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With the increasing emphasis on the ecology and environment of rivers, the construction of ecological waterway projects has become a development trend in China. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the ecological effects of ecological waterway construction. Based on pressure-state-response (PSR) and driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) logical frameworks, this paper established a state-pressure-impact-response (SPIR) conceptual model. The model took the river ecology and environment state as the main line, and described the disturbance pressure of the engineering construction on the river state, the impacts of the project on the river comprehensive function, and the positive responses taken in the full lifetime cycle of the project. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy evaluation model were used to study the changes of the river ecosystem status after suffering from the construction pressure and taking positive responses. Taking the 12.5 m deep water waterway project in the Taicang-Nantong section of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River as an example, the disturbance on the ecology and environment at different stages of the project construction and the effort of relieving the negative impacts of the project on the ecology and environment were evaluated by the health level of the ecosystem. The paper can provide a scientific method for the evaluation of ecological projects in river ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, there are still some obstacles in the development of China's construction projects, such as low information transmission efficiency, poor information coordination and sharing, and low value of information utilization. Based on this, the BIM architecture is described and applied. This paper uses the SURAIN model algorithm. The conceptual model of information integration management with data layer, information model layer and functional application layer as the core in distributed network environment is constructed and verified. The results show that the functional design of the BIM information integration management system platform for building information is conducive to the improvement of building information transmission efficiency and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an explosive growth of e-businesses worldwide, e-commerce in China is booming, leading to the development of e-commerce education. This paper is intended to investigate whether the education system in China accords well with the market demand and the status of e-commerce programs in China in order to seek strategies for China to cope with the challenges of global e-commerce empowered by fast updated information technologies. First, we construct a four- layer conceptual model to describe the relevant factors influencing e-commerce and e-commerce education. We then present the status of China's e-commerce education in different educational categories. Although we find that current problems in China's e-commerce education can be resorted in quantity and quality aspects, it generally is on the right track. Finally, we propose several main strategies for promoting the development of c-commerce education, in which the education system reformation is top priority and in which the government will play a critical role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The aim of this paper is to offer a conceptual model that demonstrates Chinese consumers’ value perceptions towards luxury products based on the recent literature reviews and the findings from focus groups.Design/methodology/approach Focus group discussion is used to explore how Chinese consumers construct their value perceptions towards luxury products.Findings This research has integrate different perspective values into one multidimensional model to explain directly why Chinese consumers choose to buy luxury products, and what are these variables that influence their luxury value perceptions. It also provides a broader perspective in exploring the Chinese customer‘s self- and societal perceptions for purchasing luxury products.Research limitations/implications The primary data were only collected from three cities; thus, the findings may not be generalisable across all Chinese consumers. Moreover, this qualitative study was based on a relatively small sample size; thus, a future study is planned by designing a measurement instrument based on the proposed conceptual model and also testing the proposed theoretical model that scholars can apply in related empirical work in the future.Originality/value This study has offered a wide range of understanding about how Chinese luxury consumers’ luxury value perception reflect their purchasing behaviours and habits; it has also provided a new theoretical insight into the phenomenon of luxury consumption and contributed to the relatively limited literature on the concept of luxury in the context of Chinese market. It could also provide good implications for the effective marketing strategy actions in the context of Chinese luxury market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Deicing chemicals are widely used to clear the pavement snow in the cold areas of China and many other countries in winter, because of their simple operation and excellent snow-melting effect, which leads to more convenience for traffic and low probability of traffic accident in the city, especially in metropolis. However, with the ever-growing application of deicing chemicals, their negative effects on environment such as soil and water system increased dramatically. Based on the related researches in China and abroad, this paper summarized the two categories of deicing chemicals and their working principles, and then provided the unique characteristics of deicing chemicals’ effects on soil and water environment in large cities, which may need considerable quantity of the chemicals to relieve traffic congestion. What''s more, main aspects of impacts by deicing chemicals on regional soil and water environment and the fundamental factors related to the aspects above respectively were generalized, in order to propose a conceptual model to evaluate the harmful effects. Moreover, this paper put forward some suggestions for the further research in this field to fulfill the model, and provided a scientific basis for the pollution prevention of deicing chemicals on urban environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With the reform of China's urbanization increasing in popularity, the security issues posed by urban groundwater, especially groundwater in industrial areas, have attracted scholars' attention. This research aimed to predict and quantify the migration process of contaminants in a microconfined aquifer by conducting a groundwater contamination investigation in an abandoned chemical plant in the Jiangsu Province of China. First, data such as regional hydrogeological parameters and types of contaminants were obtained via hydrogeological