Contract complexity and trust in construction project subcontracting

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to unpack the “black box” of the relationship between contract and inter-organizational trust, both theoretically and empirically. Two mediators, namely perceived safeguard and restriction, are identified to build up two seemingly contrary possible paths between contract and trust from current literature. Both paths are tested in the context of Chinese construction industry due to our access to sample.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 295 contractor-subcontractor relationships from Chinese construction industry was conducted. A three-step multiple regression model was employed to test the mediating effect of perceived safeguard and restriction. Then, a hierarchical regression model was used to test the possible moderating effect of bilateral transaction-specific investment.FindingsThe empirical results support the mediating effect of perceived safeguard between contract and trust in the construction subcontracting industry. Bilateral transaction-specific investments enhance the positive effect of contract on safeguard perception.Originality/valueTheoretically, this study contributes to governance literature by opening up the “black box” of the relationship between contract and trust. It provides a better understanding of how and when contract complexity impacts trust, instead of simply focusing on whether contract and trust act as complements or substitutes. Practically, this study provides guidelines for construction firms to decide the degree of contract complexity under various degrees of bilateral transaction-specific investments to enhance the other party’s trust, so as to improve performance outcomes.

Frequency Regulation of Renewable Energy Integrated Deregulated Power System using Novel Optimization Scheme

The proposed work deals with the automatic generation control of a two area system under deregulated power environment. The two area system considered for analysis implements the integration of renewables into it. The system model consists of a solar thermal plant and a reheat thermal plant in area 1. The reheat thermal plant is replaced with the nuclear power plant in area 2. So the second area consists of a nuclear plant and a solar thermal plant for study. This work also deals with the application of a new controller namely the Tilted Integral Derivative controller as a secondary controller for minimizing the Area control Error (ACE) and bring it to zero. This work also proposes the implementation of a novel optimization techniqueDragonfly algorithm (DA) technique. The superiority of DA tuned TID controller was established in terms of settling time, maximum overshoot and minimum undershoot. The behaviour of the DA tuned TID controller is also tested in the new model for two different market scenarios namely the base case and the bilateral transaction. The dynamic system performance parameters are evaluated and noted. The robustness of the proposed DA tuned controller is effectively established

Dialogue between doctor and patient: modern realities

The purpose of the scientific article – to clarify the current state of communication dyad «doctor – patient». On the basis of these in-depth interviews with doctors to show the realities occurring in the relationship between the doctor and the patient about the unity and harmony, mutual claims, trust in the choice of treatment, awareness of mutual responsibility. Questions of professional competence of the doctor, social and psychological contact between doctors and patients are raised. The average characteristics of a modern patient and a modern doctor are proposed. The most common social and psychological problems that negatively affect the process of communication between the doctor and the patient are listed. Discussed on the theme of social portrait of the «ideal» patient. The current views on the modern realities of domestic medicine and health care are discussed. The main errors in the behavior of a typical patient at a doctor’s appointment are indicated. It is established that in the media and literature the issue of compliance with ethical standards, principles and rules of responsible behavior at the doctor’s appointment is not given due attention. It is emphasized that the modern patient should know that in addition to the rights, there are legally prescribed obligations that should be followed. It is emphasized that there is a need to establish the boundaries of patient responsibility and responsibility of health workers. It is specified that in the conditions of change of views on health protection from the principle of administrative and legal positions on civil, medical care began to be called medical service which from the point of view of the civil law is understood as the compensated bilateral transaction granting the parties equal rights, duties and responsibility. It is generalized that the negative attitude to the state medicine is more forced and maintained artificially. It is summarized that in the relations between doctors and patients, a public request for a new partner model of their interaction has long been formed.

Distribution Factor Method Modified for Determine of Load Contribute based on the Power Factor in Transmission Line

<p>This paper proposes a modification of distribution factor methods for identifying the load contribute in a transmission open access, with regard to the load power factor. This method may be considered as the first pricing strategy to be proposed in bilateral transaction for transmission usage, based on the actual use of the transmission network. The merit of this method relies on the existence of a load power factor with GLDF methods, which allocate the transmission cost, not only based on the amount of power flow but also on the load characteristic. A case study utilizing the IEEE 30-bus system was conducted to illustrate the contribution of the proposed method in allocating the transmission usage to the user in a fair manner.</p>

A Novel Shapley Solution for Power System Loss Allocation Under Hybrid Transaction Modes

The allocation of power system loss under hybrid transmission modes was investigated. First, a concept and method for converting a bilateral transaction into its two equivalents pool transactions were proposed. Then, a model based on Shapley value was designed to allocate the power system loss in the framework of equivalent pool transactions. The Shapley solution in cooperative game theory was employed to allocate the power system loss to each load pool transaction that includes the equivalent ones. The proposed method is applicable for electricity markets containing pool and bilateral transactions. It satisfies electric circuit laws and provides economic signals to users. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by the IEEE 5-bus test system.

There is no Such Thing as a Sham Trust

The Court of Appeal decision in Official Assignee v Wilson is the leading New Zealand case on "sham trusts". Obiter, O'Regan and Robertson JJ held that for a sham trust to exist, the settlor and trustee must have a common intention to not create a trust. Post-Wilson, debate continues over the precise elements that render a trust a sham. The Law Commission suggested that the sham doctrine, as a means of analysing the validity of an express trust, may not be the best approach. A better starting point would be a return to the certainty of intention requirement. In arguing that the Law Commission's recommendation is correct, this article will discuss three legal issues: whether an express trust is a unilateral or bilateral transaction; whether the excluded evidence has always been part of the objective intention requirement; and whether the legislative and policy factors have made foreign trust law distinct from New Zealand trust law. Finally, this article will expand on the test proposed by the Law Commission.