Khaled Alhamad and Mohammad Alhajri
The purpose of this paper is to describe a method that has been set up to schedule preventive maintenance (PM) tasks for power and water plants with all constraints such as…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a method that has been set up to schedule preventive maintenance (PM) tasks for power and water plants with all constraints such as production and maintenance.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed methodology relies on the zero-one integer programming model that finds the maximum number of power and water units available in separate generating units. To verify this, the model was implemented and tested as a case study in Kuwait for the Cogeneration Station.
Findings
An effective solution can be achieved for scheduling the PM tasks and production at the power and water cogeneration plant.
Practical implications
The proposed model offers a practical method to schedule PM of power and water units, which are expensive equipment.
Originality/value
This proposed model is an effective decision-making tool that provides an ideal solution for preventive maintenance scheduling problems for power and water units in a cogeneration plant, effectively and complies with all constraints.
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Mohammed N. Alajmi, Yousef Al-Haroun, Rua Alshaheen and Mohammed Al-Nafisi
This study evaluates the architectural status of circular prototype mosques in Kuwait. The argument is that the once dominant and powerful image of mosques is now merely a…
Abstract
Purpose
This study evaluates the architectural status of circular prototype mosques in Kuwait. The argument is that the once dominant and powerful image of mosques is now merely a repetitive reproduction through the prototype scheme. The study focuses on the circular prototype design, which has been constructed in many of Kuwait's recent residential areas. It evaluates qualitatively the worshipers' experiences of these mosques.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology is qualitative. The main question is how well the circular prototype mosques are received by worshipers and local communities. Various research methods were used, including walk-through survey and group interview with worshipers and semi-structured interview with key informants in Public Authority for Housing Welfare and Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. Purposive sampling was chosen to select for key informants. Time-location sampling was selected for worshipers' group interview.
Findings
Circular prototype presents several weaknesses. The community did not receive the circular design well as it deviates from the traditional and modern rectangular mosque design prevalent in Kuwait. This research highlights the importance of considering traditional design principles, community preferences and functional requirements while designing a mosque. It also emphasizes the need for an extensive evaluation of prototype designs to identify potential weaknesses before proceeding with the final design.
Social implications
It is recommended that future mosque design projects in Kuwait consider traditional design principles; community preferences; and financial, functional and sustainability requirements. In addition, the findings of this study can be used to inform future mosque design projects in Kuwait and to ensure that they are functional, cost-effective and well received by the community.
Originality/value
This research provides an informative and comprehensive analysis of Kuwait's prototype mosque designs from the 1950s to the present day. It focuses on the current circular prototype, critically examining its advantages and disadvantages. This research is the first to evaluate the history and design improvements over the years. As such, this research offers invaluable information to those interested in Kuwait's religious architecture and cultural history.
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Milagros Isabel Rivas Mendoza, Asghar Afshar Jahanshahi, Luis Alexander Pulido Joo, Mohammad Rashed Hasan Polas, Luis Antonio Paredes Izaguirre and Luis Fernando Espejo-Chacón
This study explores social entrepreneurship as a viable career path for employees facing hostile workplace conditions in Peru. It examines the gender-specific effects of workplace…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores social entrepreneurship as a viable career path for employees facing hostile workplace conditions in Peru. It examines the gender-specific effects of workplace challenges such as hostility, discrimination and sexual harassment on individuals’ aspirations for career transitions and entrepreneurship.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 450 Peruvian workers experiencing adverse workplace conditions. Quantitative data analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between perceived workplace challenges, intentions to leave current jobs and the propensity to pursue social entrepreneurship. Gender differences were analyzed to uncover unique patterns in these relationships.
Findings
Results reveal significant gender differences: females report higher levels of discrimination, while males report higher perceptions of workplace harassment. Females intending to leave their jobs demonstrated a stronger inclination toward social entrepreneurship compared to their male counterparts. These findings underline the detrimental impact of hostile work environments on employee aspirations and highlight social entrepreneurship as a meaningful career option for individuals seeking to address societal issues.
Practical implications
This research offers valuable insights for organizations and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of creating equitable work environments. It also underscores the potential of social entrepreneurship to empower individuals disillusioned by conventional workplace structures to drive positive social change.
Originality/value
By elucidating the role of social entrepreneurship as an alternative career path, our study contributes to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurship and social impact, offering valuable insights for both researchers and practitioners aiming to foster more equitable and empowering work environments.
