L'industrie de la restauration connait dans son ensemble, au Québec, un certain nombre de difficultés. Les raisons sont diverses dont l'absence ou l'insuffisance d'une analyse de…
Abstract
L'industrie de la restauration connait dans son ensemble, au Québec, un certain nombre de difficultés. Les raisons sont diverses dont l'absence ou l'insuffisance d'une analyse de marché, la faiblesse de la conception, de la planification, de l'exécution et du contrôle des activités des entreprises de ce secteur. Mais il y a aussi et surtout le déséquilibre financier qui caractérise la majorité des restaurants que ce soit en raison d'une capitalisation insuffisante en début d'activité ou à cause d'une gestion loin d'être satisfaisante. Des facteurs institutionnels défavorisent aussi l'activité de la restauration au Québec depuis 1980, et parfois même avant cette période, auxquels s'ajoute une conjoncture très difficile en 1981–83 dont les conséquences continuent à se faire sentir jusqu'aujourd'hui. L'année 1985 a enregistré près de 2700 changements de propriétaires de restaurants au Québec tandis qu'approximativement 450 ont disparus pendant cette même année. L'ensemble des transferts de propriétés — dus à des difficultés financières et à des liquidations à bas prix dans la plupart des cas — et des liquidations et fermetures définitives de restaurants constituent près du quart du nombre total (soit 12'400) de restaurants opérant au Québec en 1985. Les pertes enregistrées par une évolution si défavorable sont substantielles et indiquent combien une partie non négligeable de l'industrie de la restauration gaspille des ressources. Il faudra établir, dans la mesure du possible, car les statistiques officielles sont fort limitées, les causes et les facteurs explicatifs des difficultés considérables vécues par les entreprises de la restauration. Il faudra ensuite tenter de dégager les grandes lignes des mesures susceptibles de redresser leur situation financière essentiellement par une amélioration de la gestion et par une réglementation et une législation fiscale plus adéquates. Plusieurs recommandations sont formulées afin de rétablir la rentabilité des restaurants dans un environnement très concurrentiel.
Qiang Du, Xiaomin Qi, Patrick X.W. Zou and Yanmin Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to develop a bi-objective optimization framework to select prefabricated construction service composition. An improved algorithm-genetic simulated…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a bi-objective optimization framework to select prefabricated construction service composition. An improved algorithm-genetic simulated annealing algorithm (GSA) is employed to demonstrate the application of the framework.
Design/methodology/approach
The weighted aggregate multi-dimensional collaborative relationship is used to quantitatively evaluate the synergistic effect. The quality of service is measured using the same method. The research proposed a service combination selection framework of prefabricated construction that comprehensively considers the quality of service and synergistic effect. The framework is demonstrated by using a GSA that can accept poor solutions with a certain probability. Furthermore, GSA is compared with the genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing algorithm (SA) and particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) to validate the performance.
Findings
The results indicated that GSA has the largest optimal fitness value and synergistic effect compared with other algorithms, and the convergence time and convergence iteration of the improved algorithm are generally at a low level.
Originality/value
The contribution of this study is that the proposed framework enables project managers to clarify the interactions of the prefabricated construction process and provides guidance for project collaborative management. In addition, GSA helps to improve the probability of successful collaboration between potential partners, therefore enhancing client satisfaction.
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Xiaoping Zhang, Yanhui Li, Meixiu Li, Qiuju Du, Hong Li, Yuqi Wang, Dechang Wang, Cuiping Wang, Kunyan Sui, Hongliang Li, Yanzhi Xia and Yuanhai Yu
In order to discover a new adsorbent that can be used to purify dye wastewater in the textile and apparel industry, a novel type of graphene oxide/gluten composite material using…
Abstract
Purpose
In order to discover a new adsorbent that can be used to purify dye wastewater in the textile and apparel industry, a novel type of graphene oxide/gluten composite material using an improved acid bath coagulation method was synthesized, which can remove methylene blue in an aqueous environment.
