Bulent Dal, Phil Tugwell and Richard Greatbanks
Presents a practical analysis of operational performance measurement at Airbags International Ltd (AIL), a supplier of airbag safety devices to the automotive industry. First, the…
Abstract
Presents a practical analysis of operational performance measurement at Airbags International Ltd (AIL), a supplier of airbag safety devices to the automotive industry. First, the primary measure of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is described. Its implementation and use within the operational environment of AIL is then described and analysed. Finally, presents the potential benefits of developing OEE as an operational measure and contrasts AIL’s performance with other applications of OEE found with the research literature.
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What are the causes and consequences of Turkey’s intervention in Syria? The purpose of this paper is to explore this question by focusing on the time frame from 2011 to 2016, i.e…
Abstract
Purpose
What are the causes and consequences of Turkey’s intervention in Syria? The purpose of this paper is to explore this question by focusing on the time frame from 2011 to 2016, i.e. prior to Turkey’s strategic U-turn from uncompromising enmity toward Russia and Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
Process tracing is used as the main methodological guideline.
Findings
Turkey’s intervention in Syria has been driven by a mutually reinforcing interaction of geopolitical, geo-economic and geo-cultural factors. Turkey’s neo-Ottomanist geo-strategy has been militarized in the context of the Arab Spring, perceived decline of US hegemony, increasing Kurdish autonomy and Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi’s (AKP) electoral setbacks. Second, Turkey’s intervention has been triggered by the converging motivations for energy security, easily gained profits from the black energy market and economic integration with Arab-Gulf countries in the face of a stagnating Western capitalism. A third set of factors speaks to the AKP’s instrumental use of Sunni sectarianism and Kurdish ethnopolitics.
Originality/value
The research aim is to provide a systematic and multi-causal explanation of Turkey’s involvement in Syria.
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Simona Andreea Apostu and Bulent Akkaya
The migration of physicians is a global interest, causing imbalances between developed and developing countries. Romania is one of Europe's major providers of physicians, not…
Abstract
Purpose
The migration of physicians is a global interest, causing imbalances between developed and developing countries. Romania is one of Europe's major providers of physicians, not because there is a surplus, but because physicians are drawn to places with better living and working conditions. Medicine in Romania is increasingly highly advanced, and Romanian physicians are well appreciated all over the world. Despite being one of the countries with the most medical graduates in the world, Romania is suffering a doctor exodus. After joining the EU, the problem of physician migration became widespread, resulting in a deficient and inefficient healthcare system. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to estimate the losses registered by Romania because of physicians' decision to migrate.
Design/methodology/approach
These losses were calculated in two ways: utilizing the statistical life value and the amount of money invested in training a medical graduate.
Findings
According to the findings, the losses in 2018 were 104.16 million euros, approximately 0.12% of GDP.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper consists in data, being provided by the College of Physicians from Romania and the method used, this study being the only one that estimates the cost of Romanian physicians' migration. The paper adds to existing knowledge an empirical results regarding quantifying the value reflecting the departure of physicians, using value of statistical life and the amount of money invested in preparing a medical graduate.
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Aslı Günay and Murat Ali Dulupçu
The purpose of this paper is to measure the financial efficiency and productivity of 23 public universities founded in 1992 in Turkey over the period between 2004 and 2013. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to measure the financial efficiency and productivity of 23 public universities founded in 1992 in Turkey over the period between 2004 and 2013. The results obtained will provide managerial information and act as a guide to public universities’ administrations, in using their resources more effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
Data envelopment analysis is applied to assess the relative financial efficiency of these universities, while Malmquist total factor productivity index is used to measure the total factor productivity change concerning financial inputs of the universities.
Findings
The number of financially efficient universities and the number of universities showing an increase in their productivity according to their financial inputs change annually and both of them display a rough trend over the years. A decrease of about 5 percent in the financial productivity of the universities is observed which stems from a technological recession. Therefore, public universities in Turkey are not able to develop effective policies to diversify, increase and use their financial resources.
Originality/value
When the lack of studies within the literature measuring the financial efficiency of higher education institutions is taken into account, this study can fill a gap in this area. The analyses conducted here distinguish from existing studies on this subject with regards to the extent and diversity of financial data set and the measurement of both efficiency and productivity change of universities considering financial inputs concurrently.
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This study aims to produce a new type of healthy functional kefir by adding olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract and to determine its potential effect on the quality…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to produce a new type of healthy functional kefir by adding olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract and to determine its potential effect on the quality (physicochemical, sensory, phenolic contents and antioxidant properties) of kefir samples during storage at 4°C for 21 days.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, four kefir samples were produced by using olive leaf extract in different amounts (A: 0% (control), B: 0.1%, C: 0.15% and D: 0.35%). The physicochemical, sensory, phenolic contents and antioxidant properties of kefir samples were investigated during Days 1, 7, 14 and 21 of storage. The study was conducted to optimize the olive leaf extract addition level to obtain better-quality kefir functional food.
Findings
From the results, it was determined that the addition of olive leaf extract affected the entire chemical components of the kefir samples (p < 0.05). It was found that the pH value decreased during storage. By contrast, it was observed that titration acidity values increased. The kefir sample with 0.35% olive leaf extract (D) had the highest total phenolic and antioxidant activity content (1,292.75 mg GAE/L and 10.20 mM TE, respectively) among the samples (p < 0.05). In the sensory analyses, the kefir sample with the highest score – in terms of sensory attributes – was the kefir sample containing 0.15% olive leaf extract (C).
Originality/value
Thus, it was concluded that kefir with added olive leaf extract could serve as a functional kefir of benefit to human health. When we looked at the enrichment studies on kefir as a functional product, no study has been found on the use of olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract, especially with kefir. In this sense, it is thought that the study will contribute to published literature.
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Cristian Castillo, Marta Viu-Roig, Eduard J. Alvarez-Palau and Debora Gottardello
This research comprehensively analyses the profound impact of Digital Transformation and Process Innovation (DT&PI) on business models (BMs) in the Food Service Sector (FSS)…
Abstract
Purpose
This research comprehensively analyses the profound impact of Digital Transformation and Process Innovation (DT&PI) on business models (BMs) in the Food Service Sector (FSS), especially in the post-pandemic context. The study is guided by three primary research questions: (1) Identifying key FSS players and their interconnections, (2) Understanding the differentiation strategies these entities employ and (3) Assessing how COVID-19 has altered their BMs.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilises a rigorous methodology, starting with a thorough analysis of the Business Model Canvas (BMC) for 100 prominent Spanish FSS firms, culminating in a comprehensive sector-wide BMC. Cluster analysis is then applied to group firms based on common attributes and relationships identified in the overall BMC. Additional insights are gathered through semi-structured interviews with representatives from FSS companies.
Findings
The study identifies five distinct clusters of FSS companies, each defined by unique BM strategies. These strategies mainly focus on sales and distribution channels, differentiating between those using multiple channels and those solely relying on digital platforms. Importantly, the study shows that digital transformation in the FSS was already in progress before the pandemic but was greatly expedited by it. COVID-19 stimulated the digitalisation of services, expanding sales channels and diversifying customer engagement.
Originality/value
This research enriches the dynamic capabilities theory by examining how DT&PI influence BM innovation in the FSS, highlighting adaptation to technological trends. It offers a fresh perspective on value creation and stakeholder interaction, contributing to the foundational theory for future FSS BM research.