bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumers’ attitude towards alternative distribution channels of fresh fruits and vegetables in Crete
Authors: Dhaoui Ons , Nikolaou Kallirroi , Mattas Konstadinos , Baourakis George 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to get a better insight into the Cretan consumers’ behaviour towards alternative distribution channels (ADCs) of fresh fruits and vegetables. The main factors affecting the purchase decision are investigated and recorded, demonstrating the value of alternative channels in distributing agro-food products.Design/methodology/approachSix independent variables were chosen to represent the factors that motivate consumers’ behaviour towards the use of ADCs. The factors were classified into two groups: socio-economic factors, mainly age, level of education and monthly family income; and personal factors, such as environmental concerns, pros-ocial beliefs and perceived availability.FindingsThe output of the MANOVA tests showed significant results as regards the independent variables (p > 0.05) which disproves the null hypothesis. More specifically, the results of this study showed that consumers’ behaviour towards ADCs is affected by socio-economic factors (age, level of education, monthly family income) and personal factors (environmental concerns, pro-social concerns and perceived availability).Research limitations/implicationsThe questionnaire was focussing mainly on three (3) different ADCs: “directly from the producer”, “E-commerce” and “Fair Trade”. Any further research should examine more alternative food networks.Practical implicationsThe present study's findings indicate that consumers support ADCs of fruits and vegetables and motivated by ethical stances such as environmental concern and pro-social behaviour. This could develop a new environment and trends not only for consumers but also for entrepreneurs (producers–wholesalers–retailers).Originality/valueThere is limited research concerning ADC of agricultural product in Crete. Thus, findings on consumers’ behaviour with respect to alternative and eventually sustainable distribution channels are a contribution to the literature in the field of sustainable supply chain management. Additionally, this research adds a better understanding of the Cretan consumers’ attitudes towards ADC.
Moral judgments of food wasting predict food wasting behavior
Authors: Misiak Michal , Kruger Daniel , Kruger Jessica Sloan , Sorokowski Piotr 
Published: May 2020

PurposePeople consider food wasting behavior to be immoral. However, it is not clear whether people who consider food wasting behavior immoral waste less food. Building on previous qualitative studies, we conducted a large-sample quantitative study. We examined whether people who consider food wasting behavior immoral display food wasting behaviors less frequently and whether they waste less food in general. Furthermore, we explored the reasons that make people consider food wasting behavior immoral and whether they affected food wasting.Design/methodology/approachParticipants voluntarily (n = 562) completed a set of questionnaires that measured the frequency of their food wasting behavior, the amount of food wasted in the preceding week, and food wasting moral judgments, including scales, which explored the reasons for judging this behavior as immoral.FindingsWe found that people who regard food wasting behavior as immoral displayed food wasting behavior less frequently, but did not waste less food than people who did not consider food wasting behavior immoral. Furthermore, we found that there are two categories of reasons for moral disapproval of food wasting behavior: externally oriented (concern for the environment, social issues, and for future generations) and internally oriented (concern for ones’ financial situation, social approval, and going by traditional norms). However, only people whose moral judgments were motivated by externally oriented reasons wasted food less frequently.Originality/valueOur findings provide evidence that moral judgments influence food wasting behavior and highlight the importance of the content of moral beliefs for predicting behaviors.
How social norms affect alcohol dependence: the mediating role of perceived benefits and alcohol identity
Authors: Wang Shih-Tse Edward , Liao Yu-Ting 
Published: May 2020

