S. Anderson, R.A.M. Jorna and C.A. Verweij
At the beginning of 1992, the European Commission inaugurated its second DRIVE R&D programme to examine the benefits of implementing various Advanced Transport Telematic…
Abstract
At the beginning of 1992, the European Commission inaugurated its second DRIVE R&D programme to examine the benefits of implementing various Advanced Transport Telematic applications. METAFORA, one of the projects funded within this programme, was initiated by a consortium of 14 organizations. The objective of this project was to assess the applicability of mobile data communications (MDC) using satellite and electronic data interchange (EDI) in the real working environment of the road freight sector, with special attention paid to the needs of small and medium‐sized enterprises. Concentrates on presenting the findings of the MDC pilots carried out during the project. Describes the pilots, technology implemented, data sources and collection techniques, evaluation methodology used and concludes with a financial and socio‐economic cost‐benefit analysis of the trials.
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J.L.G. Janssen, J.J.H. Paulides and E.A. Lomonova
The purpose of this paper is to present novel analytical expressions which describe the 3D magnetic field of arbitrarily magnetized triangular‐shaped charged surfaces. These…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present novel analytical expressions which describe the 3D magnetic field of arbitrarily magnetized triangular‐shaped charged surfaces. These versatile expressions model that the field of triangular‐shaped permanent magnets (PMs) are very suitable to model skewed slotless machines.
Design/methodology/approach
The analytical 3D surface charge method is normally used to provide field expressions for PMs in free space. In this paper, the analytical surface charge integrals are analytically solved for charged right‐triangular surfaces. The resulting field is compared with that obtained by finite element modeling (FEM) and subsequently applied in two examples.
Findings
The comparison with FEM shows that the 3D analytical expressions are very accurate and exhibit very low‐numerical noise. These fast‐solving versatile expressions are therefore considered suitable to model triangular‐shaped or polyhedral‐shaped PMs.
Research limitations/implications
The surface charge method assumes that the relative permeability is equal to 1 and therefore soft‐magnetic materials need to be modeled using the method of images. The PMs are assumed to be ideal in terms of homogeneity, magnetization vector, permeability, demagnetization, and geometrical tolerances.
Practical implications
Many applications, such as the subclass of slotless synchronous linear actuators with a skewed PM structure and planar magnetic bearings, are very suitable to incorporate this modeling technique, since it enables the analysis of a variety of performance data.
Originality/value
As an addition to the common 3D analytical field expressions for cuboidal or cylindrical PMs, this paper presents novel expressions for magnets having triangular surfaces.
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Sun-Ki Chai, Dolgorsuren Dorj and Katerina Sherstyuk
Culture is a central concept broadly studied in social anthropology and sociology. It has been gaining increasing attention in economics, appearing in research on labor market…
Abstract
Culture is a central concept broadly studied in social anthropology and sociology. It has been gaining increasing attention in economics, appearing in research on labor market discrimination, identity, gender, and social preferences. Most experimental economics research on culture studies cross-national or cross-ethnic differences in economic behavior. In contrast, we explain laboratory behavior using two cultural dimensions adopted from a prominent general cultural framework in contemporary social anthropology: group commitment and grid control. Groupness measures the extent to which individual identity is incorporated into group or collective identity; gridness measures the extent to which social and political prescriptions intrinsically influence individual behavior. Grid-group characteristics are measured for each individual using selected items from the World Values Survey. We hypothesize that these attributes allow us to systematically predict behavior in a way that discriminates among multiple forms of social preferences using a simple, parsimonious deductive model. The theoretical predictions are further tested in the economics laboratory by applying them to the dictator, ultimatum, and trust games. We find that these predictions are confirmed overall for most experimental games, although the strength of empirical support varies across games. We conclude that grid-group cultural theory is a viable predictor of people’s economic behavior, then discuss potential limitations of the current approach and ways to improve it.
