Chao Li, Weimin Zhai, Weiming Fu, Jiahu Qin and Yu Kang
This study aims to introduce a method for predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of bearings based on parallel feature extraction. The proposed model provides prior knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to introduce a method for predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of bearings based on parallel feature extraction. The proposed model provides prior knowledge and removes redundant handcrafted feature information, additionally, which focuses on the important features at different time scales.
Design/methodology/approach
Distinct from traditional parallel feature extraction methods, which can lead to information redundancy, a one-dimensional convolutional autoencoder is introduced to process selected indicators to remove redundancy and retain useful feature information. To fully capture the important degradation information within different stages in the feature sequences, a novel multi-scale attention feature fusion module is proposed to extract degradation features at different time scales. Considering the impact of degradation modes on RUL prediction, a dual-task prediction module based on no degradation mode labels is designed to obtain accurate RUL.
Findings
Comparative experiments and ablation studies on the PHM2012 bearing dataset verified the effectiveness of the proposed method. Furthermore, the rationality of the selected parameters is confirmed through model parameter analysis.
Originality/value
The novelty of the proposed method is that it not only provides prior knowledge but also further removes redundant information from prior knowledge. In addition, the distribution differences between the original features and their multi-scale convolution results are measured through Kullback–Leibler divergence as the attention scores, which allows the proposed method to focus on important information at different time scales.
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Fu Lai Tony Yu and Diana S. Kwan
The purpose of this paper is to explain the miraculous rise of the mobile phone industry in China in particular and China’s impressive industrial growth in recent decades in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explain the miraculous rise of the mobile phone industry in China in particular and China’s impressive industrial growth in recent decades in general.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses qualitative or story-telling approach for empirical analysis. Specifically, it uses case studies to illustrate the authors’ arguments.
Findings
Utilizing the theory of imitative strategies of latecomer firms and I.M. Kirzner’s concept of entrepreneurial alertness, this paper argues that adaptive entrepreneurs in China’s phone industry survive by being alert to profit opportunities, flexible and adaptable to the changing environments. With limited resources and low technological capabilities at the beginning, Chinese phone makers conduct replication via reverse engineering. Through entrepreneurial learning and imitation, they are able to make indigenous or incremental innovation. The modified models with functions compatible to different groups of consumers and sold at low prices are able to penetrate the low-end markets in the Third World nations.
Practical implications
The authors’ explanation on the success of China’s mobile phone industry sheds light on broader China’s industrial growth as a result of economic reform.
Originality/value
Most studies on China’s mobile phone industry focus on technological analysis, without acknowledging the role of entrepreneurship. This study fills the gap.
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Bingjun Li, Weiming Yang and Xiaolu Li
The purpose of this paper is to address and overcome the problem that a single prediction model cannot accurately fit a data sequence with large fluctuations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address and overcome the problem that a single prediction model cannot accurately fit a data sequence with large fluctuations.
Design/methodology/approach
Initially, the grey linear regression combination model was put forward. The Discrete Grey Model (DGM)(1,1) model and the multiple linear regression model were then combined using the entropy weight method. The grain yield from 2010 to 2015 was forecasted using DGM(1,1), a multiple linear regression model, the combined model and a GM(1,N) model. The predicted values were then compared against the actual values.
Findings
The results reveal that the combination model used in this paper offers greater simulation precision. The combination model can be applied to the series with fluctuations and the weights of influencing factors in the model can be objectively evaluated. The simulation accuracy of GM(1,N) model fluctuates greatly in this prediction.
Practical implications
The combined model adopted in this paper can be applied to grain forecasting to improve the accuracy of grain prediction. This is important as data on grain yield are typically characterised by large fluctuation and some information is often missed.
Originality/value
This paper puts the grey linear regression combination model which combines the DGM(1,1) model and the multiple linear regression model using the entropy weight method to determine the results weighting of the two models. It is intended that prediction accuracy can be improved through the combination of models used within this paper.
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The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively and accurately analyze the supply and demand structural balance of grain in the context of China's agricultural supply-side reform…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively and accurately analyze the supply and demand structural balance of grain in the context of China's agricultural supply-side reform. By subdividing and forecasting the supply and demand, it is beneficial for targeted production in the case of clear demand and supply trends of main grain varieties.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper forecasted and analyzed the demand of main grain varieties by the grey interval forecast, and based on the grey incidence analysis of more influence factors, forecasted the grain production with GM (1,N) model.
Findings
The results show that the demand and yield will keep sustainable growth in the next three years, while there is still a big gap between the supply and demand of the main grain varieties in China and the soybean's production is far behind the growing demand.
Practical implications
This paper can make full use of the information to provide the evidence for government to formulate policies and put forward some correlative suggestions for growers.
