Mohamad El Baba and Brian H. Kleiner
The hiring of illegal aliens by any business in the United States can result in more significant consequences because of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and the…
Abstract
The hiring of illegal aliens by any business in the United States can result in more significant consequences because of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996. Both pieces of federal legislation are aimed at placing a bigger burden of responsibility on private employers. The new laws make hiring illegal aliens a federal crime. The resources of the United States can be put behind litigation against violators. By conducting a review of the literature on both these federal acts, along with any other immigration changes in regards to hiring foreign workers, conclusions and recommendations can be drawn to assist and guide a private employer from avoiding hiring illegal aliens.
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Mariati Norhashim and Kamarulzaman Ab. Aziz
Proposes that, arms length economic system (ALS) is not always appropriate for developing nations. The alternative of a relationship based system (RBS) which is often mistaken for…
Abstract
Proposes that, arms length economic system (ALS) is not always appropriate for developing nations. The alternative of a relationship based system (RBS) which is often mistaken for crony capitalism as practiced in Malaysia is offered. Entrepreneurial spirit so fundamental to the development of an economy may be so lacking as to perish under an ALS yet be able to flourish under RBS. Explains three major aspects of how the Malaysian Economy was able to flourish under the RBS (1) the cultural reform of the majority indigenous group (2) the multi‐cultural cooperation between the economically superior Chinese and the less economically developed Malays and (3) The spill‐over effect from privatisation policies. Recognising the existence and legitimacy of an RBS as an economic model may offer a new approach towards poverty eradication and economic development of Third World countries.
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Ngoc Bich Do, Y Nhu Nguyen Luu, Vi Thai Huyen Kim and Viet Chi Duong
Spirituality serves as an ethical benchmark for shaping human and brand identity. Only a few studies have recently attempted to examine the impact of spiritual attributes on…
Abstract
Spirituality serves as an ethical benchmark for shaping human and brand identity. Only a few studies have recently attempted to examine the impact of spiritual attributes on customer behavior. This study extends the current literature and aims to develop a research model to investigate spiritual brand attributes toward customers’ behavior. The study employs the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model as a theoretical signpost to construct the research model. Driven by this chapter, future research opportunities are presented, and the opportunity for empirical research is also illustrated.
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Mohamad Isa Abd Jalil, Sofri Yahya and Anwar Allah Pitchay
The purpose of this study is to conceptualise the relationship between information disclosure and Waqif commitment, taking into consideration the role of level of trust (mediator…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to conceptualise the relationship between information disclosure and Waqif commitment, taking into consideration the role of level of trust (mediator variable) and communication and type of payment (moderator variables).
Design/methodology/approach
The conceptual framework is developed from the theory of social exchange (mediated philanthropy model) and selected previous literature concerning commitment.
Findings
According to previous empirical research, a conceptual framework was developed to facilitate further analysis in the study. Nine propositions were raised in this paper where the factor of communication and payment method is proposed to no longer the factor that determined commitment but as moderator. There is five antecedent of information disclosure proposed, which is basic information, financial information, non-financial information, future information and governance information. Also, trust is offered to be the mediator variable between information disclosure and Waqf commitment.
Research limitations/implications
By realising many factors that may influence the commitment of waqf such as demonstrable utility, emotional utility and familial utility, this study only focusses on the effect of information disclosure.
Practical implications
This paper provides an opportunity for further empirical studies to prove the relationship between information disclosure and Waqf commitment. This paper also brought opportunities to investigate both conceptually and empirically, other factors that could affect Waqf commitment.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, few studies have been done concerning donors commitment. While there are none yet, the research examined Waqf commitment. The originality value of this study is that there is a gap in knowledge regarding the analysis of Waqf commitment, the level of trust among waqif is the information that Waqf expected, the preferred communication between Mutawalli and Waqf and type of payment that Waqf favoured. This study is believed to be a novel based on the framework developed.
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Mohamad Hassan Wafai and Ghassan Aouad
The construction industry has shown an inherent inability to adopt advanced technological innovations. The construction innovation literature is highly fragmented and outlines an…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry has shown an inherent inability to adopt advanced technological innovations. The construction innovation literature is highly fragmented and outlines an overwhelming number of factors that arguably influence the transfer of technological innovations in construction. Factor-based research in the construction innovation literature tends to set out technological innovations and their adoption as socially neutral events, overlooking the role of context in the adoption process. Hence, the authors’ understanding of how technological innovations are transferred and implemented in the construction industry remains limited by the constraints of reductionist approaches adopted by factor-based research. This paper aims to advance the authors’ understanding of the actual experiences of technological innovations transfer in construction. Instead of introducing another set of factors, the research, through empirical investigation, develops a comprehensive and holistic framework to re-interpret the existing factor-based literature taking into consideration the role of the construction context and the socially constructed nature of technological innovations.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a participatory exploratory multiple case study design strategy, which has much in common with action research. The factors that could influence the transfer of technological innovations were investigated in three selected case studies over an extended period of time. During the research, a prototype system application of construction integration was used as a basis to discuss the adoption of technological innovations.
