S. Sathvik, L. Krishnaraj and Bankole Osita Awuzie
Sleep quality has been associated with health and safety issues influencing construction labour productivity in developing countries. Despite its significantly adverse…
Abstract
Purpose
Sleep quality has been associated with health and safety issues influencing construction labour productivity in developing countries. Despite its significantly adverse contribution to these facets if left unattended to, limited studies have sought to establish its prevalence and causal factors in labour-intensive contexts. This study aims to bridge the gap between the prevalence and casual factors of poor sleep quality among construction workers.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting a case study research design, data were collected from a randomly selected sample of construction workers (n = 475) recruited from four construction-based corporations in Southern India. Self-administered questionnaires comprising a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale was used to measure sleep quality among respondents alongside demographic characteristics, lifestyle preferences and work-habits data. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression analysis and descriptive statistical techniques.
Findings
Slightly more than a third of the construction workers (n = 33.9%) surveyed experienced poor sleep quality based on a PSQI method score of = 5. Also, the nexus between demographic characteristics, lifestyle preferences and work habits on the incidence of poor sleep quality among construction workers was confirmed.
Practical implications
The study contributes to the contemporary discourse on improving sleep health of construction workers to enhance their well-being thereby enabling their contribution towards achieving improved construction labour productivity.
Originality/value
This study makes an original contribution to the extent that it seeks to not only determine the prevalence of sleep quality within the construction industry and associated causal factors but to explore its implications on construction labour productivity.
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Vidya Belur Raju, Shivashankara Gejjalagere Puttaswamaiah and Atul Kumar Singh
This study explores the feasibility of substituting freshwater with alternative water sources such as potable water (PW), harvested rainwater (HRW), stormwater (SW), borewell…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the feasibility of substituting freshwater with alternative water sources such as potable water (PW), harvested rainwater (HRW), stormwater (SW), borewell water (BW) and seawater (Sea W) in concrete manufacturing. The aim is to evaluate the potential of these alternative sources to support sustainable development, reduce environmental impact and conserve freshwater resources in the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The research followed established concrete production standards and evaluated the chemical properties of various water sources. Fresh concrete characteristics, including setting time, workability and mechanical properties (compressive, split tensile and flexural strength), were tested at 7, 28 and 90 days. Durability assessments utilized the Volhard assay for chloride content, RCPT for chloride permeability and a physical sulfate attack test. Additionally, a life cycle assessment (LCA) examined the environmental impacts, while an economic analysis assessed cost implications for each water source.
Findings
The results showed only minor differences of 2%–3% in the fresh and mechanical properties of concrete using alternative water sources, with no significant changes in compressive, tensile or flexural strength compared to potable water. The Rapid Chloride Penetration Test (RCPT) and Nord Test techniques showed that all water sources, except seawater, are suitable for concrete mixing, as they enhance concrete durability due to their very low chloride ion concentrations, which minimize the risk of steel corrosion. The sulfate attack, including mass loss and expansion measurements for various water sources, indicates low susceptibility to except seawater. SEM and EDS HRW and SW also showed denser microstructures compared to Potable Water, indicating the absence of voids or cracks and the formation of ettringite needles, while seawater posed challenges due to high chloride content and corrosion risks. The LCA indicated that SW had the lowest environmental impact, while seawater posed substantial challenges. The economic analysis confirmed SW as the most cost-effective option, with all sources meeting production standards except seawater.
Originality/value
This study provides new insights into the sustainable use of non-potable water sources in concrete manufacturing. It demonstrates the viability of using HRW, SW and BW as alternative water sources to potable water, supporting sustainability goals in construction while conserving vital freshwater resources and reducing environmental impact.
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Mohd Azhar, Safdar Khan, Mohd Danish Kirmani, Farhan Mustafa and Fateh Mohd Khan
This study intends to unmask the antecedents of metaverse adoption intention (MAI) within the Indian hospitality industry. To achieve this objective, we extended the “unified…
Abstract
Purpose
This study intends to unmask the antecedents of metaverse adoption intention (MAI) within the Indian hospitality industry. To achieve this objective, we extended the “unified theory of acceptance and use of technology” (UTAUT) by integrating additional constructs: “perceived cyber risk” (PCR), “trust” (TR), “personal innovativeness in IT” (PIT) and “hedonic motivation” (HM).
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research methodology was employed, utilizing data gathered through an online survey disseminated via Google Forms to evaluate the constructs of the study. Convenience and snowball sampling were used, and the proposed relationships were analyzed using “partial least squares structural equation modeling” (PLS-SEM).
Findings
The study presents a robust model explaining MAI among Indian hospitality consumers, with a high R² of 81%, indicating strong predictive relevance. Core UTAUT constructs (PE, EE, SI and FC) and additional constructs (TR, HM and PIT) positively influence MAI, while PCR negatively impacts it.
Research limitations/implications
This research enhances the existing body of knowledge by providing a deeper insight into metaverse adoption among hospitality consumers in India. The proposed framework provides a more nuanced perspective on metaverse adoption, extending beyond conventional technological factors.
Originality/value
This study is distinctive in its integration of four additional constructs- PCR, TR, PIT and HM- into the original UTAUT model, thereby addressing a gap in the existing literature. Furthermore, it advances the understanding of the metaverse by identifying key antecedents influencing MAI among Indian hospitality consumers.
