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Article
Publication date: 1 June 1997

James L. Price

Addresses the standardization of the measurements and the labels for concepts commonly used in the study of work organizations. As a reference handbook and research tool, seeks to…

16295

Abstract

Addresses the standardization of the measurements and the labels for concepts commonly used in the study of work organizations. As a reference handbook and research tool, seeks to improve measurement in the study of work organizations and to facilitate the teaching of introductory courses in this subject. Focuses solely on work organizations, that is, social systems in which members work for money. Defines measurement and distinguishes four levels: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. Selects specific measures on the basis of quality, diversity, simplicity and availability and evaluates each measure for its validity and reliability. Employs a set of 38 concepts ‐ ranging from “absenteeism” to “turnover” as the handbook’s frame of reference. Concludes by reviewing organizational measurement over the past 30 years and recommending future measurement reseach.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 18 no. 4/5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 September 2011

Liu Wei‐hua, Xu Xue‐cai, Ren Zheng‐xu and Peng Yan

On one side, the purpose of this paper is to numerically analyze the emergency order allocation mechanism and help managers to understand the relationship between the emergency…

3014

Abstract

Purpose

On one side, the purpose of this paper is to numerically analyze the emergency order allocation mechanism and help managers to understand the relationship between the emergency coefficient, uncertainty and emergency cost in two‐echelon logistics service supply chain. On the other side, the purpose of this paper is to help managers understand how to deal with the problem of order allocation in the two‐echelon logistics service supply chain better in the case of emergency.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a multi‐objective planning model for emergency order allocation and then uses numerical methods with LINGO 8.0 software to identify the model's properties. The application of the order allocation model is then presented by means of a case study.

Findings

With the augment of uncertainty, the general cost of logistics service integrator (LSI) is increasing, while the total satisfaction of all functional logistics service providers (FLSPs) is decreasing, as well as the capacity reliability; at the same time the emergency cost coefficient is closely correlative with the satisfaction and general penalty intensity of FLSPs; finally, the larger the emergency cost coefficient is, the more satisfaction of FLSPs, but the capacity reliability goes up first and down later.

Research limitations/implications

Management should note that it is not better when emergency cost coefficient is bigger. The general satisfaction degree of FLSP increases with the augment of emergency cost coefficient, but there is an upper limit of the value, i.e. it will not increase indefinitely with the augment of emergency cost coefficient. This paper also has some limitations. The optional emergency cost coefficient only adopted a group of data to analyze while the trend of the reliability of logistics capacity needs to be further discussed. In addition, the algorithm of emergency order allocation model in the case of multi‐objective remains to be solved.

Practical implications

Under emergency conditions, LSIs can adopt this kind of model to manage their FLSPs to obtain the higher logistics performance. But LSIs should be careful selecting emergency cost coefficient. In accordance with different degrees of emergency logistics demand, LSIs can determine reasonable emergency cost coefficient, but not the bigger, the better, on the premise that LSIs acquire maximum capacity guarantee degree and overall satisfaction degree of FLSPs. FLSPs can make contract bargaining of reasonable emergency coefficient with LSIs to make both sides get the best returns and realize the benefit balance.

Originality/value

Many studies have emphasized the capacity allocation of manufactures, order allocation of manufacturing supply chain and scheduling model of emergency resources without monographic study of supply chain order allocation of logistics service. Because the satisfaction degree of FLSPs the cost of integrators needs to be considered in the process of order allocation, and the inventory cost of capacity does not exist, it is different from the issue of capacity allocation planning of manufacture supply chain. Meanwhile, the match of different kinds of logistics service capacity must be considered for the reason of the integrated feature of logistics service. Additionally, cost is not the most important decision objective because of the characteristics of demand uncertainty and weak economy. Accordingly, this paper considers these issues.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 January 2023

Joseph G. Altonji, John Eric Humphries and Ling Zhong

This chapter uses a college-by-graduate degree fixed effects estimator to evaluate the returns to 19 different graduate degrees for men and women. We find substantial variation…