Design/methodology/approach
After experimentally compounding different ratios of graphene oxide and gluten, the graphene oxide/gluten composite material with 20% graphene oxide content and superlative adsorption effect was chosen. The synthesized material was characterized by different techniques such as FT-IR and SEM, indicating the microstructure of the material and the success of the composite. Various factors were considered, namely, the influence of temperature, dosage, pH and contact time. The isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamic parameters were successively discussed.
Findings
The qmax value of 214.29 mg/g of the material was higher compared to the general sorbent, thus, the graphene oxide/gluten composite material was a suitable sorbent for methylene blue removal. Overall, the graphene oxide/gluten composite material can be considered as an effectual and prospective adsorbent to remove methylene blue in the textile and apparel industrial effluent.
Originality/value
Graphene oxide is a potentially excellent sorbent. However, the high dispersibility of GO is detrimental to adsorption, it disperses rapidly in an aqueous solution making separation and recovery difficult. The high load capacity and recyclability of gluten as a colloid make it a suitable carrier for fixing GO. Studies on the combination of GO and GT into composite adsorption material and for the removal of dyes from dyeing wastewater have not been reported. The composite material research on GO and GT can provide new ideas for the research of these kinds of materials and contribute to its wider and convenient application in wastewater treatment.
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Qiang Du, Yerong Zhang, Lingyuan Zeng, Yiming Ma and Shasha Li
Prefabricated buildings (PBs) have proven to effectively mitigate carbon emissions in the construction industry. Existing studies have analyzed the environmental performance of…
Abstract
Purpose
Prefabricated buildings (PBs) have proven to effectively mitigate carbon emissions in the construction industry. Existing studies have analyzed the environmental performance of PBs considering the shift in construction methods, ignoring the emissions abatement effects of the low-carbon practices adopted by participants in the prefabricated building supply chain (PBSC). Thus, it is challenging to exploit the environmental advantages of PBs. To further reveal the carbon reduction potential of PBs and assist participants in making low-carbon practice strategy decisions, this paper constructs a system dynamics (SD) model to explore the performance of PBSC in low-carbon practices.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts the SD approach to integrate the complex dynamic relationship between variables and explicitly considers the environmental and economic impacts of PBSC to explore the carbon emission reduction effects of low-carbon practices by enterprises under environmental policies from the supply chain perspective.
Findings
Results show that with the advance of prefabrication level, the carbon emissions from production and transportation processes increase, and the total carbon emissions of PBSC show an upward trend. Low-carbon practices of rational transportation route planning and carbon-reduction energy investment can effectively reduce carbon emissions with negative economic impacts on transportation enterprises. The application of sustainable materials in low-carbon practices is both economically and environmentally friendly. In addition, carbon tax does not always promote the implementation of low-carbon practices, and the improvement of enterprises' environmental awareness can further strengthen the effect of low-carbon practices.
Originality/value
This study dynamically assesses the carbon reduction effects of low-carbon practices in PBSC, informing the low-carbon decision-making of participants in building construction projects and guiding the government to formulate environmental policies.
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Xiaomin Qi, Qiang Du, Patrick X.W. Zou and Ning Huang
The purpose of this paper is to develop a model considering synergy effect for prefabricated construction service combination selection.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a model considering synergy effect for prefabricated construction service combination selection.
Design/methodology/approach
This research defines prefabricated construction service as a service-led construction method that meets the specific requirements of clients. Based on network theory, the multi-dimensional collaborative relationships of the prefabricated construction inter-services are formulated. The synergy effect is quantitatively calculated through the linear weighting of the strengths of collaborative relationships. Further, a weighted synergy network (WSN) is developed, from which a service composition selection model considering the synergy effect is established. Then, a genetic algorithm is employed to implement the model.
Findings
The results showed that (1) when the number of prefabricated construction services is increased, the synergy effect of combination options is enhanced; (2) The finer-grained prefabricated construction services, the stronger the synergy effect of service combination; (3) Clients have heterogeneous preferences for collaborative relationships, and there are differences in the synergy effect of service combination.
Originality/value
The contribution of this research includes proposed a method to quantify the synergy effect from the perspective of collaborative relationships, explored the specific procedure for the prefabricated construction service combination selection under the service-led construction, and provided a reference for promoting the development in construction. Besides, the model proposed could be applied to prefabricated construction service composition selection with diverse research boundaries or client preferences by executing the same procedure.