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M. Karthik, Solomon Oyebisi, Pshtiwan Shakor, Sathvik Sharath Chandra, L. Prajwal and U.S. Agrawal
This work aims to investigate the feasibility of recycling waste plastic (polyethylene terephthalate) as a coarse aggregate for producing blended cement concrete modified with fly…
Abstract
Purpose
This work aims to investigate the feasibility of recycling waste plastic (polyethylene terephthalate) as a coarse aggregate for producing blended cement concrete modified with fly ash and pond ash.
Design/methodology/approach
The low, medium and high controlled strength blended cement concrete modified with varied proportions of fly and pond ashes were produced. Manufactured sand and recycled plastic coarse aggregate (RPCA) replaced normal fine and coarse aggregates. Concrete samples were tested for workability, mechanical and durability characteristics. Microstructural analysis was performed on cement concrete blended with fly and pond ashes and compared to conventional concrete samples.
Findings
All concrete mixes showed better flowability with values greater than 200 mm. Besides, the maximum flow time was approximately 8 s. The wet density of blended cement concrete-RPCA-based concretes was approximately 30% lower than that of conventional concrete. The compressive strengths of the controlled strength mix at 7 and 28 days were within the specified ranges. While the conventional concrete had slightly higher permeability, the blended cement concrete-RPCA-based concretes had better thermal resistivity and lower thermal conductivity. The scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the densification of the microstructure due to the filler effects of fly and pond ashes.
Originality/value
This study establishes the prospects of substituting RPCA with normal coarse aggregate in the production of controlled low-strength blended cement concrete, offering benefits of structural fill concrete, lower permeability and thermal conductivity, higher thermal resistivity and reduced density and shrinkage.
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Ali B. Mahmoud, Leonora Fuxman, Yousra Asaad and Konstantinos Solakis
The Metaverse is rapidly reshaping the understanding of tourism, yet the public perception of this new domain remains largely uncharted empirically. This paper aims to build on…
Abstract
Purpose
The Metaverse is rapidly reshaping the understanding of tourism, yet the public perception of this new domain remains largely uncharted empirically. This paper aims to build on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and diffusion of innovations theory (DIT) to fill this gap, offering crucial insights that could inform scholars and practitioners in both the tourism and technology sectors.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a big-data approach, the authors applied machine learning to scrape comments made by social media users on recent popular posts or videos related to tourism in the Metaverse from three prominent social media platforms. The cleaning process narrowed down 15,461 comments to 2,650, which were then analysed using thematic, emotion and sentiment analysis techniques.
Findings
The thematic analysis revealed that virtual tourism evokes a complex range of public beliefs. While many express awe and excitement toward its immersive capabilities, others remain sceptical about authenticity compared to physical travel. Additional themes show people draw comparisons to real-world tourism, discuss technology’s role and note educational value and novelty. However, some comments raise concerns about potential societal harms, exploitation and mental health impacts. Sentiment analysis found over half of the comments positive, though some were negative. Emotion analysis showed contentment, happiness and excitement as most frequent, though sadness, worry and loneliness also featured. Overall, perceptions of Metaverse tourism encompass enthusiasm yet substantial ambivalence.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to comprehensively analyse public discussions on Metaverse tourism. It takes TAM and Rogers’s DIT a step further and provides fresh insights into how these theories can be employed in the emerging field of Metaverse tourism. The themes revealed new conceptual insights into multidimensional factors shaping public beliefs about Metaverse tourism and thus informing scholarly research on virtual interaction and technology acceptance regarding Metaverse tourism. In addition, the results can help tourism providers, platforms and marketers address salient public beliefs and sentiments/attitudes in developing marketing offerings, experiences and communications. Over time, this analysis methodology can be used to track the evolving public perceptions of Metaverse tourism.
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Bernardo Nicoletti and Andrea Appolloni
The paper uses foundation models to integrate the green approach in Logistics 5.0. Such integration is innovative in logistics and leads to a more sustainable and prosperous…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper uses foundation models to integrate the green approach in Logistics 5.0. Such integration is innovative in logistics and leads to a more sustainable and prosperous future. By harnessing the power of foundation models and incorporating sustainable principles, this paper can systematize the logistics industry’s environmental framework, increase its social responsibility and ensure its long-term economic viability.
Design/methodology/approach
Generalizing environmental sustainability goals requires a multi-layered innovation approach incorporating corporate philosophy, products, processes and business models. In this paper, this comprehensive approach is not just a strategy but a necessity in the current global context. This paper uses the sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) method, crucial for achieving explicit environmental, social and economic impacts.
Findings
Artificial intelligence, especially foundation models, can contribute to green logistics by optimizing routes, reducing packaging waste, improving warehouse layouts and other functions presented in the paper. At the same time, they can also consider social, economic and governance goals.
Research limitations/implications
Artificial intelligence algorithms present challenges such as high initial investment, regulatory compliance and technological integration.
Practical implications
The paper contains implications for developing environmentally sustainable logistics, which is currently one of the most significant challenges. The framework presented can apply to logistics companies.
Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to study sustainability in logistics. The framework is entirely original and not present in the literature. It is essential to help design and implement innovative logistics approaches.