Chi-Un Lei, Wincy Chan and Yuyue Wang
Higher education plays an essential role in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, there are only scattered studies on monitoring how…
Abstract
Purpose
Higher education plays an essential role in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, there are only scattered studies on monitoring how universities promote SDGs through their curriculum. The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection of existing common core courses in a university to SDG education. In particular, this study wanted to know how common core courses can be classified by machine-learning approach according to SDGs.
Design/methodology/approach
In this report, the authors used machine learning techniques to tag the 166 common core courses in a university with SDGs and then analyzed the results based on visualizations. The training data set comes from the OSDG public community data set which the community had verified. Meanwhile, key descriptions of common core courses had been used for the classification. The study used the multinomial logistic regression algorithm for the classification. Descriptive analysis at course-level, theme-level and curriculum-level had been included to illustrate the proposed approach’s functions.
Findings
The results indicate that the machine-learning classification approach can significantly accelerate the SDG classification of courses. However, currently, it cannot replace human classification due to the complexity of the problem and the lack of relevant training data.
Research limitations/implications
The study can achieve a more accurate model training through adopting advanced machine learning algorithms (e.g. deep learning, multioutput multiclass machine learning algorithms); developing a more effective test data set by extracting more relevant information from syllabus and learning materials; expanding the training data set of SDGs that currently have insufficient records (e.g. SDG 12); and replacing the existing training data set from OSDG by authentic education-related documents (such as course syllabus) with SDG classifications. The performance of the algorithm should also be compared to other computer-based and human-based SDG classification approaches for cross-checking the results, with a systematic evaluation framework. Furthermore, the study can be analyzed by circulating results to students and understanding how they would interpret and use the results for choosing courses for studying. Furthermore, the study mainly focused on the classification of topics that are taught in courses but cannot measure the effectiveness of adopted pedagogies, assessment strategies and competency development strategies in courses. The study can also conduct analysis based on assessment tasks and rubrics of courses to see whether the assessment tasks can help students understand and take action on SDGs.
Originality/value
The proposed approach explores the possibility of using machine learning for SDG classifications in scale.
Details
Keywords
Lei Qi, Zhiyuan Shen, Jianjian Gao, Guoliang Zhao, Xiang Cui and Wei Kang
This paper aims to establish the wideband model of a sub-module in a modular multilevel converter (MMC) and analyze the switch transients of the sub-module.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to establish the wideband model of a sub-module in a modular multilevel converter (MMC) and analyze the switch transients of the sub-module.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper builds an MMC sub-module test circuit and conducts dynamic tests both with and without the bypass thyristor. Then, it builds the wideband model of the MMC sub-module and extracts the model parameters. Finally, based on the wideband model, it simulates the switch transients and analyzes the oscillation mechanism.
Findings
The dynamic testing shows the bypass thyristor will add oscillations during switch transients, especially during the turn-on process. The thyristor acts like a small capacitor and reduces the total capacitor in the turn-on circuit loop, thus causing under-damped oscillations.
Originality/value
This paper found that the bypass thyristor will influence the MMC sub-module switch transients under certain circumstances. This paper proposes a partial inductance extraction procedure for the MMC sub-module and builds a wideband model of the sub-module. The wideband model is used to analyze and explain the switch transients, and can be further used for insulated gate bipolar transistor switch oscillation inhibition and sub-module design optimization.
Details
Keywords
Lei Qi, Ji Li, Zhiqiang Pang and Bing Liu
The purpose of this study is to enrich the literature on employee relations with a new model focusing on the effect of institutional structure and that of employees’…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to enrich the literature on employee relations with a new model focusing on the effect of institutional structure and that of employees’ organizational identification on the relationship between institutional structure in an organization and employees’ pro-environmental behaviors, which represents an alternative approach for understanding employees’ pro-environmental performance.
Design/methodology/approach
We collect multi-level and multi-source data from 52 four- or five-star hotels in China (N = 963). For data analysis, we adopt the approach of multilevel structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results suggest that organizations’ green institutional structure (G-structure) can significantly influence employees’ organizational identification, which in turn can increase their pro-environmental performance.
Originality/value
We propose a new multi-level theoretical perspective to explain employees’ pro-environmental behaviors. While prior studies on the issue mainly consider only the effects of such micro-level variables as ability, motivation and personality, we focus on the effect of organizational institution and its interaction with micro-level variables so that we can evaluate the effect a commonly-studied contextual variable, i.e. green institutions, on the behaviors. Moreover, in this new theoretical model, we also take into account the effect of another insufficiently-tested micro-level variable, i.e. employees’ identification, which has not been considered as frequently as other micro-level variables in studying employees’ pro-environmental performance. Our results highlight the importance of all these variables and suggest a valuable alternative model for more comprehensive research of employees’ green performance.
