Search results
1 – 10 of 449Hong Zhou, Li Zhou, Binwei Gao, Wen Huang, Wenlu Huang, Jian Zuo and Xianbo Zhao
The number of construction dispute cases has surged in recent years. The effective exploration and management of risks associated with construction contracts helps to directly…
Abstract
Purpose
The number of construction dispute cases has surged in recent years. The effective exploration and management of risks associated with construction contracts helps to directly enhance the overall project performance. The existing approaches to identify the risks associated with construction project contracts have a heavy reliance on manual review techniques, which are inefficient and highly restricted by personnel experience. The existing intelligent approaches only work for the contract query and storage. Hence, it is necessary to improve the intelligence level for contract risk management. This study aims to propose a novel method for the intelligent identification of risks in construction contract clauses based on natural language processing.
Design/methodology/approach
This proposed method can formalize the linguistic logic and semantic information of contract clauses into multiple triples and transform the structural processing results of general clauses in a construction contract into rights and interests rules for risk review. In addition, the core semantic information of special clauses in a construction contract, rights and interests rules are used for semantic conflict detection. Finally, this study achieves the intelligent risk identification of construction contract clauses.
Findings
The method is verified by selecting several construction contracts that had been applied in engineering contracting as a corpus. The results showed a high level of accuracy and applicability of the proposed method.
Originality/value
This novel method can identify the risks in contract clauses with complex syntactic structures and realize rule extension according to the semantic relation network of the ontology. It can support efficient contract review and assist the decision-making process in contract risk management.
Details
Keywords
Binbin Su, Xianghe Zou, Zhaoxiang Wang and Lirong Huang
Inspired by the high-friction performance of the soft toe pads of tree frogs, this study aims to investigate the effect of elastic deformation on the lubrication properties of…
Abstract
Purpose
Inspired by the high-friction performance of the soft toe pads of tree frogs, this study aims to investigate the effect of elastic deformation on the lubrication properties of squeezing films inside soft tribocontacts with microstructured surface under wet conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
A one-dimensional hydrodynamic extrusion model was used to study the film lubrication characteristics of conformal contact. The lubrication characteristics of the extruded film, including load-carrying capacity, liquid flow and surface elastic deformation, were obtained through the simultaneously iterative solution of the fluid-governing and deformation equations.
Findings
The results show that the hydrodynamic pressure is approximating parabolically and symmetrically distributed in the contact area, and the peak value appears in the center of the extrusion surface. Elastic deformation increases the thickness of the liquid film, weakens the bearing capacity and homogenizes the liquid flow rate of inside soft friction contact. The magnitude of this effect greatly increases as the initial liquid film thickness decreases. Moreover, the elastic deformation directly affects the average film thickness of the extrusion contact. Narrow and shallow microchannels are found to result in a more prominent elastic deformation on the microstructured soft surface.
Originality/value
These results present a design for soft tribocontacts suitable for submerged or wet environments involving high friction, such as wiper blades, in situ flexible electrons and underwater robots.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-02-2024-0049/
Details
Keywords
Tanyatip Kharuhayothin, Weerapong Kitiwong and Warunya Chaitarin
This study leverages an integrated framework that uses the theory of planned behavior (TPB), risk perception and sustainable behavior to investigate the COVID-19 risk perception…
Abstract
Purpose
This study leverages an integrated framework that uses the theory of planned behavior (TPB), risk perception and sustainable behavior to investigate the COVID-19 risk perception of a potentially powerful consumer group – generation Z – on decisions to participate in the domestic tourism stimulus campaign and their willingness to practice socially responsible behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. The study adopts partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine the data with the final sample of 422 generation Z in Thailand.
Findings
The COVID-19 perceived risk positively affects attitudes, perceived behavioral control and the intention to join domestic tourism campaign, affecting the desire to engage in sustainable behaviors when traveling. Attitude and perceived behavioral control mediated risk perception and the decision to join the campaign. Unlike other studies, generation Z is conscious of the situation but is not risk-averse to travel.
Practical implications
The study offers recommendations (and domestic tourism campaign's features) for government agencies and tourism partitioners, especially developing tourism destinations, to effectively launch domestic tourism campaigns to target generation Z during and after post-pandemic crises.
Originality/value
This study contributes to our limited understanding of generation Z's travel behaviors. It contributes to the extended use of TPB, risk perception and socially responsible conduct of such a specific generation. It is one of the first studies integrating the COVID-19 risk perception of generation Z and their intention to utilize the stimulus campaign.
