ROCHA I O, VIDAL L M and GUTERRES C D
Due to the Brazilian large territory, the network of ports was structured in order to to meet the demands at national and global scales. In southern Brazil, more specifically in…
Abstract
Due to the Brazilian large territory, the network of ports was structured in order to to meet the demands at national and global scales. In southern Brazil, more specifically in the State of Santa Catarina, the ports are an inseparable component of the set of characteristics which allowed the state to become, over the 20th century, one of the most industrialized regions in Brazil. The increase in industrial exports of Santa Catarina, mainly after the 1980s, resulted in a more diversified exporting agenda, which benefited from the existing transport infrastructure: roads, airports, rail ways, and ports. This research aimed at identifying and analyzing the main problems regarding ports infrastructure of the state, which affects the large exporting industries. The research methods used were: a) bibliographic and documents review; b) questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews with a diversified sample including 40 of the largest exporting companies in Santa Catarina; and c) processing and analysis of the data and information collected. The use of questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews aimed at: eliciting and characterizing the main problems facing the ports infrastructure in the state and identifying the competitive advantages and disadvantages compared to worldwide market competitors.
Details
Keywords
José-Luis Godos-Díez, Laura Cabeza-García, Almudena Martínez-Campillo and Roberto Fernández-Gago
Despite the relevance of firm size in the analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement, there is still much to know about the specific impact of firm size on CSR…
Abstract
Despite the relevance of firm size in the analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement, there is still much to know about the specific impact of firm size on CSR formalisation. Moreover, in order to better understand such a relation, the interaction effects of development strategies on which companies may base its growth, namely diversification and internationalisation, will be also taken into account. Specifically, this work contributes to shed light on these issues by combining theories related to external and internal drivers of CSR. Using a sample of Spanish listed firms, the results show that firm size affects positively CSR formalisation, and that this effect is stronger in the case of adopting a diversification strategy, while no evidence was found for the moderating effect of internationalisation strategy.
Details
Keywords
Sampa Chisumbe, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa, Erastus Mwanaumo and Wellington Didibhuku Thwala
M. Eugenia Sánchez-Vidal, David Cegarra-Leiva and Christine Cross
Attention on the issue of individual level conflict between work and life roles remains a feature of studies on work-life balance. However, few studies have examined gender…
Abstract
Purpose
Attention on the issue of individual level conflict between work and life roles remains a feature of studies on work-life balance. However, few studies have examined gender differences in the work-to-life conflict (WLC) and the life-to-work conflict (LWC) over a given period in Spain. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap in the literature.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a two-wave (2009–2014) sample of working employees with children from an industrial sector in Spain.
Findings
The 2009 results showed no gender differences in WLC; however, women experienced LWC significantly more than men. Conversely, the 2014 results showed more men suffered WLC and no gender differences were found for LWC.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation is that we do not know if the same respondents answered the questionnaires in both time periods. Second, we did not analyse the inter-role conflict experienced by childless or single employees. Finally, and as stated before, findings may not be generalisable to other countries or sectors of activities.
Social implications
Our findings are discussed in the context of the economic crisis, the labour market and family co-responsibility in Spanish society.
Originality/value
Few studies have explored gender differences on inter-role conflict at two time points, and helps to identify key findings in terms of co-responsibility. Furthermore, this research is conducted in Spain, which is under-researched in WLB terms. The paper also identifies two distinct constructs of the inter-role conflict.
Details
Keywords
Raunak Pahwa, Sapna Arora and Samandeep Kaur
Purpose: Consumer acceptance is considered the most important factor in functional food success and is given top priority in new product development. This study focussed on…
Abstract
Purpose: Consumer acceptance is considered the most important factor in functional food success and is given top priority in new product development. This study focussed on finding factors that influence consumer perceptions about active food and the pattern of active food consumption. This chapter aims to provide a deeper understanding of taste trading based on a consumer decision-making framework.
Research Methodology: Cross-sectional consumer data were collected by floating G-Doc containing the questionnaire which was supposed to be answered by people according to their behaviours, preferences, knowledge regarding functional foods etc. It contained questions about their income, gender, preference towards functional foods, factors affecting decision-making while purchasing functional foods etc.
Results of the Study: The findings suggest that the consumers' attitude towards functional foods was mainly influenced by the quality and suitability of the product. Purchase intent was found based on age, literacy of population, income and health benefits of active foods. Awareness of functional foods and their price significantly affected the purchase of functional foods. Most people were willing to spend more on functional foods in the future regardless of the taste and provided high quality and product suitability.
Details
Keywords
Solo travelling has been one of the rising types of travelling, especially after the pandemic. This study is focused on solo female travellers and aims to present a comprehensive…
Abstract
Solo travelling has been one of the rising types of travelling, especially after the pandemic. This study is focused on solo female travellers and aims to present a comprehensive literature review on solo travelling. For this aim, a detailed literature review is performed. The significance of this study lies in the recent developments in countries like Iran regarding women's rights, and it needs to be understood that women are powerful, and they can prove that by travelling solo. This study is aimed to contribute to women's empowerment because it is important to set various examples and pave the way for the next generations towards a more free, enlightened, conscious and modern future. As a segment, solo female travellers need to be characterised in terms of their demographics and motivations for solo travelling, and destinations should take precautions for their safety and security to be represented and promoted as a safe and modern location where the freedom of each individual is secured.
Details
Keywords
Clem Maidment, Allan Dyson and Jennifer Beard
The purpose of this paper is to provide food science or biology students with a simple and reliable method of determining the antibacterial activity of a range of foods and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide food science or biology students with a simple and reliable method of determining the antibacterial activity of a range of foods and biological materials that contain lysozyme.
