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1 – 10 of 40Universities in the United Kingdom, like their counterparts globally, are confronting difficulties associated with the well-being of students. The origins of these challenges are…
Abstract
Purpose
Universities in the United Kingdom, like their counterparts globally, are confronting difficulties associated with the well-being of students. The origins of these challenges are complex, exacerbated by various global events. In response, universities are trying to address these growing concerns and the escalating need for student support. Faculty members are often recruited to assist students in navigating academic and personal challenges. The aim of this study was to investigate how the process of student mentoring, by faculty members, could be made more operationally robust to better support student demand, thus yielding greater value for both students and staff.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was adopted with 19 academic faculty working as mentors within a UK business school who participated in 90-minute semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed using an operational (transformation) management framework, with findings categorised under three key headings – inputs, transformations and outputs – to discover how the operational process of mentoring students could be enhanced.
Findings
Participants discussed the inputs required to deliver mentoring, the process of transformation and their desired outputs. Findings suggest coordinated and relevant inputs that is, information, environments and technology, coupled with good mentor selection and recruitment improves operational robustness, adding greater value to the student experience by creating more purposeful outputs, thereby benefiting themselves and their students.
Originality/value
The application of an operational (transformation) process framework to analyse faculty mentoring of students is unique, thereby offering new insights into the construction and management of these types of academic support initiatives.
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Tianyao Ping, Wei Pan and Zhiqian Zhang
Modular construction is an innovative method that enhances the performance of building construction projects. However, the performance of steel modular construction has not been…
Abstract
Purpose
Modular construction is an innovative method that enhances the performance of building construction projects. However, the performance of steel modular construction has not been systematically understood, and the existing measurement methods exhibit limitations in effectively addressing the features of steel modular building construction. Therefore, this study aims to develop a new performance measurement framework for systematically examining the performance of steel modular construction in building projects.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted through a mixed-method research design that combines a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art practices of construction performance measurement and a case study with a 17-story steel modular apartment building project in Hong Kong. The case project was measured with data collected from the project teams and other reliable channels, and the measurement practices and findings were referenced to establish a systematic performance measurement framework for steel modular construction.
Findings
Considering steel modular construction as a complex socio-technical system, a systematic performance measurement framework was developed, which considers the features of steel modular construction, focuses on the construction stage, incorporates the views of various stakeholders, integrates generic and specific key performance indicators and provides a benchmarking process. Multifaceted benefits of adopting steel modular construction were demonstrated with case study, including improved economic efficiency (e.g. nearly 10% cost savings), improved environmental friendliness (e.g. approximately 90% waste reduction) and enhanced social welfare (e.g. over 60% delivery trips reduction).
Originality/value
This paper extends the existing performance measurement methods with a new framework proposed and offers experience for future steel modular construction. The measured performance of the case project also contributes in-depth understanding on steel modular construction with benefits demonstrated. The study is expected to accelerate an effective uptake of steel modular construction in building projects.
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Bo Han, Pei Li and Xiaoqin Tan
How to reduce uncertainty in clothing online purchasing has become a primary concern for consumers. This study aims to investigate the effects of quality perception and…
Abstract
Purpose
How to reduce uncertainty in clothing online purchasing has become a primary concern for consumers. This study aims to investigate the effects of quality perception and multisensory perception on consumer online clothing purchase intention and to explore the mediating effect of trust.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted with consumers who have online clothing shopping experiences. A total of 539 valid samples were analyzed by bootstrap and structural equation model.
Findings
The result of this research revealed that perceived information quality, perceived service quality, perceived haptic imagery and perceived visual-audio cues have a significant influence on purchase intention. Additionally, consumers’ trust is positively correlated with purchase intention. Trust mediates the relationship between the perceptions (perceived information quality, perceived service quality, perceived haptic imagery and perceived visual-audio cues) and purchase intention, irrespectively.
Originality/value
To investigate the effects of multisensory perception on purchase intention, perceived haptic imagery is adopted as a variable in this study. This study investigates the mediating role of trust between multisensory perception and purchase intention. The findings of this study can enrich Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework and Information System (IS) success model in the field of clothing online shopping.
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Gopinath Selvam, Mohan Kamalanandhini, Muthuvel Velpandian, Rohit Hariharan, Srikanth Mohanakrishna and Varatharajan Thirumurugan
Rapid urbanization and economic progress generate a significant quantity of waste from the built environment. Unawareness among the key stakeholders about the statutory…
Abstract
Purpose
Rapid urbanization and economic progress generate a significant quantity of waste from the built environment. Unawareness among the key stakeholders about the statutory requirements for waste management leads to ineffective practices and severe environmental concerns. The aim of this study is to develop an integrated statutory waste management framework (ISWMF) for the built environment to identify and implement the legal aspects of waste management practices in a national context.
