Urban landscape as a spatial representation of land rent: A quantitative analysis

Due to the emergence of geographical ‘big data,’ the field of urban studies is enjoying many new research opportunities. By using several sources of geographical ‘big data’, an analysis framework was structured to measure the urban landscape based on three aspects: city plan, pattern of building form, and urban land use. An association rule analysis was used to explore the relationship between land rent and the urban landscape, and the results indicate that the urban landscape differs across urban areas. The blocks classified as being located in main centers were associated with more convenient public transportation, denser road networks, more vertical street space, more diverse block patterns, more flexible architecture arrangements, mixed uses, high density, and more services. By contrast, non-center areas usually comprised blocks that were larger, tabular, single-purpose, and more regular. Non-center areas often cannot provide high-quality public goods, and they contain scattered large industrial enterprises. The urban landscapes of sub-center blocks fell in between these two urban areas. To our knowledge, this is the first paper that attempts to explain the relationship between land rent and urban landscapes based on ‘big data,’ and our study may provide meaningful insights into urban design for government officials and academics.     

Foreign direct investment and energy intensity in China: Firm-level evidence

Given the significance of energy use, which emits greenhouse gases and generates air pollution, decreasing energy intensity is considerably important for both China and the global environment. We employ a unique dataset of firm-level data on 13 cities in Jiangsu Province of China and investigate the relationship between FDI and energy intensity. Taking into account the heterogeneity characteristics of firms, we confirm a significant and negative coefficient of the FDI variable, which implies that FDI firms have lower energy intensity than their local counterparts. We introduce the interaction term of FDI and regional absorptive capacity, and the empirical results show that regions endowed with more absorptive capacity usually have lower energy intensity. Specifically, more spending on technology tends to narrow the technology gap between foreign and local firms, since local firms absorb international technology transfer more effectively and efficiently. Moreover, examining the cases of the textile and chemical industries, we find that FDI firms in the chemical industry have lower energy intensity than their local counterparts, while we observe no difference between FDI firms and non-FDI ones in the textile industry.     

How the intensity of the immersive experience impels the extent of Social Streaming App dependency? An empirical assessment with mediation and moderation effects

With the rapid growth and popularity of Social Streaming Apps (SSAs) worldwide, it is valuable for scholars to understand the links between immersive experience provided by SSA, users’ attitudes towards SSA, and the resultant SSA dependency. Although unexplored in the SSA context, previous research has indicated the significance of immersive experience and its influence on user’s specific behavior through user attitude. The present study employs Structural Equation Modelling, by using 459 samples from a survey, to explore how the intensity of immersive experience can influence the degree of user dependency on SSA. Results indicate that immersive experience is positively associated with users’ positive attitudes towards SSA, which would lead to SSA dependency. In addition, this study also found out that users’ favorable attitude partially mediates the relationship between immersive experience and solitary play dependency. Whereas, attitude fully mediated the relationship between five out of six dimensions of SSA dependency. Furthermore, to better comprehend the intervening relationships between immersive experiences, user attitude, SSA dependency, the study also conducted a moderation analysis taking frequency of use as a moderating variable. The results illustrate that a high frequency of use is a strong psychological indicator for SSA dependency. This supports the importance of considering actual behavior along with their psychological states when examining users’ immersive experience and their SSA dependency.     

A network flow model for the dynamic and flexible berth allocation problem

This paper presents a new model for the dynamic berth allocation problem (BAP). The model is developed using a berth-flow network modeling approach and is formulated as an integer multi-commodity network flow problem. In addition, an innovative flexible berth-space utilization scheme, based on blocking plans, is incorporated into the proposed model. This is referred to as the dynamic (vessel arrivals) and flexible (berth space) BAP model (or DFBAP), and is designed to better utilize wharf space in a container port. Computational experiments conducted on an instance generated using actual data show that the DFBAP model is more effective and efficient than the method currently used by port authorities. A set of scenario analyses is also performed to obtain insights into important model parameters.     

