Min Lu, Zixuan Yang and Guowei He
This paper aims to propose a new method for robust simulations of passive heat transfer in two-fluid flows with high volumetric heat capacity contrasts.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a new method for robust simulations of passive heat transfer in two-fluid flows with high volumetric heat capacity contrasts.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper implements a prediction–correction scheme to evolve the volumetric heat capacity. In the prediction substep, the volumetric heat capacity is evolved together with the temperature. The bounded downwind version of compressive interface capturing scheme for arbitrary meshes and central difference scheme are used for the spatial discretization of the advection and diffusion terms of the heat transfer equation, respectively. In the correction substep, the volumetric heat capacity is updated in accordance with the interface captured by using a coupled level-set and volume-of-fluid method to capture the interface dynamics precisely.
Findings
The proposed method is verified by simulating the advection of a hot droplet with high volumetric heat capacity, a stationary air–water tank with temperature variation between top and bottom walls and heat transfer during wave plunging at
Originality/value
To ensure the numerical stability, this paper solves an additional conservative form of volumetric heat capacity equation along with the conservative form of temperature equation by using consistent spatial-discretization and temporal-integration schemes.
Details
Keywords
Yourong Yao, Zixuan Wang and Chun Kwok Lei
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of green finance on human well-being in China in the context of urbanization and aging population. It aims to explore the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of green finance on human well-being in China in the context of urbanization and aging population. It aims to explore the contributions of green finance in such demographic scenarios.
Design/methodology/approach
This study innovates and optimizes the calculation of the carbon intensity of human well-being (CIWB) index and strengthens the integrity of the assessment model for green finance development. It uses the serial multiple mediator model and moderation effect analysis to address the impact of green finance on human well-being in China on the provincial level from 2009 to 2020.
Findings
Green finance has a significant, positive and direct impact on human well-being. Simultaneously, it influences human well-being indirectly through three transmission channels. Urbanization and an ageing population are significant individual mediators through which green finance contributes to human well-being improvement. Notably, these two mediators also work together to transfer the promotional impact of green finance to human well-being.
Practical implications
The government can perfect the regulations to strengthen the market ecosystem to accelerate the development of green finance. Reforms on the administrative division to expand the size of cities with the implementation of ageing friendly development strategy is also necessary. Attracting incoming foreign direct investment in sustainable projects and adjusting public projects and trade activities to fulfil the sustainable principles are also regarded as essential.
Social implications
The findings challenge traditional views on the impact of aging populations, highlighting the beneficial role of green finance in improving well-being amidst demographic changes. This offers a new perspective on economic and environmental sustainability in aging societies.
Originality/value
A multi-dimensional well-being indicator, CIWB and the serial multiple mediator model are used and direct and indirect impacts of green finance on human well-being is exhibited. It offers novel insights on the transmission channels behind, identifies the mediating role of urbanization and ageing population and offers empirical evidences with strong academic and policy implications.
Details
Keywords
Chenglin Yue, Jiamin Du, Zixuan Zhang, Yuchen Zhang, Jianyuan Guo and Jie He
It is significant for station passenger flow organization, platform equipment layout and train running optimization to master platform passenger distribution characteristics of…
Abstract
Purpose
It is significant for station passenger flow organization, platform equipment layout and train running optimization to master platform passenger distribution characteristics of urban rail transit stations. The purpose of this paper is to master the characteristics of platform passenger flow distribution in urban rail transit stations and optimize the station passenger flow organization, platform equipment layout and train operation adjustment.
Design/methodology/approach
The model considers two types of passengers, with and without luggage, as well as their door selection and microscopic movement behavior. In addition, it improves the traditional social force model by incorporating passenger state transitions under same-platform-transfer scenarios, considering the influence of static obstacles and dynamic queues on passenger movement direction.
Findings
Based on this model, a dynamic simulation of platform passenger flow distribution was conducted using Beijingxi Railway Station as an example under same-platform-transfer scenarios, verifying the model’s effectiveness.
