bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting consumer healthy choices regarding type 1 wheat flour
Authors: Fiore Mariantonietta , Gallo Crescenzio , Tsoukatos Evangelos , La Sala Piermichele
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Healthy and safety food issues are more and more becoming the purchasing process core of conscious consumer. “Type 1” wheat flour means higher protein and ash content. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the attributes usually referred to the characteristics of wheat flour known to consumers and at implementing a predictive model of purchasing that allows to make correct decisions without the necessary experience of a real human expert.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to investigate the research aims of the paper, an online survey was carried out and conducted by means of the Google Forms in the detection time January-April 2016. The online survey collected responses from 467 Italian respondents asked to give feedback about their buying habits of various types of flour. The responses were analyzed through a data mining approach. This paper implements predictive analytics to create a statistical model of future behavior by means of a machine learning algorithms.

Findings

In line with recent healthy and dynamic trends in the food industry, conscious consumer seems to be willing to pay a price for “type 1” wheat flour that is four times higher than the price related to the basic types of wheat flour.

Social implications

Consumer seems not to know well the “type 1” wheat flour and its healthy characteristics; then, it should be crucial to implement promotional strategies and marketing hand in hand. Promotion can be a key element in putting across the health benefits of special kinds of wheat flour.

Originality/value

Highlighting health issues about the “type 1” wheat flour gives insights and sheds some light on the crucial need of changing eating and purchasing behavior. Then, originality of this paper can be found in the used predictive algorithm of the artificial intelligence.
Longitudinal patterns of unmet needs during Texas floods, May-June 2015
Authors: Tai Teresa Wai Chi , Lee Jee Young , Bame Sherry I.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

In Spring 2015, Texas experienced record-breaking floods, causing deaths, injuries, and widespread property and infrastructure damage. However, little is known about those who encountered access barriers to disaster support in Texas. The purpose of this paper is to examine the unmet disaster-related needs from 2-1-1 calls during evacuation, flooding, and early recovery phases.

Design/methodology/approach

The 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network’s caller database was used to identify real time, non-emergency, unmet disaster-related caller needs longitudinally. The two-month study period included a baseline week before flashflood (05/01/2015) into early recovery (06/30/2015). Caller unmet needs were categorized and graphed by type daily throughout the study period.

Findings

Of the 4,880 disaster-related 2-1-1 calls from Texas’ 254 counties, 1,183 callers needed housing help, compared to 442 utilities, 409 food and 109 medically related assistance. Total calls quickly peaked at 405 calls/day during Memorial Day weekend when Greater Houston flooded. Despite total calls decreasing gradually during recovery, they remained four times higher than baseline. Unmet needs varied by type, especially during early recovery. Housing, food, and medical unmet needs surged when Houston flooded. Although medical calls were lowest volume than other basic needs, demand for medical assistance had a higher threshold throughout early recovery.

Practical implications

Examination of unmet needs over disaster phases identified longitudinal patterns of demand and effectiveness of disaster management efforts.

Originality/value

Using real-time 2-1-1 data to monitor types of unmet demand is valuable to tailor timely and effective disaster support, reduce access barriers, and allocate disaster support services and supplies to the vulnerable communities.
Examining livelihood risk perceptions in disaster resettlement
Authors: Guo Xuesong , Kapucu Naim
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Although many disaster resettlement programs are implemented throughout the world, their ramifications continue to challenge our understanding of scope, impact, context, and nature of efforts to rebuild livelihoods. The purpose of this paper is to examine involved rural farmers’ livelihood risk perceptions (LRPs) in Southern Shaanxi Disaster Resettlement based on the case of Ziyang County.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing a livelihood risk perspective, this paper identified factors contributing to LRPs. The research categorized the involved rural farmers into groups and explored the factors affecting their LRPs using decision tree (DT).

Findings

Analyzing LRPs of different groups, this paper derived influential factors and the decision rules followed by groups. Additionally, critical factors were discussed according to their relative importance for decision making and to propose some intervention measures for effectiveness.

