Avanish Singh Chauhan, Gaurav Kumar Badhotiya, Gunjan Soni and Prem Kumari
Because of the increased global competition and the need for environment consciousness, organisations have started focusing on incorporating sustainability dimensions into suppler…
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the increased global competition and the need for environment consciousness, organisations have started focusing on incorporating sustainability dimensions into suppler selection criteria. In the past decade, sustainable supplier selection has received much attention from researchers as well as industry practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to identify various sustainable supplier selection criteria (SSSC) and underlying interdependencies among prominent selection criteria to develop a framework for sustainability dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
The sustainable criteria for supplier selection were established through comprehensive literature review. An interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach is used to investigate the interrelationships among these criteria.
Findings
A total of 21 SSSC under 3 dimensions (social, environmental and economic) are established. Ten criteria related to quality, capability, flexibility, waste management, pollution prevention, local community, employment practice, labour, etc. are exhibiting strong driving as well as dependence power, as demonstrated through ISM and matriced’ impacts croises-multiplication applique’ and classement (MICMAC) analysis. The findings show that delivery/service, eco design and rights of stakeholders are the “key” criteria having a high-driving and low-dependence power. These criteria require high attention from managers, while other criteria having low-driving and high-dependence power require secondary actions.
Research limitations/implications
The inter-relations for the development of ISM model and MICMAC analysis were obtained through the opinion of industry experts and academicians, which may tend to be subjectively biased. Further exploration is proposed to statistically validate the developed interdependency model.
Practical implications
This paper might act as a reference for the supplier development managers of organisations by providing an appraisal of various SSSC based on their interdependencies.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the knowledge base by proposing a framework of the interrelationships of the SSSC and also provides an additional perspective for managing these criteria based on ISM.
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Nitin Gupta, Prem Vrat and Ravindra Ojha
The Healthcare sector is one of the important sectors of the Service Industry. It is believed that in this sector, the customer server relationship is very critical, and even the…
Abstract
Purpose
The Healthcare sector is one of the important sectors of the Service Industry. It is believed that in this sector, the customer server relationship is very critical, and even the slightest gap in the people quality may have a huge impact on the delivered service quality. Some of these enablers are doctors, nursing staff and support staff. Furthermore, the nonpeople quality enablers such as diagnostic services, facilities, hygiene levels and so on are also likely to impact the delivered service quality. It was also felt that the degree of impact each enabler has on the service quality could vary. Therefore there is a need for structured and deep analysis. The paper attempts to identify, analyze and prioritize the enablers that impact the delivered service quality.
Design/methodology/approach
The enablers have been identified through literature review and inputs from experts in the healthcare fraternity. The authors have explored different decision-making tools such as analytic hierarchy process (AHP), analytic network process (ANP), stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis, Hybrid Model and DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) for the analysis of data in this paper. Based on the strengths of the approach and careful considerations by focus group discussions, DEMATEL was chosen as the best option. It is simple, unique, sparingly used in the healthcare sector, effective in prioritizing and gives meaningful insights on importance, cause and effect factors. DEMATEL approach converts the complex problem with interrelated factors into a clear structure that makes simple interrelationships among factors in the form of cause and effects digraph, and hence, the authors chose to use it. A case study in one of the hospitals has also been conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the developed index. The case study very strongly validates the developed index.
Findings
This research paper has found that there are people quality enablers such as the doctor, nursing staff, support staff and nonpeople quality enablers such as facilities, diagnostic services and hygiene levels maintenance, which impact the delivered service quality. It also concludes that the delivered service quality depends not only on the quality but also on the availability of these enablers. The inputs received from the experts have been run through the DEMATEL methodology and importance computed for each. The top five priority enablers are Quality of Doctor, Availability of Doctor, Quality of Support Staff, Quality of Nursing Staff and Availability of Support Staff.
Research limitations/implications
The weights of the enablers have been obtained using the DEMATEL tool. These weights have been calculated using the inputs from 22 experts, which meets the statistical requirement (Skulmoski, 2007). However, a larger group of experts can be reached, and based on the inputs received from them, the tool can be revalidated for repeatability and reproducibility. Using Fuzzy DEMATEL can also be explored for further analysis.
