Karim Farghaly, William Collinge, Mojgan Hadi Mosleh, Patrick Manu and Clara Man Cheung
With the rapid development of digital information and modelling software applications for construction, questions have arisen about their impact on construction safety. Meanwhile…
Abstract
Purpose
With the rapid development of digital information and modelling software applications for construction, questions have arisen about their impact on construction safety. Meanwhile, recognition that designers can help reduce risks involved in construction, operation and maintenance via a prevention through design (PtD) approach (also known as design for safety) highlights the significance of digital technologies and tools to PtD. Thus, this paper aims to provide a systematic review of a wide range of digital technologies for enhancing PtD.
Design/methodology/approach
A five-stage systematic literature review with coding and synthesis of findings is presented. The review covers journal articles published between 2000 and 2020 related to the applications of various digital technologies, such as building information modelling (BIM), 4D, databases, ontologies, serious games, virtual reality and augmented reality, for addressing safety issues during the design phase in construction.
Findings
Analysis of the articles yielded a categorisation of the digital applications for PtD into four main areas: knowledge-based systems; automatic rule checking; hazard visualization; and safety training for designers. The review also highlighted designers’ limited knowledge towards construction safety and the possibility to address this by using gaming environments for educating designers on safety management and using artificial intelligence for predicting hazards and risks during design stage in a BIM environment. Additionally, the review proposes other directions for future research to enhance the use of digital technologies for PtD.
Originality/value
This paper contextualises current digital technology applications for construction health and safety and enables future directions of research in the field to be identified and mapped out.
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Bryan Pieterse, Kofi Agyekum, Patrick Manu, Saeed Reza Mohandes, Clara Cheung and Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo
Major maintenance projects are often regarded as maintenance activities regardless of the projects' complexity and scale. Consequently, very scarce research attention has hitherto…
Abstract
Purpose
Major maintenance projects are often regarded as maintenance activities regardless of the projects' complexity and scale. Consequently, very scarce research attention has hitherto been paid to the critical skills required when undertaking these projects. More specifically, the body of relevant knowledge is deprived of a study focusing on maintenance projects within the energy sector. In view of this shortcoming, this research aims to examine the critical project management (PM) skills required to deliver major maintenance projects within the energy sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a quantitative research strategy, this study addressed the knowledge gap through a cross-sectional survey of professionals involved in the delivery of major maintenance projects in the United Kingdom's (UK) energy sector. Data obtained were analyzed via descriptive (e.g. frequencies, mean and standard deviation [SD]) and inferential statistical analyses (One sample t-test and exploratory factor analysis (EFA)).
Findings
Out of the 45 PM skills identified in the literature and examined by the respondents, the results obtained from the One sample t-test (based on p (1-tailed) = 0.05) showed that 37 were considered to be at least “important,” accounting for 80.4% of all the skills identified. EFA revealed a clustering of the PM skills items into seven components: “skills related to work scheduling and coordination”; “communication, risk, safety and stakeholder management skills”; “quality assurance skills”; “people management skills”; “skills related to forecasting scope and duration of outage”; “implementation of processes and time management skills” and “technical/engineering skills and experience pertaining to the outage and local site knowledge.”
Originality/value
This study has identified and contributed to the limited state-of-the-art skills project managers must possess to manage major maintenance projects in the energy sector successfully. The findings would be useful to organizations within the energy sector in ensuring that the organizations have suitable personnel in place to deliver major maintenance projects on the organizations' assets.
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Cherry W.M. Cheung, Caleb Kwong, Humera Manzoor, Mehboob Ur Rashid, Charan Bhattarai and Young-Ah Kim
Although scholars have investigated how social entrepreneurs create and develop social enterprises in the penurious stable environment, how they are created in the penurious…
Abstract
Purpose
Although scholars have investigated how social entrepreneurs create and develop social enterprises in the penurious stable environment, how they are created in the penurious unstable environment has yet been overlooked. The purpose of this paper is to address this research gap by exploring how internally displaced individuals, despite the lack of resources, create and develop a social enterprise to serve the other displaced population in the war and conflict zones.