Abstract

This chapter uses a college-by-graduate degree fixed effects estimator to evaluate the returns to 19 different graduate degrees for men and women. We find substantial variation across degrees, and evidence that OLS overestimates the returns to degrees with the highest average earnings and underestimates the returns to degrees with the lowest average earnings. Second, we decompose the impacts on earnings into effects on wage rates and effects on hours. For most degrees, the earnings gains come from increased wage rates, though hours play an important role in some degrees, such as medicine, especially for women. Third, we estimate the net present value and internal rate of return for each degree, which account for the time and monetary costs of degrees. Finally, we provide descriptive evidence that satisfaction gains are large for some degrees with smaller economic returns, such as education and humanities degrees, especially for men.

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2022

Xuejiao Zhang, Yu Yang and Jing Wang

This paper aims to develop a dynamic two-sided stable matching method based on preference information of the matching objects in uncertain environments, so as to solve the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a dynamic two-sided stable matching method based on preference information of the matching objects in uncertain environments, so as to solve the matching problem of cloud manufacturing tasks and services with load balancing.

Design/methodology/approach

For dynamic two-sided matching, due to the complexity of social environment and the limitation of human cognition, hesitation and fuzziness always exist in the process of multi-criteria assessment. First, in order to obtain the accurate preference information of each matching object, uncertain linguistic variables, uncertain preference ordinal and incomplete complementary matrices are used to evaluate multi-criteria preference information. This process is undertaken by considering the probability of each possible matching pair. Second, the preference information at different times is integrated by using the time-series weight to obtain the comprehensive satisfaction degree matrices of the matching objects. Further, the load adjustment parameter is used to increase the satisfaction degree of the matching objects. Afterward, a dynamic two-sided stable matching optimization model is constructed by considering stable matching conditions. The model aims to maximize the satisfaction degree and minimizes the difference in the satisfaction degree of matching objects. The optimal stable matching results can be obtained by solving the optimization model. Finally, a numerical example and comparative analysis are presented to demonstrate the characteristics of the proposed method.

Findings

Uncertain linguistic variables, uncertain preference orders and incomplete complementary matrices are used to describe multi-criteria preference information of the matching objects in uncertain environments. A dynamic two-sided stable matching method is proposed, based on which a DTSMDM (dynamic two-sided matching decision-making) model of cloud manufacturing with load balancing can be constructed. The study proved that the authors can use the proposed method to obtain stable matching pairs and higher matching objective value through comparative analysis and the sensitivity analysis.

Originality/value

A new method for the two-sided matching decision-making problem of cloud manufacturing with load balancing is proposed in this paper, which allows the matching objects to elicit language evaluation under uncertain environment more flexibly to implement dynamic two-sided matching based on preference information at different times. This method is suitable for dealing with a variety of TSMDM (two-sided matching decision-making) problems.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 52 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 May 2017

Bojan Bojan Grum

This paper aims to focus on how participants link the degree of satisfaction regarding the living conditions and the level of maintenance of facilities. The authors were…

1522

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on how participants link the degree of satisfaction regarding the living conditions and the level of maintenance of facilities. The authors were interested in cross-cultural comparison between Slovenia and Serbia.

Design/methodology/approach

The main instrument for measuring the participants’ level of satisfaction is a questionnaire formed by the authors. The study of the questionnaire was conducted in two phases. Statistical analysis of the first phase covering factor analysis of the questionnaire and analysis of the reliability of the questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha) in the second phase, descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used. The study involved 1,006 Slovenian and 385 Serbian participants. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance.

Findings

The results show that the Slovenian and Serbian participants express a statistically significant difference in the degree of satisfaction regarding the level of maintenance of the living environment, namely, with regard to the location of the real estate, the size of housing units, central heating and a sense of social belonging to the neighborhood. The overall picture shows that Slovenian participants have a considerably higher degree of satisfaction regarding the living conditions in the neighborhood and regarding the level of maintaining facilities than Serbian participations.

