bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mission Reliability-Driven Manufacturing System Health State Evaluation Method Based on Fusion of Operational Data
Authors: Han Xiao , Wang Zili , He Yihai , Zhao Yixiao , Chen Zhaoxiang , Zhou Di
Published: January 2019

The rapid development of complexity and intelligence in manufacturing systems leads to an increase in potential operational risks and therefore requires a more comprehensive system-level health diagnostics approach. Based on the massive multi-source operational data collected by smart sensors, this paper proposes a mission reliability-driven manufacturing system health state evaluation method. Characteristic attributes affecting the mission reliability are monitored and analyzed based on different sensor groups, including the performance state of the manufacturing equipment, the execution state of the production task and the quality state of the manufactured product. The Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidence theory approach is used to diagnose the health state of the manufacturing system. Results of a case study show that the proposed evaluation method can dynamically and effectively characterize the actual health state of manufacturing systems.
Contactless In Situ Electrical Characterization Method of Printed Electronic Devices with Terahertz Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhuldybina Mariia , Ropagnol Xavier , Trudeau Charles , Bolduc Martin , Zednik Ricardo J. , Blanchard François
Published: January 2019

Printed electronic devices are attracting significant interest due to their versatility and low cost; however, quality control during manufacturing is a significant challenge, preventing the widespread adoption of this promising technology. We show that terahertz (THz) radiation can be used for the in situ inspection of printed electronic devices, as confirmed through a comparison with conventional electrical conductivity methods. Our in situ method consists of printing a simple test pattern exhibiting a distinct signature in the THz range that enables the precise characterization of the static electrical conductivities of the printed ink. We demonstrate that contactless dual-wavelength THz spectroscopy analysis, which requires only a single THz measurement, is more precise and repeatable than the conventional four-point probe conductivity measurement method. Our results open the door to a simple strategy for performing contactless quality control in real time of printed electronic devices at any stage of its production line.
A Point-of-Care Device for Molecular Diagnosis Based on CMOS SPAD Detectors with Integrated Microfluidics
Authors: Canals Joan , Franch Nil , Alonso Oscar , Vilà Anna , Diéguez Angel
Published: January 2019

We describe the integration of techniques and technologies to develop a Point-of-Care for molecular diagnosis PoC-MD, based on a fluorescence lifetime measurement. Our PoC-MD is a low-cost, simple, fast, and easy-to-use general-purpose platform, aimed at carrying out fast diagnostics test through label detection of a variety of biomarkers. It is based on a 1-D array of 10 ultra-sensitive Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) detectors made in a 0.18 μm High-Voltage Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (HV-CMOS) technology. A custom microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane cartridge to insert the sample is straightforwardly positioned on top of the SPAD array without any alignment procedure with the SPAD array. Moreover, the proximity between the sample and the gate-operated SPAD sensor makes unnecessary any lens or optical filters to detect the fluorescence for long lifetime fluorescent dyes, such as quantum dots. Additionally, the use of a low-cost laser diode as pulsed excitation source and a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to implement the control and processing electronics, makes the device flexible and easy to adapt to the target label molecule by only changing the laser diode. Using this device, reliable and sensitive real-time proof-of-concept fluorescence lifetime measurement of quantum dot QdotTM 605 streptavidin conjugate is demonstrated.
A Virtual Reality Soldier Simulator with Body Area Networks for Team Training
Authors: Fan Yun-Chieh , Wen Chih-Yu
Published: January 2019

Soldier-based simulators have been attracting increased attention recently, with the aim of making complex military tactics more effective, such that soldiers are able to respond rapidly and logically to battlespace situations and the commander’s decisions in the battlefield. Moreover, body area networks (BANs) can be applied to collect the training data in order to provide greater access to soldiers’ physical actions or postures as they occur in real routine training. Therefore, due to the limited physical space of training facilities, an efficient soldier-based training strategy is proposed that integrates a virtual reality (VR) simulation system with a BAN, which can capture body movements such as walking, running, shooting, and crouching in a virtual environment. The performance evaluation shows that the proposed VR simulation system is able to provide complete and substantial information throughout the training process, including detection, estimation, and monitoring capabilities.
Early Detection of the Fungal Banana Black Sigatoka Pathogen Pseudocercospora fijiensis by an SPR Immunosensor Method
Authors: Luna-Moreno Donato , Sánchez-Álvarez Araceli , Islas-Flores Ignacio , Canto-Canche Blondy , Carrillo-Pech Mildred , Villarreal-Chiu Juan Francisco , Rodríguez-Delgado Melissa
Published: January 2019

