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1 – 5 of 5Xiaojuan Li, Rixin Chen, Weibin Chen and C.Y. Jim
Prefabricated building (PB) uses factory production and onsite assembly, which differs from traditional construction methods. This special construction approach may lead to…
Abstract
Purpose
Prefabricated building (PB) uses factory production and onsite assembly, which differs from traditional construction methods. This special construction approach may lead to dissimilar safety risks and challenges. Traditional safety assessment methods may not adequately and accurately assess the safety risks of PB construction. This paper aims to develop a new concept and methodology for targeted improvement in assessing PB safety risks.
Design/methodology/approach
Risk factors and indicators were established based on literature review and expert inputs. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to investigate the relationships among three main risk categories: objects, workers and management. SEM analyzed the intricate associations between indicators and deepened understanding of safety risks. The model was tailored for China’s PB construction projects to enhance safety-risk management.
Findings
The cloud model evaluation validated the SEM model. A PB case study project tested and verified the model, evaluated its efficacy and quantified its safety performance and grade. We identified significant safety risk impacts across the three risk categories, safety-control level and specific areas that require improvement. The SEM model established a robust safety evaluation indicator system for comprehensive safety assessment of PB construction.
Practical implications
Practical recommendations provide valuable insights for decision-makers to enhance construction efficiency without compromising safety. This study contributed to the conceptual foundation and devised a novel method for evaluating safety performance in PB construction for safer and more efficient practices.
Originality/value
This study departed from the traditional method of calculating weights, opting instead for the SEM method to determine the weights of individual risk indicators. Additionally, we leveraged the cloud model to mitigate the influence of subjective factors in analyzing questionnaire survey responses. The feasibility and reliability of our proposed method were rigorously tested and verified by applying it to the PB case.
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Eduardo Antunes and Frederico Fonseca
Digital technologies have impacted our culture by expanding into every interstice of everyday life. Mobile gadgets for communications, work and leisure, social media, apps and…
Abstract
Digital technologies have impacted our culture by expanding into every interstice of everyday life. Mobile gadgets for communications, work and leisure, social media, apps and platforms – the diverse array of items that we usually refer to as digital media and that keep people permanently connected – are at the core of a wider change that goes beyond the use of technology. These technologies provide the material structure for the complex and constant fluxes of information that permeate people's lives, originating new dynamics that impact people's relations, beliefs, practices, representations and identities, bodies or creative and political expressions. Understanding technology as a producer of meanings, subjectivities and agency that are shaped by power relations is central to the MyGender project. Hence, technology is not seen as neutral but as a place of political power. This chapter places young adults at the centre of the changing environment as main cultural and media producers and traces their practices, discourses and representations. By integrating diverse theoretical and empirical contributions that focus on the most relevant aspects of this changing environment, analysing significances, practices and negotiations related to digital cultures and young adults, this chapter proposes a narrative critical literature review that aims to provide a solid framework for the remaining chapters, within the theoretical horizon of the MyGender project.
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Ridwan Adetunji Raji, Bahtiar Mohamad and Sumera Memon
The fundamental mission of every green city is to harmonize urban living with environmental preservation. However, a critical challenge arises when the residents of such cities do…
Abstract
Purpose
The fundamental mission of every green city is to harmonize urban living with environmental preservation. However, a critical challenge arises when the residents of such cities do not share the same level of environmental consciousness, potentially eroding the integrity of the green city’s brand identity. Hence, this study aims to explore the factors influencing residents’ identification with green city branding and assesses how this identification subsequently affects their green citizenship behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 1,217 residents from 15 green cities across six countries was conducted and analyzed using SPSS 28.0 for descriptive statistics and PLS-SEM for measurement and structural model analysis.
Findings
The results indicate that green city-self connection, green city distinctiveness and environmental benefits significantly impact GCRI, which, in turn, significantly influences green city protection, loyalty and advocacy behaviors. However, green city social and economic benefits did not affect resident identification.
Practical implications
The results of this study provide valuable managerial insights for city brand managers, green city developers and governmental representatives. The study underscores the importance of considering residents as crucial internal stakeholders in the creation of a green city identity that effectively promotes sustainable urban living and an eco-friendly culture.
Originality/value
This study provides theoretical insights into the relationship between green identification and residents’ willingness and commitment to act as ambassadors and promote their city’s green values.
