The regulatory challenge of occupational safety and health in the online platform economy

The online platform economy raises a range of intricate legal questions connected to labour law and social security protection. In particular, the atypical forms of labour relationships used by many online platforms (e.g. multilateral, hyper‐temporary, off‐site, autonomous), often contractually defined as independent contracting, have challenged the application of labour and occupational health and safety law in many countries across the world, as the application of these norms tends to be dependent on the existence of an “employment relationship”. These developments are compounding the general increase in atypical employment, especially as a result of the 2007–08 financial and economic crisis. It has mostly fallen to courts to resolve the disputes between online platforms and their online platform workers, but some European Union (EU) Member States (such as France) have taken specific legal measures in response to these difficulties. Also, the EU‐level as such is becoming increasingly involved, with the Court of Justice’s ruling in the case of Uber providing some guidance on the “employment question”, and a pending legislative initiative on a Directive for Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions which may provide minimum labour protection for online platform workers in the EU. This article analyzes the problem of labour law in the online platform economy and surveys the various responses by courts and policy‐makers across the EU, which may furthermore set the tone for developments outside the EU in this area.     

Models Comparison for Step-Stress Accelerated Life Testing

In this article, four basic models for step-stress accelerated life testing are introduced and compared: cumulative exposure model (CEM), linear cumulative exposure model (LCEM), tampered random variable model (TRVM), and tampered failure rate model (TFRM). Limitations of the four models are also introduced for better use of the models.     

并行工程环境下基于PDM和CAPP系统信息集成技术

PDM、CAx技术在现代制造领域中得到了迅速的发展．本文提出了并行工程环境下以产品结构树为核心面向对象的工艺信息模型，阐述了基于PDM的并行工艺设计模式及CAPP系统信息集成技术．     

论中国企业集团化经营与扩张中的风险防范与管理(上)

进行集团化经营与扩张是中国企业持续成长并走向成熟的必然进程,然而这一进程中充满风险和陷阱.这些风险包括多样化经营中的风险;政策优惠中的风险;成长机制上的风险;管理能力上的风险;资产评估与审计中的风险;投融资中的风险;购并上市公司中的财务风险;资本经营中的风险;经营环境中的风险;国际化经营中的风险.由于对此认识不清,使许多企业陷入灾难.现在已到了重视企业集团化经营中的风险问题的时候了.     

论中国企业集团多样化经营与扩张中的风险防范与管理(下)

多样化经营是企业实现集团化经营的一条重要途径。然而这一进程充满许多认识上的误区和风险 将多样化经营视为降低风险的法宝；过于速信规模，以为上规模就必须多样化；急于求成；四面出击，唯"利"是 图；多样化经营产业趋同化。防范这些风险的主要对策有强化主导产业，培养核心竞争力；走集约型和低成本扩张的多样化经营道路；适时退出极限产业；创造良好的宏观环境等。