Design/methodology/approach
About eight waste management rules were considered to identify the statutory requirements from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. A total of 12 statutory requirements for the seven organizational contexts were identified. Through inferential statistics, stakeholder awareness about the legal requirements of waste management practices was assessed. An integrated statutory waste management framework was developed and evaluated by implementing it in a one-year case study project.
Findings
The results observed that 70% of stakeholders in the built environment are unaware of the statutory requirements for the waste management practices. The framework’s adoption correctly identified the statutory requirements for waste management practices in different organizational contexts. Implementing the statutory requirements in the case study project resulted in a reduction of 308 tons of CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the circular economy promoted 35.67 tons of recyclable materials. Also, enabled the organization to maintain all the compliance requirements related to the aspects of waste management.
Research limitations/implications
The researchers will use the findings to understand the statutory requirements for waste management practices in the built environment. A continuous improvement interface shall be further developed to synchronize the upcoming amendments or changes in the statutory requirements.
Practical implications
The research findings will enable industry practitioners or any organization to identify and understand their statutory requirements for waste management practices. Implementing the framework will mutually benefit the organization and the environment.
Social implications
The research findings promote awareness about the statutory requirements of waste management practices among the stakeholders in the built environment. Furthermore, the actual implementation of the proposed framework significantly increases recycling promotion and reduces the environmental CO2 footprint.
Originality/value
This study is the first to take into account the actual statutory requirements for various wastes generated from the built environment within a national context. The proposed framework can also be applied in other national contexts, taking into account the relevant waste management rules and acts. Additionally, the reported benefits encompass both environmental and economic aspects.
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Chiara Xhindole, Lara Tarquinio and Laura Sierra-García
This study aims to analyse the reporting practices of a sample of companies listed in Italy and Spain that prepare a Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse the reporting practices of a sample of companies listed in Italy and Spain that prepare a Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) report. The main purpose is to analyse the reporting’s compliance with the TCFD framework and the extent of climate-related information disclosed.
Design/methodology/approach
This study performs a content and comparative analysis of climate-related information disclosed by Italian and Spanish companies listed on the FTSE MIB and IBEX-35, following the consolidated narrative interrogation (CONI) model. The analysis is carried out on 31 TCFD reports published in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, using NVivo software for content analysis and information coding.
Findings
Overall, the study shows that Italian and Spanish companies comply with the TCFD framework. However, some topics, such as governance-related aspects and risk management, are disclosed differently and may merit more in-depth reporting.
Practical implications
The findings of this study are valuable for companies and their stakeholders, in particular investors. The increasing focus on mandatory climate reporting and the adoption of new climate standards are increasing the pressure on companies to manage these issues, and the results of this work already indicate which aspects of the reporting process need to be improved to meet the new information requirement.
Originality/value
This study strengthens the theoretical and empirical literature on climate change information by conducting a cross-country content analysis of TCFD reports. The results provide a basis for future analysis of climate disclosure according to the latest developments in standards and frameworks.
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Christina Zacharia Hawatmeh, Iman Abu Hashish and Rawand Rami Alazzeh
This article aims to illuminate the gendered organisational structure of higher education in Jordan by collecting and analysing a national-level snapshot of the current…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to illuminate the gendered organisational structure of higher education in Jordan by collecting and analysing a national-level snapshot of the current distribution of women and men in leadership positions and academic ranks across Jordanian universities to pinpoint inequalities in specific levels and fields.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded in gendered organisational theory, this study presents a snapshot of the gender composition of 10 public and 14 private universities in Jordan. The snapshot, collected in September 2022 from these universities’ websites, examines counts of male and female administrative leaders as well as academic staff across all ranks for all faculties in both STEM and liberal arts fields.
Findings
The distribution of women and men in leadership positions in universities across Jordan is highly unequal, with men outnumbering women in the uppermost positions by nearly 10:1. This gap decreases as the rank of positions decreases, indicative of a highly gendered organisational structure, with only three to four fields approaching gender parity.
Research limitations/implications
This paper offers a comprehensive and detailed quantitative foundation for researchers to investigate the underlying social, cultural, legal, political and economic factors perpetuating gender inequality in academia in Jordan and in comparative studies.
Practical implications
This study is relevant for targeting policies for advancing sustainable development goals, specifically 5.5, which aim at women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.
Originality/value
This study provides the most detailed and extensive macro-level analysis of the gender composition of universities in Jordan.
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Patrick Küpper, Matthias Seel and Matthias Kokorsch
Gravity models and analogue store approaches are inadequate in predicting purchases in neighbourhood stores. This requires a new theoretical and empirically tested approach.
Abstract
Purpose
Gravity models and analogue store approaches are inadequate in predicting purchases in neighbourhood stores. This requires a new theoretical and empirically tested approach.