Research limitations/implications

These are potential risks of error arising from the use of assumptions, limited sample size and data from the secondary resources.

Practical implications

The results show that the law must clearly define the obligations of professional managers who will have to hold licenses to manage buildings. The residential community could be put into receivership if it is not organized in compliance with the law until it is regulated. That leads to efficient and streamlined maintenance costs and results in a better-quality living environment where users expect to reflect a higher degree of sense of security, a sense of social belonging to the neighborhood and consequently a higher degree of satisfaction.

Social implications

In this study, the authors were interested in how the participants link the level of satisfaction with the living conditions and the level of facilities maintenance. In doing so, the authors were also interested in living environment parameters, such as location, size, illumination, noise and old apartments, old neighborhoods, internet access, central heating and a sense of security in the neighborhood, a sense of social belonging and a sense of living environment and suitable economic status.

Originality/value

The major contributions of this paper are as follows: the law must clearly define the obligations of professional managers who will have to hold a license to manage the building. The adoption of the “Facilities Maintenance Law” helped promote the overall legal and economic climate in the country, which led to the increase of investments in all areas of economic and social life, as well as to a higher level of residential “well-being” (sense of security, sense of social belonging to the neighborhood and consequently a higher level of satisfaction).

Details

Facilities, vol. 35 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 January 2024

Mohamed Marzouk and Dina Hamdala

The aggressive competition in the real estate market forces real estate developers to tackle the challenge of selecting the best project construction phasing alternative. The real…

151

Abstract

Purpose

The aggressive competition in the real estate market forces real estate developers to tackle the challenge of selecting the best project construction phasing alternative. The real estate industry is characterized by high costs, high profit and high risks. The schedules of real estate projects are also characterized by having large number of repetitive activities that are executed over a long duration. The repetitiveness, long duration of execution, the high amounts of money involved and the high risk made it desirable to leverage the impact of changes in phasing plans on net present value of amounts incurred and received over the long execution and selling duration. This also changes the project progress, and delivery time as well as their respective impact on customer degree of satisfaction. This research addresses the problem of selecting the best phasing alternative for real estate development projects while maximizing customer satisfaction and project profit.

Design/methodology/approach

The research proposes a model that generates all construction phasing alternatives and performs decision-making to rank all possible phasing alternatives. The proposed model consists of five modules: (1) Phasing Sequencing module, (2) Customer Satisfaction module, (3) Cash-In calculation module, (4) Cost Estimation module and (5) Decision-making module. A case study was presented to demonstrate the practicality of the model.

Findings

The proposed model satisfies the real estate market's need for proper construction phasing plans evaluation and selection against the project's main success criteria, customer satisfaction and project profit. The proposed model generates all construction phasing alternatives and performs multi-criteria decision making to rank all possible phasing alternatives. It quantifies the score of the two previously mentioned criteria and ranks all solutions according to their overall score.

Research limitations/implications

The research proposes a model that assist real estate market's need for proper construction phasing plans evaluation and selection against the project's main success criteria, customer satisfaction and project profit. The proposed model can be used to conclude general guidelines and common successful practices to be used by real estate developers when deciding the construction phasing plan. In this study the model is based on business models where all the project units are sold, rental cases are not considered. Also, the budget limitations that might exist when phasing is not considered in the model computations.

Originality/value

The model can be used as a complete platform that can hold all real estate project data, process revenues and cost information for estimating profit, plotting cash flow profiles, quantifying the degree of customer satisfaction attributable to each phasing alternative and providing recommendation showing the best one. The model can be used to conclude general guidelines and common successful practices to be used by real estate developers when tackling the challenge of selecting construction phasing plans.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 February 2018

I.M.S. Weerasinghe and R.L.S. Fernando

The purpose of this study is to explain critical factors affecting student satisfaction levels in selected state universities in Sri Lanka.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explain critical factors affecting student satisfaction levels in selected state universities in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has applied an quantitative survey design guided by six hypotheses. A conceptual framework has been developed to address the research questions on the basis of a literature review. The study is based on an undergraduate sample from four state universities, and it presents results of factor analytics and correlational and regression analyses.

