This paper presents the development of a conceptual model of construction partnering. This model aims at exploring the relationship between two types of partnering (project and…
Abstract
This paper presents the development of a conceptual model of construction partnering. This model aims at exploring the relationship between two types of partnering (project and strategic) by studying the key factors that affect the partnering process stages. It also helps to determine the critical success factors (CSFs) of the two types of partnering. The paper commences by reviewing the literature on project and strategic partnering to develop the conceptual model. A survey was conducted to test the model. Results indicate that there are some critical factors (i.e. top management support, mutual trust, open communication, and effective co‐ordination) affecting both types of partnering, while some are specific to project (i.e. facilitator) or strategic partnering (i.e. long‐term commitment, continuous improvement, learning climate, and partnering experience). Practical implications are given to advise how to facilitate the implementation of partnering. Future research directions are also given to suggest how to improve our understanding of the concept of partnering.
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THE first part of Professor Duncan Dowson's paper (March/April issue) dwelt on late 19th century development of machinery outstripping the performance of available lubricants…
Abstract
THE first part of Professor Duncan Dowson's paper (March/April issue) dwelt on late 19th century development of machinery outstripping the performance of available lubricants. Contemporary lubricant research, and personalities involved, where described, leading to the concept of fluid‐film lubrication, documented by Professor Osborne Reynolds' paper read to the Royal Society in 1886.
DAVID ARDITI, ALMULA KOKSAL and SERDAR KALE
The objective of the research presented in this paper is to explore the factors associated with company failures in the context of the construction industry. To that end, the four…
Abstract
The objective of the research presented in this paper is to explore the factors associated with company failures in the context of the construction industry. To that end, the four quadrants of an ‘environment/response’ matrix developed by Boyle & Desai (1991. Journal of Small Business Management, 29, 33–42) are populated with Dun and Bradstreet's US business failure data for the construction industry. The study indicates that budgetary and macroeconomic issues represent 83% of the reasons for construction company failures. This implies that firms that take vigorous administrative measures to address budgeting issues and that react promptly to economic conditions by implementing appropriate strategic policies should be able to avoid failure. On the other hand, issues of adaptability to market conditions and business issues appear to have limited effects on company survivability (6% of the reasons for failure). This implies that administrative measures to fend off internal conflicts that originate for reasons beyond management's control and long‐term strategic decisions to regulate the firm's adaptation to market conditions can also help to prevent failure. An ‘input/output’ model appears to explain the business failure phenomenon better than the ‘environment/response’ one.
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N. Dunning, C. Preece, K.S.H. Sadek, J. Grantham, S. Owen, G.E. Taylor, J.E.L Simmons and D.C. Reedman
In recent years NC controlled lock‐stitch sewing machines operating on shoe upper sub‐assemblies held in flat pallets have become well‐established in shoemaking businesses…
Abstract
In recent years NC controlled lock‐stitch sewing machines operating on shoe upper sub‐assemblies held in flat pallets have become well‐established in shoemaking businesses. However, a major problem for manufacturers of high‐quality footwear is that such machines are subject to malformation of the lockstitch when the pallet moves in certain directions with respect to the sewing head. The stitch malformation, known as half‐hitching, results in seams which have an inconsistent and unsightly appearance. Examines the reasons for half‐hitching and strategies for its prevention. One approach involves rotating the stitching head about a vertical axis so that the direction of sewing is always maintained at a tangent to the seam. Systems such as this have been proposed in the past but have been prohibitively complicated and cumbersome. Introduces a stitching machine concept which enables a much simpler demonstration rotating head stitching machine to be built. It is expected that industrially‐developed units using the principle illustrated will find widespread use in the shoemaking industry. They will be relevant not only in conventional pallet loaded NC stitching machines, but also in a new generation of palletless machines.
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Xiaodong Sun, Yuanyuan Liu, Bettina Chocholaty and Steffen Marburg
Prior investigations concerning misalignment resulting from journal deformation typically relied on predefined misaligned angles. Nevertheless, scant attention has been devoted to…
Abstract
Purpose
Prior investigations concerning misalignment resulting from journal deformation typically relied on predefined misaligned angles. Nevertheless, scant attention has been devoted to the determination of these misaligned angles. Furthermore, existing studies commonly treat the journal as rigid under such circumstances. Therefore, the present study aims to introduce a framework for determining misaligned angles and to compare outcomes between rigid and flexible journal configurations.
