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Technological recombinant innovation (TRI) has been regarded as an important part of technological innovation in the construction industry. However, the pattern of how TRI affects the performance of construction firms is still unclear. Building upon architectural innovation, this study identifies the exploratory and exploitative TRIs and explores the mediating mechanism of business models, by which TRIs influence a firm's performance. Using text mining, panel data analysis of 107 China-listed construction firms was conducted to analyze the relationships. The results show that the positive relationship between exploratory TRI and firm performance is weakened by novelty-centered business model, while the negative effect of exploitative TRI on firm performance is strengthened through its mediation. This research enriches the literature on the relationship between technological innovation and firm performance by highlighting the important role of TRIs in predicting firm performance and differentiating mediating mechanisms for the two types of business models. In addition, the application of text mining to quantitatively evaluate the types of business model from the annual reports of listed construction firms, provides a new quantitative evaluation method for the research of business models. This study discusses the necessity of recombinant innovation as the source of technological innovation for construction firms, and provides guidance for construction firms in regards to their technological innovation approaches. Firms should focus on exploratory recombinant innovation, actively incorporating external technological components and exploring the new combinations of internal technological components. In terms of exploitative technology recombination, the reuse of existing technology combination may lead to knowledge solidification, which leads to the continuous decline of firm performance. Therefore, firms should pay attention to the balance and interaction of exploitation and exploration. Additionally, since the negative mediating effect of the novelty-centered business model has on the relationship between technological recombinant innovation and firm performance, firms should be mindful about the business model they employ. Adopting novelty-centered business model can be risky for construction firms that are in slow clockspeed industries. Instead, the best way for construction firms to keep thriving is by focusing on their efficiency-centered business model which can help them remain stable by protecting existing resources and competitive actions to maintain a competitive advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neighborhood renewal projects in China have distinct characteristics. Unlike other government-led public affair, these projects entail extensive participation from the residents in the decision-making process. However, the behavior of the residents is often influenced by the complex social relationships among them, which in turn can impact the implementation of the renewal project. This paper aims to identify the relationships between residents' cooperative behavior and their social relationship in the context of neighborhood renewal. Social capital is taken as a lens to examine residents' social relationships, and the theory of planned behavior is used to study residents' behavior. Data from 381 residents in 75 neighborhood renewal projects was collected using questionnaire surveys and was analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling. The results show that the social relationships not only affect the residents' opinions regarding the renewal, but also directly influence their intention to engage in cooperative behavior. Moreover, the findings further suggest that gender and age play an important role in the relationship between residents' social capital and cooperative behavior. These finding contributes to a better understanding of residents' cooperative behavior in neighborhood renewal and provides important insights for the design of initiatives that effectively inspire cooperative behavior among residents. • The role of social capital in shaping residents' cooperative behavior is confirmed. • The integration of social capital and planned behavior theory provides a comprehensive explanation for cooperative behavior. • Gender and age differences can affect the impact of residents' social relationships on behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Public–private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged in developing countries, such as China, as a ubiquitous means by which government procures needed infrastructure. In this regard, they have been much studied. However, due to their long concession period, running into decades, few have run their full course into the transfer phase (TP) in which the PPP concession reverts from the private entity back to the public. In China, this is about to change as many PPPs approach their TP. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to comprehensively investigate the TP of PPPs in China. Design/methodology/approach: A three-part methodology was undertaken to achieve the research purpose. Extensive literature review was first conducted to analyze the status quo of the transfer management regime in China, followed by the identification of critical challenges and the exploration of solutions via studying the TP of the Chengdu No. 6 Water Plant B Project – the first PPP in China's water sector to reach the TP. Research procedures and outcomes were hierarchically visualized by using Integration DEFinition language 0 (IDEF0) method. Findings: The current transfer management regime of PPPs in China's water sector is deficient in many aspects. Based on the insight into the practice, a generic transfer process model with hierarchical structure process and sub-processes serving as a dynamic framework transfer model with self-evolving nature is developed to facilitate the successful transfer of the PPP utility. Originality/value: To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first attempt to systematically probe the TP of PPPs. Hopefully, the findings of this paper are to instruct government and PPP practitioners alike on mechanisms for smoothing the TP of further PPP projects ending their concession period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated housing has proven to achieve high quality, reduce costs and improve housing environmental performance. While prefabricated housing has been widely constructed in many jurisdictions, it is still in its infancy in China. However, the prefabrication sector in China is