Details
Keywords
Tom Baum, Deirdre Curran, Anastasios Hadjisolomou, Olga Gjerald, Tone Therese Linge, Kate Inyoung Yoo and Anke Winchenbach
Tourism and hospitality employment have long faced widely recognised challenges with regard to employment, its workforce and the workplace environment, issues that have been…
Abstract
Tourism and hospitality employment have long faced widely recognised challenges with regard to employment, its workforce and the workplace environment, issues that have been addressed by generations of policymakers and practitioners without evident success or solution. These wicked problems are frequently characterised by inherent paradoxes and, therefore, accepting the tenets of paradox theory provides the basis for recognising the need to accept contradictions as a reality which a search for solutions will not resolve. This chapter presents six examples of wicked problems in tourism and hospitality employment, which are underpinned by paradoxes as proxies for the much wider range of intractable problems that beset policy-making and practice in this vital area of tourism and hospitality. The chapter concludes by suggesting ways in which wicked problems can be accommodated, and stakeholders can learn to understand and live with paradoxes.
Details
Keywords
Qiuying Chen, Ronghui Liu, Qingquan Jiang and Shangyue Xu
Tourists with different cultural backgrounds think and behave differently. Accurately capturing and correctly understanding cultural differences will help tourist destinations in…
Abstract
Purpose
Tourists with different cultural backgrounds think and behave differently. Accurately capturing and correctly understanding cultural differences will help tourist destinations in product/service planning, marketing communication and attracting and retaining tourists. This research employs Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory to analyse the variations in destination image perceptions of Chinese-speaking and English-speaking tourists to Xiamen, a prominent tourist attraction in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The evaluation utilizes a two-stage approach, incorporating LDA and BERT-BILSTM models. By leveraging text mining, sentiment analysis and t-tests, this research investigates the variations in tourists' perceptions of Xiamen across different cultures.
Findings
The results reveal that cultural disparities significantly impact tourists' perceived image of Xiamen, particularly regarding their preferences for renowned tourist destinations and the factors influencing their travel experience.
Originality/value
This research pioneers applying natural language processing methods and machine learning techniques to affirm the substantial differences in the perceptions of tourist destinations among Chinese-speaking and English-speaking tourists based on Hofstede's cultural theory. The findings furnish theoretical insights for destination marketing organizations to target diverse cultural tourists through precise marketing strategies and illuminate the practical application of Hofstede's cultural theory in tourism and hospitality.
Details
Keywords
Hu Meng, Xinran Xu and Tianyue Tian
The purpose of this paper is to explore the influential mechanism of consumer behaviour and identity towards Neo-Chinese fashion from the perspectives of cultural identity and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the influential mechanism of consumer behaviour and identity towards Neo-Chinese fashion from the perspectives of cultural identity and emotional self-regulation mechanism.
Design/methodology/approach
Through empirical methods such as questionnaire surveys and regression analysis, nine hypotheses were proposed and tested based on 253 valid samples.
Findings
The results indicate that perceived value has a significant positive impact on pride emotion, anxiety emotion and cultural identity, respectively. Cultural pride (anxiety) emotion also has a significant positive (negative) impact on identity. The study also finds that anxiety emotion plays a significant mediating effect in the relationship between perceived value and cultural identity, which of country-of-origin plays a significant negative moderating role.
Originality/value
This paper reveals the psychological mechanisms and implementation paths through which fashion consumption and Neo-Chinese design drive cultural identity. It provides a theoretical basis for optimizing and innovating strategies to guide the evolution of Neo-Chinese cultural identity in the new context.
Details
Keywords
Yu Zhang, Qian Du, Yali Huang, Yanying Mao and Liudan Jiao
The investigation of pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) among college students is essential for future sustainability endeavors. Existing research seldomly concentrated on college…
Abstract
Purpose
The investigation of pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) among college students is essential for future sustainability endeavors. Existing research seldomly concentrated on college students and their PEB. This study aims to address the gap in understanding PEB among college students.
Design/methodology/approach
This study constructed an integrated model combining the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory, with the novel addition of environmental risk perception. Through an empirical study involving 844 college students, this research analyzed the data with the structural model.
Findings
The authors identified that environmental values, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms and risk perception play crucial roles in shaping PEB. This study also revealed age-related differences, highlighting that older students might be less influenced by attitudes and subjective norms due to more established habits. Findings underscore the importance of fostering PEB through environmental education, promotion of low-carbon lifestyle choices and incentives. This investigation not only enriches the theoretical framework for PEB but also offers practical insights for policymakers and educators to enhance sustainable practices among the youth.
