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Article
Publication date: 6 March 2019

Ahmed A. Sarhan and Collins G. Ntim

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of voluntary compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance (CG) best practices, and the extent to which board…

884

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of voluntary compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance (CG) best practices, and the extent to which board characteristics and shareholding structures can explain discernible differences in the level of voluntary CG disclosure in a number of emerging Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a number of multivariate regression methods, namely, ordinary least squares, weighted, non-linear, lagged-effects, two-stage least squares and fixed-effects regression techniques to analyse data collected for a sample of listed corporations in emerging MENA economies from 2009 to 2014.

Findings

First, in general, MENA listed firms have a relatively lower level of voluntary compliance with, and disclosure of, CG practices compared to listed firms in developed countries. Second, the evidence suggests that corporate board characteristics, including board diversity, have a positive association with the level of voluntary CG disclosure. In contrast, the findings indicate that unitary board leadership structure, director shareholdings and government shareholdings negatively impact on the level of voluntary CG disclosure. The study does not, however, find any evidence to suggest that family shareholdings have any significant relationship with the level of voluntary CG disclosure. The findings are generally robust to alternative measures and potential endogeneity problems.

Originality/value

This is one of the first empirical efforts at investigating the association between CG mechanisms and voluntary disclosure in emerging MENA economies that observably relies on a multi-theoretical framework within a longitudinal cross-country research setting.

Details

Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-1168

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Article
Publication date: 14 September 2018

Ahmed A. Sarhan and Collins G. Ntim

This paper aims to investigate the level of compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance best practice recommendations and the firm- and country-level factors that can…

931

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the level of compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance best practice recommendations and the firm- and country-level factors that can explain discernible differences in the level of compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance best practice recommendations in a number of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the widely used content analysis technique to examine the level of compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance best practice recommendations in a sample of listed corporations in MENA countries. In addition, the authors use the ordinary least square multiple regression analysis technique to examine the firm- and country-level antecedents of the level of compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance best practice recommendations. The findings are generally robust to different types of firm- and country-level factors, alternative measures and potential endogeneity problems.

Findings

The findings of this study are two-fold. First, the level of voluntary compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance best practice recommendations among MENA listed corporations is low and differs substantially across firms. Second, the evidence suggests that firm- and country-level factors, including religiosity, national governance quality and macroeconomic factors, have a positive and significant impact on voluntary compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance best practice recommendations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to examine both the potential firm- and country-level factors affecting voluntary compliance with, and disclosure of, corporate governance best practice recommendations among MENA listed corporations from a neo-institutional theoretical perspective. The results of our study provide regulators and policymakers with the impetus to encourage greater efforts towards pursuing reforms that seek to improve national governance quality, economic environment and positive religious practices.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 33 no. 6/7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

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Article
Publication date: 13 December 2018

Yusuf S. Dambatta, Mohd Sayuti, Ahmed A.D. Sarhan, Hamdi Bin Ab Shukor, Nur Aqilah binti Derahman and Sunusi Marwana Manladan

Optimisation of grinding processes involves enhancing the surface quality and reducing the cost of manufacturing through reduction of power consumptions. Recent research works…

311

Abstract

Purpose

Optimisation of grinding processes involves enhancing the surface quality and reducing the cost of manufacturing through reduction of power consumptions. Recent research works have indicated the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) system is used to achieve near dry machining of alloys and hard materials. This study aims to provide an experimental analysis of the grinding process during machining of aluminium alloy (Al6061-T6). MQL nanofluid was used as the lubricant for the grinding operations. The lubricant was formed by suspending silicon dioxide nanoparticles in canola vegetable oil. The effect of input parameters (i.e. nanoparticle concentration, depth of cut, air pressure and feed rate) on the grinding forces and surface quality was studied. Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) prediction modelling was used to predict the specific normal force, specific tangential force and surface quality, the ANFIS models were found to have prediction accuracies of 97.4, 96.6 and 98.5 per cent, respectively. Further study shows that both the specific grinding forces and surface roughness are inversely proportional to the nanofluid concentration. Also, the depth of cut and table feed rate were found to have a directly proportional relationship with both the grinding forces and surface roughness. Moreover, higher MQL air pressure was found to offer better delivery of the atomised nanofluid into the grinding region.

