Amir Reza Moravejolahkami, Zahra Esfandiari, Hadiseh Ebdali, Marjan Ganjali Dashti, Akbar Hassanzadeh, Hasan Ziaei and Nimah Bahreini Esfahani
Understanding consumers’ food safety practices are helpful in reducing foodborne illnesses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of education on knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
Understanding consumers’ food safety practices are helpful in reducing foodborne illnesses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of education on knowledge, attitude and practices toward food additives.
Design/methodology/approach
This interventional study was performed by random sampling of 826 employees in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences from January 2018 to March 2019. The knowledge, attitude and practices of the employees toward food additives were assessed by a self-administered and structured questionnaire. Two-month education was conducted visually by using pamphlets, posters and leaflets. Descriptive statistics and paired t-test were done by SPSS24 at significant levels of p < 0.05.
Findings
The results showed that the respondents were very concerned about preservatives, colorants, and artificial sweeteners in foods. Before the education, the percentages collected for the knowledge, attitude and practice were 79.0, 48.9 and 46.7, respectively. Overall, knowledge scores were improved from 79.0 to 88.9 per cent when the education was offered. Safety attitude scores significantly increased, with a 50 per cent difference between the pre and post values. A significant difference was observed in the percentage of knowledge, attitude and practice of the employers before and after education (p < 0.05). Almost half of the respondents chose leaflets and pamphlets as a preferable tool for learning.
Originality/value
Education may be needed for improving knowledge and attitude about food additives. It also helped the respondents to select healthier food. This study suggests more communication programs regarding food safety issues.
Shahid Farid, Rodina Ahmad, Mujahid Alam, Atif Akbar and Victor Chang
The purpose of this study is to propose a sustainable quality assessment approach (model) for the e-learning systems keeping software perspective under consideration. E-learning…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to propose a sustainable quality assessment approach (model) for the e-learning systems keeping software perspective under consideration. E-learning is becoming mainstream due to its accessibility, state-of-the-art learning, training ease and cost effectiveness. However, the poor quality of e-learning systems is one of the major causes of several failures reported. Moreover, this arena lacks well-defined quality assessment measures. Hence, it is quite difficult to measure the overall quality of an e-learning system effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
A pragmatic mixed-model philosophy was adopted for this study. A systematic literature review was performed to identify existing e-learning quality models and frameworks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with e-learning experts following empirical investigations to identify the crucial quality characteristics of e-learning systems. Various statistical tests like principal component analysis, logistic regression, chi-square and analysis of means were applied to analyze the empirical data. These led to an adequate set of quality indicators that can be used by higher education institutions to assure the quality of e-learning systems.
Findings
A sustainable quality assessment model for the information delivery in e-learning systems in software perspective has been proposed by exploring the state-of-the-art quality assessment/evaluation models and frameworks proposed for the e-learning systems. The proposed model can be used to assess and improve the process of information discovery and delivery of e-learning.
Originality/value
The results obtained led to conclude that very limited attention is given to the quality of e-learning tools despite the importance of quality and its effect on e-learning system adoption and promotion. Moreover, the identified models and frameworks do not adequately address quality of e-learning systems from a software perspective.
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I Gede Mahatma Yuda Bakti and Sik Sumaedi
The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between library customer loyalty and other latent constructs, namely service quality and customer satisfaction in a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between library customer loyalty and other latent constructs, namely service quality and customer satisfaction in a university library service in Indonesia. More specifically, the research aims to examine whether service quality affects customer loyalty directly and indirectly through customer satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors surveyed the users of a university library in Indonesia by using a structured questionnaire. In total, 100 of the library users participated on the survey. Structural equation modeling technique was performed to analyze the empirical data.
Findings
The research reveals that service quality has a direct effect on customer satisfaction, which then directly influences library customer loyalty. However, service quality does not have significant direct effect on customer loyalty in a library service.
Research limitations/implications
The data collection using convenience sampling method causes the limitation of the research results in representing across all library users in the university library where the research was conducted. This study can be replicated with a larger sample size in order to examine the stability of the results in other contexts. In addition, future research can be carried out by involving other variables that may affect customer loyalty, i.e. perceived value, image, trust, and involvement.
Practical implications
The library customer loyalty is not guaranteed if library management only improves the quality of the library services. Furthermore, to achieve library customer loyalty, library management has to assure the library customer satisfaction. Thus, since many factors can influence library customer satisfaction, library management should improve not only library service quality, but also other aspects that influence library customer satisfaction, such as perceived price, situational factor, and personal factor.
Originality/value
Only a few empirical studies on customer loyalty were found in library service. More specifically, there is a lack of empirical studies that investigated the relationship between library customer loyalty, service quality, and customer satisfaction. This paper has addressed this gap in the literature.
