Industrial Restructuring Research Articles

产业结构调整下新能源专业人才培养与产业需求研究

Against the background of industrial structure adjustment, this paper analyses the interactive relationship between the training of new energy professionals and industrial demand and proposes innovative strategies for training new energy professionals to meet the needs of industrial development. The analysis reveals that industrial restructuring has led to a steadily increasing overall demand for talent in the new energy sector, accompanied by a growing need for diversified talent structures, shortages of high-skilled and innovative professionals, a strong emphasis on the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, and an emergent requirement for interdisciplinary and cross-boundary talent. To address these industry demands, it is essential to focus on several measures: establishing a scientifically grounded system of talent cultivation objectives, adopting a deep integration model of school-enterprise cooperation, creating flexible and open dynamic training mechanisms, forming an operational framework that continuously monitors industrial frontiers and strengthens industry-university collaboration, building a rigorous and scientific talent quality assessment system, and reinforcing the professionalization of the faculty. These measures collectively aim to develop effective strategies that enhance the quality of talent cultivation in new energy specialties and ensure its alignment with industry requirements.

Digital Intelligence Enables Silicon Carbide Supply Chain Upgrade

From the perspective of supply chain management, the silicon carbide supply chain currently exists in the technical force is low, the development situation is poor, as well as the traditional silicon-based devices still occupy the relevant areas of the market, silicon carbide in addition to the urgent need for breakthroughs in the field of technology, due to the adjustment and transformation of the industrial structure as well as the upstream production capacity expansion makes the silicon carbide industry is also faced with the lack of supply chain management capabilities and the backwardness of the management structure. This is also the core element that this paper will focus on. The research theme of this paper is how to complete the transformation and upgrading of the silicon carbide supply chain through the role of digital intelligence, to effectively increase the production capacity of silicon carbide and change the current production dilemma. To this end, this paper focuses on the feasibility of solving the existing problems of the silicon carbide supply chain by upgrading the supply chain empowered by Digital Intelligence. The results of this paper are based on the successful reform experience of the steel industry, through management restructuring, supply chain expansion, industry chain extension, improving industrial technology, manufacturing to service transformation, and the combination of digital intelligence technology for industrial restructuring, to increase the production capacity of the silicon carbide industry.

How does the impact of a two-stage air pollution control policy on air quality different? Evidence from 258 cities in China

Air pollution control has become a core task in the construction of China's “ecological civilization”. From 2013 to 2020, the Chinese government successively implemented two consecutive environmental management policies targeting air pollution, namely the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) and the Blue Sky Defense War (BSDW). To compare and analyze the effects of these two consecutive policies on air pollution control and their differences in governance mechanisms, this paper employs daily air pollution data from 258 cities in China from January 2013 to September 2020 for empirical analysis. We examines the direct impact of the two-stage policies on air pollution and explores the impact mechanisms from three aspects: technological effects, structural effects, and scale effects. The results indicate: (1) Both APPCAP and BSDW significantly reduced AQI, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, nitrogen dioxide, and CO. (2) Compared to APPCAP, BSDW had a stronger effect on reducing nitrogen dioxide and managed O3 in coordination. (3) APPCAP did not have significant impacts on technology, scale, and structure effects, whereas BSDW significantly promoted technological innovation and industrial restructuring but significantly suppressed the scale effect. Our work provides new empirical evidence for the policy heterogeneity in air pollution control and offers useful policy implications for improving air quality and coordinated pollution control.

