A Complex Network Method in Criticality Evaluation of Air Quality Standards

Yongchang Wei, Lei Chen, Yu Qi, Can Wang, Fei Li, Haorong Wang and Fangyu Chen
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Yongchang Wei: School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
Lei Chen: School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
Yu Qi: School of Public Finance and Taxation, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
Can Wang: School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
Fei Li: Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
Haorong Wang: School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
Fangyu Chen: School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: In recent years, poor air quality has brought serious threats to public health and sustainable development. The air quality standard is an effective prerequisite to ensure the quality of the air. The citation relationships between air quality standards at a certain time point, which reflect technological development and knowledge transition, form a complex network. In this study, an integrated multi-criteria decision making method is proposed to measure the criticality of standards based on a dynamic citation network model. In particular, the Entropy Weight (EW) method is used to set the weights of each node measurement to avoid subjectiveness, while the TOPSIS method is employed to measure the criticality for each air quality standard. A case study based on the data of 444 of China’s national air quality standards reveals that the complex network method facilitates the identification of critical standards effectively. In addition, we found that there exist some structural problems in China’s air quality standard system: the connectivity between standards is insufficient; critical standards are lacking; and the critical standards change over time following the issue of national policies. Finally, policy suggestions are recommended on strengthening inter-standard citation, attaching importance to the revision of critical standards, and the dynamics of critical standards.

Keywords: air quality standard; dynamic citation network; entropy weight method; TOPSIS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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