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Ali Biranvand and Ali Akbar Khasseh
The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of services provided by the Regional Information Center for Science and Technology (RICeST) employing the Six Sigma methodology.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of services provided by the Regional Information Center for Science and Technology (RICeST) employing the Six Sigma methodology.
Design/methodology/approach
The studied population in this research consists of the users of RICeST. To start with, 120 users of RICeST have been chosen as the samples in a simple random way. Next, in order to collect the data, the LibQUAL+ Questionnaire has been used. Having applied this questionnaire, the gap between the customers' expectations and perceptions has been identified and analyzed. Moreover, the given data are analyzed and their mean and standard deviations are calculated by “SPSS”. Then, in each of the evaluated cases, the calculated standard deviation is compared with the sigma level in the output table in order to specify the qualitative efficiency of services. Accordingly, the error rate in each of the provided services has been determined.
Findings
Findings revealed that staff at RICeST could meet the users' minimum expectations of this center in all cases except for the option “the courteous staff”; therefore, they have allocated the efficiency of 50 percent which is equal to 500,000 errors per million. In other words, the average rate seems to be true in all options about the staff in this center. The efficiency of 69.20 percent obtained from the users' view about the quality of existing resources of this center, represents their relative satisfaction with the information resources in RICeST. But it is just in the option “the presence of a web site in the center” that the level of users' expectations is equal to the actual level and the achieved efficiency of 99.97 percent. Finally, it has been found that the quality of library space at the actual level was lower than the maximum level of users' expectation, but higher than the level of users' minimum expectations. The efficiency of 69.20 percent about the physical space of RICeSt indicates 308,000 errors per million. Consequently, it is far from achieving the desired level or the maximum users' expectations.
Originality/value
The increasing expectations of users in libraries and information centers have caused that these types of centers need modern strategies and management techniques in order to comply with these increasing changes and requirements. Evaluating the service quality in the library means to assess the effectiveness of services provided. The effect of evaluating the service quality is not limited to this fact, in which the services are provided only for users, but it is also focusing on the users' application level and compliance with their information needs and satisfaction of the quantity and quality of services.
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Ali Akbar Abbasian Arani and Hamed Uosofvand
This paper aims to present a numerical investigation on laboratory-scale segmental baffles shell-and-tube heat exchanger (STHX) having various tube bundles and baffle…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a numerical investigation on laboratory-scale segmental baffles shell-and-tube heat exchanger (STHX) having various tube bundles and baffle configuration.
Design/methodology/approach
To discover the higher performance the thermohydraulic behavior of shell-side fluid flow with circular, elliptical and twisted oval tube bundles with segmental and inclined segmental baffled is compared. Shell side turbulent flow and heat transfer are simulated by a finite volume discretization approach using SolidWorks Flow Simulation. To achieve greater configuration performance of this device, the following two approaches is considered: using the inclined baffle with 200 angles of inclination and applying the different tube bundle.
Findings
Different parameters as heat transfer rate, pressure drop (Δp), heat transfer coefficient (h) and heat transfer coefficient to pressure drop ratio (h/Δp) are presented and discussed. Besides, for considering the effect of pressure penalty and heat transfer improvement instantaneously, the efficiency evaluation coefficient (EEC) in the fluid flow and heat transfer based on the power required to provide the real heat transfer augmentation are used.
Originality/value
Obtained results displayed that, at the equal mass flow rate, the twisted oval tubes with segmental baffle decrease the pressure drop 53.6% and 35.64% rather than that the circular and elliptical tubes bundle, respectively. By comparing the (h/Δp) ratio, it can result that the STHX with twisted oval tubes bundle (both segmental and inclined baffle) has better performance than other kinds of the tube bundles. Present results showed that the values of the EEC for all provided models are higher than 1, except for elliptical tube bundles with segmental baffles. The STHX with twisted oval tube bundles and segmental baffle gives the highest EEC value equal to 1.16 in the range of investigated mass flow.
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Hina Ejaz, Imran Shafique and Ahmad Qammar
Drawing on social learning theory, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between team cohesion and employee adaptive performance directly and through employee…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on social learning theory, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between team cohesion and employee adaptive performance directly and through employee ambidexterity. The study also investigates the moderating role of team empowerment climate in the relationship between team cohesion and employee adaptive performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Time-lagged data were collected in two waves from a sample of 212 employees from 43 teams working in software houses in Pakistan. R (lavaan package) was used to analyze the multilevel framework.
Findings
The findings reveal that both team cohesion and employee ambidexterity positively relate to employee adaptive performance. Moreover, employee ambidexterity mediates the cross-level relationship between team cohesion and employee adaptive performance. The results also support that team empowerment climate (a contextual boundary condition) moderates the direct relationship between team cohesion and employee adaptive performance.
Originality/value
The primary novelty of this study lies in developing and examining a holistic conceptual framework for a multilevel model in the software industry that incorporates team cohesion (level 2) as an antecedent, employee ambidexterity (level 1) as an underlying mechanism, employee adaptive performance (level 1) as an outcome and team empowerment climate as a boundary condition (level 2).