Labor intensity as a strategic KPI for evaluating the efficiency of coal mines

In the face of the growing demands of the modern economy, 21st-century technology, and the challenges of Industry 4.0, the classical management of mining enterprises is not sufficient, and it is transforming into a process approach to the organization. The usage of the process management concept creates a situation for improving the organization at many levels, both at the strategy and operational levels. This provides an opportunity for a comprehensive view of the organization, but it is necessary to define indicators that determine the flexibility of operations, the achievement of profitability, and effective operational management. These indicators, called key performance indicators, focus on crucial aspects of the organization's activity that are fundamental to its current and future success. The contribution goal of the presented paper is to propose a new index for assessing the efficiency of coal mines, called the labor intensity index. The proposal is based on a previous three-area strategic analysis, including production indicators of coal mining companies, the state of coal mining in Poland, and economic factors affecting the current situation of the Polish coal mining industry. The analysis covered the period from 1988 to 2020. The use of new KPIs to assess performance in process terms is necessary to develop better new strategies for mining companies. It is particularly important in light of the industry's restructuring plans to restructure the mining industry and the far-reaching vision of decarbonizing the Polish energy sector.

A comparative study on the combination of life cycle assessment and ecological footprints: solar photovoltaic power generation vs. coal power generation in Ningxia

In China, where energy activities, predominantly driven by fossil fuel combustion, account for nearly 90% of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and coal power alone contributes over 40%, the shift towards carbon neutrality is a critical national ambition. This study conducts a comprehensive comparison of the environmental impacts of solar photovoltaic power generation (SPPG) and coal power, employing both life cycle assessment and ecological footprint analysis. We meticulously analyze the complete lifecycle of SPPG, pinpointing key stages of GHG emissions, and offer nuanced, localized policy recommendations. Our findings indicate that a 1 kWp SPPG module emits 1,601.18 kg of GHGs over its lifespan, equating to 1.35 kg/kW·h per unit of electricity produced—substantially lower than the 4.81 kg/kW·h emitted by coal power, thus highlighting the latter’s heightened environmental detriment. Additionally, this study assesses the ecological footprint of both energy sources in Ningxia. SPPG emerges with an ecological surplus, showcasing a per capita footprint of 0.0342 hm2, compatible with Ningxia’s ecological capacity. In stark contrast, coal power exhibits a sustained ecological deficit over the past 5 years, with a growing per capita footprint of 0.6529 hm2, underscoring its unsustainability. This research provides a detailed comparative analysis of the environmental impacts of SPPG and coal power in Ningxia, offering valuable insights for energy policymakers and industry stakeholders. It underscores the urgent need for industrial restructuring towards more sustainable and renewable energy sources, aligning with China’s broader objectives of environmental preservation and achieving carbon neutrality.

Nonlinear effects of climate change on tourism development: evidence from China

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to have a deeper understanding of the nonlinear relationship between the impact of climate change on tourism development. Current studies on the effects of climate change on tourism development primarily rely on linear correlation assumptions.Design/methodology/approachBased on the New Institutional Economics theory, the institutional setting inherently motivates and ensures the growth of the tourism industry. For a precise evaluation of the nonlinear consequences of climate change on tourism, this paper concentrates on Chinese cities between 2011 and 2021, methodically analyzing the influence of climate change on tourism.FindingsThe study findings suggest that there is an “inverse U”-shaped nonlinear relationship between climate change and tourism development, initially strengthening and subsequently weakening. Based on these findings, the research further delves into how institutional contexts shape the nonlinear association between climate change and tourism growth. It was found that in a higher institutional backdrop, the “inverse U” curve tends to flatten and surpass the curve adjusted for a lesser institutional context. Upon deeper mechanism analysis, it was observed that cities with more advanced marketization, improved industrial restructuring and enhanced educational growth exhibit a more evident “inverse U”-shaped nonlinear connection between climate change and tourism evolution.Originality/valueFirst, previous studies on climate change and tourism development largely rely on questionnaire data (Hu et al., 2022). In contrast to these studies, this paper uses dynamic panel data, which to some extent overcomes the subjectivity and difficulty of causality identification in questionnaire data, making our research conclusions more accurate and reliable. Second, this study breaks through the linear relationship hypothesis of previous literature regarding climate change and tourism development. By evaluating the nonlinear relationship of climate change to tourism development from the institutional pressure perspective, it more intricately delineates their interplay mechanism, expanding and supplementing the research literature on the relationship mechanism between climate change and tourism development. Thirdly, the conclusions of this study are beneficial for policymakers to better understand and assess the scope of climate change impacts. It also aids relevant departments in clarifying the direction of institutional environment optimization to elevate the level of tourism development when faced with adverse impacts brought about by climate change.

