Search results

1 – 10 of 28
Per page
102050
Citations:
Loading...
Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 3 February 2020

Irfan Raza and Zainudin Awang

Taking higher educational institutes (HEIs) operating in Islamabad metropolitan, and Pakistan as research context, the purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedents of…

443

Abstract

Purpose

Taking higher educational institutes (HEIs) operating in Islamabad metropolitan, and Pakistan as research context, the purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedents of knowledge sharing behavior (KSB) and to check their causal effect in perspective of culturally diverse academic staff. In addition, the authors suggest certain policies for HEIs that can raise knowledge sharing practices in multicultural environment.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a cross-sectional study, quantitative in nature, and has used a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. With proportionate stratified random sampling technique, 278 academic employees working in three faculties from six public sector universities operating in Islamabad metropolitan have recorded their responses. This research also applied confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to examine the proposed hypothesis of this inquiry.

Findings

The empirical results indicate significant and positive effect of cultural diversity management, interpersonal trust, and leader-empowering behavior on KSB, whereas knowledge technology has insignificant effect on KSB of culturally diverse academic staff. Moreover, proposed model has explained 54 percent variation in endogenous construct.

Practical implications

The present research aids academic leadership in designing policies and strategies to enhance knowledge sharing among faculty members and to create a supportive knowledge sharing culture.

Originality/value

This study fills the empirical gap that exists in literature by exploring the antecedents and their effect on KSB of multicultural academic staff associated in public sector HEIs in Islamabad metropolitan, Pakistan.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 24 August 2010

Tariq M. Khan, Fintan Clear, Ahmed AlKaabi and Vahid Pezeshki

The purpose of this paper is to examine the increasingly important area of diversity management in multicultural settings. This paper examines several private organizations in the…

3128

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the increasingly important area of diversity management in multicultural settings. This paper examines several private organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as illustrative examples of the challenges facing global organizations seeking to utilise a hugely diverse labour force. The objective of the investigation is to shed more light on the intervening variables that connect diversity dimensions to personal attitudes on diversity.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 406 employees from ten organizations operating in the UAE were selected based on their length of service and contract type. These participants completed questionnaires as a means of determining their attitudes towards diversity in the workplace. The data were subjected to principal component analysis from which a regression model was derived that associates intervening variables identified from the study with personal attitudes to diversity.

Findings

Three intervening variables (components) are found: commitment to the organization, frustration in the work environment and perceptions of respect and fairness. These are found to be correlated to personal attitudes to diversity in the workplace. Furthermore, location is found to be a differentiating factor in the context of commitment to the organization, with Dubai employees being more committed than those in Abu Dhabi – hence, both emirates expressed different views on diversity in the workplace.

Research limitations/implications

Ensuring reliability of responses on such a sensitive topic, gaining access to a representative set of participant organizations and insufficient literature on related issues all impinged on the research investigation. The research has relevance to managers tasked with overseeing multicultural teams and human resource (HR) issues related to personal well‐being in the workplace.

Originality/value

The identification of intervening variables is an under‐researched area that now can take direction from the results of this investigation. Practitioners will have a better understanding of how to achieve more positive attitudes to diversity and thus, improve group dynamics in the workplace by targeting these intervening variables in HR policies.

Details

Team Performance Management: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7592

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 9 February 2015

Ahmed Al Kaabi, Alyazi Al Mazrouei, Salma Al Hamadi, Mariam Al Yousuf and Eunice Taylor

This paper aims to provide an overview of the methods used, and results found, during an in-depth investigation into the status of food safety management systems in eight types of…

455

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of the methods used, and results found, during an in-depth investigation into the status of food safety management systems in eight types of Abu Dhabi businesses. It is the second article in a Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes theme issue presenting a comprehensive government strategy for improving food safety management standards across the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research process gathered quantitative and qualitative data from industry visits, surveys, interviews, document analysis, focus groups and stakeholder workshops.

Findings

Standards varied across the industry, with distinct characteristics and patterns across the eight groups. Systems were most likely to be found to be in place within hotels. However, there were some issues with validation, documentation and particularly certification. In other sectors, there were lower levels of food safety management with some additional specific challenges. The baseline data identified, along with regulatory requirements based on international best practice, provided a detailed road map for outcomes to be achieved in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Originality/value

The article brings together a theoretical and practical discussion of food safety standards within the hospitality industry, with a unique insight into a practical application in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It will be of value to practitioners, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders involved in the food industry.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 25 July 2020

Irfan Raza and Zainudin Awang

Knowledge hoarding is an emerging issue among multiracial employees engaged in public sector higher educational institutes (HEIs) of Islamabad, Pakistan. By considering…

427

Abstract

Purpose

Knowledge hoarding is an emerging issue among multiracial employees engaged in public sector higher educational institutes (HEIs) of Islamabad, Pakistan. By considering knowledge-sharing barriers, this study aims to examine the knowledge sharing behavior (KSB) of ethnically diverse public sector staff in perspective of well-known theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

It is a cross-sectional survey study, and it has used a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. With proportionate stratified random sampling technique, 273 nonacademic employees associated in 15 public sector HEIs of Islamabad have recorded their responses. Structural equation modeling was employed for empirical hypotheses testing.

