bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving workers’ health in project-based work: job security considerations
Authors: Turner Michelle , Lingard Helen 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of health promotion interventions in Queensland, Australia. During the research period, the workers’ employing organization, a large contracting organization, was engaged in a competitive tender to renew their service contract. The research therefore provided an opportunity to examine the impact of health promotion interventions in project-based work environments under conditions of job insecurity.

Design/methodology/approach
– The sample comprised of workers contracted to provide facility maintenance and management services for a power station. Data were collected using a longitudinal survey of workers’ health, weekly logs recording health behaviour, and a post-intervention evaluation workshop. Health interventions implemented sought to encourage workers to eat more fruit and participate in a physical exercise programme.

Findings
– Findings revealed that workers’ health was generally lower than the Queensland male population when measured using a standardized norm-based tool. The log data revealed that health behaviour fluctuated over time but did not show significant or sustained improvement with the introduction of the health interventions. The evaluation workshop revealed that workers’ concerns about their job security during the research period impacted their health behaviours.

Originality/value
– The need to address the structural and organizational factors that influence the health of project-based workers is highlighted. In particular, concerns about continuity of work may otherwise reduce the beneficial effect of health promotion programmes.
The logic of projects and the ideal of community development
Authors: Cicmil Svetlana , O'Laocha Eamonn 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between project-based organizing and the initiatives labelled as “development” by critically engaging with some unchallenged assumptions inherent in the notion of both projects as a means through which social change can be achieved and the wider possibility of delivering social good as an objective of development.Design/methodology/approach– From a phenomenologically informed critical participatory perspective the authors focus on contradictions within the practices of community development (CD) by attending to the interplay between the dominant project form of organizing that frames those practices and the rhetoric of “development”.Findings– Drawing on two CD examples, the authors illustrate and discuss the contradictions and damaging consequences of the developmentalism-projectification double-act. The position is that social good is local and contextual and draws expediently and contingently on the means through which it can be achieved by the collective action of those who co-define and co-create the social good.Social implications– The authors propose that there is a need to open the dialogue with development practitioners, funders, project managers, project workers, and the recipients and stimulate multiple participation.Originality/value– The authors believe the critical participatory approach that the authors have taken to CD project management could be both novel and useful as it refocuses attention to non-performative aspects of CD, arguing for de-naturalization of project organizing logic and encouraging emancipation from dominant epistemic inequalities. With an uncompromising focus on embedded practices, the authors hope to spur further debate on the important issue of CD and the possibilities of creating “social good”.
Is lean service promising? A socio-technical perspective
Authors: Hadid Wael , Mansouri S. Afshin , Gallear David 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of lean practices in the service sector.Design/methodology/approach– This paper examines the impact of lean service on firm operational and financial performance. Exploratory factor analysis is used to reduce the data and identify the underlying dimensions of lean service, and partial least squares structural equation modelling is used to test the developed model.Findings– The results indicate that the social bundles of lean service had an independent positive impact on firm operational and financial performance. Furthermore, while the technical bundles had an independent positive effect on only the operational performance, they interacted with the social bundles to improve both the operational and financial performance. The findings suggest that service managers must follow a systematic approach when implementing lean service practices without focusing on one side of the system at the expense of the other.Practical implications– The paper highlights the importance of implementing lean service as a socio-technical system (STS) if service firms are to achieve the best possible benefits from their implementation. The motivation factor (social side) and the customer value factor (technical side) are capable of improving all operational performance dimensions and profit margin even if implemented alone. Therefore, service managers with limited resources are encouraged to start lean service implementation with practices within these factors. However, they can also expect improved operational and financial performance from implementing other factors as they positively interact to further improve performance.Originality/value– Viewing lean service as a STS, this paper incorporates a larger set of lean practices than previous studies and demonstrates empirically their capability of improving service firms’ operational and financial performance. It contributes significantly to the emerging literature on lean service by empirically testing the mechanism through which lean service affects firm performance.