Design/methodology/approach
The antibacterial effects of the materials reported to contain lysozyme were assayed by gel‐diffusion using the lysozyme‐sensitive bacterium Micrococcus lysodeikticus. The antibacterial effects of the selected test materials, namely fresh hen egg‐white, human saliva, Brussels sprouts, papaya and figs were compared against standard solutions of proprietary analytical crystalline hen egg‐white lysozyme.
Findings
The antibacterial activity of the test substances was similar to the effects of their lysozyme concentrations as quoted by other workers.
Research limitations/implications
Antibacterial activity was higher in avian egg‐white and human saliva than in the assayed plant material. Measurement of the activity in the plant material was at the limits of the sensitivity of the method.
Practical implications
The two main practical methods for measuring lysozyme are either a gel‐diffusion assay or a spectrophotometric procedure. Gel‐diffusion assay provides a convenient procedure for student investigative work as it has a limited requirement for method development. Additionally, it is simple, cheap, reproducible and does not require specialist equipment. Further possible investigations for students are suggested.
Originality/value
The paper builds on established techniques to provide a procedure that is appropriate for student use for determining lysozyme activity in a variety of biological materials.
Details
Keywords
Julio César Acosta-Prado, Julián Andrés Gómez Sánchez, Oscar Hernán López-Montoya and Arnold Alejandro Tafur-Mendoza
This study aims to analyze the influence of sustainable value creation (composed of social, economic and environmental dimensions) on organizational performance in Colombian…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the influence of sustainable value creation (composed of social, economic and environmental dimensions) on organizational performance in Colombian industrial manufacturing companies.
Design/methodology/approach
This study had a sample of 1,572 companies belonging to the Colombian manufacturing industrial sector. These companies were consulted by the survey of technological development and innovation in the manufacturing industry EDIT IX. For this study’s purpose, a model was developed from a variance-based structural equation modeling or partial least squares.
Findings
The results indicated that the associated mechanisms of the social, economic and environmental dimensions contribute in a significant, positive and large way to the creation of sustainable value for the companies studied. The findings show the importance of the social, economic and environmental dimensions in the creation of sustainable value and in turn, their influence on organizational performance.
Social implications
The findings obtained provide industrial companies and society with resources to understand that economic development can respond to business logic different from those imposed by current neoliberal models.
Originality/value
This study provides an understanding of the value capture mechanisms of small- and medium-sized companies considering the environmental needs of the territory and the community where the business activities take place while generating economic profitability for the other stakeholders.
Details
Keywords
Guidelines have been produced in nearly all developed countries to provide cost‐effective hospital care. The study's purpose, therefore, was to determine whether a London…
Abstract
Purpose
Guidelines have been produced in nearly all developed countries to provide cost‐effective hospital care. The study's purpose, therefore, was to determine whether a London hospital's anti‐microbial guidelines conform to this principle.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper's approach was a literature search to determine anti‐microbial therapies for certain diseases and comparing outcomes with what hospital guidelines recommend.
Findings
There are significant discrepancies in the hospital anti‐microbial guidelines and what is recommended in the literature.
Research limitations/implications
Local microbial patterns for these diseases were not studied as they were not formally available and these could have had an impact on guidelines recommendations.
Practical implications
Local guidelines influence day‐to‐day hospital clinical practice and their robustness is important. They need to comply with national and/or international guidelines. Deviations from these guidelines need appropriate comments within the documents to highlight their validity. Such an approach would facilitate medical students and junior doctor training who depend on these guidelines for good clinical practice.
Originality/value
The study provides an important contribution to developing hospital clinical guidelines.
Details
Keywords
Richard Kofi Opoku, Ramatu Issifu, Daniel Ofori, Sania Wafa and Alfred Asiedu
Although literature abounds on lean sustainability (LS), its contributions to manufacturing industries’ triple bottom line performance (TBLP) through top management commitment…
Abstract
Purpose
Although literature abounds on lean sustainability (LS), its contributions to manufacturing industries’ triple bottom line performance (TBLP) through top management commitment (TMC) remain scanty. This research explores the mediating role of TMC in the nexus between LS and TBLP.
Design/methodology/approach
Given the study’s quantitative focus, the causal design was utilised. The structured questionnaire, a survey instrument, was used to gather primary data from 285 manufacturing organisations in Ghana, a developing country. Data analysis was done with structural equation modelling.
Findings
It was found that LS and TMC positively influence TBLP, whereas TMC partially mediates the connection between LS and TBLP of Ghanaian manufacturing organisations.
Research limitations/implications
The study concentrates on Ghana’s manufacturing industry and embraces the stakeholder theory and quantitative methods.
Practical implications
This research underlines why top managers must prioritise investment in LS to promote sustainable development and attain their organisations’ TBLP targets. The study also provides key insights for top managers to consistently commit enormous resources towards developing lean practices, contributing favourably to TBLP. By establishing the interplay among LS, TMC and TBLP, manufacturing practitioners and researchers can further advance new strategies to address the growing sustainability concerns and achieve higher economic, social and environmental performance.
Originality/value
The study’s originality lies in analysing the mediation effect of TMC on the linkage between LS and TBLP in a developing economy where manufacturing organisations are continuously exposed to resource and waste management problems and lack adequate commitments from top managers towards sustainability initiatives. It is also the first to establish relationships between top management commitment and TBLP in the manufacturing industries of developing economies, concentrating on Ghana.