Harald Wahl, Werner Winiwarter and Gerald Quirchmayr
Computer‐assisted language learning (CALL) comes in many different flavors. The purpose of this paper is to focus on developing an integrated e‐learning environment that allows…
Abstract
Purpose
Computer‐assisted language learning (CALL) comes in many different flavors. The purpose of this paper is to focus on developing an integrated e‐learning environment that allows improving language skills in specific contexts. Integrated e‐learning environment means that it is a web‐based solution that performs language learning tasks using common working environments such as, for instance, web browsers or e‐mail clients. It should be accessible on different platforms, even on mobile devices. Natural language processing (NLP) forms the technological basis for developing such a learning framework. The use of NLP technologies, or in broader view artificial intelligence technologies, in CALL has also been dubbed intelligent CALL. The paper gives an overview of the state of the art in this area.
Design/methodology/approach
On the one hand, the paper explains creation processes for NLP resources and gives an overview of language corpora. On the other hand, it describes existing NLP standards. Based on the authors' requirements, the paper gives special attention to the evaluation and comparison of toolkits that can suitably support the planned implementation. In consideration of the evaluation results, the authors give a closer look at the system architecture of the CALL platform. An outlook at the end points out necessary developments in e‐learning to keep in mind.
Findings
Based on evaluation result, the authors have designed the framework architecture for the intelligent integrated CALL (iiCALL) system. A first prototype shows a web browser plug‐in communicating with the framework started in an Apache Tomcat server environment.
Originality/value
The paper presents an extended version of a paper that has been selected as one of the invited papers for journal special issue consideration at iiWAS2010. It focuses on the evaluation of several NLP toolkits which might be of importance for those who plan to integrate NLP technologies in their projects.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyse the increasing commercialisation of professional football in France, and its implications for clubs’ governance and management.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the increasing commercialisation of professional football in France, and its implications for clubs’ governance and management.
Design/methodology/approach
A historical analysis using a narrative approach based on historical data from various sources, will allow for identifying the emergence of and shifts in institutional logics. Due to the role of the state in the subject in question, particular attention was paid to parliamentary documents.
Findings
Rather than replacing the former logic, a new commercial logic coexists alongside this, leading to institutional pluralism.
Research limitations/implications
The paper outlines the governance implications of institutional pluralism of football clubs; thus opening up new perspectives for future research on clubs’ governance. It does not, however, provide a response to these implications and therefore further research is needed to analyse how clubs’ managers can shape organisational identity and make it more consistent.
Practical implications
Governance and management issues in football might be explained by the multiple logics clubs are facing. Football clubs’ managers thus need to take these logics into account when addressing their key stakeholders, and have to work on shaping a consistent organisational identity.
Originality/value
This article is original in that it analyses the commercialisation of football as a move towards a more complex institutional pluralism, rather than a change in the dominant logic. This perspective is valuable for managers because it helps them to identify the levers they should work on to better manage clubs’ stakeholders. It is also useful for academics in terms of opening up new ways to conceive clubs’ governance.
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Harald Rødseth and Per Schjølberg
The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel model for maintenance backlog (MB) of physical assets and structure it in a framework for integrated planning (IPL).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel model for maintenance backlog (MB) of physical assets and structure it in a framework for integrated planning (IPL).
Design/methodology/approach
Reliability theory principles for modelling MB are used. Furthermore, to structure a framework for IPL, literature study combined with earlier case studies is used.
Findings
The framework for IPL facilitates the model of MB. In addition to providing real-time diagnosis indicators, MB is regarded as valuable information for decision support in IPL.
Originality/value
Development of MB applied to IPL.
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Hans‐Martin Lönngren, Christoph Rosenkranz and Harald Kolbe
The purpose of this paper is to address the management of supply chains within the construction industry. Supply chains in this sector evidence a marked tendency to waste and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the management of supply chains within the construction industry. Supply chains in this sector evidence a marked tendency to waste and inefficiency. One approach to improving this situation, which is the subject of intense discussion by both scientists and practitioners, is the establishment of strategic partnerships integrated with the scientific observation of the processes involved. This paper aims to present a case study of such a strategic alliance among German building contractors whose goal it is to cover the entire life cycle of a building, from its planning to its ultimate facility management. The paper seeks to focus on the establishment and implementation of an aggregated strategic alliance and its success factors.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology is based on a case study of a German network of builders and trade contracting companies. Data collection tools included observation of workshops and meetings, semi‐structured interviews and access to key documentation, IT‐infrastructure and archives of the network.
Findings
Key factors of success in strategic alliances within the construction industry are: central coordination among the partners employing decentralised task management; application of an appropriate IT‐solution; and mutual trust among the cooperating partners.
Originality/value of paper
While there is growing literature in the field of supply chain management within the construction industry there is less empirical evidence providing practical examples of managing supply chains in this area. Strategic alliances are a crucial requisite for the successful management and integration of services and production within the construction industry.
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Morteza Abdullatif Khafaie, Narges Mobasheri, Mahin Kheirollahi and Leila Ghahremani
To evaluate the efficacy of a PRECEDE model-based educational program in enhancing awareness, attitudes and preventive behaviors against diabetes complications among rural…
Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy of a PRECEDE model-based educational program in enhancing awareness, attitudes and preventive behaviors against diabetes complications among rural patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Design/methodology/approach
This quasi-experimental study included 160 T2DM patients from rural health centers in Andimeshk, Iran (2020–2021). Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 80) or control (n = 80) groups. The intervention group received a six-session in-person educational program, supplemented by weekly lifestyle videos via WhatsApp over six weeks, guided by PRECEDE model constructs. A validated questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, enabling and reinforcing factors, and preventive behaviors pre- and post-intervention.
Findings
Post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean scores in knowledge, attitudes, enabling factors, reinforcing factors and preventive behaviors than controls. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were significantly (p < 0.001) reduced in the intervention group at three-month follow-up.
Originality/value
The findings demonstrate that a comprehensive program grounded in the PRECEDE model can significantly enhance patients’ awareness, strengthen positive attitudes, increase enabling and reinforcing factors and promote preventive lifestyle behaviors. Importantly, the intervention led to improved glycemic control, as evidenced by reduced fasting blood sugar levels at three-month follow-up. These results suggest that tailored, theory-driven educational initiatives have the potential to empower rural patients with type 2 diabetes to make sustainable lifestyle changes and better manage their condition. The study provides a model for developing and implementing effective diabetes self-management programs in underserved rural communities, which can ultimately contribute to reducing diabetes-related complications and improving overall health outcomes in this population.