drilling, groundwater well monitoring, pumping tests, and laboratory permeability tests, which helped identify the most serious pollution factor: chloroform. Then, a groundwater flow model was built using the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS) and verified using the general-purpose parameter estimation (PEST) package. In addition, based on the three-dimensional multi-species model for transport (MT3DMS) in GMS, a transport model was established. The results illustrate that the plume range of chloroform diffuses with water flow, but, because of its slow diffusion rate and inability to degrade naturally, the concentration of the contaminant has remained several times higher than the safety standard for a long time. The contaminant spread vertically to the soil layer above the microconfined aquifer under pressure, resulting in direct pollution. In addition, the contaminant in the microconfined aquifer is anticipated to migrate down to the clay layer and become enriched. However, the first confined aquifer has not been seriously polluted in the past 20 years. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the parameters shows that groundwater contamination in the Yangtze delta region is greatly affected by precipitation recharge and hydraulic conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial symbiosis (IS) is an important tool to achieve green development for industrial parks. It is necessary to evaluate the IS performance for monitoring and managing the development of IS system. This study proposed an integrated framework to assess the IS performance based on the energy-intensive industrial park. Firstly, we established a Conceptual model of symbiotic coupling of three industries (iron and steel, thermal power, and cement). Then, the conceptual model was applied to extend the existing IS system in the energy-intensive industrial park. Finally, the IS performance of the extended IS system was evaluated. We verified this framework in Red flag cannel park (RFCP). The IS performance assessment in RFCP found that the existing IS activities produced significant multiple benefits and environmental impact reduction. For example, the existing IS activities produced 970.20 kt of low-carbon benefits, which accounted for 19% of the CO2 emissions in RFCP. However, after extending the existing symbiotic system combined with the conceptual model proposed in this study, we found that there still was a large amount of symbiotic potential (the reuse of waste heat, BF slag, gypsum) waiting to be developed in RFCP. In addition, we also found that the resilience of existing IS network in RFCP was weak and need to be further perfected. In general, in the further development and perfection of IS system in RFCP, the manager should not only focus on the development of IS activities among energy-intensive enterprises but also strive to foster more influential enterprises to enhance the anti-risk ability of IS network. The result indicates the integrated framework can provide support for the development and perfection of IS system in energy-intensive industrial parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the competition in the tourism market has become more and more fierce. Tourism destinations need to ensure they have sufficient sources of tourists, and thus, improving their market competitiveness, image, and reputation are particularly important. For this reason, tourism academia has always attached great importance to the study of tourism destination image. Many studies have shown that tourists' travel behavior is largely influenced by their perception of tourism destinations. Research on heritage tourism from the supply perspective is relatively abundant, whereas not much research has been conducted on the demand side, and the influence of heritage tourism on the perception of a destination's image has rarely been discussed. This study examines destination image perceptions through three components: cognition, affection, and quality of experience. We propose a conceptual model that clarifies how the quality of experience mediates the formation of cognition and affection with regard to emerging destinations in mainland China. This study employed the PLS-SEM discontinuous two-stage approach, which involved the examination of higher-order constructs (HOCs). The results from a sample of 475 visitors to the ancient city of Qingzhou in mainland China showed that cognition positively influences affection, and they both positively influence the overall image. Quality of experience was shown to be a mediating factor between cognition and affection. Moreover, the variables under quality of experience were confirmed to be consistent with those under cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A conceptual model of ILT based on the adoption of the grounded theory is proposed. • Five factors influencing ILTP in efficient commodity distribution are identified. • These factors are categorized into internal factors and external factors. • A survey-based quantitative study to test the proposed framework. • Corresponding suggestions are provided for governments and ILT firms. In recent years, comprehensive information, intelligence and automation technology have become the emerging development trend in distribution enterprises. Intelligent logistics transformation (ILT) is the basis of realising efficient commodity distribution. However, the real-time practice of implementation of ILT is not running smoothly in China. This is caused by a lack of a theoretical framework of causes of intelligent logistics transformation problems (ILTP) in efficient commodity distribution that helps enterprises avoid problems. This pilot study proposes a conceptual model of ILTP based on the grounded theory and tests it by a survey in application to efficient commodity distribution. There are five major factors influencing ILTP in efficient commodity distribution: inherent risks of transformation, difficulties in organizational adjustment, market obstacles, market drivers and social factors. The inherent risks of transformation and difficulties in organizational adjustment are direct factors affecting the ILTP, while market obstacles, market drivers and social factors moderate significantly these relations. The key contribution of this paper provides firms and governments with relevant management and policy recommendations to implement the ILT in the context of the efficient commodity distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking field villagers as theoretical perspective and through the in-depth analysis of a series of disturbances concerning tearing down and building houses in Hui Village, the paper presents the action logic and practice of daily resistance of residents in tourism fields. The study indicates that because of the injustice of share profits, failure of protective system in the village and delay of the building of new village, residents of Hui Village have adopted the action strategy of tearing down old houses and building new houses in which