Details
Keywords
Lei Qi, Bing Liu and Kaixian Mao
In the background of the post-financial crisis era and the transition of China’s economic development, the frequent occurrence of workplace deviant behavior in the economic field…
Abstract
Purpose
In the background of the post-financial crisis era and the transition of China’s economic development, the frequent occurrence of workplace deviant behavior in the economic field, such as stealing and bribery, caused a huge impact on the enterprise. In recent years, the deviant behavior of employees has been increased noticeably. The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of paternalistic leadership on employee deviant behavior in workplace. To have a deep understanding of the relationship between paternalistic leadership and employee deviant behavior, the author’s design rule-oriented ethical climate and self-interest-oriented ethical climate as two mediators in this research model.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on social learning theory and stressor-emotion model, this study conducts an investigation of influence mechanism between paternalistic leadership and workplace deviant behavior. Time-lagged data was collected from 226 employees from six cities in China. To test the hypothesis that the authors developed in this paper, the authors use empirical models from the existing literature about paternalistic leadership on employee deviant behavior. They establish multiple linear regressions to test the hypotheses.
Findings
This study reveals the direct effect of authoritarian leadership on employee deviant behavior and the moderated roles of benevolent leadership and moral leadership, also analysis the mediated mechanism of self-interest-oriented ethical climate and rule-oriented ethical climate. The results show that the higher the degree of authority leaders show in the organization, the easier to stimulate workplace deviance of employee, self-interest-oriented ethical climate and rule-oriented ethical climate play mediated role between authoritarian leadership and workplace deviant behavior. The interaction of benevolent leadership and moral leadership with authoritarian leadership can weaken the self-interest-oriented ethical climate but has nothing to do with rule-oriented ethical climate.
Originality/value
This study has three main contributions to the previous literature. First, this study explores the relationship between authoritarian leadership and employee workplace deviance, which could enrich the research on these negative behaviors in the Chinese context. Second, this study unpacks the “black box” in which authoritarian leadership influences employee workplace deviant behavior. Third, this study further examines the impacts of different combinations of the three factors of paternalistic leadership.
Details
Keywords
Yufeng Guo, Chuang Zhang, Lei Qi, Haixu Yu, Suzhen Liu and Liang Jin
The purpose of this study is to develop an electromagnetic loading method for online measurement of the acoustoelastic coefficients and bus bar plane stress.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop an electromagnetic loading method for online measurement of the acoustoelastic coefficients and bus bar plane stress.
Design/methodology/approach
A method based on the combination of electromagnetic loading and the acoustoelastic effect is proposed to realize online measurement of acoustoelastic coefficients and plane stress. Electromagnetic loading is performed on the bus bar specimen, and the acoustoelastic coefficients and the bus bar plane stress are obtained by the ultrasonic method. An electromagnetic loading experimental platform is designed to provide electromagnetic force to the metal plate, including an electromagnetic loading module, an ultrasonic testing module and a stress simulation module.
Findings
The feasibility of the proposed electromagnetic loading method is proved by verification experiments. The acoustoelastic coefficients and plane stress measured using the electromagnetic loading method are more accurate than those measured using the traditional method.
Originality/value
The proposed electromagnetic loading method provides a new study perspective and enables more accurate measurement of the acoustoelastic coefficients and plane stress. The study provides an important basis for evaluating the operation status of electrical equipment.
Details
Keywords
Ruolan Liu, Zerong Xie, Chi-Un Lei and Dickson K. W. Chiu
Based on the sustainable development goals (SDG) adopted by the United Nations in 2015, this study aims to analyse the content of selected massive open online courses (MOOCs) to…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the sustainable development goals (SDG) adopted by the United Nations in 2015, this study aims to analyse the content of selected massive open online courses (MOOCs) to reveal the distribution pattern of SDG implementation in online education. In addition, the impact of including SDG content on course popularity was explored.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors searched the descriptive texts of all courses on the three largest international MOOC platforms and used the OSDG 2.0 algorithm (an open-source tool that maps and connects activities to the UN SDGs by identifying SDG-relevant content in any text) to classify these descriptive texts. Combined with the number of enrolments and course category classifications, this study analysed the current presence of sustainable development in MOOCs, based on text analyses.
Findings
The findings revealed the distribution of SDGs among the three most influential MOOC platforms and different categories, the most relevant keywords to SDGs, and the most often referred topics. The results indicated that the enrolment number of MOOCs labelled with SDGs is generally lower than those without SDG labels and the situation varies among course categories.
Originality/value
This study verified the general pattern of distribution of different SDGs in education for sustainable development (ESD) of MOOCs, with the breadth and depth of the MOOC content analysis surpassing existing research. Based on these findings, MOOC platforms should further increase attention to ESD on their websites. This study also verified the feasibility of using machine learning methods to quantitatively evaluate the sustainable development context of text within the framework of the SDGs.
Details
Keywords
Jian Tang, Xiang Cui, Lei Qi, Tiebing Lu, Lin Li, Puxuan Zhu, Guang Yang and Weizhen Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to present a method to calculate the transient induced voltages along the underground pipelines and analyze the transient interference generated in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a method to calculate the transient induced voltages along the underground pipelines and analyze the transient interference generated in the pipelines due to the inductive coupling in the fault‐to‐ground condition of power lines in close proximity.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on finite difference‐time domain method, an improved method is proposed to calculate transient inductive interference in underground metallic pipelines due to a fault in nearby power lines. The frequency‐dependent problem in the analysis of transient interference is solved in phase domain. Compared with the traditional method, the disposal of phase‐modal transformation matrices’ frequency‐dependent characteristic is avoided and the calculation is simplified by using vector fitting approach and recursive algorithm greatly in the proposed method.
