Zhifeng Shen, Xiangdong Wei, Ahsan Siraj, Shilpa Taneja, Linyan Fang and Zhihui Li
The aim of this study is to find the governance mechanism that matches the EPC project governance model as well as the performance criteria for measuring the quality governance of…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to find the governance mechanism that matches the EPC project governance model as well as the performance criteria for measuring the quality governance of EPC projects so as to improve the level of quality of EPC project delivery.
Design/methodology/approach
An in-depth questionnaire survey of 199 EPC engineering practitioners and quality control units was conducted and the survey data was analysed using SPSS 24.0 software.
Findings
The results show that administrative governance, industry governance and internal project governance have direct effects on the quality governance performance of EPC projects. Administrative governance has a positive impact on the quality governance performance of EPC projects through industry governance and project internal governance.
Research limitations/implications
This study enriches the research on engineering quality governance in the context of EPC projects, discusses how to improve the performance of EPC engineering quality governance and will provide certain reference and information for other EPC projects to establish an adapted engineering quality governance mechanism.
Originality/value
This paper exploratively proposes EPC administrative governance mode, industry governance mode and internal project governance mode and analyzes the logical relationship between them and EPC project quality governance performance and constructs a theoretical model influencing the improvement of EPC project quality governance performance.
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Zhihui Li and Hongbo Sun
With the development of the modern economy, vehicles are no longer a luxury for people, which greatly facilitate people’s daily life, but at the same time bring traffic…
Abstract
Purpose
With the development of the modern economy, vehicles are no longer a luxury for people, which greatly facilitate people’s daily life, but at the same time bring traffic congestion. How to relieve traffic congestion and improve its capacity is a hot research area. This paper aims to propose a new simulation framework for crowd transportations to ease traffic congestion.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper establishes related simulation models such as vehicles, traffic lights and advisers. Then the paper describes their relationships, gives their interaction mechanism and solidifies the above into a software implementation framework.
Findings
This paper proposes a simulation framework for crowd transportations.
Originality/value
In this framework, traffic lights are used as a control method to control the road network and road conditions are used as an Affecter to influence individual behavior. The vehicle passing rate is defined by the correlation between endowment and the start time of the traffic lights. In this framework, members are related, dynamically adjusted according to road conditions and dynamically optimized member decisions. The optimal path is dynamic and real-time adjustments are made for each step forward. It is different from the traditional optimal path in which there is only one fixed one and it is different from the macroscopic optimal path that does not exist.
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Hui Li, Zhihui Gao, Weihao Lin, Wei He, Jinyan Li and Yong Yang
Graphene is a two-dimensional material. Its use has many advantages in gas sensing, but its long desorption process is problematic. The aim of this paper is to design a…
Abstract
Purpose
Graphene is a two-dimensional material. Its use has many advantages in gas sensing, but its long desorption process is problematic. The aim of this paper is to design a graphene-based gas sensor, study the response to NO2 gas concentrations and find ways to accelerate the desorption process.
Design/methodology/approach
In one group, the sensor was placed in air to measure its initial resistance. Then, it was exposed to the NO2 gas at a certain concentration. Finally, the sensor was exposed to light immediately after NO2 gas exposure was ended. In another group, the sensor was heated using a heating plate at a stable temperature, before taking the measurements. Then the adsorption and desorption experiments were carried on.
Findings
Illumination and heating at a suitable temperature can expedite desorption of NO2 molecules on graphene.
Originality/value
In the paper, two main methods are introduced to accelerate the desorption process when the NO2 gas is absorbed on graphene. Through a series of experiments and analysis, the authors found that the recovery time could be reduced observably and the recovery performance of the graphene-based NO2 sensor could be improved effectively.
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Bing Li, Zhihui Shi and Wei Guo
As foreign direct investment (FDI) plays an important role in economic globalization. This paper examines the structural features of the global FDI network based on FDI flows data…
Abstract
Purpose
As foreign direct investment (FDI) plays an important role in economic globalization. This paper examines the structural features of the global FDI network based on FDI flows data and changes in the position of countries within the network.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to study the structural characteristics of the global FDI network and the status and changes of countries in the global FDI network, the authors build the investment network and apply the QAP (Quadratic Assignment Procedure) analysis to examine the evolutionary characteristics of the network and its influencing factors.