Recommendations for supplier innovation evaluation from literature and practice
Authors: Winter Stefan , Lasch Rainer 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– Companies have to assess the benefit of supplier innovation before realization. The specific situation of supplier innovation differs from conventional innovation evaluation because a supplier innovation refers to a subproduct for which the supplier is responsible. To date, supplier innovation evaluation has not been comprehensively discussed in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to focus on how supplier innovation should be evaluated.Design/methodology/approach– For this purpose, a case study based on expert interviews has been conducted to identify how supplier innovation is evaluated in practice. On the basis of the empirical findings the specific situation of supplier innovation is discussed in relation to theoretical basics about the object, objective, time, reference, person, recipient, criteria, and methods of evaluation as well as the evaluation and selection process.Findings– Results are recommendations for the special situation of supplier innovation evaluation before their realization in the purchasing company.Research limitations/implications– Based on the recommendations, a systematic and comprehensive approach with evaluation criteria and methods should be developed. Future research should address useful evaluation criteria and methods.Practical implications– Managers can use the recommendations to evaluate supplier innovation in practice and to establish a systematic evaluation and selection process for supplier innovation.Originality/value– The research findings contribute to the literature about innovation management and supplier management research by providing insights into the special situation of supplier innovation evaluation; in particular, this is the first paper which provides a systematic and comprehensive discussion about supplier innovation evaluation.
Empowering the elderly population through ICT-based activities
Authors: Hur Mann Hyung 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to focus on elderly people who have adopted Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and participated in ICT-based activities, and explore variables associated with their individual and collective empowerment by using data collected by a questionnaire survey.Design/methodology/approach– A set of 14 questions was developed to measure older adults’ perceived psychological empowerment. A factor analysis was conducted to condense 14 individual variables into several large categories. Finally, a set of multiple regression analyses was employed to identify variables associated with the elderly’s individual and collective empowerment.Findings– Three factors, including a sense of meaning; competence/self-determination; and collective empowerment were extracted from the 14 questions. Multiple regression models revealed that elderly empowerment is not a matter of social skills, ICT skills, or complementary skills, but is more likely to result from their being interested in ICT and ICT-based activities. Learning activities in ICT-based activities and participation frequency were found to be predictors of both meaning and competence/self-determination dimensions.Research limitations/implications– The major finding of this study concerns the development of a measure that assesses three factors of empowerment in older adults, i.e., sense of meaning, competence/self-determination, and collective empowerment. This study represents an initial step in establishing the measure, and therefore, further work is needed to establish its psychometric properties, particularly external validity.Originality/value– This study is one of the first studies to focus on older people’s empowerment construct and its relation to ICT-based activities.
Analysis of influencing factors on the IPTV subscription
Authors: Park Sungbum , Kang Sang-ug , Zo Hangjung 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine how user-perceived video quality, measured by computer assisted web survey, interacts with content richness (CR) and interactivity (IA). It also analyzes how those internet protocol television (IPTV) idiosyncrasies impacts audience perceptions (perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived resistance (PR)) and actual subscriptions.