Can low-carbon city pilot policies improve urban energy efficiency? evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China

In the context of global efforts to alleviate climate change, this study focuses on investigating the significance and impact of low-carbon city pilot policies (LCCPP), a key strategy in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Drawing on data from prefecture-level cities spanning 2004 to 2019, the study explores the potential of LCCPP in enhancing green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE) employing a multitemporal Difference-in-Differences (DID) model and examines its transmission mechanisms. First, LCCPP is shown to be effective in enhancing GTFEE. Second, heterogeneity testing indicates that the impact of LCCPP on GTFEE is more pronounced in “two control zones”, namely, in developing and mature resource cities. Third, industrial restructuring is identified as the key mechanism through which LCCPP influences GTFEE.

The Effects of Vertical Separation and Competition: Evidence from US Electric Utility Restructuring

Competition usually increases firm productivity; but in network industries, effective competition requires vertical separation, which might reduce productivity and lead to a potential trade-off. We analyze the combined effect of competition and vertical separation on inefficient costs for US electricity industry restructuring. We estimate firm-level inefficiencies with the use of different nonparametric models of the technology and calculate net benefits with the use of difference-in-differences. The results depend on how we model the production technology and the length of the post-treatment horizon. The more flexible is the production frontier, the greater is the net benefit from divestiture and competition. Across our models the combined effect of divestiture and competition is positive.

Green innovation and eco-efficiency: Interaction between society and environment of sustainable development demonstration belt in China

China has achieved remarkable results in sustainable development, particularly in integrating green innovation to enhance eco-efficiency. But why choose green innovation as the driver for urban eco-efficiency? How did it do? Based on ecological civilization demonstration zone in China (Yangtze River Economic Belt) city data from 2006 to 2019. This research developed comprehensive evaluation systems to measure both urban green innovation and ecoefficiency, making use of the SBM model with undesired output to gauge ecological efficiency of urban areas. On this basis, we extended analysis by applying a baseline regression model and a Spatial Durbin model to delve into the mechanisms of green innovation affects eco-efficiency. The results are as follows. (1) green innovation and urban eco-efficiency showed fluctuating upward trends but that regional heterogeneity existed among the three regions. Specifically, the lower reaches outperform in green innovation, closely followed by the middle and upper reaches. Concurrently, the eco-efficiency levels of the middle reaches surpass those of the lower and upper reaches. (2) Our findings confirmed that green innovation promotes eco-efficiency by pursuing economic growth while reducing externalities. Furthermore, green innovation and eco-efficiency exhibit a positive spatial correlation and benefits neighboring city’s’ eco-efficiency, revealing spatial spillover effect. (3) Technological progress and industrial restructuring, driven by green innovation practices, emerge as pivotal drivers for the improvement in eco-efficiency. The study's insights provide valuable guidance to policymakers and stakeholders seeking to leverage green innovation practices to promote long-term and healthy urban development.

Ulikhet, marginalisering og politikk: erfaringer fra russiske monobyer

This paper addresses inequality and marginality in Russia through an urban lens. Mono-industrial cities, in short “monotowns”, are attractive locations for this research because of the legacy of city-building enterprises, industrial reconstruction, and crisis. Approaching experiences of people, whose voices are rarely heard in studies of (pre-war) Russia, the paper addresses two interconnected questions: How do people in monotowns describe experiences with marginality in the everyday? What does marginality mean for politics and societal development in Russia at war? The empirical analysis draws on experiences from three monotowns, Tolyatti, Nikel, and Zapolyarny. Interviews were conducted in the period 2019–2022. The analysis illustrates subjective experiences with urban transformation and includes reflections on industrial restructuring, downsizing, and precarity, as well as civic activism, entrepreneurship, and self-employment. Across these experiences, narratives of marginality and decay emerge, which complement research on political economic change in Russia with perspectives on a new social periphery. This development in monotows is situated in context of the global financial crisis 2008 and the annexation of Crimea in 2014. In conclusion, the experiences are about subjects living through the “transit” and endless “collapse” of the previous system. A final discussion addresses the risk marginality entails for political legitimacy in Russia.

