This paper proposes a novel approach to cope with the multi-criteria group decision-making problems. We give the pairwise comparisons based on the best-worst-method (BWM), which can decrease comparison times. Additionally, our comparison results are determined with the positive and negative aspects. In order to deal with the decision matrices effectively, we consider the elimination and choice translation reality (ELECTRE III) method under the intuitionistic multiplicative preference relations environment. The ELECTRE III method is designed for a double-automatic system. Under a certain limitation, without bothering the decision-makers to reevaluate the alternatives, this system can adjust some special elements that have the most influence on the group’s satisfaction degree. Moreover, the proposed method is suitable for both the intuitionistic multiplicative preference relation and the interval valued fuzzy preference relations through the transformation formula. An illustrative example is followed to demonstrate the rationality and availability of the novel method.

Globally, acceptance among the general public of waste-to-energy (WtE) incinerators is a crucial factor in implementing national waste-to-energy policies. This study aims to shed light on the acceptance of WtE incinerators, with a focus on anti-incinerator sentiment and the influence and interactions of place-, trust-, and fairness-based factors, with a case study in China. A total of 338 residents in the Asuwei area in North Beijing completed a survey on a proposed WtE incinerator in the vicinity. Hierarchical regression analyses indicate that place attachment positively enhances anti-incinerator sentiment through direct effects, as well as moderation and mediation effects between risk perception and opposing willingness. Furthermore, institutional trust negatively moderates the impact of perceived risk on anti-incinerator sentiment, in addition to directly reducing perceived risk. Trust also influences anti-incinerator sentiment via risk perception, attesting to the effectiveness of a casual model of trust. Likewise, fairness perception acts as another determinant of opposing sentiment, similarly to trust. These findings demonstrate the importance of using a range of instrumental and more effective strategies to promote the acceptance of renewable energy infrastructure.

Efficient utilization of human resources is an important force for the sustainable development of society and the economy. Against the backdrop of the development of economic globalization, the Chinese Government is presently implementing the strategy of “Strengthening the Nation with Talent” to assist the exploitation and management of human resources. Overseas talents have recently become an important resource. How to scientifically evaluate and classify overseas talents has become an important research topic, and it is necessary to seek a systematic decision aid. This paper introduces a novel methodology to evaluate and classify overseas talents in China under the intuitionistic relations environment. Firstly, we determine the weighted values of decision makers and criteria through defining geometry consistency. Secondly, we construct a non-linear Best-Worst-Method (BWM) model with intuitionistic preference relations. A highlight of this BWM model for intuitionistic relations is taking both positive and negative aspects into consideration, which is different from the original BWM. Finally, the proposed methodology is applied to an illustrative example of overseas talent evaluation, indicating the simultaneous efficiency and practicability of the method.

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is reported to be disappearing rapidly. Collaboration among different persons is critical to the preservation of ICH inheritance. Previous studies have focused mainly on the inheritance of ICH from the individual perspective, while ignoring the perspective of multi-subject collaboration. For this study, we developed and applied an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) to examine the effectiveness of the intentions and behaviors of public participation in the inheritance of ICH during the collaboration process in the inheritance of Regong art in Qinghai Province, China. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the strength of relationships among constructs, and a questionnaire (completed by 351 residents) was used to collect data. The results show that this extended theory of planned behavior can be applied in the evaluation of the collaboration process in the inheritance of ICH. We also introduce a novel construct to the TPB, ‘shared religious beliefs’, defined as uniformity of religion within a social group (in this case, an ethnic minority group), that is, a mono-religious community. Our results show that this construct has a significantly positive effect on collaboration intention among the general public.

It has been established that culture can contribute to the sustainable development of a country and the world. In China, cultural demands are increasing while cultural resources are relatively scarce. Therefore, this paper evaluates the efficiency of public cultural services in China from 2013 to 2017 and analyzes the major factors affecting this efficiency based on the panel data of 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions (hereafter referred to as “provinces”) in mainland China. The super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was adopted. The results show that the efficiency of the public cultural services in each province is significantly different, and the overall efficiency shows a downward trend from 2013 to 2017. The gross domestic product per capita, the education level of the residents, fiscal decentralization, and population density significantly impact public culture service efficiency. Based on these results, the following policy recommendations are proposed: (1) Optimize the input structure of public cultural services and adjust the service direction to satisfy the emerging needs for a more diversified and personalized public with economic development and the improvement of education level; (2) adjust the allocation of public cultural resources nationwide and facilitate the flow of public cultural resources from developed to underdeveloped areas; and (3) provide local governments with higher fiscal autonomy and appropriately introduce the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to utilize private capital.

In recent years; financing difficulties have been obsessed small and medium enterprises (SMEs); especially emerging SMEs. Inter-members’ joint financing within a supply chain is one of solutions for SMEs. How about members’ joint financing of inter-supply chains? In order to answer the question, we firstly employ the Stackelberg game to propose three kinds of financing decision models of two cash-constrained supply chains with complementary products. Secondly, we analyze qualitatively these models and find the joint financing decision of the two supply chains is the most optimal one. Lastly, we conduct some numerical simulations not only to illustrate above results but also to find that the larger are cross-price sensitivity coefficients; the higher is the motivation for participants to make joint financing decisions; and the more are profits for them to gain.