A. Marchese, A. Papo and G. Torriano
Summary Chlorinated rubber primers formulated with active pigments, which are claimed to be non‐toxic and non‐polluting, are investigated; they are designed for the protection of…
Abstract
Summary Chlorinated rubber primers formulated with active pigments, which are claimed to be non‐toxic and non‐polluting, are investigated; they are designed for the protection of ships (above the waterline), port installation, industrial plants, bridges, etc.
Stephen Choo and Christine Bowley
A review of the literature on franchising has revealed a significant lack of academic research on employee training in franchise systems. Further, most research in this area…
Abstract
Purpose
A review of the literature on franchising has revealed a significant lack of academic research on employee training in franchise systems. Further, most research in this area tended to focus on training for franchises as part of the overall package. This study seeks to address the shortfall of research in this area by investigating the influence of training and development on an employee's job satisfaction at one of Australia's fastest growing franchises.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected data from 135 frontline staff at one of Australia's largest bakery retail franchises. The data were gathered by means of a structured questionnaire, 16 items of which were devoted to an evaluation of the organisation's training and development programmes and six items were dedicated to job satisfaction.
Findings
There are several key findings for this study. First, the effectiveness and efficacy of a training program are dependent on evaluation of training quality, course design and learning experience. Next, employee satisfaction is found to be influenced by work environment, company values and job responsibilities.
Practical implications
Findings from this study have important managerial implications for retail franchisers and individual franchisees on how to enhance the job satisfaction of employees by the provision of effective training and development programmes.
Originality/value
This empirical study has made a major contribution in adding to the limited body of empirical knowledge on the influence of training and development on job satisfaction in retail franchising. It is hoped that this paper will encourage more academics to investigate the impact of training and development on job satisfaction and retention in franchising.
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This study examined the relationship among perceived job characteristics, job evaluation factors, and salary in twenty jobs from two job families. The Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS…
Abstract
This study examined the relationship among perceived job characteristics, job evaluation factors, and salary in twenty jobs from two job families. The Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) and the Job Characteristics Inventory (JCI) were used to assess job characteristics. The results revealed high agreement across the 445 individuals who described their jobs, but substantial divergence between pairs of common dimensions across instruments in their relationship with job worth. While the major findings are consistent with previous research on the relationship between job characteristics and job worth, it is proposed that job‐level explanations for the motivating properties of jobs are conceptually limited The concept of job‐role differentiation (Ilgen & Hollenbeck, 1991) was offered as a potentially useful explanatory mechanism for understanding the structure of work, particularly those concepts pertaining to motivation and satisfaction.
Zhixin Wang, Peng Xu, Bohan Liu, Yankun Cao, Zhi Liu and Zhaojun Liu
This paper aims to demonstrate the principle and practical applications of hyperspectral object detection, carry out the problem we now face and the possible solution. Also some…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to demonstrate the principle and practical applications of hyperspectral object detection, carry out the problem we now face and the possible solution. Also some challenges in this field are discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the paper summarized the current research status of the hyperspectral techniques. Then, the paper demonstrated the development of underwater hyperspectral techniques from three major aspects, which are UHI preprocess, unmixing and applications. Finally, the paper presents a conclusion of applications of hyperspectral imaging and future research directions.
Findings
Various methods and scenarios for underwater object detection with hyperspectral imaging are compared, which include preprocessing, unmixing and classification. A summary is made to demonstrate the application scope and results of different methods, which may play an important role in the application of underwater hyperspectral object detection in the future.
Originality/value
This paper introduced several methods of hyperspectral image process, give out the conclusion of the advantages and disadvantages of each method, then demonstrated the challenges we face and the possible way to deal with them.
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Alexander Ivanyukovich, Maurizio Marchese and Fausto Giunchiglia
The purpose of this paper is to provide support for automation of the annotation process of large corpora of digital content.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide support for automation of the annotation process of large corpora of digital content.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents and discusses an information extraction pipeline from digital document acquisition to information extraction, processing and management. An overall architecture that supports such an extraction pipeline is detailed and discussed.
Findings
The proposed pipeline is implemented in a working prototype of an autonomous digital library (A‐DL) system called ScienceTreks that: supports a broad range of methods for document acquisition; does not rely on any external information sources and is solely based on the existing information in the document itself and in the overall set in a given digital archive; and provides application programming interfaces (API) to support easy integration of external systems and tools in the existing pipeline.
Practical implications
The proposed A‐DL system can be used in automating end‐to‐end information retrieval and processing, supporting the control and elimination of error‐prone human intervention in the process.
