Huijun Tu and Shitao Jin
Due to the complexity and diversity of megaprojects, the architectural programming process often involves multiple stakeholders, making decision-making difficult and susceptible…
Abstract
Purpose
Due to the complexity and diversity of megaprojects, the architectural programming process often involves multiple stakeholders, making decision-making difficult and susceptible to subjective factors. This study aims to propose an architectural programming methodology system (APMS) for megaprojects based on group decision-making model to enhance the accuracy and transparency of decision-making, and to facilitate participation and integration among stakeholders. This method allows multiple interest groups to participate in decision-making, gathers various perspectives and opinions, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of architectural programming and promoting the smooth implementation of projects.
Design/methodology/approach
This study first clarifies the decision-making subjects, decision objects, and decision methods of APMS based on group decision-making theory and value-based architectural programming methods. Furthermore, the entropy weight method and fuzzy TOPSIS method are employed as calculation methods to comprehensively evaluate decision alternatives and derive optimal decision conclusions. The workflow of APMS consists of four stages: preparation, information, decision, and evaluation, ensuring the scientific and systematic of the decision-making process.
Findings
This study conducted field research and empirical analysis on a practical megaproject of a comprehensive transport hub to verify the effectiveness of APMS. The results show that, in terms of both short-distance and long-distance transportation modes, the decision-making results of APMS are largely consistent with the preliminary programming outcomes of the project. However, regarding transfer modes, the APMS decision-making results revealed certain discrepancies between the project's current status and the preliminary programming.
Originality/value
APMS addresses the shortcomings in decision accuracy and stakeholder participation and integration in the current field of architectural programming. It not only enhances stakeholder participation and interaction but also considers various opinions and interests comprehensively. Additionally, APMS has significant potential in optimizing project performance, accelerating project processes, and reducing resource waste.
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Amir Hossein Qezelbash, Sarasadat Makian and Rasoul Shahabi Sorman Abadi
This paper aims to examine tourists' behavioral changes in response to health crises, this study examines the individual's uncertainty and adaptability to the challenges using…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine tourists' behavioral changes in response to health crises, this study examines the individual's uncertainty and adaptability to the challenges using behavioral coping strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
The study combines the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and protection motivation theory. Using the PLS-SEM technique, this study examines the relationship between the destination's competitive profits and travel intention of Iranian tourists in the post-Covid-19 pandemic.
Findings
The social-support coping (Instrumental) does not incorporate tourists' adaptive behaviors. Vulnerable vaccination significantly affects the extremeness of an individual's problem-focused coping, which affects tourist's adaptive behaviors in crisis time, indicating the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccination on travel intention.
Research limitations/implications
The findings may assist tourism authorities and planners develop unique tourism products and services based on tourist behavior following the health crises.
Originality/value
This study contributes to development of the TPB method, indicating that visa exemption and competitive profits of a destination would motivate travel intention existing inefficacy of local government and its negative background, reshaping and thus influencing changing behavior.
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Shukuan Zhao, Xueyuan Fan, Dong Shao and Shuang Wang
This study aims to investigate the impact of supply chain concentration (SCC) on corporate research and development (R&D) investment and determine the moderating roles of industry…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of supply chain concentration (SCC) on corporate research and development (R&D) investment and determine the moderating roles of industry concentration and financing constraints on the relationship between SCC and R&D investment.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collected data from Chinese listed companies, used the fixed effects model to test the research hypotheses and further used the two-stage Heckman test and propensity score matching (PSM) to address potential endogeneity issues.
Findings
The result reveals a negative impact of SCC on corporate R&D investment. In addition, industry concentration mitigates the negative impact of SCC on corporate R&D investment, but financing constraints strengthen the negative impact.
Originality/value
This study introduces the concept of SCC and empirically tests its effect on R&D investment, further explaining the lack of corporate innovation. This study inspires companies to strengthen SC management and weigh the level of SCC with environmental factors.
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Angela Dettori and Michela Floris
This study aims to explore the main drivers that family businesses possess to strengthen their resilience during the COVID-19 crisis.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the main drivers that family businesses possess to strengthen their resilience during the COVID-19 crisis.
Design/methodology/approach
This study followed a quantitative method analysis through a multiple regression analysis based on a sample of 570 Italian family firms.
Findings
The results showed that job quality and innovation significantly stimulate family firms' resilience during the COVID-19 crisis.
Practical implications
The study has several academic implications. Firstly, the study contributes to family firm research by extending the studies on factors that significantly influence the concept of resilience; secondly, the work contributes to crisis management, offering suggestions to help other firms exceed the COVID-19 crisis.
Originality/value
The present study clarifies the role of family firms' resilience, and it reveals how job quality and innovation play a meaningful role during the COVID-19 crisis.
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Yogeeswari Subramaniam and Tajul Ariffin Masron
Using an innovative threshold estimation technique, this paper provides new evidence on the relationship between finance and inflation with distinct levels of finance.