Is there a secular decline in disruptive patents? Correcting for measurement bias

Despite tremendous growth in the volume of new scientific and technological knowledge, the popular press has recently raised concerns that disruptive innovation is slowing. These dire prognoses were driven in part by Park et al. (2023), a Nature publication that uses decades of data and millions of observations coupled with a novel quantitative metric (the CD index) that characterizes innovation in science and technology as either consolidating or disruptive. We challenge the (Park et al., 2023) patent findings, principally around concerns of truncation bias and exclusion bias. We show that 88 percent of the decrease in the average CD index over 1980–2010 reported by the authors can be explained by their truncation of all backward patent citations before 1976. We also show that this truncation bias varies by technology class. We further account for a change in U.S. patent law that allows for citations to patent applications in addition to patent grants—something ignored by the authors in their analysis—and update the analysis to 2016. We show that the number of highly disruptive patents has increased since 1980—particularly since 2008. Our results suggest caution in using the (Park et al., 2023) patent findings and conclusions as a basis for research and decision-making in public policy, industry restructuring or firm reorganization aimed at altering the current innovation landscape.

Advancing nuanced pollution control: Local improvements and spatial spillovers of policies on key enterprises

This paper examines the impact of air pollution control policies targeting key polluting enterprises, highlighting a strategic shift towards precision pollution control that concentrates on high-emission, high-risk businesses. The paper explores the efficacy of these policies and their potential spatial spillover effects, utilizing panel data from 259 Chinese cities from 2013 to 2021. Employing the difference-in-differences (DID) model and spatial Durbin model, the study analyzes both the direct local effects and the broader spatial consequences of these regulatory measures on air quality. The findings indicate a significant reduction in air pollutant concentrations in urban areas, attributing this improvement to factors such as industrial restructuring, increased investment in science and technology, and economic growth. Spatial econometric analysis further reveals a substantial positive correlation in air quality among Chinese cities. However, estimates of the spillover effect indicate that while such policies successfully reduce pollution locally, they could unintentionally degrade air quality in adjacent areas. The study highlights the need for nuanced policy strategies to mitigate unintended spatial spillovers and enhance overall effectiveness. It recommends tailored policies that integrate environmental and socioeconomic objectives, national and regional coordination for consistent enforcement, technology-driven compliance strategies, and incentives for sustainable enterprise practices.

CO2 synergistic emission reduction and health benefits of PM2.5 reaching WHO-III level in Pearl River Delta

Protecting human health is one of the fundamental goals of continuous air quality improvement. Considering the same sources of CO2 and air pollutants emissions, their emission control measures often have a certain degree of synergistic emission reduction effects To balance the costs and policy efficiency, policy makers should assess the synergistic benefits of CO2 emission reduction when formulating air quality improvement strategies. Aimed at the air quality improvement strategy targeting WHO-III level (i.e. 15 μg/m3) for PM2.5 in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, this study evaluates the synergistic CO2 reduction effects and the associated health benefits from this strategy which includes a range of air pollution prevention and control measures. The results of the study show that promoting the attainment of WHO-III for PM2.5 in the PRD region can bring about 74 Mt of synergistic CO2 emission reduction, resulting in an 18% reduction of CO2 emissions in the PRD compared to 2017. Among various measures considered, industrial restructuring, power supply transition and industrial energy consumption transformation exhibit the most pronounced synergistic effects. Therefore, these measures are recommended to be prioritized and promoted in the next stage of air pollution prevention and CO2 emission reduction. Furthermore, when the PM2.5 concentration in the PRD region reaches the WHO-III level, the number of PM2.5-related deaths will be estimated to reduce approximately 5.5 thousand compared to that in the current policy scenario. Through continuous structural transformation and emission reduction efforts, it not only facilitates the decline in regional PM2.5 concentration but also helps more regional residents to live in an environment with a relatively low PM2.5 concentration. In addition, in order to reduce the health impacts of PM2.5, it is recommended that the government should guide people to change their production and living styles in order to reduce pollutant emissions from anthropogenic activities.