PurposeAlthough the association between social norms and alcohol dependence has been noted, how social norms cause alcohol dependence remains unclear. This study thus investigated how social norms affect the perceived benefits of drinking and alcohol identity, which in turn affect alcohol dependence.Design/methodology/approachConvenience sampling was used, and 452 valid questionnaires were collected from alcohol (specifically, beer) consumers over the age of 18; answers were analyzed through structural equation modeling.FindingsSocial norms positively affected the perceived benefits of drinking and alcohol identity; alcohol identity positively affected alcohol dependence; moreover, alcohol identity fully mediated the effects of social norms and the perceived benefits of drinking on alcohol dependence.Originality/valueHow social norms affect alcohol dependence has rarely been studied; thus, the present study has value for integrating the findings in the lines of research on social norms and alcohol dependence. Based on the study results, the authors recommend that policies aimed at discouraging alcohol dependence should focus on mitigating the social pressure to drink and the perceived benefits of drinking as well as labeling others as drinkers.
Back through the back door? On removing supervisors to reduce hierarchy
Authors: Ingvaldsen Jonas A. , Benders Jos 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis article addresses why movements towards less-hierarchical organizing may be unsustainable within organizations.Design/methodology/approachEschewing hierarchy may prove sustainable if alternative forms of management are acceptable to both employees and managers accountable for those employees’ performance. Developing alternatives means dealing with the fundamentally contradictory functions of coordination and control. Through a qualitative case study of a manufacturing company that removed first-line supervisors, this article analyses how issues of control and coordination were dealt with formally and informally.FindingsRemoval of the formal supervisor was followed by workers’ and middle managers’ efforts to informally reconstruct hierarchical supervision. Their efforts to deal pragmatically with control and coordination were frustrated by formal prescriptions for less hierarchy, leading to contested outcomes. The article identifies upward and downward pressures for the hierarchy’s reconstruction, undermining the sustainability of less-hierarchical organizing.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited by the use of cross-sectional data and employees’ retrospective narratives. Future research on the sustainability of less-hierarchical organizing should preferably be longitudinal to overcome these limitations.Practical implicationsUnless organizational changes towards less hierarchy engage with issues of managerial control and upward accountability, they are likely to induce pressures for hierarchy’s reconstruction.Originality/valueThe article offers an original approach to the classical problem of eschewing hierarchy in organizations. The approach allows us to explore the interrelated challenges facing such restructuring, some of which are currently unacknowledged or underestimated within the literature.
Does board independence enhance firm value of state-owned enterprises? Evidence from India and China
Authors: M. Thenmozhi , Sasidharan Aghila 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effectiveness of governance in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and explores if board independence enhances the firm value of SOEs in India and China. The study further explores the moderation impact of promoter ownership in enhancing firm value.Design/methodology/approachThe study is confined to government-owned enterprises in India and China and is based on a sample of 53 central government-owned firms listed in National Stock Exchange of India and 110 state-owned firms listed in Shanghai Stock Exchange of China for the period 2010–2017. A fixed-effect panel regression analysis has been used to examine the effect of board independence on firm value.FindingsThe study found that board independence adds value to the SOEs in India and China and the presence of independent directors (IDs) in the board of SOEs act as better monitors of performance to protect the interest of minority shareholders. Probably, they minimize agency conflict and provide resources to the firm and management. The greater the government shareholdings, the board independence further enhances value of SOEs in India and China.Practical implicationsCompliance with guidelines on IDs in SOEs serves as an effective corporate governance mechanism and the presence of IDs can signal better firm performance. The government promoters align with the IDs in better monitoring of SOE performance.Originality/valueThe study is unique and contributes to the literature by examining the impact of board independence on firm value in the context of SOEs in India and China and also provides insight on the effect of promoter ownership on the effectiveness on board independence.
Developing optimal scaffolding erection through the integration of lean and work posture analysis
Authors: Wang Peng , Wu Peng , Wang Xiangyu , Chen Xin , Zhou Tao 
Published: May 2020

PurposeFacility structures in liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants require tremendous amounts of scaffolding to facilitate relevant industrial operation and maintenance. As such, the productivity of scaffolding operations in turnaround maintenance (TAM) has attracted much attention in recent years. In addition, health and safety issues have been recognised as a key contributor along with productivity improvement in the LNG industry. This study aims to integrate work posture analysis into value stream mapping to achieve an optimised and balanced improvement in both productivity and health and safety.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach is adopted to integrate lean and work posture analysis in a TAM site. The lean improvement is conducted through value stream mapping, and the work posture analysis is conducted through the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System method. A three-step optimisation strategy is then developed for achieving optimised performance in waste reduction and work posture improvement.FindingsIt is found that the implementation of value stream mapping can help eliminate waste in the installation process, therefore eliminating potential health and safety risks. However, health and safety of onsite workers does not always improve as lean implementation intensifies. There is an optimised erection schedule that has the lowest health and safety risk within a waste reduction target.Originality/valueIn contradiction to previous studies, which rely on qualitative assessment to identify the a positive correlation between lean and health and safety, this study reveals the distinct difference between lean attributes and health and safety attributes through a quantitative assessment and is more readily to be implemented at the site level for simultaneous improvement in lean and health and safety.
A centralised cost management system: exploiting EVM and ABC within IPD
Authors: Elghaish Faris , Abrishami Sepehr 
Published: May 2020

