The purpose of this study is to provide means of reflection on the skill acquired during accidents occurring in normal and disorganized situations as well as to draw the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide means of reflection on the skill acquired during accidents occurring in normal and disorganized situations as well as to draw the consequences, memorize and reuse them in order to avoid them in the future.
Design/methodology/approach
We perceive the external and familiar manifestations of the use of electricity such as light, heat and motion. The lack of a direct visual perception of this type of energy often leads to serious consequences caused by either ignored or underestimated risks. The severity of accidents related to electrical risk remains high: nearly 1 in 100 deaths was caused by electricity in 2010. In Algeria, nearly 180 deaths per year are electricity-related; electricity is also the cause of 20 per cent of fires. As the prevention of this risk affects many sectors, apart from power generation and power distribution networks, workers in all types of work areas, from construction to maintenance, are likely to be exposed to electrical hazards.
Findings
The results of this study imply that any workplace can face an electrical accident. Therefore, in this work, the authors have attempted to create a memory of risks, based on the feedback of fatal adverse events manifested in a national company, Sonelgaz, in Algeria. Asystematic analysis of these three fatal accidents allows prediction of possible dangerous situations and helps to better plan the objective prevention of such future incidents.
Originality/value
The lack of direct visual perception of this type of energy often leads to serious consequences caused by ignored or underestimated risks. The severity of accidents related to electrical risk remains high: nearly one over 100 deaths are because of electricity in 2010. In Algeria, the authors recorded nearly 180 deaths per year; it is also the cause of 20 per cent of fires. As now, because the prevention of this risk affects many sectors, apart from power generation and power distribution networks, all types of work, from construction to maintenance are likely to expose workers to electrical hazards. This implies that any company can face an electrical accident. Therefore, in this work the authors try to create a memory of risks, based on the feedback of fatal adverse events manifested in the national company Sonelgaz in Algeria.
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The purpose of this article is to present a biographical sketch of Lee C. Nehrt, who, in 1962, became the first person to obtain a PhD in International Business.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to present a biographical sketch of Lee C. Nehrt, who, in 1962, became the first person to obtain a PhD in International Business.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is mainly based on an in‐depth interview of Lee Nehrt followed up by several telephone and e‐mail interviews as well as e‐mail interviews of a number of Nehrt's former colleagues and students. In addition, Nehrt's published works were extensively reviewed and utilized.
Findings
The findings are reported in the form of a biography. In particular, the paper documents Nehrt's contribution to the emergence of international business as an important field of study, his role in internationalizing business curricula within the USA and in popularizing the American model of business education across the world. The paper also reflects on Nehrt's contribution to the Academy of International Business and his efforts in forging closer ties between international business academics and practitioners.
Originality/value
The dearth of biographical research in the international business discipline points to a need that has yet to be fulfilled. This is the first published article on Nehrt's life and career as a pioneering international business scholar.
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Chéhab Elbelehy and José Crispim
This research systematically reviews the literature on social sustainability within hospitality and tourism supply chains (H&T SCs). The aim is to identify research approaches…
Abstract
Purpose
This research systematically reviews the literature on social sustainability within hospitality and tourism supply chains (H&T SCs). The aim is to identify research approaches, emerging themes, geographic and sectoral scopes and current gaps in understanding social sustainability practices in this sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The review has been carried out using the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines” (PRISMA). The authors analyzed 17 peer-reviewed journal papers from 2008 to the present.
Findings
Early research focused on qualitative methods and developed countries, while recent studies have shifted to quantitative approaches. There is a notable gap in using multi-criteria decision-making for social sustainability. The review identified eight categories of social practices, with the most attention given to “society and community development” and the least to “human rights.”
Research limitations/implications
To enhance social sustainability, businesses and policymakers should focus on improving supply chain collaboration, standardizing social sustainability metrics, assessing stakeholder perceptions and supporting small enterprises in developing countries. This review is limited to English open-access journals and excludes studies in other languages. Additionally, by not including articles on sustainable tourism or development – which often emphasize environmental and economic aspects – important social dimensions may have been overlooked. Future research should broaden search parameters to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of social sustainability in H&T SCs.
Originality/value
This study addresses a critical gap in the literature on social sustainability within H&T SCs, particularly in databases like Web of Science and Scopus, offering new insights and directions for future research.
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Maribel Guerrero, Fernando Herrera and David Urbano
Little is known about how subsidies enhance both collaborative and opportunistic behaviours within subsidized industry–university partnerships, and how partners' behaviours…
Abstract
Purpose
Little is known about how subsidies enhance both collaborative and opportunistic behaviours within subsidized industry–university partnerships, and how partners' behaviours influence the intellectual capital dynamics within subsidized industry–university. Based on these theoretical foundations, this study expects to understand intellectual capital’s (IC's) contribution as a dynamic or systemic process (inputs?outputs?outcomes) within subsided university–industry partnerships. Especially to contribute to these ongoing academic debates, this paper analyses how collaborative and opportunistic behaviours within industry–university partnerships influence the intellectual capital dynamics (inputs, outputs and outcomes) of the subsidized projects.
