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Driven by sustainable production, mobile robots are introduced as a new clean-energy material handling tool for mixed-model assembly lines (MMALs), which reduces energy consumption and lineside inventory of workstations (LSI). Nevertheless, the previous part feeding scheduling method was designed for conventional material handling tools without considering the flexible spatial layout of the robotic mobile fulfillment system (RMFS). To fill this gap, this paper focuses on a greening mobile robot part feeding scheduling problem with Just-In-Time (JIT) considerations, where the layout and number of pods can be adjusted.

A novel hybrid-load pod (HL-pod) and mobile robot are proposed to carry out part feeding tasks between material supermarkets and assembly lines. A bi-objective mixed-integer programming model is formulated to minimize both total energy consumption and LSI, aligning with environmental and sustainable JIT goals. Due to the NP-hard nature of the proposed problem, a chaotic differential evolution algorithm for multi-objective optimization based on iterated local search (CDEMIL) algorithm is presented. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by dealing with the HL-pod-based greening part feeding scheduling problem in different problem scales and compared to two benchmark algorithms. Managerial insights analyses are conducted to implement the HL-pod strategy.

The CDEMIL algorithm's ability to produce Pareto fronts for different problem scales confirms its effectiveness and feasibility. Computational results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the other two compared algorithms regarding solution quality and convergence speed. Additionally, the results indicate that the HL-pod performs better than adopting a single type of pod.

This study proposes an innovative solution to the scheduling problem for efficient JIT part feeding using RMFS and HL-pods in automobile MMALs. It considers both the layout and number of pods, ensuring a sustainable and environmental-friendly approach to production.

The purpose of this study is to prepare trivalent chromium conversion (TCC) film on the Zn-Ni electrodeposited film on the surface of 2024 aluminum alloy and to ensure that the TCC film has good corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity.

The morphology of the TCC film was studied by scanning electron microscopy, and the elemental composition of the TCC film was characterized by X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The TCC film was tested and the roughness was analyzed by 3D morphology (white light interference). The electrochemical behavior and corrosion resistance of TCC films were studied by the Tafel polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and the conductivity was tested.

The TCC films were uniformly black and bright in appearance and were mainly compounds of Zn, Ni and Cr with O. The electrochemical impedance of the TCC film is larger than that of the Zn-Ni film, the corrosion current (I_corr) is smaller than that of the Zn-Ni film and the corrosion potential (E_corr) is larger than that of the Zn-Ni film, which has excellent corrosion resistance. TCCs were performed on the appropriate size of the shell sample, and the resistance of the shells was 1.5 mVDC, which meets the total resistance requirements of the test standard for composite connector accessories.

In this study, TCC film was successfully prepared on the Zn-Ni coating on the surface of 2024 aluminum alloy. The TCC film has good corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity.

To take relative actions to cope with the threat which network finance information security now encounters by constructing controlling tactical and synergetic model.

It is practical to use the synergetic self‐organization theory to calculate the effects that the force of synergetic system of controlling tactics to financial information security makes on network financial system, and it is also practical to construct the synergetic model of controlling tactics to network financial information security on the basis of it.

Through applying synergetic analysis to controlling tactical system of network financial information security, it can be found out that controlling tactical system is an open system which changes from disorder to order and which keeps away from a balancing state. As an opening system, controlling tactics are interacting with outside from now and then.

Network financial information security takes on dynamics, relativity, integrity and complexity. Accessibility of data is the main limitations which model will be applied.

From the view of network financial information security, constructing controlling tactical and synergetic model of information security are explained.

Network finance is orientated as a special social and economic system. The author does analysis on the network financial system, and expounds order parameters and model of network financial system.

From an agency perspective, the authors investigate whether family ownership and control configurations are systematically associated with a firm's choice of auditor and audit fees. Agency theory is an economic theory that purposes the existence of a contract between two parties, principals and agents. Auditor choice and audit fees by family firms provide interesting insights given the unique nature of the agency problems faced by such firms.