Findings
The findings suggest moving from the commonly held beliefs in the rational school of technological innovation and the functionalist paradigm towards constructivist approaches to capture the role of context and the stoically constructed nature of technological innovations. It is suggested that construction companies need to develop management capabilities to manage the changing political environments of the adoption process. The research supports the emerging view of technological innovations in construction as a collaborative-based innovation, which is a function of relationships and context.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited by the settings of the action research design and the use of an interpretive approach. Because the focus was on investigating the “why” question, little attention was given to the “how” question. Accordingly, the findings provide little insights into the way organizations can manage the changing political and social environment of the adoption process. The authors also acknowledge that in spite of their best efforts to build a theoretically grounded framework of factors, they may have overlooked some relevant studies. However, the objective of this research was not to conduct a systematic literature review or to come up with a framework that quantitatively captures all previous research studies; instead, the objective was to build a holistic framework that can be used as a base to analyze the role of construction context and the socially constructed nature of technological innovations in the adoption process.
Practical implications
The research offers several practical insights. First, it suggests that construction companies need to develop management capabilities to be able to lead the changing political environment of the adoption process successfully. Second, the research supports the emerging view of technological innovations in construction as a collaborative-based innovation that is a function of relationship. From a policy perspective, the research provides the basis to reconsider the effectiveness of federal and provincial policies that promote advanced technological Initiatives. The majority of these policies focus on the technical aspects in assessing the adoption of technological innovation, providing little incentives to companies to manage the changing political and social environment of the adoption process.
Originality/value
This research offers several theoretical and methodological contributions. First, it advances the authors’ understanding of the actual experiences of the transfer of technological innovations in construction organizations. Second, instead of introducing another set of factors, the research develops a framework to re-interpret the existing factor-based literature, considering the role of construction context and the socially constructed nature of technological innovations. The research uses the theoretical lens of the social construction of technology framework to analyze the adoption process. The existing literature suggests that such research is scarce and highly needed. Third, unlike the mainstream reductionist approaches, this research adopts an exploratory action research inquiry design that uses both inductive and deductive inquiry approaches to understand the socially constructed nature of innovation transfer in construction. The adopted research design offers a valuable methodological contribution to the existing body of knowledge.
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Jayaraman Krishnaswamy, Cliftton Baba Nyepit and Nelvin XeChung Leow
This study explores the similarities and dissimilarities among master and bachelor students, which impetus on the marketing strategies for private higher education (HE…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the similarities and dissimilarities among master and bachelor students, which impetus on the marketing strategies for private higher education (HE) institutions to have more intake of master students.
Design/methodology/approach
The unit of analysis of the present study is the master and bachelor students from the four leading private universities in Malaysia. Based on the extensive literature review and expert opinion, the framework and the structured questionnaire have been conceptualized. A sample of 410 students responded to the structured survey questionnaire, and the question items were adapted from the existing literature.
Findings
There are statistically significant differences between master and bachelor students on the dimensions of smart classroom, peer support, patnership and perceived benefits. Interestingly, master students are highly influenced by smart classroom, peer support and perceived benefits, while bachelor students favor patnership.
Practical implications
The present study provides a conceptualized research framework with some new dimensions, which can be used to examine the factors influencing master's and bachelors' students. Further, the differences in the perceptions of the master and bachelor students were tested to study the performance of the private HE institutions.
Originality/value
This study suggests marketing strategies for private HE institutions in developing countries since the masters' intake of students has been declining. Findings of this study will help private universities in developing countries to enhance procedures and formalities of curriculum and functional operating systems to achieve Higher Education Success.
