Abstract: This study, using Shanghai, China as a case study, provides a comprehensive literature review of the relationships between strategic leadership, Employee Empowerment Dynamics (EEDC), operational capabilities, and sustainable performance of SMEs. Drawing on strategic leadership theory and the dynamic capabilities perspective, this review integrates existing knowledge from multiple academic databases to construct a comprehensive conceptual framework. The literature indicates that in the resource-constrained environment of SMEs, strategic leadership is a key prerequisite for capability development. Employee Empowerment Dynamics Capabilities (EEDC) is a unique mechanism by which strategic leaders influence organizational performance, enabling firms to perceive, grasp, and reallocate resources to respond to environmental changes. Operational capabilities are considered complementary processes supporting daily efficiency and sustainable development activities. This review identifies significant research gaps, particularly insufficient attention to the contextual factors influencing these relationships in the Chinese urban business environment, and the unclear interaction between Employee Empowerment Dynamics Capabilities (EEDC) and operational capabilities in driving sustainable performance. By integrating these concepts, this paper constructs a unified framework, making a theoretical contribution to the literature on SMEs leadership and sustainable development, while also providing practical insights for managers and policymakers supporting SME development in Shanghai's dynamic economic environment. Read More

Abstract: Governments issuing consumer subsidies often falls prey to clever frauds that mostly work due to information imbalance left after you buy and get your hands on a thing. Bad guys do “phantom returns”, when they buy something subsidized and then claim the government’s money as a return, but don’t really send it back using fake shipping, so stores get their subsidy for nothing and can still sell the real stuff. This paper examines in detail the effect that if we were to adopt an actual working credible return information system, on such systemic scam of Government subsidy. Using the characteristics that cannot be changed, were scattered around, and could transparently see things by means of distributed ledger technology, we integrated e-commerce platforms, 3PLs, government auditors all under one roof into a cryptographic consortium network. In this article I make comparison from the recent pilots which has been researched and proved by using the data of the introduction on intelligent contract –automatic verification will greatly increase detection, prevention, and punishment of fraud. When there were less of the financial leaks there would be a lesser amount of time to do an audit, instead of after something has been found it is now during: In the end, it gives out very important theoretical framework and useful policy suggestions for government agencies wanting to make public financial stimulation projects both more economic efficient and administratively sound by using modern crypto technology in strategic ways. Read More

Abstract: This study examined the service quality and client satisfaction of public hospitals in Beijing using the Donabedian Structure–Process–Outcome (SPO) Model as the guiding framework and the SERVQUAL dimensions as operational indicators. A quantitative descriptive–correlational design was employed, with patients from selected public hospitals serving as respondents. Results revealed that structural aspects of service quality were rated high, reflecting the success of hospital modernization and technological investments. However, process dimensions such as responsiveness and empathy scored only moderate, indicating challenges in interpersonal communication, waiting time management, and patient-centered care. Outcome measures showed moderate to high satisfaction, especially in communication and trust, but highlighted weaknesses in coordination and shared decision-making. Overall, findings confirm that while Beijing’s public hospitals have achieved strong structural modernization, process optimization remains incomplete. The study concludes that aligning structure, process, and outcome dimensions is essential to achieve sustainable service excellence and improve patient-centered outcomes. Read More

Abstract: Against the macro-background of China's efforts to promote a green and low-carbon economic and social transformation and implement the dual carbon goals, green finance has emerged as a core pathway to support low-carbon development. This paper reviews the current state of research on green bonds, analyzes the challenges in their value assessment work, and integrates domestic and international research findings with market practices. It explores optimized pathways for green bond valuation and provides an outlook on future development trends. The aim is to refine the theoretical framework for green bond assessment and promote the healthy and sustainable growth of China's green finance market. Read More