Black Sigatoka is a disease that occurs in banana plantations worldwide. This disease is caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis, whose infection results in a significant reduction in both product quality and yield. Therefore, detection and identification in the early stages of this pathogen in plants could help minimize losses, as well as prevent the spread of the disease to neighboring cultures. To achieve this, a highly sensitive SPR immunosensor was developed to detect P. fijiensis in real samples of leaf extracts in early stages of the disease. A polyclonal antibody (anti-HF1), produced against HF1 (cell wall protein of P. fijiensis) was covalently immobilized on a gold-coated chip via a mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of alkanethiols using the EDC/NHS method. The analytical parameters of the biosensor were established, obtaining a limit of detection of 11.7 µg mL−1, a sensitivity of 0.0021 units of reflectance per ng mL−1 and a linear response range for the antigen from 39.1 to 122 µg mL−1. No matrix effects were observed during the measurements of real leaf banana extracts by the immunosensor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research into the development of an SPR biosensor for the detection of P. fijiensis, which demonstrates its potential as an alternative analytical tool for in-field monitoring of black Sigatoka disease.
Electrochemical DNA Sensors with Layered Polyaniline—DNA Coating for Detection of Specific DNA Interactions
Authors: Kulikova Tatjana , Porfireva Anna , Evtugyn Gennady , Hianik Tibor
Published: January 2019

A DNA sensor has been proposed on the platform of glassy carbon electrode modified with native DNA implemented between two electropolymerized layers of polyaniline. The surface layer was assembled by consecutive stages of potentiodynamic electrolysis, DNA drop casting, and second electrolysis, which was required for capsulation of the DNA molecules and prevented their leaching into the solution. Surface layer assembling was controlled by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, atomic force, and scanning electron microscopy. For doxorubicin measurement, the DNA sensor was first incubated in the Methylene blue solution that amplified signal due to DNA intercalation and competition with the doxorubicin molecules for the DNA binding sites. The charge transfer resistance of the inner layer interface decreased with the doxorubicin concentration in the range from 1.0 pM to 0.1 μM (LOD 0.6 pM). The DNA sensor was tested for the analysis of spiked artificial urine samples and showed satisfactory recovery in concentration range of 0.05–10 μM. The DNA sensor developed can find application in testing of antitumor drugs and some other DNA damaging factors.
Women’s Wrestling: A ‘Fight’ for the Transformation of Cultural Schemas in Relation to Gender
Authors: Rivera Robles Patricia
Published: January 2019

This article reports on the findings from a social anthropological ethnographic study conducted within the area of women’s freestyle wrestling in Barcelona. The study focused on exploring female wrestlers’ experiences of the connection between their participation and visibility in this sport and the hegemonic gendered cultural schemas established within our society in relation to gender. The ethnography comprised participant interviews and observations which enabled an exploratory thematic analysis of the relevant experiences of female wrestlers and situates these in the context of gender relations in the sport and in society. The preliminary findings are that freestyle wrestling in this context remains a sexist environment and wrestling shows still include stereotyped discourses when it comes to the staging of women’s matches. While there has been some development in terms of female participation in this environment, male dominated discourses, practices and infrastructures still represent a significant barrier for the development of women’s wrestling in Spain.
Effect of Consumer Demographics and Risk Factors on Online Purchase Behaviour in Malaysia
Authors: Nawi Noorshella Che , Al Mamun Abdullah , Hamsani Nurul Hasliana Binti , Muhayiddin Mohd Nazri bin
Published: January 2019

It is evident that there has been a rapid growth of electronic commerce and online shopping. Hence, this study examined the effect of selected antecedents and risk factors on online purchase behaviour in Malaysia under the premise of an adapted stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model. This study used a cross-sectional design to collect data from 330 selected respondents from Peninsular Malaysia. The findings revealed that the age of consumers, as well as perceived after-sales risk, financial risk, psychological risk, and social risk, had a significant effect on the online purchase behaviour in Malaysia. Apart from enriching the existing body of knowledge, this study offers several significant practical implications. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the government and online businesses should focus on Generation Y, who are known to be more tech-savvy, through policies and programmes in order to reduce the various types of perceived risks associated with online transactions. It is believed that this effort could enhance online consumerism among the residents of Malaysia.
Soil Pollution Management in China: A Brief Introduction
Authors: Li Tiankui , Liu Yi , Lin Sijie , Liu Yangze , Xie Yunfeng
Published: January 2019