Design/methodology/approach

Grinding experiments were performed using MQL nanofluid as the lubricant. The lubricant was formed by suspending silicon dioxide nanoparticles in canola vegetable oil. The effect of input parameters (i.e. nanoparticle concentration, depth of cut, air pressure and feed rate) on the grinding forces and surface quality has been studied.

Findings

The grinding process parameters were optimised using Taguchi S/N ratio analysis, whereas the prediction of the response parameters was done using ANFIS modelling technique. The developed ANFIS models for predicting the specific normal force, specific tangential force and surface quality were found to have prediction accuracies of 97.4, 96.6 and 98.5 per cent, respectively. Further findings show that both the specific grinding forces and surface roughness are inversely proportional to the percentage of nanoparticle concentration in the lubricant. Also, the depth of cut and table feed rate were found to exhibit a direct proportional relationship with both the grinding forces and surface roughness, while high MQL air pressure was observed to offer more efficient delivery of the atomised nanofluid into the grinding region.

Practical implications

The work can applied into manufacturing industries to prevent unnecessary trials and material wastages.

Originality/value

The purpose of this study is to develop an artificial intelligent model for predicting the outcomes of MQL grinding of the aluminium alloy material using ANFIS modelling technique.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 71 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

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Article
Publication date: 14 March 2018

Fuat Kara and Burak Öztürk

This paper aims to examine the performance of the machining parameters used in the hard-turning process of DIN 1.2738 mold steel and identify the optimum machining conditions.

687

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the performance of the machining parameters used in the hard-turning process of DIN 1.2738 mold steel and identify the optimum machining conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Experiments were carried out via the Taguchi L18 orthogonal array. The evaluation of the experimental results was based on the signal/noise ratio. The effect levels of the control factors on the surface roughness and flank wear were specified with analysis of variance performed. Two different multiple regression analyses (linear and quadratic) were conducted for the experimental results. A higher correlation coefficient (R2) was obtained with the quadratic regression model, which showed values of 0.97 and 0.95 for Ra and Vb, respectively.

Findings

The experimental results indicated that generally better results were obtained with the TiAlN-coated tools, in respect to both surface roughness and flank wear. The Taguchi analysis found the optimum results for surface roughness to be with the cutting tools of coated carbide using physical vapor deposition (PVD), a cutting speed of 160 m/min and a feed rate of 0.1 mm/rev, and for flank wear, with cutting tools of coated carbide using PVD, a cutting speed of 80 m/min and a feed rate of 0.1 mm/rev. The results of calculations and confirmation tests for Ra were 0.595 and 0.570 µm, respectively, and for the Vb, 0.0244 and 0.0256 mm, respectively. Developed quadratic regression models demonstrated a very good relationship.

Originality/value

Optimal parameters for both Ra and Vb were obtained with the TiAlN-coated tool using PVD. Finally, confirmation tests were performed and showed that the optimization had been successfully implemented.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 39 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

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Article
Publication date: 13 September 2019

Shakil Ahmed and Md Habibur Rahman Sobuz

Construction management is ameliorated by the lean construction concept in many direct and indirect ways to reduce waste of construction process and improve the value. The purpose…

1598

Abstract

Purpose

Construction management is ameliorated by the lean construction concept in many direct and indirect ways to reduce waste of construction process and improve the value. The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges of the implementation of lean construction in the Bangladeshi construction industry and to prioritize these factors that constitute these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review was used for shorting the global challenges of implementing lean construction. Subsequently, these challenges were incorporated into a structured questionnaire for survey. A total of 164 valid responses were collected from Bangladeshi construction practitioners involved in different types of construction organizations. The results were analyzed using the Relative Important Index (RII) and Mann–Whitney U test.

Findings

The findings revealed 41 challenges of lean construction implementation in the Bangladeshi construction industry. The highest ranking challenges are the lack of awareness about lean construction, lack of skills, training and lean techniques, unwillingness to change the existing culture, lack of management commitment, fragmented and cyclic nature of the construction project and unavailing communication between all project participants. The study also discusses some universally applicable solutions to overcome these challenges.