Findings

Results stated significant and positive effect of cultural diversity management, interpersonal trust and knowledge technology on KSB. Moreover, knowledge-sharing attitude (KSA) fully mediated the relationship between cultural diversity management and KSB and between interpersonal trust and KSB; whereas KSA partially mediated the relationship between knowledge technology and KSB. Moreover, proposed model has explained 45% variation in endogenous construct.

Research limitations/implications

Current study contributes to the present literature by investigating the antecedents of knowledge-sharing behavior of multicultural nonacademic staff engaged in public sector HEIs of capital city of Pakistan. Enriching the top management thoughts about problems of diverse workforce, the researcher has explored a noticeable lack in elucidation of such connection. Moreover, formation of knowledge-sharing behavior specifically on ethnic-based diverse employees made a significant addition in existing literature.

Practical implications

The present research aids academic leadership in designing policies and strategies to enhance knowledge sharing among public sector employees and to create a supportive knowledge-sharing culture.

Originality/value

This study fills the empirical gap in literature by exploring the antecedents and their effect on KSB of nonacademic employees of Islamabad, Pakistan. Moreover, assessing the mediation effect of KSA between CDM and KSB on multicultural public sector employees is another novel inclusion in literature.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 24 August 2010

Ingo Forstenlechner

The introduction to this special issue aims to describe the papers published in this volume as well as the setting of labour markets in the Arabian Gulf as the basis for the…

2740

Abstract

Purpose

The introduction to this special issue aims to describe the papers published in this volume as well as the setting of labour markets in the Arabian Gulf as the basis for the understanding the relationship between expatriates and the indigenous workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the context is explained, followed by a description of the peculiarities of the research setting. Then, the articles in this special issue are described, followed by an outlook on the future of the expatriate‐citizen relationship and suggestions for future research in this area.

Findings

Thanks to the efforts of authors, reviewers, and the editors of this journal, every single one of the articles in this volume provides valuable insights from new perspectives on the theme of this special issue.

Originality/value

This special issue expands the understanding of a truly underrepresented topic.

Details

Team Performance Management: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7592

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 23 March 2012

Ahmed E. Haroun, Elkhawad Ali Elfaki and El Mahdi A. M. Beshir

The purpose of the paper is to find the “effect of economic value of maintenance cost on the optimum selection of one alternative (either out‐or‐in‐sourcing) through the analysis…

797

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to find the “effect of economic value of maintenance cost on the optimum selection of one alternative (either out‐or‐in‐sourcing) through the analysis of a case study of two projects: an existing on‐going project and a proposed bidding project”. In particular, the research is conducted to help PetroCost for Engineering Investment and Construction Company to take a decision on whether to have its own earth moving fleet (and hence maintain it) or rent one including the maintenance service as part of the outsourcing contract.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a case study approach whereby cost data and information are collected from two case projects, then presented and analyzed. Economic tools (measures of worth) and excel software were used in the first project, where payback period method and break‐even analysis are used in the second project. The two projects were considered as an integrated (complementary) case study, so different measures were applied to each project, although the three measures could be applied, implicitly, to each of them. The payback method is used as a quick screening method to determine, approximately, how long the project takes to recover the invested outlays. If the period is shorter than the period of time desired by the investor, then a further thorough analyses, rate of return and break‐even, are recommended to be undertaken. Two of the authors were consultants to the study, where the third was the technical manager of the company (PetroCost).

Findings

The results obtained from the analysis of the first case project (existing on‐going project) showed a saving of SDG717,484.31, while the second case study (bidding) showed a saving of 33.4 percent over the out‐sourcing cost, and a break‐even point of 27 days, one third of the recommended project life. Both cases are in favor of having their own trucks while conducting in‐house maintenance.

