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1 – 10 of 30Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi, Abdul Rahimi Abdul Rahman and Chia Kuang Lee
This study aims to provide the current and future state of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the higher education institutions (HEIs). Since the SDGs’…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide the current and future state of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the higher education institutions (HEIs). Since the SDGs’ proliferation, HEIs have played a crucial part in meeting the goals. Despite the central role of HEIs in accomplishing the SDGs, there has been little attention in providing a comprehensive overview of the SDGs in relation to HEIs.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 280 publications in the Web of Science database were analyzed through a bibliometric approach consisting of citation analysis, co-citation analysis and co-occurrence of keywords analysis. This review explores the current state of SDGs, its central themes of research streams and predicts future direction in the context of HEIs.
Findings
The findings would assist stakeholders to strategize the SDGs on HEIs, including the government and policymakers, university top management, benefactors and academics. Three main research streams were observed sustainable curriculum; challenges and barriers of SDGs; and COVID-19 and health management.
Research limitations/implications
Implications suggest that to achieve the stipulated goals in the SDGs, proper planning and strategy should be aligned proportionate to the national agenda.
Originality/value
This paper presents a novel knowledge structure by mapping the most relevant SDGs in the context of HEIs based on bibliometric analysis.
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Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi, Syed Radzi Rahamaddulla, Chia Kuang Lee, Zuraina Ali and Umi Nabila Alias
The purpose of this study is to review the work–life balance (WLB) among academics. Academics are the pillars of higher education institutions’ (HEIs) mission to provide quality…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to review the work–life balance (WLB) among academics. Academics are the pillars of higher education institutions’ (HEIs) mission to provide quality education to students and the community, supporting socioeconomic development. Most academics today are overworked and overburdened with duties, forcing them to work longer hours on weekends and at odd hours. This eventually affects their work–life balance and causes boundary conflicts between work and personal life.
Design/methodology/approach
This study proposes a bibliometric analysis to investigate the underlying knowledge structure of this phenomenon by uncovering the past and present themes and predicting future trends of WLB in academia. This review adopts two analyses (bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis), presenting the knowledge structure network. A total of 307 journal publications were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database, revealing significant clusters and themes.
Findings
Findings identified central themes, including the issue of women in academia, predictors and the impact of WLB in academia.
Research limitations/implications
Implications towards research and practice relevant to scholars and practitioners are discussed, particularly in balancing academics, professional work and personal life.
Originality/value
This study presents a state-of-the-art bibliometric analysis by uncovering the knowledge structure of academics’ work–life balance in HEIs.
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Moshood D. Taofeeq, A.Q. Adeleke and Chia-Kuang LEE
The main parties in construction projects are the engineers, clients, architects, contractors, material suppliers, and consultants such as the project managers. They play the most…
Abstract
Purpose
The main parties in construction projects are the engineers, clients, architects, contractors, material suppliers, and consultants such as the project managers. They play the most important roles in implementing construction projects, and their activities have a significant impact on their risk attitudes during the execution of projects. Because each participant has their particular interests, by proprietary information, each participant is driven to achieve maximum benefit, which can result in improper behaviour concerning each other. The risk in this situation is that there would be a moral hazard and adverse selection based on information asymmetry among principal construction participants especially contractors; this outcome is called risk attitudes. Behaviour is affected by various risk factors and the successful implementation of construction projects depends on effective management of the key risk factors part of which is a personal factor. The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical factors affecting contractors’ risk attitudes among Malaysian construction companies with the moderating role of government policy. Organizational control theory and expected utility theory were used to develop the theoretical framework. The study investigated G7 contractors in the Malaysian construction industry. Data were collected through the use of a questionnaire.