Originality/value
In this paper, the grey model technology is applied to the structural reform of grain supply side, and different models are used to predict the structural balance of supply and demand of different kinds of grain. The study of grain supply and demand structural balance in China is vital to ensure grain security in the context of agricultural supply-side reform.
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Today, as we hurtle towards imminent planetary destruction in the age of the Anthropocene, we believe it may be instructive to try and understand if the ancient science of…
Abstract
Today, as we hurtle towards imminent planetary destruction in the age of the Anthropocene, we believe it may be instructive to try and understand if the ancient science of spirituality can prove useful in humankind's ability to change course, even at this late hour. We argue that such a paradigm shift is critically essential for human survival and that without the inner transformation proposed by this science, it may prove impossible to build a society based on the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. This chapter draws from foundational texts and authoritative sources across multiple religious traditions, based upon which it outlines a brief sketch of the ancient science of spirituality. We begin with an account of the differentia specifica of this science, where we delve into what kind of science this is. Since it is centrally concerned with inner transformation, we briefly outline the theory of change embedded in this science and the kind of rejuvenation it enables, which makes it possible for us to clearly perceive the key elements and the structure of reality. We then spell out the impact this has on the nature of human action, continually teasing out implications for policy and practice in our time. We provide a few concrete illustrations of the same. Inter alia, we also show how many of these insights can be found even within modern scientific and philosophical traditions, thereby indicating possibilities of convergence and synthesis between ancient and modern science, following thereby the guidance of genuine spirituality.
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Since the beginning of the new millennium, Confucian doctrines on one’s self-cultivation have been re-introduced to curriculum in China. The revived cherish of the Confucian…
Abstract
Since the beginning of the new millennium, Confucian doctrines on one’s self-cultivation have been re-introduced to curriculum in China. The revived cherish of the Confucian legacy in the twenty-first century is a reverse from the official rejection of Confucianism in the Mao era (1950–1976). It also appears as a counterweight to the individualism proliferating among the Chinese youths born at the beginning of the new millennium (Gen Z). The re-introduction of Confucianism is thus ideologically purposeful. Yet how does the mixed exposure to Confucius’ legacy and the modern idea of self-awareness impact this cohort of young people, in particular their way of learning? This chapter focusses on Chinese Gen Z studying in Australia. Using the Bourdieuan theory of human habitus, this chapter examines how these students negotiate between the ideas of self-cultivation and self-awareness, and what implications such experiences have in an intercultural academic community.
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Si Chen and Javier Calero Cuervo
This study aims to focus on determining the influence of transformational leadership on work engagement as mediated by employee motivation.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on determining the influence of transformational leadership on work engagement as mediated by employee motivation.
Design/methodology/approach
The research findings are based on a quantitative analysis of a survey of 443 full-time employees working in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Great Bay Area (GBA) of China.
Findings
The positive perception of transformational leadership from employees enables them to accomplish tasks beyond expectations. With the help of structural equation modeling, this study reveals that the influence path of perceptions of transformational leadership on work engagement is partially mediated through employee motivation.
Research limitations/implications
Employee motivation is not the only mediating factor, other factors mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and work engagement. The problem of sample size and sampling collection, the survey only focuses on samples working in the GBA.
Originality/value
The analysis and results based on data from mainland China, especially the GBA, expands the boundaries of the role of transformational leaders in learning organization and provides additional data support and sources for future relevant research. At the same time, the study of the mediation models between leadership and work engagement also hints more potential possible mediation factors.
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The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the total-factor energy efficiency (TFEE) in China’s sugar manufacturing industry using firm-level data from 2002/2003 to 2012/2013…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the total-factor energy efficiency (TFEE) in China’s sugar manufacturing industry using firm-level data from 2002/2003 to 2012/2013 crushing seasons, and further explore the determinants of TFEE.
Design/methodology/approach
Modified data envelopment analysis is used to measure the TFEE of each sugar mill during the crushing seasons. Then heteroskedastic fractional probit model is applied to estimate the determinants of TFEE because of the bounded nature of TFEE and heteroskedasticity of unbalanced panel.
Findings
The results show that throughout the crushing seasons, the average TFEE is 0.57; there are spatial differences of TFEE in Guangxi sugar industry, highest in southern area; the TFEE of foreign-owned sugar mills is larger than that of private-owned and state-owned sugar mills; the larger the enterprise size, the higher the TFEE; private ownership, large size, raw material, safe productivity, total recovery rate as well as technical progress can improve TFEE significantly.
Originality/value
This paper analyzes TFEE using a rich data set at firm level, allowing the existence of firm heterogeneity, as well as being complementary to the study of energy efficiency in China’s sugar industry. Moreover, ownership structure is involved in the determinants of TFEE, which is rarely done in literature. Lastly, heteroskedastic fractional probit model is employed to recognize the bounded nature of TFEE as well as selection bias of unbalanced panel to study the determinants of TFEE.