PurposeIntegrated project delivery (IPD) is highly recommended to be utilised with building information management (BIM), specifically with BIM level-3 implementation process. Extant literature highlights the financial management challenges facing the proposed integration. These challenges are mainly related to the IPD compensation and the conventional cost control approaches that are not consistent with IPD principles. As such, this paper presents an integration of several methods to support automating risk/reward sharing amongst project parties thus enhancing IPD core team members’ relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe literature review was used to highlight the challenges that face the IPD-based cost management practices such as the risk sharing/reward sharing amongst IPD core team members and potential methods to bridge the revealed IPD gap. A framework was developed by integrating the activity-based costing (ABC) – as a method to analyse the cost structure – and earned value management (EVM) to develop mathematical models that can determine the three main IPD financial transactions (i.e. …) fairly. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed system, a real-life case study was used, in which, promising results were collected in regard to visualising the cost control data and understanding of the accumulative status of the project cost and schedule for team members.FindingsA centralised cost management system (CCMS) for IPD is developed to enable the IPD cost structure as well as automating the risk-sharing/reward-sharing calculations. This system is linked with a web-based management system to display the output of proposed risk-sharing/reward-sharing models. Moreover, a novel grid is developed to show the project status graphically and to respect the diversity in core team members backgrounds. In addition, the case study showed that the proposed integration of different methods (ABC, EVM, BIM and web-based management system) is interoperable and applicable.Originality/valueThis research presents a comprehensive solution to the most revealed challenges in cost management practices in IPD implementation. The outcome of this research contributes to the body of knowledge through presenting new extensions of the EVM to be used with the IPD approach to calculate risk/reward. Moreover, the implementation of the proposed tools such as centralised cost management system (CCMS) and CCMS for IPD web system will enhance/foster the implementation of the IPD in conjunction with BIM process.
A novel model for risk management of outsourced construction projects using decision-making methods: a case study
Authors: Mahmoudi Amin , Abbasi Mehdi , Deng Xiaopeng , Ikram Muhammad , Yeganeh Salman 
Published: May 2020

PurposeSelecting a suitable contract to outsource construction projects is an ongoing concern for project managers and organizational directors. This study aims to propose a comprehensive model to manage the risks of outsourced construction project contracts.Design/methodology/approachTo employ the proposed model, firstly, the types of contracts and risks in the organization should be identified, then, to prioritize the contracts, the identified risks are considered as criteria. After receiving the experts' opinions, the best–worst method (BWM) integrated with grey relation analysis (GRA) method was used to prioritize the contracts. BWM and GRA are multi-criteria decision-making methods with different approaches and applications. In the current study, BWM has been employed to calculate the weights of criteria because it has better performance than other methods such as the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). After calculating the weights of criteria, the GRA method has been utilized for ranking the alternatives.FindingsAccording to the results obtained from the case study, the cost plus award fee contract is the most suitable alternative for outsourcing construction projects. The proposed methodology can be practically applied through different types of the projects such as construction or “engineering, procurement and construction”.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a conceptual model has been proposed to select an appropriate contract for construction projects. Also, for the first time, the BWM integrated with GRA method has been used to prioritize project contracts based on the potential risks. The proposed model can contribute to project managers for selecting a suitable contract with the least risk in construction projects.
Hybrid nanofluid flow towards a stagnation point on an exponentially stretching/shrinking vertical sheet with buoyancy effects
Authors: Waini Iskandar , Ishak Anuar , Pop Ioan 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the hybrid nanofluid flow towards a stagnation point on an exponentially stretching/shrinking vertical sheet with buoyancy effects.

Design/methodology/approach
Here, the authors consider copper (Cu) and alumina (Al2O3) as hybrid nanoparticles while water as the base fluid. The governing equations are reduced to the similarity equations using similarity transformations. The resulting equations are programmed in Matlab software through the bvp4c solver to obtain their solutions.

Findings
The authors found that the heat transfer rate is greater for Al2O3-Cu/water hybrid nanofluid if compared to Cu/water nanofluid. Besides, the non-uniqueness of the solutions is observed for certain physical parameters. The authors also notice that the bifurcation of the solutions occurs in the downward buoyant force and the shrinking regions. In addition, the first solution of the skin friction and heat transfer coefficients increase with the added hybrid nanoparticles and the mixed convection parameter. The temporal stability analysis shows that one of the solutions is stable as time evolves.

Originality/value
The present work is dealing with the problem of a mixed convection flow of a hybrid nanofluid towards a stagnation point on an exponentially stretching/shrinking vertical sheet, with the buoyancy effects is taken into consideration. The authors show that two solutions are obtained for a single value of parameter for both stretching and shrinking cases, as well as for both buoyancy aiding and opposing flows. A temporal stability analysis then shows that only one of the solutions is stable and physically reliable as time evolves.
The boundary knot method for the solution of two-dimensional advection reaction-diffusion and Brusselator equations
Authors: Dehghan Mehdi , Mohammadi Vahid 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
This study aims to apply a numerical meshless method, namely, the boundary knot method (BKM) combined with the meshless analog equation method (MAEM) in space and use a semi-implicit scheme in time for finding a new numerical solution of the advection–reaction–diffusion and reaction–diffusion systems in two-dimensional spaces, which arise in biology.