Soil pollution has become a severe environmental issue in China over the past few decades due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. However, traditionally, few laws and regulations have focused on soil pollution in China. In response to this emerging threat, new policies, regulations, and measures have been proposed and implemented in recent years. This paper summarizes the existing law, action plan, regulations, and risk control rules regarding soil pollution prevention in China. Moreover, it compares soil pollution management between China and other developed countries. China has now established a comprehensive soil management system based on risk-based control. Regulations have been formulated for agricultural land, contaminated land, and industrial and mining land. Separate risk control rules exist for agricultural land and development land. Agricultural land can be classified as priority protection, safe utilization, and strict management with respect to soil pollution levels and agricultural products. The risk control rules for development land set different standards for sensitive land and non-sensitive land. Comparisons with developed countries show that their experiences of risk-based control and the “polluter pays” principle have been adopted in China. Additional scientific research and public participation are recommended for future updates to these policies. This study provides a comprehensive introduction to the newly established soil management system in China.
Partner Strategic Capabilities for Capturing Value from Sustainability-Focused Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
Authors: MacDonald Adriane , Clarke Amelia , Huang Lei , Seitanidi M. May
Published: January 2019

As social and ecological problems escalate, the role of collective capacity and knowledge is becoming more critical in reaching solutions. This capacity and knowledge are dispersed among diverse stakeholder organizations. Thus, organizations in the private, public and civil society sectors are experiencing pressure to address these complex challenges through collaborative action in the form of multi-stakeholder partnerships. One major challenge to securing and maintaining partner engagement in these voluntary collaborative initiatives is defining the value proposition for prospective and existing partner organizations. Understanding the relationship between different forms of partner involvement and the subsequent resources that partners stand to gain is necessary to articulate the value proposition of the partnership to partners. This study conducts a survey of partner organizations from 15 different sustainability-focused multi-stakeholder partnerships in Canada. We compare three partner strategies for implementation and value capture and discover that each strategy is associated with different partner-level resource outcomes. Our findings indicate that product stewardship strategies are associated with financial and organizational capital, marketing and promotion with human capital, and internal implementation structures with shared capital. This study has implications for multi-stakeholder partnership researchers and practitioners because it suggests the possibility that certain partner-level outcomes could rely on the partner, as well as partnership implementation strategies.
Ireland’s Transition towards a Low Carbon Society: The Leadership Role of Higher Education Institutions in Solar Photovoltaic Niche Development
Authors: Horan William , Shawe Rachel , O’Regan Bernadette
Published: January 2019

Ireland is currently considered a laggard within Europe in relation to decarbonisation of its society, with future projections estimating increases in greenhouse gas emissions up to and beyond 2030. To accelerate Ireland’s transition towards a low-carbon society, there is a need for leadership in deployment and experimentation of low carbon technologies. As Higher Education Institutions (HEI) currently play a major role in generation of human capital and the associated impact on societal development, HEIs are ideal locations to focus resources in terms of deployment and experimentation of decarbonisation technologies to demonstrate best practice for further replication within wider society. To guide Irish HEIs in this regard, a novel integrated approach titled ‘Higher Education Accelerating Development for Sustainability’ (HEADS) has been developed and applied to the sector. The HEADS approach utilises the perspectives of quantitative systems analysis, sociotechnical analysis, and living lab learning to inform HEIs of their potential roles within national sustainability transitions. Applied to solar photovoltaic transitions in Ireland, the HEADS approach has identified HEIs as vital locations to deploy low-carbon technologies due to their amplification effect in signalling to wider society the attractiveness of these technologies.
Defining the Sharing Economy for Sustainability
Authors: Curtis Steven Kane , Lehner Matthias
Published: January 2019

(1) Background: The sharing economy has emerged as a phenomenon widely described by academic literature to promote more sustainable consumption practices such as access over ownership. However, there exists great semantic confusion within academic literature surrounding the term “sharing economy,” which threatens the realisation of its purported sustainability potential. (2) Objective: The aim of this paper is to synthesise the existing academic definitions and propose a definition of the sharing economy from the perspective of sustainability science in order to indicate sharing practices that are consistent with the sustainability claims attributed to the sharing economy. (3) Methods: We conduct a database search to collect relevant academic articles. Then, we leverage qualitative content analysis in order to analyse the authors’ definitions and to synthesise the broad dimensions of the sharing economy in the discourse. (4) Results: We propose the following characteristics, or semantic properties, of the sharing economy for sustainability: ICT-mediated, non-pecuniary motivation for ownership, temporary access, rivalrous and tangible goods. (5) Conclusion: The semantic properties that inform our definition of the sharing economy for sustainability indicate those sharing practices that promote sustainable consumption compared to purely market-based exchanges. This definition is relevant for academics studying the sustainability impacts of the sharing economy in order to promote comparability and compatibility in research. Furthermore, the definition is useful for policy-makers, entrepreneurs, managers and consumers that have the sharing economy on the agenda in order to promote social enterprise and support sustainable consumption.
M-PESA and Financial Inclusion in Kenya: Of Paying Comes Saving?
Authors: Van Hove Leo , Dubus Antoine
Published: January 2019