Earliness–tardiness minimization on scheduling a batch processing machine with non-identical job sizes

This paper considers the scheduling problem of minimizing earliness–tardiness (E/T) on a single batch processing machine with a common due date. The problem is extended to the environment of non-identical job sizes. First, a mathematical model is formulated, which is tested effectively under IBM ILOG CPLEX using the constraint programming solver. Then several optimal properties are given to schedule batches effectively, and by introducing the concept of ARB (Attribute Ratio of Batch), it is proven that the ARB of each batch should be made as small as possible in order to minimize the objective, designed as the heuristic information for assigning jobs into batches. Based on these properties, a heuristic algorithm MARB (Minimum Attribute Ratio of Batch) for batch forming is proposed, and a hybrid genetic algorithm is developed for the problem under study by combining GA (genetic algorithm) with MARB. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms other algorithms in the literature, both for small and large problem instances.     

A step-by-step performance assessment and improvement method for ERP implementation: Action case studies in Chinese companies

The implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a complex process, and the failure rate remains very high. The literature has reported over 80 critical success factors for ERP implementation, but companies typically do not know to exploit them. In this article, a step-by-step assessment and improvement method for ERP implementation is proposed and applied in three companies. First, a five-stage ERP implementation model is proposed. Second, about 80 critical success factors (CSFs) from the literature are elaborated into key performance indices (KPIs), which are associated with each stage of ERP implementation by ten local ERP experts. Third, the weights of the KPIs are calculated using the Dumpster–Shafer method and the evaluation of ten experts. During the implementation process, performance is measured at each stage and remedial actions are identified if the performance is below expectation. An implementation flowchart is developed based on a five-stage model and the philosophy of continuous improvement. Three action cases in Chinese manufacturing companies are conducted to illustrate the effects of the assessment model, which is also currently being used by a consulting company specialising in ERP implementation. With further evaluation by local experts, the model has the potential to serve as a guideline for ERP implementation in other countries.     

An experimental approach to produce hydrogen and methane from food waste using catalyst

Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste, cow dung, and sludge solution is experimented in the presence of calcium peroxide (CaO₂) as the catalyst to produce hydrogen and methane as a source of renewable energy. The substrate to inoculum ratios (v/v) of 1:1(S1), 1:2(S2), 1:3(S3), 1:4(S4) and 1:5(S5) are investigated in separate fermentative and methanogenic reactors. The result from the fermentative reactors indicate maximum hydrogen concentration of 26.34% with cumulative yield of 114.1 mL/g total solid (TS) in S3 compared to the other samples. Methanogenic reaction shows the highest methane concentration of 54.13% in S3. The highest daily (average) and cumulative biogas yield of 5.36 mL/g TS and 201.9 mL/g TS respectively are identified in S3. A maximum carbon dioxide concentration of 63.11% is found in S1. Overall, the substrate to inoculum ratio of 1:3 is spotted to be optimal for effective hydrogen and methane production during the anaerobic co-digestion process.     

游戏机手柄热流道立式注塑4层叠层注塑模设计

设计了一种4层叠层模用于实现游戏机手柄的高效率注塑生产，解决了塑件成型时在保证塑件成型精度的基础上，单次注塑量产数量4倍倍增难题。4层叠层模的结构由4层结构相同的单层模具通过一定的空间组序排列组装后，应用立式注塑机来进行注射成型。单层模结构设计采用两板式2次开模热流道浇注两板模形式，第一次开模用于热流道嘴与塑件的冷流道部分分离，第二次开模用于塑件从型腔镶件中脱模脱出。为解决单层模做4层叠层组合后，顶出板无动力顶出的问题，在单层模的模架模板侧边对称设置了拉杆，将单层模在开模动力转化为单层模中顶出板的顶出拉力，巧妙地解决了单层模做4层叠层安装后各单层模的顶出元件顶出板无推动力的问题。模具结构布局及机构的驱动设置设计合理，有较好的工程设计参考意义。     

Using enterprise social media to investigate the effect of workplace conflict on employee creativity

Enterprise social media (ESM) has been commonly used by businesses and companies to provide a framework for communication and cooperation among individuals. However, studies have presented vague results related to the characteristics of ESM usage, which may be beneficial for workplace managers to enhance individual creativity. This study uses primary data from 346 Chinese employees working in different companies to assess the role of ESM usage in managing workplace conflict. Findings show that ESM usage has negative and insignificant effects on task and relationship conflicts, respectively. In addition, relationship conflict has a negative effect on individual creativity, while task conflict shows a curvilinear relationship with creativity. Task interdependence strengthens the relationship between ESM use and task conflict, but shows an insignificant relationship between ESM use and relationship conflict. Lastly, this research discusses the theoretical and managerial implications.