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Samaneh Abdoli, Mohammadreza Nili Ahmadabadi, Hashem Fardanesh and Mohammad Asgari
This study aims to identify the most important factors affecting the usability of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) and present these factors in the form of a comprehensive and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the most important factors affecting the usability of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) and present these factors in the form of a comprehensive and practical framework and validate the framework.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, a mixed research method and sequential exploratory research design were used. In the qualitative section, the qualitative meta-synthesis method was utilized to extract usability factors from the research literature and formulate the framework of factors, and in the quantitative section, the survey method was employed to validate the framework. In the qualitative section, the research field included the research available in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and the data collection tool included electronic and printed documents on the usability factors of LMSs. To validate the findings, in addition to citing research literature and theoretical foundations, the audit trail, consensual validity and expert peer review methods were used. Also, to analyze the data, the thematic analysis method and thematic network via MAXQDA 2020 software were used. In the quantitative section, the statistical population was students of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at Allameh Tabatabai University in Iran, and the sample included undergraduate students of this faculty with a volume of 200 people. The tool for collecting information was a researcher-made questionnaire that was provided to students in the first half of the academic year 2022–2023. To validate the findings, content-related validity through Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) and construct validity through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Convergent Validity were examined. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Composite Reliability (CR) were also used to check reliability. To analyze the data one-sample T-test via SPSS 27 software was used, and the PLS-SEM was utilized via SmartPLS 4 software to validate the framework proposed by the researcher.
Findings
The findings from the qualitative part of this research include basic themes and organizing themes related to the global theme of usability. Based on the findings from the qualitative part, it can be concluded that the factors in terms of frequency in the research literature have the following ranks: interaction (first rank), ease of use and usefulness (second rank), learnability (third rank), navigation (fourth rank), satisfaction and enjoyment, visual design and accessibility (fifth rank), help and assessment and feedback (sixth rank) and content, errors correction and privacy and security (seventh rank). The findings of the quantitative part include the external fit indexes of the framework and the internal fit index of the framework; based on the obtained values, it can be concluded that the framework of LMS usability factors has a good fit.
Research limitations/implications
This research is the first comprehensive study of all theories on the usability of LMSs, in which a framework is proposed that combines the important factors mentioned in the relevant theories and models for the first time. Additionally, practical and applicable suggestions are provided in this study to enhance each of the usability factors of LMS.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research presents a framework for the first time in which all important factors of usability theories and models are combined and prioritizes these factors based on their importance in relevant research. It also provides practical recommendations for enhancing these factors in LMSs for system developers and instructional designers.
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Hadi Kashefi, Ahmad Sadegheih, Ali Mostafaeipour and Mohammad Mohammadpour Omran
To design, control and evaluate photovoltaic (PV) systems, an accurate model is required. Accuracy of PV models depends on model parameters. This study aims to use a new algorithm…
Abstract
Purpose
To design, control and evaluate photovoltaic (PV) systems, an accurate model is required. Accuracy of PV models depends on model parameters. This study aims to use a new algorithm called improved social spider algorithm (ISSA) to detect model parameters.
Design/methodology/approach
To improve performance of social spider algorithm (SSA), an elimination period is added. In addition, at the beginning of each period, a certain number of the worst solutions are replaced by new solutions in the search space. This allows the particles to find new paths to get the best solution.
Findings
In this paper, ISSA is used to estimate parameters of single-diode and double-diode models. In addition, effect of irradiation and temperature on I–V curves of PV modules is studied. For this purpose, two different modules called multi-crystalline (KC200GT) module and polycrystalline (SW255) are used. It should be noted that to challenge the performance of the proposed algorithm, it has been used to identify the parameters of a type of widely used module of fuel cell called proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Finally, comparing and analyzing of ISSA results with other similar methods shows the superiority of the presented method.
Originality/value
Changes in the spider’s movement process in the SSA toward the desired response have improved the algorithm’s performance. Higher accuracy and convergence rate, skipping local minimums, global search ability and search in a limited space can be mentioned as some advantages of this modified method compared to classic SSA.
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Mohamed Mousa, Hiba Massoud and Rami Ayoubi
Little research into organizational learning in the public sector in developing countries' is known. In this paper, the authors investigated the context of organizational learning…
Abstract
Purpose
Little research into organizational learning in the public sector in developing countries' is known. In this paper, the authors investigated the context of organizational learning in the public banks in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach
An ethnographic field research was employed by spending a month inside each of two public banks in Egypt. The ethnographic experience was operationalised by using direct observations of learning processes, procedures and practices, semi-structured interviews with learning specialists and focus group discussions with bankers. The authors used thematic analysis to determine the main themes in the previous data collection methods of ethnographic approach.
Findings
The findings confirmed a lack of clear focus for the organizational learning practices employed by the banks, which highlights issues of seriousness in undertaking and/or tackling organizational learning, and increased doubts in relation to the added value of the different forms of formal trainings bankers participate in. To enhance the culture and maintain effective functioning of formal organizational learning, the authors suggest considering the following three categories of barriers: purpose-related barriers, implementation and evaluation barriers.
Originality/value
Despite the generalisability caveats associated with the organizations studied, the authors believe that this paper contributes to the existing theory of organizational learning as it provides insights and understanding on the purpose, frame, conduct and results of organizational learning in the public sector. More specifically, the study is unique and is different from previous relevant studies as it relies on ethnographical approach in exploring how organizational leaning practices are perceived in public banks in developing countries.