Originality/value

The results and implications enhance understanding on how local community members perceive the problem or risk in disaster resettlement. The application of a DT also provides methodological contributions for risk analysis and disaster preparedness.
Corporate accountability in the Samarco chemical sludge disaster
Authors: da Costa Karen
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore avenues of corporate accountability in disasters, using the Samarco chemical sludge disaster, which took place in 2015 in Brazil, as case study.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers possible ways of enhancing corporate accountability in disasters, focusing on one particular international mechanism on multinational enterprises (MNEs), which addresses both human rights and environmental issues. The research is based on the location and assessment of a variety of written sources (i.e. normative instruments, academic literature, publications by practitioners, civil society organizations, and the media). The paper makes suggestions on the potential of using existent international accountability mechanisms in similar disasters.

Findings

The paper identifies key measures taken by national authorities to address the disaster. It also considers how the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Guidelines for MNEs could be used to pursue corporate accountability.

Research limitations/implications

This is a desk-based research, chiefly conducted on documental analysis rather than fieldwork.

Practical implications

The paper might provide useful insights for organizations and communities facing similar challenges linked to multinational corporate activities that adversely affect human rights and the environment.

Originality/value

The study brings to attention normative standards relatively unknown to the disaster community, which may help raise interest on them, and lead to their potential use in future disaster situations. Furthermore, to date the Samarco chemical sludge has received scant attention from the academic literature.
Regulating disasters? The role of international law in disaster prevention and management
Authors: Aronsson-Storrier Marie , da Costa Karen
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of international law in disaster prevention and management, with a particular focus on the emerging field of international disaster law (IDL), and its relationship with international human rights law. It further introduces the four articles of the special column of this journal issue, dedicated to disasters and international law.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based upon primary sources of legislation and policy, as well as academic literature on disasters and international law.

Findings

Although the field of IDL is in its infancy, the authors argue that this emergent area does have the potential to gain widespread recognition as a distinct field of law, and that this may benefit the wider disaster management community.

Originality/value

The paper introduces key legal features and themes relating to international law and disasters, highlighting their relevance for disaster management. The added value is to widen the discussion on aspects of disasters regulated by international law, thus facilitating the future exchange with other academic subjects and operational fields.
Climate corridors for strategic adaptation planning
Authors: Orlowsky Boris , Calanca Pierluigi , Ali Irshad , Ali Jawad , Elguera Hilares Agustin , Huggel Christian , Khan Inamullah , Neukom Raphael , Nizami Arjumand , Qazi Muhammad Abbas , Robledo Carmenza , Rohrer Mario , Salzmann Nadine , Schmidt Kaspar
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Although the importance of climate change is generally acknowledged, its impacts are often not taken into account explicitly when planning development projects. This being due to limited resources, among others, this paper aims to propose a simple and low-cost approach to assess the viability of human activities under climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

Many human activities are feasible only within a narrow range of climatic conditions. Comparing such “climate corridors” with future climate projections provides an intuitive yet quantitative means for assessing needs for, and the viability of, adaptation activities under climate change.

Findings

The approach was tested within development projects in Pakistan, Peru and Tajikistan. The approach was shown to work well for forestry and agriculture, indicating positive/negative prospects for wheat in two districts in Pakistan, temperature constraints for maize in Peru and widening elevation ranges for walnut trees in Tajikistan.

Practical implications

Climate corridor analyses feed into the preparation of Local Adaptation Plans of Action in Pakistan.

Originality/value

The simplicity and robustness of climate corridor analysis allow for efficient analysis and communication of climate change impacts. It works when data availability is limited, but it can as well accommodate a wide range of complexities. It has proven to be an effective vehicle for mainstreaming climate change into adaptation planning.
Exploring HR practitioners’ perspective on employer branding and its role in organisational attractiveness and talent management
Authors: Maheshwari Vishwas , Gunesh Priya , Lodorfos George , Konstantopoulou Anastasia
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The latest research in the field of employer branding highlights a mix of marketing principles and recruitment practices, based on the concept that, just as customers have perceptions of an organisation’s brand, then so do other stakeholders including employees. However, the emphasis has been on organisations, which predominantly operate in developed countries typically with Westernised-individualistic cultures. This paper aims to investigate employer branding for service organisations’ image and attraction as an employer in a non-Western culture.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the perceptions of human resources’ professionals and practitioners on the role of employer branding in employer attractiveness and talent management, within Mauritian banking sector. The data collection for this qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with senior managers from Mauritian banking organisations, including multinational enterprises, small business unit banks and Mauritian banks.

