Yen-Chun Jim Wu and Ju-Peng Shen
This study aims to provide a complete understanding of academic research into higher education for sustainable development (HESD).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide a complete understanding of academic research into higher education for sustainable development (HESD).
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilizes a systematic review of four scientific literature databases to outline topics of research during the UN’s Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD).
Findings
This study compares research trends and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO’s) strategic perspectives, worldwide topics and the number of studies. The results show that the research trends did not match UNESCO’s perspectives well and that researchers’ focus on popular events led to the variation between the numbers of articles each year. In summary, the findings indicate that most researchers base their topics on environmental issues, and research trends indicate the need for the integration of HESD.
Practical implications
This study provides a systematic review of higher education for academic research into sustainability, and it has implications for researchers and educators by identifying the gaps between the research conducted and the UN’s policies during the DESD.
Originality/value
This study attempts to offer an integrated view of HESD and to understand the bias of research trends during the DESD.
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Uroš Flisar, Danijel Vončina and Peter Zajec
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of different distribution of shoot through mode on Z‐source inverter efficiency and particularly on complexity of switching…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of different distribution of shoot through mode on Z‐source inverter efficiency and particularly on complexity of switching pattern generation. Switching pattern generation has been optimized for field‐oriented control (FOC) of induction motor operating beyond its nominal speed which can be easily accomplished due to the input voltage boosting implemented inherently by Z‐source inverter. The proposed drive is unaffected to supply voltage sags, too.
Design/methodology/approach
The space vector modulation switching pattern of the traditional FOC drive was modified in order to insert shoot through mode necessary for input voltage boosting. Since this can be accomplished only on account of zero mode of the inverter, the active modes have to be reduced. Consequently, the output voltage space vector has to be reduced, as well.
Findings
In order to maximize profit of the input DC voltage and to omit the output voltage distortion, mathematical limitations have been derived giving the optimal boost ratio for required output voltage and ride‐through capability during voltage sags.
Practical implications
The experimental tests of upgraded FOC of induction motor with the proposed distribution of shoot through mode in the switching pattern of Z‐source inverter and optimized control of inverter voltage are demonstrated. It is also shown that such a drive can withstand a long period of input voltage sags and operate in a broader field weakening regime.
Originality/value
The paper's value lies in the overall, DSP‐based control of the induction motor supplied with Z‐source inverter gaining the maximum utilization of the input DC supply source and optimum trade‐off between inverter efficiency and inverter components voltage stress.
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Yaxin Peng, Naiwu Wen, Chaomin Shen, Xiaohuang Zhu and Shihui Ying
Partial alignment for 3 D point sets is a challenging problem for laser calibration and robot calibration due to the unbalance of data sets, especially when the overlap of data…
Abstract
Purpose
Partial alignment for 3 D point sets is a challenging problem for laser calibration and robot calibration due to the unbalance of data sets, especially when the overlap of data sets is low. Geometric features can promote the accuracy of alignment. However, the corresponding feature extraction methods are time consuming. The purpose of this paper is to find a framework for partial alignment by an adaptive trimmed strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the authors propose an adaptive trimmed strategy based on point feature histograms (PFH) coding. Second, they obtain an initial transformation based on this partition, which improves the accuracy of the normal direction weighted trimmed iterative closest point (ICP) method. Third, they conduct a series of GPU parallel implementations for time efficiency.
Findings
The initial partition based on PFH feature improves the accuracy of the partial registration significantly. Moreover, the parallel GPU algorithms accelerate the alignment process.
Research limitations/implications
This study is applicable to rigid transformation so far. It could be extended to non-rigid transformation.
Practical implications
In practice, point set alignment for calibration is a technique widely used in the fields of aircraft assembly, industry examination, simultaneous localization and mapping and surgery navigation.
Social implications
Point set calibration is a building block in the field of intelligent manufacturing.
Originality/value
The contributions are as follows: first, the authors introduce a novel coarse alignment as an initial calibration by PFH descriptor similarity, which can be viewed as a coarse trimmed process by partitioning the data to the almost overlap part and the rest part; second, they reduce the computation time by GPU parallel coding during the acquisition of feature descriptor; finally, they use the weighted trimmed ICP method to refine the transformation.
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The purpose of this paper is to present the Switched Inductor Z-Source Inverter (SLZSI) topology for three-phase on-line uninterruptible power supply (UPS) by employing third…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the Switched Inductor Z-Source Inverter (SLZSI) topology for three-phase on-line uninterruptible power supply (UPS) by employing third harmonic injected maximum constant boost pulse width modulation (PWM) control. Conventional UPS consists of step-up transformer or boost chopper along with voltage source inverter (VSI) which reduces the efficiency and increases energy conversion cost. The proposed three-phase UPS by using SLZSI has the voltage boost capability through shoot through zero state which is not available in traditional VSI and current source inverter.
Design/methodology/approach
Performance of three-phase on-line UPS based on ZLZSI by using third harmonic injected maximum constant boost PWM control is analyzed and evaluated in MATLAB/Simulink software and the results are compared with Z-source inverter (ZSI) fed UPS. Experimental results are presented for the validation of the simulation and theoretical analysis.
Findings
The output voltages, currents, THD values, voltage stress and efficiencies for different loading condition are determined and compared with the theoretical values and UPS with ZSI. The experimental results validate the theoretical and simulation results.
Originality/value
Compared with the traditional ZSI, the SLZSI provides high-voltage boost inversion ability with a very short shoot through zero state. This proposed UPS by using SLZSI increases the efficiency with less number of components, reduces the harmonics, increases the voltage gain and reduces the voltage stress.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the proper matches between institutional business ties (to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and to banks) and firm capabilities…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the proper matches between institutional business ties (to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and to banks) and firm capabilities (technological capability and marketing capability) in impacting the radical innovation of manufacturing firms in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the samples of 208 manufacturing firms in China, this study runs three regression models to test all hypotheses.