Design/methodology/approach
The bearing forces are considered as an external load leading to journal deformation. This deformation is calculated using the finite element method. The pressure distribution producing the bearing force is solved using the finite difference method. The mesh grids in the finite element and finite difference methods are matched for coupling calculation. By iteration, the pressure distribution of the lubricant film at the equilibrium position is determined.
Findings
Results show that the deformation-induced misalignment has a significant influence on the performance of the bearing when the journal flexibility is taken into account. The parametric study reveals that the misalignment relies on system parameters such as bearing length-diameter ratio and static load.
Originality/value
The investigation of this work provides a quantification method of misalignment of hydrodynamic bearings considering the elastic deformation of the journal, which assists in the design of bearing in a rotor-bearing system.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2023-0337/
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Sofia Garcia-Torres, Laura Albareda, Marta Rey-Garcia and Stefan Seuring
This paper aims to examine how companies enact traceability in their global supply chains (SCs) to achieve sustainability goals and how this so-called traceability for…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how companies enact traceability in their global supply chains (SCs) to achieve sustainability goals and how this so-called traceability for sustainability (TfS) can contribute to (sustainable) supply chain management ([S]SCM). For this, the paper focuses on the paramount example of the apparel industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents an integrative and systematic literature review of 89 peer-reviewed journal articles on the confluence of traceability and sustainability in global apparel SCs. It comprises content analysis and abductive category-building based on previous literature.
Findings
A conceptual framework emerges to describe TfS as an evolving cycle, comprising three dimensions: governance, collaboration and tracking and tracing. Resources and capabilities literature set the foundations for conceiving TfS as a distinctive meta-capability construct. Hence, besides being associated to increased performance, risk management and SC process transformation, TfS ultimately blurs boundaries and integrates non-traditional SC actors into the same ecosystem with important implications for sustainability and (S)SCM. This study refers to the industrial upgrading potential of global SCs to explain how leveraging enabling technologies for TfS may help to improve the triple-bottom-line (TBL) performance of the actors in the broad ecosystem while reducing the risks associated to those technologies. Thus, TfS can contribute to (S)SCM and to TBL sustainability within and beyond SC boundaries.
Originality/value
This study conceptually frames (S)SCM exploring TfS as a meta-capability and contributes to the underexplored question of how to achieve sustainability in global SCs.
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This chapter addresses the grand challenge of an aging society and the subsequent growing demand for in-home care for the elderly – often referred to as homecare. It examines how…
Abstract
This chapter addresses the grand challenge of an aging society and the subsequent growing demand for in-home care for the elderly – often referred to as homecare. It examines how emergent homecare models in England differ from the “time and task” model and how they are shaping the care market. These models offer new approaches regarding what, how, and when care is delivered at home. Homecare providers face rising demand driven not only by population aging but also by market demand for personalized care, choice, continuity of care, and real-time availability. The landscape presents an opportunity for innovative models to become established, by offering a more inducing service design and value propositions that respond to customers' needs. Using the “business model canvas” to guide data collection, this study presents an ethnographic case analysis of four homecare organizations with distinct emergent homecare models. The study includes 14 months of field observation and 33 in-depth interviews. It finds that providers are becoming increasingly aware of evolving customer needs, establishing models such as the “uberization,” “community-based,” “live-in,” and “preventative” described in the chapter. These models are becoming more pervasive and are mostly market-driven; however, some of their innovations are market shaping. The major innovations are in their value propositions, partnership arrangements, and customer segments. Their value propositions focus on well-being outcomes, including choice and personalization for care users; their workforces are perceived to be a major stakeholder segment, and their networks of partners offer access to complementary services, investments, and specialist knowledge.
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Hiba AlSaidi and David Crowther
This study delves into the interrelationships between business analytics (BA), strategic foresight (SF) and organisational resilience (OR) based on the systems theory. The…
Abstract
This study delves into the interrelationships between business analytics (BA), strategic foresight (SF) and organisational resilience (OR) based on the systems theory. The research model was evaluated using Smart PLS 2.0. We found that both BA and SF have positive impacts on OR, explaining 32% of the change in OR. Additionally, BA was shown to have a positive effect on SF. We also discovered that BA partially mediates the relationship between SF and OR. However, no significant mediating effect was found in the relation of BA on OR through SF. These findings reveal the important role BA and SF play in enhancing OR, highlighting the mediating role of BA in the relationship between SF and OR. This research marks a significant advancement in the literature, being the first to establish this unique mediation effect and opens the way for future longitudinal research to validate and expand these findings.