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Fuzzy rule-based models (FRBMs) are sound constructs to describe complex systems. However, in reality, we may encounter situations, where the user or owner of a system only owns either the input or output data of that system (the other part could be owned by another user); and due to the consideration of data privacy, he/she could not obtain all the needed data to build the FRBMs. Since this type of situation has not been fully realized (noticed) and studied before, our objective is to come up with some strategy to address this challenge to meet the specific privacy consideration during the modeling process. In this study, the concept and algorithm of the collaborative fuzzy clustering (CFC) are applied to the identification of FRBMs, describing either multiple-input-single-output (MISO) or multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems. The collaboration between input and output spaces based on their structural information (conveyed in terms of the corresponding partition matrices) makes it possible to build FRBMs when input and output data could not be collected and used in unison. Surprisingly, on top of this primary pursuit, with the collaboration mechanism the input and output spaces of a system are endowed with an innovative way to comprehensively share, exchange, and utilize the structural information between each other, which results in their more relevant structures that guarantee better model performance compared with performance produced by some state-of-the-art modeling strategies. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by experiments on a series of synthetic and publicly available datasets.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need to address the mental health issues for the future adoption of e-learning among massive students in higher education. This study takes a lead to investigate whether and how general anxiety will influence college students' e-learning intention to provide knowledge to better improve the e-learning technology. We adopted the Technology acceptance model (TAM) to examine the difference between students with and without general anxiety in the e-learning intention where the students are classified based on the General Anxiety Disorder-2 scale. The model is empirically analyzed based on a survey of 512 college students in China regarding their e-learning experience in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results demonstrate that the TAM is powerful in explaining the e-learning intention among college students with general anxiety. Besides, all effects associated with perceived usefulness (PU) are reinforced while those associated with perceived ease of use (PEOU) are attenuated in the anxiety group. The results suggest that instructors and higher education institutions should take advantage of the significant PU-intention relationship by providing quality e-learning, which is paramount to coping with the general anxiety among students. This study provides a prototype attempt to investigate the influence of anxiety on e-learning where the different types of anxiety sources are synthesized. However, anxiety can stem from internal sources (computer anxiety, academic stress) and external sources (fear of the virus, lack of social interaction), which requires further investigations.

Identifying the potential risks and their influencing factors in hosting sports mega-events can effectively reduce the probability of accident occurrence in the future. However, traditional risk identification primarily focuses on investigating these factors affecting each category of risk individually and ignores the interaction of risks, which leads to poor performance in risk management efficiency. As such, this study first collects a risk list for sports mega-events by means of content analysis using grounded theory, the original data of which comes from 26 research articles and 88 risk management cases. Then a risk network is constructed through the social network analysis (SNA), followed by a quantitative analysis from both the node level and the whole network level. The results indicate that organization and coordination, personnel training, traffic facilities, political conflicts, racial discrimination, and economic crisis are the critical risk factors in hosting sports mega-events. The corresponding suggestions are finally put forward to help organizers control risks at the source, prevent the spread of risk events, and improve efficiency of risk management.

This paper proposes a dual-path feedback consensus model based on dynamic hybrid trust relationships to solve multi-attribute group decision-making problems in intuitionistic fuzzy environment. This model comprises two main parts: (a) the construction of a dynamic hybrid trust network among decision makers (DMs) and (b) the formation of a dual-path feedback mechanism to improve the group consensus. In the first part, a hybrid trust network is constructed by combining DMs’ prior knowledge of each other and the preference similarities between them. Then, the hybrid trust network is dynamically updated iteratively to reflect the changes in the trust relationships in the process of joint decision-making. In the second part, DMs with low consensus degrees are identified and provided with either a preference or weight adjustment path to improve the group consensus. The preference adjustment path is activated for DMs who agree to modify their preferences, and a nonlinear programming model is proposed to help DMs improve consensus degrees while minimizing adjustment cost. The weight adjustment path is activated for DMs who stick to their own opinions and refuse to make changes, and their weights is adjusted accordingly. An illustrative example along with the related sensitivity analysis and comparative study are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model.