Design/methodology/approach
By combining two sources of information about 683 Mexican subsidized industry–university partnerships from 2009 to 2016, this study adopted the structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse the effect of collaborative vs opportunistic behaviours in intellectual capital dynamics within subsidized projects.
Findings
Our results show three tendencies about the bright/dark side of subsidies within the Mexican industry–university partnerships. The first tendency shows how collaborative behaviours positively influence intellectual capital dynamics within subsidized industry–university partnerships. The second tendency shows how opportunistic behaviours influence intellectual capital impacts (performance) and return to society (job creation). The third tendency shows how initial inputs of subsidized projects generate some expected socio-economic returns that pursued the subsidies (mediation effect of intellectual capital outputs).
Research limitations/implications
This research has three limitations that provide a future research agenda. The main limitations were associated with our sources of information. The first limitation, we did not match subsidized partnerships (focus group) and non-subsidized partnerships (control group). A qualitative analysis should help understand the effect of subsidies on intellectual capital and partnerships' behaviours. The second limitation, our measures of collaborative/opportunistic behaviours as well as intellectual capital dynamics should be improved by balancing traditional and new metrics in future research. The third limitation is that in emerging economies, the quality of institutions could influence the submission/selection of subsidies and generate negative externalities. Future research should control by geographical dispersion and co-location of subsidies.
Practical implications
For enterprise managers, this study offers insights into IC dynamics and behaviours within subsidized industry–university partnerships. The bright side of collaboration behaviours is related to IC's positive impacts on performance and socio-economic returns. The dark side is the IC appropriation behind opportunistic behaviours. Enterprise managers should recognize the relevance of IC management to capture value and reduce costs associated with opportunistic behaviours. For the university community, this study offers potential trends adopted by industry–university partnerships to reinforce universities' innovative transformation processes. Specifically, these trends are related to the legitimization of the university's role in society and contribution to regional development through industry–university partnerships' outcomes. Therefore, university managers should recognize the IC benefits/challenges behind industry–university partnerships.
Social implications
For policymakers, the study indirectly shows the role of subsidies for generating/reinforcing intellectual capital outcomes within subsidized industry–university partnerships. The bright side allows evaluating the cost-benefit of this government intervention and the returns to priority industries. The dark side allows for understanding the need for implementing mechanisms to control opportunistic behaviours within subsidized partnerships. Accordingly, policymakers should understand the IC opportunity-costs related to industry–university partnerships for achieving the subsidies' aims.
Originality/value
This study contributes to three ongoing academic debates in innovation and management fields. The first debate about how intellectual capital dynamic is stimulated and transferred through the collaborative behaviour within industry–university partnerships in emerging economies. The second debate is about the “dark side” of partnerships stimulated by public programmes in emerging economies. The third debate is about the effectiveness of subsidies on intellectual capital activities/outcomes.
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Alexander Y. Yashin, Dmitry V. Yashunsky, Aleksander N. Vedenin, Nikolay E. Nifantiev, Yakov I. Yashin and Boris V. Nemzer
The purpose of this paper is to determine the antioxidant activity of natural polyphenols from larch wood by the amperometric method.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the antioxidant activity of natural polyphenols from larch wood by the amperometric method.
Design/methodology/approach
Direct measurements of antioxidant activity were carried out by the amperometric method in an oxidizing mode with glassy carbon as a working electrode, set potential +1.3V and using a flow-injection system with 2.2 mM phosphoric acid as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min.
Findings
The reported results show the following values of antioxidant activity for the tested compounds: (−)-secoisolariciresinol – 0.199 ± 0.002 mg/L (p < 0.05); isolariciresinol – 0.196 ± 0.002 mg/L (p < 0.05); lariciresinol - 0.222 ± 0.001 mg/L (p < 0.05); O-isopropylidene derivative of (−)-secoisolariciresinol - 0.143 ± 0.002 mg/L (p < 0.05); (+)-dihydroquercetin – 0.153 ± 0.002 mg/L (p < 0.05); and quercetin – 0.521 ± 0.001 mg/L (p < 0.05). The last product was tested as the reference of a widely used current antioxidant. General tendencies of determined values of antioxidant activity for studied compounds are in good correlation with published data as determined by the t-BuOOH-initiated lipid peroxidation method.
Practical implications
Described results show practical applicability of the amperometric method as being faster and cheaper in comparison to other methods, including oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay or 2,2′diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reagent based assay.
Originality/value
The described results show the first-time application of the amperometric method for the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds from larch wood.