Mobile financial services such as M-PESA in Kenya are said to promote inclusion. Yet only 7.6 per cent of the Kenyans in the 2013 Financial Inclusion Insights dataset have ever used an M-PESA account to save for a future purchase. This paper uses a novel, three-step probit analysis to identify the socio-demographic characteristics of, successively, respondents who do not have access to a SIM card, have access to a SIM but do not have an M-PESA account, and, finally, have an account but do not save on it. We find that those who are excluded in the early stages are predominantly poor, non-educated, and female. For the final stage, we find that those who are in a position to save on their phone—the phone owners, the better educated—are less likely to do so. These results go against the traditional optimistic discourse on mobile savings as a prime path to financial inclusion. As such, our findings corroborate qualitative research that indicates that Kenyans have other needs, and want their money to circulate and ‘work’.
Estimating the Public’s Preferences for Sustainable Aquaculture: A Country Comparison
Authors: van Osch Suzanne , Hynes Stephen , Freeman Shirra , O’Higgins Tim
Published: January 2019

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is an alternative to the monoculture of fin fish species, in which several species are combined in the production process. This can have environmental advantages such as a lower environmental impact through nutrient cycling and natural filters; and can have economic advantages consisting of increased efficiency, product diversification and potential price premiums. In this paper, a choice experiment (CE) was conducted through an online survey in Ireland, the UK, Italy, Israel and Norway, to assess how the public makes decisions on what type of salmon or sea bream to buy based on the attributes of the product. Analysis assessed the Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for more sustainable produced seafood using a Latent Class multinomial logit modelling approach. In the experiment, an ecolabel was used to distinguish between regularly produced (monoculture) products and sustainably produced (IMTA) products. The general public in each country showed a positive attitude towards the development of such an ecolabel and towards the payment of a price premium for the more sustainably produced salmon or sea bream.
Valuing Environmental Amenities in Peri-Urban Areas: Evidence from Poland
Authors: Sylla Marta , Lasota Tadeusz , Szewrański Szymon
Published: January 2019

Ecosystems provide services that contribute to the well-being of people living within a city’s borders and on the urban–rural fringe. While benefits from green areas in urban settings are well investigated, peri-urban areas are significantly less addressed by researchers than cities. This study aims to evaluate the importance of environmental amenities in peri-urban areas using the hedonic pricing method to assess people’s willingness to pay for environmental goods and services. A local regression model (geographically weighted regression) and two global regression models (generalized spatial two-stage least squares and ordinary least square) are used to identify the spatial patterns and level of influence of protected areas, forests, rivers, trees, and landscape diversity. This paper includes the Central European case study example of a peri-urban area of the city of Wroclaw, Poland. The results from the three models show that out of all of the environmental amenities included in this study, proximity to protected areas—such as Natura 2000 sites and landscape parks—and the diversity of land-use patches within the 500-m radius around the sites exert the strongest influence on plot prices. The overall impact of environmental amenities on vacant plot prices in peri-urban areas is low or, as in the case of river and streams, not significant. The results of the analysis reveal the preferences of the new peri-urban inhabitants concerning green spaces that have an effect on the real estate market in Poland.
Sustainability Management in Practice: Organizational Change for Sustainability in Smaller Large-Sized Companies in Austria
Authors: Kiesnere Aisma Linda , Baumgartner Rupert J.
Published: January 2019

To facilitate organizational change and improve corporate sustainability, this study identifies change agents and factors driving sustainability integration in the core business of companies. The survey on corporate sustainability management in Austria, with focus on smaller large-sized companies (revenue of €50–300 million, at least 250 employees), fills the research gap between studies commonly concentrating on the largest companies and on SMEs. Companies mainly established integrated cross-departmental sustainability management teams, which required change in the routines of employees and change agents to drive the projects. Possible locations of these change agents were identified. We drafted a process model that visualizes how change agents multiply their impact on the organizational level through interaction. The main sustainability implementation drivers are rooted in personal and organizational values, e.g., organizational culture and personal interest; the main inhibiting factors are the lack of resources or locked-up resources, originating from organizational inertness and other barriers to change. Companies can reduce the barriers by, e.g., providing extra resources in role and routine adaption phases and creating incentives to use sustainability-related skills. Austrian companies focus on established environmental and energy management topics. To implement themes that do not necessarily bring financial return, adopting paradox perspective on tensions between conflicting objectives might be useful.
The Framing of Urban Sustainability Transformations
Authors: Iwaniec David M. , Cook Elizabeth M. , Barbosa Olga , Grimm Nancy B.
Published: January 2019

