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The 21st century has brought the business model earth-shaking changes, especially since the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic at the end of 2019. Now, the epidemic normalization is slowing down China's rapid development. However, technological development, like artificial intelligence (AI), is unstoppable and is transforming China's economic growth modes from factor-driven to innovation-driven systems. Therefore, it is necessary to study further the new changes in labor entrepreneurship and innovation business models and their mechanism of action on economic growth.

This work studies how innovative human capital (IHC) uses AI and other scientific and technological (S&T) innovation technologies to promote China's innovation-driven economic growth model transformation from the labor entrepreneurship and innovation perspective.

The research shows that the entrepreneurial innovation ability of IHC can increase marginal return and output multiplier effect. It changes the traditional business model and promotes China's economic growth and innovation development. At the same time, this work analyzes China's inter-provincial panel data through the panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model. It concludes that there is a nonlinear relationship between IHC and the output of innovative achievements. The main body presents three stages of nonlinear changes: first rising, then slightly declining, and rising so far.

The finding provides a direction for solving the problem of slow economic growth and accelerating the transformation of economic growth mode under epidemic normalization.

Labor conflict has become a serious problem in recent China. From the perspective of entrepreneur innovation, this paper aims to find an effective path to eliminate this conflict. On the basis of theoretical analyses and regression analyses, this paper finds that, with legal environment and other conditions identical, entrepreneur innovation will significantly facilitate elimination of labor conflicts.

Using theoretical analyses based on entrepreneurship theory, this paper puts forward a series of hypotheses about the effects of entrepreneur innovation on labor conflicts. With panel data during 2013-2015 from China Employer–Employee Survey, this paper examines the effects of entrepreneur innovation on labor conflicts. Using interaction term regressions, this paper examines heterogeneous effects of entrepreneur innovation on labor conflicts by ownership, market power and export behavior. With mediating effect model, this paper examine whether workers’ participation in corporation governance is an important channel in which entrepreneurial innovation can impact on labor conflicts.

First, using benchmark regressions and robustness checks, this paper finds that there exist significantly positive effects of entrepreneur innovation on workers’ job satisfaction, incentive, social security, job development and job stability, which will reduce potential risks of labor conflict effectively. Second, using interaction term regressions, this paper finds that there exist heterogeneous effects of entrepreneur innovation on labor conflicts by ownership, market power and export behaviors. The study finds that the effects of entrepreneur innovation are more concentrated in private firms, firms with stronger market power and non-exporters. Third, using a mediating effect model, the study finds that workers’ participation in corporation governance is an important channel in which entrepreneur innovation can have impacts on labor conflicts.

The paper enriches the existing research about how to eliminate labor conflicts in China. On the basis of China Employer–Employee Survey data, this paper finds the importance of entrepreneur innovation on Chinese transition, which not only has positive impacts on firm performance, but also has impacts on eliminating labor conflicts and establishing better labor relationship. Therefore, stimulating entrepreneur innovation is very important for solving conflicts during Chinese transition.

The paper developed a novel gallic acid-based rust conversion emulsion (RCE) that is applied in the treatment of rusted steels. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the methods for the synthesis of RCE and study the mechanism of rust conversion.

Conversion emulsion was prepared using styrene, acrylate and self-developed gallic acid (GA)-based rust converter (GRC) via seed emulsion polymerisation. The polymerisable GRC was synthesised by the ring-opening reaction of glycidyl methacrylate with natural GA. The effects of the GRC dosage and its feeding modes on the RCE synthesis were analysed. The corrosion resistance, surface morphology, composition and mechanism of rust conversion coatings were studied using electrochemical tests, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively.

The results showed that conversion coating on rusted steels treated with RCE, with various dosages of GRC (weight per cent), synthesised using seed emulsion polymerisation, exhibited the best adhesion and corrosion resistance. Raman spectroscopy revealed that RCE converted the original multiphase rust into stable crystalline phases of α-Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄. According to XPS and energy dispersive X-ray analysis, the phenolic hydroxyl groups of RCE were proposed to chelate with Fe ions to form macromolecular ferrum compounds.

The pre-rusted steels demonstrated a better corrosion resistance than rust-free steels after treatment with RCE.

The paper developed a novel GA-based RCE with high efficiency and environment-friendly method.