Findings

Analysis of the findings showed that organisations, and banks in this case, are increasingly competing to attract highly skilled personnel in various professional areas; therefore, those organisations that attract the best talent will have a distinct edge in the marketplace. Furthermore, findings from the semi-structured interviews with senior managers suggest that employer branding remains at the embryonic stage within the Mauritian banking sector; therefore, a clear need exists for a more developed strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The outcomes of this study call for re-engineering with regards to managerial collaboration in organisations for the successful design and implementation of the employer branding strategy. The empirical findings from the Mauritian banking sector show that the strategic position occupied by the human resource function is still at an embryonic stage as regards with the competitiveness of banks as service organisations.

Practical implications

The study presents a need for the development and maintenance of long-term collaborative and trust-based relationships between the human resource and marketing functions.

Originality/value

The insights provided through this study addresses the dearth of academic research on employer branding on the African continent while providing invaluable information from a human resource professional perspective.
Impact of customer orientation on turnover intention: mediating role of emotional labour
Authors: Wu Xue , Shie An-Jin , Gordon David
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the frontline employees’ emotional labour can illustrate the relationship between customer orientation (CO) and turnover intention in the hospitality industry. The study applies the job demands and resources (JD-R) theory to explain the relationship between variables in the proposed model.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper surveys a sample of 378 frontline employees in the hospitality industry.

Findings

The findings of this study show that the CO is strongly and positively associated with turnover intention. The three dimensions of emotional labour are all partially mediated with the relationship between CO and turnover intention.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study include the sample came from seven five-star hotels in Beijing, China. This study used perceptual self-reported measures, which may generate exaggerated relationships among variables. These issues are addressed in the analysis.

Practical implications

First, the recruitment and selection of frontline employees should incorporate an assessment of the level of CO. Second, hospitality management should train employees in the proper control of emotional labour.

Social implications

Hospitality should make efforts to supply job resources, such as providing delicious food; more promotion opportunities; better training and recreation programs; more clarified job definitions; and position autonomy. Moreover, good interpersonal relationships, regular recreational activities and sharing working experiences with colleagues may be applied to cope with job demands.

Originality/value

This study is to explain the roles of the three dimensions of emotional labour (surface acting, genuine emotion and deep acting) in the relationship between CO and turnover intention. More specifically, this study demonstrates why hospitality employees with high (or low) CO have low (or high) levels of turnover intention applying the concept of emotional labour based on JD-R theory.
Green human resource management
Authors: Mishra Pavitra
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the status and challenges of green human resource management practices in India, an under-researched area. Further, it proposes a theoretical framework to fill the identified gaps and build a sustainable organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Multimethod approach was used. The research was conducted in two phases. Archival research was conducted in the first phase, and a case study technique was employed in the second phase. In the first phase, an extensive literature review was carried out to gather insights on prevalent green human resource activities and their link with sustainable organizational development. In the second phase, data were collected from the manufacturing organizations to analyze the status of the activities identified in the first phase.

Findings

This study highlights status of green human resource practices such as environmental training, green recruitment, performance appraisal, employee involvement and compensation. The findings suggest that there is further scope to utilize the full potential of GHRM practices for encouraging pro-environmental behavior in the organizations. Analyses of data also reveal that top-management support and mutual learning among departments are crucial to facilitate green behaviors among employees.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a comprehensive literature review of green-human resource management practices. It suggests an interdisciplinary framework for building holistic sustainable organizations by integrating learnings from green human resource management, green supply-chain management, competitive advantage strategy and green corporate social responsibility. It highlights gaps in the system and provides insights to managers and policy makers on building holistic sustainable organizations.

Originality/value

This study fulfills the need to explore green human resource management in emerging economies like India. Studies like these are more important in developing countries, which have alarming environmental concerns and poorly implemented government regulations.
Communications between managers of manufacturing units of multinational corporations
Authors: Gurkov Igor , Saidov Zokirshon
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The paper identifies the factors that shape the intensity and perceived effectiveness of communications between heads of manufacturing units of multinational corporations (MNCs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a survey of heads of MNCs’ manufacturing subsidiaries in Russia.