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Carolina Busco, Jeffrey Walters and Exequiel Provoste
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become integral in delivering public services and infrastructure, particularly in the context of megaprojects. This paper focuses on the…
Abstract
Purpose
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become integral in delivering public services and infrastructure, particularly in the context of megaprojects. This paper focuses on the interplay between stakeholder management, challenges, critical success factors (CSFs), and the overall success of PPP-arranged civil infrastructure megaprojects.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the PRISMA methodology, we comprehensively analyze challenges and critical success factors (CSFs) influencing stakeholder engagement within PPP megaprojects. A focused search equation identified 595 papers, which were distilled down to 34 relevant papers and case studies. Qualitative analysis of these papers revealed 48 CSFs categorized into 11 challenges from a stakeholder management perspective, which were further delineated across public, private, and combined sectors, and then mapped along the PPP megaproject lifecycle.
Findings
Informed by a diverse amalgam of civil and project management literature, this research reveals the intricate dynamics of PPP megaprojects across the globe that emphasize the critical nature of stakeholder engagement, analysis, and management practices. Key findings highlighted conflicting interests between public and private stakeholders, manifesting in challenges like project performance versus profitability. The literature emphasized instances where neglect of local community culture led to adverse social outcomes. A universal conclusion underscored the context-specific nature of challenges and CSFs, stressing the need for a holistic understanding of stakeholders and project dynamics.
Research limitations/implications
The paper acknowledges that it focused on 34 selected papers out of 595 identified. This sample focuses on civil engineering megaprojects which may not fully represent the breadth of research in the field, potentially missing out on valuable insights from excluded studies.
Practical implications
We believe that the compiled list of CSFs, organized according to stakeholder relationships and the project lifecycle, serves as a potent tool for managers and planners. By enabling the identification of complexity from diverse perspectives, this research allows elucidating the challenges faced by the management team in PPP megaproject.
Social implications
This research identifies several social outcomes related to PPP megaprojects. Critical Success Factors identified as such should allow the project managers to maximize benefits for society and minimize risk and negative externalities.
Originality/value
This study contributes valuable insights for policies and practices by systematically describing challenges and related CSFs throughout the PPP megaproject lifecycle. Additionally, it addresses the nuanced aspects of internal and external stakeholder management, thereby contributing to the overall understanding and best practices required to confront complex megaprojects involving a wide range of stakeholder groups.
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Luisa Hente and Torsten Schlesinger
Workplace health promotion (WHP) is becoming increasingly important due to the ageing workforce and a shortage of skilled workers. Nevertheless, too few companies have reacted to…
Abstract
Purpose
Workplace health promotion (WHP) is becoming increasingly important due to the ageing workforce and a shortage of skilled workers. Nevertheless, too few companies have reacted to the demographic change and introduced health-promoting measures. This paper aims to identify which factors influence the implementation of WHP, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas.
Design/methodology/approach
253 companies in a rural area in the federal state of Saxony (Germany) were surveyed using a standardised questionnaire via a computer-assisted telephone interview. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were carried out. The focus was on the relationship between the status of WHP and the size of the company, pressure of demographic change, health-related attitude and organisational capacity factors.
Findings
It was shown that, in addition to the control variables company size and pressure of the shortage of skilled workers, a company's attitude regarding health promotion, financial capacity and planning and development capacity has a relevant influence on the status of WHP.
Practical implications
Based on the results, targeted measures can be developed and converted to implement WHP, particularly in SMEs in rural regions. The focus should be on sensitisation, knowledge transfer and capacity development.
Originality/value
The present paper reveals the relationship between company size, pressure of demographic change, health-related attitude and organisational capacities regarding the status of health-promoting measures in SMEs in a rural region.
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Farman Afzal, Ayesha Shehzad, Hafiz Muhammad Rehman, Fahim Afzal and Mohammad Mushfiqul Haque Mushfiqul Haque Mukit
Cost estimation is a major concern while planning projects on public–private partnership (PPP) terms in developing countries. To bridge the gap of the right approximation of cost…
Abstract
Purpose
Cost estimation is a major concern while planning projects on public–private partnership (PPP) terms in developing countries. To bridge the gap of the right approximation of cost of capital, this study aims to sermon a significant role of investor’s risk perception as unsystematic risk in PPP-based energy projects.