Originality/value

By the findings of this study, the Bangladeshi construction industry could get a new insight into the challenges of implementing lean construction. It could play a very important part in the body of knowledge, as it reveals the challenges of implementing lean construction for the first time with the socio-economic context of Bangladesh. Exploring the findings, the study could help the stakeholders, companies, academician, researchers and government to focus their effort and resources on the significantly appropriate issues. Furthermore, this study may beneficial to those developing countries especially in South Asia, who have shared the same socio-economic status with Bangladesh.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

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Article
Publication date: 13 October 2021

Tirivavi Moyo and Benviolent Chigara

Increased waste during projects execution has led to time and cost overruns within the Zimbabwean construction projects industry. However, contextual barriers to lean construction…

713

Abstract

Purpose

Increased waste during projects execution has led to time and cost overruns within the Zimbabwean construction projects industry. However, contextual barriers to lean construction implementation are yet to be established for derivation of effective remedies. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study that sought to determine barriers to lean construction implementation and assess the existence of statistically significant differences because of gender, designation and educational levels of respondents.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was administered on construction professionals for the collection of quantitative data. Factor analysis was used to reveal interrelated significant sets of barriers to lean construction implementation. Non-parametric statistical methods were also used to determine significant differences because of demographic variables.

Findings

Integration- and performance-related, human capital management–related, quality management–related barriers were determined as the highest-ranked of the nine significant components. Significant differences because of gender, designation and educational levels were non-existent for aggregated barriers, generally indicating consensus on the barriers. However, individual barriers showed inadequacies in management requirements for lean construction implementation from architects and those with diplomas and degrees.

Research limitations/implications

The determination of barriers establishes the knowledge for construction policy evaluation for enhanced performance of the construction industry. However, because of the exploratory nature of this study, the insights of clients were not considered.

Originality/value

Context-specific barriers to lean construction implementation were determined for consequent construction policy improvements in the construction industry.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

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Article
Publication date: 31 March 2020

Shakil Ahmed, Md. Mehrab Hossain and Iffat Haq

Construction management is enriched in many ways by direct and indirect support of lean construction concept. The objectives of this study are to assess the current level of…

2751

Abstract

Purpose

Construction management is enriched in many ways by direct and indirect support of lean construction concept. The objectives of this study are to assess the current level of awareness about lean construction practice, to identify the potential benefits and challenges to implement lean construction in the Bangladeshi construction industry and to prioritize them.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review has been done to design a questionnaire for the survey. The final questionnaire has been designed with 27 lean tools, 41 challenges, and seven benefits of implementing lean principles in the construction industry. A total of 164 valid responses have been collected from Bangladeshi construction practitioners involved in different types of construction organizations. The result has been analyzed by Relative Important Index (RII).

Findings

The findings revealed 41 challenges to implement lean construction with seven benefits in the Bangladeshi construction industry. The result shows that an appreciable number of respondent familiar with the techniques of lean construction but they don't practice. The findings have also pointed out that the lean construction approach adds a positive impact especially on quality, safety, cost, productivity, and environmental level. The top-ranked challenges to implementing lean construction are: lack of awareness and skill, poor management, traditional culture and attitude of employees, inadequate resources and equipment and nonuse of modern techniques and technologies.

Originality/value

This study reveals real scenario of lean construction in Bangladesh. It contributes to the body of knowledge, as it uncovers for the first time the awareness level, benefits and challenges to implement lean construction with reference to the social, economic and cultural context of Bangladesh. Exploring the findings, the study could help the stakeholders, construction firms, academician, researchers and government to focus their effort and resources on the significantly appropriate issues. Again, the study may be beneficial to developing countries especially in South Asia which share the same socio-economic status with Bangladesh.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

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Article
Publication date: 26 July 2022

Edson Neves da Silva, Luiz Carlos Brasil de Brito Mello and Gustavo Oliveira Pinto

This paper aims to evaluate the current level of knowledge about lean construction (LC) practices in construction companies, universities and class organizations in Brazil and…

316

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the current level of knowledge about lean construction (LC) practices in construction companies, universities and class organizations in Brazil and identify the barriers to implementing LC in the Brazilian construction industry and prioritize them through comparison with global challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

This multiple case study was carried out through a questionnaire answered by 56 construction companies, 15 universities and 10 professional associations. The questionnaire evaluation allowed the authors to determine the level of knowledge about the LC, its adoption and barriers to its adoption in the Brazilian industry. The results were statistically analyzed using the weighted average (MIS) of results using the Kruskal–Wallis test, which compares sample distribution among groups, and Cronbach’s alpha test to measure the questionnaire reliability.