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Shima Amini, Alireza Rezvani, Mohsen Tabassi and Seyed Saeed Malek Sadati
Cost overruns have been identified as the most significant challenge for construction sector stakeholders. Like many developing countries, the Iranian construction industry…
Abstract
Purpose
Cost overruns have been identified as the most significant challenge for construction sector stakeholders. Like many developing countries, the Iranian construction industry suffers from poor cost performance. So, the current research aims to investigate the causes of cost overrun in Iranian construction projects. This paper also reviews the findings of similar studies conducted in several Asian countries.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper includes a literature review and a quantitative method with a questionnaire survey. The review is limited to the studies investigating the causes of cost overrun in an Asian country in the last decade. Moreover, the current research was conducted through a questionnaire prepared based on 43 common factors identified through the literature review. The required data were gathered from the representatives involved in handling construction activities in Iran. The collected data were analyzed based on relative importance index (RII), using the SPSS software package.
Findings
The results showed that poor site management, improper planning, fluctuation of prices of materials, lack of experience, and poor economic condition are the critical reasons for cost overrun in Iranian construction projects. The findings also indicated that among the studies conducted in Asian countries, the first three factors have the highest frequency.
Originality/value
This paper highlighted most studies concerning the cost overrun factors in construction projects in different Asian countries in recent years. Up-to-date knowledge helps to understand the complexity of this field in various periods and therefore minimizes the risk of cost overrun. This research can also be used as a benchmark for further studies to clarify similar issues in other developing countries.
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Selim Ahmed, Dewan Mehrab Ashrafi, Rubina Ahmed, Ezaz Ahmed and Md. Azim
The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of training and development and work–life balance on employee engagement and job performance at private banks in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of training and development and work–life balance on employee engagement and job performance at private banks in Bangladesh. This study also investigates the indirect influence of training and development and work–life balance on the job performance of private banks through the mediating role of employee engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study used a self-administered survey questionnaire to collect data from the private bank staff who had been working in the existing bank for more than one year. In this study, 450 survey questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and received 346 useful responses (76.88% response rate). The SmartPLS 4 software was used to determine the reliability and validity of the constructs. The SmartPLS 4 software was also used to test the hypothesised path coefficients via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The findings of the study indicate that both training and development and work–life balance significantly influence employee engagement and job performance in the private banks. The findings also indicate that both training and development and work–life balance indirectly significantly influence the job performance of the private bank through the mediating role of employee engagement.
Practical implications
This study suggests various practical implications. Managers should provide opportunities for employees to actively participate in employee training. The present study also suggests that managers should also prioritise and model a healthy work–life balance because when leaders value work–life balance, employees feel empowered. The findings of the study suggest that organisations should design effective employee development programmes and foster a supportive work environment to motivate their employees to contribute to organisational success.
Originality/value
This study makes significant theoretical contributions to the existing literature on employee engagement and job performance. The present study enhances theoretical depth by highlighting the mediating role of job engagement in achieving job performance, offering a new perspective on the relationship between these variables and paving the way for targeted interventions. The present study also enriches the existing body of literature by examining the impact of training and development and work–life balance through the lens of organisational support theory, presenting a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics at play.
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Scolastica Manyim, Ambrose Kipchumba Kiprop, Josphat Igadwa Mwasiagi, Cleophas Mecha Achisa and Mark Peter Odero
The majority of the synthetic dyes have been found to be non-biodegradable, toxic and carcinogenic. As a result, there has been a growing trend toward the use of natural dyes as…
Abstract
Purpose
The majority of the synthetic dyes have been found to be non-biodegradable, toxic and carcinogenic. As a result, there has been a growing trend toward the use of natural dyes as alternates to synthetic dyes. This shift calls for more research to come up with more sources of natural dyes to satisfy their increasing demand. Euclea divinorum plant has been used traditionally as a source of dye, however, its textile dyeing properties have not been studied. This study aims to determine the textile dyeing properties of E. divinorum extract.
Design/methodology/approach
Optimization of dyeing conditions of Euclea divinorum natural dye extract on the cotton fabric was done using response surface methodology (RSM). The combined effects of examined dyeing conditions on the relative color strength (K/S) were studied using a central composite experimental design. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the significance of the statistical model generated for the study. Mordanting effects were measured using standard ISO wash, rub and lightfastness tests.
Findings
The optimum dyeing conditions were found to be 68 min, pH 3.3 and 82°C with color strength 0.609. Temperature and pH showed some interaction effects during the dyeing experiments. The predicted optimum K/S value was validated experimentally using the optimum conditions and was found to be in agreement with the experimental values. All the metallic mordants used enhanced the color strength and provided a variety of brown shades, therefore, a suitable alternative for the toxic synthetic dyes.
Originality/value
Optimization of dyeing conditions of Euclea divinorum dye on cotton using RSM and mordanting at optimal conditions has not been done elsewhere.