Practical implications

The traditional in‐house approach is considered by many firms as the best maintenance strategy. Nevertheless, out‐sourcing becomes a recognized challenging competing option, worldwide. However, out‐sourcing option not widely practiced in Sudan. The decision criteria presented in this paper provides a useful management tool for selecting the appropriate maintenance organization strategy. Although the criteria is applied for a truck fleet case in a construction firm, but it can be extended to the management of maintenance activities in the growing oil and associated industries in the country, besides the existing ones, where the skills' shortage of qualified maintenance personnel is evident.

Originality/value

Much of previous and current research on outsourcing focuses on managing outsourcing projects and evaluating ex post decisions' consequences (e.g. output measurability) more than addressing early planning and feasibility study stages. Hence, the paper is relevant in this respect and intended to contribute to the practice of maintenance management.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 16 November 2020

Mostafa Adel Elsebaei, Omar Elnawawy, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman and Mohammed Badawy

The construction industry is considered one of the most dangerous industries especially in developing countries such as Egypt. Although safety in Egypt is regulated by mainly four…

903

Abstract

Purpose

The construction industry is considered one of the most dangerous industries especially in developing countries such as Egypt. Although safety in Egypt is regulated by mainly four pivotal legislations, namely, Law No. 12 (2003) and Ministerial Decrees No. 211, 126 and 134, construction accident records in Egypt are high. Accordingly, this paper aims to develop a framework to activate the health and safety regulations in the Egyptian construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this aim, a research methodology consisting of a literature review and a survey questionnaire was developed to accomplish three objectives. First, a literature review was used to identify the causes of site accidents and strategies adopted in different countries to improve and enforce safety, safety roles of stakeholders. Second, a survey questionnaire was conducted with a representative sample of large- and medium-sized construction firms in Egypt to examine their perception of the causes of site accidents. Finally, a framework was developed to activate the health and safety regulations in the Egyptian construction industry.

Findings

The research identified 16 causes of construction site accidents. These causes were classified into three categories based on the party responsible for the occurrence of site accidents, namely, workers, organization management and government. Results of data analysis showed that “lack of housekeeping” and “lack of governmental inspection for safety” were ranked the highest causes of site accidents in the Egyptian construction industry, whereas “inefficiency of old safety equipment or no safety equipment at all” and “reluctance to input resources for safety” were ranked the least causes.

Originality/value

This research provides valuable information about the nature of the construction industry with a particular focus on site accidents, causes and impacts of construction site accidents. The study highlighted the safety roles of the Egyptian Governmental bodies in Egypt to improve and enforce safety. The research tackled a topic that received scant attention in construction literature especially in the Egypt context. The framework presented in this paper represents a synthesis that is important and adds value to the knowledge in a manner that has not previously occurred in the Egyptian construction industry.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 19 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 10 August 2015

Ahmed E. Haroun

The purpose of this paper is to present the use of activity-based costing (ABC) approach as an alternative option to the traditional cost accounting system. The contribution of…

10352

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the use of activity-based costing (ABC) approach as an alternative option to the traditional cost accounting system. The contribution of this study is to demonstrate, through a simple example, the application of that costing system in a service (maintenance) industry, i.e. the paper intended to develop a procedure for a cost model that help in calculating any maintenance job cost, to a reasonable degree of accuracy, based on the actual activities performed.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a simple example whereby hypothetical activities and cost data of maintaining an injector and a pump, of an internal combustion engine, are used, presented and analyzed based on the use of the developed procedure.

Findings

ABC system provides more accurate cost estimates rather than the traditional “order costing” methods that uses unit-level costs which are variable in relation to change in service volume. Traditional cost methods distort the costs by applying overhead uniformly over different jobs of varied complexities and activities scope. On the other hand, ABC is a useful means to distribute the overhead costs in proportion (fairly) to the actual activities performed in a specific job and, hence, enhance the rationality of decision making, i.e. will not distort the accounting information used for cost reduction, pricing, and evaluation matters. The results obtained from the analysis showed that allocating costs to the maintained injector decreased from $83.55 to $71.95 and, finally, to $67.57 when using the workshop-wide, two-stage and ABC overhead allocation methods, respectively; while that of the pump increased from $298.90 to $340.34 and, finally, to $359.48 when using the same three methods, in the same order, respectively. The result is quite fair when considering the complexity of the fuel pump, in terms of design and maintenance, when compared with the injector. Notice that using volume to allocate overhead costs results in over costing high-volume products, e.g. injectors (simple in terms of design and operation) and under costing low-volume products, e.g. pumps (more complex in terms of design and operation). The paper recommends to use ABC as a more accurate and fair method when charging maintenance job orders based on the analysis of costing two maintained items in the same premise while consuming different overhead resources.

