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Article
Publication date: 5 April 2024

Qiang Du, Yerong Zhang, Lingyuan Zeng, Yiming Ma and Shasha Li

Prefabricated buildings (PBs) have proven to effectively mitigate carbon emissions in the construction industry. Existing studies have analyzed the environmental performance of…

Abstract

Purpose

Prefabricated buildings (PBs) have proven to effectively mitigate carbon emissions in the construction industry. Existing studies have analyzed the environmental performance of PBs considering the shift in construction methods, ignoring the emissions abatement effects of the low-carbon practices adopted by participants in the prefabricated building supply chain (PBSC). Thus, it is challenging to exploit the environmental advantages of PBs. To further reveal the carbon reduction potential of PBs and assist participants in making low-carbon practice strategy decisions, this paper constructs a system dynamics (SD) model to explore the performance of PBSC in low-carbon practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the SD approach to integrate the complex dynamic relationship between variables and explicitly considers the environmental and economic impacts of PBSC to explore the carbon emission reduction effects of low-carbon practices by enterprises under environmental policies from the supply chain perspective.

Findings

Results show that with the advance of prefabrication level, the carbon emissions from production and transportation processes increase, and the total carbon emissions of PBSC show an upward trend. Low-carbon practices of rational transportation route planning and carbon-reduction energy investment can effectively reduce carbon emissions with negative economic impacts on transportation enterprises. The application of sustainable materials in low-carbon practices is both economically and environmentally friendly. In addition, carbon tax does not always promote the implementation of low-carbon practices, and the improvement of enterprises' environmental awareness can further strengthen the effect of low-carbon practices.

Originality/value

This study dynamically assesses the carbon reduction effects of low-carbon practices in PBSC, informing the low-carbon decision-making of participants in building construction projects and guiding the government to formulate environmental policies.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 December 2023

Libiao Bai, Xuyang Zhao, ShuYun Kang, Yiming Ma and BingBing Zhang

Research and development (R&D) projects are often pursued through a project portfolio (PP). R&D PPs involve many stakeholders, and without proactive management, their interactions…

Abstract

Purpose

Research and development (R&D) projects are often pursued through a project portfolio (PP). R&D PPs involve many stakeholders, and without proactive management, their interactions may lead to conflict risks. These conflict risks change dynamically with different stages of the PP life cycle, increasing the challenge of PP risk management. Existing conflict risk research mainly focuses on source identification but lacks risk assessment work. To better manage the stakeholder conflict risks (SCRs) of R&D PPs, this study employs the dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) to construct its dynamic assessment model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study constructs a DBN model to assess the SCRs in R&D PP. First, an indicator system of SCRs is constructed from the life cycle perspective. Then, the risk relationships within each R&D PPs life cycle stage are identified via interpretative structural modeling (ISM). The prior and conditional probabilities of risks are obtained by expert judgment and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Finally, crucial SCRs at each stage are identified utilizing propagation analysis, and the corresponding risk responses are proposed.

Findings

The results of the study identify the crucial risks at each stage. Also, for the crucial risks, this study suggests appropriate risk response strategies to help managers better perform risk response activities.

Originality/value

This study dynamically assesses the stakeholder conflict risks in R&D PPs from a life-cycle perspective, extending the stakeholder risk management research. Meanwhile, the crucial risks are identified at each stage accordingly, providing managerial insights for R&D PPs.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2022

Peiyu Zhou, Shuping Zhao, Yiming Ma, Changyong Liang and Junhong Zhu

The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of platform characteristics (i.e. media richness and interactivity) on individual perception (i.e. outcome expectations) and…

1083

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of platform characteristics (i.e. media richness and interactivity) on individual perception (i.e. outcome expectations) and consequent behavioral response (i.e. user participation in online health communities (OHCs)) based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed a research model to test the proposed hypotheses, and the proposed model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for which data were collected from 321 users with OHC experience using an online survey.

Findings

The empirical results show the following: (1) the three dimensions of media richness significantly affect the three outcome expectations, except that richness of expression has no significant effect on the outcome expectation of health self-management competence. (2) Human-to-human interaction significantly affects the three outcome expectations. Moreover, compared with human-to-human interaction, human-to-system interaction has a stronger impact on the outcome expectation of health self-management competence. (3) The three outcome expectations have a significant influence on user participation in OHCs.

Originality/value

This study extends the understanding about how platform characteristics (i.e. media richness and interactivity) motivate user participation in the context of OHCs. Drawing on the S-O-R model, this study reveals the underlying mechanisms by which media richness and interactivity are associated with outcome expectations and by which outcome expectations is associated with user participation in OHCs. This study enriches the literature on media richness, interactivity, outcome expectations and user participation in OHCs, providing insights for developers and administrators of OHCs.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. 75 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 June 2021

Xuejie Yang, Dongxiao Gu, Jiao Wu, Changyong Liang, Yiming Ma and Jingjing Li

With the popularity of the internet, access to health-related information has become more convenient. However, the easy acquisition of e-health information could lead to…

1285

Abstract

Purpose

With the popularity of the internet, access to health-related information has become more convenient. However, the easy acquisition of e-health information could lead to unfavorable consequences, such as health anxiety. The purpose of this paper is to explore a set of important influencing factors that lead to health anxiety.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) framework, we propose a theoretical model of health anxiety, with metacognitive beliefs and catastrophic misinterpretation as the mediators between stimulus factors and health anxiety. Using 218 self-reported data points, the authors empirically examine the research model and hypotheses.