Design/methodology/approach
First, the BKM is applied to approximate the spatial variables of the studied mathematical models. Then, this study derives fully discrete scheme of the studied models using a semi-implicit scheme based on Crank–Nicolson idea, which gives a linear system of algebraic equations with a non-square matrix per time step that is solved by the singular value decomposition. The proposed approach approximates the solution of a given partial differential equation using particular and homogeneous solutions and without considering the fundamental solutions of the proposed equations.

Findings
This study reports some numerical simulations for showing the ability of the presented technique in solving the studied mathematical models arising in biology. The obtained results by the developed numerical scheme are in good agreement with the results reported in the literature. Besides, a simulation of the proposed model is done on buttery shape domain in two-dimensional space.

Originality/value
This study develops the BKM combined with MAEM for solving the coupled systems of (advection) reaction–diffusion equations in two-dimensional spaces. Besides, it does not need the fundamental solution of the mathematical models studied here, which omits any difficulties.
A novel equipment for making nanocomposites for investigating the antimicrobial properties of nanotextiles
Authors: Bereznenko Sergey , Bereznenko Natalia , Skyba Mykola , Yakymchuk Dmytro , Artemenko Tetiana , Prybeha Dmytro , Synyuk Oleg , Kalinsky Eugen 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this article is the development of up-to-date equipment for making nanocomposites for investigation of the antimicrobial properties of nanotextiles and the creation of a scientific base to choose materials of clothing with a special purpose.Design/methodology/approachInvestigations are focussed on modifying the surface of textile materials by metal ions nanoparticles (AgJ, CuJ). The work of the equipment is based on the creation of metal nanocomposites in polyethyleneglycol (PEG). It is heated up to a temperature of not more than 130ºС, followed by adding the dispersion of metal in small portions to water. Nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on material surface that provides the improvement of its characteristics.FindingsIt has been found that modifying natural fibrous materials by nanoparticles of metal ions (AgJ, CuJ) promotes increasing their bactericidal and fungicidal properties with a comparison with traditional cotton materials. Microbiological investigations of antimicrobial properties of the cotton fabric have been conducted according to their effects on staphylococcus bacteria, E. coli and fungi.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is limited to cotton fabrics. Therefore, other fabric types can be investigated to expand the data basis in the future.Practical implicationsThe main practical point of developed equipment is that it can be used for obtaining bactericidal and fungicidal properties of natural and fibrous materials modified by nanoparticles of metal ions (AgJ, CuJ). That provides new characteristics of textile materials that can be used in the future for special clothing tailoring.Social implicationsThe use of engineering equipment will allow in perspective to produce clothes with bactericidal and fungicidal properties, which can improve people’s lives through the prism of health and finished product quality.Originality/valueSpecial equipment for investigation of antimicrobial properties of nanomodified textile materials of different kinds has been engineered, and there is an opportunity to create materials with antibacterial and antifungal properties. The application of this equipment provides the receiving of new characteristics for textile materials with silver ions nanoparticles. Such properties of nanomodified materials are useful for human health and can be used in the production of various textile products.
A review of UV radiation protection on humans by textiles and clothing
Authors: Khan Asfandyar , Nazir Ahsan , Rehman Abdur , Naveed Maryam , Ashraf Munir , Iqbal Kashif , Basit Abdul , Maqsood Hafiz Shahzad 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis review deals with the pros and cons of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on human beings and the role of textile clothing and the chemicals used for textiles to protect from their harmful effects.Design/methodology/approachUV radiation (UVR) which has further divided into UVA, UVB, and UVC. Almost 100% of UVC and major portion of UVB are bounced back to stratosphere by ozone layer while UVA enters the earth atmosphere. Excessive exposure of solar or artificial UVR exhibit potential risks to human health. UVR is a major carcinogen and excessive exposure of solar radiation in sunlight can cause cancer in the lip, skin squamous cell, basal cell and cutaneous melanoma, particularly in people with the fair skin.FindingsThis article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the harmful effects of UVR on human skin, factors affecting UV irradiance and factors affecting UV protection offered by textile clothing.Originality/valueEffect of fiber properties, yarn properties, fabric construction, fabric treatments and laundering has been reviewed along with the identification of gaps in the reported research. A comparison of inorganic and organic UV absorbers has also been given along with different testing and evaluation methods for UV protective clothing.