The authors employ Big-4 auditors (PWC, KPMG, E&Y and Deloitte) as a proxy for high quality auditor (Big N) for the auditor choice model. For the audit fee model, the dependent variable is the natural logarithm of audit fees (LnAF). The authors use two measures for family firm as explanatory variables: (1) a dummy variable (FAM_Control), which equals one if the firm is classified as a family firm and (2) FAM_Ownership, which is an indicator variable with a value of one if a firm has family members who hold CEO position, occupy board seats, or hold at least 10% of the firm's equity. Data of Chinese listed firms from 2011 to 2021 are used. The authors adopt the Heckman (1979) two-stage model to mitigate the potential endogeneity issue involved in the selection of Big-N auditors.

The findings suggest that compared with non-family firms, Chinese family firms have a less tendency to employ Big-4 auditors due to less severe agency problems between owners and managers. Additionally, Chinese family firms sustain higher audit fees than non-family firms. Similar to the prior literature, however, Chinese family firms audited by Big-4 auditors incur lower audit fees than family firms audited by non-Big-4 auditors in this study. In contrast to young-family firms, old-family firms are less likely to pick top-tier auditors and sustain lower audit fees. Consistent and robust results are found from endogeneity tests and sensitivity analyses.

The empirical evidence provides a unique insight, for accounting practitioners, policymakers, family owners and other capital market participants concerning the diverse effects of various family ownership and control features on selecting high-quality auditors and audit fees. This study advances the understanding, showing that a lower demand for audit quality occurs in Chinese family firms as they encounter less severe Type I agency problems. However, the more severe Type II agency problems in Chinese family firms sustain higher audit fees due to higher audit risk and greater audit effort.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the joint congruence effect of leadership styles and organizational culture on project members’ innovative behaviors in the construction projects setting.

The proposed hypotheses are tested using polynomial regression with a sample of 217 project managers and employees of different construction projects in China, and plotted through response surface analysis.

The results of polynomial regressions support the congruence effect hypothesis, indicating that more innovative behaviors of the project members could be elicited by a high level of congruence between transformational or transactional leadership styles and organizational culture. Furthermore, asymmetrical incongruence effects are found wherein project members with lower levels of innovative behaviors when project organizational culture is stronger as compared with when two leadership styles are at higher levels. Specifically, the condition is found under the innovation dimension of organization culture, but higher level of innovative behavior conversely displays when the harmony culture is weaker than two leadership styles.

The conceptual model and hypotheses are examined by analyzing cross-sectional and self-reported data collected in China. The findings could be further examined through multi-source or longitudinal, more systematic research.

The findings highlight the pivotal role played by the value congruence of leaders-organizations in motivating employees to be innovative in project organizations. This paper provides knowledge for project managers to help them understand whether and how project members’ innovative behaviors are better motivated by the fit or misfit between the styles of leadership and project organizational cultures. Besides, this study provides the approach or direction for the project leaders training.

This study is one of the first to examine the joint effects of leadership styles and organizational culture on innovative behavior based on the person-organization fit theory and from the perspective of value congruence.

Internet of Things (IoT), a strategic emerging industry, has brought a new driving force to the global economic growth, as well as an effective solution to break the barrier of economic development. However, standards system of IoT is not yet mature, existing obvious overlapping and even conflicting standards, and enterprises lack mature technology standardization model, which severely restricts the structural upgrading and development of IoT. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

In this regard, this study combs the research context of the IoT, technology standardization and competition behavior, and analyze technology standardization models of IoT by combining theory with practice. Using game theory and profit function, this paper analyzes the selection mechanism of standardization model of IoT enterprises, and explores practical application of these models using competitive behavior theory.

First, in the process of standardization, technology standardization model n enterprises is not single, nor is it immutable. Second, the trend of internationalization of technical standards is becoming more and more obvious. Third, if LoT enterprises want to achieve their own technology standardization, the corresponding competitive behavior is essential. Fourth, with the change of innovation capability and market forces, the competitive behavior of enterprises should be improved accordingly to better adapt to the changes of internal and external environment and ensure the realization of the standardization of enterprises. Fifth, if IoT attempts to achieve the same globalization as the internet, there must be a set of support systems.

