Shu‐Hwa Lin, Doris H. Kincade and Carol Warfield
The apparel industry must produce many different types of products in small quantities in shorter lead times. Trade journals and researchers have emphasized the importance of the…
Abstract
The apparel industry must produce many different types of products in small quantities in shorter lead times. Trade journals and researchers have emphasized the importance of the right sewing system for achievement of high productivity rates. However, the findings of this research suggest that the actual technology of a sewing system is only one factor in achieving higher productivity. Product type was also highly correlated with high level of productivity. Considering the preliminary findings from this study, a manager should evaluate carefully the plant and the product before selecting a sewing system. Without more detailed analysis, managers should not change sewing systems just to get a new sewing system. The findings of this study suggest the need for more exploration of sewing systems including the impact on productivity.
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The purpose of this paper is to list and discuss several workers on cybernetics and systems, all fairly recently deceased. Online sources of further details are quoted.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to list and discuss several workers on cybernetics and systems, all fairly recently deceased. Online sources of further details are quoted.
Design/methodology/approach
The aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.
Findings
The demise of these workers is a great loss.
Practical implications
For all of the people listed, it is instructive to contemplate their achievements and to speculate on what else they would have done had they lived.
Originality/value
It is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.
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Lijun (Gillian) Lei, Yutao Li and Yan Luo
The emergence of social media as a corporate disclosure channel has caused significant changes in the production and dissemination of corporate information. This review identifies…
Abstract
The emergence of social media as a corporate disclosure channel has caused significant changes in the production and dissemination of corporate information. This review identifies important themes in recent research on the impact of social media on the corporate information environment and provides suggestions for further explorations of this new but fast-growing area of research. Specifically, we first review the evolution of Internet-based corporate disclosure and related regulations, and then focus on three recent streams of research: 1) companies’ use of social media; 2) information produced by non-corporate users and its impact on capital markets; and 3) the credibility of corporate information on social media platforms.
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IF we count the University of Strathclyde School of Librarianship as a “new” school—rather than simply an old school transferred from a College of Commerce to a university—then…
Abstract
IF we count the University of Strathclyde School of Librarianship as a “new” school—rather than simply an old school transferred from a College of Commerce to a university—then four “new” schools were established between 1963 and 1964, three of the four in universities and the other closely linked with a university, though remaining independent. All four schools have their special features but I consider the more significant of Belfast's features to be its right, from the outset, to conduct all its own examinations for graduates and non‐graduates. Queen's was also the first British university to provide non‐graduates with courses in librarianship. (Strathclyde is the second.) All successful students are eligible for admission to the Register of Chartered Librarians (ALA) after they have completed the prescribed period of practical experience.
Mahdi Salehi, Mahbubeh Mahmoudabadi, Mohammad Sadegh Adibian and Hossein Rezaei Ranjbar
The present study aims to assess the effect of managerial entrenchment on firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and financial performance in Iran.
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to assess the effect of managerial entrenchment on firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and financial performance in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the variable of managerial entrenchment, which includes board independence, management duality, management tenure, the board compensation, independence and ownership percentage, is initially analyzed using the exploratory factor analysis method, and its effect on performance and CSR is evaluated using the multivariable regression test. Given that a total of 103 listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange are selected during 2012–2017. In this paper, return on assets (ROA) and Tobin’s Q are the two variables to measure financial performance.
Findings
The results of hypotheses testing indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between managerial entrenchment and financial performance based on the ROA and Tobin’s Q indices, separately. Moreover, the results of this study indicate that there is also a positive and significant relationship between managerial entrenchment and CSR activities.
Originality/value
The current study almost is the first study, conducted in a developing country similar to Iran, and the provided results might be beneficial to other developing countries.
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Carol A. Adams and Geoffrey R. Frost
The purpose of the study is to examine the use of the web as a means of stakeholder engagement and as part of a strategy for communicating to stakeholders particularly on social…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to examine the use of the web as a means of stakeholder engagement and as part of a strategy for communicating to stakeholders particularly on social and environmental performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A postal questionnaire was sent to over one hundred companies in Australia, Germany and in the UK and interviews were conducted with six companies (two British, one German and three Australian) identified as adopting best practice.
Findings
A key finding was the limited understanding of the advantages of using the web as part of a communication strategy on all aspects of corporate performance. The study also found that the lack of resources made available for web‐based communication limited its potential.