Findings

The authors found that the intensity of most inter-unit communication channels depends on the speed and magnitude of the changes experienced by manufacturing subsidiaries in products and production technologies. The assessment of the efficiency of a communication channel with high media richness strongly correlates to the intensity of its use.

Practical implications

Subsidiary managers are quickly mastering most easy-to-use channels (i.e. e-mail exchange, talking on the phone, reading corporate magazines) by themselves, but are minimizing their participation in time-consuming activities (i.e. corporate-wide and special conferences, arranging informal meetings with foreign peers) unless they have to manage rapid changes in products and production technologies. Thus, to intensify the voluntary use of inter-unit channels with high media richness, headquarters should instill in subsidiary managers the value of cooperation between manufacturing units. Moreover, the effectiveness of inter-unit channels with high media richness should be properly demonstrated to subsidiary managers to assuage their initial reluctance.

Originality/value

This paper presents communications between manufacturing units of multinational corporations not as the transfer of abstract knowledge but as routine processes of exchange of detailed information on valuable improvements of the existing practices and solutions to technical and organizational problems common in facility development and mastering new products.
An empirical assessment of administration and planning activity and their impact on the realization of sustainability-related initiatives and programs in higher education
Authors: Semeraro Elizabeth , Boyd Neil M.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Administrators in higher-education settings routinely create planning documents that help steer the organization in mission-centric ways. In the area of sustainability planning, strategic plans, sustainability plans and climate action plans are the most common methods used. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if specific forms of planning predict sustainability outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This question was evaluated via an empirical archival study of the AASHE STARS database in relation to planning, administration and governance credits and criteria to determine if specific forms of planning were predictive of sustainability implementation outcomes in the categories of Education and Research, Operations, Diversity and Affordability, Human Resources, Investment, Public Engagement and Innovation.

Findings

Findings support the notion that climate action plans were most predictive of achieving sustainability outcomes, and strategic plans were best able to predict educational outcomes.

Practical implications

These findings have important implications for the design and execution of sustainability planning processes in higher-education institutions.

Originality/value

The academic literature contains relatively few empirical studies that demonstrate the capacity of planning on the realization of sustainability outcomes.
Strategies to promote sustainability in higher education institutions
Authors: Berchin Issa Ibrahim , Grando Vanessa dos Santos , Marcon Gabriela Almeida , Corseuil Louise , Guerra José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze strategies that promote sustainability in higher education institutions (HEIs), focusing on the case study of a federal institute of higher education in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was based on a scientific literature review on sustainability in HEIs, to identify the recurrent actions for sustainability in these institutions; and a case study of a federal institute of higher education in Brazil, to illustrate how these actions are being implemented by HEIs.

Findings

Concerns about sustainability, prompted by the Brazilian federal legislature, led federal HEI to change its internal processes, infrastructure and organizational culture toward sustainability.

Practical implications

The findings presented in this study, more specifically the sustainability plan of the Federal Institute for Education, Science and Technology of Santa Catarina, aligned with the recommendations proposed, can be used and replicated in other HEIs.

Originality/value

Scientific literature about organizational changes led by sustainability concerns, in HEIs specifically, still needs more attention in the academia. By addressing the case of a Brazilian public institution of higher education, this paper contributes to the literature on sustainability in higher education by reporting the process of implementation of a sustainability plan.
Higher education institutions: a strategy towards sustainability
Authors: Casarejos Fabricio , Frota Mauricio Nogueira , Gustavson Laura Morten
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to guide higher education institutions (HEIs) in accomplishing sustainability goals while strengthening their associated systems and processes. Pursuing this goal, this study proposes a conceptual framework for modeling the HEI organizational environment; a set of strategic sustainability actions to drive movements toward sustainability; and an assessment scheme incorporating four indices to measure the degree of commitment, parity, difficulty and institutional performance throughout the implementation process of the actions proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

Development of the work included a literature review focused on internationally established concepts, recommendations and guidelines aimed at driving HEIs to fully acknowledge the principles of sustainable development, a study of the state-of-the-art evaluation frameworks for sustainability and an analysis of scientific studies on sustainability in HEIs and society.

