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LIBYA: Armed groups will remain difficult to dislodge
Ali Hassan Ali, Tarek Zayed, Sulemana Fatoama Abdulai and Roy Dong Wang
This study aims to explore the tower crane safety factors (TCSFs) that influence tower crane safe operations (TCSOs) in modular integrated construction (MiC). It evaluates how the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the tower crane safety factors (TCSFs) that influence tower crane safe operations (TCSOs) in modular integrated construction (MiC). It evaluates how the adoption of these factors contributes to achieving TCSOs and promoting sustainable practices (SPs) within MiC.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve this aim, the study employed a systematic search to ensure a comprehensive collection of variables. Additionally, it conducted a questionnaire survey involving professionals and utilized a brainstorming technique to categorize the different variables. Finally, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the relationship between TCSOs and SPs.
Findings
The results of measurement models indicated strong convergent and discriminant validity, with each observed variable correlating well with its latent variable. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between TCSOs and SPs was evidenced by a path coefficient (β = 0.755) and a p-value of <0.05. Lastly, the structural model revealed that the independent variables strongly influence the dependent variable (i.e. SPs) by 57%, underscoring safety's pivotal role in advancing sustainability within MiC projects. These findings provide empirical evidence that improving tower crane safety can directly enhance sustainable practices, offering a dual benefit of increased safety and sustainability for the construction sector.
Originality/value
This study makes a unique and previously undiscovered contribution to the field by identifying the TCSFs in MiC and employing a novel approach by utilizing PLS-SEM to create a unique mathematical model. It offers valuable insights into the relationship between TCSFs, TCSOs and SPs, thus contributing to methodological advancements within Safety Science and providing a foundation for future research and practical implementation in the construction industry.
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Ali Hashemi, Parsa Yazdanpanah Qaraei and Mostafa Shabanian-Poodeh
The aim of this paper is to provide a simple yet accurate and efficient geometric method for thermal homogenization of impregnated and non-impregnated coil winding technologies…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide a simple yet accurate and efficient geometric method for thermal homogenization of impregnated and non-impregnated coil winding technologies based on the concept of thermal resistance.
Design/methodology/approach
For regular windings, the periodic microscopic cell in the winding space is identified. Also, for irregular windings, the average microscopic cell of the winding is determined. An approximation is used to calculate the thermal resistance of the winding cell. Based on this approximation, the winding insulation is considered as a circular ring around the wire. Mathematical equations are obtained to calculate the equivalent thermal resistance of the cell. The equivalent thermal conductivity of the winding is calculated using equivalent thermal resistance of the cell. Winding thermal homogenization is completed by determining the equivalent thermal properties of the cell.
Findings
The thermal pattern of different windings is simulated and compared with the results of different homogenization methods. The results show that the proposed method is applicable for a wide range of windings in terms of winding scheme, packing factor and winding insulation. Also, the results show that the proposed method is more accurate than other winding homogenization methods in calculating the equivalent thermal conductivity of the winding.
Research limitations/implications
In this paper, the change of electrical resistance of the winding with temperature and thermal contact between the sub-components are ignored. Also, liquid insulators, such as oils, and rectangular wires were not investigated. Research in these topics is considered as future work.
Originality/value
Unlike other homogenization methods, the proposed method can be applied to non-impregnated and irregular windings. Also, compared to other homogenization methods, the proposed method has a simpler formulation that makes it easier to program and implement. All of these indicate the efficiency of the proposed method in the thermal analysis of the winding.
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Nadia A. Abdelmegeed Abdelwahed and Abdul Wahid Zehri
In this study, the researchers explored the influence of service quality-related constructs on patients’ satisfaction with Egyptian health-care centers.
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, the researchers explored the influence of service quality-related constructs on patients’ satisfaction with Egyptian health-care centers.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the researchers used a quantitative approach and concluded the study based on 316 valid cases collected from patients of Egyptian health-care centers.
Findings
Using path analysis with analysis of moment structures (AMOS), this study's results demonstrate that reliability and responsiveness, empathy, nursing care and medical care positively affect patients' satisfaction. On the other hand, the tangibles have a negative effect on patient satisfaction.
Practical implications
This study’s findings benefit policymakers by shaping evidence-based policies. Health-care managers can implement strategies that prioritize the identified factors and can foster a more patient-centric and effective health-care system. Also, this study’s findings guide health-care institutes to maintain human rights by serving poor and needy patients. More generally, this study's outcomes enrich the depth of the domain literature.
Originality/value
This study’s findings add to the existing knowledge and fill contextual gaps by confirming patients’ satisfaction with the service quality of Egyptian health-care centers.