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Nida, Ashish Chandra and Ruchi Shukla
The objectives of this study are as follows: RO1: to determine the key enablers that encourage the adoption of sustainable practices; RO2: to create a structural relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
The objectives of this study are as follows: RO1: to determine the key enablers that encourage the adoption of sustainable practices; RO2: to create a structural relationship model between the enablers that have been discovered and RO3: to use dependence and driving power to classify and analyse these factors.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 11 variables were extracted through systematic literature review and experts opinion, and a group interview with more than 15 experts who have an experience of more than 10 years in academics was conducted. Generally odd in numbers, they presented each pair of variables and took their opinion. Using “Interpretative Structural Modelling” and “Cross-Impact Multiplication Applied to Classification” (ISM MICMAC) analysis, a model describing the structural relationship between these factors has been formulated to know the conceptual framework.
Findings
The study shows that the digital payment and waste treatment as the linkage or mediating variables. Top management commitment (TMC), regulatory framework and transparency are the drivers or independent variables. Green logistics, sustainable packaging and production are the dependent variables. Further, the resulting hierarchy and contextual linkages among variables shed light on key dimensions for decision-making. Green logistics, sustainable packaging and production are interconnected, playing a significant role, in the framework and influenced by the lower level variables. Transparency should be given due consideration to ensure sustainable competitive advantage.
Research limitations/implications
(1) Owing to a lack of time and resources, the researchers have been able to explore only limited variables; more factors or enablers can be taken in future for further research. (2) Money constraint is also there. (3) One major limitation is that this research includes opinion from different experts which are dynamic in nature and keep on changing from time to time. (4) Primary research can also be done with the help of different software like partial least squares and structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) by taking same variables or merging new variables with the given variables of this paper. (5) With the help of this paper, the author tried to give an overview of some important enablers which are helpful in sustainability. Given a time in future, more research can be done by taking different sectors or a specific sector.
Practical implications
Findings are helpful for policymakers about effective strategies for promoting sustainability. They provide evidence-based insights into the potential impact of policy interventions and help shape the development of environmental regulations and initiatives. Sustainability is a global issue. Thus, this research paper contributes to international discussions and collaborations on environmental conservation and sustainable development goals (SDGs). They may influence diplomatic efforts to address transnational environmental challenges. Companies can use research findings to improve their sustainability practices and develop environmentally friendly products and services. Understanding sustainability enablers can help businesses reduce their ecological footprint while remaining economically viable. Research on sustainability enablers often involves exploring new technologies and innovations. Practical implications include the development and adoption of renewable energy sources, waste reduction techniques and sustainable agricultural practices. Sustainable communities rely on a range of enablers, from renewable energy infrastructure to local governance structures. Research informs community development efforts by identifying best practices and effective strategies for building resilient, environmentally friendly neighbourhood.
Social implications
This research paper contributes to raising awareness about sustainability issues among the public. It also provides insights into the importance of sustainable practices and their impacts on society. Sustainability enablers can influence individual and collective behaviour, and they may encourage people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles and consumption habits. Sustainability research often addresses issues of equity and social justice. Understanding the enablers of sustainability can help identify strategies to ensure that sustainable practices benefit all segments of society, including marginalized communities.
Originality/value
This research paper endeavour to identify key sustainability development enablers (SDEs) by consolidating numerous factors within a single study. While several research papers have explored various sustainability enablers separately, no previous study has delved into their interactions. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research on classifying enablers based on the fuzzy MICMAC analysis. The ISM-based model presented here serves as a valuable resource for both practitioners and academics, aiding in their comprehension of the framework of relationships.
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Ruey Jer Bryan Jean, Daekwan Kim and John W. Cadogan
This study aims to develop and test a framework of the antecedents to and performance outcomes of exporters’ use of different services offered by Internet-based…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop and test a framework of the antecedents to and performance outcomes of exporters’ use of different services offered by Internet-based Business-to-Business (I-B2B) platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
We test the model based on a unique survey dataset of 350 Chinese exporters who subscribed to Alibaba.com, a major I-B2B platform.
Findings
Drawing on the signaling theory, export and I-B2B platform literature, we develop a typology of exporters’ use of services offered by I-B2B platforms. We find that the extent to which firms have cost efficiency advantages, adopt an export diversity strategy, operate under high levels of psychic distance and experience high levels of domestic regulatory uncertainty are all positively related to exporters’ use of I-B2B platform services. The use of those services is either positively or negatively related to export success depending on the services in question. The magnitudes of these performance relationships are contingent on the exporters’ transparency strategies.
Originality/value
This is the first study to examine the antecedents to and consequences of exporters’ use of the services offered by I-B2B platforms.
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