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People with visual impairments or blindness (PwVIB) are mostly excluded from tourism activities. Despite the rise of assistive technology (AT) solutions in Tourism, acceptance remains low because of the difficulty of providing the right functionality, effectiveness and usability. Arguably, it can be said that disability-oriented training can affect the latter two and, therefore, an AT solution’s acceptance. This paper aims to contribute to the theory development and conceptualization of technology acceptance of AT solutions in Tourism by studying, in the context of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the effects of training PwVIB on using AT solutions. This study presents the effects of training on the tourism behavior of PwVIB and provides valuable information to the stakeholders.

Questionnaire data collected from 128 PwVIB after evaluating an AT were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling followed by post-evaluation interviews. The used application, called BlindMuseumTourer, enables high-precision autonomous indoor navigation for PwVIB in tourist places like museums and places of health care.

The results of this study indicate the partial satisfaction of the extended model validating the importance of performance expectancy and training (the new factor) in predicting the behavioral intention of PwVIB tourists toward using ATs during their tourist activities. This suggests that practitioners have to provide performant technological solutions accompanied by special training sessions for improved engagement and satisfaction.

This study contributes to the UTAUT theory in the context of Tourism for PwVIB by adding a new factor and replacing two moderator variables. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no similar work is studying AT acceptance by PwVIB in the tourism literature. Furthermore, the validation process used a novel indoor navigation application, demonstrating its effectiveness in the Tactual Museum of Greece.

视障或失明人士（PwVIB）大多被排除在旅游活动之外。尽管辅助技术（AT）解决方案在旅游业中兴起, 但由于难以提供适当的功能、有效性和可用性, 接受度仍然很低。可以说, 以残疾为导向的培训会影响后两者, 从而影响对辅助技术解决方案的接受程度。本文旨在通过在技术接受和使用统一理论（UTAUT）的背景下, 研究培训 PwVIB 对使用 AT 解决方案的影响, 为旅游行业对 AT 解决方案的技术接受的理论发展和概念化做出贡献。本研究将介绍培训对 PwVIB 旅游行为的影响, 并为利益相关者提供有价值的信息。

对 128 名无身份者在评估了辅助设施后收集的问卷数据进行了探索性因素分析、确认性因素分析和结构方程模型分析, 然后进行了评估后访谈。所采用的应用程序名为 “BlindMuseumTourer”, 可在博物馆和医疗场所等旅游景点为 PwVIB 提供高精度的自主室内导航。

结果表明, 扩展模型的部分结果验证了性能预期和培训（新因素）在预测无障碍游客在旅游活动中使用自动视听设备的行为意向方面的重要性。这表明, 从业人员必须提供性能优越的技术解决方案, 并辅以专门的培训课程, 以提高参与度和满意度。

本研究通过增加一个新因素和替换两个调节变量, 为UTAUT 理论在无障碍游客旅游方面的应用做出了贡献。据我们所知, 在旅游文献中, 还没有类似的工作是研究 PwVIB 对 AT 的接受程度。此外, 在验证过程中还使用了一个新颖的室内导航应用程序, 并在希腊触觉博物馆展示了其有效性。

Las personas con discapacidad visual o ceguera (PwVIB) están excluidas en su mayoría de las actividades turísticas. A pesar del auge de las soluciones de tecnología de asistencia (TA) en el turismo, su aceptación sigue siendo baja debido a la dificultad de proporcionar la funcionalidad, eficacia y usabilidad adecuadas. Podría decirse que la formación orientada a la discapacidad puede afectar a las dos últimas y, por tanto, a la aceptación de una solución de TA. Este artículo pretende contribuir al desarrollo teórico y a la conceptualización de la aceptación de las soluciones de tecnología de apoyo en el turismo estudiando, en el contexto de la Teoría Unificada de la Aceptación y el Uso de la Tecnología (UTAUT), los efectos de la formación de las PwVIB en la utilización de las soluciones de tecnología de apoyo. El estudio presentará los efectos de la formación en el comportamiento turístico de las PwVIB y proporcionará información valiosa a las partes interesadas.

Los datos del cuestionario recogidos de 128 PwVIB tras la evaluación de una TA se sometieron a un Análisis Factorial Exploratorio y Confirmatorio y a un Modelado de Ecuaciones Estructurales, seguidos de entrevistas posteriores a la evaluación. La aplicación empleada, denominada BlindMuseumTourer, permite la navegación autónoma en interiores de alta precisión para PwVIB en lugares turísticos como museos y lugares de asistencia sanitaria.

Los resultados indican la satisfacción parcial del modelo ampliado validando la importancia de la expectativa de rendimiento y la formación en la predicción de la intención conductual de los turistas PwVIB por lo que sugieren a los profesionales que las sesiones especiales de formación son esenciales para el compromiso y la satisfacción de los usuarios.