Finally, some suggestions are given for the future development in the field of IoT. This study will provide some theoretical support for promoting the development of standards and enhancing the competitiveness of IoT enterprises.

This study aims to enhance the prediction accuracy of hydroelectricity consumption in China, with a focus on addressing the challenges posed by complex and nonlinear characteristics of the data. A novel grey multivariate prediction model with structural optimization is proposed to overcome the limitations of existing grey forecasting methods.

This paper innovatively introduces fractional order and nonlinear parameter terms to develop a novel fractional multivariate grey prediction model based on the NSGM(1, N) model. The Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is then utilized to compute the model’s hyperparameters. Subsequently, the proposed model is applied to forecast China’s hydroelectricity consumption and is compared with other models for analysis.

Theoretical derivation results demonstrate that the new model has good compatibility. Empirical results indicate that the FMGM(1, N, a) model outperforms other models in predicting the hydroelectricity consumption of China. This demonstrates the model’s effectiveness in handling complex and nonlinear data, emphasizing its practical applicability.

This paper introduces a scientific and efficient method for forecasting hydroelectricity consumption in China, particularly when confronted with complexity and nonlinearity. The predicted results can provide a solid support for China’s hydroelectricity resource development scheduling and planning.

The primary contribution of this paper is to propose a novel fractional multivariate grey prediction model that can handle nonlinear and complex series more effectively.

The purpose of this paper is to design a soft robot for performing detection, by using a hybrid drive to reach the target point faster and enable the robot to perform the detection task at a relatively fast speed.

The soft robot is driven by a mixture of motors and pneumatic pressure, in which the pneumatic pressure is used to drive the soft actuator to bend and the motors to drive the soft robot forward. The careful design of the actuator is based on a finite element simulation using ABAQUS, which combines a constant curvature differential model and the D-H method to analyze the motion space of the soft actuator.

The soft robot’s ability to adapt to the environment and cross obstacles has been demonstrated by building prototypes and complex environments such as grass, gravel, sand and pipes.

This design can improve the speed and smoothness of the motion of the soft robot, while retaining the good environmental flexibility of the soft robot. And the soft robot has good environmental adaptability and the ability to cross obstacles. The soft robot proposed in this paper has broad prospects in fields such as pipeline inspection and field exploration.

This study aims to investigate whether auditors compromise their independence for economically important clients in family business settings.

The authors empirically examine the research question based on China for the years 2011 to 2020. The dependent variable is the auditors’ propensity to issue modified audit opinions, which is a proxy for auditor independence. The authors use relative client audit fees as a proxy for client importance. To address endogeneity issues in the selection of family firms, the authors use the two-stage least squares regression model and, subsequently, the propensity score matching and Hausman firm fixed effect modeling.

This study reveals that the propensity to issue modified audit opinions is positively correlated with client importance. Big-N auditors are more likely to issue modified audit opinions for their economically important family firm clients, whereas such evidence is not found for non-Big-N auditors. Results are consistent and robust to endogeneity test and sensitivity analysis.

This study enriches the literature on auditor independence and the effect of family firms’ ownership structure factors on audit reporting behavior for their economically important clients. Findings may prove useful for managers and practitioners interested in family business.

This study explores the influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) career experience on the investment behavior and risk tolerance of chief executive officers (CEOs). Specifically, this study focuses on CEOs' abilities to allocate financial assets and maintain solvency.

This study adopts a comprehensive approach to analyze financial assets and asset-to-liability ratios. Financial data and individual information of CEOs from listed companies are collected from 2020Q1 to 2021Q4, along with statistics on confirmed COVID-19 cases. Instrumental and alternative variables are used to examine the robustness and endogeneity of the research, ensuring a thorough analysis.

A significant positive correlation is revealed between CEOs' COVID-19 career experience and their capacity to effectively allocate financial assets. However, COVID-19 has a negative effect on firm performance in terms of solvency. These findings contribute to the empirical evidence linking the pandemic to company performance, representing part of the initial research in this area.

The study suggests that the implementation of potential policy implications, such as loose monetary policies and tax and fee reduction measures, may alleviate the tax burden on listed companies.