Albert P.C. Chan, Y.H. Chiang, Stephen W.K. Mak, Lennon H.T. Choy and M.W.W James
Efficient manpower planning has been recognized as a critical aspect for the development of an economy. In 2001, the Works Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government (predecessor of…
Abstract
Efficient manpower planning has been recognized as a critical aspect for the development of an economy. In 2001, the Works Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government (predecessor of Environment, Transport and Works Bureau) commissioned an HKPolyU consultancy team to develop a computer‐based model to estimate the demand for different categories of construction personnel. This article presents the concept and features of the manpower demand‐forecasting model developed for the construction industry of Hong Kong. The forecasting model is formulated on the basis of the labour multiplier approach by deriving the relationship between the number of workers required and the project expenditure in the given project duration. Multipliers for 61 project types were derived for 38 labour trades using completed project data. The labour demand by occupation for each project can then be estimated by multiplying the corresponding multipliers and the estimated project expenditure. Several unique features of the model have been developed, including “normalization” and “contract cost adjustment factor”. Normalizing the labour multipliers can facilitate the prediction of occupational labour requirements at different stages of a construction project. The adjustment factor is introduced to eliminate the discrepancy between the original estimates and final contract values so as to enhance the estimation accuracy. The model can also be used to predict the number of jobs created for a given level of investment. The government can apply this model to check and compare which project types will generate most jobs before committing public money. This model could be easily adopted and adapted by foreign construction authorities while planning manpower.
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Stephen W.K. Mak, Lennon H.T. Choy and Winky K.O. Ho
The objective of this paper is to propose the use of transaction data, hedonic model and internet‐based technologies to provide potential home buyers and sellers with instant and…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to propose the use of transaction data, hedonic model and internet‐based technologies to provide potential home buyers and sellers with instant and online property appraisal services by real estate‐related firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Hedonic price model is performed to estimate the price index of individual housing estate. The values of the coefficients of the attributes may change in response to a changing environment. A professional judgment should be given by appraisers on time intervals to re‐run the hedonic price models, if needed. Once the algorithms have been updated, authenticated users can connect to the system via a secure socket layer. They can browse and search the valuation reports by entering search criteria of premises into the system that filters the results instantly according to the request of users, and a detailed asset valuation report will be displayed in the browser.
Findings
This sort of online services is believed to save consumers' time, by offering timely property appraisal services that facilitate property transactions.
Originality/value
Currently, local large property developers, agencies and surveying firms are still relying on manual processes of providing selected transaction data via the web to their prospective customers. The system proposed and developed as described in this paper is an automatic and self‐learning system that produces reliable and authentic results based on large quantity of historical transaction records. The professional judgments of appraisers add flavor to the final valuation of properties. As well as providing information to individual buyers/sellers, the system is most suitable to investors who own a large portfolio of properties as the total capitalization of the portfolio can be computed easily and quickly. REITs are examples of these portfolio owners.
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Yuangao Chen, Ruyi Dai, Lu Wang, Shuiqing Yang, Yixiao Li and June Wei
This study adopts self-determination theory and stimulus-organism-response framework to develop a model that explores the motivations of such donors by considering their…
Abstract
Purpose
This study adopts self-determination theory and stimulus-organism-response framework to develop a model that explores the motivations of such donors by considering their self-determination needs and extrinsic and intrinsic motivations.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on online survey data collected from 436 crowdfunding donors in China, this study follows a structural equation modeling analysis to test hypotheses.
Findings
The results indicate that perceived ease of use, perceived self-efficacy and social connection have positive effects on the donation intentions of backers through a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic motivations.
Originality/value
The findings shed light on various extrinsic and intrinsic motivations advancing knowledge of individual fund motivation in donation-based crowdfunding and provide guidelines for the development of donation-based crowdfunding theory and practice.
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Arpita Khare, Amrut Sadachar and Swagata Chakraborty
The study examined the role of collective self-esteem (CSE), online communities, green attitudes and the influence of celebrities on green clothing involvement and consequently…
Abstract
Purpose
The study examined the role of collective self-esteem (CSE), online communities, green attitudes and the influence of celebrities on green clothing involvement and consequently its impact on green clothing purchase behavior of Indian consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
A mix of convenience and random sampling was used for data collection via an online survey. The sample (n = 403) comprised consumers having awareness about green clothing. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for analysis.
Findings
Online communities, green attitudes and influence of celebrities predicted green clothing involvement and in turn their purchase behavior. CSE had no impact on consumers' green clothing involvement.