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Hanieh Shambayati, Mohsen Shafiei Nikabadi, Seyed Mohammad Ali Khatami Firouzabadi, Mohammad Rahmanimanesh and Sara Saberi
Supply chains (SCs) have been growingly virtualized in response to the market challenges and opportunities that are presented by new and cost-effective internet-based technologies…
Abstract
Purpose
Supply chains (SCs) have been growingly virtualized in response to the market challenges and opportunities that are presented by new and cost-effective internet-based technologies today. This paper designed a virtual closed-loop supply chain (VCLSC) network based on multiperiod, multiproduct and by using the Internet of Things (IoT). The purpose of the paper is the optimization of the VCLSC network.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model considers the maximization of profit. For this purpose, costs related to virtualization such as security, energy consumption, recall and IoT facilities along with the usual costs of the SC are considered in the model. Due to real-world demand fluctuations, in this model, demand is considered fuzzy. Finally, the problem is solved using the Grey Wolf algorithm and Firefly algorithm. A numerical example and sensitivity analysis on the main parameters of the model are used to describe the importance and applicability of the developed model.
Findings
The findings showed that the Firefly algorithm performed better and identified more profit for the SC in each period. Also, the results of the sensitivity analysis using the IoT in a VCLSC showed that the profit of the virtual supply chain (VSC) is higher compared to not using IoT due to tracking defective parts and identifying reversible products. In proposed model, chain members can help improve chain operations by tracking raw materials and products, delivering products faster and with higher quality to customers, bringing a new level of SC efficiency to industries. As a result, VSCs can be controlled, programmed and optimized remotely over the Internet based on virtual objects rather than direct observation.
Originality/value
There are limited researches on designing and optimizing the VCLSC network. This study is one of the first studies that optimize the VSC networks considering minimization of virtual costs and maximization of profits. In most researches, the theory of VSC and its advantages have been described, while in this research, mathematical optimization and modeling of the VSC have been done, and it has been tried to apply SC virtualization using the IoT. Considering virtual costs in VSC optimization is another originality of this research. Also, considering the uncertainty in the SC brings the issue closer to the real world. In this study, virtualization costs including security, recall and energy consumption in SC optimization are considered.
Highlights
Investigates the role of IoT for virtual supply chain profit optimization and mathematical optimization of virtual closed-loop supply chain (VCLSC) based on multiperiod, multiproduct with emphasis on using the IoT under uncertainty.
Considering the most important costs of virtualization of supply chain include: cost of IoT information security, cost of IoT energy consumption, cost of recall the production department, cost of IoT facilities.
Selection of the optimal suppliers in each period and determination of the price of each returned product in virtual supply chain.
Solving and validating the proposed model with two meta-heuristic algorithms (the Grey Wolf algorithm and Firefly algorithm).
Investigates the role of IoT for virtual supply chain profit optimization and mathematical optimization of virtual closed-loop supply chain (VCLSC) based on multiperiod, multiproduct with emphasis on using the IoT under uncertainty.
Considering the most important costs of virtualization of supply chain include: cost of IoT information security, cost of IoT energy consumption, cost of recall the production department, cost of IoT facilities.
Selection of the optimal suppliers in each period and determination of the price of each returned product in virtual supply chain.
Solving and validating the proposed model with two meta-heuristic algorithms (the Grey Wolf algorithm and Firefly algorithm).
Details
Keywords
The increasing frequency and intensity of the extreme weather events could cause devastating consequences in tourism. Climate change–related extreme weather events and their…
Abstract
Purpose
The increasing frequency and intensity of the extreme weather events could cause devastating consequences in tourism. Climate change–related extreme weather events and their relation to tourism is an emerging field for education and research. The purpose of this study is to categorize the impact of climate change on tourist destinations with regard to extreme weather-related risks in outdoor recreation and tourism. Managerial implications for policymakers and stakeholders are discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
To outline the risks from climate change associated with tourism, this study uses the Prisma analysis for identification, screening, checking for eligibility and finding relevant literature for further categorization.
Findings
Based on a thoroughly examination of relevant literature, risks and threats posed by climate change could be categorized into following four areas: reduced experiential value in outdoor winter recreation; reduced value in beach scenery and comfort; land degradation and reduced biodiversity; and reduced value in personal safety and comfort in tourism. It also focuses on the significance of using big data applications in catastrophic disaster management and risk reduction. Recommendations with technology and data analytics to continuously improve the disaster management process in tourism education are provided based on findings of this study.
Originality/value
Primary contributions of this study include the following: providing a summarized overview of the risks associated with climate change in terms of tourist experiential value for educational implications; and revealing the role of data analytics in disaster management in the context of tourism and climate change for tourism education.