Abstract
Purpose
Using an innovative threshold estimation technique, this paper provides new evidence on the relationship between finance and inflation with distinct levels of finance.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of 10 high inflation countries using time series data for the period of 1992–2020. These 10 countries recorded the world's highest inflation rates in 2017.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that there is a threshold effect on the finance–inflation relationship. Whilst the effects of finance are consistently positive for below and above the threshold models, financial depth above the threshold tends to aggravate the inflation level.
Practical implications
These results disclose that financial depth could be the cause of high inflation in the top 10 countries and thus, is not necessarily welcome as too rapid of a price increase may in turn reverse the prospect of economic growth. Searching and strategizing for the optimal level of financing is crucial in facilitating price stability and economic growth.
Originality/value
The authors believe that the effect of financial depth on inflation is characterised by being desirable to certain extent and undesirable if over-financing is beyond the optimum level. Therefore, in this study, the authors have introduced the threshold modelling as the potential strategy to connect financial depth and inflation.
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Rexford Abaidoo and Elvis Kwame Agyapong
This study examines how institutional quality influences variability in financial development among economies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines how institutional quality influences variability in financial development among economies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical estimations verifying various relationships are performed using the limited information maximum likelihood (LIML) estimation technique.
Findings
The results suggest that institutional quality enhances the pace of financial development among economies in the sub-region all things being equal. In a further micro-level analysis where components of institutional quality index are examined separately, the study’s results suggest that effective governance, regulatory quality, rule of law and accountability tend to have a significant positive impact on financial sector development.
Research limitations/implications
Findings of the study suggest that policies geared towards improving governance and regulatory institutions can augment development of the financial sector among economies in SSA; governments and policymakers are therefore encouraged to resource noted institutions to play effective roles for the development of the financial sector.
Originality/value
Compared to related studies, this study reorients existing paradigm, which emphasizes the role of governance and institutional variables in the economic growth discourse. The authors’ empirical inquiry rather focuses on how governance and institutional structures influence regional financial development dynamics. Specifically, this study differs from most macro-level studies found in literature because it examines the impact of hitherto unexamined governance and institutional variables on financial development among economies in SSA.
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Wai Chuen Poon and Serene En Hui Tung
This study aims to understand consumer behaviour in the context of online food delivery (OFD), especially given the mandatory lockdown imposed in some countries that have modified…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand consumer behaviour in the context of online food delivery (OFD), especially given the mandatory lockdown imposed in some countries that have modified the behaviour of consumers. Using model goal-directed behaviour (MGB), this study was conducted to investigate consumer perceived risk on the use of OFD services.
Design/methodology/approach
Responses of food delivery services users were collected online throughout April 2020 to understand their risk profile and behaviour. A total of 339 responses were collected and subsequently analysed using partial least square (PLS). Both measurement and structural model were evaluated to ensure that the structural equation modelling (SEM) is valid.
Findings
The results revealed that attitude (ATT), subjective norm (SN), positive anticipated emotion (PAE) and negative anticipated emotion (NAE) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) significantly influenced users' desire. It was also found that PBC significantly influenced users' intention. The empirical result suggests that performance, privacy, financial, physical and the risk of contracting COVID-19 negatively influenced users' desire. In contrast, only physical and the risk of contracting COVID-19 negatively influenced users' intention to use OFD services.
Practical implications
These findings provide OFD service providers and scholars with significant insights into what compels urbanites to adopt OFD services amid a health pandemic. It also allows OFD companies to realign their operation in addressing these concerns and changes in consumer behaviour.
Originality/value
Against the backdrop of the pandemic, this study provides insights for OFD providers in developing new strategies and approaches for business development and consumer retention in a post-pandemic world.
研究目的
本研究擬瞭解與網上訂餐相關的消費行為;尤其當有些國家推行了改變消費者行為的強制性封鎖政策的情況下,這類研究更具意義。透過應用目標導向行為模型,本研究擬探討消費者在使用網上訂餐服務時所意識到的風險。
研究設計/方法/理念
研究人員於 2020年4月網上收集使用訂餐服務人士的意見,以瞭解其風險狀況和行為。研究共收集了339位人士的意見,並以偏最小二乘法進行分析。測量和結構模型均加以評估,以確保結構方程模型是站得住腳的。
研究結果
研究結果顯示,態度、主觀規範、預期的正面和負面情緒、以及感知的行為控制,顯著地影響了用戶的慾望。研究結果亦發現,感知的行為控制顯著地影響了用戶的意圖。研究的經驗性結果暗示了表現、私隱、金錢上的爭議、可能會導致的身體損傷和感染2019冠狀病毒病的風險,負面地影響用戶的慾望。相比之下,影響著用戶使用網上訂餐服務的意圖的因素就只有可能會導致的身體損傷和感染2019冠狀病毒病的風險。
實務方面的啓示
研究的結果,為提供網上訂餐服務的營運者和研究學者提供了重要的啟示,使他們更瞭解是什麼因素會迫使都市人在與健康息息相關的大流行病期間使用網上訂餐服務。而且,提供網上訂餐服務的公司亦可藉此重新調整其營運,以能處理客戶的憂慮和應付消費行為的變化。
研究的原創性/價值
在大流行病肆虐的背景下,本研究為網上訂餐服務提供者給予了啟示,以便他們能在後疫情時代制定新的策略和營運方法,以拓展其業務和留住消費者。
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Kian Yeik Koay, Weng Marc Lim, Kim Leng Khoo, Jesrina Ann Xavier and Wai Ching Poon
Amidst escalating sustainability challenges, product and brand managers face a pressing need to foster responsible consumption and marketing strategies. Guided by the theory of…
Abstract
Purpose
Amidst escalating sustainability challenges, product and brand managers face a pressing need to foster responsible consumption and marketing strategies. Guided by the theory of planned behavior, this paper aims to explore consumers’ motivation to purchase second-hand clothing, a type of product that contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production by democratizing the brand, extending the life-cycle of the product, promoting a circular economy, while reducing economic costs for consumers and environmental costs for companies.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-stage study was conducted: 20 consumers were initially interviewed to identify the salient beliefs about second-hand clothing, and following that, a survey was conducted with 449 consumers to statistically analyze consumers’ motivation to purchase second-hand clothing. The data were analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and necessary condition analysis (NCA).