Design/methodology/approach
The research analysis was based on structural equation modelling (SEM), and the research model was ascertained through the Smart PLS 3.0 software (Ringle et al., 2012). Partial least square-SEM is an appropriate analysis that was used to assess the results in the current research because its algorithm permits the unrestricted computation of cause-effect relationship models that use both reflective and formative measurement models. This study uses the quantitative method to identify the individual factors influencing contractors’ risk attitude and the moderating role of government policy among construction companies in Malaysia. This study also focussed on the G7 contractors operating in the Malaysia construction industry that specializes in building, bridge and road construction projects. The duration of the data collection was between two and three weeks. The questionnaire was prepared both in Malay and English languages to allow the respondents to respond most conveniently. Before the copies of the questionnaire were distributed, the selected contractors’ committees were duly informed about the details of the survey procedures. The adopted Likert scale was originally a five-point scale that ranges from “very low” to “very high” with “low or high” in between.
Findings
The result of this study moderately supports the hypothesized relationships proposed in the theoretical model. In particular, the results recommended that personal factors that affect risk attitudes (working experience, emotional intelligence, professional competence and physical health) have a significant relation with contractors’ risk attitudes in the construction companies in Malaysia. Also, it has been found that government policy (rules and regulations) are important determinants of risk attitudes.
Research limitations/implications
The study focussed on individual factors affecting contractors’ risk attitudes in the construction company’s in Malaysia. Therefore, the dimensions of factors affecting risk attitudes can be used in another aspect of construction projects such as management factors, economic factors and technical factors. Therefore, further research might investigate other grades of Malaysian construction companies apart from Grade 7 contractors to know if there is a similarity in the results; other grades of the contractors might have potential positive contributions to the construction industry as well.
Practical implications
With consider to the practical, the current research findings have several contributions for the contractors and project managers. The research results demonstrate that government policy plays an important role in the construction industry and organizational support will also help contractors to control their attitudes in working place. Individual factor has a direct relationship with contractor risk attitudes (CRA), project managers must ensure that the government policy has an impact in all their workers and offered is competitive, fair and by their employees’ contribution. Apart from that managers should also focus on organizational goals especially in managing professional and skilled contractors in the companies. Employees who perceived their employers as uncaring or not supporting their needs and well-being may not be happy working with the organization and the tendency for them to change their attitudes towards risk will be high.
Social implications
This study also contributes knowledge by lending empirical support to the organizational control theory and expected utility theory system’s effect on CRA and confirming that changing one individual attitude will change the whole equilibrium. This is useful to aid in further synthesis of organizational control theory and expected utility theory in construction companies.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt at evaluating the direct and moderating effect relationships among individual factor affecting risk attitudes, government policy and CRA in Malaysian construction companies. These findings also prop up the applicability of the organizational control theory and expected utility theory within the context of construction companies in Malaysia. Also, this study contributed to the literature on psychology by subjective (psychological) measures of individuals’ behaviour and decisions. In the CRA literature, there has been much discussion on personal characteristics to understand behaviours such as attitudes of a contractor towards risk and morals.
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T.D. Moshood, Yee Voon Ling, Changsaar Chai and Chia Kuang Lee
Partnering has been introduced to the construction field to improve project delivery efficiency. However, little research outlines the factors influencing the intention to form…
Abstract
Purpose
Partnering has been introduced to the construction field to improve project delivery efficiency. However, little research outlines the factors influencing the intention to form partnerships. This paper aims to investigate the relationships between attitude, subjective norm perceived behavioural control (PBC) and intention to form partnering, as well as to elicit behavioural, normative and control beliefs regarding partnering formation. The study also examines the relationships between these beliefs and their respective constructs within the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to achieve these objectives, a two-stage approach was employed. First, a belief elicitation study (BES) involving 20 construction industry professionals was conducted to elicit salient beliefs. Subsequently, a TPB survey was administered to 99 contractors from grades G4 to G7. Partial Least Square analysis assessed the factors influencing the intention to form partnering.
Findings
The results supported six hypotheses, while six others were unsupported. Perceived usefulness significantly influenced attitude towards intention to form partnering, followed by attitude itself, which also significantly influenced intention. The project management team and sole proprietors had significant effects on the subjective norms, while facilitating conditions and consensus on appropriation significantly affected PBC.
Practical implications
This research contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of intention in partnering formation. Moreover, by applying the BES, this research extends the TPB model of intention to form partnering in construction projects, offering valuable insights for future research and practice.