in transition as the macro environment is changing and new participants are expected to enter architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry who will have to work cooperatively as well as competitively with the existed companies. Such changes and strategic activities have impacts on every participant within the ecosystem. A better understanding of the whole industry as well as the participants’ strategic positioning will help companies develop their survival strategies. This paper aims to establish the prefabricated housing ecosystem in China based on the business ecosystem theory and to analyze the interrelationships among the major participants. A conceptual model of the ecosystem is established through literature review. Subsequently, the social network analysis (SNA) approach is employed to quantitatively analyze the strategic relationships between property developers and contractors who have adopted prefabrication in their residential projects. Finally, Node XL software is used for visualization and data analysis. Through the SNA measurements, the top 3 property developers and contractors are identified and several clusters are uncovered, which suggests a cooperation tendency among local actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN AN ACTIVE ATTITUDE IN ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING THE PARTICIPATION OF PRIVATE INVESTORS IN THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES. There is a huge investment opportunity for Public Private Partnership (PPP) in China. However, China has immature regulatory and institutional PPP frameworks. This paper hence aims to review the application of PPP in China and consequently draw lessons for future references. It was found that China has a wealth of experience with PPP under the strong support of central and subnational governments. Given the tremendous economic growth and immense demand for infrastructure, China will continue to have a massive demand for future PPP projects. This paper is important as its contribution is to summarize the application of PPP in China in terms of opportunities, current usage and future trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public private partnership (PPP) models are often used in delivering wastewater treatment (WWT) projects. When existing PPP projects need expansion due to higher demand for WWT, in many cases, the expansion may involve a new PPP contract involving a new concessionaire. Expansion PPPs have unique challenges as the sharing of responsibilities and risks can become complex. The complexities are further exacerbated when there are government guarantees involved. Structuring inappropriate guarantees can often lead to high costs for the government. This study focused on the choice of government guarantee in PPP expansion projects in the WWT sector by examining two popular guarantee mechanisms: minimum revenue guarantee and exclusive right. A decision model was developed and applied in a real WWT expansion PPP project in China to illustrate the optimal guarantee under varying circumstances related to service demand, expected unit price, and the existing guarantees in the existing PPP project. The contribution of the study lies in the applicability of the model to facilitate better decisions for the government in selecting the optimal guarantee mechanism in PPP expansion projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China’s hunger for energy has over the last two decades afforded opportunities to investors from Hong Kong and foreign countries to provide both the energy technologies China needs, as well as project management capabilities to deliver energy projects. Recently, however, China has shown itself to be less reliant on non-local expertise, with an emerging capacity to go it alone in developing sources of energy. Data from the World Bank Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI) database was used to analyse this trend, and to identify strategic directions that may be evident in China’s emerging energy self-reliance. A total of 555 cases were extracted for analysis using standard statistical tests across the range of available energy technologies. While it was found that the involvement of Hong Kong and foreign companies remains significant overall, there is a clear trend in Chinese mainland firms targeting and overtaking non-local counterparts in the development of renewable energy technologies and projects. Strong associations were identified between the rise in renewable projects and the growth in the participation of local companies in the energy sector. This is a significant finding and it provides strong implications that Chinese firms have emerged as an important competitor in renewable energy provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The renewal of old communities (OCR) is a crucial component of China's urban renewal strategy. However, the huge funding gap, coupled with the unwillingness of enterprises to participate, has impeded the sustainable development of OCR in China. This issue has become a major practical challenge for the government. This study employed the modified theory of planned behavior (M-TPB) to examine enterprise behavior, focusing on how internal capabilities and external conditions influence their participation. Data was collected from 261 questionnaire surveys, and structured equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Further in-depth interviews were conducted to explain and validate the results from the SEM. The findings illustrate that: (1) the M-TPB offers a more detailed and nuanced explanation of the mechanisms influencing participation behavior; (2) the attitude towards participation is an important factor in shaping the intention to participate; (3) there is a significant negative correlation between perceived behavioral control, which is based on external conditions, and the participation intention; and (4) different types of enterprises show differences in attitude and perceived behavioral control. These findings provide new insights and perspectives on the OCR dilemma in China, highlighting some important practical implications for fostering various forms of enterprise participation in OCR projects. • This paper analyzes enterprises' participation in OCR from a new perspective - the behavioral intention of managers. • The modified theory of planned behavior can better explain the influence mechanism. • Government should focus on improving the enterprises' attitude and the effectiveness of external conditions. • Propose strategies to promote participation for different types of enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]