Design/methodology/approach
Underpinned by a biographical research design, in-depth interviews with internally displaced individuals who have created social enterprises in the war and conflict zones were undertaken. Three social entrepreneurs were chosen for this study from three different social enterprises that are created by internally displaced individuals to serve the other internally displaced people of three different countries, namely, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Syria.
Findings
The single and cross-case analysis found that internally displaced individuals deploy bricolage strategy, for example, reconfiguration of pre-existing resources and competencies (both internal and external), to start up a social venture in the war and conflict zones. They utilise pre-existing internal resources, mainly human capital, and external resources, through a frugal approach towards resources acquisitions. The authors also found that the displaced social entrepreneurs utilise resources of other displaced individuals, for example, networks, volunteers, local knowledge and financial supports mainly from older arrivals, and develop their own enterprise ecosystem within the host location to co-create and co-develop social enterprise and social values for all of them.
Research limitations/implications
The findings show that internally displaced individuals utilise bricolage strategies to create and develop socially entrepreneurial venture to serve other internally displaced individuals in the war and conflict zones. As the findings are based on three case studies, for confirmatory approach, a quantitative study with a large sample size is necessary. Furthermore, as the differences in economic, cultural and linguistic in between the home and host locations can have impact on the creation and the development of a social venture, they should be considered in the future studies.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the limited literature and studies on social entrepreneurship, specifically, to the context of unstable penurious environment. It also contributes to the literature on bricolage by extending its application from penurious stable environment to the penurious unstable environment. By exploring what and how internal and external resources are utilised to create and develop a socially entrepreneurial venture in a war and conflict zones, this study has added value to the literature on not only bricolage but also entrepreneurship in war and conflict zones.
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Mostafa Monzur Hasan and Adrian (Wai Kong) Cheung
This paper aims to investigate how organization capital influences different forms of corporate risk. It also explores how the relationship between organization capital and risks…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate how organization capital influences different forms of corporate risk. It also explores how the relationship between organization capital and risks varies in the cross-section of firms.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the hypothesis, this study employs the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model using a large sample of the United States (US) data over the 1981–2019 period. It also uses an instrumental variable approach and an errors-in-variables panel regression approach to mitigate endogeneity problems.
Findings
The empirical results show that organization capital is positively related to both idiosyncratic risk and total risk but negatively related to systematic risk. The cross-sectional analysis shows that the positive relationship between organization capital and idiosyncratic risk is significantly more pronounced for the subsample of firms with high information asymmetry and human capital. Moreover, the negative relationship between organization capital and systematic risk is significantly more pronounced for firms with greater efficiency and firms facing higher industry- and economy-wide risks.
Practical implications
The findings have important implications for investors and policymakers. For example, since organization capital increases idiosyncratic risk and total risk but reduces systematic risk, investors should take organization capital into account in portfolio formation and risk management. Moreover, the findings lend support to the argument on the recognition of intangible assets in financial statements. In particular, the study suggests that standard-setting bodies should consider corporate reporting frameworks to incorporate the disclosure of intangible assets into financial statements, particularly given the recent surge of corporate intangible assets and their critical impact on corporate risks.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to adopt a large sample to provide systematic evidence on the relationship between organization capital and a wide range of risks at the firm level. The authors show that the effect of organization capital on firm risks differs remarkably depending on the kind of firm risk a particular risk measure captures. This study thus makes an original contribution to resolving competing views on the effect of organization capital on firm risks.
