China's global shipping connectivity had been somewhat overlooked as the bulk of related studies predominantly focused on the throughput volume of its own port cities. This article tackles such lacunae by providin...China's global shipping connectivity had been somewhat overlooked as the bulk of related studies predominantly focused on the throughput volume of its own port cities. This article tackles such lacunae by providing a relational perspective based on the extraction of vessel movement archives from the Lloyd's List corpus. Two complementary analyses are proposed: long-term dynamics with all ships included(1890–2008) and medium-term dynamics focusing on container flows(1978–2016). Each analysis examines China's maritime connectivity in various ways and on different spatial scales, from the global to the local, in terms of concentration, vulnerability, and expansion. The main results underline the influence of technological, economic, and political factors on the changing distribution of connectivity internally and externally. In particular, China has managed to reduce its dependence upon external transit hubs, to increase the internal connectivity of its own port system, and to strengthen its dominance towards an increasing number of foreign nodes and trade partners through the maritime network.展开更多
Taking 248 A-share manufacturing listed companies in 2006 Shanghai Stock Exchange as example, using "index method" to measure level of environmental protection infor-mation disclosure, this paper examines th...Taking 248 A-share manufacturing listed companies in 2006 Shanghai Stock Exchange as example, using "index method" to measure level of environmental protection infor-mation disclosure, this paper examines the factors influencing level of environmental protection information disclosure. The findings show that the disclosure level has improved, but the overall level is still low and unable to satisfy information users; there is positive correlation between corporate size, industry type, accounting firm's type and corporate environmental dis-closure index. The companies of large scale and heavy pollu-tion and those audited by international "Big 4" and domestic "Big 10" accounting firms have a high level of environmental disclosure, while the profitability and financial leverage has no impact on the disclosure level. Finally some suggestions are put forward to establish environmental information disclosure sys-tem in China.展开更多
To improve flood control efficiency and increase urban resilience to flooding,the impacts of forest type change on flood control in the upper reach of the Tingjiang River(URTR) were evaluated by a modified model based...To improve flood control efficiency and increase urban resilience to flooding,the impacts of forest type change on flood control in the upper reach of the Tingjiang River(URTR) were evaluated by a modified model based on the Soil Conservation Service curve number(SCS-CN) method. Parameters of the model were selected and determined according to the comprehensive analysis of model evaluation indexes. The first simulation of forest reconstruction scenario,namely a coniferous forest covering 59.35km^2 is replaced by a broad-leaved forest showed no significant impact on the flood reduction in the URTR. The second simulation was added with 61.75km^2 bamboo forest replaced by broad-leaved forest,the reduction of flood peak discharge and flood volume could be improved significantly. Specifically,flood peak discharge of 10-year return period event was reduced to 7-year event,and the reduction rate of small flood was 21%-28%. Moreover,the flood volume was reduced by 9%-14% and 18%-35% for moderate floods and small floods,respectively. The resultssuggest that the bamboo forest reconstruction is an effective control solution for small to moderate flood in the URTR,the effect of forest conversion on flood volume is increasingly reduced as the rainfall amount increases to more extreme magnitude. Using a hydrological model with scenarios analysis is an effective simulation approach in investigating the relationship between forest type change and flood control. This method would provide reliable support for flood control and disaster mitigation in mountainous cities.展开更多
Most cities in China have experienced dramatic changes during the systematic progress of modernization and commercialization. Rebuilding residential space into heritage preservation is popular in Chinese urban plannin...Most cities in China have experienced dramatic changes during the systematic progress of modernization and commercialization. Rebuilding residential space into heritage preservation is popular in Chinese urban planning. Yearning for modernity generates a policy of cultural protection which is transformed by the public spaces within which people carry out daily lives. However, heritage preservation in these cities is in a dilemma. On side, with the opening up, Chinese society toward modernization has been accompanied by large-scale urbanization, rapid commercialization and a booming consumerism. The Chinese capital has forced people to face the challenge of urban environment management and adaptation to a new city. The traditional streets in big cities are destroyed first and then rebuilt to turn the capital into an international metropolis. On the other side, heritage protection needs its historical roots as the authentic cultural features. To some extent, the process of urban landscaping stimulates people＇s nostalgia tie. Although it seems to be individual, it is also a link of one＇s historical memory of sentiment with the development of social construction. Hence, collective urban nostalgia that emerged through the rebuilding of heritage in urban China can promote nationalism from the governmental perspective. Further, it can also lead people face the life itself but neglect the social tensions around them. Meanwhile, rebuilding mode of Longtang also elaborates the power structure existing among state, capital, intellectuals.展开更多