Findings

Evidence to support construct validity and reliability of all survey-based scales measuring the key variables has been found. The quality of the academic staff, university facilities, degree program, administrative staff, university location and university image have been correlated significantly with student satisfaction levels measured at 0.45, 0.47, 0.51, 0.31, 0.39 and 0.66, respectively. The statistically significant predictors are: the quality of university facilities, the quality of the degree program and the university image, with the image being the strongest predictor.

Practical implications

The study offers a conceptual framework to guide future research and validated scales for measuring student satisfaction levels in a national higher education system in a developing region that is aspiring toward a knowledge-based economy where tertiary education is free. Five recommendations are provided for policymakers.

Originality/value

Research shows high variabilities in the models used and the findings of studies on factors affecting student satisfaction levels in universities. The study is among the first large-scale studies of student satisfaction levels in the Sri Lankan state university system, where little data exist on why students are dissatisfied and fail to complete their degrees.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2019

Ahamd A. Alhusban, Safa A. Alhusban and Yamen N. Al-Betawi

The purposes of this study is to explore and describe the main campus urban design principles, to investigate and examine the degree of Hashemite University’s (HU’s) student…

Abstract

Purpose

The purposes of this study is to explore and describe the main campus urban design principles, to investigate and examine the degree of Hashemite University’s (HU’s) student satisfaction with the urban design of their campus, to examine the relationships between the degree of HU student satisfaction and age, gender, educational pursuits and academic year, to define and assess student needs through HU’s campus design and to examine and investigate the relationships/interrelationships between all the campus urban design principles.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a variety of methods: A face-to-face questionnaire (n = 1,443), HU students’ community board design for urban spaces, HU master plan analysis and focus group discussions (three researchers and 30 architectural students). This research used the descriptive statistics and the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (Pearson r) to analyze the data.

Findings

This research found that the majority of HU students were dissatisfied with the design of their outside spaces with regard to the effectiveness of space, availability of services, viability and vitality, public realm design, the density of activities, design character, walkability, diversity of existing services, richness, continuity and enclosure design. In contrast, they were satisfied with the accessibility and connectivity between spaces, availability of safe and welcoming spaces, mental map elements design and urban structure. Statistically, this research found that there were no significant relationships between the students’ satisfaction level and their age, gender, educational pursuits, education specialty and education level. Moreover, the correlation results revealed that the relationships/interrelationships between all the campus urban design principles have strong/very strong positive linear associations and significant relationships (r > 89).

Practical implications

This research recommended that the urban designer and architects should adopt the bottom-up approach when they are designing and planning the campus. They should apply all the above urban design principles to achieve the flexible and dynamic campus urban design and the students’ needs. Well-designed campus creates multi-functional places for students’ activities, encourages them for socialization and enhances their academic performance and experience, increases their feeling of belonging, enhances the sense of well-being and supports outside learning activities and experiences. The objectives for the campus urban design should promote high standards and qualities of open spaces, create a sense of places, serve students’ needs, provide effective design for socialization, provide maximum flexible design to allow for future campus growth and create a safe and healthy environment to express the quality of university’s life. Finally, the students should participate actively in the developing design of their campus activity.

Originality/value

To avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, this research is essential for future HU campus design. In addition to defining and describing all the campus urban design principles, this research provides HU decision-makers with an informed, holistic view of their students’ satisfaction levels, needs and requirements within their urban campus design to develop the HU campus design. Moreover, this research provides a new vision for the future in the form of data and guidelines for a new campus design. The findings are intended to provide useful information to university managers, leaders, policymakers and urban designers who implement strategies to improve the quality of campus urban design. This research opens the door for new research by duplicating the same research contents and methodologies on another campus design within different regions and cultures to fully develop a universal guideline for campus urban design.

