bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the level of accuracy and compromise in overhead estimation for construction projects in India: an exploratory investigation
Authors: Singla Harish Kumar , Sridharan Srividhya 
Published: September 2021

PurposePrevious studies have highlighted that overheads form a critical part of the total project cost. However, despite this knowledge, the precise estimation of overheads is often neglected in construction projects. This paper aims to examine the reasons for the lack of effort in estimation of overheads.Design/methodology/approachThe study is carried out in three stages. In stage one, an introductory survey is carried to understand the importance of overheads in total project cost. In stage two, a detailed survey is carried out to understand the factors that affect the level of accuracy and compromise made in estimation of overheads using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). In the final stage, two cases are examined in form of interviews to validate the findings. The model is tested for its reliability, validity and goodness of fit.FindingsThe findings of the study suggest that the time and cost spent is a critical issue. Therefore, if the projects feel that the benefit cost ratio for time and cost spend in the process is positive, they estimate the overheads accurately, whereas if they feel that the cost benefit ratio for time and cost spend is negative, they compromise with accurate estimation. Further, there is a lot of subjectivity in defining and processing overheads that leads to a negative impact on the accuracy level in estimation of overheads. The contract type also influences the compromise in estimation.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, there is scant work that has been carried out on understanding the behavior of overheads and reasons for lack of effort in its accurate estimation in construction projects. Therefore, there are no recent citations in the study. Further, the study being exploratory in nature draws conclusions based on opinion expressed by respondents on survey and interview. Finally, the study is geographically limited as the entire respondent's work in India.Practical implicationsProjects should give due attention to accurate estimation of overheads. Accurate estimation of overheads can help in better control of project margins, thereby serving the profit-maximizing goals of organizations. A conscious effort by industry experts, academicians and researchers can bring some discipline in overhead estimation rather than leaving the critical domain only to thumb rules or experiential assumptions. The regulatory bodies and the project management bodies are advised to come up with some kind of ready reference that can quickly help estimators to arrive at accurate overhead costs.Originality/valueTo the best of knowledge, it is a rare study to exclusively focus on project overhead cost in construction industry and focus on its estimation efforts. The study also uses a robust research process, which improves the reliability and validity of its findings.
Market efficiency and the Greek fixed-odds betting market
Authors: Kalaitzakis Alexandros , Lois Petros , Repousis Spyros 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically examine the efficiency of Greek fixed-odds (offline) betting market as offered by OPAP for the period 2016–2019.Design/methodology/approachUsing a four-year data sample of OPAP's opening and closing odds for football matches from all over the world and applying linear probability and probit models, the market efficiency is examined and the existence of possible anomalies is investigated.FindingsThe main findings of research suggest that although the odds are dominated primarily by favorite-longshot bias and secondarily by draw bias, this mispricing cannot prove profitable. However, the opening odds, the margin levels and the market structure provide information that is not fully captured by the closing odds, giving bettors profit opportunities. Thus, findings show that the semi-strong market efficiency is questionable. Finally, competition reduces commissions leading to more efficient odds.Practical implicationsThe conclusions of this study are useful for football betting market and, particularly, for government authorities, bookmakers and bettors. Findings can be extended in future research to prediction tasks.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study about the Greek football betting market. The contribution to the literature lies on the one hand in the examination of a monopolistic land-based betting market, which is being squeezed and threatened by the more competitive online betting market, and on the other hand in the simultaneous examination of the opening and closing odds.