Este estudio contribuye a la teoría UTAUT en el contexto del turismo para PwVIB añadiendo un nuevo factor y sustituyendo dos variables moderadoras. Hasta donde se sabe, no existe ningún trabajo similar que estudie la aceptación de la TA por parte de las PwVIB en la literatura sobre turismo. Además, en el proceso de validación se utilizó una novedosa aplicación de navegación en interiores que ha demostrado su eficacia en el Museo Táctico de Grecia.

Analyses the structural behaviour of money and capital market interest rates 1999‐2001 in the European Monetary Union. Finds that the positive correlations between interest rates of different time periods get stronger as the time periods get closer, derives the principal components which explain most of the variability and applies time series analysis to the model to produce forecasts which come very close to actual values. Develops a model of the Down Jones EURO STOXX financial sector index which also shows reliable forecasting power except for the Feb 2001 period when stock markets were “in turmoil”. Compares the returns for one‐month holdings of zero‐coupon European government bonds with different maturities for various return, risk and risk‐return measures; and finds that a one‐month holding of a two‐year bond is the best investment.

The current financial crisis in Greece has redefined the way organizations operate resulting in a dramatic increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&As). The purpose of this paper is twofold: first to explore, within the M&A context, the main effects of job-related stressors and perceived organizational support (POS) on merger survivors’ ill-health and second to examine the indirect links between these and commitment.

Data were obtained from 140 employees of two merged financial institutions in Greece post-combination.

The results indicated significant direct relationships between work-related stressors and POS and ill-health. As regards the indirect relationships, only the mediation link between organizational support, ill-health and commitment was supported.

Implications, limitations and further research issues are discussed in light of the M&A context.

The intention is to extend current stress and M&A literature findings (e.g. Cartwright and Cooper, 1993; Cartwright et al., 2007), and further investigate the relationship between stressors and ill-health within a turbulent context, since little is known about the behavioral reactions arising as an outcome of M&As in a Greek setting. Thus, the unique contribution of this study is to examine this relationship in a double crisis context: the organizational crisis following the M&A and the financial crisis currently facing Greece, since the area of M&As in Greece has so far received little scholarly attention (Bellou, 2007, 2008).

Acknowledging the importance of both lean thinking (LT) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) for successful business performance and organisational success, the present study investigates the critical success factors (CSFs) for the concurrent implementation of both approaches, a field not yet significantly explored.

The study conducts two systematic literature reviews (SLRs), one on LT and the other one on I4.0 to map out the CSFs for the effective implementation of each approach. These CSFs are subsequently prioritised with the use of a Delphi Study. Finally, from the set of the common CSFs recognised through the two approaches, a more condensed list is put forward as the first step towards achieving a successful synergy between LT and I4.0.

The study’s findings suggest the most important CSFs and determine their definition in the context of a concurrent implementation of LT and I4.0. This can provide managers and practitioners with the awareness of crucial factors, enabling them to take the necessary steps for planning and implementing both approaches.

A concise set of CSFs for the concurrent implementation of both LT and I4.0 has been identified, which can be viewed as a starting point for providing top executives and managers with useful insights into enhanced business efficiency and performance. This study furthermore contributes to the overall body of knowledge on LT and I4.0.

The scholarly literature that explores a common set of CSFs for the concurrent implementation of LT and I4.0 is limited. This gap significantly enhances the importance of the present research, contributing to a better understanding amongst both academics and practitioners of the key supporting factors for the integration of the two approaches.

This study aims to comprehensively identify supply chain risks and their causes, the factors influencing supply chain management and techniques to successfully mitigate and control supply chain risks in construction projects. This study developed a comprehensive framework showing various supply chain risks and how these risks that influence project execution are systematically identified and managed for the overall construction project success.

The research conducted was characterised by its descriptive, exploratory and quantitative nature. The collection of quantitative data was conducted by means of structured online questionnaires. The sample consisted of 205 construction project professionals who were selected randomly. This group included individuals with various roles in the construction industry, such as project managers, civil/structural engineers mechanical engineers, risk managers, architects, quantity surveyors, electrical engineers, construction managers, health, safety and environment managers, estate managers and other professionals. All participants were actively involved in construction projects located in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The data was analysed, using descriptive statistical methods, including factor analysis, reliability assessment and calculations of frequencies and percentages.