Originality/value
Complex scenarios, such as carrying luggage and same-platform-transfers, bring difficulties to the analysis of passenger distribution on platforms. Therefore, this paper proposes a simulation model for the dynamic distribution of subway platform passengers, taking into account the scenarios of carrying luggage and same-platform-transfers.
Details
Keywords
Yi-Hsin Lin, Zixuan Huang and Yuqing Gao
This study investigates the influence of market and hierarchy organizational cultures on international project performance and examines the mediating role of relational capital.
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the influence of market and hierarchy organizational cultures on international project performance and examines the mediating role of relational capital.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth interviews and a cross-sectional questionnaire survey were conducted to collect primary data within international projects. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses based on data collected from 62 respondents.
Findings
The results reveal that both market and hierarchy cultures affect international project performance positively. Additionally, communication, cooperation and trust help enhance project performance; however, commitment is not. This study also proves the mediating role of relational capital between organizational culture and project performance.
Research limitations/implications
This study selected only two types of organizational culture represented by Chinese construction enterprises. Future studies can explore the mediating role of relational capital between other varieties of organizational culture and project performance.
Originality/value
Given the high complexity and risks faced by projects abroad, both organizational culture, the internal environmental factor and relational capital being the external resource, are crucial for project success. This study clarifies the relationship between organizational culture, relational capital and project performance overseas. Empirical evidence to enhance international project performance for construction enterprises is provided. This study also makes contributions to international contractors who want to implement projects in developing countries.
Details
Keywords
Yuyang Liu, Mingzhu Heng, Caiwen Hu, Huiling Zhang, Zixuan Wang and Guofeng Ma
The construction of smart cities holds the potential to drive digital innovation in the construction industry through various means, such as enhancing supply and demand. This…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction of smart cities holds the potential to drive digital innovation in the construction industry through various means, such as enhancing supply and demand. This study echoes the urgent need for the construction industry to overcome development challenges. Hence, it is necessary to study the extent and ways in which smart city policies promote digital innovation in the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This study treats China’s smart city policies as quasi-natural experiments. Using a dataset of Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2007 to 2021 and a difference-in-differences model, the study scrutinizes the impact of smart city policies on digital innovation within the construction industry.
Findings
The study reveals a substantial positive influence of smart city policies on digital innovation in the construction industry. In addition, the study explains these results by analysing supply-side and demand-side mechanisms. Moreover, the effect of smart city pilot policies on promoting digital innovation within the construction industry displays noteworthy heterogeneity across cities at different regional and political levels.
Originality/value
By exploring the impact and mechanisms of smart city policies on digital innovation in the construction industry, this research contributes to a more comprehensive and profound comprehension of the role of policies in facilitating the digital transformation of the construction sector. It is a valuable reference for policymakers and industry practitioners aiming to advance digital development.
Details
Keywords
Zhuoan Feng, Lina Zixuan Li, Hau Yan Wong and Jilnaught Wong
This paper aims to examine how auditors respond through audit fees and audit quality following disciplinary actions imposed by audit regulators in an emerging market setting.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how auditors respond through audit fees and audit quality following disciplinary actions imposed by audit regulators in an emerging market setting.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses the disciplinary actions in 2017 against two major audit firms in China as an exogenous shock to examine the effect of tougher enforcement actions on auditor behavior as reflected in their emended audit fees and audit quality. This paper sampled from publicly listed firms in China with requisite data for the period 2015 through 2018. Using a difference-in-differences model, this paper examines whether the enforcement action (i.e. the suspension of audit firms) significantly impacted the audit fees and audit quality for clients of the disciplined audit firms (hereafter, suspended audit firms) in the two-year period postsuspension relative to audit firms that were not disciplined (hereafter, nonsuspended audit firms).
