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Article
Publication date: 25 September 2020

Bahar Ashnai, Sudha Mani, Prabakar Kothandaraman and Saeed Shekari

In response to calls to reduce the gender gap in the salesforce, this study aims to examine the effect of candidate gender, manager gender and industry to explain gender bias in…

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Abstract

Purpose

In response to calls to reduce the gender gap in the salesforce, this study aims to examine the effect of candidate gender, manager gender and industry to explain gender bias in salesperson recruitment during screening and skill assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper tested the hypotheses using observational data from a national sales competition in the USA, where managers evaluated student candidates for entry-level sales positions.

Findings

This research finds gender bias during screening using the dyadic perspective. Specifically, female managers evaluate male candidates more favorably than male managers do during screening. Further, managers of service companies evaluate female candidates more favorably than managers of goods companies during screening. However, this paper finds no such effects during candidates’ skill assessment.

Research limitations/implications

The findings indicate the importance of using dyadic research techniques to assess gender bias.

Practical implications

Managers should not use short interactions to screen candidates.

Social implications

Implicit bias exists when candidates and managers interact during screening. To reduce gender bias in recruitment the candidates and managers should interact for a longer duration.

Originality/value

This study draws upon a unique setting, where the candidates interact with the managers for screening and skill assessment. Implicit bias exists when candidates and managers interact for screening under time pressure. This paper finds no evidence of gender bias in skill assessment. This study finds that female managers are more prone to bias when evaluating male candidates than male managers. Prior work has not examined industry-based bias; this paper provides evidence of such bias in candidate screening.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 35 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

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Article
Publication date: 10 July 2017

Carlos J.L. Balsas

The purpose of this paper is to analyze walking activity and recent efforts at augmenting walkability conditions in the cities of Macau, Lisbon and Las Vegas.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze walking activity and recent efforts at augmenting walkability conditions in the cities of Macau, Lisbon and Las Vegas.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consisted mostly of in-loco observations, pedestrian counts and extensive reviews of the literature, city plans and regulations.

Findings

The findings include the need to properly design, maintain and retrofit pedestrian facilities, while reducing safety conflicts among street users as well as the establishment and the nurturing of a culture of walking.

Research limitations/implications

A fivefold international walkability research agenda with implications for other cities around the world is established: the value and the need for comparative studies and best practices; the need for urban design interventions; the cultivation of attractiveness and aesthetics; the implementation of safety, construction and maintenance criteria; and responsible funding programs.

Practical implications

This paper has twofold implications for stakeholders with direct responsibilities in the design, planning, building and maintenance of streets and public spaces, and for those who simply use those places at their own discretion.

Social implications

A succinct set of recommendations include the need to augment endogeneity, the need to make cities for people and not for automobiles and commitment to resolving pedestrian safety concerns.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the factors affecting street vibrancy from both a stakeholder’s and a user’s perspective. The fundamental and inalienable right to walk is analyzed using the WPPFUS framework (walking levels, purposes, primacy of walking, facilities, unique features and safety concerns).

Details

International Journal of Law in the Built Environment, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-1450

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Article
Publication date: 15 June 2020

Somayeh Asghari, Sahar Targholi, Ali Kazemi, Saeed Shahriyari and Lila Rajabion

Competitive intelligence (CI) collects data through the distribution of knowledge to make decisions in a competitive environment. To better comprehend the concept of CI, the…

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Abstract

Purpose

Competitive intelligence (CI) collects data through the distribution of knowledge to make decisions in a competitive environment. To better comprehend the concept of CI, the purpose of this paper is to determine the role of effective factors (knowledge sharing, competitor information, information technology (IT) and organizational culture) and their impact on CI. In addition, the paper provides a conceptual framework for determining the practical factors on CI.

Design/methodology/approach

For evaluating the elements of the model, a questionnaire is considered. Questionnaires were reread by specialists with significant experiences in the CI field. For statistical analysis, the SPSS 22 and SmartPLS 3.2 software package is also used.

Findings

Findings from the study showed the validity of the model for a CI assessment. Furthermore, the results confirmed that the competitor information significantly influenced CI. In addition, the obtained results implied that IT has a significant and positive influence on CI. The effect of organizational culture on CI also proved to be positive and significant.

Research limitations/implications

This paper makes significant contributions for both researchers and practitioners; however, the authors determine some limitations, which are as follows: First, the authors showed the result in a single region. It cannot be assured that the results are generalizable to other areas. Second, because of time and financial constraints, the authors gathered the data using a sample from a single location. Third, the use of variables to depict CI may be not exhaustive. The authors, therefore, encourage future research to study these CI dimensions.

Practical implications

This study meaningfully contributes to the knowledge and literature by focusing more on CI, examining other significant aspects and applying advanced statistical analysis method. Also, current research results suggest practical implications for marketing practitioners and managers who implemented tools and made strategic plans to enhance the organization’s performance. From a practical perspective, the statistical results support the crucial role of the following factors: IT, competitor information, organizational culture and knowledge sharing on CI.

Originality/value

Experts in the area of knowledge management, CI and strategic management can use this study to gain a competitive advantage based on knowledge and information resources. Organizations must have knowledge management function and CI to support the strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation.