Findings
The global FDI network becomes more interconnected and has a clear “core-periphery” structure. The network connections and volumes have increased dramatically and most countries spread their assets across multiple countries, while only a handful of countries have concentrated investments. The topological structure of the global FDI network has changed noticeably, although this process has been slow and stable and countries in the core position have remained largely intact. The authors find that trade relations between countries, geographic distance and differences in economic size, income levels and institutional environments all have a significant impact on the global FDI network.
Research limitations/implications
Although we find some valuable results, some aspects need further investigation. For example, how a country uses the investment network to boost its economy and how the different industries in the investment network change over time. It is important to get the industry-level details to understand the impact of the global investment network from a government's perspective.
Practical implications
FDI affects the distribution of international capital and contributes to the development of the global economy. Therefore, it is important to study the characteristics of the global FDI network and its development patterns. With more understanding about the network as well as its evolutionary pattern, the government can possibly carry out some policies to promote direct investments as well as economic development.
Social implications
All countries should actively engage in international direct investments and strengthen their economic ties. At the same time, they can put more emphasis on inward or outward FDI based on their own level of economic development to better establish the circulation channel for domestic and international capital.
Originality/value
This paper examines foreign direct investments through the lens of a global network. In contrast to traditional bilateral studies, this paper focuses on the network structure and evolution, reflecting the dynamics of the entire direct investment system as well as the changing positions of participating countries.
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Zhihui Fang, Brittany Adams, Valerie T. Gresser and Cuiying Li
This paper describes and exemplifies a pedagogical heuristic for promoting critical literacy in science.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper describes and exemplifies a pedagogical heuristic for promoting critical literacy in science.
Design/methodology/approach
One way to support critical literacy in science is through a linguistically informed pedagogical heuristic called 5Es – Enquire, Engage, Examine, Exercise and Extend.
Findings
This paper describes the implementation of 5Es in a four-week middle school science unit on climate change, showing how the heuristic can be used to develop students’ understanding of the varied ways authors use language to present information, structure text, infuse judgment and evaluation, engage with and position the reader and express epistemic commitment to knowledge claims.
Originality/value
5Es offer teachers a new heuristic for text exploration that develops students’ critical language awareness, advanced literacy and disciplinary literacy at the same time.
Details
Keywords
Hui Li, Zengwen Zhang, Ruiyang Fang, Zhihui Gao and Wei He
The authors designed those experiments to test the sensitivity of graphene when it is exposed to NO2 gas, to find a way to decrease the recovery time of graphene and to find the…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors designed those experiments to test the sensitivity of graphene when it is exposed to NO2 gas, to find a way to decrease the recovery time of graphene and to find the difference effect between monolayer and bilayer graphene in the experiments.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors transferred graphene from film on Cu foil to NO2 sensor sample and measured the resistances of on monolayer and bilayer graphene when they were exposed to NO2 gas under different concentration; then, the authors obtained the results.
Findings
The results show that monolayer graphene exhibits a linear response when the NO2 concentration is below 20 ppm. But the monolayer graphene will not be so sensitive to NO2 gas when the concentration continues to reduce. The desorption time of monolayer graphene is longer when compared with bilayer graphene. It shows faster recovery time and higher response of bilayer graphene under low NO2 concentration. And the limit detectable NO2 concentration of bilayer graphene is 50 ppb. Desorption time of bilayer graphene is shortened to below 20 s under UV light.
Originality/value
The authors found a reliable way to decrease the recovery time of graphene when it is exposed NO2 gas and got the concrete data.
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Zhihui Yang, Dongbin Hu and Xiaohong Chen
In the dynamic landscape of the digital economy, companies are increasingly adopting omnichannel integration strategies to enhance customer experiences. However, the interplay…
Abstract
Purpose
In the dynamic landscape of the digital economy, companies are increasingly adopting omnichannel integration strategies to enhance customer experiences. However, the interplay between this strategy and digitalisation in fostering brand trust remains uncharted. Drawing on the social exchange and psychological reactance theories, this study ventures into unexplored territory by examining the impact of omnichannel integration and digital value on brand trust building. It also delves into the boundary roles of customers’ psychological perceptions, both positive (customer empowerment) and negative (privacy concerns and perceived deception), in this process.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted an online survey of 595 omnichannel users in China and validated the model using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
This study’s results have significant implications for businesses. They show that customer perception of omnichannel integration and perceived digital value are critical drivers of omnichannel brand trust, with customer empowerment playing a mediating role. Notably, the study also reveals that customers’ negative psychological perceptions can have different moderating effects, highlighting the need for businesses to address these concerns in their omnichannel strategies.
