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Article
Publication date: 18 October 2021

Bolong He, Snezana Mitrovic-Minic, Len Garis, Pierre Robinson and Tamon Stephen

The Surrey (British Columbia, Canada) fire department has an annual cycle for hiring full-time firefighters. This paper optimizes the timing of the annual hiring period. A key…

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Abstract

Purpose

The Surrey (British Columbia, Canada) fire department has an annual cycle for hiring full-time firefighters. This paper optimizes the timing of the annual hiring period. A key issue is handling workplace absences, which can be covered by overtime cost or full-time hires.

Design/methodology/approach

Short-term and long-term absences patterns are analyzed according to season and age cohorts of the firefighters. These are then used in both an explanatory and time series model to predict future absences. The hiring schedule is optimized based on these predictions and additional constraints.

Findings

The current practice fares well in the analysis. For the time period studied, moving to earlier hiring dates appears beneficial. This analysis is robust with respect to various assumptions.

Originality/value

This is a case study where analytic techniques and machine learning are applied to an organizational practice that is not commonly analyzed. In this case, the previous method was not much worse than the optimized solution. The techniques used are quite general and can be applied to various organizational decision problems.

Details

International Journal of Emergency Services, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2047-0894

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Article
Publication date: 7 November 2019

Samsul Farid Samsuddin, Hayrol Azril Mohamed Shaffril, Jusang Bolong and Nor Aini Mohamed

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reading habit and attitude among rural communities in the low literacy rate areas in Malaysia.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reading habit and attitude among rural communities in the low literacy rate areas in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-stage cluster and simple random sampling were employed and 400 respondents who live nearby the rural library were selected.

Findings

Moderate levels of reading attitude were obtained from the result of the study, in which several variables produced a significant relationship in the reading attitude (education level, household income and time spent in reading).

Practical implications

Better understanding on the reading habit and attitude among rural communities could produce better information on the service provision towards the establishment of rural libraries in low literacy rate areas in Malaysia. This would also increase the utilisation of reading sources and services provided.

Originality/value

The paper provides better understanding on the reading habit and attitude among the rural communities in the low literacy rate areas in using the facilities provided by the rural libraries. The findings may be useful to the rural literacy and library development community in the developing countries.

Details

Library Management, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

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Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Bolong Liu, Zhisong Cui and Chilombo Namwinga Nanyangwe

This paper aims to carry out a study on the combined effects of leadership styles and human resource management (HRM) practices on employee performance. Based on configurational…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to carry out a study on the combined effects of leadership styles and human resource management (HRM) practices on employee performance. Based on configurational theory, this study integrates task-oriented leadership, relations-oriented leadership, change-oriented leadership and human resource hygiene practices (HRHPs) and human resource motivation practices (HRMPs) to detect distinct configurations of leadership styles and HRM practices that may lead to high and not-high employee performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was adopted to identify the configurations of conditions associated with the outcome, with data obtained from 108 employees and 32 line-managers in China through structured interview and questionnaire survey.

Findings

The results show that there are five sufficient configurations for the presence of high employee performance and three for performance's absence. Relation-oriented leadership, HRMPs and enterprise property are more important conditions to employee performance than others. Furthermore, no single condition constitutes a necessary condition for causing the high or not-high employee performance.

Originality/value

Compared to previous studies that mainly focused on linear relationships, this study applies the fsQCA method to explore how matching different leadership styles and HRM practices could bring about high and not-high employee performance, which provides evidence for the three propositions of “multiple conjunctural causation,” “equifinality” and “asymmetry.”

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 44 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

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Article
Publication date: 16 November 2015

Hayrol Azril Mohamed Shaffril, Jeffrey Lawrence D'Silva, Nurani Kamaruddin, Siti Zobidah Omar and Jusang Bolong

The present paper attempts to investigate the awareness of coastal community towards climate change in Malaysia and to explore the factors associated with their awareness toward…

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Abstract

Purpose

The present paper attempts to investigate the awareness of coastal community towards climate change in Malaysia and to explore the factors associated with their awareness toward the climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study where a set of questionnaires was developed based on reviews of literature and series of instrument development meeting. Through a multi-stage cluster sampling, a total of 210 respondents from three coastal villages in Peninsular Malaysia were selected.

