Nida Javed, Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem, Beenish Bakhtawar, Abdur Rehman Nasir, Khurram Iqbal Ahmad Khan and Hamza Farooq Gabriel
The formal application of project risk management (PRM) in green building projects is still an emergent part of project management. The purpose of this paper is to provide a…
Abstract
Purpose
The formal application of project risk management (PRM) in green building projects is still an emergent part of project management. The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual PRM framework that increases the probability of success in green building projects by minimizing unexpected events.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper interprets the related literature and uses the opinion of green building experts. It exposes some pertinent elements needed for structuring the PRM framework and suggests some mitigation actions for high-ranked risks. It also performs ex-post analysis on a case study to practically validate the proposed framework.
Findings
It is found that high initial cost, lack of experienced contractors and subcontractors, consideration of lifecycle inflation and experience in green building project management are the most significant risks. To address them, the framework proposes a rigorous selection of contractors, provision of financial incentives from the government, setting of a time buffer to accommodate legal process and development of a deliberate proactive financial model.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the body of knowledge and practice by providing a reasonable strategy for employing the PRM framework capable of effectively managing risk in green building projects to keep organizations competitive within the business environment. The overall aim of this study is to contribute to the further development of the area of risk assessment and risk management from a knowledge-based perspective.
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Faizan Naveed and Khurram Iqbal Ahmad Khan
This paper investigates the causative relation between information complexity and construction quality. The objectives are to identify the challenges faced in the communication of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates the causative relation between information complexity and construction quality. The objectives are to identify the challenges faced in the communication of information and data on construction projects and determine how these barriers influence quality performance of a project.
Design/methodology/approach
Limitations in the literature on information seeking, coupled with the utilization of Theory of Motivated Information Management as a response led to the development of research problem statement. Through comprehensive review of literature published between the years 2005–2019, the paper first identified barriers of information communication in the industry and key performance indicators of construction quality, followed by content analyses to rank and screen out the least important variables. This paved the way for quantitative and qualitative analyses through 180 structured questionnaires and 11 expert opinion sessions that respectively led to the use of systems thinking approach to establish causality.
Findings
The study finds ineffective communication, unclear details, changes in contract, information delays, unpleasant relationships between stakeholders and project complexity as the most critical factors causing information complexity in a construction project. These factors cause a reduction in quality performance of a project through increased rework and decreased implementation of total quality management.
Practical implications
The study will assist project managers to diagnose quality-related issues in their projects, trace them back to the challenges and barriers of information communication and then make policy/strategic interventions to reduce such issues through improved information flow.
Originality/value
Majority of the studies in this field of work have identified the effects of ineffective information flow on overall project performance, but very few have focused specifically on the quality of construction projects.
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Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Abid Iqbal
This study aims to identify the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on university libraries and to reveal challenges associated with the adoption of AI-powered applications in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on university libraries and to reveal challenges associated with the adoption of AI-powered applications in libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) was applied to address the study’s objectives. The 25 most relevant seminal studies published in Scopus- and Web of Science-indexed journals were selected to conduct the study.
Findings
Findings revealed that AI has strong positive effects on university libraries. These effects included efficiency and promotion of library products, innovative library services, alignment of library services with the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), collection management and user services and transformation of library systems. Results also manifested that skills and knowledge barriers, financial and resource constraints and resistance to change created challenges to adopt AI-based services in university libraries.
Originality/value
This study has added valuable literature to the existing body of knowledge by conducting SLR on the basis of 25 most relevant research articles published in cite score and impact factor journals. It has provided practical implications by offering recommendations to adopt AI in university libraries. The study is a benchmark for policymakers, AI applications developers, higher education bodies, government representatives, university administration and library leadership to devise effective strategies and methods for the efficient adoption of AI in libraries. The study has also provided a framework to adopt AI applications in library settings.