Practical implications

This study attempts to analyze different methods to calculate a specific corrective maintenance job order. It strives to remedy the drawbacks of the traditional overhead costing of a job order when using principles related to the size of service, such as the direct labor cost/hours, as an allocation base. Consequently, the study proposed a new costing method, i.e. application of ABC. The traditional costing approach is considered by many firms as the best costing method. Nevertheless, it allocates overhead cost over job performed uniformly (equally) not differentiating between the complexity of the job and variety of the activities performed, e.g. using the same allocation base for “oil change” and “fuel pump adjustment” activities. So, ABC prevents cost distortions (unfairness) that could not be prevented by traditional cost accounting system. The author believes that the method presented in this paper will provide a useful management tool for costing maintenance jobs based on the appropriate selected activity drivers in maintenance workshops. The method could be applied for costing maintenance activities in maintenance of all industrial sectors.

Originality/value

The use of traditional costing method has proven to be distorted by applying overhead uniformly over different jobs of varied complexities and activities scope. In this paper the authors strive to present an effective costing alternative that outperforms the traditional ones with regard to overhead allocation. The paper aims to find reliable and fair maintenance costing method, i.e. to find out the relationships between maintenance activities and cost drivers. Although, ABC is widely used in manufacturing industry, no application or current research has presented an applicable thorough worked-out example, with the exception, to the author’s knowledge, of one in the aeronautical industry, to implement ABC method in maintenance industry. The importance of using this method comes from the fact that it provides, relatively, accurate and fair maintenance bills that provide customer satisfaction and firm good image. Hence, the paper is relevant in this respect and intended to contribute to the practice of maintenance management.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 28 November 2024

Marwan Abdeldayem, Abdulhameed Baqi and Saeed Aldulaimi

This study aims to present a comprehensive research framework designed to assess stakeholder perceptions in the nuclear power plant (NPP) industry, with a focus on the unique…

21

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present a comprehensive research framework designed to assess stakeholder perceptions in the nuclear power plant (NPP) industry, with a focus on the unique context of the Al Barakah NPP in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The framework combines a thorough literature review, primary data collection methods and strategic action planning to facilitate stakeholder engagement and drive progress in the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop the framework, an extensive review of relevant literature was conducted, identifying gaps and incorporating insights from sectoral reports, governmental documents and scholarly works. Primary data collection was then carried out using an online survey administered through Google Forms. The survey instrument was carefully designed, adhering to established guidelines and incorporating closed-ended questions, Likert scales and multiple-choice formats. Pilot-testing of the survey was conducted among the general public residing in the vicinity of the Al Barakah NPP.

Findings

The multi-level research framework enables a systematic assessment of stakeholder perceptions in the NPP industry. Through the analysis and synthesis of collected data, a strategic approach and customised managerial action plan can be formulated, tailored to the specific context of the NPP. This approach encourages stakeholder involvement and plays a vital role in driving industry advancements.

Practical implications

The proposed framework offers a valuable tool for NPP stakeholders, policymakers and industry professionals to gather and analyse stakeholder perceptions effectively. It empowers informed decision-making, fosters stakeholder engagement and supports the development of strategic actions that address concerns and propel progress in the NPP industry.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by presenting a comprehensive research framework specifically designed for assessing stakeholder perceptions in the NPP industry. By integrating literature review, primary data collection and strategic action planning, it provides a holistic approach to comprehend stakeholder perspectives and promote sustainable development in the nuclear energy sector.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 20 August 2021

Kathirvel Selvaraju and Punniyamoorthy Murugesan

The purpose of this article is to develop a cost-effective model for Multi-Criteria ABC Inventory Classification and to measure its performance in comparison to the other existing…

522

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to develop a cost-effective model for Multi-Criteria ABC Inventory Classification and to measure its performance in comparison to the other existing models.

Design/methodology/approach

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is exclusively designed for Multi-Criteria ABC Inventory Classification wherein the inventory is classified based on the objective of cost minimization, which is achieved through the inventory performance index – total relevant cost. Effectiveness of classification of the proposed model and the other classification models toward two inventory performance measures, that is, cost and inventory turnover has been computed, and the results of all models are relatively compared by arriving at the cumulative performance score of each model.

Findings

This study reveals that the ABC Inventory classification based on the proposed PSO approach is more effective toward cost and inventory turnover ratio in comparison to the twenty existing models.

Practical implications

The proposed model can be easily adapted to the industrial requirement of inventory classification by cost as objective as well as other inventory management performance measures.

Originality/value

The conceptual model is more versatile which can be adapted for various objectives and the effectiveness of classification in comparison to the other models can be measured toward each objective as well as combining all the objectives.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 29 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

1 – 10 of 28
Per page
102050