Megaproject supply chains involve multiple layers of stakeholders, leading to complex relationships and risks. The role of social interactions within these networks is unexplored…
Abstract
Purpose
Megaproject supply chains involve multiple layers of stakeholders, leading to complex relationships and risks. The role of social interactions within these networks is unexplored. Therefore, an analysis of construction supply chain risk management from the perspective of social networks is essential to identify related stakeholders, their relationships and the social network risk factors.
Design/methodology/approach
About 65 risk factors, identified from literature and interviews, informed the development of a questionnaire for the study. Online questionnaires administered in Ghana and South Africa produced 120 valid responses. Feedback from the responses was ranked and assessed to determine the overall social network risk levels using the Normalised Mean and Fuzzy synthesis analysis methods.
Findings
About 24 risk factors were identified and classified into six groups: Client/Consultant-related, Community-related, Government-related, Industry Perception-related, Supplier-related and Stakeholder Opportunism. The top five social network risks identified include bribery, supplier monopoly, incomplete design teams, poor communication and lack of collaboration.
Practical implications
The study provides detailed evaluations of social network risks in Africa, and the findings will help in developing strategies to mitigate supply chain disruptions caused by these challenges.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on supply chain risk management by offering context-specific insights into the social network perspective of megaprojects in Africa, which differs from those in developed countries.
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Alaeldin Abdalla, Xiaodong Li, Fan Yang and Qianhui Lou
With the rise in international construction projects, addressing the psychological health concerns of expatriate construction professionals (EXCPs) has become of paramount…
Abstract
Purpose
With the rise in international construction projects, addressing the psychological health concerns of expatriate construction professionals (EXCPs) has become of paramount importance. Therefore, this study aims to identify and evaluate effective intervention measures to promote optimal psychological health and well-being in overseas working environments.
Design/methodology/approach
Intervention measures were identified through a comprehensive literature review. Subsequently, using a case study of Chinese international contractors, data were collected via a quantitative survey administered to EXCPs holding managerial positions in international construction projects. Fuzzy synthetic evaluation was employed to analyze the data.
Findings
The findings identified 23 intervention measures and 4 constructs, among them, measures focused on enhancing organizational justice and training practices offer the greatest potential for enhancing the psychological health and well-being during international assignments. Furthermore, the analysis showed that the overall criticality of the intervention measures to the international contractors is significant, suggesting that if put into practice, the psychological health and well-being of EXCPs can be significantly enhanced.
Originality/value
While prior research has explored intervention measures suitable for construction professionals working on domestic projects, little attention has been paid to EXCPs in the context of international construction projects. This study offers an initial exploration of the most crucial intervention measures and provides a valuable resource for policymakers and practitioners seeking to establish a psychologically healthy working environment for international construction projects.
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Hamzah Al-Mawali, Zaid Mohammad Obeidat, Hashem Alshurafat and Mohannad Obeid Al Shbail
This study aims to develop cause-and-effect relationships among the critical success factors (CSFs) of fintech adoption and rank these CSFs based on their importance in the model.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop cause-and-effect relationships among the critical success factors (CSFs) of fintech adoption and rank these CSFs based on their importance in the model.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the objectives of the study, the Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (FDEMATEL) approach was used. The data was collected from 16 experts using a questionnaire.
Findings
The findings demonstrated the interrelationships among the CSFs. In total, 16 critical factors were recognized as causal factors, and the remaining eight were considered effect factors. The CSFs were ranked based on their importance in fintech adoption.
Originality/value
This study is novel as it investigates CSFs of fintech adoption using FDEMATEL, and it contributes to understanding the nature of these factors and how they affect fintech adoption. The findings propose a significant basis to deepen fintech adoption and deliver a clue to design a practical framework for fintech adoption.
