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Article
Publication date: 7 August 2017

Clement Lamboi Arthur, Junjie Wu, Milton Yago and Jinhua Zhang

The purpose of this study is to examine the degree, contents and trend development of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) performance indicators disclosed in sustainability reports…

1607

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the degree, contents and trend development of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) performance indicators disclosed in sustainability reports of large mining companies in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis methods are used to analyse 50 sustainability reports of ten large-scale mining companies in Ghana, covering the period 2008-2012.

Findings

The study finds that there has been a widening and increasing trend in the disclosure of performance indicators in sustainability reports of the large mining companies in Ghana, in accordance with GRI guidelines. The findings suggest that good progress in the strategic sector has been made in the voluntary adoption of the GRI guidelines to increase transparency, credibility and comparability in sustainability reporting. The findings also indicate areas to be improved.

Practical implications

The Government of Ghana and the Ghana Chamber of Mines could learn from the findings about the current status of this matter in order for them to formulate policies and regulations which would encourage the mining sector in moving forward in the adoption of international reporting standards.

Originality/value

This paper initializes investigation into the degree, contents and trends of performance indicators in sustainability reports of large mining companies in Ghana using content analysis.

Details

Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-0701

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Article
Publication date: 16 January 2020

Yongkun Wang, Yuting Zhang, Jinhua Zhang, Junjue Ye and Wenchao Tian

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of calcium sulfate whiskers (CSWs) on the thermodynamic properties and shape memory properties of epoxy/cyanate ester shape…

271

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of calcium sulfate whiskers (CSWs) on the thermodynamic properties and shape memory properties of epoxy/cyanate ester shape memory composites.

Design/methodology/approach

To improve the mechanical properties of shape memory cyanate ester (CE)/epoxy polymer (EP) resin, high performance CSWs were used to reinforce the thermo-induced shape memory CE/EP composites and the shape memory CSW/CE/EP composites were prepared by molding. The effect of CSW on the mechanical properties and shape memory behavior of shape memory CE/EP composites was investigated.

Findings

After CSW filled the shape memory CE/EP composites, the bending strength of the composites is greatly improved. When the content of CSW is 5 Wt.%, the bending strength of the composite is 107 MPa and the bending strength is increased by 29 per cent compared with bulk CE/EP resin. The glass transition temperature and storage modulus of the composites were improved in CE/EP resin curing system. However, when the content of CSW is more than 10 Wt.%, clusters are easily formed between whiskers and the voids between whiskers and matrix increase, which will lead to the decrease of mechanical properties of composites. The results of shape memory test show that the shape memory recovery time of the composites decreases with the decrease of CSW content at the same temperature. In addition, the shape recovery ratio of the composites decreased slightly with the increase of the number of thermo-induced shape memory cycles.

Research limitations/implications

A simple way for fabricating thermo-activated SMP composites has been developed by using CSW.

Originality/value

The outcome of this study will help to fabricate the SMP composites with high mechanical properties and the shape memory CSW/CE/EP composites are expected to be used in space deployable structures.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 50 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

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Article
Publication date: 14 July 2022

Lixuan Jiang, Hua Zhong, Jianghong Chen, Jiajia Cheng, Shilong Chen, Zili Gong, Zhihui Lun, Jinhua Zhang and Zhenmin Su

The construction industry is facing challenges not only for workers' mobility in the pandemic situation but also for Lean Construction (LC) practise in responding to the…

744

Abstract

Purpose

The construction industry is facing challenges not only for workers' mobility in the pandemic situation but also for Lean Construction (LC) practise in responding to the high-quality development during the post-pandemic. As such, this paper presents a construction workforce management framework based on LC to manage both the emergency goal in migrant worker management and the long-term goal in labour productivity improvement in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is created based on the integrated culture and technology strategies of LC. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods is taken to explore factors influencing the mobility of construction workers and to measure labour productivity improvement. The case study approach is adopted to demonstrate the framework application.

Findings

For method application, a time-and-motion study and Percent Plan Complete indicator are proposed to offer labour productivity measurements of “resources efficiency” and “flow efficiency”. Moreover, the case study provides an industry level solution for construction workforce management and Lean Construction culture shaping, as well as witnesses the LC culture and technology strategies alignment contributing to LC practise innovation.

