The influence of business strategy on project portfolio management and its success — A conceptual framework

Firms are facing more difficulties with the implementation of strategies than with its formulation. Therefore, this paper examines the linkage between business strategy, project portfolio management, and business success to close the gap between strategy formulation and implementation. Earlier research has found some supporting evidence of a positive relationship between isolated concepts, but so far there is no coherent and integral framework covering the whole cycle from strategy to success. Therefore, the existing research on project portfolio management is extended by the concept of strategic orientation. Based on a literature review, a comprehensive conceptual model considering strategic orientation, project portfolio structuring, project portfolio success, and business success is developed. This model can be used for future empirical research on the influence of strategy on project portfolio management and its success. Furthermore, it can easily be extended e.g. by contextual factors.     

十合院——一种居住新模式的探索

建筑师通过对十户联拼住宅设计的分析，探索了一种新型低层高密度的居住方式，并在空间组合方式上尝试融入传统空间体系与序列．实体营造中尝试了预制混凝土的多种使用方法。     

Capital structure in LNG infrastructures and gas pipelines projects: Empirical evidences and methodological issues

This paper provides new empirical insights on the capital structure of project-financed LNG infrastructures and gas pipeline projects, by using data relating to projects whose financial close occurred between June 2004 and March 2011. Most results are consistent with the basic view of risk-averse funds suppliers. Especially, the projects located in risky countries and larger projects tend to exhibit lower debt ratios and less-concentrated equity ownerships. In addition, regasification projects appear to have a more diluted equity ownership. Methodological issues raised by the financing of these projects are also examined from a capital-budgeting perspective. In particular, the equity residual method, usually used by industrial practitioners to value these projects, should be adjusted.     

东平湖湿地景观演变对人类活动的响应机制

为探索南水北调工程通水前后湿地景观格局变化,采用决策树分类法,对2000年、2009年和2014年3期Landsat影像进行分类;在分类结果的基础上,应用转移矩阵和景观指数等方法,分析不同时期景观格局的特点及驱动因素;最后应用马尔科夫模型,对研究区景观格局演变进行预测。结果表明:水域周边出现了更多的建筑用地,景观指数INP由7 174增长至10 334,蔓延度指数IC由64.594 4减少至63.651 5,景观格局总体呈破碎趋势,景观破碎度增加,景观异质性增强;2009—2014年香农均匀度指数ISHE和香农多样性指数ISHD指数小幅上升,景观格局集聚度水平提高,但是与2000年的景观格局水平存在较大差距,部分天然湿地被人工湿地取代,导致湿地生态功能退化。     

Identification of bearing load by three section strain gauge method: Theoretical and experimental research

Reasonable bearing load distribution is important for the safe and reliable operation of rotating machinery. However, it is difficult to measure bearing load in field. This paper puts forward a bearing load identification method based on the measured three section strain values. Shaft is divided into several sections at strain gauge locations. The force and moment equilibrium equations are set up and assembled to form bearing load solving equations. This method can reduce the modeling error, especially for the machines with irregular rotating parts. It can also be applied for the entire shaft system bearing load distribution study with high accuracy and fault tolerant. Test was done on a rotor-bearing system rig. Bearing load distribution in different shaft alignment states is identified and analyzed. Test results show that the bearing load distribution varies sensitively and linearity to the change of bearing elevation. Further research shows that the accuracy of the method depends on the strain gauge locations. It would be best to place the strain gauge at location where the bending moment is sensitive to the change of bearing load. Moreover, mounting the strain gauge further from the bearing reduces the relative error due to the exact reaction point location is not known, which influences the accuracy of beading moment arm from the strain gauge location to the reaction point.     

Project management knowledge and skills for green construction: Overcoming challenges

A competent project manager is vital to project success. While many studies have examined competency of project managers, few have done so in the context of green construction. Therefore, this study aims to identify challenges faced by project managers who execute green construction projects and to determine the critical knowledge areas and skills that are necessary to respond to such challenges. Through literature review, surveys and interviews with project managers, this study will help establish a knowledge base for project managers to be competitive and to effectively execute sustainable projects.     

The impact of a call centre on communication in a programme and its projects

Call centres are increasingly being utilised in public sector programmes to facilitate and manage communication between numerous stakeholders. Yet, the impact of call centres on projects has not been investigated. This paper reports on a survey with 92 respondents that assessed the impact of a call centre for a repair and maintenance programme. An empirically verified model is presented to illustrate the relationship between call centre communication and project performance. A balance of frequent informal and formal communication is shown to reduce mistrust and conflict of interest resulting from each party trying to maximise his respective economic position in the principal–agency relationship. The data provides evidence that a call centre improves the communication, collaboration and trust in project principal–agency relationships which, in turn, is perceived to contribute to project performance.     

谈建设工程中价值工程的应用

价值工程做为一门基于技术与经济相结合的新兴的科学管理方法,已广泛应用于建设工程。本文介绍了价值工程的基本知识,对在我国建筑工程中应用价值工程的特点、应注意的问题进行论述与分析,总结了价值工程的发展趋势,对价值工程在我国建设工程中的应用具有广泛和深刻的社会意义。     

STRATIFIED THREE PHASE FLOW IN PIPES - STABILITY AND TRANSITION

The stability of stratified three phase flow (water-oil-gas) was analyzed using two approaches: A straight forward Kelvin-Helmholtz stability analysis on the two interfaces termed here the “exact” approach and a simplified approach. 1 n the “exact” approach the two interfaces (water-oil and oil-gas) are perturbed, while in the simplified approach the perturbed interface is only the upper oil-gas interface. Both approaches include the viscous Kelvin-Helmholtz analysis in which the shear stresses are laken into account and the inviscid K H analysis where the shear stresses are neglected.

Comparison with some experimental results suggests that the simplified method is a better predictor of the transition from stratified flow than the “exact” approach, suggesting, perhaps, that the stability analysis on the upper interface alone is preferred.     

Knowledge and Know‐How in Emission Control for Mobile Applications

Abstract

Concerns about emissions of carbon dioxide have created a need to develop more fuel‐efficient vehicles. Diesel engines are generally more efficient than gasoline engines but improvements in the latter can be achieved by operating under lean‐burn conditions. With both diesel and lean‐burn gasoline engines, the nitrogen oxides are emissted under oxidising conditions. It is scientifically very challenging to reduce nitrogen oxides under oxidising conditions. After a short survey of conventional three‐way catalysts, and the associated fundamental aspects of NO_x reduction under stoichoimetric conditions, this review focuses on the knowledge and know‐how that has been developed for lean engine emission control. Early research on hydrocarbon selective catalytic reduction on zeolite, oxide, and metal‐based systems is examined, and some of the key mechanistic models are described. Since none of these systems are of sufficient activity and stability to satisfy current legislation attention has turned to NO_x storage and reduction systems. The basic principles of these are described, and the present state of knowledge regarding the mechanisms of storage and regeneration are discussed. The many apparent discrepancies are highlighted and an attempt is made to rationalise the current state of knowledge by taking into account the varying experimental conditions reported nit he literature. For diesel engines, NO_x storage and reduction is not an ideal solution and so the final section of this review is concerned with silver‐based catalysts and especially with the dramatic effect of small amounts of hydrogen on the efficiency of these catalysts for hydrocarbons selective catalytic reduction.