Findings

The coastal community are shown to record a high mean score on their awareness toward changes relating to the sea, temperatures and the coast. Surprisingly, fishermen are found to be less aware toward climate change compared to other groups, such as housewives/retirees and students. Further analysis confirms that there are significant differences regarding coastal community awareness to changes relating to the sea, temperatures and the coast.

Research limitations/implications

This study represented the answers of 210 respondents who were randomly selected from three coastal villages in Peninsular Malaysia, and the results might be enriched if the number of respondents is increased and respondents from other villages are included. A future study should be conducted to gather information on the possible effects, rather than focusing on the respondents’ awareness. Additionally, because of the nature of the topic, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and officers from environment-related agencies should cooperate during the research.

Practical implications

It is recommended that information management activities with regard to the climate change should be actively conducted by NGOs, universities and related parties.

Originality/value

Most of the related studies are scientific in nature, leading to a gap relating to the social aspects of climate change, particularly in terms of communities’ awareness toward the climate change. Moreover, a number of local studies have produced inconsistencies in term of their results regarding the awareness of the climate change among the community. In response to this, the current study aims to fill this gap.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-8692

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Article
Publication date: 21 August 2017

Daphna Shwartz-Asher, Soon Ae Chun and Nabil R. Adam

A social media user behavior model is presented as a function of different user types, i.e. light and heavy users. The users’ behaviors are analyzed in terms of knowledge…

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Abstract

Purpose

A social media user behavior model is presented as a function of different user types, i.e. light and heavy users. The users’ behaviors are analyzed in terms of knowledge creation, framing and targeting.

Design/methodological approach

Data consisting of 160,000 tweets by nearly 40,000 twitter users in the city of Newark (NJ, USA) were collected during the year 2014. An analysis was conducted to examine the hypothesis that different user types exhibit distinct behaviors driven from different motivations.

Findings

There are three important findings of this study. First, light users reuse existing content more often, while heavy and automated users create original content more often. Light users also use more sentiments than the heavy and automated users. Second, automated users frame more than heavy users, who frame more than light users. Third, light users tend to target a specific audience, while heavy and automated users broadcast to a general audience.

Research implications

Decision-makers can use this study to improve communication with their customers (the public) and allocate resources more effectively for better public services. For example, they can better identify subsets of users and then share and track specialized content to these subsets more effectively.

Originality/value

Despite the broad interest, there is insufficient research on many aspects of social media use, and very limited empirical research examining the relevance and impact of social media within the public sector. The social media user behavior model was established as a framework that can provide explanations for different social media knowledge behaviors exhibited by various subsets of users, in an e-government context.

Details

Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6166

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Article
Publication date: 17 February 2012

Deniz Tudor and Bolong Cao

The purpose of this paper is to examine the ability of hedge funds and funds of hedge funds to generate absolute returns using fund level data.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the ability of hedge funds and funds of hedge funds to generate absolute returns using fund level data.

Design/methodology/approach

The absolute return profiles are identified using properties of the empirical distributions of fund returns. The authors use both Bayesian multinomial probit and frequentist multinomial logit regressions to examine the relationship between the return profiles and fund characteristics.

Findings

Some evidence is found that only some hedge funds strategies, but not all of them, demonstrate higher tendency to produce absolute returns. Also identified are some investment provisions and fund characteristics that can influence the chance of generating absolute returns. Finally, no evidence was found for performance persistence in terms of absolute returns for hedge funds but some limited evidence for funds of funds.

Practical implications

This paper is the first attempt to examine the hedge fund return profiles based on the notion of absolute return in great details. Investors and managers of funds of funds can utilize the identification method in this paper to evaluate the performance of their interested hedge funds from a new angle.