Design/methodology/approach
– A computer assisted web survey was administered in Korea to collect data. A structural equation model and Z-test analyses were conducted to address the research hypotheses.

Findings
– User-perceived video quality influences audience perceptions (PU and PR) through interaction with CR and IA. Subscriber perceptions have a causal relationship with IPTV subscriptions.

Practical implications
– Balanced improvement of the IPTV value chain, from content to technical (platform, network, and terminal) perspectives, are necessary for IPTV diffusion. Also, IPTV providers should establish the diffusion strategies, minimizing the user-perceived restrictiveness as well as maximizing the PU.

Originality/value
– This study shows computer assisted assessment of video quality can be applied to behavior science. The research model suggests PR, which has been relatively unnoticed is included in existing technology acceptance theories. The introduced antecedents of IPTV subscriptions can be referred to as key performance indicators regarding new media adoption studies.
Does contract farming improve smallholder income? The case of avocado farmers in Kenya
Authors: Mwambi Mercy Maiwa , Oduol Judith , Mshenga Patience , Saidi Mwanarusi 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– Contract farming (CF) is seen as a tool for creating new market opportunities hence increasing incomes for smallholder farmers. Critics, however, argue that CF is likely to pass risks to small scale farmers, thus favouring large scale farmers at the expense of smallholder farmers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of CF on smallholder farmers’ income using a case study of avocado farmers in Kandara district in Kenya.Design/methodology/approach– The study uses data collected from 100 smallholder avocado farmers in Kandara district in Kenya and employs an instrumental variable model (Probit-2SLS) to control for endogeneity in participation in the contract and examine the effect of CF on household, farm and avocado income.Findings– The results indicate that participation in CF is not sufficient to improve household, farm and avocado income. Question remains regarding efficient implementation of CF arrangements to promote spill over effects on other household enterprises.Research limitations/implications– The research was carried out using farmers in Kandara district in Kenya as a case study, findings might therefore not reflect the status of CF in all countries.Originality/value– The paper contributes to the growing debate on the effect of value chain upgrading strategies such as contracting on smallholder farmers’ welfare. The form of contracting studied in this paper differs from the standard contracts in that the key stakeholders (producers) are loosely enjoined in the contract through officials of their groups.
Automation of modified marketing procedural system to maximize transparency
Authors: Modekurti Durga Prasad Venkata 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– Market transactions in large vegetable markets call for transparency with utmost urgency. The reason are that buyers are located at distant places and the volume of sales is very high. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the development of an automated system in market transactions in order to bring about transparency with concrete evidence available to small and medium farmers who are then able to repose trust in the system by acquiring the right price for the right product. The farmers can also confirm the effectiveness of the system by testing it themselves.

Design/methodology/approach
– First, a theoretical framework of marketing procedures of larger vegetable markets has been constructed with tomato as a vegetable of study and the Madanapalle tomato market as a market studied through surveys. Second, methods of functioning in marketing procedures including pricing and auctioning have been modified according to the objective. An android-based application has been used to develop an automated model. Surveys have been conducted to understand the perceptions of farmers in marketing procedures and price determination at the village level, and to test the automated model in the study market.

Findings
– Both quantitative as well as qualitative approaches indicate that, the proposed automated model in the modified marketing procedural system is of benefit to all stakeholders in the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications
– In model testing, gaps in inputs from a greater number of buyers during auctioning remains a limitation of the study.

Social implications
– For sustainable growth of tomatoes or any other vegetables it is essential that the farmers trust the marketing procedural system. This is possible if farmers obtain the right price for their products. Once the automated system is implemented, buyers acquire high-quality goods at desired prices, which further encourages more buyers from other regions to participate in the auctioning/tendering process stimulating an increased demand.

Originality/value
– This paper is unique in its pricing function and scores of stakeholders. Pricing function involves the farmers’ input along with the buyers’ inputs whereas scores of these two stakeholders have been obtained through the inputs of commissioning agents.
Ethical decision making in counterfeit purchase situations: the influence of moral awareness and moral emotions on moral judgment and purchase intentions
Authors: Martinez Luis F. , Jaeger Dorothea S. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
Counterfeiting is an increasingly global phenomenon that threatens the economy as a whole and also presents a risk for the consumers. The purpose of this study is to explore moral emotions along with moral awareness and moral judgment with respect to their influence in the consumption of counterfeits.

Design/methodology/approach
An online questionnaire was distributed among participants (n = 225) who were asked to respond to a counterfeit purchase scenario.

Findings
Results highlight the importance of moral awareness as an essential element of moral decision-making. Also, moral emotions were found to influence moral judgment as well as purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications
A limitation refers to the fact that a scenario was used to evoke participants’ emotional responses. Although the situation was realistic and the majority of the people could very well imagine experiencing the reported scenario, results might change in an actual purchase situation.

Practical Implications
This study’s findings may be particularly relevant for authorities and educators who design campaigns to curtail counterfeit consumption, thus seeking to encourage consumers to recognize the several negative consequences that result from counterfeiting behavior.