Older healthcare workers' satisfaction: managing the interaction of age, job security expectations and autonomy
Authors: Rice Bridget , Martin Nigel , Fieger Peter , Hussain Taiba 
Published: September 2021

PurposeDemographic changes involving a worldwide ageing population and later retirements produce a gradual ageing of the workforce and major concerns about how ageing may influence the workplace. This paper aims to provide evidence relating to older workers in healthcare settings in Australia.Design/methodology/approachUsing a secondary quantitative dataset, the authors sub-sampled a group of workers in the healthcare sector. We used linear regression arrangement with hypotheses focused on the assessment of the significance of interaction or moderation effects relating to job characteristics and age on employee satisfaction.FindingsThe authors note that older workers' job satisfaction is negatively influenced by poor perceptions of job security and autonomy in how their work is carried out. Ensuring that older workers stay in the healthcare workforce is imperative as the work force ages. This paper shows that managing their job security and offering them work autonomy enhance their job satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of a secondary and cross-sectional dataset has some limitations relating to endogeneity, although these have been managed and assessed. The paper is based on a representative sample of Australian workers, and is thus generalisable within the Australian context, and will be informative elsewhere.Practical implicationsThe focus on elements of flexibility for older workers (enhanced autonomy) and clearer job security elements is of practical relevance in the management of older workers.Social implicationsAs the overall population ages, supporting older workers in their careers will be of increasing importance. In sectors with a disproportionate share of older workers, like health care, this imperative will come sooner, and the benefits of getting arrangements right be will higher.Originality/valueNo other paper has explored these specific relationships empirically that the authors are aware of. This work is original in terms of its assessment of questions of what second-order effects exist in predicting employee satisfaction among older workers.
Tradeoffs between safe/comfortable headways versus mobility-enhancing headways in an automated driving environment: preliminary insights using a driving simulator experiment
Authors: Li Yujie , Chen Tiantian , Chen Sikai , Labi Samuel 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe anticipated benefits of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) include safety and mobility enhancement. Small headways between successive vehicles, on one hand, can cause increased capacity and throughput and thereby improve overall mobility. On the other hand, small headways can cause vehicle occupant discomfort and unsafety. Therefore, in a CAV environment, it is important to determine appropriate headways that offer a good balance between mobility and user safety/comfort.Design/methodology/approachIn addressing this research question, this study carried out a pilot experiment using a driving simulator equipped with a Level-3 automated driving system, to measure the threshold headways. The Method of Constant Stimuli (MCS) procedure was modified to enable the estimation of two comfort thresholds. The participants (drivers) were placed in three categories (“Cautious,” “Neutral” and “Confident”) and 250 driving tests were carried out for each category. Probit analysis was then used to estimate the threshold headways that differentiate drivers' discomfort and their intention to re-engage the driving tasks.FindingsThe results indicate that “Cautious” drivers tend to be more sensitive to the decrease in headways, and therefore exhibit greater propensity to deactivate the automated driving mode under a longer headway relative to other driver groups. Also, there seems to exist no driver discomfort when the CAV maintains headway up to 5%–9% shorter than the headways they typically adopt. Further reduction in headways tends to cause discomfort to drivers and trigger take over control maneuver.Research limitations/implicationsIn future studies, the number of observations could be increased further.Practical implicationsThe study findings can help guide specification of user-friendly headways specified in the algorithms used for CAV control, by vehicle manufacturers and technology companies. By measuring and learning from a human driver's perception, AV manufacturers can produce personalized AVs to suit the user's preferences regarding headway. Also, the identified headway thresholds could be applied by practitioners and researchers to update highway lane capacities and passenger-car-equivalents in the autonomous mobility era.Originality/valueThe study represents a pioneering effort and preliminary pilot driving simulator experiment to assess the tradeoffs between comfortable headways versus mobility-enhancing headways in an automated driving environment.
A quantitative investigation of the effects of new generation vs traditional upper secondary schools in Cambodia through the lens of STEM transfer model
Authors: Kao Sovansophal 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the effects of Cambodia's New Generation Schools (NGS), as compared to their traditional counterparts, in enhancing the seven constructs: (1) science and math achievement, (2) science and math self-efficacy, (3) science and math outcome expectations, (4) attitudes toward science, (5) interactive science and math lessons, (6) support from science and math teachers and (7) encouragement and support in science from family.Design/methodology/approachThe two observations data was collected using self-rated questionnaire from 301 11th graders from five upper secondary schools located in three provinces of Cambodia. Independent samplet-test, Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and dependent samplet-test were used to analyze the repeated measures data.FindingsThe study revealed that students from the NGS exhibited statistically higher scores for most constructs, especially for attitudes toward science. However, when controlling for the differences in the first observation data, the significant effects of the three constructs have been neutralized. Moreover, though there was an increase in science activities outside school, there was a negative trajectory in the other two sub-constructs of attitudes toward science and support from science and math teachers, both in NGS and traditional schools.Practical implicationsThese findings point some practical implications for enhancing the effectiveness of the two school types and further research.Originality/valueThere is heavy investment in new form of schools across the world to enhance students' learning and academic achievement in science and math in K-12 and to promote their interest in STEM in higher education. However, there is little document on the effectiveness of this new form of school, particularly in the Cambodian context.