Findings

The overall approach proposed proved to be robust, as it synthesizes global concepts, recommendations and guidelines endorsed by key international organizations and researchers thoroughly discussed in worldwide publications related to sustainability. Moreover, the conceptual framework for modeling the HEI organizational environment, the strategic sustainability actions formulated and the assessment scheme are confirmed to be a practical and realistic strategy for assisting HEIs to effectively achieve their sustainability targets and goals.

Practical implications

Facilitation of institutional performance assessment using the hands-on tool proposed to drive HEIs toward sustainability.

Originality/value

Few studies have proposed multidimensional approaches and indices to assess the institutional performance of HEIs in implementing sustainability actions.
Sustainability consciousness of pre-service teachers in Pakistan
Authors: Kalsoom Qudsia , Khanam Afifa , Quraishi Uzma
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention towards sustainability consciousness (SC) of pre-service teachers (student teachers) as their role is central in teaching for sustainable development. This paper investigated SC of the pre-service teachers in Pakistan and compared it with other undergraduate students in the country and with that of Swedish upper secondary students.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used survey method using a tool developed by a group of Canadian researchers to measure knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable development. The instrument was later adapted by a group of Swedish researchers to measure SC. Study data came from 207 pre-service teachers and 154 undergraduate students studying humanities.

Findings

The paper reports that SC of the pre-service teachers in Pakistan is much lower than that of Swedish upper secondary students. Moreover, the paper indicates that the SC of pre-service teachers is not different from other undergraduate students in the country.

Practical implications

This paper establishes a baseline of SC of the final-year pre-service teachers enrolled in BEd (Honours) programme in Pakistan. Such a study is critical in the context when ESD is a missing element in teacher education in Pakistan. In the presence of such a baseline study, teacher education institutes and departments might review their curricula in terms of their focus on ESD and plan for initiatives to educate pre-service teachers for sustainability.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a broader debate on measuring SC of university students.
Defining sustainability in higher education: a rhetorical analysis
Authors: Weisser Christian R.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the diverse definitions of sustainability in higher education, focusing on the rhetorical uses of the term among various institutions within the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with an overview of the term sustainability in political and public discourse, using that as a gateway to understanding the rhetorical uses of the term. Through this framework, the paper begins a vital discussion about university texts and what they reveal about sustainability in US higher education.

Findings

The author finds that university definitions of sustainability reveal a similar malleability and fluidity as definitions in political and public discourse, while at the same time revealing particular trends in the ways in which concepts of interconnection, technological problem-solving and temporality persist in definitions of the term in higher education.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis is limited to definitions of sustainability used by several representative institutions within AASHE. Further studies should provide a more comprehensive analysis of a larger sampling of AASHE institutions as well as universities not affiliated with AASHE.

Practical implications

Administrators and educators at institutes of higher education must account for the ways in which definitions of sustainability are tied to an institution’s goals, agendas and material circumstances. Developing a better understanding of how such definitions emerge can provide greater clarity in enacting change.

Originality/value

This paper melds together rhetorical theories on sustainability with broader research on the use of the term in higher education. As such, it offers a unique interdisciplinary perspective on rhetoric, sustainability and higher education.
Deterrence by public diplomacy
Authors: Hartig Falk
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the growing public diplomacy literature as it focuses on the crucial, but so far largely unnoticed negative dimension of public diplomacy by analyzing information campaigns targeting unwanted people as one instrument of public diplomacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the cases of Australia and Germany this paper analyses the public diplomacy narratives of these two countries and contrasts those with the messages both countries communicate to potential migrants/refuges through a number of information campaigns. Based on this assessment the paper highlights the negative dimension of public diplomacy and discusses how this negative dimension influences the conduct of public diplomacy.

Findings

Both cases clearly exemplify that public diplomacy is no altruistic affair and that public diplomacy is facing new challenges due to this concurrence of opposing images it aims to communicate. It further illustrates that this negative dimension not only challenges the understanding of public diplomacy, but at the same time exemplifies a communicative predicament which, it is argued, cannot be solved satisfactory and requires a trade-off between deterrence and attraction. The predicament arises from the dichotomy of presenting a positive image of a country to produce endorsement and sympathy as well as to attract tourists and investment, while at the same time communicating a negative image to deter uninvited people from entering the country.