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the influence mechanism of expatriates' cultural intelligence (CQ) on expatriate effectiveness (task performance and premature return intention), identifying work engagement as a mediator and cultural distance as a boundary condition.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the conservation of resource theory and the person–environment fit (P–E fit) theory, a moderated mediation model is built. Working with a sample of 303 international construction expatriates collected by snowball sampling, the hypotheses are tested by using the structural equation model analysis.FindingsWork engagement partially mediates the relationship between expatriates' CQ and task performance, as well as fully mediates the relationship between expatriates' CQ and premature return intention. Cultural distance moderates the positive relationship between CQ and work engagement, as well as moderates the mediating effects of work engagement.Research limitations/implicationsThe impacts of potential moderators (e.g. work–family conflict and organizational culture) on the relationship between CQ and expatriate effectiveness have not been considered in this study.Practical implicationsThis study is useful for international construction firms to optimize the allocation of human resources.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the expatriate literature by adding empirical evidence to explain the influence mechanism of expatriates' CQ on expatriate effectiveness.

In this article, we advocate that a knowledge tidbit residing in the output space could be helpful in improving the performance (accuracy) of the fuzzy rule-based model. It states that if two outputs are far apart from each other , it is advisable to place their corresponding inputs in different clusters when forming subspaces of the input space . Considering this knowledge guidance mechanism, we propose two different methods to partition the input space. In the first method, input data are first partitioned with the use of the standard clustering algorithm, say fuzzy C-means; here, a constructed partition matrix is reflective of the structure present in the input space. Then, the knowledge tidbit is used to adjust the entries of the original partition matrix in such a way that those input data whose corresponding output data are far apart from each other are assigned with low values of proximity. In the second method, we propose two strategies to modify the distance between input data and a prototype (cluster center) identified in the input space. The crux of this method is that if there are many input data (which, in virtue of the knowledge tidbit, are regarded as being far-apart from the input data of interest) around a certain prototype, the distance between the input data of interest and this prototype should be penalized. Thus, the membership of these input data to the prototype is reduced. The comprehensive experimental studies carried out on both synthetic and publicly available data are used to examine the usefulness of the proposed methods.

Based on social comparison theory and organizational justice, this research explores how Guanxi with the horizontal leader (HL) influences coworker turnover intention. We used the snowball sampling method to collect survey data from 203 employees in 22 project teams. Overall, Guanxi with the HL had an indirect influence on turnover intention through perceived distributive justice pertaining to HL identification. Additionally, procedural justice had a negative, cross-level moderating effect on the relationship between Guanxi with the HL and perceived distributive justice. However, the individual-level moderating role of interactional justice was not supported. Theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.

PurposeThis study aims to develop a collaborative governance framework (CGF) to systematically investigate the impeding factors (IFs) in terms of the operational sustainability of PPPs. It examines the transmission pattern (i.e. the way in which network members react to each other) of the IFs network.Design/methodology/approachLiterature review and interview were adopted to identify the IFs. Then, with the data collected from the interview in China, the social network analysis and interpretive structure model were synergised to examine the chain reaction, driving and dependent powers, and hierarchical structure of the identified IFs.FindingsThe results reveal that the cognition, institutional, financial and participation aspects are key barriers confronted by PPP sustainability, and the government plays a leading role in controlling factors causing sustainability-related problems in PPPs. Weak government leadership and institutional environment were identified as the most fundamental reasons triggering a chain of IFs, while project governance and management activities act as bridge nodes that play an intermediary role in the IFs network.Research limitations/implicationsThis research contributes to the literature on PPP governance by (1) bridging the literature gap through the development of CGF for explaining the governance of PPP sustainability with a holistic view that considers both macro environment and operational project processes; and (2) identifying the transmission pattern of IFs network which uncovers the underlying dynamics causing the unsustainable operation of PPPs.Practical implicationsThis research provides practitioners with a list of key checkpoints for preventing failure escalation, enables decision-makers to prioritise obstacle-mitigation efforts and develop a feasible process to control PPP operation, and offers management countermeasures to remove the key barriers impeding PPP sustainability.Originality/valueThis study is novel for adopting network-oriented techniques to quantify the relative importance of the IFs and examine the transmission pattern of the IFs system. Therefore, it visualises the complex underlying dynamics causing unsustainable PPP operation, identifies root and direct causes of PPP failures, and provides decision-makers with insights into sustaining PPP sustainability from a network-oriented perspective.

Site selection of nuclear power plants (NPPs) is a critical task since it has a significant influence on individual safety, environmental protection, and regional development. The objective of this...

Sustainable hydropower development has attracted widespread attention since the process of developing hydropower stations could negatively impact the social and ecological environments. However, th...