The negative impacts of the restructuring of the abattoir industry in Great Britain on small abattoirs

This study examines the reasons why between 1979 and 2020 the number of abattoirs licenced to slaughter red blood livestock species in Great Britain fell from 1146 to 200, average throughput per abattoir increased, larger abattoirs specialised in the species slaughtered, and family owned abattoirs have been replaced by international companies owning multiple slaughterhouses and food processing factories. The study combines abattoir sector survey data with findings from a national survey of small abattoirs. Larger abattoirs have exploited economies of size and location to achieve the throughput necessary to supply multiple retailers and/or wholesale markets. Smaller abattoirs have exploited economies of scope to develop the bespoke butchering services needed to supply private kill customers. The high rate of closure of smaller abattoirs suggests the future of small-scale, locally based supply chains in which private kill services supply is threatened. The recently introduced Small Abattoir Fund offers grants towards the purchase of new equipment which will offer some relief. But smaller abattoirs must support their private kill customers by organising collection points for onward transport of livestock to the abattoir and local redistribution centres for meat and carcases.

How Does Industrial Intellectualization Affect Energy Intensity? Evidence from China

Since the 21st century, as the digital economy has flourished and the Fourth Industrial Revolution has deepened, emerging technologies have exerted a significant influence on social development, leading to the rapid informatization and digitalization of society. Therefore, in the digital age, industrial intellectualization and energy intensity may interact. In this study, an industrial intelligent system is constructed considering three aspects, and the relationship is explored between industrial intellectualization and energy intensity from 2006 to 2018 in China. Industrial intellectualization can effectively improve energy efficiency and thus restrain energy intensity with a significant lag effect. In addition, China’s energy intensity is highly spatially autocorrelated and spatially agglomerated. The negative spatial spillover effect of industrial intellectualization on energy intensity is also of concern. Finally, the nonlinear effects of industrial intellectualization on energy intensity are comprehensively analyzed under different levels of economic growth, technological progress, industrial restructuring, educational progress, financial development, and environmental regulation.

Economic Crises in Recent World History: Analysis of Causes and Assessment of Consequences

The study «Economic Crises in History: Analysis and Consequences» provides a comprehensive overview of significant economic crises spanning different periods and regions of world history. The work extensively examines the following events: the Great Depression (1929–1933), the Asian Financial Crisis (1997), the Financial Crisis of 2008, the Eurozone Debt Crisis (2010–2012), the Crisis in Russia (1998), and the Oil Crisis of the 1970s.Each crisis is analyzed in terms of its causes, characteristics, impact on the economy and society, as well as measures taken to overcome its consequences. The study emphasizes the role of crises in correcting imbalances, stimulating innovations, and restructuring industries. Specific figures, such as unemployment rates, GDP contractions, changes in financial markets, and other economic indicators, are discussed within the context of each crisis.In the conclusion of the study, it is underscored that despite their complexity and negative consequences, crises can serve as catalysts for change, fostering structural reforms, improving efficiency, and contributing to the development of a resilient economy in the long term.

Predictive modeling of carbon emissions in Jiangsu Province's construction industry: An MEA-BP approach

Understanding and predicting carbon emissions in the construction industry is crucial for sustainable development planning. In this study, we employed the GM(1,1) model and the Mind Evolution Algorithm (MEA) to optimize the BP neural network model and forecast carbon emissions in Jiangsu Province from 2022 to 2026. Using data related to energy consumption and building material usage in the Jiangsu construction industry from 1995 to 2021, we estimated carbon emissions using the life cycle assessment method and IPCC carbon emission coefficient method. Additionally, we utilized the STIRPAT model and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to select and reduce important variables, identifying three principal components. Subsequently, the MEA-BP model was employed to provide detailed forecasts of carbon emissions over the next five years, revealing a declining trend in carbon emissions from the construction industry. The study thoroughly analyzed the direct and indirect impacts of population growth, economic development, and industrial restructuring on carbon emissions, proposing targeted policy recommendations including sustainable urban planning and green building design. Future research could enhance the applicability and accuracy of the model by expanding the dataset and considering more uncertainty factors. This research offers valuable insights into the trends and influencing factors of carbon emissions in the construction industry of Jiangsu Province, providing guidance for policymakers and future research directions.