This work is expected to replace the conventional rust conversion paints and cause a significant impact on extending the service life of rusted steels.

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of micro dimple in inhibiting stick-slip phenomenon on the sliding guideway.

In this study, micro-dimples were fabricated by laser on surfaces of steel disk and guideway. The disks and guideways were respectively performed pin-on-disk tribological tests and working condition experiments to study differences in lubrication condition and friction stability between textured and untextured surfaces.

Micro-dimples help reduce critical sliding speed that allows contact surfaces to enter in hydrodynamic lubrication regime. This increases hydrodynamic lubrication range and narrows speed range where stick-slip phenomenon can occur, enhancing sliding guideway’s adaptability for broader working conditions. Furthermore, friction stability on the textured surface improved, lowering the occurrence possibility of stick-slip phenomenon. Finally, difference between static and kinetic frictions on the textured surface is lower relative to the untextured surface, which decreases the critical velocity when the stick-slip phenomenon occurs.

The results indicate that laser-textured micro-dimples are significantly conducive to inhibit stick-slip phenomenon, thus providing smoother movement for the guideway and eventually increasing precision of the machine.

Sustainable urban rail transit requires noise barriers. However, these barriers’ durability varies due to the differing aerodynamic impacts they experience. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the aerodynamic discrepancies of trains when they meet within two types of rectangular noise barriers: fully enclosed (FERNB) and semi-enclosed with vertical plates (SERNBVB). The research also considers the sensitivity of the scale ratio in these scenarios.

A 1:16 scaled moving model test analyzed spatiotemporal patterns and discrepancies in aerodynamic pressures during train meetings. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics models, with scale ratios of 1:1, 1:8 and 1:16, used the improved delayed detached eddy simulation turbulence model and slip grid technique. Comparing scale ratios on aerodynamic pressure discrepancies between the two types of noise barriers and revealing the flow field mechanism were done. The goal is to establish the relationship between aerodynamic pressure at scale and in full scale.

The aerodynamic pressure on SERNBVB is influenced by the train’s head and tail waves, whereas for FERNB, it is affected by pressure wave and head-tail waves. Notably, SERNBVB's aerodynamic pressure is more sensitive to changes in scale ratio. As the scale ratio decreases, the aerodynamic pressure on the noise barrier gradually increases.

A train-meeting moving model test is conducted within the noise barrier. Comparison of aerodynamic discrepancies during train meets between two types of rectangular noise barriers and the relationship between the scale and the full scale are established considering the modeling scale ratio.

The current literature lacks discussion on the effects of synergy among multiple factors at different levels on foreign subsidiary performance. The purpose of this paper is to explore the configuration of factors affecting foreign subsidiary performance.

The methodology adopted in this paper is the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The data are obtained from 125 foreign subsidiaries of Chinese MNCs through questionnaire surveys and secondary data.

The research results reveal that five configurations of antecedent conditions predict high foreign subsidiary performance, and the other two configurations predict not-high performance.

This paper’s main limitation is its only focus on foreign subsidiaries of Chinese MNCs, which means that the findings should be generalized with precaution. The most valuable implication is to identify the configurations that lead to high and not-high foreign subsidiary performance.

This paper addresses the question of how interdependent factors at the national and corporate level are beneficial to foreign subsidiaries’ performance.

This study makes the following contributions to current theories: It provides (1) new insights for understanding the complex causality between antecedent conditions and foreign subsidiary performance and (2) a practical reference for the multinational operations of foreign subsidiaries.

In this experimental investigation, the behavior of strengthened/repaired heat-damaged one-way self-compacted concrete (SCC) slabs with opening utilizing near-surface-mounted-carbon fiber reinforced polymers (NSM-CFRP) strips was explored.

CFRP strip configurations, number of strips and inclination were all investigated in this study. For three hours, slabs were exposed to temperatures of 23°C and 500°C. Four-point load was applied to control slabs, enhanced slabs and repaired slabs.

The results indicate that exposing the slabs to high temperatures reduces their load capability. The number of strips and angle of inclination around the slab opening have a considerable impact on the performance of the strengthened and/or repaired slabs, according to the experimental results. The load capacity, toughness and ductility index of a strengthened and/or repaired slab with opening increase as the number of CFRP strips increases by 143.8–150.5%, 137.3–149.9% and 122.3–124.5%, respectively. The use of NSM strips around the opening with zero inclination showed higher load compared to the NSM strips around the opening with other angles.