Decoding the nascent entrepreneurial pitch
Authors: de Villiers Scheepers Margarietha J. , Barnes Renee , Garrett Laura Kate 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThis paper investigates how early-stage founders use the 60-s nascent pitch to attract co-founders, by applying the narrative paradigm.Design/methodology/approachVideos of supported and non-supported pitches from Startup Weekend were analysed using the Grounded Theory Method.FindingsThe findings were used to develop a framework for a successful nascent pitch. It shows that founders who can engage the audience, convey credibility and use symbols effectively are more likely to attract co-founders. Bringing these three elements together through personalisation, that is, making the startup concept tangible and personally relevant for co-founders to visualise, enables the founder to talk a venture into existence.Practical implicationsThis paper holds implications for founders and entrepreneurship mentors to craft a powerful, persuasive pitch by drawing on the framework.Originality/valueThe framework brings a holistic understanding to the nascent pitch and explains how nascent founders acquire human resources at one of the earliest stages of venture formation. In this way, concerns of prior fragmented approaches focussed only on narrative elements of investment pitches are addressed.
Managerial identity development across the age-spectrum from an ideal self and values perspective
Authors: Dhar Udayan 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate professional identity development among management professionals through the lens of the ideal self and personal values.Design/methodology/approachDetailed career vision essays based on the ideal self and personal values of 48 participants ranging in age from 22 to 54 were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. A theory-based classification of their personal values, collected through a survey, was also conducted as a supplemental analysis.FindingsThe visions of older management professionals were less career-oriented, more holistic, involved in a greater multiplicity of career roles, had more clarity and placed higher emphasis on work–life balance and on developing others. The older participants also reported having fewer self-enhancement values.Originality/valueThe findings demonstrate the relevance of the ideal self as a lens to study identity development and advance our understanding of professional identity development in the context of modern careers.
Case study on the effects of a disability inclusive mindset in a large biotechnology company
Authors: Ochrach Chase , Thomas Kathryn , Phillips Brian , Mpofu Ngonidzashe , Tansey Tim , Castillo Stacie 
Published: September 2021

PurposeEmployers increasingly seek a competitive advantage through inclusive hiring practices and recruitment of persons with disabilities. Early research indicates when employers consider individuals for their strengths rather than solely for their needs, the organization prospers. However, details about how companies pursue a disability inclusive workplace and the effect of those efforts are poorly understood.Design/methodology/approachAn inductive qualitative case study approach was utilized to understand one biotechnology corporation and their approach to recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees with disabilities. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted.FindingsResults suggest that when the company lives its mission around wellness and inclusivity, they benefit from working with and learning from a range of perspectives, furthering their growth. Placing equal emphasis on hiring a diverse workforce and prioritizing supports and wellness practices lead to greater productivity and innovation.Practical implicationsThis study illustrates how one company successfully recruits and hires persons with disabilities, resulting in benefits to their financial bottom line and to the organizational culture.Originality/valueThis paper offers insights for other companies intentionally hiring persons with disabilities, providing accommodations in the workplace, and creating an organizational culture where all employees feel valued and supported. These steps have a direct impact on employee engagement, productivity, and retention.
Addressing strategic human resource management practices for TQM: the case of an Indian tire manufacturing company
Authors: Verma Pratima , Kumar Vimal , Mittal Ankesh , Gupta Pardeep , Hsu Sung Chi 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThis study aims to identify SHRM (strategic human resource management) essential practices for the TQM (total quality management) program regarding an Indian tire manufacturing company and formulate an inclusive interrelationship to prioritize them.Design/methodology/approachSemistructured interview with ten experts from the company was made to give SHRM practices scores. The SLR (systematic literature review) and TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) techniques are used to establish the model for 12 key practices and rank them afterward.FindingsThe findings clearly show that strategic planning and staffing, teamwork and leadership development have appeared as the top three essential practices. Simultaneously, performance measurement and evaluation, work design and analysis and promotion are identified as the bottom three practices. These essential practices are identified as contributing attributes.Practical implicationsThe findings prioritize the SHRM practices as contributing attributes that help other tire manufacturing industries identify their key practices. Moreover, it provides the necessary inputs comprised of ten experts' decisions to become more active and well prepared.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study is to identify the key practices by using SLR and measured by the TOPSIS method to rank and consider a tire manufacturing company as a case-based approach to gain high productivity and competitive advantage.