Transformational change is not always intentional. However, deliberate transformations are imperative to achieve the sustainable visions that future generations deserve. Small, unintentional tweaks will not be enough to overcome persistent and emergent urban challenges. Recent scholarship on sustainability transformations has evolved considerably, but there is no consensus on what qualifies transformational change. We describe variations in current discussions of intentional sustainability transformations in the literature and synthesize strategies from funding institutions’ recent requests for proposals for urban sustainability transformations. Research funding initiatives calling for transformational change are increasingly common and are an important driver of how transformational change is articulated in research-practice in cities. From this synthesis, we present seven criteria for transformational change that provide direction for framing and implementing transformational change initiatives.
Market Sustainability: A Globalization and Consumer Culture Perspective in the Chinese Retail Market
Authors: Afzal Farman , Shao Yunfei , Sajid Muhammad , Afzal Fahim
Published: January 2019

Consumer behavior is becoming increasingly heterogeneous due to the changing culture patterns and effects of globalization. This phenomenon increases the importance of focusing on the social dimension of sustainability in a consumer market. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by emphasizing the consequences of individual cultural values and individual materialistic values in the Chinese consumer market. In this endeavor, Hofstede’s framework of individual culture with materialistic effect is applied to understand consumer behavior in a processed food market. Rigorous research activity was conducted at the point of sale in different supermarkets to record the responses of random consumers. The results of multi-variate covariance-based structure equation modeling show that individual materialistic values have emerged as a key determinant, which reflects the individual culture for consumer buying behavior in a state of globalization. Power distance, long-term orientation, and uncertainty avoidance were found to be important measures of individual culture. The findings of the study are useful in assisting the industry for product launching and marketing strategies to achieve future sustainability in the processed food market. In the pursuit of a sustainable processed food market, the focus should shift toward individual cultural values away from national and group cultures.
A Study on Improving the Mechanical Behaviors of the Pultruded GFRP Composite Material Members
Authors: Li Yeou-Fong , Hsu Tseng-Hsing , Hsieh Fu-Chr
Published: January 2019

This study focuses on improving the mechanical behaviors of pultruded glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP) composite material. A combined GFRP member was prepared by the insertion of a second GFRP tube inside the prototype GFRP member and then filling the compartment with epoxy resin mortar to combine both members. Analysis of the combined member was performed to consider improvement of the stiffness and strength of the material to meet design requirements. Four different types of GFRP deck specimens and five different types of GFRP beam specimens were investigated by performing the three-point bending test to obtain their ultimate strength, ultimate displacement, stiffness, and corresponding failure modes. Observations from the experiment showed that infilling the rectangular GFRP tube member can effectively increase the GFRP specimen’s stiffness and ultimate strength. Finally, the Euler beam and Timoshenko beam theories combined with the transformed section method were used to obtain the stiffness of the combined GFRP members, and then compare those stiffness with the experimental results.
How Can Street Art Have Economic Value?
Authors: Forte Fabiana , De Paola Pierfrancesco
Published: January 2019

The following paper analyzes the phenomenon of Street Art with particular attention to the increasing correlation between practices of Street Art and socio-economic dynamics. From the perspective of recognizing a possible formulation of the economic value of Street Art, the paper aims to describe the impacts which Street Art is having in some urban contexts, where the regeneration processes have found in this new form of “re-signification” an innovative modality of intervention. Some impacts have economic nature (direct, indirect or inducted), others are only social and cultural. Starting from an overview concerning the impacts of Street Art on the property market in several urban contexts, a first evaluation of what is happening in some neighborhoods of the metropolitan city of Naples is presented.
Value Generation of Remanufactured Products: Multi-Case Study of Third-Party Companies
Authors: Berssaneti Fernando Tobal , Berger Simone , Saut Ana Maria , Vanalle Rosangela Maria , Santana José Carlos Curvelo
Published: January 2019

