This paper presents a new method of resource optimization through workload balance in designing of multiple cellular manufacturing (MCM) systems for flow‐shop environments. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents a new method of resource optimization through workload balance in designing of multiple cellular manufacturing (MCM) systems for flow‐shop environments. The application of a step‐by‐step structured approach to design MCM cells more efficiently and generate smooth flow shop type with better resource utilization.
Design/methodology/approach
An industrial application case with 31 products carried on 12 workstations is presented to explore the step‐by‐step of designing and analyzing the results of alternative cellular manufacturing and balancing the workload.
Findings
MCM designs have become an important approach for batch production in the last decade, and their layout provides a dominant flow structure for the production scheduling. The flow shop nature of MCM adds a simplifying structure to the complexity of planning and scheduling. This method will generate many alternative designs and configurations of MCM in the form of highly flexible manufacturing systems. These alternatives could be better a choice for resource optimization in the industrial application.
Originality/value
Together with the associated costs, each proposed solution for the MCM could help to design and build efficient and highly flexible systems. Special emphasis will be devoted to the workload balance of workstations, machines, material‐handling equipment and WIP with the utilization of the resources in the production system. This method is practical, experiential and participates. A program using C language will be written to test the proposed algorithm for randomly generated input data.
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Ibrahim Shittu, Abdul Rais Abdul Latiff and Siti 'Aisyah Baharudin
The study investigates the effect of uncertainty on gender equality and examines the policies and institutional qualities that matter for mitigating the effect.
Abstract
Purpose
The study investigates the effect of uncertainty on gender equality and examines the policies and institutional qualities that matter for mitigating the effect.
Design/methodology/approach
The research employs a Generalized Method of Moment model and data from 45 developing countries covering the period between 2005 and 2021. The estimation covers a wide range of specifications.
Findings
The study finds that uncertainty undermines gender equality. However, economic management policies, public sector management and institutions and policies for social inclusion and equity directly promote gender equality, and indirectly moderate the effect of uncertainty on gender equality. The result also establishes the existence of a Gender Kuznets Hypothesis.
Originality/value
The study offers pioneering evidence on the nexus between uncertainty, gender equality, public policies and institutional qualities. It explores the direct and indirect relationship between these variables using 18 different measures. The study offers interesting insights and implications for the gender economics literature.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-11-2023-0892
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Surabhi Singh, Shiwangi Singh, Alex Koohang, Anuj Sharma and Sanjay Dhir
The primary aim of this study is to detail the use of soft computing techniques in business and management research. Its objectives are as follows: to conduct a comprehensive…
Abstract
Purpose
The primary aim of this study is to detail the use of soft computing techniques in business and management research. Its objectives are as follows: to conduct a comprehensive scientometric analysis of publications in the field of soft computing, to explore the evolution of keywords, to identify key research themes and latent topics and to map the intellectual structure of soft computing in the business literature.
Design/methodology/approach
This research offers a comprehensive overview of the field by synthesising 43 years (1980–2022) of soft computing research from the Scopus database. It employs descriptive analysis, topic modelling (TM) and scientometric analysis.
Findings
This study's co-citation analysis identifies three primary categories of research in the field: the components, the techniques and the benefits of soft computing. Additionally, this study identifies 16 key study themes in the soft computing literature using TM, including decision-making under uncertainty, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), the application of deep learning in object detection and fault diagnosis, circular economy and sustainable development and a few others.
Practical implications
This analysis offers a valuable understanding of soft computing for researchers and industry experts and highlights potential areas for future research.
Originality/value
This study uses scientific mapping and performance indicators to analyse a large corpus of 4,512 articles in the field of soft computing. It makes significant contributions to the intellectual and conceptual framework of soft computing research by providing a comprehensive overview of the literature on soft computing literature covering a period of four decades and identifying significant trends and topics to direct future research.
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Mohammed W.A. Saleh, Rabee Shurafa, Siti Norwahida Shukeri, Abdulnasr Ibrahim Nour and Zaharaddeen Salisu Maigosh
The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the effect of board multiple directorships and chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics on firm performance among…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the effect of board multiple directorships and chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics on firm performance among nonfinancial firms listed on the Palestine Security Exchange (PSE) during the period from 2009 to 2016.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on 200 observations, this study utilizes panel data to examine the effect of the predictors on firm performance measured by return on assets. The analysis is repeated using the return on equity and two regression methods to evaluate the robustness of the main analysis (pooled regression, and backward stepwise regression analysis).
