Christopher Amoah and Demetri Steyn
Complying with the code of conduct by professionals in the construction industry worldwide has become a significant issue over the years. This has led to projects' failure…
Abstract
Purpose
Complying with the code of conduct by professionals in the construction industry worldwide has become a significant issue over the years. This has led to projects' failure, leading to losses to both the client and contractors. The study's objective is to identify the challenges of construction professionals in complying with their code of conduct and preventing corrupt practices.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative approach was used to collect empirical data by sending questionnaires to 56 construction professionals in South Africa. Data gathered were analysed through Excel statistical tool. Mean values were calculated for the quantitative data, whilst thematic content analyses were used to generate frequencies and percentages for qualitative data.
Findings
The findings indicate that construction professionals experience many unethical issues in their work duties such as inflated tender prices, overpricing the rates, tender-based kickbacks, bribes for projects, unethical methods of project execution, use of lower grade materials than specified, discrimination, among others. However, issues such as greediness, acceptance of corruption as usual practice, lack of knowledge about the code of conduct, the only way to get contracts, part of the process, and peer pressure create a challenge in complying with the code of conduct and preventing corrupt practices among construction professionals.
Practical implications
Construction professionals face many unethical and corrupt practices in their project management and execution, which they cannot overcome due to many factors. Therefore, there is the need to sensitise the professionals in the construction industry regarding their code of conduct as well as the danger associated with engaging in corrupt practices in their work and their implication on project performance.
Originality/value
The findings give an insight into the critical factors curtailing the construction professional's ability to comply with their code of conduct and be corrupt-free in their line of duty. Thus, professional associations can use the findings in guiding their members.
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Keywords
Sheshadri Chatterjee, Ranjan Chaudhuri, Demetris Vrontis and Antonino Galati
This paper aims to examine the influence of managerial practices, productivity and change management process (CMP) on organizational innovation capability of small and medium…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the influence of managerial practices, productivity and change management process (CMP) on organizational innovation capability of small and medium businesses. This study also investigates the moderating role of technological turbulence (TT) on organization capability.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical model was developed based on existing literature and theories. It was then validated using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique to analyze 327 responses from small and medium businesses. Moderator analysis was conducted to investigate how TT moderates organizational innovation capability.
Findings
This study found that management practices have a significant and positive influence on the innovation capability of small and medium business. The study also found that both CMP and modern technology adoption are crucial toward improving their innovation capability. Finally, the study also demonstrated that TT has a significant impact on organizational innovation capability.
Research limitations/implications
This research study has proposed an effective theoretical model of the relationship between managerial practices and organizational innovation capability. The proposed model is effective in demonstrating to managers and leaders of small and medium businesses the importance of managerial practices, CMP and the adoption of modern technologies on organization innovation capability, which can help to develop new products.
Originality/value
This research is unique, as the proposed model is the first of its kind to establish the relationship between managerial practices of small and medium businesses with organizational innovation capability. No other extensive study has proposed such a model especially for these businesses. Also, the explanative power of the proposed model is 72%, which shows the effectiveness of the proposed model.
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Baker Ahmad Alserhan, Daphne Halkias, Aisha Wood Boulanouar, Mumin Dayan and Omar Ahmad Alserhan
This paper aims to extend Wallström et al.’s (2010) six-nation study on brand use and notions of self-expression to Arab women in the UAE. Additionally, it extends the scope of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to extend Wallström et al.’s (2010) six-nation study on brand use and notions of self-expression to Arab women in the UAE. Additionally, it extends the scope of investigation to include an extensive qualitative data corpus to inform and explain the consumption practices of this large, very wealthy and under-researched sector of the global marketplace.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses mixed methodology emphasizing qualitative research as a means of building on the results of Wallström et al.’s (2010) quantitative study.
Findings
Results reveal that Arab women are less committed to the idea that beauty care products are a locus of self-expression, and their purchase choices are based on perceived quality of care products, scene of use and their lack of value in the culture as vehicles of conspicuous consumption cues.
Originality/value
The paper offers valuable insights to researchers and practitioners into the use of beauty care products as a means of self-expression, and emphasizes the value of word-of-mouth communication in enhancing reach in this category. The authors recommend the investigation of relationships between expressing self through brands and variables revealed in this study such as respondents’ relationships to religiosity and health concerns. An extension of this research is also recommended to produce a cross-cultural body of literature on women’s self-expression through brands and how the variable of self-expression can be an important driver of consumer preferences and choices in this population.