Originality/value

Using the properties of the empirical distribution of the hedge fund returns to classify them into different absolute return profiles is the unique contribution of this paper. The application of the multinomial probit and multinomial logit models in the fund performance and fund characteristics literature is also new since the dependent variable in the authors' regressions is multinomial.

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Article
Publication date: 24 July 2024

Adam Madigliani Prana, Angela Curl, Maria Rita Dionisio, Christopher Gomez, Deirdre Hart, Heri Apriyanto and Hermawan Prasetya

The ineffectiveness of flood control in climate-impacted majority-world cities like Jakarta highlights the need for policies that integrate local knowledge and embrace water…

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Abstract

Purpose

The ineffectiveness of flood control in climate-impacted majority-world cities like Jakarta highlights the need for policies that integrate local knowledge and embrace water harmony rather than resistance. This study explores flood adaptation in North Jakarta's kampungs (urban informal settlements), aiming to enhance the efficacy of current flood disaster management. The outcomes of the participatory planning mechanism simulation that we propose are expected to provide valuable insights for the urban planning approach in that city.

Design/methodology/approach

We employed focus groups and design charrettes with a bottom-up approach to explore how local knowledge can enhance spatial flood management and urban planning policies. In total, 17 diverse participants, covering various ages and professions, engaged in these activities. Our methods aimed to be culturally sensitive and inclusive, embracing indigenous values like musyawarah and gotong royong. The research methodically examined flood implications and adaptations in informal settlements, progressing through preliminary understanding, data triangulation, and a reflective synthesis of the findings.

Findings

Amid worsening global changes like sea level rise, community-focussed, collaborative planning can help create tailored flood-resilience solutions. The research reveals that partnerships between communities and organisations promote city-wide, flood-adapted environments, aligning policy with the needs and goals of those most affected by flooding. This collaboration enhances flood disaster management and planning policies.

Research limitations/implications

This research focusses on Jakarta's flood adaptation and urban planning, reflecting on historical situations relevant to urbanising majority-world countries. Whilst specific to Jakarta, it offers perspectives on managing global environmental challenges such as sea level rise. Subsequent research should prudently consider each locale's distinct geographic and social milieu and the trust in planning systems in applying these findings, methodologies and approaches.

Originality/value

This study clarifies the relationship between disaster management, policy and flood adaptation, focussing on local knowledge in North Jakarta, pertinent to urbanising majority-world nations. Jakarta's historical and modern dynamics, including globalisation, reveal specific prospects and obstacles to applying vernacular knowledge to planning and disaster response. It highlights crucial points for policymakers in the majority of the world to address growing flood risks and create strategies that integrate local and traditional wisdom.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 33 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

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Publication date: 19 November 2018

Angela M. Cirucci

In defining microcelebrity, media technologies are often described as integral to the self-branding process. This chapter argues that social network platforms are not social…

Abstract

In defining microcelebrity, media technologies are often described as integral to the self-branding process. This chapter argues that social network platforms are not social utilities, but, in fact, celebrification utilities. That is, they are programmed to necessarily brand users by extracting and filtering identifications to be easily consumed by advertisers, just as microcelebrities promote specific, “authentic” aspects of self that can be easily consumed by fans. Through a discourse analysis of Facebook’s functionalities and in-depth interviews with 45 emerging adults, I present an analysis of microcelebrity culture through the narratives of everyday users who are not actively involved in self-branding but are instead compelled by the site’s inherent design to unintentionally brand – they unknowingly align with corporation-like mission statements; ignore multiple, dynamic selves; and discard their right to anonymity.

Details

Microcelebrity Around the Globe
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78756-749-8

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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2020

Ririn Tri Ratnasari, Sri Gunawan, Imron Mawardi and Kusuma Chandra Kirana

The purpose of this paper is to examine halal certification for halal culinary, destination brand and emotional experiences on customer satisfaction and behavioral intention.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine halal certification for halal culinary, destination brand and emotional experiences on customer satisfaction and behavioral intention.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative survey approach to 400 respondents consisting of Muslim foreign and domestic tourists who had visited Lombok in the past three years. The sampling technique is by purposive sampling. The analysis technique used in this study is structural equation modeling-partial least square (SEM-PLS).