Isaac Akomea-Frimpong, Xiaohua Jin and Robert Osei-Kyei
Among the topmost challenges, limiting the transformation of conventional public–private partnership (PPP) projects to meet net-zero targets is financial risk. This challenge is…
Abstract
Purpose
Among the topmost challenges, limiting the transformation of conventional public–private partnership (PPP) projects to meet net-zero targets is financial risk. This challenge is more prevalent in PPP projects in developing economies like Ghana, where financial investments have dwindled due to the recent COVID-19 recession. This paper aims to assess the key financial challenges in transitioning to net-zero PPP projects in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
The research method process was set as follows. First, a review of the literature to identify the major financial risks from journal articles, project reports and documents was undertaken, followed by questionnaire development and collection of data. Finally, the analysis of 134 questionnaire data was examined with the fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
Findings
The results indicate that the following financial challenges could hinder the transition to net-zero PPP projects in the country: increasing borrowing charges to build net-zero PPP projects due to the global covid-economic recession, poor project financial management, unstable local capital market and excessive labour, health and safety costs.
Research limitations/implications
Although, the study was conducted in Ghana, a country in the Sub-Saharan African region, the outcomes have significant impacts for similar developing countries in research investigations into the problem.
Practical implications
Assistance is provided in this study for PPP project practitioners in identifying the key financial challenges and possible strategies to mitigate them.
Originality/value
Towards net-zero sustainability, this study highlights the crucial financial barriers to overcome in the rapid transition to climate change and zero carbon solutions in PPP projects.
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Mengmeng Zhang, Lefa Teng, Xue Huang, Lianne Foti, Chuluo Sun and Xinyan Yang
This study aims to shed new light on the effect of gift packaging shape, specifically the distinction between horizontal and vertical orientations, on the face consciousness of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to shed new light on the effect of gift packaging shape, specifically the distinction between horizontal and vertical orientations, on the face consciousness of both gift givers and recipients. The underlying mechanism of the main effect is examined, focusing on the perception of social status symbols. In addition, downstream outcome variables were included in the study to explore the effects of gift package shape on willingness to buy (WTB) and word-of-mouth (WOM) in the giver and receiver contexts, respectively. Furthermore, these effects were repeatedly verified in both China and the USA, revealing the significance of cultural differences. The study also investigated the moderating effects of an individual’s power state (low or high power) on the giver’s face consciousness.
Design/methodology/approach
Six studies were conducted to address the research objectives. Study 1 compared the gift givers’ face consciousness of a gift when presented with vertical package shapes versus horizontal. Subsequently, Study 2 investigated whether consumers’ perception of social status symbols mediates the effect of gift package shape on gift givers’ face consciousness. Study 3a expanded the conceptual model to include the downstream outcome variable of WTB in the context of gift-giving. Study 3b was validated with American participants, revealing the influence of cultural background differences on face consciousness. Study 4 introduced a gift-receiving context to investigate the chain-mediated effects of gift package shapes on consumer WOM. Lastly, Study 5 critically examined the boundary effect of personal power states on the interaction between the gift givers’ face consciousness and WTB.
Findings
The results indicate that gift givers and recipients attribute higher face consciousness to gifts with vertical package shapes compared to horizontal ones. In addition, consumers’ perception of gifts as status symbols was the underlying mechanism driving the impact of gift packaging shape on face consciousness. Furthermore, the face consciousness for gift packages of vertical shape was enhanced when people were in lower-power states as opposed to higher-power states, subsequently leading to an increase in the WTB.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to an online virtual brand study; future field studies could be conducted to enhance the authenticity of the participants’ gift-giving experience and the overall external validity of the studies. In addition, gender-based stereotypes and the relationship between the giver and the receiver (transactional or intimate) may also influence the relationship between gift package shapes and face consciousness.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this research focus on three points. First, gift brand managers should strategically employ vertical package shapes to signal high-end attributes and evoke face consciousness among consumers, aligning with the psychology of both givers and recipients. Second, managers must consider consumers’ power states in gift-giving scenarios, tailoring packaging recommendations to the dynamics between givers and recipients to maximize market share. Last, cultural differences in face consciousness, particularly between Asian and Western cultures, necessitate that managers adapt packaging designs to respect and enhance the social status of both givers and recipients in culturally sensitive ways. These findings underscore the importance of understanding and integrating consumer psychology, power dynamics, and cultural nuances into gift packaging strategies to boost market share.