Originality/value

Compared with previous studies which emphasised solely LC techniques rather than socio-technical system thinking, the proposed integration framework as well as implementation of “Worker's Home” and “Lean Work Package” management models in the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to new extensions of both the fundamental of knowledge and practise in LC.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 11 April 2016

Qunfeng Zeng, Jinhua Zhang, Jun Hong and Cheng Liu

The purpose of this paper is to design an oil-air lubrication system with low temperature rise, vibration and noise simplifies the spindle configuration. The oil-air lubrication…

626

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design an oil-air lubrication system with low temperature rise, vibration and noise simplifies the spindle configuration. The oil-air lubrication unit is a key component for high-speed grinding machine tools. The development of oil-air lubrication unit suitable for high/ultrahigh rotational speed is a daunting task owing to the lubrication challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper emphasizes three main issues: the analysis of oil-air two-phase flow for tradition oil-air lubrication unit with the simulation method; the design of new oil-air lubrication unit for the high/ultrahigh-speed grinding machine tools and the comparative experiment research of tradition and new oil-air lubrication unit. The optimum structure parameters that create the optimum flow pattern and operating conditions resulting in low temperature increase, vibration and noise of oil-air lubricated spindle can be achieved by the simulation method and experiments.

Findings

The simulation and experimental results show that new oil-air lubrication unit lubricating a high speed electric spindle has a better performance with a small temperature increase and vibration, which means that our proposed method is an effective design method for oil-air lubrication system.

Originality/value

A design method suitable for high-speed oil-air lubrication unit is proposed. New oil-air lubrication unit is expected to apply for high/ultrahigh rotational speed grinding machine tools.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 68 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

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Article
Publication date: 7 September 2015

Bruce Jianhe Liu, Yubin Wang, Jingjing Wang, Xin Wu and Shu Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether China is still a passive price taker from the US soybean futures, or instead domestic futures market has developed certain degrees…

679

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether China is still a passive price taker from the US soybean futures, or instead domestic futures market has developed certain degrees of pricing power through time. The finding helps to identify the importance of China soybean futures in the perspective of portfolio selection for international futures traders. If China soybean futures market is no longer a price taker after the subprime crisis, traders need to include it as a separate category in their portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity-generalized error distribution (EGARCH-GED) and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity-generalized error distribution (GARCH-GED) models to test spillover effects between Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) and Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybean futures. The authors divide daily samples into three subperiods based on the subprime crisis. Three research questions – whether China is still the price taker, the importance of Chinese soybean futures in international futures portfolio selection, and the influences of subprime crisis on soybean futures volatility relationship – are examined by comparing estimation results through time and different contracts.

Findings

The spillover effect from CBOT soybean futures to DCE No. 1 soybean futures becomes weaker through time. China is no longer a soybean futures price taker after the subprime crisis. The authors also find the shocks of bearish news on DCE soybeans are greater than those of bullish news. Potential volatility of DCE in long positions is bigger than that in short positions.

Practical implications

China is the largest soybean importer. DCE is a very important futures market for non-genetically modified soybeans. It is necessary for both international and domestic futures traders to understand the changes in international soybean futures price relationship and take corresponding strategies. It is also important for market to realize that DCE soybean futures are to a less degree price taker after the subprime crisis.

Originality/value

The paper applies EGARCH-GED and GARCH-GED models to identify changes in spillover effects before, during, and after the subprime crisis. Different from other studies, this paper finds after the subprime crisis, China is no longer the soybean futures price taker. This paper also compares the spillover effects of non-genetically modified soybean futures (No. 1 soybean futures) with genetically modified soybean futures (No. 2 soybean futures).

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

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Article
Publication date: 28 August 2009

Kaiwen Feng, Jinhua Zhang and Huang Yingwei

The purpose of this paper is to draw conclusions about China's agricultural integration (CAI) by looking back its processes stage by stage, discussing the problems related to CAI…

3700

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw conclusions about China's agricultural integration (CAI) by looking back its processes stage by stage, discussing the problems related to CAI, in order to learn salutary lessons for the future of agricultural development, for the increase in rural income, and especially for the promotion of CAI.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper comprises three stages: analyzing the process of CAI from the household responsibility system, to agricultural industrialization, until the stage of CAI led by farmers' co‐operatives; discussing the related practice together with literature; and historically proving that there is no better way to promote CAI than letting it be led by farmers' co‐operatives.