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Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan, Asfa Muhammed Din Javeed, Abid Iqbal and Shakil Ahmad
The purpose of this study is to know the perceptions of university librarians in Pakistan about the benefits of electronic learning for continuing professional development (CPD)…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to know the perceptions of university librarians in Pakistan about the benefits of electronic learning for continuing professional development (CPD), to identify the motivating factors to engage librarians in electronic learning programmes for CPD and to investigate the challenges of adopting electronic learning faced by university librarians in Pakistan for CPD.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research method followed by a survey research design was applied to address the study’s objectives. Quantitative data was gathered from the target population through a questionnaire. The target population of the study was consisted of all library professionals working in the Higher Education Commission (HEC)-recognized public and private sector universities of Pakistan.
Findings
The findings of the study showed that respondents positively realized the benefits of electronic learning for CPD. According to the results, organizational support is a prominent motivational factor for librarians to attend electronic learning programmes and develop their professional skills. Findings revealed that lack of technical support is identified as the most prominent problem in the effective adoption of electronic learning technologies. Technical challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, poor networks, broadband access issues and low bandwidth, create obstacles for librarians in implementing electronic learning for their CPD.
Originality/value
This study is fruitful for library leadership to apply the emerging technologies to benefit from electronic learning for career development to deliver value-added services to the end users of university libraries.
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Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Abid Iqbal
The objectives of the study were to identify the effects of blockchain technology (BT) on the university librarians, the impact of BT on the university library services and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The objectives of the study were to identify the effects of blockchain technology (BT) on the university librarians, the impact of BT on the university library services and to reveal the challenges to adopt BT in the university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was applied to address the objectives of the study. Around 25 studies published in peer-reviewed journals were selected to conduct the study.
Findings
The findings of the study revealed that blockchain technology (BT) has positive effects on the university librarians as it assists them in digital resources management, provision of integrated library services, effective records management and continued professional development. The study also displayed that BT has a positive impact on the university libraries through effective information management, user privacy, collaboration, technological innovation and access control. Results also revealed that technical issues, financial constraints, security problems, skill issues and sociocultural issues created challenges to adopt BT in the university libraries.
Originality/value
The study has offered theoretical implications for future investigators through the provision of innovative literature on the prospectus and challenges associated with blockchain in the context of librarianship. The study has also provided practical implications for management bodies by offering recommendations for the successful adoption of blockchain in the university libraries. Additionally, a framework has been developed to adopt BT successfully in the university libraries for the delivery of smart library services to library patrons.
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Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Abid Iqbal
For the provision of smart library services to end users, tools of the Internet of Things (IoT) play a significant role. The study aims to discover the factors influencing the…
Abstract
Purpose
For the provision of smart library services to end users, tools of the Internet of Things (IoT) play a significant role. The study aims to discover the factors influencing the adoption of IoT in university libraries, investigate the impact of IoT on university library services and identify challenges to adopt IoT applications in university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was carried out to address the objectives of the study. The 40 most relevant research papers published in the world’s leading digital databases were selected to conduct the study.
Findings
The findings illustrated that rapid growth in technology, perceived benefits, the networked world and the changing landscape of librarianship positively influenced the adoption of IoT in university libraries. The study also displayed that IoT supported library professionals to initiate smart library services, assisted in service efficiency, offered context-based library services, provided tracking facilities and delivered effective management of library systems. Results also revealed that a lack of technical infrastructure, security and privacy concerns, a lack of technological skills and unavailability of policy and strategic planning caused barriers to the successful adoption of IoT applications in university libraries.
Originality/value
The study has provided theoretical implications through a valuable addition to the current literature. It has also offered managerial implications for policymakers to construct productive policies for the implementation of IoT applications in university libraries for the attainment of fruitful outcomes. Finally, the study provides a baseline for understanding the adoption of IoT in academic libraries.
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Abid Iqbal, Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Muhammad Shahzad Chaudhry
The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and fake news detection. It also intended to explore the negative effects of fake…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and fake news detection. It also intended to explore the negative effects of fake news on society and to find out trending techniques for fake news detection.
Design/methodology/approach
“Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” were applied as a research methodology for conducting the study. Twenty-five peer-reviewed, most relevant core studies were included to carry out a systematic literature review.