Originality/value
The research contributes to understanding the impact of gift packaging shape on the perception of face consciousness among both gift givers and recipients. It highlights the mediating role of social status symbols and extends its scope by examining downstream effects such as WTB and WOM. It explores individual power states as a moderating factor, revealing how personal dynamics influence perceptions of face-saving consciousness. Also, the cross-cultural validation of these effects in China and the USA underscores the importance of considering cultural differences.
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Sadith Chinthaka Vithanage, Michael C.P. Sing, Peter Rex Davis and Tanvi Newaz
Offsite manufacturing (OSM) is a modern construction technique that offers several advantages over traditional construction, including using less material to produce a similar…
Abstract
Purpose
Offsite manufacturing (OSM) is a modern construction technique that offers several advantages over traditional construction, including using less material to produce a similar product, lowering costs, increasing quality and enhancing environmental sustainability of the final product in several ways. However, there is evidence of increased safety related incidents at an OSM facility due to the varying nature of its organisational safety climate. Therefore, this study aims to ascertain the relationships between organisational safety climate factors and safety performance in an OSM context, with a view to developing better safety outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
A Bayesian Network (BN) approach was adopted to uncover the probabilistic relationships among organisational safety climate factors. First, a literature review was conducted to develop a conceptual model, which was validated by industry experts. Second, a questionnaire survey with Australian OSM professionals was employed to quantify the BN model. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the BN model and identify critical factors.
Findings
Owing to the influence of organisational safety climate dimensions, there is a 79% probability that Australian OSM facilities obtain “high” safety performance. Despite this result, improvements in management safety response, the balance between safety and production, supervisor safety expectations, credibility in training and accessibility to safety rules and procedures are critical to maintaining and improving this current outcome.
Originality/value
This study develops a probabilistic model determining relationships between organisational safety climate factors and safety performance, particularly in an OSM context. The proposed model facilitates safety managers’ comprehension of safety climate issues and provides decision-making support when implementing safety management strategies.
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Xi Luo, Jun-Hwa Cheah, Xin-Jean Lim, T. Ramayah and Yogesh K. Dwivedi
The increasing popularity of live-streaming commerce has provided a new opportunity for e-retailers to boost sales. This study integrated signaling theory and social exchange…
Abstract
Purpose
The increasing popularity of live-streaming commerce has provided a new opportunity for e-retailers to boost sales. This study integrated signaling theory and social exchange theory to investigate how streamer- and product-centered signals influence customers’ likelihood of making an impulsive purchase in the live-streaming commerce context.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was designed and distributed to the target respondents in China using purposive sampling. A total of 735 valid responses were analyzed with partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
Both streamer-centered signals, i.e. streamer credibility and streamer interaction quality, were discovered to significantly influence product-centered signal, i.e. product information quality. Additionally, streamer interaction quality was found to have a significant impact on streamer credibility. Furthermore, it was observed that customer engagement played a significant mediating role in the relationship between product information quality and impulsive buying tendency. Moreover, the paths between product information quality and customer engagement, as well as the connection between engagement and impulsive buying tendency, were found to be moderated by guanxi orientation.
Originality/value
Despite the prevalence of impulsive purchases in live-streaming commerce, few studies have empirically investigated the impact of streamer and product signals on influencing customers’ impulsive purchase decisions. Consequently, to the best of our knowledge, this study distinguishes itself by offering empirical insights into how streamers use reciprocating relationship mechanisms to communicate signals that facilitate impulsive purchase decisions.