By using principal component analysis, this paper selected some appropriate influencing indicators, and constructed multiple linear regression models to predict the development of energy-saving environmental protectio...By using principal component analysis, this paper selected some appropriate influencing indicators, and constructed multiple linear regression models to predict the development of energy-saving environmental protection industry（ESEPl） in Shanghai. The Influencing Factors can be categorized into comprehensive economic factors and environmental factors, and GDP of the second industries and the total industries GDP in comprehensive economic factors have the strongest correlation, while in the environmental index factors, the total discharge of waste water has the strongest correlation. On the basis of influencing factors study, the regression model shows that by the end of 2020, the industry investment will reach 89.788 billion RMB, which proves that the development of ESEPI in Shanghai would grow continuously and dramatically.展开更多
The paper investigates the determinants of capital structure in Nigerian listed insurance firms using data obtained from annual report of the sampled firms for the period of 2001-2010. It used five explanatory variabl...The paper investigates the determinants of capital structure in Nigerian listed insurance firms using data obtained from annual report of the sampled firms for the period of 2001-2010. It used five explanatory variables to measure their effects on debt ratio. Multiple regression is employed as a tool of analysis. The result reveals that all the explanatory variables have statistically and significantly influenced the explained variable. The results approve the prediction of pecking order theory in the case of profitability and trade-off theory in case of tangibility variables. The growth variable supports the agency theory hypothesis whereas size variable confirms to the asymmetry of information theory. It is therefore recommended that the management of listed insurance firms in Nigeria should always consider their positions using these capital structure determinants as important inputs before embarking on debt financing decision.展开更多
This study aims to evaluate the level of accounting conservatism when preparing financial statements by companies listed in Kuwait Stock Exchange （KSE）. In addition, the study examines the factors that affect the le...This study aims to evaluate the level of accounting conservatism when preparing financial statements by companies listed in Kuwait Stock Exchange （KSE）. In addition, the study examines the factors that affect the level of accounting conservatism in those companies with regard to company sizes, debt contracts, and the type of sector the company belongs to. To achieve these goals, the Basu （1997） model was used to measure conservatism level and the factors influencing it. The sample of the study comprises of 225 companies listed in KSE. Findings of the study showed that the KSE succeeded in forcing Kuwait companies to present a reasonable level of accounting conservatism. The study also found out that the financial statements of small companies were conservative, while those of the big ones were not. In addition, the debt contracts left an impact upon financial reports of accounting conservatism. Thus, companies with lower debts were more conservative than those of higher ones. Moreover, the financial statements of the financial sector in KSE were the most conservative.展开更多
基金Under the auspice of European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme(FP/2007-2013)/ERC(313847)‘World Seastems’National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41371140)National Social Science Foundation of China(No.16ZDA016)
文摘China's global shipping connectivity had been somewhat overlooked as the bulk of related studies predominantly focused on the throughput volume of its own port cities. This article tackles such lacunae by providing a relational perspective based on the extraction of vessel movement archives from the Lloyd's List corpus. Two complementary analyses are proposed: long-term dynamics with all ships included(1890–2008) and medium-term dynamics focusing on container flows(1978–2016). Each analysis examines China's maritime connectivity in various ways and on different spatial scales, from the global to the local, in terms of concentration, vulnerability, and expansion. The main results underline the influence of technological, economic, and political factors on the changing distribution of connectivity internally and externally. In particular, China has managed to reduce its dependence upon external transit hubs, to increase the internal connectivity of its own port system, and to strengthen its dominance towards an increasing number of foreign nodes and trade partners through the maritime network.