Originality/value
This is one of the few studies that examine the impact of cognitive and emotional influences in a counterfeit purchase decision. Fighting this problem requires an in-depth understanding of consumers’ motivations and how they feel about engaging in this morally questionable behavior.
Credibility of a peer endorser and advertising effectiveness
Authors: Munnukka Juha , Uusitalo Outi , Toivonen Hanna 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
Advertisers use various tactics to influence consumer purchases and create positive associations with their brands. The purpose of this study is to explore the formation of peer-endorser credibility and its influence on attitude formation. The role of product involvement in the formation of attitudes and endorser credibility is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative study was conducted among university students. Data were collected using an online questionnaire concerning three advertisements for which identical questionnaires were constructed; 364 responses were generated.

Findings
The authors show that the credibility of a peer endorser is constructed from trustworthiness, expertise, similarity and attractiveness dimensions that positively affect consumers’ attitude toward an advertisement and a brand. Product involvement affects advertising effectiveness indirectly through the endorser-credibility construct. Finally, the authors show that a consumer’s experience with an advertised product affects the perception of endorser credibility and the effectiveness of the advertisement.

Originality/value
The findings reveal new insights into the little studied area of peer-endorser effectiveness. The authors shed light on the construction of peer endorser credibility and the relative importance of specific credibility dimensions on the effectiveness of an advertisement. This study also provides information on the direct and indirect effects of consumers’ brand involvement on attitudes toward advertisements.
Polyurethane cum hydrophobic finishing of acrylic fabrics for enhanced comfort characteristics
Authors: Raza Z.A. , Anwar F. , Ahmad N. , Rehman A. , Nasir N. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
The paper aims to improve the protective and comfort properties of both woven and knitted acrylic fabrics by applying a hybrid waterborne polyurethane/fluorocarbon hydrophobic finish.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, it was found that the transportation of water from fabrics is one of the important textile parameters. To improve this property, a polyurethane-based finish (Dicrylan BSRN®) and an oil- and water-repellent finish (Oleophobol ZSR®) were applied by using the pad-dry-cure method. After applying the finishes, the resultant fabric samples were investigated for various textile properties.

Findings
The application of Oleophobol ZSR® increased the absorbency time, indicating that the fabric became hydrophobic, whereas the application of Dicrylan BSRN® finish improved the moisture management properties of the woven acrylic. The tensile strength of the woven acrylic fabric was not significantly affected by the application of these finishes. The contact angle of treated knitted fabrics increased and air permeability decreased with an increase in the concentration of Oleophobol ZSR®.

Practical implications
Moisture management is one of the crucial performance criteria in today’s apparel industry. Therefore, fluorochemicals are one of the major precursors used in water-repellent finishes and waterproof membranes in outdoor garments. Based on this fact, this research work focused on the textile sector, where moisture management is required.

Originality/value
This is the first report about the combined application of waterborne polyurethane and fluorochemical-based finishes on acrylic fabrics to tune their comfort and hydrophobic properties.
Modified polyacrylonitrile-based activated carbon fibers applied in supercapacitor
Authors: Su Linjie , Li Bohong , Zhao Dongyu , Qin Chuanli , Jin Zheng 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to prepare a new modified activated carbon fibers (ACFs) of high specific capacitance used for electrode material of supercapacitor.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the specific capacitance of ACF was significantly increased by using the phenolic resin microspheres and melamine as modifiers to prepare modified PAN-based activated carbon fibers (MACFs) via electrospinning, pre-oxidation and carbonization. The symmetrical supercapacitor (using MACF as electrode) and hybrid supercapacitor (using MACF and activated carbon as electrodes) were tested in term of electrochemical properties by cyclic voltammetry, AC impedance and cycle stability test.

Findings
It was found that the specific capacitance value of the modified fibers were increased to 167 Fg-1 by adding modifiers (i.e. 20 wt.% microspheres and 15 wt.% melamine) compared to that of unmodified fibers (86.17 Fg-1). Specific capacitance of modified electrode material had little degradation over 10,000 cycles. This result can be attributed to that the modifiers embedded into the fibers changed the original morphology and enhanced the specific surface area of the fibers.

Originality/value
The modified ACFs in our study had high specific surface area and significantly high specific capacitance, which can be applied as efficient and environmental absorbent, and advanced electrode material of supercapacitor.