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Utilizing the Stimulus-Organism-Response framework, this study examines how stimuli such as green sustainability efforts and brand image affect organisms namely brand experience…
Abstract
Purpose
Utilizing the Stimulus-Organism-Response framework, this study examines how stimuli such as green sustainability efforts and brand image affect organisms namely brand experience and brand trust, leading to brand-related outcomes such as brand affinity, brand satisfaction and purchase intention in the soft drink industry in Singapore.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was administered to a total of 243 members of several Singapore-based Facebook groups. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results show the positive effects of green sustainability efforts on brand image, brand experience and brand trust. Brand experience affects brand satisfaction, brand affinity and purchase intention, whereas brand trust affects brand satisfaction and purchase intention. Moreover, the mediating roles of brand experience and brand trust are verified.
Practical implications
To build strong consumer-brand relationships, managers can elevate brand experience and brand trust through the implementation of green sustainability efforts.
Originality/value
This study adds to the body of green sustainability literature by verifying the mediating effect of brand experience and brand trust in the relationship between green sustainability efforts and brand-related outcomes. The study clarifies the direct and indirect antecedents of brand affinity, brand satisfaction and purchase intention.
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Abdullah Fahad AlMulhim, Sanaa Mostafa Mohammed, Houcine Benlaria and Zouheyr Gheraia
The objectives of this research were to inspect the relationship of intellectual capital (IC), along with its dimensions (human, structural and internal and external relational…
Abstract
Purpose
The objectives of this research were to inspect the relationship of intellectual capital (IC), along with its dimensions (human, structural and internal and external relational capital) with innovation performance (IP), to explore entrepreneurial opportunity recognition (EOR) as a mediator between the IC and IP of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
This research used data collected via a well-structured questionnaire. The sample size was comprised of 457 participants who were owners and/or managers of SMEs in Saudi Arabia. Further, the findings were extracted from data using partial least squares (PLS) techniques.
Findings
The results indicated that all dimensions of IC, including human capital (HC), structural capital (SC), internal relational capital (IRC) and external relational capital (ERC), had a significant relation with both IP and EOR. It was also shown that EOR positively influenced IP. Furthermore, the results showed that EOR played an important role as a mediator between IC (HC, SC, IRC and ERC) and IP.
Practical implications
The present research offered a beneficial and novel managerial and theoretical strategy for improving a given firm’s IP with the support of IC and EOR. This finding offered a vision to the management teams of SMEs for full utilization of IC and IP. The present study also provided policymakers, administration and future studies with a path to improving the production and services of SMEs to secure market advantages.
Originality/value
According to the author’s best knowledge, the present research represented the first attempt to expose the mediating role of the EOR relationship between IC and IP. Furthermore, the present study also developed the relationship between dynamic capabilities (DC) theory, intellectual capital-based view (ICV) theory and resource-based view (RBV) theory, with variables that reveal the theoretical foundation of the study. Finally, the results of this study were verified by the existing literature.
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Ahmed Dabees, Andrej Lisec, Sahar Elbarky and Mahmoud Barakat
Reverse logistics (RL) activities are becoming crucial in today’s business environment because of their ability to enhance organizational capabilities to manage waste and…
Abstract
Purpose
Reverse logistics (RL) activities are becoming crucial in today’s business environment because of their ability to enhance organizational capabilities to manage waste and resources effectively and efficiently as an approach for achieving sustainability. These capabilities can eventually create sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). Drawing on resource-based view (RBV), this study posits RL as a tool to develop capabilities gained from high performance (financial and nonfinancial) to enhance SCA.
Design/methodology/approach
Covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze 1,207 responses collected from manufacturing organizations operating in Egypt. Data were gathered through an online survey sent via email to manufacturing organizations operating in Egypt, particularly Cairo, Giza and Alexandria, as these governorates contain most business activities in Egypt and hence high a percentage of waste.
Findings
Results indicated that RL activities (recycling, remanufacturing, repair, recondition and disposal) can fully mediate the relationship between organizational performance (financial and nonfinancial) and SCA. However, the remanufacturing and recycling mediating roles between financial performance and SCA were not significant.
Research limitations/implications
Applying this research in a developing country (Egypt) will help extend RBV and incentivize organizations to apply RL activities, which can potentially solve several environmental issues such as decreasing waste.
Originality/value
Using the research variables in combination will help in filling the literature gap as previous research focused on RL and only organizational operational performance, where RL was used as an independent variable with no illustration of how its dimensions affect performance or its mediating role between performance and SCA.