Findings
From a “should-have” perspective (PLS-SEM), the study reveals that behavioral beliefs, injunctive normative beliefs, descriptive normative beliefs and control beliefs positively shape attitudes, injunctive norms, descriptive norms and perceived behavioral control toward second-hand clothing, whereas attitudes, injunctive norms, moral norms and perceived behavioral control positively influence consumers’ purchases of second-hand clothing. From a “must-have” perspective (NCA), the study shows that behavioral beliefs, injunctive normative beliefs and descriptive normative beliefs are necessary conditions to positively shape attitudes, injunctive norms and descriptive norms toward second-hand clothing, whereas attitudes, injunctive norms and perceived behavioral control are necessary conditions to stimulate second-hand clothing purchases.
Originality/value
The study offers a deep dive into consumers’ motivation to purchase second-hand clothing using a multimethod approach that enables not only the elicitation of salient beliefs (through interviews) but also the empirical examination of these beliefs alongside varying subjective norms in motivating consumers to purchase second-hand clothing (via survey). Given that beliefs are deeply rooted, the rigorous unfolding and validation of consumers’ beliefs about second-hand clothing, including the “should-haves” versus the “must-haves,” provide finer-grained insights that product and brand managers can strategically use to encourage consumers to purchase second-hand clothing.
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Siraj K. K. and Azzah Al Maskari
The main purpose of this study was to evaluate students’ perception of blended learning instructional design in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the Sultanate of Oman. A…
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to evaluate students’ perception of blended learning instructional design in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the Sultanate of Oman. A course in a bachelor degree was offered using blended learning instructional mode, and students’ feedback was obtained on the impact of blended learning. The study was conducted in Ibra College of Technology, one of the seven colleges under the Ministry of Manpower in the Sultanate of Oman. A course in Business Strategy and HR Management was offered during Summer 2016 using a combination of traditional and online instructional design. A structured questionnaire was administered at the end of the semester to solicit feedback from students. The results of the study highlighted a positive attitude among students towards blended learning courses. The research stressed the requirements for proper infrastructure, training and development initiatives for staff and students, shift to a more focused practical assessment methods to measure the graduate attributes. Student engagement, learner autonomy, connection of learning to real life environments and flexibility all appeared to benefit from the blended learning course.
Sharon Yam, Chyi Lin Lee, Connie Susilawati and Andrea Blake
The property industry has been experiencing massive transformation due to rapid technological advancement in the last decade. A large body of literature has attempted to identify…
Abstract
Purpose
The property industry has been experiencing massive transformation due to rapid technological advancement in the last decade. A large body of literature has attempted to identify the challenges confronting property professionals, with some examining the impact brought by Property Industry 4.0 on the future workforce. To effectively address the challenges, however, we need participation from diverse stakeholders, as previously proposed strategies have often only considered perspectives from specific cohorts and lacked broader engagement. Hence, this study aims to formulate comprehensive strategies to address the challenges facing our future workforce in the age of Property Industry 4.0.
Design/methodology/approach
For the first time, we invited a unique lineup of stakeholders to our co-design workshops. These include property leaders, property professionals, recent property graduates, property students, property academics, program directors, as well as university leadership executives, to make sure the outcomes are relevant, effective and user-oriented.
Findings
Four strategies were recommended to future-proof our property graduates: (1) enhancing AI-focused content in universities and collaborating with industry stakeholders, (2) regulating AI adoption by bodies like the Australian Property Institute (API), (3) introducing industry certifications to address ethical concerns and (4) developing students' soft skills via internships and networking events in collaboration with professional bodies.
Originality/value
This study is the first to employ a co-design workshop, incorporating the perspectives of all stakeholders in crafting potential solutions. These include property leaders, property practitioners, recent property graduates, property academics, property students and senior school executives (e.g. deputy dean and deputy head of education).