Findings

The findings showed that halal certification has no effect on customer satisfaction but on influenced behavioral intention, destination brand of Lombok had no effect on customer satisfaction; customer satisfaction influenced behavioral intention and emotional experiences affected customer satisfaction and behavioral intention.

Research limitations/implications

This study collects data from respondents both domestic and foreign tourists simultaneously. However, the data acquisition of respondents and foreign tourists is not balanced. Thus, this study analyzes tourists in general, not distinguished between foreign and domestic tourists.

Practical implications

The government and tourism organizers in Lombok need to provide socialization for domestic and foreign tourists on the need to choose halal-certified food and drinks to ensure halal and hygiene. In addition, so that the destination image of Lombok can provide a beautiful experience that becomes a moment of the truth, then the local government should improve its service strategy holistically.

Social implications

Destination image needs to be improved. This requires holistic tourism quality services so that the social community knows that Indonesia has a halal tourism destination that exists as tourists come from the airport to the hotel and enjoy food in restaurants and tourist attractions that are Muslim friendly.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to filling the void in the literature related to tourism management that is linked to tourism in the aftermath of natural disasters, where empirical studies on halal tourism are on the rise. Therefore, respondents in the study were specific, that is, those who had traveled. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of a kind that includes behavioral intention in tourist destinations after natural disasters in the Indonesian context.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

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Article
Publication date: 23 July 2024

Bruno Lot Tanko, Jack Thomas Oakley, Zainab Jagun and Upeksha Madanayake

Sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects aim to reduce flooding impacts and improve community adaptability. For instance, flood-resistant stilts elevate structures…

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Abstract

Purpose

Sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects aim to reduce flooding impacts and improve community adaptability. For instance, flood-resistant stilts elevate structures, mitigating flood damage. Comprehensive consideration is crucial when adding elements to housing projects, incurring costs for all involved parties. This study aims to assess the viability of concrete stilts for cost-effective flood mitigation in Malaysian terrace housing.

Design/methodology/approach

The study evaluates cost implications through a comparative 5D building information modeling (BIM) cost analysis of stilted and conventional (standard) housing models. This assesses the percentage increase in total cost. Furthermore, a survey of construction professionals was undertaken. The study used online convenience and stratified sampling techniques. Out of the 222 emails that were sent, 27 construction professionals located in Johor, Sabah and Selangor within Malaysia participated in the research survey. Their perspectives on stilt housing prospects and factors for costing such structures were analyzed through a descriptive analysis using SPSS.

Findings

The case study models revealed that the incorporation of stilts could lead to a 21.64% increase in the overall cost per unit. This cost increase was primarily attributed to the additional reinforcement required. However, the survey findings highlighted that a majority of construction professionals perceived the cost increment to fall within the range of 10%–20%. Consequently, it becomes imperative to meticulously consider cost factors such as foundational requirements, staircases, and the extended construction duration to effectively curtail expenditures. The prospect of heightened costs potentially posing a threat to profit margins and discouraging developers necessitates careful financial management. Notwithstanding these challenges, the survey's insights underscored that professionals in the construction industry indeed recognize the potential of stilt technology in the realm of flood mitigation and management, particularly within housing projects.

Practical implications

This research has significant practical implications. It provides a precise financial contrast between housing categories using 5D BIM and incorporates construction experts’ viewpoints on raised housing. Enhanced design considerations for raised housing can make it economically viable, offering a cost-effective, nature-based approach to flood mitigation. This approach can bring substantial benefits to residents by reducing flood-related damages and enhancing community resilience.

Originality/value

One of the notable aspects of this research is its originality. It uses a dual quantitative methodology involving modeling and survey techniques to address its objectives effectively. This approach contributes significantly to the relatively limited body of research focused on stilt housing and the application of 5D BIM. By combining these methodologies, the study explores a relatively uncharted area, making a valuable contribution to the field.

Details

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

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