Design/methodology/approach
To investigate the effective mechanism of determining cost of capital and valuing the capital budgeting, a pure-play method has been acquired to measure systematic risk. In addition, dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models have been applied to calculate weighted average cost of capital.
Findings
Initially, a joint cost of capital of energy-related projects has been calculated using DCC-GARCH and pure-play method. Investors risk perception has been discussed through market point of view using country risk premium modeling. Latter yearly betas have been calculated using DCC signifying the final outcomes that applying a dynamic model can provide a better cost estimation in emerging economies.
Practical implications
The findings are implicating that due to the involvement of international investors, domestic risk is linked with country risk. In such situations, market-related information is a key factor to find out the market performance, helping in the estimation of cost of capital through capital asset pricing model (CAPM). High dynamic nature of emerging economies causes an impediment in the estimation of cost of capital. Consequently, to calculate risk in dynamic markets, this study has acquired DCC model that can predict the value of beta factor.
Originality/value
Study contributes to the body of knowledge by addressing an important issue of investor’s risk perception and effective implication of CAPM using pure-play and DCC-GARCH when data is not promptly available in dynamic situations.
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Katie Andrews, Noemi Sinkovics and Rudolf R. Sinkovics
This chapter investigates the coffee value chain in Latin America. By drawing on the concept of just transitions as a “connective tissue” between the sustainable development goals…
Abstract
This chapter investigates the coffee value chain in Latin America. By drawing on the concept of just transitions as a “connective tissue” between the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the discussion zooms in on the promise of agroforestry for environmental upgrading. The chapter concludes by providing examples of trade-offs between environmental, social and economic aspects.
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Brandon Sej Kesieman and Andani Thakhathi
The success rate of business rescue in South Africa is concerningly low as it currently ranges between 10% and 12%. This study intends to make a positive contribution towards…
Abstract
The success rate of business rescue in South Africa is concerningly low as it currently ranges between 10% and 12%. This study intends to make a positive contribution towards addressing this problem by obtaining insight from professional business rescue practitioners regarding the feasibility of making use of the practice of business rescue to assist South African state-owned enterprises to avoid them going into insolvency and indefinitely stopping operations. This study, which is a generic qualitative study, will rely solely on the experience and insights of the business rescue practitioners in order to obtain a better understanding of the problem at hand. Nine participants were interviewed during September and October 2020. The study found that business rescue practitioners are confident that the business rescue proceedings are a solution to preserving state-owned enterprises. However, the level of political interference by the unions, government officials, and also the continued bailouts from the government to support these state-owned entities are some concerns raised by the participants as they hinder the effectiveness of the proceedings with regard to state-owned enterprises. Academically, the study expands to the literature on business rescue in the context of state-owned enterprises and what challenges are hindering the process. For managers, the study identifies the key constraints which are most likely to be encountered when conducting business rescue proceedings in a state-owned enterprise which, if not observed, will negatively impact the success rate.
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Joel Gehman, Dror Etzion and Fabrizio Ferraro
Although management scholars have embraced grand challenges research, in many cases, grand challenges have been treated as merely a context for exploring extant theoretical…
Abstract
Although management scholars have embraced grand challenges research, in many cases, grand challenges have been treated as merely a context for exploring extant theoretical perspectives. By comparison, our approach – robust action – provides a novel theoretical framework for tackling grand challenges. In this invited article, we revisit our 2015 model, clarifying and elaborating its key elements and taking stock of subsequent developments. We then identify three promising directions for future research: scaffolding, future imaginaries, and distributed actorhood. Ultimately, our core message is remarkably simple: robust action strategies – participatory architecture, multivocal inscription and distributed experimentation – jointly provide a means for tackling grand challenges that is well matched to their complexities, uncertainties, and evaluativities.