The purpose of this paper is to determine if companies in the modular and offsite construction (MOC) industry are agile or not and its level of application for agility principles…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine if companies in the modular and offsite construction (MOC) industry are agile or not and its level of application for agility principles, which allows for quick responses to the increasingly dynamic nature of industry environments.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes an agility assessment framework for MOC that uses 48 assessment attributes organized into four categories: metrics, drivers, enablers and capabilities. A questionnaire approach was used to disseminate the framework globally in 19 countries and synthesize its relevance to the MOC industry. The questionnaire had 55 complete responses, majority of respondents work in managerial positions for MOC manufacturing facilities and onsite general contractors.
Findings
It was found that the lowest metric score for adapting to change was for cost since controlling cost would be difficult for any changes required after the design freeze stage. The top agility driver was found to be the need to respond to the wide variety of customer expectations, while the lowest driver was the existence of competing priorities. The top agility enabler was vendor partnership, which can be related to current postpandemic supply chain disruptions. Regarding technological capabilities, Europe and the USA acquired better scores compared to Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the MOC body of knowledge by creating an agility assessment tool for MOC firms to analyze their agile approach and environment, identifying the preliminary importance of agility assessment attributes and determining significant agile differences between the main MOC industry groups.
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Sherif Omar Attallah, Ahmad Senouci, Amr Kandil and Hassan Al-Derham
The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for assessing, in quantifiable terms, the reduction in environmental impacts achieved by applying different credits of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for assessing, in quantifiable terms, the reduction in environmental impacts achieved by applying different credits of sustainability rating systems in building construction projects.
Design/methodology/approach
Sustainability rating systems are developed in various regions to evaluate construction projects with respect to their environmental performance. Although implementation of rating systems had a recognized effect on reducing environmental impact of construction projects, there is no objective and quantifiable evidence that the approaches recommended by these rating systems to achieve the required certification lead to optimum environmental results. This paper presents a methodology that utilizes life cycle analysis (LCA) as a powerful and objective tool to validate the way rating systems evaluate project performance. The Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS), recently developed in the State of Qatar by Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), is chosen as a case study to illustrate application of the developed methodology. Environmental impacts due to implementation of QSAS credits are calculated for one project in Qatar, which is currently under construction.
Findings
Results reveal possible use of LCA as a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of rating systems. For the QSAS case study, findings reveal indications of over and, in some instances, under estimation of the weights assigned to some credits and the difficulty in the quantification of the impacts of other credits, which indicates the need for reconsideration of these weights to improve effectiveness of the implementation of these credits.
Originality/value
The proposed methodology stands as a step toward the enhancement and rationalization of the currently used building sustainability ratings system.
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Heba Abou-El-Sood and Rana Shahin
Motivated by recent financial liberalization policies in emerging markets, this study investigates whether bank competition and regulatory capital affect bank risk taking in an…
Abstract
Purpose
Motivated by recent financial liberalization policies in emerging markets, this study investigates whether bank competition and regulatory capital affect bank risk taking in an international banking context.
Design/methodology/approach
Bank competition is regressed, using GLS regression, on various measures of bank risk, to reflect regulatory, accounting and market-based risk-taking. The authors use a sample of publicly traded banks operating in Africa during 2004–2019.
Findings
Results show that higher level of bank competition increases bank risk taking and results in greater financial fragility in the absence of banking capital regulations. Furthermore, larger capital adequacy ratios control the risk-taking incentives of managers and guard banks against the risk of default. Further tests confirm the significance of market-based risk measures over accounting and regulatory measures.
Practical implications
Findings are relevant to bank managers and regulators in their sustained effort of finding an optimal balance between bank competition and financial stability. Increased competition should be balanced with capital regulations to curtail bank excessive risky behavior and derive the social benefits of greater competition in the market while sustaining overall economic growth.
Originality/value
This study provides novel evidence in an international context. First, it uses regulatory, accounting and market-based measures of bank risk taking to reflect regulators', management and market participants' emphasis. Another original contribution is the investigation of bank competition across African economies characterized by financial liberalization, stringent banking system and interesting socio-economic challenges.
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José M. Núñez-Sánchez, Jesús Molina-Gómez, Pere Mercadé-Melé and Sergio Fernández-Miguélez
This paper investigates the relationship between teleworkers' perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee engagement (EE) in remote work.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates the relationship between teleworkers' perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee engagement (EE) in remote work.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research approach was used, involving a questionnaire distributed via convenience sampling. Data from 205 valid responses from teleworking employees in Spain were analysed using structural equation modelling to test the hypothesis regarding the association between CSR and EE.
Findings
The study found that CSR’s social and environmental dimensions positively impact EE among teleworkers. However, the economic dimension of CSR only partially influences EE in a telework setting.
Practical implications
The findings suggest organisations can enhance EE during telework periods by focusing on social and environmental CSR initiatives. This approach can mitigate the reduced EE associated with remote work, improving organisational performance, productivity, satisfaction and employee well-being.
Originality/value
This study provides empirical evidence on the positive effects of CSR’s social and environmental dimensions on EE in a telework context, offering valuable insights for organisations navigating the post-pandemic landscape. Also, specific CSR strategies can establish a competitive advantage by fostering a motivated and engaged remote workforce.