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Zainal Abidin, Wiwiek Rabiatul Adawiyah, Intan Shaferi and Akhmad Sodiq
Despite extensive research on supply chain management (SCM), the literature lacks a perspective to empirically assess the importance of poverty alleviation in social business…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite extensive research on supply chain management (SCM), the literature lacks a perspective to empirically assess the importance of poverty alleviation in social business. Using resources dependence theory, the purpose of this study is to analyze to ascertain whether financial innovation has a powerful solution for business sustainability and, hence, poverty alleviation in developing countries. This study reviews the financial innovations offered by Dompet Dhuafa Republika in integrated supply chain management (ISCM) of smallholder livestock business through Tebar Hewan Kurban (Spreading Sacrificial Animals) program to overcome capital and marketing problems at the farmer level and distribute Qurban meat to the recipients.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted using descriptive qualitative method. The data were obtained through a field survey, by interviewing two crowdfunding-based investment companies, 250 partner farmers, program managers and assistants, marketing partners, donors/consumers/person who sacrifice and Mustahik (recipients of Qurban meat) involved in program implementation, using purposive sampling method. Focus group discussion was conducted with selected panelists to validate the results of the field survey.
Findings
The results of this study showed that the Tebar Hewan Kurban program provides greater benefits to farmers, while increasing the distribution of Qurban meat to be more equitable. The role of moneylenders and middlemen can also be eliminated. Donors feel satisfied because their goals are fulfilled in the Qurban ritual. Program implementers and investors also got decent returns. ISCM is very feasible to be developed on a wider scale, to improve the welfare of farmers or fishermen.
Research limitations/implications
This study used a set of samples of the assisted areas from only one institution, which may lead to institution-specific results. Although the sample is small, the results of this study are expected to provide new insights into the implementation of the Qurban, which will provide more profits and benefits for partner farmers. In broader practice, the program flow is worth considering compared to similar programs in other institutions, in Indonesia or abroad. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the field survey and focus group discussion were carried out online.
Practical implications
The results show that ISCM is able to increase the income of farmers. Practically, this program can be duplicated in similar institutions, as well as in government or non-government organizations, in Indonesia and abroad, that have the same context and activity.
Social implications
This study offers several social contributions by exploring how and why ISCM can eliminate the role of moneylenders and middlemen, increasing the small farmers' income, providing reasonable profits to parties involved in marketing and satisfying donors and equitable distribution of Qurban meat.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by confirming the higher impact of ISCM in social business on poverty alleviation. Therefore, this paper provides an alternative solution to increase the income of small farmers through the supply of animals for Qurban or other religious rituals through ISCM arrangements.
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Md Shah Newaz, Mina Hemmati, Muhammad Khalilur Rahman, Andrea Appolloni, Suhaiza Zailani, Flavio Pinheiro Martins and Amilton Barbosa Botelho Junior
The purpose of this study is to investigate how Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) operates within the context of the post-COVID-19 environment and its impact on the economic, environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate how Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) operates within the context of the post-COVID-19 environment and its impact on the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the manufacturing industry in a developing economy. By delving into this subject, the authors aim to understand the mechanisms through which IR 4.0 influences various facets of sustainability within the manufacturing sector.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional research design is used using purposive sampling and hypotheses were developed based on seminal theories and literature. Data was collected from 191 Malaysian manufacturing firms that use IR 4.0 technologies. The partial least squares structural equation modeling technique was used to explore how post-COVID uncertainty environment impacts manufacturing sustainability through IR 4.0 adoption.
Findings
During the highly uncertain era of the post-COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of IR 4.0 adoption has had a favorable effect on the manufacturing industry, enhancing process efficiency, automation and data granularity. However, it is worth noting that automation does not significantly contribute to environmental sustainability and data granularity does not have a noteworthy impact on economic sustainability. On the other hand, process efficiency has a positive and significant influence on all three dimensions of sustainability. Moreover, data granularity positively affects environmental sustainability, whereas automation positively impacts both social and economic sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
This study emphasizes the importance of policy interventions to harness the transformative power of IR 4.0 and address the identified concerns. In addition, the findings offer valuable insights for mid-level operational managers, enabling them to actively participate in the creation of sustainable policies in partnership with top management. It is expected that these actions, which involve making necessary adjustments in the manufacturing process, will yield tangible outcomes for sustainable development.
Originality/value
This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between the uncertain post-COVID-19 environment, referred to as hyper-uncertainty and the adoption of IR 4.0 in the context of manufacturing sustainability.
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Maribel Guerrero, Fernando Herrera and David Urbano
The purpose of this paper is to analyse how collaborative/opportunistic behaviours within subsidised university-industry partnerships are influencing the design/implementation of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse how collaborative/opportunistic behaviours within subsidised university-industry partnerships are influencing the design/implementation of strategic knowledge management practices in emerging economies.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed conceptual model was analysed with a retrospective multiple case study approach integrated by four subsidised entrepreneurial universities-industry partnerships of the Incentive Programme for Innovation from 2009 to 2014 in Mexico.