Abstract: With the global emphasis on ESG, the concept of "Environment (E) - Society (S) - Corporate Governance (G)" has also entered people's vision and been widely used, mainly to describe a company's specific practices in environmental protection, social responsibility, corporate governance, and other aspects. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has shown strong performance in data analysis, deep learning, and automated analysis, bringing new possibilities and development directions to ESG. This article explores the application of AI in promoting ESG from the perspective of environmental management, social management, and enterprise management. It also discusses the main obstacles that need to be addressed, such as data availability, technical complexity, and supervision boundaries. Based on this, it proposes future development trends such as cross application of technology, standardization construction, and management mode transformation. It can be foreseen that AI technology empowering ESG will promote enterprises to achieve a value restructuring process from passive responsibility to active pursuit of sustainability, but there must be corresponding governance systems to ensure the responsible and inclusive use of these technologies. Read More

Abstract: Global industrial chains are shifting toward nearshoring, digitalization, decarbonization, and enhanced resilience, driven by geopolitical, technological, environmental, and pandemic-related factors. This is both a pressure and a new opportunity for China's foreign trade. On the basis of analyzing the main directions of global industrial chain reconstruction, this article focuses on discussing the foreign trade opportunities it holds, including localized supply chain supporting industries, digital supply chain technology and services, low-carbon and environmentally friendly product and service exports, specialized vertical markets, and cross-border service industries. At the same time, based on the actual situation of China's foreign trade enterprises, the author also provides specific and feasible strategic ideas from the perspectives of market positioning, supply chain coordination, digital transformation, brand marketing, risk compliance, etc., aiming to help enterprises find new opportunities and build new competitiveness in the changing situation, and contribute to the high-quality and sustainable development of China's foreign trade. Read More

Abstract: This paper systematically reviews the development status of environmental clauses in global and Chinese regional trade agreements (RTAs). At the global level, RTA environmental provisions have shown an evolutionary trend from decentralized distribution to the establishment of independent environmental chapters, and from principled provisions to legally binding provisions. China has signed 23 free trade agreements, covering various forms of environmental provisions, but there are still few agreements with special environmental chapters, and the enforcement of laws needs to be improved. Based on the current situation, this paper puts forward three enlightenments: first, take the initiative to lead and participate in the negotiation and upgrading of high-standard RTA environmental clauses; second, actively benchmark international rules and optimize the institutional environment of the domestic service industry; The third is to strategically deepen and expand the RTA network, giving priority to promoting "South-South cooperation" and rule docking with developing countries. Read More

Abstract: As one of the most iconic genres in Western art music, symphonic music has evolved through pivotal historical periods including the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modernist eras. This study chronologically traces its development from the embryonic form of Italian opera overtures, through the foundational and maturation phases of the Viennese Classical School, to the emotional expansion and diverse evolution of national music schools during the Romantic period, culminating in the stylistic fragmentation of the 20th century. The analysis focuses on the creative characteristics and formal innovations of representative composers across historical stages, revealing how symphonic music has continuously assimilated new aesthetic concepts and techniques while preserving fundamental structural principles, ultimately evolving into a "sound universe" that embodies humanity's spiritual aspirations. Read More

Abstract: China's dual-carbon strategy calls for all cities to formulate carbon peaking action plans, yet the academic literature overwhelmingly focuses on megacities and core economic centers, leaving the low-carbon transition challenges facing non-core, underdeveloped cities underexplored. This paper addresses this gap by examining Nanchong, a populous yet economically peripheral prefecture-level city in the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Zone (CCEZ), as an in-depth case study. Drawing on Gerschenkron's latecomer advantage theory and the comparative advantage framework, and using publicly available statistical data, government policy documents, and secondary literature, we construct a systematic comparison between Nanchong and the CCEZ's twin core cities (Chengdu and Chongqing) across six analytical dimensions: economic structure, carbon emission profile, energy endowment, industrial innovation capacity, green finance accessibility, and human capital. Our analysis reveals that non-core cities face a distinctive "low-carbon development trilemma" — the simultaneous pressure to industrialize, urbanize, and decarbonize — which core cities have largely resolved sequentially. However, we identify four differentiated low-carbon pathways available to Nanchong that leverage its latecomer status: (1) leapfrogging through new-energy commercial vehicle manufacturing; (2) exploiting natural gas resource endowments for a transitional "grey-to-blue-to-green" hydrogen strategy; (3) green upgrading of the traditional silk industry chain through eco-certification and cultural branding; and (4) utilizing near-zero-carbon industrial park pilots as institutional innovation platforms. We argue that non-core cities need not replicate the carbon-intensive industrialization trajectory of core cities but can pursue "curve-bending" strategies that compress the time between economic take-off and emission peaking. The findings carry implications for similar non-core cities across China's western urban … Read More