PurposeThis study investigated the differential effects of empowering leadership and directive leadership in projects. Moreover, how the complex interplay between empowering and directive leadership styles influences both leader–member exchange and project performance was also explored.Design/methodology/approachPolynomial regression analysis and response surface modeling were applied to analyze 161 matched data collected from project members and managers worked in different projects located in China.FindingsFour leadership styles were identified, i.e. ambidextrous, delegating, directive and laissez-faire styles. These may be combined with empowering and directive leadership. With regard to (in)congruence, leader–member exchange and project performance improved with ambidextrous style as a form of high–high congruence between empowering and directive leadership compared with laissez-faire style (i.e. low–low congruence). Results were better when a delegating style was combined with empowering leadership at a high level compared with the combination of directive style as directive leadership at a high level. Leader–member exchange was identified to exert a mediating role of the (in)congruence on project performance.Originality/valueThis study confirmed the contingent viewpoint of leadership by identifying distinct leadership styles applied in projects. Furthermore, the co-existence of empowering leadership and directive leadership was examined, and the underlying mechanism between the (in)congruence of empowering and directive leadership and project performance was identified.

PurposeMeasuring the performance of public participation is conducive to improving participation systems. However, such measurement, particularly in urban regeneration projects, is difficult because of the complex indicators and multiple stakeholders involved. The purpose of this paper is to measure the public participation level in urban regeneration projects in China.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a perception difference-based method to measure the public participation level in urban regeneration projects in China. Specifically, an indicator system consisting of 12 indicators from three categories was first purposed. A perception difference-based method that integrates ANOVA test and Tukey test were then developed. The method was validated using five represented projects, and the results are interpreted based on a proposed measurement matrix.FindingsRegardless of the type of indicator, the perception of the government aligns with the perception of private sector professions, however, deviates from the perception of citizens. By taking the mean score and the significance level among stakeholders of perception as two dimensions, different patterns of issues in the current participation practice in urban regeneration are manifested.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, the proposed indicator system and perception difference-based method combined to provide a holistic view of public participation, which is verified to provide a better measurement. Practically, the authors’ methodology helps in revealing issues in current participation practice and further leading to designing coping strategies. Nonetheless, the proposed method requires further validation in participation practices in China and other countries.Originality/valueBy considering the perception mean and the significance level as two dimensions, a public participation measurement matrix is proposed. The performance in different indicators are classified into four stages accordingly, namely idling, starting, running-in and accelerating.

When COVID-19 wreaked havoc around the world and caused widespread panic, Chinese government has taken pandemic information disclosure measures to fight the outbreak. However, there is a theoretica...

In the past three years, many studies have been conducted on dockless bike sharing (DBS) around the world. However, these studies have focused minimally on the problem of damaged bicycles, which is critical to a DBS system’s operating efficiency, user satisfaction and platform sustainability. The objectives of this study are to develop an integrated theoretical framework based on the normative activation model and examining the impact mechanism of users’ willingness to participate in repairing damaged bicycles. To achieve these objectives, a questionnaire survey was undertaken with a total of 633 DBS users from 27 provinces and municipalities in Mainland China. Empirical results confirm that the theoretical framework can provide a strong rationale for the investigation into DBS users’ willingness to participate in repairing damaged bicycles. Furthermore, internal psychological factors (i.e., personal norms, awareness of consequences, and perceived consumer effectiveness) and external intervention factors (i.e., platform incentives and service response efficiency) had positive effects on users’ participation willingness. Nevertheless, information publicity did not play a significantly direct role but indirectly affected the participation willingness through personal norms. Service response efficiency tended to moderate the impacts of personal norms and awareness of consequences on participation willingness. Eventually, some practical approaches to motivating users to participate in repairing damaged bicycles are proposed. This study extends the theory of normative activation model to better understand the behaviors of DBS users who participate in repairing damaged bicycles, and contributes significant theoretical and practical insights to the sustainability of DBS systems.

The efficiency of emergency responses is at the heart of post-disaster rescue routing problems. Previous rescue models address the efficiency issue primarily by minimizing the total travel time, while not taking into account other significant factors in the rescue process, such as the number of affected people and the degree of building damage. To overcome these shortcomings, this paper aims to solve the rescue routing problem by maximizing the arc-based rescue efficiency, which is redefined as the ratio between the primary rescue input and output factors to represent the efficiency of the rescue operations. Therefore, a systematic methodology is proposed to decompose the original rescue routing problem into two decision making phases. First, an extended data envelopment analysis (DEA) model is constructed to evaluate the rescue efficiency along each arc. Specifically, a group decision constraint cone, which refers to the combined output of a group decision from experts, is constructed to distinguish the features and rescue focus of each disaster. Second, an efficiency-based routing model is developed to determine a feasible rescue tour for the entire transportation network, thus achieving the goal of maximizing the total rescue efficiency. An empirical example of a real earthquake disaster in Wenchuan, China, is provided to demonstrate the novelty and practical capabilities of the proposed approach in post-disaster emergency rescue operations. Finally, a comparison analysis is conducted with the traditional time-oriented routing method, and the results show that the method proposed in this study can improve the rescue performance by 21.2%.