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Sameh Ammar and Mostafa Kamal Hassan
This study explores the configurations of management control systems (MCSs) while taking into account entrepreneurial cognition styles (ECSs) in small and medium enterprises…
Abstract
This study explores the configurations of management control systems (MCSs) while taking into account entrepreneurial cognition styles (ECSs) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The objective is to understand the impact of ECS on deployment and identify the various modes of MCS configurations employed by SMEs. The authors draw on and synthesise two theoretical perspectives relating to cognition and management control packages to understand the associations between ECS and MCS employed by SMEs in managing their business. This study was conducted using a quantitative approach that utilises a questionnaire survey to collect cross-sectional data from 150 SMEs. The authors uncovered three cognitive styles: knowing (e.g. preciseness), planning (e.g. organising), and creativity (e.g. innovativeness). Furthermore, five configurations of MCS utilised by SMEs were identified: customer focus, performance monitoring, administrative focus, strategic focus, and development focus. By combining both analyses, the authors discovered three constellations of significant association between ECS and MCS characterised by Cluster 1’s cohesive integration approach, Cluster 2’s revealing strategic approach, and Cluster 3’s multifaceted exploration. The study is significant because it uncovers the complex relationship between ECS and MCS configurations, highlighting their interdependence within the institutional context. Using a cognitive view, the authors explore how the cognitive styles of entrepreneurs facilitated imprinting institutional context into MCS configurations. These insights enable us to envisage that ECS is not mutually exclusive but forms a continuum that provides more plausible explanations that relax the direct universal relationship between MCS configurations and contextual factors.
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Yasean A. Tahat, Ahmed Hassanein, Ahmed R. ElMelegy and Raghid Al Hajj
This study aims to provide an exhaustive review and analysis of accounting research conducted on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide an exhaustive review and analysis of accounting research conducted on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study combines bibliometric and content analysis techniques to analyze 811 Scopus peer-reviewed research articles from 1998 to 2023, written by 1,195 authors. It quantifies the annual scientific production, examines the main publication venues, visualizes collaboration and various bibliometric networks, identifies thematic research categories and provides a roadmap for future research directions.
Findings
The findings reveal phenomenal progress in accounting research on the GCC countries, evidenced by an increased number of peer-reviewed articles, scholars and countries involved. Likewise, a “homophily impact” exists among the productive authors, meaning they share a disciplinary or thematic similarity in their research interests. Besides, there is an apparent weakness in the research collaboration between GCC countries and their global counterparts. Furthermore, four main broad thematic categories of accounting research on the GCC countries were identified: (1) corporate governance, (2) Islamic banks, (3) corporate social responsibility and (4) intellectual capital. Building on the findings, we formulated a comprehensive agenda for guiding future research directions.
Originality/value
This study is the first to thoroughly evaluate accounting research within the GCC countries, utilizing a large sample of 811 peer-reviewed research papers indexed in Scopus from 1998 to 2023. The results are helpful, offer valuable insights and pave the way for future research avenues.
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Sheak Salman, Hasin Md. Muhtasim Taqi, S.M. Shafaat Akhter Nur, Usama Awan and Syed Mithun Ali
This study aims to address the critical challenge of implementing lean manufacturing (LM) in emerging economies, where sustainability complexities on the production floor hinder…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to address the critical challenge of implementing lean manufacturing (LM) in emerging economies, where sustainability complexities on the production floor hinder production efficiency and the transition towards a circular economy (CE). Addressing a gap in existing research, the paper introduces a path analysis model to systematically identify, prioritize and overcome LM implementation barriers, aiming to enhance performance through strategic removal.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a mixed-method approach, combining empirical survey data with literature reviews to pinpoint key LM barriers. Using the grey-based Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) along with the Network Knowledge (NK) method, they mapped causal relationships and barrier intensities. This formed the basis for developing a path simulation algorithm, integrating heuristic considerations for practical decision-making.
Findings
This analysis reveals that the primary barriers to LM adoption is the negative perception and inadequate understanding of lean tools and CE principles. The study provides a strategic framework for managers, offering new insights into barrier prioritization and overcoming strategies to facilitate successful LM adoption.
Research limitations/implications
This research provides a strategic pathway for overcoming LM implementation barriers, empowering managers in emerging economies to enhance sustainability and competitive advantage through LM and CE integration. It emphasizes the significance of structured barrier management in the manufacturing sector.
Originality/value
This research pioneers a systematic exploration of LM implementation barriers in the CE context, making a significant contribution to the literature. It identifies, evaluates barriers and proposes a practical model for overcoming them, enriching sustainable manufacturing practices in emerging markets.
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