Abstract: This study examines whether public participation-based environmental regulation promotes urban green innovation in China. Using a city-level panel of 2,488 observations for 2013–2021, the paper estimates two-way fixed-effects and dynamic specifications in which green innovation is measured by ln (green patent grants + 1) and the core explanatory variable is the one- to three-year lagged average of the logged public-participation indicator. The preferred dynamic model yields a positive and statistically significant coefficient of 0.1083, suggesting that stronger public participation is associated with higher green patent output after controlling for city effects, year effects, and innovation persistence. Mechanism tests indicate that the environmental-governance channel is better supported than the government-response channel. The positive association is also stronger in cities with higher openness and larger environmental expenditure shares. Overall, the evidence suggests that public participation can complement formal environmental governance by strengthening monitoring and improving the credibility of green upgrading, although the identification remains observational rather than quasi-experimental. Read More

Abstract: Against the backdrop of global energy green and low-carbon transition and the "Dual Carbon" target, PNG, as a low-carbon clean energy source, has become increasingly prominent in the global energy consumption market. Research on the global PNG trade network contributes to an in-depth understanding of the current PNG trade pattern, clarifies China’s position in the global PNG system, and provides strategic support for China’s PNG supply security and energy security. This study employs social network analysis to classify countries involved in the global PNG trade into different communities. It investigates the agglomeration degree of supply and receiving stations within the same community and the formation mechanism of communities, and analyzes the community characteristics where China is located. The current situation of China’s PNG import trade is examined from two dimensions: trade dependence index and import channels. The results demonstrate that: Firstly, community analysis reveals that geographical proximity constitutes the dominant factor influencing the global PNG trade. China acts as a leader in the Asia-Pacific community and holds a leading position in imports. Nevertheless, potential risks including geopolitical tensions, price volatility, and transportation security warrant vigilance. Secondly, the analysis of PMI and import channels indicates that China’s PNG imports maintain a steady growth trend, and the structure of import channels is gradually moving toward diversification. Accordingly, policy recommendations are proposed to stabilize China’s PNG supply and enhance the security capacity of national energy supply by adhering to the dual principles of expanding supply sources and controlling demand. Read More

Abstract: Driven by economic globalization and digitalization, the cross-border e-commerce industry has developed rapidly. As an industry benchmark, Alibaba's international tax planning practices hold significant research value. This paper takes Alibaba as the subject to analyze the implementation paths, core elements, existing challenges, and legal basis of its tax planning. The research finds that Alibaba achieves tax optimization and improved cash flow by establishing subsidiaries in low-tax jurisdictions, building multi-tiered equity structures, employing transfer pricing and cost-sharing strategies, and fully leveraging tax incentives. Its approach is centered on legal compliance, business-tax synergy, and data informatization, while also facing challenges such as disagreements over tax residency determination. Relevant experiences can serve as a reference for cross-border e-commerce enterprises undertaking international tax planning. Read More

Abstract: To identify the most suitable oilfield development strategy for maximizing energy supply or economic returns, optimization of oilfield development remains one of the most critical challenges in closed-loop reservoir management. In recent decades, with the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, intelligent optimization algorithms have been increasingly applied to improve the efficiency and accuracy of optimization outcomes in oilfield development. This paper provides a comprehensive review of intelligent optimization algorithms applied to oilfield development optimization problems. It covers several key topics within this domain, ranging from the fundamental components of such problems—decision variables, objective functions, and constraints—to various algorithmic approaches developed from different perspectives and for different types of optimization problems. Read More