Originality/value
This study investigates the relationships between attitude, subjective norm PBC and intention to form partnering, as well as to elicit behavioural, normative and control beliefs regarding partnering formation. The study also examines the relationships between these beliefs and their respective constructs within the TPB framework.
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Mohamed Elkbuli, Nurhidayah Azmy and Chia Kuang Lee
Although there has been an increase in the application of a variety of robust technologies and systems, the oil and gas sector relies on project managers’ soft skills for success…
Abstract
Purpose
Although there has been an increase in the application of a variety of robust technologies and systems, the oil and gas sector relies on project managers’ soft skills for success because of their vital role. Therefore, this study aims to explore the profound influence of project managers’ soft communication skills on successful risk management within Libya’s oil and gas projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of relevant literature and a quantitative approach through the administration of a questionnaire were used to determine factors impacting risk management implementation related to managerial communication skills. A total of 246 valid responses were received from the oil and gas companies in Tripoli, Libya. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to examine the direct and moderating relationship drawn by the hypotheses.
Findings
The findings suggest that managerial soft skills may be used to improve continuous risk management processes and intra-project communication. It was found that the experience is strengthening the positive relationship between written communication soft skills and project risk management implementation among Libyan oil and gas construction projects.
Originality/value
This study defines project managers’ soft communication skills and analyzes project managers’ soft communication skills with the role of experience as a moderator. This paper presents a valuable contribution by offering original insights tailored explicitly to the Libyan context. The information presented in this paper is relevant to project managers operating within the oil and gas industry. It also offers a novel approach to risk management in the Libyan oil and gas industry that can improve project efficiency and effectiveness.
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Duy Binh Luong, Kuang-Wen Wu and Thi Huong Giang Vo
This study aims to identify the factors of service recovery strategy that affect customer satisfaction. In addition, this study aims to explore the relationship between consumer…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the factors of service recovery strategy that affect customer satisfaction. In addition, this study aims to explore the relationship between consumer satisfaction with service recovery and electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) in the online context.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-administered questionnaire is designed and administered through an online survey. This study evaluates the proposed framework through structural equation modeling with online survey data from 425 samples in the context of online buying.
Findings
The results show that explanation, effort, response speed, problem-solving and apology are the components predicting service recovery strategy. These factors have impacts on customer satisfaction with service recovery and also generate e-WOM about service recovery experiences. This study significantly contributes to not only practical insights but also the expansion of expectation confirmation theory and social exchange theory regarding online service failures.
Research limitations/implications
Samples from non-internet shoppers are not collected because this study focuses on consumers referring to purchase online. Testing this conceptual model for other populations, such as non-online consumers, including the moderating effect of gender, age and education on the relationships proposed in the model may be an interesting extension. Moreover, this study does not distinguish different types of online retailers.
Practical implications
This study highlights the significant effect of customer satisfaction with service recovery on e-WOM. That is, managers should focus on not only making customers satisfied with their initial purchase but also enhancing customer satisfaction with service recovery in case the service failure occurs to encourage positive interaction among customers. This case will also improve the organizational image of a firm.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the identification of service recovery actions that focus on the roles of employees in dealing with service failures and their impacts on customer satisfaction in the online shopping context. In addition, the findings provide a greater understanding of the importance of customer satisfaction on e-WOM.
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Chih-Hsuan Huang, Chun-Ting Lai, Cheng-Feng Wu, Yii-Ching Lee, Chia-Hui Yu, Hsiu-Wen Hsueh and Hsin-Hung Wu
Gender difference exists in the perception of the patient safety culture in healthcare organizations. A case from a medical center in Taiwan is presented to examine how different…
Abstract
Purpose
Gender difference exists in the perception of the patient safety culture in healthcare organizations. A case from a medical center in Taiwan is presented to examine how different genders perceive the patient safety culture in practice from 2014 to 2017.
Design/methodology/approach
A longitudinal study using the data from 2014 to 2017 is conducted quantitatively. Mann–Whitney U test and one-way analysis of variance are employed for analyses.