PurposeThe performance of public–private partnerships (PPPs) can be determined by a variety of factors, i.e. influencing factors (IFs). This study is undertaken for a purpose of identifying how such factors determine the project's performance (i.e. factor transmission patterns), particularly from the key stakeholders' perspectives.Design/methodology/approachA hybrid approach, which comprises a Social Network Analysis, ISM (i.e. Interpretive Structural Modeling) and an improved DEMATEL (i.e. Decision-Making Trail and Evaluation Laboratory), was developed to analyze the causal relationships between the identified IFs as well as the transmission patterns of their impacts on PPPs. Data were collected from interviews and questionnaire surveys.FindingsThe transmission patterns of the identified IFs cascade from project environment and features and stakeholders' relationship to the project company capabilities and project process. It is identified that the public authority has a higher level than that of the private entity in PPPs.Research limitations/implicationsIt lacks longitudinal studies to investigate the dynamics of PPP stakeholder relationships and social networks. Future research needs to explore the transmission patterns of sub-factors affecting PPP performance and extend the applicability of the developed hybrid approach.Practical implicationsThis research provides practitioners with a robust tool that is useful for and insights into enhancing the management of lifecycle performance. It ensures the public authorities and private entities embarking on PPPs will make an informed decision about the monitoring of the life cycle performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to knowledge of managerial mechanisms that can be adopted to manage factors determining the performance of PPPs. It enables an understanding of stakeholders' roles in driving the life cycle performance of PPPs.

The last decade witnessed tremendous developments in social media and e-democracy technologies. A fundamental aspect in these paradigms is that the number of decision makers allowed to partake in a decision making event drastically increases. As a result Large Scale Decision Making (LSDM) has established itself as an emerging and rapidly developing research field, attracting comprehensive studies in the last decade. LSDM events are a complex class of decision making problems, in which multiple and highly diverse stakeholders are involved and the provided alternatives are assessed considering multiple criteria/attributes. Since some of the extant LSDM research was extended from group decision making scenarios, there is no established definition for a LSDM problem as of yet. We firstly propose a clear definition and characterization of LSDM events as a basis for characterizing this emerging family of decision frameworks. Secondly, a classification of LSDM literature is provided. Effectively solving an LSDM problem is usually a complex and challenging process, in which reaching a high consensus or accounting for the agreement or conflict relationships between participants becomes critical. Accordingly, we present a taxonomy and an overview of LSDM models, predicated on their key elements, i.e. the procedures and specific steps followed by the existing models: consensus measurement, subgroup clustering, behavior management, and consensus building mechanisms. Finally, we provide a discussion in which we identify research challenges and propose future research directions under a triple perspective: key LSDM methodologies, AI and data fusion for LSDM, and innovative applications. The potential rise of AI-based LSDM is particularly highlighted in the discussion provided.

PurposeThe sustainable success of infrastructures is becoming a driving force for advancing urbanization globally. However, to achieve infrastructure sustainable success (ISS), how project management practices (PMPs) play their role remains unexplored in current literature. To this end, an empirical study on whether PMPs play significant impacts on the accomplishment of ISS was conducted.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on an empirical survey of domestic and overseas infrastructure projects managed by Chinese companies. 162 data samples were collected and further analyzed deploying structural equation modeling (SEM) on the basis of goal-setting theory. PMP factors derived from the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) ideology, i.e. culture, strategy, implementation and reflection were hypothesized and validated to have direct and indirect relationships with ISS.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that both culture and reflection can directly drive the PMPs toward ISS. Furthermore, it is revealed that by affecting mediator factors of strategy, implementation and reflection, culture is found to present an indirect influence on ISS; by affecting mediator factors of implementation and reflection, Strategy is found to present an indirect influence on ISS and by affecting the mediator factor of reflection, implementation is found to present an indirect influence on ISS.Originality/valueThese findings contribute to the body of knowledge in measuring sustainability success of project management performances by clarifying critical relationships of how PMPs lead to ISS. Prospectively, the outputs of this research will generate informative insights for practitioners to improve their PMPs in the process of pursuing ISS in future infrastructure management practices.

