Search results

The paper covers mega infrastructure construction supply chain (MICSC) in Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC) projects, where the frequent occurrence of risk incidents has greatly affected human life. The research aims to establish a risk evaluation index system for MICSC in EPC projects, exploring what risk factors lead to risk incidents and measure the importance and causality of all these risk factors.

The research applies a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis methodology to process data sequentially. In the first place, risk factors for MICSC in EPC projects are extracted and identified from literature survey and expert interviews. In the second place, an integration model fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (f-AHP) and fuzzy Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (f-DEMATEL) is constructed to comprehensively analyze all these risk factors.

12 primary risk factors and 36 secondary risk factors comprise the risk evaluation index system for MICSC in EPC projects from 178 literature and 5 professionals. The results indicate that Political Situation (F1), Social Security (F2) and Management Mode (F8) are critical risk factors, where F1 and F2 are cause factors and F8 is an effect factor.

There are three main contributions of this paper. First and foremost, from the perspective of the research content, no other study has been able to assess risk factors for MICSC in EPC projects, while embedding nine phases of the whole project life cycle and six subjects of stakeholders into a risk evaluation index system. Additionally, from the perspective of research method, a combined model incorporating f-AHP and f-DEMATEL is constructed to avoid the one-sidedness of a single model. Last but not least, from the perspective of practical significance, focusing on the critical risk factors, a series of effective measures are formulated to make appropriate management decisions for nodal enterprises of MICSC, which can improve their risk management capabilities.

This study examines the impact of China’s mixed-ownership reform on the innovation of non-state-owned acquirers, with a particular focus on the impact on firms with high financing constraints, low-quality accounting information or less tangible assets.

We use a proprietary dataset of firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges to investigate the impact of mixed ownership reform on non-state-owned enterprise (non-SOE) innovation. We employ regression analysis to examine the association between mixed ownership reform and firm innovation.

The study finds that non-state-owned firms can improve innovation by acquiring equity in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under the reform. Eased financing constraints, lowered financing costs, better access to tax incentives or government subsidies, lowered agency costs, better accounting information quality and more credit loans are underlying the impact. Additionally, cross-ownership connections amongst non-SOE executives and government intervention strengthen the impact, whilst regional marketisation weakens it.

This study adds to the literature on the association between mixed ownership reform and firm innovation by focussing on the conditions under which this impact is stronger. It also sheds light on the policy implications for SOE reforms in emerging economies.

This study aims to empirically examine how blockchain, one of the emerging Industry 4.0 technologies, can combat climate change by improving their green innovation performance, particularly under conditions of policy uncertainty.

This study utilizes the difference-in-difference-in-difference (DDD) method to explore the effect of blockchain on enterprises' green innovation performance. The analysis is based on data from Chinese-listed enterprises spanning the period from 2013 to 2021.

First, the adoption of blockchain in enterprises registered in areas designated as low-carbon pilot cities can significantly improve their green innovation performance. Second, the enhancement of green innovation efficiency emerges as the primary driving force behind the adoption of blockchain, thereby leading to improved green innovation performance. Lastly, it is observed that blockchain adoption has a greater positive impact on improving green efficiency in private enterprises compared to state-owned enterprises in China.

For managers, the findings can provide valuable insights to help them better prepare for the challenges and opportunities presented by the era of Industry 4.0. For policymakers, this study offers valuable insights into the interaction between new technologies in Industry 4.0 and the performance of green innovation, thereby aiding in the formulation of effective policies.

This study contributes to bridging the existing gap between the adoption of new technologies, such as blockchain, and their potential impact on climate change. Moreover, this research enriches practitioners' understanding of how new technologies in the era of Industry 4.0 can be applied to address significant challenges like climate change.