of Hong Kong in the world denim trade, the authors carried out a comprehensive statistical survey of the Hong Kong denim industry. This paper reports detailed analyses on the production, sales and trade of denim products in Hong Kong. The analysis on trade covers imports, domestic exports and re‐exports of denim fabric and apparel products.

Conflict between project parties is among the major risk factors in public–private partnership (PPP) in developing countries that has, in extreme cases, led to the failure or distress of many PPP projects. This paper aims to explore conflict prevention measures for PPPs in developing countries using Ghana as a case study.

From a comprehensive review of literature, a list of conflict prevention measures was derived; further, a questionnaire survey was conducted with PPP experts from Ghana. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance test, range normalization method and factor analysis were used for data analysis.

Results show four significant conflict prevention measures for PPPs in developing countries, they include extensive stakeholder consultation in decision makings, clear goals and mutual benefit objectives, clarity of roles and responsibilities of parties and transparent appeal procedures. Using the factor analysis technique, the prevention measures are grouped into three unrelated categories, they are efficient communication structure and risk assessments, transparency and openness and proficient service delivery.

The research findings inform policymakers and local practitioners of the strategic measures and procedures needed to minimize the occurrence of conflicts in PPPs in developing countries.

The purpose of this paper is to present a fuzzy‐analysis‐based scoring (F‐EPS) method for measuring contractors' environmental performance during project construction in order to assist contractors in improving their environmental performance during project construction.

To review relevant literature and conduct practical investigations for establishing the indicators which measure the environmental performance made by contractors. This will be followed by establishing the performance benchmarks for measuring the performance level of the environmental indicators, and presenting a fuzzy‐analysis‐based scoring method for measuring a contractor's environmental performance. A practical case was adopted to demonstrate the procedures of applying the F‐EPS model.

This paper provides an alternative method, fuzzy‐analysis‐based scoring (F‐EPS) method for assessing contractors' environmental performance. Whilst there are existing methods developed in previous studies for assessing the environmental performance of construction projects, it appears that little study has been conducted to investigate measuring the environmental performance by contractors during the construction process. Shen et al. (2005) suggested measuring contractors' environmental performance by using an environmental performance score (EPS). However, the major weakness of using the EPS model is that the model does not take into consideration the characteristics of the subjective and fuzzy assessment process. The F‐EPS method is thus developed to help mitigate these weaknesses.

F‐EPS model provides a simple and easy‐to‐apply tool to assist contractors in identifying the poor environmental performance areas; thus corrective methods can be used to make improvement. It provides an effective method for contractors' environmental performance to be communicated to involved stakeholders.

There are many variables affecting contractors' environmental performance, which present difficulties for measuring the performance efficiently and effectively. This paper has presented a new approach, a fuzzy‐analysis‐based method, for measuring the environmental performance used by contractors through applying the fuzzy analysis principles.

The first Hong Kong Real Estate Investment Trust (HK‐REIT), the Link REIT, was successfully launched in late 2005. The retail tranche of its initial public offering (IPO) was 19 times oversubscribed, and the IPO is the largest of its kind in the world until now. Despite the initial phenomenon success, there have been only three others to follow and get listed. Indeed, it took Hong Kong over two years to have her first Link REIT listed after the legislation for REIT products had come into force. The development of REIT market in Hong Kong has been slow compared to its counterparts in some other Asian countries. This paper aims to explain the somewhat sluggish growth of the HK‐REIT market. Its development is compared with some emerging Asian markets as well as the more mature markets in the USA and Australia. The study is focused on the legislations that govern REITs in different jurisdictions, their different REIT market envi‐ronments and the rationale from the respective governments to introduce their REITs. It is concluded that the sluggish development of HK‐REITs is mainly due to its market environment and industry structure. There is not enough incentive for developers to dispose their assets in the form of REITs. Besides, the HK‐REIT Code was initially criticized by the industry as being too restrictive. Though subsequent amendments on the HK‐REIT Code have been made to make it more conducive to the development of REIT market, further sustainable success will however hinge on the willingness from sponsors, particularly large developers, to offer their portfolios of properties for sale through REITs.

To present ways for empowering contractors in improving environmental performance particularly to meet the requirements defined in ISO 14000.

To review the traditional methodologies for protecting the environment in undertaking construction activities, investigate the limitations of these methods and the associated reasons, and apply the principles of ISO 14000 environmental management system (EMS) to develop an effective framework for helping contractors to become competent in implementing environmental management.

The major methodologies developed for protecting the environment in construction include governmental regulations, economic measures, and EMSs. However, the applications of these measures are limited. The typical causes contributing to the limitation include the clash between cost and environment, environmentally passive culture within construction industry, lack of cooperation among project parties, and clash between contract time and implementing environmental management methods. Furthermore, the practice of environment management is mainly driven by external impetus such as legal enforcement incentive programmes from government. However, the effectiveness cannot be gained if internal motivation does not exist. This paper introduces a framework to help a contractor to cultivate an environmentally friendly culture within its organization.

This paper proposes a framework for empowering contractors in improving environmental performance by identifying the weaknesses of the existing practice and applying a systematic approach of implementing environmental management approaches.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential challenges in developing numerical methodologies for inverse problems and optimizations.

Summarizing previous research results mainly contributed by two research groups of Zhejiang University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Computational intelligence plays an essential role in studying inverse problems and optimizations.

An up-to-date review on the current status of numerical methodologies, especially computational intelligences, for inverse problems and optimizations contributed by Chinese researchers.

This paper aims to explore the influences of leadership and work stress on employee behavior, and the moderating effects of transactional and transformational leadership on the relationship between work stress and employee negative behavior.

Using convenience sampling method, the authors investigated employees from 20 firms in different places and industries, and 347 valid questionnaires were collected. SPSS18.0 statistical analysis software was used for reliability and validity analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypothesis.

The empirical results show that there is a positive correlation between work stress and employee negative behavior. Transformational leadership has negative impacts on work stress and employee negative behavior, whereas transactional leadership has positive influences. Moreover, transactional leadership strengthens the influence of work stress on employee negative behavior, whereas transformational leadership has no moderating effect.

First, enterprises should take employees’ stress tolerance into account in selection and recruitment, and enhance stress management. Second, by demonstrating inspirational vision and personal charisma, open leadership style, rather than short-term transactional behavior, will motivate subordinates more effectively. Finally, distribution system should be improved to achieve principle and procedural justice.

The paper extends the research on employee behavior by investigating the impacts of leadership and work stress. According to Chinese social, economic and cultural characteristics, this research examines the influence of contemporary Chinese mindset and pluralistic values on employee behavior. Open leadership is proposed as a new leadership style, which contributes to improving leadership behavior and preventing negative behavior in workplace.