Practical implications
The proposed framework to assess the service quality level of a healthcare organization is based on a sound approach of DEMATEL. The service index arrived, thereafter, can be used to rate the delivered service quality by any healthcare organization. It can be used to compare the similar type of healthcare organizations across locations. This Index can facilitate improvements in the healthcare organization through internal and external benchmarking. It also helps the organization to know the gaps, understand the root cause, improve upon them and become the best in class. This Index uses the inputs from the end customers to calculate the rating, which makes it more reliable and accurate. The overall scores obtained from the Index can provide the ranking to the healthcare providing organizations and options to customers to choose from best. The service quality index can be used by an organization to continuously monitor their delivered service quality scores and improve them to become the best in class. The research paper highlights the significant role played by the people quality and its strong impact/contribution on the delivered service quality. Hence, it is believed that it will encourage the healthcare organizations to prioritize the improvement and upgrade of the people quality over the nonpeople quality aspect.
Originality/value
Putting people and nonpeople quality enablers in one single model and assigning weights to them using the DEMATEL approach is a new application in healthcare. Developing an Index to measure the delivered service quality in the healthcare sector is also different and new.
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Friday Ogbu Edeh, Nurul Mohammad Zayed, Md. Faisal-E-Alam, Vitalii Nitsenko and Oleg Bazaluk
The well-being of employees is very crucial, especially for the survival and sustainability of the mobile telecommunication industry and thus, the deployment of flexible working…
Abstract
Purpose
The well-being of employees is very crucial, especially for the survival and sustainability of the mobile telecommunication industry and thus, the deployment of flexible working arrangements becomes paramount for managers and industry practitioners to implement. This research aimed to assess the impact of flexible working arrangements on employee well-being within the mobile telecommunication industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing multiple linear regression analysis, the research tested hypotheses to examine the significance of the relationships. Grounded in the Border Theory of Balanced Work, the study sought to explore the relationship between flexible working arrangements, including flextime schedules, compressed workweeks and telecommuting and various dimensions of employee well-being.
Findings
The results of the study demonstrated a statistically significant positive effect of flexible working arrangements on employee well-being within the mobile telecommunication industry. It concluded that flexible working arrangements that are measured with a flextime schedule, a compressed workweek and telecommuting improve employee well-being through psychological well-being, social well-being and workplace well-being.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by establishing a positive connection between flexible working arrangements and employee well-being in the context of the mobile telecommunication industry. Managers of telecommunication firms should continue with the implementation of flexible working arrangements to enhance the well-being of their employees. The study provides valuable insights for both scholars and industry practitioners, emphasizing the significance of continued implementation of flexible working arrangements to promote and sustain the well-being of employees.
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Timothy Kurannen Baaki, Mohamad Rizal Baharum and Azlan Shah Ali
This paper aims to explore current sustainable facilities management knowledge and practice, focussing specifically on sustainable waste management implementation in health-care…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore current sustainable facilities management knowledge and practice, focussing specifically on sustainable waste management implementation in health-care facilities with an aim to conceptualize a framework for assessing performance and impact of successful implementation of safe and sustainable health-care waste management on health-care provision.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used a review of existing literature in relation to health-care waste management in the context of sustainable facilities management and facilities management performance and forms a basis for further research.
Findings
The growing significance of the strategic role of facilities management is established. Building on this recognition, a conceptual framework for assessing both implementation of sustainable facilities management practice in the context of waste management in health-care facilities and its impact on health-care provision is proposed.
Originality/value
This paper conceptualizes a framework for optimizing safe and sustainable waste management implementation in health-care facilities and assessing its impact on the bottom-line of health-care provision.
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Raghav Upadhyai, Neha Upadhyai, Arvind Kumar Jain, Hiranmoy Roy and Vimal Pant
Health care service is a widely researched area. Several established models and instruments measuring health care service quality (HCSQ) are available in the published academic…
Abstract
Purpose
Health care service is a widely researched area. Several established models and instruments measuring health care service quality (HCSQ) are available in the published academic literature. The objective of this article is to summarize this vast pool of available knowledge under the themes of HCSQ, its determinants and measurement strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
Sixty-three available published studies in peer reviewed journal combed in EBSCO and Google Scholar database have been examined and presented in exemplary literature review.
Findings
The findings have been segregated under the themes of HCSQ, its dimensions and determinants. It can be deduced from the findings that in spite of health care being a professional service, the user defined service quality takes center stage.
Originality/value
Rather than the seeker of care, the authors call for further research by taking a dyadic view of professional exchanges and including providers' perspectives of care in service quality evaluations as well.
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Jeevan Karki, Steve Matthewman and Jesse Hession Grayman
This paper aims to critically examine the post-disaster emergency response amongst marginalised and disadvantaged social groups following the 2015 Nepal Earthquake (7.8 Mw).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to critically examine the post-disaster emergency response amongst marginalised and disadvantaged social groups following the 2015 Nepal Earthquake (7.8 Mw).