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Clara Cubillas-Para, Juan Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro and Eva Tomaseti-Solano
The intangible nature of tourism means that variables such as destination image (DIM) or intention to recommend (IR) are crucial for tourists, as they are reliable sources of…
Abstract
Purpose
The intangible nature of tourism means that variables such as destination image (DIM) or intention to recommend (IR) are crucial for tourists, as they are reliable sources of information. However, since these are dynamic variables, they have been affected by Covid-19 and need to be updated. Based on the above, the purpose of this study is to examine how the unlearning (UL) process helps tourists to become aware of the new situation, relinquish old habits and relearn, thus, influencing DIM and the IR destinations. Furthermore, the relationship between DIM and IR is analysed.
Design/methodology/approach
To analyse the proposed model, an empirical analysis was carried out through an online survey obtaining a valid sample of 457 Spanish domestic travellers. The data were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
Results show a positive effect between the UL outcomes and IR a destination, as well as a mediator effect of DIM on this relationship.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study analyses for the first time UL in the tourism sector as an individual process carried out by tourists and shows how it influences their decision-making process.
Objetivo
La naturaleza intangible del turismo hace que variables como la imagen del destino o la intención de recomendarlo sean decisivas para los turistas, al considerarlas fuentes de información fiables. Dado su carácter dinámico, estas variables se han visto afectadas por la pandemia del Covid-19 y necesitan ser actualizadas. En base a lo anterior, el objetivo de este estudio es analizar cómo el proceso de desaprendizaje ayuda a los turistas a ser conscientes de la nueva situación, a abandonar los viejos hábitos y a reaprender, influyendo así en la imagen del destino y en la intención de recomendarlos. Asimismo, se analiza la relación entre la imagen del destino y la intención de recomendarlo.
Metodología
Para analizar el modelo propuesto se llevó a cabo un estudio empírico basado en una encuesta online, obteniendo una muestra válida de 457 viajeros nacionales españoles. Los datos se han analizado mediante PLS-SEM.
Resultados
Los resultados del estudio muestran un efecto positivo entre los resultados del desaprendizaje y la intención de recomendar destinos, así como un efecto mediador de la imagen de destino en esta relación.
Originalidad
Este estudio analiza por primera vez el desaprendizaje en el sector turístico como un proceso individual llevado a cabo por turistas y muestra cómo influye en el proceso de toma de decisiones de estos.
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Clara Koetz and John Daniel Tankersley
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of a subculture of consumption organized toward a nostalgic brand on a social media platform. More specifically, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of a subculture of consumption organized toward a nostalgic brand on a social media platform. More specifically, the authors examine the role of these nostalgic feelings in the development of a community identity and the benefits they promote in the creation and perpetuation of this group.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a netnographic study to examine the case of Caloi 10 on Facebook. The data collection was carried out by following interactions among members of this community for seven months. Besides this, field observations and interviews were also considered in the analysis.
Findings
Four categories emerged from the analysis: Identity and nostalgia, the subculture’s ethos, consumption habits and hierarchical social structure. Nostalgia was shown to have a collective dimension, connecting the group around the brand, and positively affecting the ties between members and members and the brand.
Practical implications
On-line brand communities can be promoted to strengthen connections between consumers and a brand, and between consumers with each other. For that, it is important to understand the characteristics and specificities of these groups.
Originality/value
Few studies have dealt with the characteristics of brand communities in social media, as well as the role of nostalgia in these groups. This research fills these gaps, exploring aspects related to consumption as a way of transmitting symbolic meanings and expressing nostalgic feelings in on-line brand communities.
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Research in corporate settings has demonstrated the importance of leaders seeking feedback on such dimensions as credibility, effectiveness, engagement, and productivity. This…
Abstract
Research in corporate settings has demonstrated the importance of leaders seeking feedback on such dimensions as credibility, effectiveness, engagement, and productivity. This study looked at feedback seeking behavior by student leaders. Explored were the extent to which feedback-seeking impacted how people felt when working with leaders, and how feedback-seeking might be influenced by age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, leadership experiences, and skill levels. Using an archival database, the sample included responses from 91,561 student leaders and observations from 365,747 of their peers. Few substantive differences were found on the basis of demographics, while those with more leadership experiences and skills reported the highest frequency of feedback-seeking behavior. Engagement levels were positively related to the frequency to which leaders sought feedback from others. Implications for future research and suggestions for the development of student leaders are provided.