Findings
Findings illustrated that AI has a strong positive relationship with the detection of fake news. The study displayed that fake news caused emotional problems, threats to important institutions of the state and a bad impact on culture. Results of the study also revealed that big data analytics, fact-checking websites, automatic detection tools and digital literacy proved fruitful in identifying fake news.
Originality/value
The study offers theoretical implications for the researchers to further explore the area of AI in relation to fake news detection. It also provides managerial implications for educationists, IT experts and policymakers. This study is an important benchmark to control the generation and dissemination of fake news on social media platforms.
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Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Abid Iqbal
This study aims to identify the causes of mental health issues faced by university librarians, to investigate the impact of mental health issues on the job performance of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the causes of mental health issues faced by university librarians, to investigate the impact of mental health issues on the job performance of university librarians, and to know about the health activities to maintain mental and physical health.
Design/methodology/approach
The systematic literature review was applied as the research methodology. Forty-three research papers published in peer-reviewed journals were selected to conduct the study.
Findings
The findings of the study revealed that several factors including socio-economic conditions, work stress, stigma, constant fear, lack of self-efficacy, negative thinking, job security problems, strict organizational climate, poor human relations, lack of required job skills, chronic diseases and global pandemics cause mental problems in library professionals. Mental health issues have a negative impact on the job output of librarians. Different activities including emotional health training sessions, physical and mental exercises, social connections, membership of mental health centres, continuing professional development, and self-care training assist in the stability of the physical and mental fitness of librarians.
Originality/value
The study has a societal impact through the identification of different activities for maintaining mental health. It has offered theoretical implications for the investigators to further conduct studies in the area of mental health and librarians. It has also provided managerial implications for management bodies to take fruitful measures for the sound mental health of librarians so that they might carry out innovative library services.
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Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan, Abid Iqbal, Omar Shabbir and Mujahid Latif
This paper aims to explore the determinants causing fake information proliferation on social media platforms and the challenges to control the diffusion of fake news phenomena.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the determinants causing fake information proliferation on social media platforms and the challenges to control the diffusion of fake news phenomena.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors applied the systematic review methodology to conduct a synthetic analysis of 37 articles published in peer-reviewed journals retrieved from 13 scholarly databases.
Findings
The findings of the study displayed that dissatisfaction, behavior modifications, trending practices to viral fake stories, natural inclination toward negativity and political purposes were the key determinants that led individuals to believe in fake news shared on digital media. The study also identified challenges being faced by people to control the spread of fake news on social networking websites. Key challenges included individual autonomy, the fast-paced social media ecosystem, fake accounts on social media, cutting-edge technologies, disparities and lack of media literacy.
Originality/value
The study has theoretical contributions through valuable addition to the body of existing literature and practical implications for policymakers to construct such policies that might prove successful antidote to stop the fake news cancer spreading everywhere via digital media. The study has also offered a framework to stop the diffusion of fake news.
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Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Abid Iqbal
This study aims to identify the librarians’ readiness to leverage artificial intelligence for sustainable competence development and smart library services.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the librarians’ readiness to leverage artificial intelligence for sustainable competence development and smart library services.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a quantitative research design for addressing the objectives. The population consisted of librarians from the public and private sector universities of Pakistan. The data were analyzed by using Smart PLS software.
Findings
The analysis consisted of two major parts: first the assessment of measurement model and second the structural equation modeling analysis. A significant positive impact of AI adoption was found on the implementation smart library services. Findings revealed that behavioral intention motivated librarians to adopt AI tools in university libraries for the delivery of smart library services.
Research limitations/implications
We applied quantitative method to carry out the study while future authors may conduct a systematic literature review on the same topic for offering a broader outlook.
Practical implications
It has provided practical contributions by providing a baseline for management bodies to construct policies for the successful adoption of AI in libraries for sustainable competence development of practicing librarians and implementation of smart library services.
Social implications
The study has social implications too as AI integrated library services prove fruitful for society and digitally skilled librarians play a vital role for the promotion of reading and research culture in society.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on librarians’ readiness to leverage artificial intelligence for the enhancement of digital literacy skills, sustainable competence development and smart library services in the context of Pakistan.