The importance of reverse logistics has increased owing to environmental factors and recent legislations. In this context, the market for remanufactured goods has become attractive. Manufacturers, retailers, and third-party companies have improved return programs and operations that add value to the return chain for electronic appliances, rather than treating it as a secondary process. The objective of this study is to identify the variables related to value generation in the reverse logistics of electronic products from the perspective of third-party companies. Reverse logistics of electronic products depends much on the context and local regulations; in addition, the fact that there are few studies on developing countries points to an important gap in extant research. This study presents the influence of quality and warranties, processing time, and partnerships between third-party companies, manufacturers, and retailers on the value generation from remanufactured products. These variables are related to optimal results and optimistic expectations for growth among third-party companies. These internal factors, together with an analysis of external factors and product portfolios, complement the scenario description for the cases studied. The main contribution of this study is to highlight the major factors, which are presented in the framework. The lessons learned can be used in other contexts involving third-party companies.
A Study on the Public Landscape Order of Xinye Village
Authors: Xu Li , Chiou Shang-chia
Published: January 2019

In the modernization process since China’s reform and liberalization, urban and village space design is reflected in the characteristics of Western cultures. The idea of Western space design has a profound influence on China, but the piecemeal individuation of art design, the disorderly public art modeling and concept, not only interferes with the aesthetic sense of urban and village public space itself, but also seriously affected the landscape order of public space. In fact, Chinese traditional settlement landscape excels in abundant landscape design and spatial sequence. This paper, using the methods of literature discussion, field research and spatial analysis, takes the typical traditional landscape settlement “Xinye Village” (新葉村) in the south of the Yangtze River as an example, and explores its public landscape order as a whole, and finds its spatial structure based on the “Five Elements and Nine Divisions (五行九宮)” cultural schemata. In the process of development, it has experienced the competition of public space, thus forming a stable and sustainable spatial order form. The purpose is to explore the cultural schema of the public landscape from the traditional Chinese settlement, and to put forward the possibility of “constructing the public landscape order based on culture” in future urban and village landscape design.
Towards Autonomous Transportation. Passengers’ Experiences, Perceptions and Feelings in a Driverless Shuttle Bus in Finland
Authors: Salonen Arto , Haavisto Noora
Published: January 2019

Autonomous vehicles, electrification, and ride-sharing appear to be the next big change in the field of mobility. It can lead to safer roads, less congestion, and reduced parking. In this research, we focus on real-life user experiences of a driverless shuttle bus. We are interested to know what kind of perceptions and feelings people have when they travel in an autonomous shuttle bus. Therefore, we apply Harry Triandis´ Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour (TIB), which recognizes that human behavior is not always rational. Human behaviour, and its change, is linked to the intention, the habitual responses, and the situational constraints and conditions. The qualitative data (n = 44) were collected in 2017 by semi-structured interviews in Espoo, Finland. The interviewees were passengers who travelled a predefined route in a driverless shuttle bus. We applied inductive content analysis. The findings were compared in the theoretical framework of TIB. According to the results, a lack of human driver was not a problem for the passengers. They were surprised how safe and secure they felt in the autonomous vehicle. More specifically, passengers´ perceptions were similar to when travelling by a metro or a tram, where a passenger rarely interacts with the driver, or even witnesses the existence of the driver. However, the results suggest that people are much more intolerant of accidents caused by autonomous vehicles than by humans. On a general level, positive attitudes towards autonomous vehicles can be supported by giving people possibilities to try autonomous vehicles in a safe, real-life environment. The decision whether to use a driverless shuttle bus or not correlates highly with the contextual factors. Route and flexibility are the most important reasons for behavioral changes.
Assessing the Economic-Environmental Efficiency of Energy Consumption and Spatial Patterns in China
Authors: Lu Chenyu , Meng Peng , Zhao Xueyan , Jiang Lu , Zhang Zilong , Xue Bing
Published: January 2019

The improvement of energy consumption efficiency represents a significant task and a critical step toward sustainable energy transformations. This study uses a data envelopment analysis (DEA) and spatial autocorrelation method to conduct comprehensive measurement and assessment research on the economic-environmental efficiency of energy consumption in 31 Chinese provinces. It then carries out a synthetic study on energy consumption efficiency in the context of temporal and spatial dimensions, analyzes the characteristics and patterns related to temporal and spatial evolution, and systematically summarizes the temporal and spatial evolution processes associated with China’s economic-environmental efficiency in energy consumption. The results show that economic efficiency and environmental efficiency, both directly related to energy consumption, are positively correlated and display a parallel and synchronizing relationship. China’s energy consumption efficiency displays an upward trend in general, although differences exist between economic efficiency and environmental efficiency about the growth rate and overall development level. In other words, economic efficiency is generally higher than environmental efficiency. A positive spatial correlation occurs between economic and environmental efficiency in energy consumption across all the Chinese provinces studied. Furthermore, some cluster characteristic can be identified. Accurately, the eastern coastal area of China with a higher efficiency represents a spatial cluster of high values, whereas the midwestern inland area of China with a lower efficiency represents a spatial cluster of low values. Therefore, a descending pattern is displayed from the east to the west. As time goes by, the extent of clustering could become more prominent, accompanied by an increasing spatial cluster of high values and a decreasing spatial cluster of low values. Accordingly, China needs to improve its energy consumption efficiency further and promote sustainable energy transformations.
Knowledge Sharing Willingness and Leakage Risk: An Evolutional Game Model
Authors: Li Qian , Kang Yuanfei
Published: January 2019