The result showed that predictable delivery, funding schedule, inventories, balanced demands, production capabilities, timely procurement, construction supply chain management coordination, delivery reliability, the proximity of suppliers, identification of supply chain risks in the conceptualisation stage of a project, identification of supply chain risks in the planning stage of a project, identification of supply chain risks in the execution stage and the reconciliation of material flows of the subcontractors with the contractors were identified as the key factors that influenced the construction supply chain management the most. The result also showed that subcontractor’s negative attitudes towards supply chain management, procurement delays, imbalanced demands, clients’ negative attitudes towards other project stakeholders, unpredictable delivery reliability, disorganised construction supply chain management approach, delayed funding, low delivery reliability, poor inventories, poor construction supply chain co-ordination, suppliers’ negative attitudes towards supply chain management and when the material flows of the subcontractors with the contractors are not reconciled were identified as the factors that have the greatest impacts on construction supply chain risks management.

For future research, it is recommended to incorporate fourth industrial revolution) such as machine learning prediction models and algorithms, Artificial intelligence and blockchain to identify and manage supply chain, supply chain risks and project stakeholders involved in supply chain in construction projects. Green construction or sustainable construction was not fully covered in this study. The findings will be beneficial for sustainable construction projects in developing countries for sustainability, although it did not extensively cover green buildings and related risks.

Supply chain risk is one of the major challenges facing the construction industry because construction projects are complex by nature involving a lot of activities and participants with different responsibilities and tasks therefore it is highly recommended to implement the proposed frameworks in this paper from the conceptualisation stage to the execution stage, carefully identifying parties involved in supply chain, supply chain management, stakeholders, tasks, activities, responsibilities and supply chain risks generated as a result of the interactions between stakeholders involved in supply chain management and coordination to realise project objectives. The findings will be a foundation for identifying and managing supply risks in sustainable buildings in developing countries.

Supply chain management is crucial in every enterprise. Managing supply chain risks is a major aspect of risk and disaster management and this implies that supply chain excellence is achievable by building communication, trust and mutual objectives, no blame culture, performance measurement, constant improvement and partnering.

The implementation of construction supply chain risk management framework involves assessing the impacts of these supply chain risks on the objectives of construction projects with respect to time, cost, safety, health, environment, stakeholders, financial performance, client satisfaction and quality.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the causal relationship between Lean practices and team performance. Specifically, the authors tried to demonstrate which practices act as enablers of continuous improvement and waste elimination and what is their impact on team performance.

A survey was carried out in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Southern Brazil. The authors obtained a sample of 785 respondents. The data analysis procedures involved confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modeling.

The results of the research provided support for the positive influence of continuous improvement on waste elimination and of these two practices on team performance. In addition, empirical support was obtained for the effect of leadership support, employee involvement and internal process customers on continuous improvement.

Data collection was carried out online, so we were not able to maintain full control of the research respondents. This research generates relevant insights for decision-makers in the HEI environment, especially concerning Lean practices and team performance. The effects analyzed are even more relevant given the pandemic context.

This study shows how some higher education Lean practices can positively affect continuous improvement and better team performance. The results raise important insights for decision-makers to offer better higher education public services, especially given the context and changes imposed by the pandemic situation.

This paper initiates the discussion about enablers of continuous improvement and waste elimination in HEI and demonstrates their impact on team performance.

As few studies have explored the causal relationship between both the triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability and the lean practices in higher education institutions (HEIs), the purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationships between lean practices and sustainable practices in Brazilian HEIs.

A survey was conducted with 454 public and private HEIs workers in Brazil. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modeling were used for data analysis.

The results support the hypotheses of the study that HEI lean practices are positively related to environmental, economic and social practices in HEIs.

HEI managers must evaluate the use of lean practices in the organizational processes, to identify their weaknesses and to improve the aspects that influence a balanced TBL of sustainability practices.

The findings highlight the importance of leadership as a support for the workers, as a continuous improvement practice on a daily basis and a focus on the student as a basic principle of HEI success.

This article provides new measurement and structural models to analyze Lean thinking practices as the predictors of sustainability practices. The work could assist any HEI in prioritizing its strategies and actions and to contribute to excellence in decision-making. This study could contribute as a source of empirical data for transferability in other contexts for HEIs.

The purpose of this paper is to show whether pressure-induced partnerships do impact the link between stakeholder pressure and firms’ CSR attitude. The veracity that stakeholder pressure and firms social attitude issues have been extensively covered in three interrelated literature, namely, corporate social responsibility (CSR), partnership and stakeholder management, is widely recognised. However, to date, efforts to investigate conditions under which partnerships initiated through stakeholder pressures help to impact firms’ CSR attitudes either as per their request or in a more balanced way, have rarely been explored.

Empirically, this paper adopts quantitative research approach (hierarchical multiple regression) to build a case that pressure-induced partnership is one such key driver that shapes firms’ CSR attitude.

Study results show that firms’ CSR attitude can only add value if these activities and firm reputation are aligned with meaningful pressure-induced partnerships.

The study’s methodological approach (hierarchical multiple regression) stands tall in studies that explore drivers that shape firms’ CSR attitude. The paper concludes with theoretical and managerial implications for future studies.