Findings

The paper finds that, the development of China's agricultural economic organizations is owing to CAI, and can be studied stage by stage; the process of CAI proves that it needs to be promoted as a new style led by farmers' co‐operative in order to increase rural income; literature review also gives eloquent proof of the above viewpoint; agricultural integration led by farmers' co‐operative should be taken as a better way to upgrade CAI and to increase rural income, for it can decrease the benefit disputes that usually happened in the former type of agricultural industrialization.

Originality/value

The obvious value of the paper is to show, by a historical review, a way to promote CAI and to increase farmers' income. A literature review finds these countermeasures comprehensively, historically, and theoretically. The information about CAI will be beneficial for people who are interested in the topic.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 1 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 7 September 2010

Jinhua Zhang

147

Abstract

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 2 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

Available. Content available

Abstract

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

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Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Jiajun Gu, Fenghua Xie and Xingsi Wang

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between top management team (TMT) internal social capital and strategic decision-making speed, and further explore role of…

848

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between top management team (TMT) internal social capital and strategic decision-making speed, and further explore role of TMT behavioral integration in their relationship. It reveals how TMT internal social capital impacts strategic decision-making speed.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of the social capital theory and upper echelons theory, at first, a model about TMT internal social capital and strategic decision-making speed is proposed by exploratory case study. Then, the data obtained via questionnaire from 67 TMTs by software SPSS 19.0 and AMOS 17.0 are analyzed, and the theoretical hypotheses as mentioned above are verified.

Findings

The empirical study found that different dimensions of TMT internal social capital have significant positive impact on TMT behavioral integrity; TMT behavioral integrity has significant positive impact on strategic decision-making speed; and TMT behavioral integrity as an intermediary variable played a brokering role in the relationship between TMT internal social capital and strategic decision-making speed.

Originality/value

The study enriches the empirical test on the relationship between TMT internal social capital and decision speed, thereby helping the authors further understand how to improve the speed of strategic decision making in TMT.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 45 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 8 January 2018

Ying Guo, Dongpo Xia, Binghua Sun, Xi Wang, Dao Zhang and Jinhua Li

Because natural resource utilization is a predictor of sustainable development, an evaluation of the efficiency of resource utilization is critical for assessing developmental…

387

Abstract

Purpose

Because natural resource utilization is a predictor of sustainable development, an evaluation of the efficiency of resource utilization is critical for assessing developmental potentiality. The purpose of this paper is to apply three-dimensional (3D) ecological footprint theory to assess the effects of production and consumption on ecological systems in Hefei, China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data for Hefei for the period 2005-2014, an ecological footprint model (EFM) was developed to calculate the area’s ecological footprint (EF), ecological carrying (EC) capacity and obtain two indices, namely, footprint depth and size. The relationship between economic development and natural resource utilization was subsequently evaluated based on the calculated ecological deficit and the EF demand per Renminbi 10,000 of gross domestic product (GDP).

Findings

Over the last decade, Hefei’s EF per capita evidenced a 9.87 percent growth rate, increasing from 1.16 hm2/person in 2005 to 2.70 hm2/person in 2014. EC capacity per capita increased from 0.21 hm2/person in 2005 to 0.36 hm2/person in 2014, evidencing a gradually increasing trend at an average annual growth rate of 6.24 percent. Thus, between 2005 and 2014, the ecological deficit increased annually by three times. The amplification of footprint depth significantly exceeded that of footprint size. Between 2005 and 2014, Hefei’s EF per capita Renminbi 10,000 of GDP decreased annually by 4.68 percent. Thus, energy consumption in Hefei exceeded the natural regeneration capacity of energy resources, with excessive development and resource utilization impacting on the regional ecological system.

Practical implications

The application of a 3D EFM sheds light on natural resource utilization within regional development. Moreover, footprint depth and size are significant predictors of the impacts of natural resource utilization. These findings will also benefit other countries or cities.

Originality/value

This is one of the first empirical studies to apply a 3D EFM to evaluate the relationship between natural resource utilization and economic development. Adopting a sustainable development framework, it provides insights into the effects of natural resource utilization in relation to the balance between the natural ecological system and economic development. This has far-reaching implications beyond Hefei and China.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

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