Findings
The results showed that female nurses had significantly higher emotional exhaustion than male nurses in 2015 and 2016 indicating male nurses had better fatigue recovery than their female counterparts. In addition, male nurses felt a higher degree of fatigue in 2016 and 2017 than those in 2015 statistically. In contrast, female nurses felt more stressful in 2016 and 2017 than those in 2014 statistically. Female nurses had higher emotional exhaustion in 2016 and 2017 than those in 2014 and 2015 statistically.
Practical implications
To sum up, female nurses were more stressful than before, and their recovery was also relatively poor particularly in 2016 and 2017. There is a need to reduce the degree of fatigue for female nurses in this medical center through employee assistance programs, mindfulness-based stress reduction programs, building up female nurses' positive currency and setting up their appreciative inquiry. In contrast to female nurses, male nurses recovered better from fatigue. This might encourage hospital management to deploy male nurses more effectively in this medical center.
Originality/value
The results enable the hospital management to know there is a gender difference in this case hospital. More attention on female nurses is required.
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Kun-Huang Huarng and Tiffany Hui-Kuang Yu
This research explores causal combinations (personal traits, external factors and self-fulfillment) that could provide holistic views leading to sustainable start-ups via data…
Abstract
Purpose
This research explores causal combinations (personal traits, external factors and self-fulfillment) that could provide holistic views leading to sustainable start-ups via data collected from Taiwanese entrepreneurs.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employ five-point Likert scale measurements in the questionnaires and fuzzy-set/Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) for the investigation.
Findings
The study finds four types of sustainable entrepreneurs. Conservative resilient entrepreneurs have an absence of both openness and neuroticism. Conservative achieving entrepreneurs have an absence of openness and the presence of conscientiousness. Conservative-hired entrepreneurs have an absence of both openness and unemployment. Lastly, conservative opportunistic entrepreneurs exhibit an absence of openness and the presence of business opportunity.
Originality/value
The results add to the authors’ knowledge and understanding of the entrepreneurship literature and also offer implications for people who are interested in entrepreneurship as well as to policymakers wanting to promote new start-ups.
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Ming-Xian Lin, Chia-Hsiang Tseng and Chao Kuang Chen
This paper presents the problems using Laplace Adomian decomposition method (LADM) for investigating the deformation and nonlinear behavior of the large deflection problems on…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents the problems using Laplace Adomian decomposition method (LADM) for investigating the deformation and nonlinear behavior of the large deflection problems on Euler-Bernoulli beam.
Design/methodology/approach
The governing equations will be converted to characteristic equations based on the LADM. The validity of the LADM has been confirmed by comparing the numerical results to different methods.
Findings
The results of the LADM are found to be better than the results of Adomian decomposition method (ADM), due to this method's rapid convergence and accuracy to obtain the solutions by using fewer iterative terms. LADM are presented for two examples for large deflection problems. The results obtained from example 1 shows the effects of the loading, horizontal parameters and moment parameters. Example 2 demonstrates the point loading and point angle influence on the Euler-Bernoulli beam.
Originality/value
The results of the LADM are found to be better than the results of ADM, due to this method's rapid convergence and accuracy to obtain the solutions by using fewer iterative terms.
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Kun‐Huang Huarng and Tiffany Hui‐Kuang Yu
This paper aims to propose a novel model to forecast regime switches in a time series to assist decision making.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a novel model to forecast regime switches in a time series to assist decision making.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors apply the clustering technique to group the data into five states. Then, a model is proposed to formulate the relationships from in‐sample observations, including regime switch relationships. Afterwards, the model uses the relationships to forecast the regime switches in out‐sample observations.
Findings
The study uses daily Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index as the forecasting target. Regime switches in in‐sample observations are identified. And a regime switch is successfully forecasted by the proposed model.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed model identifies a regime switch which matches the real event. It implies that the proposed model can be applied to other time series, such as Dow Jones or NASDAQ.
Originality/value
Previous studies contribute to the forecasting of regime switches. The forecasting results are validated with the real event. One of the forecasted regime switches matches the event of Lehman Brothers' declaring of bankruptcy.
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