Propósito
Este artículo investiga la relación entre las percepciones de los teletrabajadores sobre la responsabilidad social corporativa (RSC) y el compromiso de los empleados (EE) en el trabajo remoto.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Se utilizó un enfoque de investigación cuantitativa, mediante un cuestionario distribuido a través de un muestreo por conveniencia. Se analizaron datos de 205 respuestas válidas de empleados teletrabajadores en España utilizando modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para probar la hipótesis sobre la asociación entre RSC y EE.
Hallazgos
El estudio encontró que las dimensiones sociales y ambientales de la RSC impactan positivamente en el EE entre los teletrabajadores. Sin embargo, la dimensión económica de la RSC solo influye parcialmente en el EE en un entorno de teletrabajo.
Implicaciones prácticas
Los hallazgos sugieren que las organizaciones pueden mejorar el EE durante los períodos de teletrabajo al enfocarse en iniciativas de RSC social y ambiental. Este enfoque puede mitigar la reducción del EE asociada con el trabajo remoto, mejorando el rendimiento organizacional, la productividad, la satisfacción y el bienestar de los empleados.
Originalidad/valor
Este estudio proporciona evidencia empírica sobre los efectos positivos de las dimensiones sociales y ambientales de la RSC en el EE en un contexto de teletrabajo, ofreciendo valiosas ideas para las organizaciones que navegan el paisaje post-pandémico. Además, estrategias específicas de RSC pueden establecer una ventaja competitiva al fomentar una fuerza laboral remota motivada y comprometida.
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Mohamed Mousa, Hiba Massoud and Rami Ayoubi
Little research into organizational learning in the public sector in developing countries' is known. In this paper, the authors investigated the context of organizational learning…
Abstract
Purpose
Little research into organizational learning in the public sector in developing countries' is known. In this paper, the authors investigated the context of organizational learning in the public banks in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach
An ethnographic field research was employed by spending a month inside each of two public banks in Egypt. The ethnographic experience was operationalised by using direct observations of learning processes, procedures and practices, semi-structured interviews with learning specialists and focus group discussions with bankers. The authors used thematic analysis to determine the main themes in the previous data collection methods of ethnographic approach.
Findings
The findings confirmed a lack of clear focus for the organizational learning practices employed by the banks, which highlights issues of seriousness in undertaking and/or tackling organizational learning, and increased doubts in relation to the added value of the different forms of formal trainings bankers participate in. To enhance the culture and maintain effective functioning of formal organizational learning, the authors suggest considering the following three categories of barriers: purpose-related barriers, implementation and evaluation barriers.
Originality/value
Despite the generalisability caveats associated with the organizations studied, the authors believe that this paper contributes to the existing theory of organizational learning as it provides insights and understanding on the purpose, frame, conduct and results of organizational learning in the public sector. More specifically, the study is unique and is different from previous relevant studies as it relies on ethnographical approach in exploring how organizational leaning practices are perceived in public banks in developing countries.
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Robin de Graaf, Rens Pater and Hans Voordijk
In the construction industry, an under researched area of study is how main contractor (MC) sub-contract design responsibilities to sub-contractor (SC). This lack of knowledge is…
Abstract
Purpose
In the construction industry, an under researched area of study is how main contractor (MC) sub-contract design responsibilities to sub-contractor (SC). This lack of knowledge is particularly serious in the context of delivery methods such as design and construct where design responsibilities are pushed down the supply chain. In this study, it is aimed to explore which level of design responsibility MCs sub-contract to SCs, for what reasons, and what the impact of sub-contracting decisions is on projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative in-depth multiple case study was conducted. Six sub-contracting cases were examined in two civil engineering projects. In each project, the MCs sub-contracted pre-fabricated beams, reinforcement and railing to SCs. Data collection included document analysis and interviews. A within-case and cross-case analysis was conducted to examine emerging empirical patterns. These patterns were used to elaborate theory and develop propositions.
Findings
MCs sub-contracted design responsibilities to SCs as suggested by literature. However, despite that sub-contracting was in keeping with literature, several problems were reported in the cases where MCs involved SCs no earlier than in the construction stage. This is not to be expected according to theory.
Originality/value
This study adds value to the sub-contracting field as it provides new insights in relationships between the level of design responsibilities sub-contracted and the impact of that on projects. The study also revealed new factors such as building information modelling (BIM) interoperability that should get more attention in sub-contracting.
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Ruben B.O. Acevedo, Klaudia Kantarowska, Edson Costa Santos and Marcio C. Fredel
This paper aims to generate a review of available techniques to measure Residual Stress (RS) in Ti6Al4V components made by Ti6Al4V.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to generate a review of available techniques to measure Residual Stress (RS) in Ti6Al4V components made by Ti6Al4V.
Design/methodology/approach
State of the art; literature review in the field of Residual Stress measurement of Ti6Al4V parts made by selective laser melting (SLM).
Findings
Different Residual Stress measurement techniques were detailed, regarding its concept, advantages and limitations. Regarding all researched references, hole drilling (semi destructive) and X-ray diffraction (nondestructive) were the most cited techniques for Residual Stress measurement of Ti6Al4V parts made by SLM.
Originality/value
An extensive analysis of RS measurement techniques for Ti6Al4V parts made by SLM.