Originality/value
This study breaks new ground in marketing research by highlighting the benefits of omnichannel integration and incorporating digital perspectives. It demonstrates the positive impact of blending customer perception of omnichannel integration and perceived digital value on brand trust formation. Furthermore, it explores the boundary roles of customers’ psychological perceptions in this process, offering a unique and comprehensive perspective.
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Kaicheng Shen, Xiaodong Li, Xinying Cao and Zhang Zhihui
The purpose of this paper is to assess the process of prefabricated construction (PC) and analyze the impacts of rework risk to identify the core tasks for which the rework risk…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the process of prefabricated construction (PC) and analyze the impacts of rework risk to identify the core tasks for which the rework risk has severe impacts.
Design/methodology/approach
The methods consist of a literature review, expert interviews, a questionnaire survey and a rework risk function. The expert interviews and questionnaire survey were administered to experts in the entire process of PC from the dimensions of rework frequency, rework cost and rework time. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. The rework risk function was based on the loss expectancy method.
Findings
There are 13 core tasks that have higher impacts than the average level. The core tasks in the design stage account for 100% of the tasks in the stage, those in the manufacturing stage account for 20% and those in the construction stage account for 23.1%. Compared with the other stages, the design stage is characterized by significantly more frequent rework, higher rework costs and longer rework time. The manufacturing stage is characterized by significantly higher rework costs than the construction stage. The manufacturing stage and construction stage are co-reliant, and both are impacted by the design stage.
Practical implications
The findings provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the core tasks of the PC process and represent a method for identifying core tasks. Stakeholders can learn from this to focus on the core tasks to reduce rework risk and manage the process with the priority of PC rework management based on the following order: design > manufacturing > construction. The approach is suitable for core task identification in other areas.
Originality/value
This research provides insight into rework risk management and provides a novel analysis method for rework risk and PC management from the perspective of the construction process. The findings are valuable for supporting stakeholders in making effective construction plans to reduce the impacts of rework risk in PC and provide a reference for future research on process optimization.
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Digital technology plays a vital role in empowering omnichannel integration. Research on digital technology has recently attracted attention and rapidly developed. However, a…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital technology plays a vital role in empowering omnichannel integration. Research on digital technology has recently attracted attention and rapidly developed. However, a comprehensive assessment of the research status and potential gaps is yet to be conducted. Thus, this study investigated the current research status of digital technology-empowered omnichannel integration, and future research directions are proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-stage bibliometric analysis was conducted on 764 articles published from 2000 to 2023, cited in the Web of Science database. Furthermore, performance and thematic analyses were performed.
Findings
The most productive contributors and influential articles in this field were identified, and four themes of focus were discovered: service quality, o2o commerce, omnichannel retailing, and digital transformation.
Originality/value
To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first attempt to enable researchers to understand the vast body of published scholarship on digital technology-empowered omnichannel integration.
Details
Keywords
Donghai Wang, Wei Sun, Zhihui Gao and Hui Li
In many cases, the external pipelines of aero-engine are subjected to random excitation. The purpose of this paper is to reduce the vibration response of the pipeline system…
Abstract
Purpose
In many cases, the external pipelines of aero-engine are subjected to random excitation. The purpose of this paper is to reduce the vibration response of the pipeline system effectively by adjusting the hoop layout.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, a spatial pipeline supported by multi-hoops is taken as the object, the methods of solution of the vibration response of the pipeline system by using pseudo excitation and hoop layouts optimization with amplitude reduction of vibration response as the goal are presented. First, the finite element model of the spatial pipeline system is presented. Then, an optimization model spatial pipeline is established. Finally, a case study is carried out to prove the rationality of the random vibration response analysis of the pipeline system. Furthermore, the proposed optimization model and genetic algorithm are applied to optimize the hoop layout.
Findings
The results show that the maximum response variance after optimization is reduced by 32.8%, which proves the rationality of the developed hoop layout optimization method.
Originality/value
The pseudo excitation method is used to solve the vibration response of aero-engine pipeline system, and the optimization of the hoop layout for aero-engine spatial pipelines under random excitation to reduce random vibration response is studied systematically.