Practical implications

Referring to this communicative predicament, the paper suggests that those campaigns are unrewarding for two reasons: first, they apparently do not achieve their objectives and at the same time undermine other public diplomacy initiatives.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the normally neglected fact that public diplomacy is not only concerned with presenting a positive image of a country and winning hearts and minds, but that public diplomacy also has a negative dimension which needs more academic analysis and practitioner’s attention.
Latent geotechnical pathogens inducing cost overruns in highway projects
Authors: Amadi Alolote Ibim , Higham Anthony
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the statistical validity of geotechnical risk factors in accounting for cost overruns in highway projects. The study hypothesises that “latent pathogens” because of mismanaged geotechnical risk, which lay dormant in organisational practices of highway agencies, trigger cost overruns.

Design/methodology/approach

To test this hypothesis, cost and geotechnical data gathered for 61 completed highway projects, executed in the Niger Delta, recording unusually high cost overruns, along with qualitative data from 16 interviews with the project commissioners, were comprehensively analysed via regression modelling, to statistically explain recorded cost variance.

Findings

The results provide empirical evidence supporting a cause–effect relationship between the extent of cost overrun and key geotechnical factors. It is suggested that positive changes made in the geotechnical practices of the highway agencies will produce an expected exponential decrease in the level of cost overruns recorded in highway projects.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to explaining the propagation of unusually high cost overruns in the geologic setting of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. As such there is a need to test the generalisability of the theory presented.

Practical implications

The emergent view of geotechnical practice calls for further research, necessary to align geotechnical best practice into highway project delivery in the Niger Delta region.

Originality/value

The study used a robust methodological approach to understanding the propagation of cost overruns in highway projects, based on a characterisation of geotechnical intricacies, which is unprecedented in cost overrun research.
Project bank accounts: the second wave of security of payment?
Authors: Griffiths Rachel , Lord Wayne , Coggins Jeremy
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify building contractors’ views as to the need for, impact of and barriers to the use of project bank accounts (PBAs) in the UK construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional research study was carried out by the use of questionnaires to collect quantitative data. The population for the research was of construction professionals working as full-time employees for either main (Tier 1) or specialist contractors (Tiers 2-4).

Findings

Contractors consider PBAs as an effective initiative to encourage fair payment. There is uncertainty, however, as to whether PBAs will result in project cost savings. Head contractor resistance is perceived to be the biggest barrier to the use of PBAs. Adoption of PBAs in private-sector construction projects is likely to be slow.

Research limitations/implications

The relative infancy of PBA usage in the construction industry means that responses are largely based on awareness as opposed to experience. Nevertheless, survey data represent a snapshot of contractors’ perceptions with respect to PBAs, which may be used as a benchmark against which to compare future studies to monitor how contractors’ views and expectations have changed with time.

Originality/value

The survey results will be of particular interest to those international jurisdictions who are considering, or who have already embarked on, the path of trialling and/or using PBAs in the public sector.
Dealing with a changing work environment: hospital job type contingencies
Authors: van Harten Jasmijn , Knies Eva , Leisink Peter
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to examine whether workers in various hospital job groups differ in their perceptions of the provision of managerial support, and of their up-to-date expertise (UDE), willingness to change (WTC) and employment opportunities (EO). Second, to examine whether and how the relationships between managerial support, workers’ UDE, WTC and their EO are moderated by hospital job type.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 1,764 employees of three Dutch hospitals. ANOVAs and structural equation modeling were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The research findings indicate significant differences between the hospital job groups with regard to UDE, WTC and EO. No support was found for differences on managerial support nor for a moderating effect of hospital job type. The latter means that the relationships of managerial support with workers’ UDE, WTC and EO are independent of job type.