Practical implications
The findings can help green apparel manufacturers and designers to use celebrities and online communities to educate and promote the benefits of green clothing. Social media can be employed to share experiences and engage consumers about green clothing.
Originality/value
Since online networking sites are gaining predominance in influencing behavior, the study extends the earlier research on social influence by examining its role along with celebrities and CSE on green apparel involvement and purchase. The study combines celebrities, online communities and collective identity influences (offline and online) in predicting green clothing purchase in India.
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Kim Piew Lai and Siong Choy Chong
This study aims to explore if public and private hospitals have differing servicescape attributes.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore if public and private hospitals have differing servicescape attributes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a two-stage (EFA and CFA) procedure for identifying the servicescape attributes and examining their validity in the context of public and private hospitals.
Findings
The findings indicate that, in different contexts, patients would expect different aesthetics of servicescape attributes and how they are influenced by the hospital premises.
Research limitations/implications
It is interesting to note that: not all of the attributes that appear in both contexts are exactly the same; patients do not seem to face difficulties in analysing and interpreting directional cues, even though the spatial orientation in private hospitals is relatively smaller; the way patients of public hospitals draw inference about the ambient conditions is not consistent with private hospitals; and patients perceive that private hospitals pay special attention to developing a built environment that facilitates treatment and recovery process via interior layout, as well as decoration and architecture attributes.
Practical implications
The study grounds the servicescape attributes and provides insights to effectively promote public and private hospitals.
Originality/value
This study may be amongst the first to offer servicescape evidence in both the public and private hospitals.
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Gerard Cummins and Marc P.Y. Desmulliez
The purpose of this paper is to present an exhaustive review of research studies and activities in the inkjet printing of conductive materials.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an exhaustive review of research studies and activities in the inkjet printing of conductive materials.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper gives a detailed literature survey of research carried out in inkjet printing of conductive materials.
Findings
This article explains the inkjet printing process and the various types of conductive inks. It then examines the various factors that affect the quality of inkjet printed interconnects such as printing parameters, materials and substrate treatments. Methods of characterising both the inkjet printing process and the electrical properties of printed conductive materials are also presented. Finally relevant applications of this technology are described.
Originality/value
Inkjet printing is currently one of the cheapest direct write techniques for manufacturing. The use of this technique in electronic manufacturing, where interconnects and other conductive features are required is an area of increasing relevance to the fields of electronics manufacturing, packaging and assembly. This review paper would therefore be of great value and interest to this community.
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Muhammad Asif Zaheer, Tanveer Muhammad Anwar, Laszlo Barna Iantovics, Maryam Manzoor, Muhammad Ali Raza and Zoia Khan
This research aimed to raise awareness about the need for safety measures and features of online food delivery applications (OFDAs) to build electronic trust (e-trust) with…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aimed to raise awareness about the need for safety measures and features of online food delivery applications (OFDAs) to build electronic trust (e-trust) with augmented purchase intention among customers. Moreover, this study explores the attributes of electronic commerce (e-commerce) and how e-trust influences the purchasing intention of consumers while ordering food through OFDAs including fear of contagious diseases. Determinants of e-commerce in the digital era profoundly impact the performance of enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 493 food consumers collected from Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Pakistan, who were regular users of OFDAs. To scrutinize the dataset, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the construct validity in this research study. Structural equation modeling (SEM), which is facilitated by Smart-PLS, was employed to examine the direct, moderation and mediation effects of the proposed model.
Findings
Results revealed the positive and significant impact of the e-trust on the purchase intention. Additionally, e-trust acted as a mediating factor in the connection between electronic security (e-security), electronic privacy (e-privacy), usability, electronic payment (e-payment), electronic innovativeness (e-innovativeness) and the buyer's purchase intention. Furthermore, the fear of contagious viruses negatively moderated the e-trust and purchase intention that weakened buying behavior.
Originality/value
This research is primarily centered on enhancing the comprehension regarding safety orientation within the context of an evolving restaurant industry. The findings of this study hold substantial contributions for academics, web developers, application designers, OFDAs, restaurants and other businesses since they indicate the attractiveness of OFDAs in generating feelings of pleasure and boosting users' intentions to keep using the application.
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Rahmatina Awaliah Kasri and Esmeralda Indriani
This study aims to analyse the factors influencing Indonesian Muslims’ donation behaviour through online charitable donation-based crowdfunding.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse the factors influencing Indonesian Muslims’ donation behaviour through online charitable donation-based crowdfunding.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses the stimulus-organism-response framework, with technological characteristics, campaign characteristics and religiosity as the stimulus; empathy, perceived credibility and quality of relationship as the organism; and intention to donate as the response variables. In analysing the data, it used the structural equation modelling approach with the partial least squares method. The study involved 405 Muslim respondents who have donated through the largest online charitable crowdfunding platform in Indonesia.