Findings
Entrepreneurial universities and industrial organisations confirm insights about dual collaborative-opportunistic behaviour within subsidised partnerships. The main effects of behaviours represent an increment in the knowledge management costs during the monitoring stages. The ex ante collaboration agreement anticipated and protected intellectual capabilities.
Research limitations/implications
This research contributes to the ongoing discussion about public administrations’ opportunistic behaviours in emerging economies (Tripsas et al., 1995), the effectiveness of the innovation and entrepreneurial programmes (Guerrero and Urbano, 2019b), and the link between dual behaviours (collaborative and opportunistic) and knowledge management practices (de Wit-de Vries et al., 2018).
Practical implications
New questions emerged about the effectiveness of subsidies as new modes of knowledge generation among entrepreneurial universities and industrial organisations, as well as the need for implementing strategic knowledge management practices in the public administration.
Social implications
For policymakers, the study presents insights about the effectiveness of public resources. Policymakers should understand challenges and re-define/re-incentivize the productive value chain as well as implement mechanisms to control opportunistic behaviours on potential subsidised firms.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the academic debate about how entrepreneurial universities and industrial organisations are strategically managing their knowledge when participating in subsidised partnerships in emerging economies.
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Paula H. Jensen, Jennifer Cross and Diego A. Polanco-Lahoz
Lean is a continuous improvement methodology that has succeeded in eliminating waste in a variety of industries. Yet, there is a need for more research on Lean implementation in…
Abstract
Purpose
Lean is a continuous improvement methodology that has succeeded in eliminating waste in a variety of industries. Yet, there is a need for more research on Lean implementation in several under-studied contexts, including crisis situations such as those created by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This research investigates how Lean programs were impacted by COVID-19, while previous research has primarily explored how Lean was used to solve problems created by the pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-method research approach was used to analyze employee feedback on how COVID-19 impacted the Lean programs using data from various levels of four energy-based utilities in the United States. First, an online questionnaire collected qualitative and quantitative data from a broad sample of participants. Then, a follow-up semi-structured interview allowed the elaboration of perceptions related to the research question using a smaller sample of participants.
Findings
Out of the 194 responses from the four companies, only 41% of the respondents at least somewhat agreed that COVID-19 impacted the Lean program at their company; of the remaining 59%, 35% indicated they were neutral, while 24% disagreed. The themes from the qualitative portion indicated that, while employees believed their companies had successfully found a new way to do Lean within the constraints of not always being in person, the collaboration and engagement were more challenging to sustain, and COVID-19 also otherwise made it more difficult to implement Lean. Meanwhile, some believed there was no impact on the Lean program.
Originality/value
The COVID-19 and Lean peer-reviewed literature published from 2020 to September 2023 focused primarily on using Lean to address problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic vs studying the pandemic's impact on Lean programs. This research partially fills this literature gap in understanding the impact COVID-19 had on Lean initiatives.
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Javad Hashempour, Zubaida Shebani and Jeffrey Kimble
Firefighting can pose a number of psychological health risks due to the nature of the job. Previous studies have examined the relationship between distress symptoms in…
Abstract
Purpose
Firefighting can pose a number of psychological health risks due to the nature of the job. Previous studies have examined the relationship between distress symptoms in firefighters and factors such as age, experience in the service, workload, sleep and alcohol use. However, the relationship between risk factors and mental health problems in firefighters remains unclear. In the present study, the authors aim to assess mental distress among Muscat firefighters using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18. The authors expected that this research will allow researchers to determine the prevalence of mental distress among Muscat firefighters and assess the role of the above risk factors on the ratio.
Design/methodology/approach
The assessment includes the prevalence of anxiety, somatization and depression symptoms among firefighters. The impact of sociodemographic factors, sleep problems and smoking on symptomatic cases was also evaluated. Data was collected from 110 firefighters then processed as per instructions in the BSI-18 manual to identify clinical cases in each of the three scales of the assessment.
Findings
Results show that all factors influence the number of cases to different extents. Young, single firefighters with high school level education were found to have the highest number of extreme cases followed by those who are non-smokers and satisfied with their job. This study did not find a relationship between sleep disorder and job dissatisfaction with regard to the number of critical cases. The prevalence of anxiety, somatic and depression cases among firefighters was found to be 11.8%, 10.9% and 10%, respectively. These findings have implications for fire service work-organization policies and for the development and monitoring of treatment programs for firefighters.
Originality/value
This work presents a comprehensive assessment on common factors that may impact prevalence of mental distress among an underrepresented firefighter community. These findings have implications for fire service work-organization policies and for updating current monitoring programs or updating new programs for firefighters.