Work-family conflict and high turnover intention of construction workers have been and will continue to be significant concerns in the construction industry. To explore antecedents of work-family c...

PurposeThis study applied eye-tracking techniques and questionnaires within the framework of the Stimulus-Organism-Response Model (SOR) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), to investigate the influencing factors of the public acceptance of 5G base stations.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a combination of eye-tracking experiments and questionnaires. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).Findings(1) The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) could be used to explain the effects on public acceptance of 5G base stations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The public's perceived usefulness and ease of use of 5G base stations positively affects public acceptance of 5G base stations. (2) The public's perceived risk of 5G base stations has a negative influence on the public acceptance of 5G base stations. (3) The public's visual attention to the different valence information about 5G base stations positively impacts the perceived ease of use while having negative impacts on perceived risk. (4) Visual attention to various valence information of 5G base stations can indirectly influence public acceptance through the perceived risk.Originality/valueApplying the SOR and TAM to data obtained from eye-tracking experiments and questionnaires, this study analyzed the factors and mechanisms influencing public acceptance of 5G base stations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clarifying the spatial association network of provincial building carbon emissions and its influential drivers is profoundly significant for transregional collaborative emission reduction and regionally-coordinated development. This study adopts the social network analysis method to investigate the network structure characteristics of carbon emissions in the building sector based on China's provincial-level evidence from 2000 to 2018. Then, the quadratic assignment procedure is further utilized to examine the driving factors. The results demonstrate that building carbon emissions in China take the form of a network structure. From 2000 to 2018, the relevance and stability of the spatial associations gradually strengthened. Shanghai, Jiangsu, Tianjin, Beijing and Zhejiang are in the center of the spatial association network and play a vital part in the network. The network of carbon emissions in the building sector can be classified into four plates: the main inflow plate, main outflow plate, bidirectional spillover plate and agent plate. Geographical adjacency, economic development level, energy intensity and industrial structure are significantly correlated with building carbon emissions. The urbanization level has no significant influence on the spatial correlations of building carbon emissions. This study is conducive to formulating energy conservation policies and promoting transregional collaborative emission reductions.

This study focuses on exploring equity among regions regarding public service delivery. An analytical framework is established to measure the level of public service delivery considering input (resources) and output (results), and an equity analysis is conducted from temporal and spatial perspectives. The results show that there are disparities in the level of public service delivery among regions in China (mainly due to inequality in resources), and within-region inequality has a greater influence on overall regional inequality than between-region inequality. The proposed analytical framework can help governments make better decisions about public service delivery.

In this study, we investigated the effect of different compositions of aquatic natural organic matter (NOM) and ions on virus removal by ultrafiltration (UF). MS2 bacteriophage was used as a surrogate. Humic acid (HA) improved the MS2 removal rate from 1.95 ± 0.09 LRV to 2.40 ± 0.03 LRV at the HA dosage of 9 mg/L through the combined mechanisms of size exclusion, electrostatic repulsion and hydrophobicity. MS2 removal rate further increased to 3.10 ± 0.05 LRV by 10 mmol/L Na

This research aims to link leadership and employees’ well-being in the architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) industry while focusing on horizontal leadership, which is displayed by subordinates, and job burnout among remaining team members. Based on social information processing theory and conservation of resource theory, we propose a moderated mediation model. We hypothesize that the presence of a horizontal leader (HL) in A/E/C project teams is related to remaining team members’ job burnout, which is mediated by perceived career opportunity (PCO). However, the relationship between HL’s presence and PCO changes from significantly positive among project team members with relatively low status conflict to significantly negative among team members with relatively high status conflict. The relationship between HL’s presence and job burnout is also reversed. The results of a scenario study (Study 1) using Masters of Engineering Management candidates as the sample (N=150) and a field survey (Study 2) involving 313 real team members support our hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