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Q. Du, D.G. Eskin and L. Katgerman
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways to diminish or eliminate numerical diffusion and dispersion. Numerical dispersion and diffusion are present in the predicted…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways to diminish or eliminate numerical diffusion and dispersion. Numerical dispersion and diffusion are present in the predicted macrosegregation profiles reported in the literature and they hinder the interpretation of the simulation results. With the motivation to eliminate these numerical problems by employing appropriate meshes, simulations of macrosegregation in a billet direct‐chill cast from a multi‐component aluminium alloy has been performed.
Design/methodology/approach
First the idea that numerical dispersion could be alleviated by refining the structured mesh size is tested and the extent of this mesh refining to overcome these numerical problems is discussed. Second the link of numerical dispersion and diffusion to the type of mesh used is investigated.
Findings
Unstructured mesh eliminates the numerical dispersion present in the structured mesh while it introduces the numerical diffusion. It is concluded by performing calculations with the same settings but different meshes that, although refining the structured mesh could alleviate the numerical oscillation, it increases the computation time dramatically. Therefore the best solution to overcome these numerical problems is the employment of a hybrid mesh consisting of both structured and unstructured mesh.
Originality/value
This work reveals the reasons behind the numerical dispersion and diffusion in macrosegregation modelling and gives a practical solution.
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Ning Huang, Qiang Du, Patrick X.W. Zou and Youdan Huang
This study aims to analyze the interaction and key factors within the network of factors influencing the success of green highway projects.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the interaction and key factors within the network of factors influencing the success of green highway projects.
Design/methodology/approach
Through literature review and interviews with experienced project managers, this study identified 33 influencing factors from the perspectives of stakeholders and life cycle. The interaction between these influencing factors was determined by surveying different experts, most of whom have participated in green highway projects in China. Then, social network analysis (SNA) was used to explore the impact and control ability of different factors.
Findings
According to the prioritization of these factors, the results showed that some key factors were identified, especially incremental cost, lack of standards and regulations, development of innovative technologies and materials, public awareness and environmental protection behavior. Finally, some meaningful suggestions were put forward for different influencing factors of green highway projects.
Research limitations/implications
While the key influencing factors of the green highway projects have been identified by considering the interrelationships between different factors, the specific influencing paths and levels of different factors are not analyzed, more studies and methods should be conducted on this area in the future.
Practical implications
This finding of factors influencing the success of green highway projects which is useful for managers to overcome various obstacles encountered in similar projects. Moreover, considering the interaction among the influencing factors enables managers to make systematic and efficient decisions.
Social implications
Developing green highways have been perceived as a major innovation to help achieve the synergy of environmental protection, economic development and social responsibility. Studying the key factors influencing the success of green highway projects and putting forward targeted suggestions are crucial for promoting the environmental protection transformation of highway construction.
Originality/value
Compared with most studies on the identification of key influencing factors of construction projects, this research emphasized the interaction between different factors within the system in the analysis process. The findings could provide useful references to promote the successful implementation of green highway projects.
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Sarahit Castillo-Benancio, Aldo Alvarez-Risco, Flavio Morales-Ríos, Maria de las Mercedes Anderson-Seminario and Shyla Del-Aguila-Arcentales
In a pandemic framework (COVID-19), this chapter explores the impact of the global economy and socio-cultures concerning three axes: recreational, tourism, and hospitality…
Abstract
In a pandemic framework (COVID-19), this chapter explores the impact of the global economy and socio-cultures concerning three axes: recreational, tourism, and hospitality. Although we slowly see an economic revival, it is well known that this sector of study is very susceptible to being affected by the context of nations. Following restrictions and measures taken by governments around the world to reduce the number of cases of coronavirus infections, many nations closed their borders, affecting international travel and by 2020 tourism had been reduced to the near cessation of operations due to the imminent fear of this poorly studied disease, and the service sector was negatively affected. It should be added that, according to the World Tourism Organization's projections, a decrease of between 20 and 30% is forecast for 2020 compared to the previous year.