Research limitations/implications
Web technologies provide the possibility of communicating on performance with a broad group of stakeholders. This is particularly relevant to reporting on social and environmental performance which is of interest to a broader group of stakeholders than financial reporting. Stakeholder involvement is important in developing organisational change strategies aimed at improving social and environmental performance.
Practical implications
The findings have implications for companies developing strategies to enhance their communication with key stakeholder groups.
Originality/value
The paper considers the use of the web as part of a communication strategy to a broad group of stakeholders. This is particularly relevant to reporting on social and environmental performance which is aimed at a broader group of stakeholders than traditional financial reporting.
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Shu‐Hwa Lin, Mary Ann Moore, Doris H. Kincade and Carol Avery
The purpose of this study was to explore the dimensions of apparel manufacturing strategy (i.e. cost, quality, flexibility, delivery time) and their relationship to style and…
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the dimensions of apparel manufacturing strategy (i.e. cost, quality, flexibility, delivery time) and their relationship to style and sewing systems. U.S. apparel producers are seeking strategies that will make their production competitive to production in low wage countries. Two style types were defined: new styles and standardized styles. Results indicated that the production of new styles of apparel is related to the manufacturing dimensions of quality and delivery. The standardized style is related to the dimension of cost. Significant associations were also found between the multiple‐sewing systems used by plants and dimensions of manufacturing strategy (cost, delivery, and flexibility).
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Abdullahi B. Saka and Daniel W.M. Chan
This study aims to evaluate and investigate the dynamics of the barriers to building information modelling (BIM) adoption from the perspective of small and medium-sized…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate and investigate the dynamics of the barriers to building information modelling (BIM) adoption from the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries with the Nigerian construction industry as a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
An interpretive structural modelling approach was adopted to develop a hierarchical model of the interrelationships of the barriers. Also, the Matrice d’Impacts croises-multipication applique a classement analysis was used for categorisation of the barriers.
Findings
The findings revealed that the barriers are from a sociotechnical context and that SMEs have the will to drive BIM adoption by focussing more on their internal environment.
Originality/value
This study presented the adoption of BIM in SMEs, which is underrepresented in extant studies. Also, it contributes to the nascent discussion of BIM from the perspective of SMEs in developing countries.
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Integrating the Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer-type (ChatGPT-type) model with government services has great development prospects. Applying this model improves service…
Abstract
Purpose
Integrating the Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer-type (ChatGPT-type) model with government services has great development prospects. Applying this model improves service efficiency but has certain risks, thus having a dual impact on the public. For a responsible and democratic government, it is necessary to fully understand the factors influencing public acceptance and their causal relationships to truly encourage the public to accept and use government ChatGPT-type services.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used the Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) model to analyze comment texts and summarize 15 factors that affect public acceptance. Multiple-related matrices were established using the grey decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (grey-DEMATEL) method to reveal causal relationships among factors. From the two opposite extraction rules of result priority and cause priority, the authors obtained an antagonistic topological model with comprehensive influence values using the total adversarial interpretive structure model (TAISM).
Findings
Fifteen factors were categorized in terms of cause and effect, and the antagonistic topological model with comprehensive influence values was also analyzed. The analysis showed that perceived risk, trust and meeting demand were the three most critical factors of public acceptance. Meanwhile, perceived risk and trust directly affected public acceptance and were affected by other factors. Supervision and accountability had the highest driving power and acted as the causal factor to influence other factors.
Originality/value
This study identified the factors affecting public acceptance of integrating the ChatGPT-type model with government services. It analyzed the relationship between the factors to provide a reference for decision-makers. This study introduced TAISM to form the LDA-grey-DEMATEL-TAISM method to provide an analytical paradigm for studying similar influencing factors.
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A celebration of possible transformations of our radical andmainstream discourses of globalization. Begins by displacing twoconventional dualizations that inform our scholarly…
Abstract
A celebration of possible transformations of our radical and mainstream discourses of globalization. Begins by displacing two conventional dualizations that inform our scholarly theorizing and practice: between the global and the local and between our work and ourselves. Advocating politics of abundance and generosity that celebrates ontological exuberance and the creation of transformative realities, invites academic élites to co‐create global possibilities in the service of all life and all ways of life. Enjoying the multiple possibilities of texts three narrative evocations follow – the sacred, the erotic and the ecological. The postcolonial gifts of these three dimensions inform possible transformations for us as teachers, enquirers and practitioners. It concludes with invitations to action and offerings of service.