Findings
This paper finds evidence of increased audit fees and improved audit quality by the suspended audit firms relative to the nonsuspended audit firms in the two-year period postsuspension. These findings suggest that in contrast to symbolic disciplinary actions such as public censures documented in prior literature (Boone et al.,2015), tougher punitive disciplinary actions are followed by an increase in audit fees and an improvement in audit quality by the suspended audit firms. This paper also finds that the deterrent effect from the audit firm suspension is exclusive to the penalized audit firms and had no positive spillover effects on their peers.
Research limitations/implications
A limitation of this study is the focus on the effect of audit firm suspension against two large local audit firms in China. Given the unique characteristics of the Chinese audit market and the Chinese regulatory environment, our findings may not be generalizable to audit firms in other countries and jurisdictions, especially where the audit market is dominated by the international Big 4 auditors that possess greater brand name capital than second-tier local audit firms.
Originality/value
This paper provides novel evidence on the impact of strengthened enforcement on auditor behavior in an emerging market setting. This paper contributes to the existing literature examining the impact of regulatory interventions on financial reporting outcomes and audit quality. While there is evidence on how regulations affect financial statement preparers’ demand for high audit quality, there is limited research on how regulatory interventions affect auditor’s incentive to supply higher audit quality. This paper also contributes to the scant existing evidence on the effect of disciplinary actions against audit firms in emerging economies.
Details
Keywords
Zixuan He, Xiangming Fang, Nathan Rose, Xiaodong Zheng and Scott Rozelle
To combat poverty in China's rural areas, Chinese government has established an unconditional cash transfer program known as the Rural Minimum Living Standard Guarantee (Rural…
Abstract
Purpose
To combat poverty in China's rural areas, Chinese government has established an unconditional cash transfer program known as the Rural Minimum Living Standard Guarantee (Rural Dibao) Program. Interestingly, despite the importance of education in breaking cycles of poverty, little is known about Rural Dibao's impact on rural children's education. This study investigates Rural Dibao's impact on rural children's learning outcomes by first examining targeting issues within the program, exploring a causal relationship between Rural Dibao and learning outcomes, and then exploring potential mechanisms and heterogeneous effects.
Design/methodology/approach
Fixed effects model and propensity score weighting method and data from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from the years 2010 and 2014 were used.
Findings
The results suggest that the Rural Dibao program suffers from high levels of targeting error, yet is still effective (i.e., program transfers generally still go to people in need). The fixed effects and propensity score weighting models find that program participation raises rural children's standardized test scores in CFPS Chinese-language and math tests. In investigating mechanisms, increased education expenditure seems to connect Rural Dibao participation to increased learning results. The heterogeneity analysis shows that poorer, non-eastern, not left behind, younger or male children benefit from the program (while others have no effect).
Originality/value
These findings suggest that Rural Dibao participation boosts rural children's learning, which could indicate a long-term anti-poverty effect, and that if the program can resolve targeting problems, this effect could be even greater.
Details
Keywords
Zixuan Cheng, Kirk Plangger, Feng Cai, Colin L. Campbell and Leyland Pitt
This paper aims to explore how business-to-business (B2B) salespeople use social media and emulate value creation strategies used by social media influencers.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore how business-to-business (B2B) salespeople use social media and emulate value creation strategies used by social media influencers.
Design/methodology/approach
Using 28 interviews with salespeople, this paper develops six propositions and a conceptual framework that outlines when and how B2B salespeople use social media in value-creating sales.
Findings
This study’s findings provide a critical analysis of when social media are most effective and beneficial in supporting salespeople’s value-creating sales in various stages in the sales process (e.g. prospecting, opening relationships, qualifying prospects and serving accounts) and when they are less effective (e.g. presenting sales messages and closing sales).
Research limitations/implications
This research yields a substantive understanding of the evolving role that social media play in B2B sales by examining B2B salespeople’s value creation strategies through the lens of social media influencers’ practice and outlines ideas for future research on B2B salespeople’s social media strategies.
Practical implications
The findings of this research can be used by B2B organizations to structure the training of B2B salespeople to use social media to the fullest extent by aligning specific strategies with different parts of the sales process.