Research limitations/implications
Though the authors offer valuable findings, this research has two key limitations: the use of observational data for hypothesis testing, which weakens causal inference, and the collection of data through questionnaires, which may be biased by social desirability. Respondents of self-report tend to behave in the socially desired ways. Consequently, they usually exaggerate their pro-environmental intention or PEB. To comprehend the influencing aspects more thoroughly, future research should consider incorporating experimental methods and objective data, such as digitalized data.
Practical implications
The findings provide valuable evidence for guiding college students’ PEB, including strengthening environmental education, promoting of low-carbon fashion and providing incentives for PEBs.
Originality/value
First, the authors examine the internal factors influencing PEB among Chinese university students within the “dual-carbon” initiative framework. Second, this research pioneers the use of structural equation modeling to merge TPB and VBN theories, offering a predictive model for university students’ PEB. Third, the authors introduce “environmental risk perception” as a novel variable derived from both TPB and VBN, enhancing the model’s explanatory power.
Details
Keywords
Katarzyna Piwowar-Sulej and Qaisar Iqbal
The purpose of this paper is to integrate job demands–resources theory with core self-evaluation theory to examine how and when sustainable project leadership stimulates…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to integrate job demands–resources theory with core self-evaluation theory to examine how and when sustainable project leadership stimulates sustainable project performance. Psychological empowerment is used as a mechanism between sustainable project leadership and sustainable project performance, whereas core self-evaluation acts as a moderator between sustainable project leadership and psychological empowerment.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a time-lagged two-phase approach to collecting data from 257 software engineers working in medium-sized and large companies in the Polish financial sector.
Findings
This study reveals the direct and indirect (through psychological empowerment) effects of sustainable project leadership on sustainable project performance. It also confirms that the “sustainable project leadership–psychological empowerment” relationship strengthens with increasing level of project team members’ core self-evaluation.
Originality/value
This article explores a unique research framework. It significantly enriches the literature on sustainable project management, increasing the understanding of effective leadership practices that address the needs of software engineering teams to support sustainable project performance.
Details
Keywords
The world today is heavily controlled by the content available on the internet, where a one-star rating gain may work wonders for a company and a one-star rating decline can cause…
Abstract
Purpose
The world today is heavily controlled by the content available on the internet, where a one-star rating gain may work wonders for a company and a one-star rating decline can cause huge damage. Online booking platforms provide more freedom, privacy and contact with experienced travelers than physical hotel booking. The study identifies the factors shaping travelers' online hotel booking intention (OHBI).
Design/methodology/approach
We utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to expand the horizons of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework in the hospitality sector. The results are based on the data collected from 705 travelers who made online hotel reservations.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that online reviews, hotel website quality and hotel website convenience quotient favorably shape prospective tourists' perceived trust, magnifying their inclination to book a hotel online. Website convenience quotient and trust partially mediate the association between the constructs. In addition, the linkage between perceived trust and OHBI is strengthened by promotional offers but weakened by perceived risk.
Research limitations/implications
Our findings provide several important implications for hotel managers, prospective travelers, hotel owners, website developers, policymakers, hotel employees, the local community and competitors to expedite the growth of the Indian hotel industry.
Originality/value
The literature reveals that website convenience quotient, perceived trust and promotional offers have not received enough attention in the hospitality industry and warrant attention. Our study strives to broaden the scope of the TAM and SOR models to better understand these constructs in the backdrop of the Indian hospitality sector. The study also examines how promotional offers and perceived risk influence the linkages between the underlying constructs.
Details
Keywords
Yousery Nabil M.K. Elsayed, Sawsan Haider Khreis, Abuelhassan Elshazly Abuelhassan and Mohamed Abdelgawwad Aly Abdelgawwad
This study aims to provide a new vision for investigating the different human resources management (HRM) practices in hotels after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide a new vision for investigating the different human resources management (HRM) practices in hotels after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research approach was adopted using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to reveal updated priorities and relations as stated by 504 hospitality employees.
Findings
The research approach contributed to highlighting exciting findings, as training and development (T&D) had an insignificant effect on turnover intention (IT) or affective organizational commitment (AOC) following the COVID-19 pandemic; job security (JS) had the highest impact on AOC and compensation had the highest effect on TI.
Practical implications
Individual HRM practices have different strong impacts on employee outcomes. This paper provides human resource directors with realistic and practical implications to boost individuals' AOC and reduces their intention to quit their job in conditions of uncertainty and ambiguity.
Originality/value
This pioneering study reveals the influence of HRM practices in the hospitality HRM systems regarding employee attitudes and behaviors, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides novel theoretical and practical contributions.
Details