Findings

The study results show that anxiety sensitivity positively affects metacognitive beliefs. The severity of physical symptoms has a significant positive impact on catastrophic misinterpretation. Metacognitive beliefs and catastrophic misinterpretation have significant positive impacts on health anxiety.

Originality/value

Based on the S-O-R model, this paper develops a comprehensive model to explain health anxiety and verifies the model using firsthand data.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 31 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 15 November 2018

Yi-Ming Wei and Hua Liao

Abstract

Details

Energy Economics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78756-780-1

Content available

Abstract

Details

Internet Research, vol. 31 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Book part
Publication date: 26 August 2019

Howard Bodenhorn, Timothy W. Guinnane and Thomas A. Mroz

Long-run changes in living standards occupy an important place in development and growth economics, as well as in economic history. An extensive literature uses heights to study…

Abstract

Long-run changes in living standards occupy an important place in development and growth economics, as well as in economic history. An extensive literature uses heights to study historical living standards. Most historical heights data, however, come from selected subpopulations such as volunteer soldiers, raising concerns about the role of selection bias in these results. Variations in sample mean heights can reflect selection rather than changes in population heights. A Roy-style model of the decision to join the military formalizes the selection problem. Simulations show that even modest differential rewards to the civilian sector produce a military heights sample that is significantly shorter than the cohort from which it is drawn. Monte Carlos show that diagnostics based on departure from the normal distribution have little power to detect selection. To detect height-related selection, we develop a simple, robust diagnostic based on differential selection by age at recruitment. A companion paper (H. Bodenhorn, T. Guinnane, and T. Mroz, 2017) uses this diagnostic to show that the selection problems affect important results in the historical heights literature.

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2024

Yajun Guo, Huifang Ma, Jiahua Zhou, Yanchen Chen and Yiming Yuan

This article aims to understand users' information needs in the metaverse communities and to analyze the similarities and differences between their information needs and those of…

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to understand users' information needs in the metaverse communities and to analyze the similarities and differences between their information needs and those of users in Internet communities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted semi-structured interviews with users in the metaverse communities to gather raw data. Grounded theory research methods were employed to code and analyze the collected interview data, resulting in the extraction of 40 initial concepts, 15 subcategories and 5 main categories. Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, this paper constructs the hierarchical model of users' information needs in the metaverse communities. It compares the differences between users' information needs in the metaverse and Internet fields.

Findings

The user’s information needs in the metaverse communities are divided into two types: deficiency needs and growth needs. Deficiency needs have two levels. The first level is the demand for basic information resources. The second level is the users demand for information assistance. Growth needs have three levels. The first level is the need for information interactions. The second level is the need for community rules. The ownership information in the community rules can provide proof of user status, assets and so on. The third level is the need for users to contribute and share their own created information content.

Originality/value

This article presents the latest research data from in-depth interviews with users in the metaverse communities. It aims to help builders and managers of metaverse communities understand users' information needs and improve the design of virtual communities.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

Feicheng Ma, Ye Chen and Yiming Zhao

This paper aims to propose a conceptual model for improving the organization of user needs information in the big data environment.

2058

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a conceptual model for improving the organization of user needs information in the big data environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model of the organization of user needs information based on Linked Data techniques is constructed. This model has three layers: the Data Layer, the Semantic Layer and the Application Layer.

Findings

Requirements for organizing user needs information in the big data environment are identified as follows: improving the intelligence level, establishing standards and guidelines for the description of user needs information, enabling the interconnection of user needs information and considering individual privacy in the organization and analysis of user needs.

Practical implications

This Web of Needs model could be used to improve knowledge services by matching user needs information with increasing semantic knowledge resources more effectively and efficiently in the big data environment.

Originality/value

This study proposes a conceptual model, the Web of Needs model, to organize and interconnect user needs. Compared with existing methods, the Web of Needs model satisfies the requirements for the organization of user needs information in the big data environment with regard to four aspects: providing the basis and conditions for intelligent processing of user needs information, using RDF as a description norm, enabling the interconnection of user needs information and setting various protocols to protect user privacy.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 May 2023

Angela Kit Fong Ma and Yiming Chen

The purpose of this study is threefold. The first is to conduct a comprehensive examination of the various board attributes to corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is threefold. The first is to conduct a comprehensive examination of the various board attributes to corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in the Chinese technology industry. The second is to investigate the impact of ownership and board attributes on CSR. The third is to examine the moderating effect of media reporting on the relationship between CSR and company financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

All A-share listed Chinese companies during the years 2011–2019 with 1,573 firm-year observations have been investigated for this study. The data are analysed by CSR metrics in the form of environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores using an ordinary least squares regression analysis and fixed effect regression models.

Findings

The results of this longitudinal study reveal that; no matter whether the companies are state-own or non-state-own, there is a significant positive effect of board independence, monetary incentives, director’s age and board size on the CSR disclosure of the Chinese technology industry. Also, the results support the importance of CSR performance in promoting the corporate financial performance (CFP) of the technology sector. Specifically, media reporting has a positive impact on the CSR reporting of both state-own and non-state-own technological companies in China.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study based on the ESG metrics for analysing the CSR and firm performance relationship conducted in the unique setting of the state-own and non-state-own technological companies in China. The study is an attempt to fill the gap in the extant literature, which has a scarce number of studies focused on the influence of media reporting on the relationship between CSR performance and CFP. This paper not only updates the existing understanding of CSR performance by board attributes and company ownership but also explains the significance of media reporting in enhancing the CSR performance of the Chinese technology industry.

Details

Society and Business Review, vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5680

Keywords

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