Details

Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal , vol. 30 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

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Article
Publication date: 2 November 2020

Lívia da Silveira Pereira Reinaldo, Julio Vieira Neto, Rodrigo Goyannes Gusmão Caiado and Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves Quelhas

This paper aims to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) that affect the implementation of total quality management (TQM) and to investigate, from the perspective of…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) that affect the implementation of total quality management (TQM) and to investigate, from the perspective of Brazil, the latent factors for TQM implementation in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of two methods. First, a literature review was conducted to identify CSFs for TQM implementation. Then, empirical research was conducted from a survey questionnaire applied to 130 professionals who have experience in the Brazilian construction industry. SPSS version-25 was used for data analysis, using descriptive statistics, and, finally, principal component analysis for identifying the latent factors.

Findings

The study findings portray convergences regarding the practitioners' perception in the light of the 20 critical factors identified in the literature, which can serve to make construction professionals aware of the key factors to TQM implementation. In addition, two latent factors, quality practices and human factor were identified, and they can assist the leaders and decision-makers for the implementation of TQM in the construction industry of a developing country.

Originality/value

It fills the gap of practical studies that compare the academic and practitioners' perspectives regarding the CSFs for TQM implementation in construction industry.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 33 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

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Article
Publication date: 26 June 2018

Fatemeh Shokrzadeh, Zahra Aslani, Abbas Rahimi-Foroushani and Sakineh Shab-Bidar

This paper aims to investigate whether the interaction between vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism and dietary patterns is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether the interaction between vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism and dietary patterns is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 304 Iranians were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Fasting serum glucose and lipid profile were also assessed. FokI polymorphism of the VDR gene was genotyped using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Findings

Individuals in third tertile of “Unhealthy Patterns had greater odds for MetS (odds ratio: 2.9; 95 per cent CI: 1.3, 6.1; P for trend = 0.03) compared to those in first tertile. Significant results disappeared after controlling for covariates (p = 0.09). There was no significant relationship between adherence to ‘Healthy Pattern’ and odds of MetS (p = 0.55). There were not any interactions between FokI polymorphism and major dietary patterns associated with MetS.

Originality/value

No evidence found for the interaction between polymorphism FokI and major dietary patterns associated with MetS and its components in Iranian subjects. Genome-wide association techniques are needed to assess the direct effect of this polymorphism on MetS.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 48 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

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Article
Publication date: 24 April 2024

Ali Hassanzadeh, Ebrahim Ghorbani-Kalhor, Khalil Farhadi and Jafar Abolhasani

This study’s aim is to introduce a high-performance sorbent for the removal of both anionic (Congo red; CR) and cationic (methylene blue; MB) dyes from aqueous solutions.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study’s aim is to introduce a high-performance sorbent for the removal of both anionic (Congo red; CR) and cationic (methylene blue; MB) dyes from aqueous solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Sodium silicate is adopted as a substrate for GO and AgNPs with positive charge are used as modifiers. The synthesized nanocomposite is characterized by FTIR, FESEM, EDS, BET and XRD techniques. Then, some of the most effective parameters on the removal of CR and MB dyes such as solution pH, sorbent dose, adsorption equilibrium time, primary dye concentration and salt effect are optimized using the spectrophotometry technique.

Findings

The authors successfully achieved notable maximum adsorption capacities (Qmax) of CR and MB, which were 41.15 and 37.04 mg g−1, respectively. The required equilibrium times for maximum efficiency of the developed sorbent were 10 and 15 min for CR and MB dyes, respectively. Adsorption equilibrium data present a good correlation with Langmuir isotherm, with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.9924 for CR and R2 = 0.9904 for MB, and kinetic studies prove that the dye adsorption process follows pseudo second-order models (CR R2 = 0.9986 and MB R2 = 0.9967).

Practical implications

The results showed that the proposed mechanism for the function of the developed sorbent in dye adsorption was based on physical and multilayer adsorption for both dyes onto the active sites of non-homogeneous sorbent.

Originality/value

The as-prepared nano-adsorbent has a high ability to remove both cationic and anionic dyes; moreover, to the high efficiency of the adsorbent, it has been tried to make its synthesis steps as simple as possible using inexpensive and available materials.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 54 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

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Article
Publication date: 15 October 2024

Loretta Bortey, David J. Edwards, Chris Roberts and Iain Rillie

Safety research has focused on drivers, pedestrians and vehicles, with scarce attention given to highway traffic officers (HTOs). This paper develops a robust prediction model…

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Abstract

Purpose

Safety research has focused on drivers, pedestrians and vehicles, with scarce attention given to highway traffic officers (HTOs). This paper develops a robust prediction model which enables highway safety authorities to predict exclusive incidents occurring on the highway such as incursions and environmental hazards, respond effectively to diverse safety risk incident scenarios and aid in timely safety precautions to minimise HTO incidents.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a highway incident database, a supervised machine learning method that employs three algorithms [namely Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forests (RF) and Naïve Bayes (NB)] was applied, and their performances were comparatively analysed. Three data balancing algorithms were also applied to handle the class imbalance challenge. A five-phase sequential method, which includes (1) data collection, (2) data pre-processing, (3) model selection, (4) data balancing and (5) model evaluation, was implemented.

Findings

The findings indicate that SVM with a polynomial kernel combined with the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) algorithm is the best model to predict the various incidents, and the Random Under-sampling (RU) algorithm was the most inefficient in improving model accuracy. Weather/visibility, age range and location were the most significant factors in predicting highway incidents.

Originality/value

This is the first study to develop a prediction model for HTOs and utilise an incident database solely dedicated to HTOs to forecast various incident outcomes in highway operations. The prediction model will provide evidence-based information to safety officers to train HTOs on impending risks predicted by the model thereby equipping workers with resilient shocks such as awareness, anticipation and flexibility.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

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