Prior research of knowledge sharing between firms mainly focuses on enabling factors, such as benefits resulting from knowledge sharing, leading to an overlook at barriers. Guided by transaction cost economics and social exchange theory, our study constructed an evolutional game model to analyse the dynamic evolution process of the firm’s knowledge sharing behaviour in a setting of supply chain networks. Using a simulation in our game model, we firstly reveal how a long-term strategy for supply chain partners towards knowledge sharing is determined through reaching an equilibrium between enabling factors (revenue gained in various forms) and impeding factors (knowledge leakage) in a dynamic process. Secondly, our analysis demonstrates that the competition or rivalry side of the “co-opetition” relationship acts as the major barrier for knowledge sharing due to the sharer’s concern of knowledge leakage. Thirdly, our model has identified knowledge relevancy as the inherent property of knowledge and the firm’ ability of knowledge inference as two important factors influencing knowledge leakage.
Synergies and Trade-Offs for Sustainable Food Production in Sweden: An Integrated Approach
Authors: Tälle Malin , Wiréhn Lotten , Ellström Daniel , Hjerpe Mattias , Huge-Brodin Maria , Jensen Per , Lindström Tom , Neset Tina-Simone , Wennergren Uno , Metson Geneviève
Published: January 2019

The production of food can have large impacts on sustainable development in relation to various socio-ecological dimensions, like climate change, the environment, animal welfare, livestock epidemiology, and the economy. To achieve a sustainable food production system in Sweden, an integrated approach that considers all five of these dimensions, and all parts of the food production chain, is necessary. This paper systematically reviewed the literature related to food production in Sweden, especially in association with resource distribution and recycling logistics, and identified potential sustainability interventions and assessed their effects according to the five dimensions. Participation of stakeholders across the food production chain contributed with the focus of the literature search and subsequent synthesis. In general, there were synergies between the sustainability interventions and their effect on climate change and the environment, while there often were trade-offs between effects on the economy and the other dimensions. Few interventions considered effects on animal welfare or livestock epidemiology and few studies dealt with resource distribution and recycling logistics. This indicates that there is a need for future research that considers this in particular, as well as research that considers the whole food production chain and all dimensions at once, and investigates effects across multiple scales.
Developing Policy Pathways: Redesigning Transition Arenas for Mid-range Planning
Authors: Hyysalo Sampsa , Lukkarinen Jani , Kivimaa Paula , Lovio Raimo , Temmes Armi , Hildén Mikael , Marttila Tatu , Auvinen Karoliina , Perikangas Sofi , Pyhälammi Allu , Peljo Janne , Savolainen Kaisa , Hakkarainen Louna , Rask Mikko , Matschoss Kaisa , Huomo Timo , Berg Annukka , Pantsar Mari
Published: January 2019

Sustainability transitions require new policy pathways that significantly reduce the environmental impacts caused by, for example, energy production, mobility and food production. Transition management (TM) is one of the approaches aiming at the creation of new ways to govern transitions. It uses transitions arenas (TA) as a key process and platform where new policy pathways are created in collaboration with multiple (frontrunner) stakeholders. TM’s ambitious and demanding agenda is not easy to implement. There is a continued need for testing and developing new ways of carrying out its key processes. We redesigned the TA process in the context of energy system change in Finland by 2030, focusing on interim goals, mid-range change pathways and developing a new notation system that allows participants to directly create the pathways. The resulting renewed TA process results in more specific and detailed mid-range pathways that provide more concreteness to how to implement long-term transition goals. It helps to bridge long-term national visions/strategies and low carbon experiments that are already running. The Finnish TA work created eight ambitious change pathways, pointing towards new and revised policy goals for Finland and identifying specific policy actions. Evaluation of the TA, 6–9 months after its completion underscores that an effective TA needs to be embedded by design in the particular political context that it seeks to influence. It is too early to say to what degree the pathways will be followed in practice but there are positive signs already.
Effect of YouTube Marketing Communication on Converting Brand Liking into Preference among Millennials Regarding Brands in General and Sustainable Offers in Particular. Evidence from South Africa and Romania
Authors: Duffett Rodney , Petroșanu Dana-Mihaela , Negricea Iliuta-Costel , Edu Tudor
Published: January 2019