In this study, a Microcystis aeruginosa-based photobioreactor (M. aeruginosa-based PBR) was developed for the removal of cadmium (Cd2+) from diluted actual mine wastewater (DW) and Cd2+-contained simulated wastewater (SW), with a uniform Cd2+ concentration of 0.5 mg/L. For the DW and SW, both K+ -abundant (DWA & SWA) and K+-insufficient (DWB & SWB) treatments were conducted. It was found that continuous supplementation of K+ benefited Cd2+ removal. The Cd2+ removal efficiency in SWA reached 70% during the 41 days of operation, which was 20% higher than that in the SWB. The K+ addition triggered great higher Cd2+ removal efficiency (90%) in the DWA in comparison to the SWA. The Cd2+ assimilation by M. aeruginosa and Cd2+ retention on M. aeruginosa surface were the primary processes involved in the PBR system. The K+ starvation triggered a 45% and 43% loss of M. aeruginosa biomass in the DWA and the DWB, respectively. Hence, the Cd2+ removal efficiency in DWB increased significantly, and this was attributed to the increased abundance of non-living cells and enhanced bioretention of Cd2+. The results revealed that continuous K+ supplementation enhanced the Cd2+ removal efficiency in the M. aeruginosa-based PBR jointly by prompting algal cell growth, Cd2+ assimilation and biosorption, as well as Cd2+ retention on the algal cells.

Extreme precipitation caused by global climate change is expected to have a severe impact on urbanized areas. While decision‐makers struggle with climate uncertainty, an effective infrastructure adaptation strategy attaches great importance to preventing disasters resulting from rainfall. We propose a decision‐making model to incorporate the probability of rainfall disasters and recommend investing time when evaluating projects related to climate adaptation. We use a hydrological statistical model and economic and technical factors to estimate the expected economic losses in several rainfall disaster scenarios, and the value of the adaptation infrastructures is calculated using a real options pricing approach. Then the decision‐making model is applied to a case study involving a campus rainfall disaster prevention facility at the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, China. We established three submerged scenarios with different rainfall intensities, then we evaluated the premium of holding an option to defer and pointed out the optimal investing time in each scenario. This model is expected to provide guidance for the development of adaptation infrastructure for relatively small areas such as communities and universities. And we proved that using real options‐based approach could provide more managerial flexibility for investors.

Population ageing is stimulating an increase in the demand for housing suitable for seniors. To meet the demand, the market share of senior housing needs to increase substantially in a relatively short period of time; therefore, panelized construction, as an efficient, economical, and environmentally-friendly construction method, can be regarded as a promising building approach to meet urgent demand for multi-unit housing. However, prior to construction, decisions regarding the location selection for building panelized housing can have a great influence on the level of accessibility that seniors have to neighbouring facilities and services, further affecting their health and quality of life. Based on this, the research presented in this paper aims to search potential land areas for panelized housing developments for seniors from the perspective of accessibility. A set of methods is proposed to define the opportunities and constraints for potential land, measure the accessibility, and select the most suitable location for senior housing by means of suitability analysis. A case study of Edmonton is then analyzed to illustrate the application of these methods.

It has been proven that prefabricated construction plays a significant role in cleaner production in the construction industry due to its capacity for energy conservation, emissions reduction, low-carbon development and environmental protection. Although prefabricated construction was introduced in China decades ago, it still faces some problems during the application stage. In order to improve the application of prefabricated construction in China, this research explores its influencing factors from the perspectives of technology promotion and cleaner production. Twenty-one types of factors are identified through a literature review, and a questionnaire survey is conducted for the purpose of collecting empirical data. Factor analysis establishes an influencing factor model composed of industry factors, company factors, technology factors, government factors and market factors. The relative importance of each cluster and factor is revealed by its index of relative importance (IRI): the dominant player is the government, and the top five factors in the promotion of prefabricated construction in China are technology lock-in (76.42%), incentive policies (75.91%), standardization (73.70%), cost (73.70%) and entrepreneurial cognition (73.13%). Additionally, the process of conducting semi-structured interviews with experts provides suggestions. The findings will benefit researchers, practitioners and policymakers who want to promote the application of prefabricated construction, and provide references for other cleaner production technologies in China.

Due to the increasing complexity and flexibility of business activities, project-based organizations have become common. In such organizations, project management competencies, which refer to a collection of knowledge, personal attitudes, skills, and relevant experience, are core assets that must be taken seriously. Formalized project management career paths have been widely implemented in the construction industry. However, most recent studies treat project management competencies as static constructs and fail to consider their dynamic changes as a career path advances. To fill this gap in the literature, this study conducted an empirical examination of project management competencies integrated with a career model for the construction industry. First, key project management competencies are identified through a literature review. Then, a project management career model for large Chinese construction companies is developed based on an empirical investigation of six large Chinese construction companies from various sectors. Moreover, a quantitative analysis is performed to explore how these competencies dynamically change as position levels rise in the career model. The research findings indicate that significant differences in project management competencies exist at different levels of the career model. However, the distribution remains steady at different project management position levels for conceptual and organizational competencies, human competencies, and technical competencies.