Findings
The results show that the “busyness” of a CEO reduces their effectiveness and is associated with losses in the companies where they are in charge. On the other hand, the results show that CEO tenure, CEO experience and CEO political connections have a positive effect on corporate performance.
Originality/value
This study is timely given that the practice of multiple directorships is widely common among firms in developing countries. Prior research in Palestine has not investigated the role of multiple directorships and the CEO characteristics on corporate outcomes. This study provides a picture of the potential benefits to firms, policymakers and professional bodies from considering CEO variables. The findings of such an examination can help them to set up suitable policies and enhance the role and the quality of the CEO in firms.
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Shayan Nikoukar and Mehdi Tavakolan
This research aims to address the challenge of inefficient decision-making in site layout planning and resource allocation for construction projects. Existing approaches often…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to address the challenge of inefficient decision-making in site layout planning and resource allocation for construction projects. Existing approaches often rely on mathematical models that produce unrealistic results or encounter limitations confined to the site itself. To overcome these constraints, this study proposes a simulation-based approach with a focus on automatically optimizing tower crane placement, depot locations, and supplier selection. The primary objective is to minimize project costs while enhancing overall efficiency and productivity.
Design/methodology/approach
The implementation integrates a genetic algorithm and a discrete event simulation model featuring a central control kernel. Key considerations include project boundaries, site layout features, depot locations, and manufacturing and transportation capabilities. The simulation process assesses each solution, encompassing critical stages like manufacturing, transfer to depot, site transportation, and installation. The proposed approach is tested using an actual steel structure project in Tehran, Iran.
Findings
Results demonstrate substantial cost reductions compared to the contractor plan, showcasing the superiority of the proposed simulation-based optimization approach. The findings underscore the practical applicability of the research, providing valuable insights for industry professionals to make informed decisions and enhance project outcomes in real-world construction projects.
Originality/value
This integrated simulation-based optimization approach offers a robust framework for realistic and effective site layout planning and resource allocation in general steel construction projects. Its general simulation mechanism allows for easy expansion and application to similar projects, capable of assessing a large number of alternatives. The research contributes to the field by presenting a novel and effective method for addressing decision-making challenges in construction project planning and resource allocation.
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Malik Muneer Abu Afifa and Isam Saleh
This study aims to investigate the relationship between management accounting systems effectiveness (MASE) and company performance and then it examines the role of perceived…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between management accounting systems effectiveness (MASE) and company performance and then it examines the role of perceived environmental uncertainty as a moderator on this relationship. It provides empirical evidence from a developing market, especially from the Jordanian market.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on collecting its data using a quantitative method to assist in explaining and interpreting the results, whereby the study data were collected through a survey design approach using a questionnaire method to achieve the objectives of the study. The population of this study included all Jordanian companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) at the end of 2019, a total of 187 companies. Therefore, the study sample consists of all these companies (a completely sensuous population) which are listed on ASE at the end of 2019.
Findings
The findings of this study offered that two informational characteristics of MASE, namely, timeliness and integration, have a significant impact on the financial performance and other characteristics have no impact on the financial (FP) and nonfinancial (NFP) performance. The informational characteristics of management accounting systems complement each other to ensure the MASE in the company, where the relationship between MASE proxied by four informational characteristics together and FP as well as NFP, were highly significant. Additionally, the findings documented that perceived environmental uncertainty, namely, customer uncertainty, competitor uncertainty and technology uncertainty separately do not moderate the relationship between MASE and company performance (both FP and NFP).
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study shape the way for more thorough studies into monitoring MASE. Nevertheless, to start efficient decisions, managers need to comprehend the interaction of the MASE with other factors. All these considerations need to be comprehended both for and against the performance. Finally, this study addressed important issues that have practical management value. However, it is limited to a sample from one country. Future research would be interesting to study different businesses and cultural settings to enhance the theoretical and practical contributions of the study’s findings and conclusions. To be more specific, further study should have a wider view of the determinants of performance by containing economic factors in different areas such as the MENA region.
Originality/value
To the best of the knowledge, this is the first study of Jordan to examine the relationship between MASE and company performance from two sides (namely, financial and non-financial performance), moderated by perceived environmental uncertainty. As such, the study raises significant findings drawing attention to management accounting systems and the role of management accounting systems in Jordan.