Details

Journal of Place Management and Development, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8335

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2020

Ilaria Benedetti, Tiziana Laureti and Andrea Regoli

This paper aims to contribute to the body of research on job satisfaction as a subjective dimension of the quality of working life. Specifically, it addresses the comparison of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the body of research on job satisfaction as a subjective dimension of the quality of working life. Specifically, it addresses the comparison of job satisfaction between native-born and foreign-born workers in 28 European countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A multilevel modelling framework is used for exploring the variability associated with every hierarchical level (individuals constitute the first-level units, combinations country-activity sector are the second-level units and countries are the third-level units).

Findings

The country-specific native-migrant gap in job satisfaction displays some heterogeneity across countries when accounting for socio-demographic and job-related characteristics. Country-level factors have a significant effect on job satisfaction score of all resident workers. Nevertheless, they do not moderate significantly the effect of immigrant status on job satisfaction across countries.

Research limitations/implications

The unavailability of data on migrants' country of origin and duration of stay in the host country prevents from exploring in more details the integration issues of migrants.

Social implications

Job satisfaction of migrant workers, as an indicator of their working conditions, is fundamental for evaluating the degree of social integration of migrants in their host countries

Originality/value

A distinctive trait of this research is the use of the 2013 ad hoc EU-SILC module on subjective well-being, which contains subjective evaluations of the satisfaction with the job as well as with other different life domains. Further distinctive aspects are the investigation of (1) the direct effect of country-level factors on job satisfaction and (2) whether country-level factors mediate the effect of the immigrant status on job satisfaction.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 42 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 October 2019

Elena Veretennik and Aino Kianto

The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of how two types of informal social networks – those related to instrumental purposes of information sharing and those…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of how two types of informal social networks – those related to instrumental purposes of information sharing and those related to expressive purposes of interpersonal trust – impact teachers’ job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses social network analysis (SNA) degree and betweenness measures and job satisfaction scales from the Job Diagnostic Survey to collect longitudinal data from employees in one of the vocational schools in Saint Petersburg, Russia via structured interviews. Data on a total of 354 ties were analysed for 40 ego networks in 2018 and 33 ego networks in 2019.

Findings

The obtained results partially confirm the positive effect of teachers’ position in instrumental and expressive networks on job satisfaction. More centrally positioned teachers were more satisfied with peers and colleagues. They feel more secure in regard to job security, given the unique and multi-faceted knowledge they possess. Structural diversity of the network, as well as the category of a teacher (core subject or vocational subject), are found to explain the uneven evolvement of network size. The authors argue that the decrease in network size can be treated as a positive externality of changes in an informal network. The variation in teachers’ experience seems to explain both job satisfaction and network composition.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on a case study and its findings are limited to one particular organization. Nonetheless, the proposed SNA application is of potential value for similar organizations in terms of enhancing their capacity to benefit from networks. This study uses a structured interview to collect network data and job satisfaction data. However, overt observation or secondary data on written communication (e-mail, reports) may provide additional insights about the sought impact in the context of school.

Practical implications

Both teachers and managers benefit from the results of the paper. Educational policymakers and schools’ administration can exploit the bird’s eye view on an organization that SNA provides. By identifying focal employees and their attitude towards school, one receives an opportunity to prevent structural holes, organizational conflicts and uneven distribution of workload. Novice teachers can nurture their well-being by enhancing personal and instrumental social networks at the start of their careers. Experienced teachers benefit from social cooperation as it fosters the exchange of experience and skills, which is vital for job retention.

Originality/value

This research extends the understanding of the role of different kinds of social networks in teachers’ job satisfaction. The paper provides new insights into the SNA application to vocational schools and developing economies. Authors address teachers’ informal networks both from ego and complete network analyses to provide the holistic, yet detailed view. The use of longitudinal data advances the understanding of how personal and group networks develop over time.

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