Originality/value
This paper contributes by summarizing the B2B sales literature on social media and integrating recent insights from the social media influencer literature; empirically identifying how B2B salespeople use social media to create value, thus validating previous findings and extending understanding by offering a set of six theoretical propositions; and delineating B2B salespeople’s social media practice into 11 value creation strategies that are critically explored for their place in the sales process.
Details
Keywords
Ruoyu Ji, Lina Li, Leonard Leye Li and Gary S. Monroe
This study aims to examine the relation between a client’s relative economic importance to its auditor and the number of key audit matters (KAMs) reported in the expanded audit…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relation between a client’s relative economic importance to its auditor and the number of key audit matters (KAMs) reported in the expanded audit report.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors measure a client’s economic importance at the audit firm level as well as the audit partner level using the ratio of a client’s total fees to an auditor’s total fees earned from its listed clients and the ratio of a client’s audit fees to an auditor’s total audit fees from its listed clients. The authors estimate a multivariate regression model using a sample of New Zealand-listed company-years from 2017 to 2019.
Findings
Results reveal a positive relation between client importance to auditor and the number of KAMs disclosed. Furthermore, the positive association between client importance and the number of KAMs reported is more pronounced for clients audited by the Big 4 auditors and less experienced audit partners. These findings suggest that auditors’ incentive to protect against potential losses from important client engagements outweighs any impairment to auditor independence and leads to a higher number of KAMs reported for the economically more important clients. Overall, the results suggest that auditors report KAMs strategically to mitigate engagement risks.
Originality/value
This study provides the first evidence on how client economic importance relates to the disclosure in the expanded audit report and contributes to the dialogue on auditors’ reporting of KAMs in the Asia-Pacific region.
Details
Keywords
Yumeng Feng, Weisong Mu, Yue Li, Tianqi Liu and Jianying Feng
For a better understanding of the preferences and differences of young consumers in emerging wine markets, this study aims to propose a clustering method to segment the super-new…
Abstract
Purpose
For a better understanding of the preferences and differences of young consumers in emerging wine markets, this study aims to propose a clustering method to segment the super-new generation wine consumers based on their sensitivity to wine brand, origin and price and then conduct user profiles for segmented consumer groups from the perspectives of demographic attributes, eating habits and wine sensory attribute preferences.
Design/methodology/approach
We first proposed a consumer clustering perspective based on their sensitivity to wine brand, origin and price and then conducted an adaptive density peak and label propagation layer-by-layer (ADPLP) clustering algorithm to segment consumers, which improved the issues of wrong centers' selection and inaccurate classification of remaining sample points for traditional DPC (DPeak clustering algorithm). Then, we built a consumer profile system from the perspectives of demographic attributes, eating habits and wine sensory attribute preferences for segmented consumer groups.
Findings
In this study, 10 typical public datasets and 6 basic test algorithms are used to evaluate the proposed method, and the results showed that the ADPLP algorithm was optimal or suboptimal on 10 datasets with accuracy above 0.78. The average improvement in accuracy over the base DPC algorithm is 0.184. As an outcome of the wine consumer profiles, sensitive consumers prefer wines with medium prices of 100–400 CNY and more personalized brands and origins, while casual consumers are fond of popular brands, popular origins and low prices within 50 CNY. The wine sensory attributes preferred by super-new generation consumers are red, semi-dry, semi-sweet, still, fresh tasting, fruity, floral and low acid.
Practical implications
Young Chinese consumers are the main driver of wine consumption in the future. This paper provides a tool for decision-makers and marketers to identify the preferences of young consumers quickly which is meaningful and helpful for wine marketing.
Originality/value
In this study, the ADPLP algorithm was introduced for the first time. Subsequently, the user profile label system was constructed for segmented consumers to highlight their characteristics and demand partiality from three aspects: demographic characteristics, consumers' eating habits and consumers' preferences for wine attributes. Moreover, the ADPLP algorithm can be considered for user profiles on other alcoholic products.