The Azospirillum brasilense type VI secretion system promotes cell aggregation, biocontrol protection against phytopathogens and attachment to the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana
Authors: Cassan Fabricio D. , Coniglio Anahí , Amavizca Edgar , Maroniche Guillermo , Cascales Eric , Bashan Yoav , de‐Bashan Luz E. 
Published: September 2021

SummaryThe plant‐growth‐promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense is able to associate with the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana. Attachment of A. brasilense increases the metabolic performances of the microalgae. Recent genome analyses have revealed that the A. brasilense Az39 genome contains two complete sets of genes encoding type VI secretion systems (T6SS), including the T6SS1 that is induced by the indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) phytohormone. The T6SS is a multiprotein machine, widespread in Gram‐negative bacteria, that delivers protein effectors in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Here we show that the A. brasilense T6SS is required for Chlorella‐Azospirillum synthetic mutualism. Our data demonstrate that the T6SS is an important determinant to promote production of lipids, carbohydrates and photosynthetic pigments by the microalgae. We further show that this is likely due to the role of the T6SS during the attachment stage and for the production of IAA phytohormones. Finally, we demonstrate that the A. brasilense T6SS provides antagonistic activities against a number of plant pathogens such as Agrobacterium, Pectobacterium, Dickeya and Ralstonia species in vitro, suggesting that, in addition to promoting growth, A. brasilense might confer T6SS‐dependent bio‐control protection to microalgae and plants against bacterial pathogens.
Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport‐0 (ESCRT‐0) are essential for fungal development, pathogenicity, autophagy and ER‐phagy in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Sun Li‐Xiao , Qian Hui , Liu Meng‐Yu , Wu Ming‐Hua , Wei Yun‐Yun , Zhu Xue‐Ming , Lu Jian‐Ping , Lin Fu‐Cheng , Liu Xiao‐Hong 
Published: September 2021

SummaryMagnaporthe oryzae is an important plant pathogen that causes rice blast. Hse1 and Vps27 are components of ESCRT‐0 involved in the multivesicular body (MVB) sorting pathway and biogenesis. To date, the biological functions of ESCRT‐0 in M. oryzae have not been determined. In this study, we identified and characterized Hse1 and Vps27 in M. oryzae. Disruption of MoHse1 and MoVps27 caused pleiotropic defects in growth, conidiation, sexual development and pathogenicity, thereby resulting in loss of virulence in rice and barley leaves. Disruption of MoHse1 and MoVps27 triggered increased lipidation of MoAtg8 and degradation of GFP‐MoAtg8, indicating that ESCRT‐0 is involved in the regulation of autophagy. ESCRT‐0 was determined to interact with coat protein complex II (COPII), a regulator functioning in homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER homeostasis), and disruption of MoHse1 and MoVps27 also blocked activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER‐phagy). Overall, our results indicate that ESCRT‐0 plays critical roles in regulating fungal development, virulence, autophagy and ER‐phagy in M. oryzae.
A Labour City? The London Mayoral and Assembly Elections 2021
Authors: Travers Tony 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLondon's reputation as a ‘Labour city’ was sustained by the 2021 Greater London Authority election. Sadiq Khan won, as expected, though the Conservatives’ Shaun Bailey did better than polls or pundits predicted. But, London has not always been thus. Declines in Conservative voting in elections since the mid‐1990s have made it significantly harder for the party to win. Social and demographic factors have affected Londoners' electoral behaviour, with an electorate which is younger, more likely to live in rented accommodation, more likely to belong to an ethnic minority and more likely to have a degree. As Boris Johnson's government seeks to extend its 2019 electoral success in the ‘red wall’, there is a risk the ‘levelling‐up’ agenda will leave London without political leverage, begging the question: how long will it be before London voters learn to send observable messages to the major parties about the fragility of their support?