Findings
A novel improved method is proposed to calculate transient induced voltage distribution along underground metallic pipelines due to a fault in nearby power lines. Results show that the peak value of transient induced voltage at the most critical point is about 1.15 times of the magnitude in the steady state without the fault removed and the analysis of transient inductive interference is necessary in the fault‐to‐ground case of power lines.
Practical implications
In order to mitigate the interference from power lines to nearby pipelines, pipelines should be good grounded and positioned as far away from the power line as possible. In high soil resistivity areas, the common corridor should be avoided.
Originality/value
The paper presents a method to calculate the transient induced voltages along the underground pipelines and analyze the transient interference generated in the pipelines due to the inductive coupling in the fault‐to‐ground condition of nearby power lines. The proposed method is general and can also be applied to other transient interference studies such as crosstalk problems of communication networks and interference between power lines and aboveground pipelines or communication cables. Effects of various parameters upon the inductive interference generated in underground pipelines due to a fault in nearby power lines are analyzed to be a guide for controlling the inductive interference.
Details
Keywords
Hua Du, Qi Han, Jun Sun and Cynthia Changxin Wang
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different prefabricated construction (PC) policies using a case study in Wuhan, considering the local context.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different prefabricated construction (PC) policies using a case study in Wuhan, considering the local context.
Design/methodology/approach
The effectiveness of PC policies is falling behind expectations. The main reason lies in an insufficient understanding of the policy impacts. An agent-based model was built by choosing the residential sector in a typical large city of Wuhan, China, as the study case. Different cost reduction scenarios were introduced for investigating the PC policy effectiveness. The proposed model and simulation approach can be used for other cities and generalized to the whole Chinese PC industry with the potential to include more local policies and corresponding data.
Findings
Simulation results show that carbon emission reduction will be between 60,000 and 80,000 tons with policy incentives, nearly double that of the no policy intervention scenario. The target of 30% PC in all new buildings by 2026 in China is achievable with the subsidy policies of linear cost reduction, or cost reduction conforms to the learning curve.
Practical implications
Simulation results of three kinds of policy show that subsidy policy optimization is necessary regarding reducing the level of subsidy needed. The carbon credit policy is not essential since it has little influence on PC development. Implementing the project procurement restriction policy is not recommended if the scale of development of PC is more important than achieving the development target.
Originality/value
This study can help the government and developers make better policy and strategic decisions on PC development and boost the sustainability transition of the construction industry.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this study is to develop and validate empirically a research model that depicts the relationships between the identified key value proposition attributes of mobile…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop and validate empirically a research model that depicts the relationships between the identified key value proposition attributes of mobile value‐added services and the core factors of brand equity.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data collected from 497 mobile value‐added service consumers were examined using structural equation modeling to validate the research model.
Findings
The results indicate that the mobile service attributes of personalization, identifiability, and perceived enjoyment have significant positive influences on the key brand equity factors, including brand loyalty, perceived quality, brand awareness, and brand associations. Additionally, the results confirm the significance of all four of the brand equity factors in interpreting consumer purchase intention in the context of mobile value‐added service consumption.
Practical implications
The research results provide insights into how mobile value‐added services may be better designed and delivered to enhance brand equity and, in turn, profits.
Originality/value
While the market potential of mobile value‐added services and the importance of brand equity have both been widely recognized, the development and empirical validation of a model that specifically depicts the determinants of mobile value‐added service consumption from a brand‐equity perspective has not yet been undertaken. Consequently, this study investigates the relationships among key m‐commerce attributes, core brand‐equity components, and consumer behaviors. The research results have extended the application and advanced the understanding of previous mobile‐commerce and brand‐equity theories in the context of mobile value‐added service consumption.
Details
Keywords
How do different corporate governance structures fare under conditions of fundamental environmental transformations? Treating governance structure as a knowledge distribution…
Abstract
Purpose
How do different corporate governance structures fare under conditions of fundamental environmental transformations? Treating governance structure as a knowledge distribution mechanism embedded in institutional frameworks, the paper aims to propose that the efficiency of this knowledge diffusing process will increase organizational survival under a punctuational change.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the case of Chinese banking industry during 1897-1927, a period of rapid technological, economic, and regulatory shifts.
Findings
Money shops (qianzhuang) with decentralized, open and extended governance structure were better able to adapt to rapid changes in the environment and had a higher survival chance than ticket stores (piaohao) with centralized, closed and internalized governance structure.
Research limitations/implications
When exogenous shocks dramatically change the environment, decentralized, open and extended governance structures can more easily discover new habitats in which a modified form of organization can thrive.
Originality/value
By examining the Chinese banking industry during the fundamental shift of the environment at the turn of the twentieth century, this paper sheds new wisdom on the understanding of the current turbulent world and helps us discover new solutions to cope with the institutional transition necessary to survive and prosper in the new world environment and pave the road ahead.