Originality/value

Based on the findings, a classification system is constructed that shows how hospital workers’ UDE, WTC and EO can be explained by the combination of the educational level required by a job and its degree of specialization.
Investigating the consumer behavior for halal endorsed products
Authors: Khan Mubbsher Munawar , Asad Humaira , Mehboob Irsa
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the determinants of consumer behavior for buying halal endorsed products in an emerging Muslim market, Pakistan. The study is based on the conceptual framework of the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

It was hypothesized that halal endorsement affects consumer behavior and significantly influences the consumers’ purchase intention. In addition to the main dimensions of TPB model, the study incorporates two other variables to articulate the TPB model specifically for the situation under hand. A sample of 497 respondents was chosen using convenience random sampling and categorized on the basis of age group, academic qualification, income, profession, etc. A cross-sectional study was done using self-administered questionnaires to conduct surveys and results were analyzed using techniques such as Pearson correlation, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that religious commitment, motivation to comply, self-identity and perceived behavioral control have a positive and significant effect on the intention to purchase halal endorsed products. The empirical evidence indicates that the individuals who consider themselves as distinct Muslims, i.e. perceive that they have a well-defined self-identity, a higher level of behavioral control, religious commitment and a strong motivation to comply with the Shariah teachings about halal buying, end up buying halal-endorsed products.

Research limitations/implications

This paper has certain limitations such as using the convenience sampling and focusing mostly on young and Muslim buyers. Future studies may overcome such shortcomings by specifically targeting more mature and elderly buyers and buyers with diverse ethnicity and religions who may have greater level of control on making purchase decision regarding religiously endorsed products.

Originality/value

This pioneering study was one of its first types being conducted in Pakistan. It highlighted important aspects for marketers about an emerging Muslim market that certain segments of consumers who show a distinct self-identity, have a greater urge to comply with Shariah teachings and maintain a greater control over decision-making end up buying halal goods.
Impact of Islamic religiosity on materialistic values in Turkey
Authors: Ilter Burcu , Bayraktaroglu Gul , Ipek Ilayda
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test Islamic religiosity scale’s reliability and validity and to evaluate the impact of Islamic religiosity on materialism in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative research method, a self-administered survey was distributed to the students of two faculties – Faculty of Theology and Faculty of Business – of the same university in Izmir, Turkey. In total, 400 questionnaires for each faculty were distributed and a total of 529 completed questionnaires – 326 from the Faculty of Theology and 203 from the Faculty of Business – were returned. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted via SPSS and AMOS.

Findings

Islamic religiosity and materialism have been found to be negatively correlated, supporting the existing literature. However, not all the dimensions of Islamic religiosity (behavioral religiosity, spiritual religiosity and necessity of religion) had this negative effect on materialism (possession-defined success, acquisition centrality and acquisition as the pursuit of happiness). Negative influence of “behavioral religiosity” on all three dimensions of materialism was observed. However, the “spirituality” dimension of religiosity was found to have a positive impact, while the “necessity of religion” had no significant impact on the dimensions of materialism.

Research limitations/implications

A sample consisting of undergraduate students might limit the generalizability of the findings to Turkish Islamic population in general. This study is one of the first attempts to test the Islamic religiosity scale which needs to be further analyzed and developed.

Originality/value

The present study will contribute to the literature by testing an Islamic religiosity scale developed by a Turkish researcher. Besides, this is the only study undertaken on the impact of Islamic religiosity on materialism using an Islamic religiosity scale.
Analyzing the interaction of factors for flexibility in supply chains
Authors: Singh Rajesh Kr. , Koul Saroj , Kumar Pravin
Published: September 2017

Purpose

In the present scenario of global competition and economic recession, most of the organizations are facing tough challenge to survive in the market because of shortening product life cycle and reducing profit margin. Customers are seeking better design, production and delivery, which have made firms to concentrate on flexibility in supply chains. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify major factors and develop a suitable framework for flexibility in supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on literature review, about 14 factors have been identified. To develop relationship among these factors, a team of five experts from industry and academia was formed. Based on inputs from experts, different relationships are developed among factors to form structural self-interaction matrix (SSIM). Based on this matrix, a flexibility framework is developed by interpretive structural modelling approach.

Findings

Top management commitment, strategy development for flexible SC, application of advance technology and IT tools, information sharing in SC members, trust development among supply chain members have emerged as major driving factors. Logistics and warehouse management, suppliers flexibility, distribution flexibility and manufacturing flexibility have emerged as dependent factors.