The omnipresent role of online information and communication technology (ICT) channels in the lives of Millennial consumers is universally recognised in industry and academia. The persistent usage of ICT platforms such as social media, especially digital video sharing conduits (e.g., YouTube), among the Millennial cohort has become an important marketing communication platform for organisations to reach this evasive target market. The extensive use of YouTube has generated billions of dollars in marketing communication income, but there is limited academic inquiry in terms of in developing economies, particularly regarding the effect of online usage and demographic factors among Millennials. This paper examines the effect of YouTube marketing communication on affective (attitudinal) responses, meaning brand liking and the impact on brand preference, among Millennials in two developing economies, Romania and South Africa, as well as the influence of usage and demographic factors on the affective (attitudinal) association. A survey was conducted among 400 Romanian and 400 South African respondents, and the hypothesised associations were evaluated via structural equation modelling (SEM) and multigroup SEM. The results of this paper reveal a favourable connection between brand liking and brand preference as a result of YouTube marketing communication, making a notable contribution to the limited YouTube inquiry on attitude-to-advertising theory in developing economies regarding brands in general and sustainable offers in particular. A number of the online usage and demographic factors were also found to have an effect on the brand liking and preference association, supporting in the reduction of the academic–practitioner gap, and assisting organisations in better understanding Millennials in the development of effective marketing communication campaigns on video sharing platforms.
How Responsible Leadership Motivates Employees to Engage in Organizational Citizenship Behavior for the Environment: A Double-Mediation Model
Authors: Han Zhiyong , Wang Qun , Yan Xiang
Published: January 2019

By collecting and analyzing sample from 384 employees in China, this study explored relationship between responsible leadership and organization citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE) with structural equation model (SEM). The results are as follows: (1) responsible leadership is positively related to organization citizenship behavior for the environment. (2) responsible leadership has positive effects on both autonomous and external environmental motivation. (3) autonomous and external environmental motivation have a multiple-mediate role in the relationship between responsible leadership and organization citizenship behavior for the environment. Finally, this paper discusses the management implications of the research results and the future research direction.
Effect of Green Organizational Identity, Green Shared Vision, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior for the Environment on Green Product Development Performance
Authors: Chang Tai-Wei , Chen Fei-Fan , Luan Hua-Dong , Chen Yu-Shan
Published: January 2019

This study extends the research literature by exploring the relations among green organizational identity (GOI), green shared vision (GSV), green product development performance (GPDP), and organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE). Hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling from a sample of 475 valid questionnaire respondents. The two main findings were as follows: (1) Positive effects for GOI and GSV between OCBE and GPDP and (2) Positive effects of OCBE for GPDP. The results further indicate that the relations among the GOI, GSV, and GPDP were partially mediated by the OCBE; the results point that the OCBE acts as mediator between GOI, GSV, and GPDP. After further examining the collecting data, we found (3) the relationship between GOI and GPDP is completely mediated by OCBE and (4) the relationship between GSV and GPDP is partially mediated by OCBE. These findings indicate that OCBE is critical in the GPDP of companies. Therefore, companies must develop the GOI and GSV to strengthen their OCBE and intensify their GPDP.
An Empirical Study on the Key Factors of Intelligent Upgrade of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in China
Authors: Wang Zhengxin , Shou Minghuan , Wang Shuai , Dai Ruinan , Wang Keqian
Published: January 2019

Promoting the intelligent upgrades of small and medium-sized enterprises is one of the important tasks of implementing “Made in China 2025” in China. As a front runner of nation-level reform, Zhejiang Province has provided much room for innovation and development, along with the emergence of a new type of ecology, accelerated formation of two ecosystems and international cooperation, and a supportive policy environment. Therefore, this paper uses 173 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) from Zhejiang Province as the research objects, builds a binary selection model, and analyzes the dynamic and constraining mechanism of intelligent upgrades of SMEs with regard to employee qualification, technology, capital, policy environment, and so on. The study finds that: First, among three main industries, manufacturing is the major industry for the intelligent upgrades of SMEs and there are significant demonstration effects and industry heterogeneity. Secondly, the willingness to upgrade intelligently for SMEs is relatively strong. More than half of SMEs that have not intelligently upgraded show willingness to implement intelligent upgrades. Thirdly, factors such as corporate profitability, human capital quality, and industry intelligence level have significantly promoted the intelligent upgrades of SMEs, while the impact of labor cost, capital structure, government subsidies, and other variables are not significant. This conclusion still works after a number of robustness tests. Last but not least, based on the above conclusions, this paper proposes corresponding policy recommendations which are practically beneficial to the development of SMEs in China.