Design/methodology/approach
We use the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to determine which factors predict the choice for a new neighbourhood store. We develop a suitable model using a structural equation model with survey data from two cases in which all households in the catchment areas were surveyed both before and after the store opened.
Findings
We find the TPB to be appropriate for predicting store choice. Beliefs about one-stop shopping, social pressure from family members and car availability are most important in explaining the intention to shop in the planned store. These factors also explain the actual shopping in this store after opening.
Originality/value
Our model predicts store choice before a store opens. Using a two-wave survey, we avoid ex-post rationalisation and show that, at least in our cases, quality, price and assortment do not predict store choice.
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Junjie Wan and Raphael Baumler
This study classifies and estimates safety costs in Arctic shipping.
Abstract
Purpose
This study classifies and estimates safety costs in Arctic shipping.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the literature review, the paper details shipping prevention costs into five categories (infrastructure and facilities, measures, technologies, personnel and management) and groups marine accidents into injury and death, property damage, environmental damage and others.
Findings
The proposed classification and estimation allow for a comparison of prevention costs and accident expenses. Estimating safety expenses in the Arctic presents challenges, such as data inadequacies. However, the method has been tested with data provided by an Arctic ship operator.
Practical implications
Thus, shipping companies can verify the effectiveness of their investments and reorientate whenever necessary, becoming a decision-support system to best allocate safety investments. Combined with company safety performance, the tool can help identify the safety areas requiring enhanced attention.
Originality/value
This paper presents the first classification and a tool to assess safety costs in relation to Arctic shipping, potentially supporting safety investment decisions.
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Tuheena Mukherjee and Ram Singh
This paper attempts to elucidate the fundamental determinants—both enablers and impediments—that shape a resilient business ecosystem for the medical devices sector in India, with…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper attempts to elucidate the fundamental determinants—both enablers and impediments—that shape a resilient business ecosystem for the medical devices sector in India, with a particular emphasis on sustainable export endeavours under the ambit of the Medical Devices Policy 2023.
Design/methodology/approach
This study dives into India’s medical device export firms, analysing factors influencing their performance. By reviewing relevant literature, it identifies regulatory, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and import-related factors. A Likert scale questionnaire was designed and shared with industry stakeholders to gather primary data, and it was analysed via SPSS/AMOS. This quantitative approach unveiled the direct impacts of enablers and barriers, shaping a structural model to elucidate interrelationships, thus informing strategies for enhancing India’s medical device export sector.
Findings
The results lucidly identify the barriers that affect the export performance of India’s medical devices, such as complicated product registration formalities, complexity in the registration and approval process for sale, export restrictions and price control measures, local competition and policies, finance and investment challenges and low knowledge and expertise in the trade of medical devices. Considering the relevance of these barriers in affecting India’s export achievement, a model is derived for understanding their interrelationship, exploring causal links and comprehending managerial and policy-level implications for suitable corrective actions.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s limitations must be recognized, notably the focus on India and the Medical Devices Policy 2023 context. Accordingly, the results hinge on India’s “Make-in-India” policy and incentives for the medical devices sector, possibly not translating directly to countries with distinct policies or industrial priorities. With a sample size of 224 firms, sector diversity representation may be inadequate, potentially restricting the findings’ generalizability. While offering insights into Indian challenges and opportunities, broader validation across diverse contexts and larger samples is essential to ensure the results’ robustness and broader applicability beyond outlined circumstances.
Practical implications
The model’s insights hold crucial implications for policymakers in India’s medical devices sector. Firstly, urgent attention is required to tackle identified challenges for sustainable export growth. Prioritizing initiatives to enhance sector knowledge and expertise through training programs and collaborations with experts is paramount. Moreover, streamlining regulatory barriers, including product registration and approval processes, are imperative for simplifying market entry. Additionally, addressing financial challenges by facilitating access to finance through tax incentives or funding schemes is essentially vital. Furthermore, learning from successful models in other countries like Costa Rica, South Korea, Germany and China can guide effective policy implementation in an Indian context. Correspondingly, the business firms should nurture a competitive domestic market through innovation support and stakeholder engagement for long-term growth.
Social implications
For managers in India’s medical devices sector, these implications are equally significant. Investing in knowledge and regulatory expertise is paramount to navigate complex landscapes effectively. Accordingly, there is a need to develop robust financial planning strategies, exploring diverse funding sources and tailoring products to meet local demands while aligning with global standards. Moreover, active engagement with policymakers is required for supportive policy reforms and similarly, collaboration with industry stakeholders can create a favourable operating environment. By addressing these implications collaboratively, policymakers and managers can overcome barriers, drive innovation and foster sustainable growth, positioning India as a global leader in medical device exports.
Originality/value
Narrating the results, this paper identifies the barriers that need to be factored into the Medical Devices Policy 2023. The paper sequentially explains how to nurture an enabling business ecosystem for export excellence in India’s medical devices industry.
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