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Andrew Ebekozien, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa, Wellington Didibhuku Thwala, Mohamed Ahmed Hafez and Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan
Despite advancements in construction digitalisation and alternative building technologies, cost overrun is still a challenge in the construction industry. The inflation rate is…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite advancements in construction digitalisation and alternative building technologies, cost overrun is still a challenge in the construction industry. The inflation rate is increasing, especially in developing countries, and is critical in cost overrun matters. It can deviate construction built-up rate components. This may thwart improving construction-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Studies concerning the impact of the inflation rate on construction-related SDGs are scarce in developing countries, including Nigeria. The study investigated the impact of inflation on Nigeria’s construction projects and their outcome on SDGs and suggested possible ways to improve achievement of construction-related SDGs and their targets.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers employed a qualitative research design. This is because of the study’s unexplored dimension. The researchers engaged 35 participants across major cities in Nigeria via semi-structured virtual and face-to-face interviews. The research utilised a thematic method for collated data and accomplished saturation.
Findings
Findings reveal that the impact of inflation on construction projects, if not checked, could hinder achieving construction-related SDGs in Nigeria. This is because of the past three years of hyperinflation that cut across major construction components. It shows that the upward inflation rate threatens achieving construction-related SDGs and proffered measures to mitigate inflation and, by extension, enhance achieving construction-related SDGs. This includes a downward review of the Monetary Policy Rate, control of exchange rate volatility and addressing insecurity to restore FDIs and FPIs confidence.
Originality/value
Besides suggesting possible solutions to mitigate hyperinflation on construction components to improve achieving construction-related SDGs, findings will stipulate government policymakers put measures in place through favourable fiscal and monetary policy implementation and encourage moving from a consumption to a production nation.
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Ahmed Farouk Kineber, Idris Bin Othman, Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke and Nicholas Chileshe
The purpose of this paper is to assess the influence of value management (VM) critical success factors (CSFs) on the implementation of VM activities in building projects with a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the influence of value management (VM) critical success factors (CSFs) on the implementation of VM activities in building projects with a view to promoting sustainability of construction industry in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach
The VM CSFs and implementation activities were recognized from earlier studies; questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from relevant stakeholders, and the collected data was subjected to exploratory factor analysis. Consequently, the influence of VM CSFs on VM implementation was generated via partial least square structural equation modelling. In addition, through relative importance ranking analysis, the significance VM CSFs were examined.
Findings
The findings from the proposed model revealed a strong relationship between VM implementation activities and its CSFs; the relationship is at a moderate level with an effect of 22.0%. This indicates that, VM CSFs would be useful to implement VM in the Egyptian building industry.
Research limitations/implications
Although these studies have been confined to Egypt’s VM studies; they may apply to other developing countries that have not carried out these studies. It is therefore vital, in those countries where the exercise has been entirely undertaken, to analyze the various measures to promote the application of the method.
Practical implications
This research would be of benefit to stakeholders in building industries to be aware of VM phases and its CSFs that demand utmost consideration. Also, the identified CSFs are expected to enhance the success and value of building projects by adopting VM.
Originality/value
The novelty of this research work will be a benchmark or board for decision-makers to eliminate the unwanted cost and enhance quality by adopting VM in Egypt’s building projects to achieve their sustainable projects.
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M. Kabir Hassan, Sirajo Aliyu, Buerhan Saiti and Zairihan Abdul Halim
This paper reviews economic and finance research on Islamic investments. In the course of our review, we focus on the following issues: the performance of Islamic stock indexes…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper reviews economic and finance research on Islamic investments. In the course of our review, we focus on the following issues: the performance of Islamic stock indexes, Islamic finance–growth nexus and Islamic real-estate investment trust market.
Design/methodology/approach
This literature survey consists of two stages such as random and systematic. It begins with a random search of articles with the intention to explore the three different areas of Islamic banking and finance. In order to maintain some level of quality of the literature review, we explored inside citations of articles based on relevant and recent articles from SCOPUS and Web of Science.
Findings
This paper represents an attempt to organise current research on Islamic stock markets, Islamic finance-growth nexus and Islamic real-estate finance: (1) the first prevailing finding is that Islamic stock indices are less volatile than conventional stock indices; (2) most empirical studies regarding Islamic finance–growth nexus focus on the impacts of banking sectors on growth and neglect other segments of the Islamic financial market; (3) based on our review of existing studies, there is no unanimous model for Islamic home financing in Islamic banks.
Practical implications
The mixed findings in this area hinder the understanding of Islamic investment and prevent identifying trends that support decision-making. Our review provides suggestions for prospective research directions. Most empirical studies regarding Islamic finance–growth nexus focus on the impacts of banking sectors on growth and neglect other segments of the Islamic financial market.
Originality/value
There is no literature review on Islamic finance-growth nexus and Islamic real-estate literature. Therefore, we are going to fill this gap to review these three different aspects of Islamic banking and finance.