culture capital is converted into economic capital. This might lead to the rapid decline of Hui community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydraulic conductivity is a basic property of rocks and soil, and its estimation varies as a function of the scale and purpose of the study. This work combines geomorphological analysis, geological data, and groundwater investigations from literature to assess large-scale anisotropies in hydraulic conductivity in the North China Plain. The study area encompasses 144,000 km2 and represents the most important groundwater system of China, affected in the last 40 years by severe groundwater depletion, pollution, and subsidence. The investigation area is at the center of a massive groundwater project, the South to North Water Transfer Project, which was designed and implemented to alleviate water scarcity and facilitate environmental recovery. A conceptual model based on geomorphological evidence, supported by borehole logs, and satellite image analysis is used to assess the hydraulic conductivity anisotropies at the regional scale. The model divides the alluvial plain into four geomorphological zones with similar hydraulic conductivity characteristics. Along the general groundwater flow direction, upstream hydraulic conductivity is assumed isotropic but strong anisotropies are deduced downstream. An accurate hydraulic conductivity assessment is essential to improve quantitative studies of contaminant transport, artificial aquifer recharge, and land subsidence in the North China Plain and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The authors examine differences in the internationalization motives, entry approach, local embeddedness, and performance outcomes of Chinese state-owned enterprises and Chinese privately owned enterprises operating in Africa. The authors’ conceptual model explains these differences in light of differences in ownership structure. While prior research has viewed Chinese outward investment from the latecomer perspective, the authors found that the behavior of Chinese privately owned enterprises does not deviate substantially from that described by conventional foreign direct investment theories. Propositions developed are illustrated by case studies, and the theoretical and policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are significant regional disparities in the level of technology availability and utilization in China. This study analyzes determinants of technology availability and utilization in China's 31 administrative units using data on technology adoption and socioeconomic factors. It examines the extent of spatial autocorrelation on technology levels and regression residuals, and provides exploratory spatial cluster analysis of technology attributes interpreted by four regional policy approaches. An exploratory conceptual model is established, based on diffusion of innovations theory and prior digital divide research. Regression findings indicate the most significant determinant of technology availability and utilization is export commodities value. This is followed by published books, tertiary employment, non-state-owned employment, and innovation funds of enterprises. The conceptual model is discussed in light of these findings and suggestions are offered for China's technology policy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Karst is widely distributed in the southwest of China, especially in Guizhou Province. The phenomenon of desertification in these areas is very serious. And soil erosion is the key link in the process of desertification. Through field monitoring, underground soil leakage is derived to the main mode of soil loss in this area. Shear strength tests and creep experiments were carried out with the aim of analyzing the creep mechanism in underground soil loss. It is shown that the water content can lead to the great influence on the shear strength of the brown clay. This variation has been combined with creep characteristics besides the structural geology, hydrology condition and brown clay distribution circumstance (field observation). A conceptual creep model of the brown clay sliding along the karst conduits has been unveiled to show the detailed inference of the creep mechanism in the underground soil loss: geology and hydrology control the development of the karst conduit system; and penetration of water induces the weakening of the shear strength of the surface soil and accelerates the creeping and sliding of the brown clay along the karst conduit system. This understanding of the creep mechanism has significant implications for the future management of the soil erosion in the karst area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative methods were used to examine soil properties and their spatial heterogeneity in a 0-year fenced mobile dune (MD0), an 11-year fenced mobile dune (MD11) and a 20-year fenced mobile dune (MD20) in Horqin Sandy Land, Northern China. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of vegetation restoration on heterogeneity of soil properties in sand dunes and to provide a concept model to describe the relationship between vegetation succession and spatial heterogeneity variation of soil properties in the dunes. The results showed that the average values of vegetation cover, species number and diversity, soil organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and electrical conductivity (EC) increased with the increase in fenced age of mobile dunes, while soil water content (0–20 cm) showed the reverse trend. Geostatistical analysis revealed that the spatial heterogeneity of soil organic C, total N, EC, very fine sand content, and soil water content (0–20 cm) increased from MD0 to MD11 with succession from sand pioneer plant to shrub species then decreased from MD11 to MD20 due to continuous development of herbaceous plants. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that there was a relatively high correspondence between vegetation and soil factors, suggesting that the major gradients relating soil organic C, total N, EC, pH, slope, very fine sand content, and soil water content are the main factors for the distribution of dune plants and account for 68.1% of the species-environment relationship among the three sites. In addition, the distribution of the sand pioneer plant was positively related to the relative height of the sampling site and soil water content, and that of most herbaceous plants were determined by soil organic C, total N, EC, pH, and very fine sand content in mobile dunes. The conceptual model of relationship between vegetation succession and spatial heterogeneity of soil properties in mobile dunes suggests spatial patterns of soil properties are most strongly related to plant-induced heterogeneity in dune ecosystems prone to wind erosion, and conversely, the magnitude and degree of spatial heterogeneity in soil properties can influence the plant distribution pattern and vegetation succession of mobile dunes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]