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research method was employed by conducting interviews with disaster survivors from marginalised and ethnic social groups, humanitarian aid workers and government officials in the four districts worst hit by the 2015 Nepal Earthquake.
Findings
This research found that community members demonstrated remarkable cooperation in the aftermath of the disaster; however, caste-based discrimination still manifested in post-earthquake emergency environments. Further, this research showed that the engagement of government and local and international humanitarian organisations was noteworthy in the earthquake emergency response in Nepal as it localised relief packages and adapted the assistance corresponding to the fast-changing post-disaster environments. However, some relief materials were culturally inappropriate and climatically unsuitable. This paper also shows that the poor dissemination of relief distribution plans, resource duplication and ineffective targeting disproportionately impacted the oppressed and marginalised households in receiving humanitarian assistance.
Originality/value
Studies have been undertaken on the emergency response to the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, however, few have focussed on the lived experience of marginalised and disadvantaged social groups. Further, this research builds on, and contributes to, the humanitarian mobile sovereignty discourse.
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Luqman Oyekunle Oyewobi, Gbolahan Bolarin, Naomi Temitope Oladosu and Richard Ajayi Jimoh
This study examined the causes of academic stress amongst undergraduate students in the Department of Quantity Surveying to ascertain whether stress has an influence on their…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examined the causes of academic stress amongst undergraduate students in the Department of Quantity Surveying to ascertain whether stress has an influence on their academic performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This research explores the relationships between these constructs: academic stress, non-academic stress, coping strategies and academic performance, using a survey questionnaire to collect data from 190 undergraduate students in the Quantity Survey department. Descriptive statistics have been used to analyse the data and a path analytical approach has been adopted to evaluate the relationship between the constructs discussed in the paper.
Findings
Significant linear associations have been established between all the proposed paths and the outcome factor (p < 0.00). Coping strategies were an important mediator (p = 0.000), as they explained 32.9% of the association between academic stress and non-academic stress. However, the findings have shown that the stress faced by students is an optimal degree of stress that improves learning capabilities.
Practical implications
Explanation and clarification of the effects of academic and non-academic stress and coping mechanisms on the academic performance of university undergraduate students could help to reduce the risk of suicide amongst the teeming youths. It will also afford the university administration the opportunity to engender stress-free environment that is conducive for learning through the formulation of appropriate policies that promote “balanced learning” for the students. The outcome of this study may provide a launch pad for researchers who are interested in knowing how the possible causes of stress may impact on the health of university students.
Originality/value
The findings will be of great importance to the academic advisers and university administration in developing a flexible academic calendar and adopt policies that will eliminate academic stress and promote strategies to cope with non-academic stress. The study is the first attempt to examine academic stress, non-academic stress, coping strategies and academic performance in a single research in the Nigerian context due to limited literature found. This study has pedagogical implications to education practice by offering tertiary institutions the opportunity to appraise and device a means of managing students' stress by identifying their needs and increase students' coping skills based on prevailing modalities that give students' opportunities to strengthen the strategies of coping.
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The impact of digital technology in the wider travel field has been substantial and significant, changing both the competitive landscape of businesses and the behavior of…
Abstract
Purpose
The impact of digital technology in the wider travel field has been substantial and significant, changing both the competitive landscape of businesses and the behavior of travelers. However, we are now on the cusp of new digital developments encompassing cloud computing, blockchain, internet of things (IoT) and above all, artificial intelligence (AI), which are predicted to disrupt the business and consumer sides of several industries – travel included. This study aims to frame this upcoming digital transformation in travel within a human-centered approach where the critical understanding of digital humanism principles will enrich social scientists’ research agenda in the coming years.
Design/methodology/approach
The viewpoint follows a structure based on (i) setting the scene for the rise of digital transformation, (ii) the historical perspective on digital transformation in travel, (iii) the pandemic’s impact and (iv) future development and research agenda.
Findings
It is only by fostering a human-centered digital transformation perspective that social science researchers in travel can realize the “high-tech for high-touch” promise of fostering a human-to-human encounter empowered and possibly hampered, by digital technologies. This work proposes to start from the concepts of digital technology control, participation, education and ethics to design a research agenda with a 2050 horizon.
Originality/value
This work has been designed to shift the attention of researchers toward a human-centered digital transformation approach to reflect on the human-machine relationship for a better society. Due to its inner characteristics the travel field can foster a reflection on this topic by reaffirming the centrality of human beings and their authorship in the travel product creation.