Unlocking the carbon emission efficiency improvement path of technological innovation: a perspective on industrial restructuring and R&D element flows.

Technological innovation is regarded as an important means to improve carbon efficiency. However, there is no consensus on this view. Meanwhile, few studies have considered how technological innovation affects carbon efficiency. To this end, this study investigates the influencing mechanism and effects of technological innovation on carbon emission efficiency from the perspectives of industrial restructuring and R&D element flow. It establishes the influencing and mechanism model and then deeply studies the impact and paths of technological innovation on carbon emission efficiency, using panel data from 30 provinces in 1999-2020. Results show that (1) technological innovation improves carbon emission efficiency. (2) Regional differences in the impact effects of technological innovation are evident, with a greater contribution to carbon emission efficiency in eastern region. (3) Innovation improves carbon efficiency through two paths: advanced industrial structure and industrial structure rationalization. (4) The moderating effect demonstrates that the technological innovation's influence is gradually enhanced with the interregional mobility of R&D personnel and capital. Hence, decision-makers should correctly guide the orderly flow of R&D factors and further improve the carbon emission reduction effect by increasing innovation support and helping optimize the industrial structure.

Climate action now: Energy industry restructuring to accelerate the renewable energy transition

This empirical research investigates energy industry restructuring to accelerate the renewable energy transition. Moving away from fossil fuel reliance is critical for mitigating the climate emergency, reducing harmful pollution, and realizing many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This research combines economic and sustainability arguments to clarify government policy direction for restructuring toward a green transition. Findings show that more renewable energy innovation, reflected in patent counts, supports higher GDP. Moreover, pollution taxes facilitate renewable energy innovation, working together to effectively contribute to GDP. Also, government and industry support for fossil fuel industries negatively affects a country's renewable energy innovation. Thus, the theory and analysis of this work suggest that a robust economy is related to industry restructuring so that renewable energy innovation can thrive. Fostering novel scientific discoveries in clean energy innovation should be prioritized while reducing uncompetitive industry formations and organizations such as fossil fuel oligopolies and industry associations.

Empirical analysis of factors influencing industrial eco-efficiency in the Yellow River Basin from a social embeddedness perspective

Measuring industrial eco-efficiency (IEE) is essential to improve environmental quality and industrial restructuring. However, most studies ignore the influence of embeddedness on industrial eco-efficiency and lack analysis of the pathways of influence factors. Therefore, this study assesses industrial eco-efficiency in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) using a super-efficiency model slacks-based measure (Super-SBM) that considers non-desired outputs, outlines the social embeddedness of IEE, and empirically analyzes the driving mechanism of IEE from the perspective of embeddedness by constructing hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to address the pathways of action of the influencing factors of industrial eco-efficiency. The results showed that 50.79% of the overall differences in IEE in the YRB were caused by social embeddedness. Economic development level, industrial agglomeration, and environmental regulation (ER) are significant direct influencing factors. Increasing cognitive and cultural embeddedness will enhance the positive relationship between economic development level and IEE. Political and relational embeddedness significantly moderates the positive relationship between industrial agglomeration and eco-efficiency. Cultural embeddedness can significantly and directly affect industrial eco-efficiency and weaken the positive relationship between ERs and industrial eco-efficiency. Therefore, improving IEE should consider both fundamental and embedded factors. Our findings are conducive to promoting high-quality development in the YRB and support the government in formulating differentiated policies. In addition, this paper tries to establish an empirical analysis method suitable for social embeddedness theory, and the empirical results help to improve the situation due to the lack of empirical analysis of social embeddedness theory.