Abstract: Scientifically assessing social-ecological system resilience (SESR) in national parks in alpine-arid regions is crucial for to balancing ecological conservation with sustainable development. As a vital ecological security barrier and a sensitive zone for human-nature coupling in western China, the Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP) necessitates a systematic research of its SESR trends and driver factors. Based on the social-ecological system (SES) framework, this study constructed a multi-criteria indicator system encompassing social, economic, and ecological dimensions. Employing the CRITIC method, three-dimensional Kernel Density Estimation, and the Obstacle Degree Model, we analyzed the temporal evolution, spatial differentiation, and key obstacle factors of SESR in QMNP from 2010 to 2024. The results show that: (1) The comprehensive social-ecological system resilience index (SESRI) of QMNP steadily increased from 0.3645 to 0.4308 from 2010 to 2024, exhibiting a consistent upward trajectory. (2) The spatial pattern evolved from an initially low-level homogeneity to a pronounced "high-west, low-east" differentiation, featuring a high-resilience cluster in the northwest driven and a resilience-lagging zone in the southeast con-strained."(3) Population density, per capita GDP, and net primary productivity (NPP) persisted as the core obstacle factors inhibiting the enhancement of SESR. This study provides a scientific basis and decision-making reference for hierarchical adaptive management and the optimization of sustainable development pathways for national parks in alpine and arid regions. Read More

Abstract: In the context of Industry 4.0, collaborative robots, as a key enabler of intelligent manufacturing, are increasingly being introduced into assembly environments, forming a novel human–robot collaborative paradigm with workers. This study focuses on the optimal allocation of human–robot collaborative assembly tasks in two-sided assembly line scenarios. A systematic investigation is conducted on assembly line balancing modeling methods incorporating both physical and cognitive workload evaluation mechanisms. On this basis, a multi-objective optimization model is developed with production cycle time, cost, working time, and workload balance as the primary objectives. Furthermore, the conventional Migrating Birds Optimization (MBO) algorithm is extended to a multi-objective framework and enhanced with adaptive improvement strategies to improve solution effectiveness and distribution. The results provide theoretical support and methodological insights for developing human-centric and efficiency-oriented collaborative production systems. Read More

Abstract: This paper examines contract choice and pricing decisions in a dual-channel supply chain where a manufacturer sells products through both online direct sales and influencer live-streaming. We develop two Stackelberg game models—a pure commission contract and a commission-plus-service-fee contract—and derive equilibrium solutions via backward induction. We analyze how streamer influence, channel spillover effects, and service fee intensity shape channel pricing, streamer marketing effort, and supply chain profitability. Results show that stronger streamer influence significantly raises channel prices and streamer marketing effort. The commission-plus-service-fee contract outperforms the pure commission contract in motivating streamer effort and lifting channel prices, yet the service fee has an optimal range: an excessively high service fee reduces total supply chain profit. A positive channel spillover effect enhances the profits of all supply chain members and improves system performance. These findings offer theoretical and practical insights for contract design, pricing, and coordinated operations in live-stream e-commerce supply chains. Read More

Abstract: With intensifying market competition and rising logistics costs, warehouse layout optimization has become a critical factor for manufacturing enterprises to improve operational efficiency. This paper takes the finished goods warehouse of Company K, a garment manufacturer, as its research subject. Addressing issues such as low operational efficiency, circuitous handling routes, and insufficient equipment utilization, the study proposes a warehouse layout optimization method that integrates System Layout Planning (SLP) with Flexsim simulation. The study first analyzed the operational processes and current status of functional zones in the finished goods warehouse through on-site research, clarifying the interrelationships between logistics and non-logistics factors. Second, the SLP method was employed to quantitatively assess the logistics intensity and non-logistics associations between functional zones, establishing a comprehensive relationship analysis model to generate two optimized layout schemes. Finally, a three-dimensional dynamic model was constructed using the Flexsim simulation platform to compare and validate the original and optimized layouts across four dimensions: handling distance, logistics throughput, equipment utilization, and operation cycle. Simulation results indicate that the optimized Scheme 2 demonstrates significant improvements over the original scheme across key metrics: total handling distance was reduced by 25.2%, outbound volume per unit time increased by 20.3%, forklift utilization decreased by 21.8%, and overall operational efficiency improved by 21.8%. This study not only provides Company K with a practical warehouse optimization solution but also offers a methodological reference for warehouse layout optimization in similar manufacturing enterprises, validating the practical value of combining SLP with discrete-event simulation in the field of facility planning. Read More