目的
数字技术在更广泛的旅游领域产生了巨大而显著的影响, 改变了企业的竞争图景和游客行为。然而, 我们现在正处于新的数字发展的风口浪尖, 包括云计算、区块链、物联网以及最重要的人工智能, 预计这些技术将颠覆包括旅游业在内的多个行业的企业端和消费端。这项研究建议将即将到来的旅行数字化转型纳入以人为本的方法, 对数字人文主义原则的批判性理解将丰富社会科学家未来几年的研究议程。
设计与方法
该观点遵循基于以下方面的一种结构, (i)为数字化转型的兴起设定场景, (ii)旅行数字化转型的历史视角, (iii)疫情的影响和(iv)未来发展和研究议程。
研究发现
只有培养以人为中心的数字化转型视角, 旅游领域的社会科学研究人员才能实现“高科技换高品质”的承诺, 培养一种被数字技术赋能但也可能受到阻碍的人与人之间的接触。这项工作建议从数字技术控制、参与、教育和伦理的概念出发, 设计一个2050年的研究议程。
原创性
这项工作旨在将研究人员的注意力转移到以人为中心的数字化转型方法上, 以反思更美好社会的人机关系。由于旅游领域的内在特征, 它可以通过重申人在旅游产品创造中的中心地位和作者身份来促进对这一主题的反思。
Finalidad
El impacto de la tecnología digital en el ámbito de los viajes en general ha sido sustancial y significativo, cambiando tanto el panorama competitivo de las empresas como el comportamiento de los viajeros. Sin embargo, en la actualidad estamos en la cúspide de nuevos desarrollos digitales que abarcan la nube informática, blockchain, IoT y, sobre todo, la inteligencia artificial, que se prevé que alteren los aspectos comerciales y de consumo de varias industrias, incluidos los viajes. Esta investigación propone enmarcar esta próxima transformación digital en los viajes dentro de un enfoque centrado en el ser humano, donde la comprensión crítica de los principios del humanismo digital enriquecerá la agenda de investigación de los científicos sociales en los próximos años.
Diseño y metodología
El presente trabajo presenta una estructura basada en (i) el establecimiento del escenario para el auge de la transformación digital, (ii) la perspectiva histórica de la transformación digital en los viajes, (iii) el impacto de la pandemia y (iv) el desarrollo futuro y líneas de investigación.
Resultados
Únicamente si se fomenta una perspectiva de transformación digital centrada en el ser humano podrán los investigadores de las ciencias sociales en el ámbito de los viajes hacer realidad la promesa de “alta tecnología para un alto contacto”, promoviendo un encuentro entre seres humanos potenciado, y posiblemente obstaculizado, por las tecnologías digitales. Este trabajo propone partir de los conceptos de control de la tecnología digital, participación, educación y ética para diseñar una agenda de investigación con horizonte 2050.
Originalidad
Este trabajo ha sido diseñado para desplazar la atención de los investigadores hacia un enfoque de transformación digital centrado en el ser humano para reflexionar sobre la relación ser humano-máquina para una sociedad mejor. Por sus características internas, el ámbito de los viajes puede propiciar una reflexión sobre este tema reafirmando la centralidad del ser humano y su autoría en la creación del producto turístico.
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Sumit Kumar Maji and Arindam Laha
The article makes a modest attempt to explore the level of financial literacy (FL) amongst the farmers in India. An effort was also made to unearth the factors affecting such FL.
Abstract
Purpose
The article makes a modest attempt to explore the level of financial literacy (FL) amongst the farmers in India. An effort was also made to unearth the factors affecting such FL.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used secondary data on 11,030 farmers across various regions of India from the Financial Inclusion Insight Survey, 2017. Standard and Poor Global FL questions were used to measure the level of FL amongst the respondents. In addition to the appropriate statistical tools and techniques, the censored tobit regression model and generalized structural equation model were applied to explore the determinants of FL of the Indian farmers.
Findings
The outcome of the study indicated that the majority of Indian farmers are financially illiterate. The average FL score obtained by the sample farmers was found to be only 33%. The results of the study signaled significant regional variation in FL amongst the farmers across India. Apart from the regional variation in FL, farmer type, state-specific agricultural productivity, gender, marital status, age, educational attainment and financial inclusion were found to be the major determinants of the FL amongst the farmers.
Originality/value
Evaluation of FL amongst farmers is scanty in the literature in developed nations and especially in the context of emerging economies, like India. The authors tried to fill this gap by exploring FL and its determinants amongst Indian farmers. In addition to this, the study for the first time used a comprehensive and rich dataset of 11,030 Indian farmers while exploring the level of FL and its determinants.