Research limitations/implications

Framework developed in this study is based on interpretive structural modelling. This framework can be further validated with some case analysis and empirical findings.

Originality/value

Findings of the study can be useful for industry professionals to develop strategies for flexible supply chains. It will help them in taking new initiatives for making supply chains more responsive and proactive for customers demand.
Modeling the key barriers to lean construction using interpretive structural modeling
Authors: Khaba Sorokhaibam , Bhar Chandan
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the key barriers to lean implementation in the construction industry using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and Matrice d’ Impacts Croisés-Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement (MICMAC) analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 13 barriers to lean construction (LC) have been identified through extensive review of literature and subsequently eliciting expert opinions. A proper hierarchy and contextual relationship of the barriers have been developed using ISM, and based on the driving and dependence power of the barriers, three groups of barriers have been found using MICMAC analysis.

Findings

Cultural differences are found to be the most important barrier to LC, whereas employees’ resistance to change and lack of performance measurement systems are the least significant barriers.

Research limitations/implications

The work is limited to literature review and experts’ opinion, and the model may be tested using structural equation modeling to verify the relationship of the barriers.

Practical implications

This ISM-based model would help the decision-makers, researchers and practitioners to prioritize and manage these barriers by better utilizing their resources for eliminating or minimizing the barriers to lean implementation.

Originality/value

The study of barriers to LC through an ISM-based model and the classification of barriers is a new attempt in the field of construction.
Knowledge integration in manufacturing technology development
Authors: Ahlskog Mats , Bruch Jessica , Jackson Mats
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze knowledge integration in manufacturing technology development projects required to build competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal case study has been conducted at a Swedish manufacturing company by following a manufacturing technology development project in real time during a two-year period.

Findings

The results show that three different knowledge integration processes exist when developing unique manufacturing technology: processes for capturing, for joint learning, and for absorb learning. The findings of the current research suggest that the three knowledge integration processes are highly interrelated with each knowledge integration process affecting the other two.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of the research is primarily associated with the single case, which limits generalizability outside the context that was studied.

Practical implications

The findings are particularly relevant to manufacturing engineers working with the development of new manufacturing technologies. By using relevant knowledge integration processes and capabilities required to integrate the knowledge in manufacturing technology development projects, companies can improve design and organize the development of manufacturing technology.

Originality/value

Previous research has merely noted that knowledge integration is required in the development of unique manufacturing technology, but without explaining how and in what way. This paper’s contribution is the identification and analysis of three knowledge integration processes that contribute to the building of competitive advantages by developing unique manufacturing technology and new knowledge.
Evaluating lean manufacturing barriers: an interpretive process
Authors: Zhang Linda , Narkhede Balkrishna Eknath , Chaple Anup P.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Firms have been implementing lean manufacturing to improve their business performances. However, they have difficulties in the implementation due to the many barriers. In view of the lack of research and the importance in understanding them, the purpose of this paper is identify and evaluate the lean barriers with respect to their levels of importance in implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

As lean barriers are scattered in the literature and a variety of performance measures are used in practice, an extensive literature review is first carried out to identify the lean barriers and performance measures. A novel ranking technique – interpretive ranking process (IRP) – is adopted in the evaluation. In the IRP-based evaluation approach, a group discussion technique, where five Indian lean experts are involved, is applied to determine the most important lean barriers and performance measures. Several matrices are developed step by step for calculating the ranks of the selected lean barriers. Upon validating the ranks, an IRP-based lean barrier evaluation model is developed.

Findings

The IRP-based lean barrier evaluation model can help firms better understand lean barriers and their levels of importance in lean implementation. In the light of this model, to successfully implement lean, firms should provide sufficient management time and training to employees, develop a right culture, develop effective communication, carry out low-cost production, and obtain external funding.

Practical implications

The evaluation results provide the practitioners with a realistic framework to deal with many problems, especially those related to resource allocation, in lean implementation. Based on the framework, practitioners can prioritize lean barriers during implementation in accordance with performances targeted.

Originality/value

This is the first study that provides a comprehensive review of lean barriers available in the literature and evaluates them in accordance with performance measures. The combined use of literature review and experts in the evaluation approach justifies the value of the study.