Musa Akdere, Sascha Schriever, Gunnar Seide and Thomas Gries
The wet-spinning process is very important for the development and production of new lightweight design materials. The washing process is determined as one of the most…
Abstract
Purpose
The wet-spinning process is very important for the development and production of new lightweight design materials. The washing process is determined as one of the most cost-expensive part of wet spinning. The purpose of this paper is to show the development of a new washing concept. It proposes to increase the washing performance by decreasing fiber-fiber-interfaces during the washing process.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, conventional washing concepts are investigated by means of simulations and experiments to obtain process knowledge. Computational fluid dynamics simulation and particle image velocimetry measurements are used to investigate the process.
Findings
The overall deficit in conventional washing methods is the large number of fiber-fiber-interfaces, which inhibit the solvent transport out of the compact fiber bundle. Therefore, a new washing concept with included water nozzles is developed. Based on the simulations and observations it is found that the arrangement of the nozzles has direct influence on the fanning of the fiber bundle.
Originality/value
With increased fanning of the fiber bundle a more efficient solvent transport is expected. The developed washing box is a prosperous concept to achieve a higher washing performance during the wet-spinning process. The variable design of the washing box makes it possible to test different nozzle configurations and designs. In this paper the two most promising nozzle arrangements are shown and compared to each other.
Details
Keywords
Mercy Toni, K.K. Jithina and K.V. Thomas
The main purpose of this paper is to outline the antecedents of patient satisfaction in the field of medical tourism (MT) applying extant literature and to develop a conceptual…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this paper is to outline the antecedents of patient satisfaction in the field of medical tourism (MT) applying extant literature and to develop a conceptual model based on the review.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a thorough review of prior studies related to the antecedents of patient satisfaction in the MT sector. Moreover, it provides the theoretical base that helped the researcher to identify significant relationship between the patient satisfaction and its antecedents.
Findings
The researchers identified the prominent antecedents of patient satisfaction and present the potential interrelationships between different antecedents of patient satisfaction such as treatment quality, cost attractiveness, destination image and service quality with patient satisfaction based on the review.
Practical implications
The results have momentous practical implications as they will help researchers to better understand the antecedents of patient satisfaction and their potential inter linkages with patient satisfaction in MT sector. The conceptual model derived from the review may guide the actions of researchers as well as practitioners in the MT industry as a whole. The present study provides insights for further research in the MT sector and thereby helps to further enrich the existing theoretical base of the MT.
Originality/value
The study brings together the scattered knowledge from the broad and extensive range of medical or health tourism and cognate literature which indicate ideological differences among various aspects of MT as well as potential factors determining patient satisfaction in MT sector (antecedents of satisfaction). The newly developed model incorporates a new construct called “treatment quality” as different from “service quality,” which is a widely used construct to explain customer satisfaction. The antecedents of patient satisfaction and their inter-linkages with patient satisfaction provide a sound theoretical foundation for the future studies.
Details
Keywords
Eli Ayawo Atatsi, Edem M. Azila-Gbettor, Ben Q. Honyenuga, Martin K. Abiemo and Christopher Mensah
The study investigates the serial mediation of psychological ownership and workplace innovation in the nexus between organizational leadership and employee performance among…
Abstract
Purpose
The study investigates the serial mediation of psychological ownership and workplace innovation in the nexus between organizational leadership and employee performance among healthcare workers in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
Six hundred and thirty-seven samples were selected using convenience sampling technique. The data gathered using self-reported questionnaire were analyzed using SEM-PLS.
Findings
The findings reveal that organizational leadership directly improves healthcare employee’s psychological ownership, workplace innovation and employee performance. Psychological ownership and workplace innovation separately and serially mediate the relationship between organizational leadership and healthcare employees’ performance.
Practical implications
The study highlights the significant influence of organizational leadership, psychological ownership and workplace innovation on the performance of healthcare employees. Healthcare organizations ought to allocate resources toward leadership development strategies to foster a favorable work atmosphere that promotes innovation and enables employees to assume ownership of their tasks and contribute to continuing enhancement, ultimately leading to enhanced performance.
Originality/value
This research is a pioneering study on serial mediation of psychological ownership and workplace behavior in the association between organizational leadership and performance in healthcare settings in Ghana.
Details
Keywords
Muhammad Naeem and Wilson Ozuem
Competitive pressure and social influence for technology adoption have increased among developed, developing and emerging countries. The influence of social structure…
Abstract
Purpose
Competitive pressure and social influence for technology adoption have increased among developed, developing and emerging countries. The influence of social structure, organizational forces and political forces varies between public sector hospitals in countries where there are more social media restrictions. This study aims to explore how the use of social media can influence employee engagement and productivity in the workplaces of public sector hospitals.
Design/methodology/approach
The study follows a social constructivist approach to understand employee attitudes, motivation culture, political forces and the local context. Data were collected from health professionals of five public sector hospitals using a non-directive and semi-structured interview method.
Findings
The results show that the use of social media sites has increased collaboration, coordination and cooperation among health professionals, especially in critical situations. They are more socialized, connected and engaged, thus helping them to exchange useful knowledge using instant messaging apps. Conversely, there are no organizational polices and specific laws and too little support from management and senior doctors to drive the use of social networking sites in public hospitals. The use of social media has enhanced health professionals' engagement and productivity as they are able to share their expertise, knowledge and information with their colleagues and subordinates.
Research limitations/implications
The results can guide policy-makers, researchers, hospitals, doctors and the Ministry of Health about the positive use of social networking sites in the workplace. The positive use of social networking sites in the workplace can enhance information, knowledge and coordination which may help to enhance employee engagement and productivity.
Originality/value
The present study has provided a social media health organization workplace (SMHOW) model which explains how individual and organizational contexts can influence the actual use of social media in healthcare organizations.
Details
Keywords
Hammed Afolabi, Ronita Ram, Khaled Hussainey, Monomita Nandy and Suman Lodh
The authors explore the behaviour and perspectives of SMEs' owners towards a greener economy and its implications for net zero carbon emissions target.
Abstract
Purpose
The authors explore the behaviour and perspectives of SMEs' owners towards a greener economy and its implications for net zero carbon emissions target.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors draw on the mirroring concept and 26 semi-structured interviews with SMEs' owners and managers to provide insights and explore the misalignment between SMEs' actions and perceptions and the technical architecture (and requirements) of achieving net zero carbon emissions in the UK.
Findings
The authors find that SMEs lack trust and are sceptical about the government's net zero emissions agenda. The authors also find that lack of understanding and perceived benefits, and supply chain complexities (end-to-end emissions) are the key factors hindering SMEs interests in engaging with better carbon emissions management and environmental management system (EMS). Moreover, pressure from external stakeholders, particularly banks and customers, is a strong driver to draw SMEs more effectively with sustainability and environmental impact disclosure.
Research limitations/implications
The sample is limited to 26 SMEs' owners operating in seven industries. Future research could explore the result in other industries. Further research could also investigate how the sustainability reports produced by SMEs are useful for different user groups' decision-making. This study reinforces the social constructionist approach to advance our understanding of SMEs' actions towards carbon emission management and EMS.
Practical implications
This study shows how government policies and SMEs' interests can be aligned to achieve the net zero carbon emissions target.
Originality/value
This is the first study to examine the perceptions and behaviour of SMEs towards the ongoing pursuit of a greener economy in the UK, including the key factors driving their actions and reasoning.