Findings

This study points to universities as the main ones responsible for the low adoption of LC in Brazil and points to the need for an integrated action among construction companies, universities and class organizations to overcome the traditional project management culture and raise the level of knowledge about LC.

Originality/value

This study evaluated the current LC situation in an emerging country, Brazil, and compared it with the principal international challenges observed in studies of other developing countries – China, India, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Singapore – least developed countries – Bangladesh and Nigeria – and developed country – UK. These studies evaluated construction companies located in the listed countries. Based on that, 22 international challenges were established for the LC adoption. Additionally, this research also evaluated universities and working-class organizations in addition to construction companies. This addition can contribute to a better result understanding that can be explored by Brazil and other countries.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. 23 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

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Article
Publication date: 16 February 2024

Agana Parameswaran, K.A.T.O. Ranadewa and Akila Pramodh Rathnasinghe

The proliferation of lean principles in the construction industry is offset by the enduring uncertainty among industry stakeholders regarding their respective roles in lean…

289

Abstract

Purpose

The proliferation of lean principles in the construction industry is offset by the enduring uncertainty among industry stakeholders regarding their respective roles in lean implementation. This uncertainty is further compounded by the scarcity of empirical investigations in this area. Consequently, this study undertakes the task of bridging this knowledge gap by identifying the critical roles of lean learners and their indispensable contributions to achieving successful lean implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative exploratory approach informed by an interpretivism perspective was adopted. The case study strategy was employed to gather data from three contracting organisations that had implemented lean practices. Empirical data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with fifteen industry experts and complemented by document reviews. To analyse the data, a code-based content analysis approach was employed using NVivo software, while Power BI software was utilised to develop a comprehensive force-directed graph visualisation.

Findings

The research findings substantiated nine lean learners and unveiled a set of seventy-three roles associated with them. The force-directed graph facilitated the identification of lean learners and their connections to the emerged roles. Notably, the graph highlighted the pivotal role played by project managers and internal lean trainers in ensuring the success of lean implementation, surpassing the contributions of other lean learners.

Originality/value

The implications of findings extend to industry professionals seeking to establish a robust lean learning framework to expedite lean implementation within the construction sector. This study not only provides a comprehensive definition of lean learners’ roles but also transcends specific construction types, making it a significant catalyst for global impact.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 73 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

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Article
Publication date: 4 January 2022

Sa’id Namadi Ahmed, Christine Pasquire and Emmanuel Manu

Extensive research on the importance of collaborative working (CW) and aligning stakeholders’ interests in construction has been widely conducted. But often the practice of…

412

Abstract

Purpose

Extensive research on the importance of collaborative working (CW) and aligning stakeholders’ interests in construction has been widely conducted. But often the practice of commercial actors during CW has often been overlooked, particularly within the UK setting, where scholars have lamented on the lack of industry-wide collaboration. This study aims to explore the factors affecting commercial actors in CW, specific to the UK construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a context-based approach to seek stakeholders’ perspectives on the key factors affecting commercial actors in CW within the UK. Semi-structured interviews with individuals (contractors, cost consultants, designers among others) from construction and infrastructure organisations were conducted, using multiple case study investigations. The collected data was analysed using a case study approach, and principles of inductive thematic analysis to identify the key factors.

Findings

Findings from the analysis identified “institutional” factors such as transactional cost economic influence, the prevailing construction model influence and professional related drivers. Key drivers within these factors include commercial background and training, custom and practice, misaligned interests in projects, clients’ perception of consultants, cost-driven environment, conventional procurement protocols and bureaucratic functions.

Originality/value

In conclusion, these factors continue to affect CW with undue influence on commercial actors in the UK, thus preventing performance improvement demanded by successive UK Government reports. The context-based approach applied in this study is expected to provide some insight in construction management research, especially from a commercial perspective in the UK, to gain an understanding of how these factors are manifesting.

Details

Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction , vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-4387

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