基金Northwestern Polytechnical University and the support of 2006 and 2007 scientific research project of Xi’an international studies university to this item
文摘Taking 248 A-share manufacturing listed companies in 2006 Shanghai Stock Exchange as example, using "index method" to measure level of environmental protection infor-mation disclosure, this paper examines the factors influencing level of environmental protection information disclosure. The findings show that the disclosure level has improved, but the overall level is still low and unable to satisfy information users; there is positive correlation between corporate size, industry type, accounting firm's type and corporate environmental dis-closure index. The companies of large scale and heavy pollu-tion and those audited by international "Big 4" and domestic "Big 10" accounting firms have a high level of environmental disclosure, while the profitability and financial leverage has no impact on the disclosure level. Finally some suggestions are put forward to establish environmental information disclosure sys-tem in China.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No.51278239)
文摘To improve flood control efficiency and increase urban resilience to flooding,the impacts of forest type change on flood control in the upper reach of the Tingjiang River(URTR) were evaluated by a modified model based on the Soil Conservation Service curve number(SCS-CN) method. Parameters of the model were selected and determined according to the comprehensive analysis of model evaluation indexes. The first simulation of forest reconstruction scenario,namely a coniferous forest covering 59.35km^2 is replaced by a broad-leaved forest showed no significant impact on the flood reduction in the URTR. The second simulation was added with 61.75km^2 bamboo forest replaced by broad-leaved forest,the reduction of flood peak discharge and flood volume could be improved significantly. Specifically,flood peak discharge of 10-year return period event was reduced to 7-year event,and the reduction rate of small flood was 21%-28%. Moreover,the flood volume was reduced by 9%-14% and 18%-35% for moderate floods and small floods,respectively. The resultssuggest that the bamboo forest reconstruction is an effective control solution for small to moderate flood in the URTR,the effect of forest conversion on flood volume is increasingly reduced as the rainfall amount increases to more extreme magnitude. Using a hydrological model with scenarios analysis is an effective simulation approach in investigating the relationship between forest type change and flood control. This method would provide reliable support for flood control and disaster mitigation in mountainous cities.
文摘Most cities in China have experienced dramatic changes during the systematic progress of modernization and commercialization. Rebuilding residential space into heritage preservation is popular in Chinese urban planning. Yearning for modernity generates a policy of cultural protection which is transformed by the public spaces within which people carry out daily lives. However, heritage preservation in these cities is in a dilemma. On side, with the opening up, Chinese society toward modernization has been accompanied by large-scale urbanization, rapid commercialization and a booming consumerism. The Chinese capital has forced people to face the challenge of urban environment management and adaptation to a new city. The traditional streets in big cities are destroyed first and then rebuilt to turn the capital into an international metropolis. On the other side, heritage protection needs its historical roots as the authentic cultural features. To some extent, the process of urban landscaping stimulates people＇s nostalgia tie. Although it seems to be individual, it is also a link of one＇s historical memory of sentiment with the development of social construction. Hence, collective urban nostalgia that emerged through the rebuilding of heritage in urban China can promote nationalism from the governmental perspective. Further, it can also lead people face the life itself but neglect the social tensions around them. Meanwhile, rebuilding mode of Longtang also elaborates the power structure existing among state, capital, intellectuals.
基金This research work was financially supported by the Shanghai Board of Education （2012-SHNGE-06ZD） , China Postdoctoral Science Foundation funded project （2013M531157） , and The Ministry of Education of Youth Fund Project of Humanities and Social Sciences Research （14YJC790152）
文摘By using principal component analysis, this paper selected some appropriate influencing indicators, and constructed multiple linear regression models to predict the development of energy-saving environmental protection industry（ESEPl） in Shanghai. The Influencing Factors can be categorized into comprehensive economic factors and environmental factors, and GDP of the second industries and the total industries GDP in comprehensive economic factors have the strongest correlation, while in the environmental index factors, the total discharge of waste water has the strongest correlation. On the basis of influencing factors study, the regression model shows that by the end of 2020, the industry investment will reach 89.788 billion RMB, which proves that the development of ESEPI in Shanghai would grow continuously and dramatically.
文摘The paper investigates the determinants of capital structure in Nigerian listed insurance firms using data obtained from annual report of the sampled firms for the period of 2001-2010. It used five explanatory variables to measure their effects on debt ratio. Multiple regression is employed as a tool of analysis. The result reveals that all the explanatory variables have statistically and significantly influenced the explained variable. The results approve the prediction of pecking order theory in the case of profitability and trade-off theory in case of tangibility variables. The growth variable supports the agency theory hypothesis whereas size variable confirms to the asymmetry of information theory. It is therefore recommended that the management of listed insurance firms in Nigeria should always consider their positions using these capital structure determinants as important inputs before embarking on debt financing decision.
文摘This study aims to evaluate the level of accounting conservatism when preparing financial statements by companies listed in Kuwait Stock Exchange （KSE）. In addition, the study examines the factors that affect the level of accounting conservatism in those companies with regard to company sizes, debt contracts, and the type of sector the company belongs to. To achieve these goals, the Basu （1997） model was used to measure conservatism level and the factors influencing it. The sample of the study comprises of 225 companies listed in KSE. Findings of the study showed that the KSE succeeded in forcing Kuwait companies to present a reasonable level of accounting conservatism. The study also found out that the financial statements of small companies were conservative, while those of the big ones were not. In addition, the debt contracts left an impact upon financial reports of accounting conservatism. Thus, companies with lower debts were more conservative than those of higher ones. Moreover, the financial statements of the financial sector in KSE were the most conservative.