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Stephen Akunyumu, Frank Fugar and Emmanuel Adinyira
The failure rate of international construction joint venture (ICJV) projects has been noted to be high in developing countries due to the complexity and risky nature of…
Abstract
Purpose
The failure rate of international construction joint venture (ICJV) projects has been noted to be high in developing countries due to the complexity and risky nature of construction projects in the international market. The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate the risks facing ICJV projects in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
A risk register was developed through a comprehensive literature review. The identified risks were then used in a questionnaire survey involving local and foreign partners in ICJV projects in Ghana.
Findings
From a total of 74 risks identified, categorized into country-level risks, market-level risks and project-level risks, the “top ten” risks found to be the most critical risks facing ICJV projects in Ghana include unstable currency exchange rates, inflation, design changes, high-interest rate, budget overrun, cash flow problems of the client, economy fluctuation, difficulty in obtaining approval of projects from host government authorities/bureaucracy, potential financial distress of JV partner and bribery and corruption.
Originality/value
This study provides a comprehensive list of risks ICJV partners are likely to encounter on their projects in developing countries. Furthermore, this study improves on one of the major limitations of previous ICJV studies by collecting data from both partners of the ICJV, appropriate for cross-cultural examination and comparison.
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Olatoyese Zaccheus Oni, AbdulLateef Olanrewaju and Soo Cheen Khor
The construction industry has been recording a high number of accidents without any sign of abating, the majority of which have been linked to poor health and safety practices. To…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry has been recording a high number of accidents without any sign of abating, the majority of which have been linked to poor health and safety practices. To reduce this menace, this study aims to evaluate the factors affecting health and safety practices on construction sites to improve health and safety practices.
Design/methodology/approach
First, this study reviewed previous studies to derive the factors affecting health and safety practices on construction sites, and based on the literature review, the 50 factors identified were used in developing the questionnaire that was administered to construction professionals. The returned questionnaire was then analysed using fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE).
Findings
According to the FSE results, inadequate safety planning has the highest critical value, followed by management failure, inadequate safety promotion, safety ignorance, poor supervision and enforcement, a casual attitude towards safety and insufficient experience. The analysis showed that the overall criticality of the factors to the Malaysian construction industry is high, suggesting that if addressed, the health and safety practices of the industry will be improved.
Originality/value
The study provides a holistic approach to the factors affecting health and safety practices in the construction industry using a method that has not been used by previous researchers. The findings will furnish decision makers in the construction industry with practical approaches to adapt and reinforce in the industry to improve health and safety practices.
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Fangfang Hou, Boying Li, Zhengzhi Guan, Alain Yee Loong Chong and Chee Wei Phang
Despite the burgeoning popularity of virtual gifting in live streaming, research lacks an in-depth understanding of the drivers behind this behavior. Using para-social…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the burgeoning popularity of virtual gifting in live streaming, research lacks an in-depth understanding of the drivers behind this behavior. Using para-social relationship (PSR), this study aims to capture viewers’ lively social feelings toward the streamer as the key factor leading to the purchase behavior of virtual gifts. It also aims to establish a theoretical link between PSR and viewers’ holistic experience in live streaming as captured by cognitive absorption and aims to investigates the role of technological features (i.e. viewer–streamer and viewer–viewer interactivity, streamer-level and viewer-level deep profiling and design aesthetics) in shaping viewers’ experience.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on 433 survey responses, this study employs a combination of structural equation modeling and neural networks to offer valuable insights into the relationships between the technological environment, viewer experience and viewer behavior.
Findings
Our results highlight the salience of PSR in promoting the purchase of virtual gifts through cognitive absorption and the importance of the technological environment in eliciting the viewer experience. This study sheds light on the development of PSR in a technological environment and its relationship with cognitive absorption.
Originality/value
By applying PSR to conceptualize viewers’ perceived connection with the streamer, this study extends the research on purchase behavior in the non-shopping context by providing an enlightened understanding of virtual gift purchase behavior in live streaming. Moreover, by theoretically linking PSR with cognitive absorption, virtual gift purchase and technological features of live streaming, it enriches the theory of PSR and bridges the gap between the design practice of supporting the IT infrastructure of live streaming and research.