This study discusses the organizational characteristics, driving factors, and value perceptions of small- and medium-sized construction enterprises in information and communication technology (ICT) implementation and investigates how the heterogeneous impacts of these features on subsequent ICT implementation practices are manifested. Based on questionnaire responses provided by 338 respondents from the Chinese construction industry, these associations were empirically tested using statistical methods, such as t-test, ANOVA, and correlation test. The analysis results indicate that the engagement of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in ICT is a function of their annual sales turnover and the location in which they are operating, but no correlation was found with age, ownership structure, or business type. Moreover, strategic orientation was found to be the most effective driver in determining SMEs’ ICT-level, followed by pressures from competitors, incentive and mandatory policies from the government, intentions to improve work efficiency and quality, and ICT requirements from clients and partners, in that order. The findings further reveal that the differences in value perceptions generated after the adoption of ICT is the reason why SMEs tend to adopt less expensive ICT, that is, to use packaged rather than customized ICT, which can improve efficiency quickly, without considering the long-term benefits of the selected ICT. These findings provide insights for researchers and policymakers, allowing them to develop an in-depth understanding of the stimuli that are advantageous in ICT implementation in construction SMEs in developing countries.
Private investors and governments need to cooperate in public-private partnership (PPP) projects but the private investors may be in pursuit of their own profit by conducting defaulting behaviors which causes various environmental problems and economic risks. However, the information asymmetry between them makes it difficult to supervise the behaviors of private investors. The development of internet and social media creates new environment for the information spread and people are using new media increasingly in the current society, providing an inexpensive and viable way for the public to participate in PPP projects. We constructed a dynamic evolutionary model to analyze the behaviors strategies of governments and private investors in the new media era and then analyzed how important factors influence the behavior trends of governments and private investors. These findings could provide meaningful insight to improve supervision status by using the new media environment and predict the behaviors of governments and private investors in PPP projects, which would be conductive for the governments to supervise the private investors in PPP projects more efficiently.
Shanghai is one of the fastest-growing metropolises and the first city in China to implement mandatory waste classification. Waste classification policy of Shanghai has attracted widespread attention since its implementation in July 2019. However, previous papers have not focused on online public attitudes surrounding the implementation of a waste classification policy in Shanghai. In order to fill this gap, this paper explored the dynamic evolution of online public attitudes towards waste classification in Shanghai by using sentiment analysis technology and topic modeling technology. It was found that the proportion of negative posts each month was about 20%; therefore, online public sentiment towards waste classification in Shanghai was generally positive. Compared with the first three months of policy implementation, the public sentiment towards Shanghai’s waste classification became more positive, with the exception of two special periods. Negative posts in July 2019 mainly discussed waste’s environmental hazards and policy provisions. New topics in negative posts in later months focused on some specific problems, including the process of throwing away wet waste, the allocated throwing times, the number of waste cans, takeaway meal disposal, and gathering activities. Improving the factors causing the negative sentiments in the posts will help the government better implement the policy. The paper will help the government to receive higher public support for the waste classification policy in Shanghai. The present findings also have great reference significance for other cities.
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