Originality/value
High quality automatic metadata extraction is a crucial step in the move from linguistic entities to logical entities, relation information and logical relations, and therefore to the semantic level of digital library usability. This in turn creates the opportunity for value‐added services within existing and future semantic‐enabled digital library systems.
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Glenn Pitman, Jaideep Motwani, Ashok Kumar and Chun‐Hung Cheng
Illustrates how quality function deployment (QFD) can be used tomeasure customer satisfaction in educational institutions. Specifically,utilizes QFD in evaluating the MBA…
Abstract
Illustrates how quality function deployment (QFD) can be used to measure customer satisfaction in educational institutions. Specifically, utilizes QFD in evaluating the MBA programme at Grand Valley State University. The inputs for the QFDs were obtained through several brainstorming sessions of MBA students, faculty members, administrators, and business people. The preliminary results of the pilot field test show that QFD is a very useful tool in ascertaining customer desires, prioritizing them, and directing organizational resources towards customer satisfaction.
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Jaideep Motwani and Ashok Kumar
Looks at the applicability of total quality management (TQM) in education and some of the concerns addressed in the literature. Explores the different approaches used by several…
Abstract
Looks at the applicability of total quality management (TQM) in education and some of the concerns addressed in the literature. Explores the different approaches used by several educational institutions in implementing TQM. Suggests a five‐step programming model that any university can use for implementing TQM.
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John Flanagan and Candice McGovern
This study aims to investigate how radio frequency identification (RFID) is used and opinions about RFID in two world-leading logistics companies and four organisations in their…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how radio frequency identification (RFID) is used and opinions about RFID in two world-leading logistics companies and four organisations in their supply network. Operations strategy was used to understand the sources of operations improvement and associated competitive advantage. However, the complexity of operations strategy hampers an evaluation of the benefits of RFID for logistics processes. We can evaluate RFID applied in logistics processes by thoroughly applying the theories of operations strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants were recruited based on their roles and level of experience using non-probability purposive sampling. The findings were checked with participants to confirm interpretations and to ask confirming questions as necessary. Interviews were conducted as video chats. NVivo Pro was used for the fragmentation, classification, management and analysis of the primary and secondary data, allowing themes and relationships to emerge inductively. The literature was compared with the primary data.
Findings
The findings reinforce the argument that a firm can improve more than one performance objective at a time; show the relevance of technology and an operations performance objective; support the argument that top management strategies to implement technology should be aligned with the operations strategy and business aspirations.
Research limitations/implications
This research area would benefit from more detailed investigation to strengthen the arguments for the relationships between RFID capabilities and elements of operations strategy for logistics processes. The findings indicate that top management support of strategically aligned RFID projects will have the best chance of success if they create and leverage valuable data whilst addressing identified competitive priorities.
Practical implications
Smart connected devices, such as RFID, give firms access to big data, which can be used to develop long-term processes, to achieve competitive advantage and access new forms of economic value. RFID cumulatively influences the operations performance objectives of cost, quality, flexibility, speed, dependability and technology. Business strategies based on technology should align with operations strategy.
Social implications
The sharing of operational performance results, both before and after the implementation of RFID, will help to build learning within operations, increase the support of senior management and improve the performance of logistics processes with the associated benefits for society at large.
Originality/value
RFID is often evaluated in terms of theoretical technical or cost benefits. This research evaluates RFID by assessing and suggesting how it can contribute to operations strategy.
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Domestic tourism has been a prominent form of tourism in the archipelagos. Its dominance has at times been considered to be a limitation causing seasonality. The pandemic has…
Abstract
Domestic tourism has been a prominent form of tourism in the archipelagos. Its dominance has at times been considered to be a limitation causing seasonality. The pandemic has changed many things in this regard. Travelling closer to home and domestic tourism have become even more the norm, and domestic tourism is now seen as a blessing. The role of domestic tourism to restart island tourism was investigated by using a group of islands in the central Mediterranean region. Interviews held with stakeholders and secondary data have shown that island to island domestic tourism was key for such destinations to restart tourism – a major economic sector on such islands. As the pandemic rages on, domestic tourism is expected to increase. This is galvanised by the safe environment found on islands where local populations have been fully vaccinated, the pristine natural environment which is highly sought after following a long period of staying indoors, opportunities of self-catering accommodation with full amenities as well as connections gained between islands. Domestic tourism might be also favoured due to its potential to contribute in reducing emissions which is key for the tourism sector to contribute to the European Green Deal targets. However, several challenges need to be addressed. These include addressing seasonality by targeting domestic tourists also off season through adequate packages focusing on diverse niches comprising ecotourism, ensuring reliable and sustainable sea transport services and better management of the natural environment.