Findings
Ties to SOEs and ties to banks are positively related to radical innovation of manufacturing firms in China. Further, the technological capability and marketing capability have different functions on moderating the relationship between institutional business ties and radical innovation.
Practical implications
The results imply that managers of manufacturing firms should strive to establish close connections to those organizations that are set-up by government in China. In addition, managers should cautious about the synergies between different institutional business ties and different internal capabilities, and properly matching them to develop radical innovation.
Originality/value
This study enriches and extends the managerial ties literature by going beyond previous narrow focus on either business ties or political ties to address a particular type of organization that is set-up by the governments but operate in the business world. The findings of proper ties-capabilities matches provide nuanced understandings to dynamically manage external resources and internal capabilities for the synergetic benefits (e.g. radical innovation). This study also offer a theoretical paradigm (i.e. resource management model) for manufacturing firms to lessen the striking tension between the urgent needs for radical innovation and the hostile ground for conducting radical innovation.
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Amy Yueh-Fang Ho, Hsin-Yu Liang and Tumenjargal Tumurbaatar
This is the first study to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on corporate financial performance (CFP) in Mongolian banks. We hand-collect data to…
Abstract
This is the first study to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on corporate financial performance (CFP) in Mongolian banks. We hand-collect data to construct CSR disclosure index from 65 annual reports of 12 banks in Mongolia from 2003 to 2012. The results indicate that banks with larger size or Chief Executive Officer duality exhibit higher CSR performance. Moreover, banks with higher CSR performance tend to have higher net interest margin and lower non-performing loan. Furthermore, the CSR–CFP relationship varies before and after the financial crisis. The findings provide meaningful insight to the foreign investors regarding the effect of CSR on the profitability and credit risk in Mongolian banking sector.
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Yat Hung Chiang, Jing Li, Tracy N.Y. Choi and King Fai Man
The purpose of this study is to present and compare the productive efficiency of China Mainland and China Hong Kong contractors, and to identify and investigate the components and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to present and compare the productive efficiency of China Mainland and China Hong Kong contractors, and to identify and investigate the components and sources of their efficiency under different economic and institutional environments.
Design/methodology/approach
Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a non‐parametric approach to examine the relative efficiency among different firms. This study employs DEA based Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) to compile the efficiency scores of 20 construction companies listed in the Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing Limited (HKEx) from 2004 to 2010.
Findings
A decomposition of MPI suggests that catch‐up effect has contributed more to contractor's efficiency than frontier‐shift effect. Compared to their Mainland counterparts, Hong Kong contractors have higher MPI mainly due to higher efficiency scores in catch‐up effect.
Practical implications
Hong Kong contractors have advantage over Mainland contractors in their managerial and strategic capabilities. Hence Hong Kong contractors should lever on their managerial expertise in accounting, financing and legal services when exporting their services. Meanwhile, Mainland contractors should improve their efficiency by making the most use of their technological and human resources, thus improving upon their international entrepreneurship.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to apply MPI to compare the productive efficiency of listed contractors in China Mainland and China Hong Kong. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge for productive efficiency measurement.
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The chapter highlights some of the challenges of research on supplementary education, and indicates ways in which the challenges were tackled in one particular study on Chongqing…
Abstract
Purpose
The chapter highlights some of the challenges of research on supplementary education, and indicates ways in which the challenges were tackled in one particular study on Chongqing Municipality, China.
Design/methodology/approach
The Chongqing research investigated the determinants of demand for shadow education by Grade 9 students, using a mixed-methods design. A questionnaire was used to collect data from students and parents on various background details and on the nature of the tutoring that they or their children had received. Interviews of a smaller number of respondents provided qualitative data that supplemented and illuminated the quantitative responses.
Findings
Different methodological decisions may have different implications. The sampling strategies in the study limited the generalizability but increased the feasibility of the fieldwork and comparability of findings. The top-down strategy of gaining access secured high response rates in the surveys, but to some extent decreased some participants’ willingness to provide information on gray areas. Interviews generated deep and detailed data, but some sensitive topics were intentionally avoided. Informal chats with note taking were constrained in depth and breadth by random time slots and venues, and some details were difficult to record. However, the approach expanded the horizons and facilitated the triangulation of information.
Originality/value
Discussion focuses on collection of data, and stresses the importance of cultural, social, and economic contexts. The chapter may be seen as a case study that provides insights into methods for researching forms of supplementary education. Methodological lessons from the fieldwork in Chongqing have wider relevance, particularly in settings where regular teachers provide extra private classes.
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Yen-Chun Jim Wu, Ju-Peng Shen and Tsuang Kuo
– This paper aims to explore the holistic picture of sustainability curricula in Asian higher education.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the holistic picture of sustainability curricula in Asian higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis was conducted based on Asian management education for sustainability in higher education. Online courses arrangement, teaching methods, instructors’ educational background and cross-referencing data between triple bottom line and sustainability courses have been investigated.
Findings
The paper provides empirical insights about the current state of sustainability education in Asia. The results show that there is an opportunity for interdisciplinary integration, as there are imbalanced sustainability courses offered by business, science and engineering schools. It also suggests that Asian universities should add an international connection and active promotion of sustainability education on their Web sites.
Research limitations/implications
Findings are based on web-based sustainability -related courses. Future research could apply method of case study to do a deeper study.
Practical implications
The paper provides an overview of Asian management education for sustainability and curricula analysis through our research, and that this will further assist in the development of interdisciplinary integration in Asian management education for sustainability.
Originality/value
This paper is the first attempt to gain better understanding of sustainability-related courses offered in leading business/management colleges in Asia.