Hoi Ching Cheung, Yan Yin Marco Lo, Dickson K.W. Chiu and Elaine W.S. Kong
This study examines academic librarians' perceptions and attitudes toward Internet of Things (IoT) applications in Hong Kong academic libraries and the problems and possible…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines academic librarians' perceptions and attitudes toward Internet of Things (IoT) applications in Hong Kong academic libraries and the problems and possible improvements in using IoT technologies to strengthen library services.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative research used video conferencing software for semi-structured, one-on-one interviews. Participants were given introductory material about the IoT and asked to complete an interview. The data were analyzed using inductive theme clustering for this study.
Findings
The analysis identified three themes: perception about applying IoT technology to the library, problems and improvements in using IoT. Participants were generally optimistic about the potential benefits of IoT for improving library operations and providing personalized services. However, they also expressed concerns about privacy and security, errors and extra efforts for information literacy training. They suggested improvements such as incorporating facial recognition technology, advanced RFID technology and collections identification technology to enhance user experience.
Originality/value
Most studies examined users' views rather than librarians' on IoT applications, which few studies cover, especially in East Asia.
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The purpose of this study was to examine how national culture might impact both how leaders behave as well as their effectiveness as leaders.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine how national culture might impact both how leaders behave as well as their effectiveness as leaders.
Design/methodology/approach
Healthcare leaders and their constituents in Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines were surveyed about their leadership behaviors and their effectiveness. Analyses both across and within countries from self and constituent perspectives were conducted.
Findings
Leadership practices varied across countries but within the countries their impact was the same. Within each country the more frequently leaders used these leadership practices the more effective they were viewed by their constituents, and the more favorable were their own workplace attitudes.
Research limitations/implications
The study involved a cross‐section of leaders who may not be representative of organizational managers, did not have direct reports, were from a specialized field, and utilized a single conceptual framework and scale. Future studies should expand the conceptual framework and measurement tools, as well as extend the investigation to other organizational samples and nations.
Practical implications
Important leadership behaviors can be identified for effective leadership across various national or cultural boundaries. Leadership development efforts may be better directed toward building skills common to leaders rather than targeting differences within national boundaries.
Originality/value
This study provides understanding into how leaders behave around the globe, and documents that how they behave makes a difference to their constituents and impacts their own workplace attitudes. It demonstrates that there are some “universal” leadership processes and provides guidance for those responsible for developing the global (cross‐cultural) competencies of leaders.
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Mira R. Bhat, Junfeng Jiao and Amin Azimian
This study aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on housing price within four major metropolitan areas in Texas: Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. The analysis intends to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on housing price within four major metropolitan areas in Texas: Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. The analysis intends to understand economic and mobility drivers behind the housing market under the inclusion of fixed and random effects.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a linear mixed effects model to assess the socioeconomic and housing and transport-related factors contributing to median home prices in four major cities in Texas and to capture unobserved factors operating at spatial and temporal level during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Findings
The regression results indicated that an increase in new COVID-19 cases resulted in an increase in housing price. Additionally, housing price had a significant and negative relationship with the following variables: business cycle index, mortgage rate, percent of single-family homes, population density and foot traffic. Interestingly, unemployment claims did not have a significant impact on housing price, contrary to previous COVID-19 housing market related literature.
Originality/value
Previous literature analyzed the housing market within the first phase of COVID-19, whereas this study analyzed the effects of the COVID-19 throughout the entirety of 2020. The mixed model includes spatial and temporal analyses as well as provides insight into how quantitative-based mobility behavior impacted housing price, rather than relying on qualitative indicators such as shutdown order implementation.