Findings
The main findings suggest that empathy and perceived credibility are key determinants influencing the intention to donate through crowdfunding. Both factors are subsequently affected by initiator reputation, campaign popularity, content quality, transaction convenience and website quality. Such intention also goes hand in hand with the improved quality of relationships between the organisation and the donors, subsequently influenced by their religiosity.
Practical implications
The main findings imply that fundraising campaigns and technology’s characteristics play a significant role in the intention to donate. Such findings are expected to enhance understanding of individuals’ philanthropic behaviour in Indonesia and to suggest appropriate operational strategies to facilitate individuals’ donation behaviour in charitable crowdfunding.
Originality/value
Despite the high potential of charitable crowdfunding, studies regarding the factors influencing charitable donations made through such organisations remain scarce. This study contributes to the literature by taking the case of the largest online charitable crowdfunding platform in Indonesia.
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Neeraj Kumar, Mohit Tyagi and Anish Sachdeva
A poor performance of the cold supply chain (CSC) may increase the loss of quality and potency of perishables and temperature-sensitive products that deteriorate the financial and…
Abstract
Purpose
A poor performance of the cold supply chain (CSC) may increase the loss of quality and potency of perishables and temperature-sensitive products that deteriorate the financial and environmental aspects of the same. The purpose of the current research work is to identify the critical performance factors (criteria) and their co-factors (sub-criteria) that are responsible for the performance measurement of CSC and suggest the best possible solutions (alternatives) to improve the same.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the objective of the research, a hierarchical model has been developed and analyzed using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-Fuzzy TOPSIS as a hybrid approach to obtain the severity weights of the identified criteria and prioritization toward their relative importance for the best possible alternatives.
Findings
Analysis reveals that the criteria “energy consumption” comes out to be the most critical criteria, and alternative “application of passive cold devices” is the most effective solution for improving the performance of CSC. Higher energy consumption leads to a higher rate of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increasing the global warming phenomenon, high operational cost and degradation of natural energy resources. The Application of Passive Cold Devices (PCDs) utilizes solar energy to operate the refrigeration units reducing the energy consumption, environmental and operating cost of CSC.
Research limitations/implications
The research work provides several insights into the critical issues related to the CSC and suggests significant findings that enable the management and decision-makers to adopt these practices for performance evaluation and improvement of the same. The key findings of the work, such as “application of passive cold devices” and “application of IoT in cold chain logistics”, facilitate an improved platform to improve the CSC performance and proposed several directions that will enhance the merit of future research.
Originality/value
The presented study consolidates the various perspectives associated with CSC performance, explores the most critical criteria and proposes the best suitable cold chain practices for organizational growth. The work also provides an analytical analysis with the essence of practicalities and sensitivity analysis to support the robustness of the results. By enriching the literature and quantitative analysis of the new proposed model, this paper forms vast managerial and research implications in the field of CSC.
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Jason M. Riley and Richard Klein
The purpose of this study is to understand consumers’ use of online retail channels. This study examines how tracking capabilities, delivery speed, trust, logistics carriers’…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand consumers’ use of online retail channels. This study examines how tracking capabilities, delivery speed, trust, logistics carriers’ reputation, people important to the consumer and online reviews influence Millennials’ online purchasing attitudes and intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was administered to 321 Millennials. Subsequently, it was used to test both direct and indirect hypotheses using structural equation modeling techniques.
Findings
The study determined that tracking capabilities, trust, people important to the consumer and online reviews directly influence online purchase attitude and by extension intention formation. The results also revealed that logistics carrier reputation moderates the trust to online purchase attitude linkage.
Research limitations/implications
This work improves the explanatory power of the theory of reasoned action by linking logistics factors to online shopping behavior. Further, it provides insight into the moderating influence of logistics carriers’ reputation.
Practical implications
For retailers, the results provide information on how to better develop ecommerce service offerings. By providing information about logistics services and capabilities during the ecommerce transaction, retailers can improve the chance that consumers will complete online purchases.
Originality/value
This research fills a gap in the literature regarding how to influence millennial consumers. Moreover, findings strengthen the understanding of online-purchasing attitudes and intentions formation, important to retailers developing new online shopping platforms and technologies.