It is frequently important to construct openings in the slabs for ventilation, electrical supply, and other purposes. Making openings in slabs might affect the structure’s performance since the concrete and reinforcing would be cut off. SCC is a new type of concrete mixture that can fill in all the voids in the formwork with its own weight without the help of external vibration.  As a result, it is necessary to reinforce the slab under flexure and increase the flexural strength of the SCC slab. Therefore, this work investigates the effect of using NSM-CFRP strip  on the behavior of one way SCC slabs that have been heat-damaged.

This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature on uncertainty in underground mining operations, using a bibliometric and systematic analysis covering the period from 1975 to 2024.

To achieve this, the following questions were addressed using a mixed-method approach involving bibliometrics, text mining and content analysis: How has the field of uncertainty research in underground mining operations evolved? What are the most prominent research topics and trends in uncertainty in underground mining operations? and What are the possible directions for future research on uncertainty in underground mining operations?

As a result, bibliometric networks of 327 journal articles from the Scopus database were created and examined, the main research topics were underground mining management; rock mechanics; operational optimization; and stochastic systems. Finally, the inclusive investigation of uncertainty in underground mining operations and its prominent patterns can serve as a basis for real-time direction for new research and as a tool to improve underground mining activities by implementing advanced technology for innovative practices and optimizing operational efficiency. This is fundamental to identify unknown variables that impair the planning, operation, safety and economic viability of underground mines.

This research is 100% original because there is no review research on the uncertainty present in underground mining operations.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the viability of shifting foreign direct investment (FDI) from China to Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in light of recent geopolitical and economic challenges. By analyzing case studies, it argues that CEE nations offer a compelling alternative for Western European businesses, with stronger intellectual property protection, political stability and alignment with European Union (EU) sustainability goals. The paper provides insights for firms and policymakers on mitigating risks and enhancing business operations by pivoting toward the CEE region, offering practical recommendations for adapting to shifting global trade dynamics.

The design methodology uses the case study approach to analyze the shift of FDI from China to CEE. This method examines the geopolitical, economic and legal contexts influencing business decisions, using real-world examples of Western European companies that have made this transition. The case studies highlight key factors in decision-making and the benefits of relocating investments to the CEE region.

The study identifies several advantages of the CEE region over China for Western European firms. These include geographic proximity, similarities in business values and purposes, environmental accountability, trustworthiness in business, enforceable noncompetition rules, lower risks of counterfeiting, reduced political and administrative risks, lower risks of intellectual property theft and reduced risks of negative publicity.

The findings suggest that Western European firms should consider redirecting their FDI to the CEE region to mitigate risks associated with investing in China. This move could offer long-term benefits despite short-term complications.

This paper contributes to the FDI theoretical framework by enhancing the cultural, administrative, geographic and economic (CAGE) distance framework. It provides a unique perspective on the shifting dynamics between Europe and China and highlights the potential of the CEE region as a viable alternative for FDI.

This study aims to develop a new integrated decision-making framework specifically designed to address complexity and uncertainty for project portfolio management. It particularly focuses on managing portfolios in a post-merger context. The paper portrays a normative and prescriptive approach to effectively creating a well-balanced project portfolio in a post-merger scenario.

This study introduces hyper-project portfolio frame as a prospective methodology for evaluating post-merger portfolios. The proposed method especially addresses the challenges associated with integration following a merger.

Hyper-project portfolio frame provides fundamental leaps in post-merger project portfolios. The frame gives opportunities to check consistency with policy, organizational scalability, flexibility and product diversity. It also underpins achieving the strategic objectives of mergers and acquisitions (M&As).

The literature synthesis is approached from an interpretative standpoint. The research incorporates discussions and comparative studies from the relevant literature and introduces a novel approach. Additionally, new descriptive studies can expand the proposed process-oriented decision-making. Moreover, this research does not consider hostile takeovers.

Nested in content and process-oriented fashion, the frame provides suitable prequalification analysis for portfolios in a post-merger under the concepts of complexity, uncertainty, risk and value.