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Abdallah Amhalhal, John Anchor, Nicoleta S. Tipi and Sara Elgazzar
The research investigates the effectiveness of the performance measurement alignment approach which claims that measurement diversity (multiple performance measures) should be…
Abstract
Purpose
The research investigates the effectiveness of the performance measurement alignment approach which claims that measurement diversity (multiple performance measures) should be aligned with organisational contingencies to enhance organisational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical framework is contingency theory. The study is an empirical investigation of the indirect relationship between three contextual factors (business strategy, information technology and organisation size) and organisational performance via multiple performance measures. The results are derived from cross-sectional questionnaire survey data from 132 Libyan companies (response rate of 61%). For data analysis, the research uses mediation regression analysis via Preacher and Hayes' (2004) macro.
Findings
There is a significant indirect effect of business strategy and information technology, but not organisation size, on organisational performance. The measurement diversity approach plays a core mediating role in the relationship between the contingencies and organisational performance.
Practical implications
The study helps to provide a better understanding of the usefulness of the fit/match between contingencies and Multiple Performance Measures in improving organisational performance.
Originality/value
The empirical evidence supports the central proposition of contingency theory that there is no universally appropriate performance measurement system which applies equally to all organisations in all circumstances. It also provides evidence relating to non–manufacturing and an emerging market context. This research significantly extends the relevant literature by highlighting the relationship between information technology, multiple performance measures and organisational performance. This study is the first to use Preacher and Hayes' (2004) macro to analyse mediation design in the field of contingency-based performance measurement.
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Theresa Macheka, Emmanuel Silva Quaye and Neo Ligaraba
Young consumers are increasingly using online reviews and celebrity influence to make purchase decisions. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the influence of online…
Abstract
Purpose
Young consumers are increasingly using online reviews and celebrity influence to make purchase decisions. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the influence of online customer reviews, celebrity influencer’s attractiveness, celebrity influencer’s credibility on female millennials’ purchase intention of beauty products.
Design/methodology/approach
To validate the research questions and hypotheses, data were obtained from young female consumers using an electronic self-administered survey questionnaire that was close ended. A total of 203 valid responses were obtained from which data were analysed by making use of structural equation modelling Mplus and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28.
Findings
The obtained results showed that the seven hypotheses of the study were positive. However, two hypotheses were negative, namely, celebrity influencer attractiveness did not have a significant influence on the attitude of consumers; and brand loyalty was not significantly correlating with young female consumers’ purchase intention of beauty products.
Practical implications
Given that millennials are known to be active users of social media and often consult online peer product reviews, marketers and practitioners of beauty industry should improve the effectiveness and usability of beauty influencers and online reviews to attract female millennial consumers.
Originality/value
This research contributes to understanding young female consumers’ attitudes towards purchasing beauty products, especially the combined influence of group influence (online reviews) and media influence (celebrity beauty influencers) on such attitudes.
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Juliana Costa Liboredo, Cláudia Antônia Alcântara Amaral and Natália Caldeira Carvalho
This study aims to understand consumer behavior related to the purchase of meals by delivery services before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Brazil.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand consumer behavior related to the purchase of meals by delivery services before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was conducted between September and October 2020. The total number of valid responses was 971.
Findings
About 55% of the participants reported a decrease in consumption or not having consumed food delivery during the pandemic. Of the total, 48.3% feared contracting COVID-19 from food delivery. A significant association was observed between fear of contracting COVID-19 from food delivery and variables such as education level (p = 0.001), observance of social distancing (p = 0.03) and food delivery consumption frequency (p < 0.001). More people were careful about cleaning food packaging (from 12.4% before to 66.1% during the pandemic, p < 0.001) and disposal (from 47.6% before to 66.4% during the pandemic, p < 0.001) and heating the food before consumption (from 7.6% before to 13.7% during the pandemic, p < 0.001) and used payment methods without approximation (from 29.8% before to 43.2% during the pandemic, p < 0.001) compared with the pre-pandemic period. More people also reported that application of security protocols during delivery (from 29.8% before to 43.2% during the pandemic, p < 0.001) and in restaurants (from 7.2% before to 25% during the pandemic, p < 0.001) and possessing knowledge about the financial difficulty of the establishment (from 4.6% before to 17% during the pandemic, p < 0.001) were the most important factors for choosing a food service.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore consumers’ fear of contracting COVID-19 from food delivery and consumer behavior related to food delivery services during the pandemic in Brazil – that is, way to order and payment methods, as well as concern and care related to the purchase of these foods.