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The paper presents a mathematical model that measures the profitability of the maintenance system based on the traditional accounting definition of profitability. There is currently a dire need for an article presenting a scientific‐based framework for practitioners in maintenance to make optimal instead of sub‐optimal decisions on profitability. Design/methodology/approach – A case study is presented to reflect the actual application of the proposed model. Different situations were considered in modelling to obtain optimal results. Simulation experiments were conducted to demonstrate that maintenance profitability is a reality through the use of differential calculus. Findings – It was observed that the approach presented is a holistic viewpoint of maintenance profitability measurement. Research limitations/implications – An adequate understanding of the maintenance system is needed to properly implement the model. Practical implications – The practical application of the model is that the maintenance system will now be viewed as a value‐adding activity instead of “a necessary evil” or “a bottomless pit for expenses”. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need and offers practical help to managers in taking guided decisions that are optimal.

The main objective of this study was to analyse the economics of introducing IT in the maintenance department. The economics in this case was determined by conducting a quantitative analysis on the reduction of operational costs, on increase in productivity and on quality improvement. A comparison was made to analyse company performance in the maintenance before and after the introduction of IT in the maintenance department. The analysis shows that there were reductions of operational and inventory holding costs. Likewise, it was shown that there was also improvement in product quality and productivity.

The aim with this paper is to describe current IT practices within maintenance in Swedish industry, and to outline the future possible developments.

The study is performed as a web‐based questionnaire survey consisting of 71 participants. A systems perspective is applied for capturing the most relevant aspects of IT utilisation.

The IT practices are characterised by high use of business‐specific IT solutions, low use of company‐wide IT solutions, low IT intensity and the client‐server architecture is dominating. The purchase decision and ownership of IT is to high extent tied to the maintenance function. Moreover, IT systems are apprehended as beneficial and connected to real needs. The findings imply a decentralised IT governance form and a mainly vertical (functional) IT support.

The socio‐technical approach suggested in this paper helps us to identify which areas to study, and also shows the tight interrelationship between different factors, layers and systems.

The study results could be used for benchmarking purposes or to highlight state‐of‐the‐art of IT utilisation in maintenance, and thereby set the topic on the corporate agenda.

Studies describing IT utilisation within maintenance in the form of case studies and surveys exist, but they mainly focus on one aspect. This study approached the problem from a socio‐technical perspective, covering several aspects connected to IT utilisation.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the characteristics of two corporate governance mechanisms, namely, board of directors and ownership structure, on the firm value of European financial institutions.

Using the market-to-book ratio calculated by the Thomson Reuters Eikon ASSET4 database, this study measures the firm value of 111 financial institutions belonging to 12 European countries listed on the stock exchange during the period 2007–2019. Multivariate regression analysis on panel data is used to estimate the relationship between corporate governance attributes, such as board size, board independence, board gender diversity, ownership concentration and CEO ownership, and the firm value of European financial institutions.

The empirical results reveal that board gender diversity and CEO ownership are positively related to the firm value, whereas board size and ownership concentration are negatively related. Furthermore, the findings suggest that board independence is insignificantly correlated with the firm value. Regarding the control variables, the results show that financial institutions' size, age and legal system are significant factors in changing the firm value. Nevertheless, financial institutions' leverage and activity sector are not significantly correlated with their value.

This research contributes to the literature by providing the significant links between some corporate governance mechanisms and the firm value of companies from the financial industry, by addressing the information gap for this critical industry in the context of a developed market like Europe.

The purposes are to explore corporate financial management optimization in the context of big data and provide a sustainable financial strategy for corporate development.

First, the shortcomings of the traditional financial management model are analyzed under the background of big data analysis. The big data analytic technology is employed to extract financial big data information and establish an efficient corporate financial management model. Second, the deep learning (DL) algorithm is applied to implement a corporate financial early-warning model to predict the potential risks in corporate finance, considering the predictability of corporate financial risks. Finally, a corporate value-centered development strategy based on sustainable growth is proposed for long-term development.

The experimental results demonstrate that the financial early-warning model based on DL has an accuracy of 90.7 and 88.9% for the two-year financial alert, which is far superior to the prediction effect of the traditional financial risk prediction models.

The obtained results can provide a reference for establishing a sustainable development pattern of corporate financial management under the background of big data.

The construction industry (CI) is a major contributor to the gross domestic product of most economies. Yet, the industry is characterized by poorly performing projects, plagued with cost overruns, delays, with a relatively high-risk nature and marginal returns. Given that construction projects are financially dynamic, relying on highly fluctuating working capital and cash-flow requirements, there is an imperative need to understand the working capital management (WCM) of the CI. This study aims to review the extant literature on WCM in the CI to present a contemporary positional paper and engender a wider polemic debate on this crucial phenomenon.

A systematic literature review methodology is used, using Google Scholar as the literature database.

Despite the importance of this research theme, only 16 publications dedicated to the topic of WCM in the CI are identified. This is an important finding in itself and is indicative of hitherto scant research conducted. Other observations include the lack of experts examining the field, with no authors exploring the theme more than once. Subthemes of WCM are also scarce, with only the topic of the relationship between “WCM and profitability” been revisited and refined in literature; all other topics being cursory.

This study is among pioneering papers in developing economies that have taken stock of WCM in the CI. As a result, the conclusion of this paper is to call out the paucity of research in WCM and set a broad agenda for future research.

The primary aim of the work reported here is to determine whether a low cost teaching approach which had been successfully used in one region of Tanzania (Tanga) could be introduced to other teachers in a different region by teachers, rather than outside experts. A second aim is to determine whether changes occurred in children's knowledge and behaviour and a third aim is to determine if the work was sustained.

The study was carried out in ten randomly selected schools in the Dodoma region, where there is a high prevalence rate of trachoma, with the teachers being taught active methods by colleagues from Tanga. Local staff from Helen Keller International had an input in teaching about trachoma itself. Data in the form of environmental, educational and clinical observations and were collected at the beginning, the end and during the programme and information on children's knowledge was obtained at the beginning and the end.

The results were encouraging in showing that teachers were effective in passing on their skills to other teachers, who in turn were enthusiastic in putting their new knowledge into practice. Equally encouraging was the way in which children's behaviour changed as well as their knowledge. A follow up four years later showed that the work has continued in all ten schools and has and spread to 27 others. Teaching on trachoma will be included in the new national curriculum for primary schools.

It is suggested that teachers should be considered as a significant part of any community based trachoma programme.

The concept of working capital management (WCM) has been a fundamental financial accounting term that has evolved in financial theory for centuries. Given that the construction industry (CI) is financially dynamic, there is an imperative need to understand its WCM practices. The call for the industry players to adhere to efficient financial management practices as a result of a huge financing gap requires consented effort. This study aims to explore the trend of practices of WCM in the CI and elicit a broader polemic dialogue about this crucial theme.

The source of information for the study was secondary mainly from referenced journals and international conference papers published on WCM relating to the CI. A three-step sample selection strategy was adopted to identify the range and scope of publications on WCM in the CI based on the systematic literature review method.

The CI cannot boost of enough empirical WCM research to gain in-depth understanding of its practical trend. The developing economies are failing to produce insightful peer-reviewed papers on WCM to assist in bridging the infrastructural financing gap through apposite strategies. Gaining appropriate knowledge of the short-term financial operations through a conceptualization of WCM practices in the CI may lead to better strategies formulated for smooth operations.

This is a pioneering paper in developing economies that have taken stock of WCM knowledge of the practical trend in the CI. Future research prospects in which WCM matters can use it as a reference point.

This paper examines the performance of smallholder rice farms established using improved planting technologies – broadcasting, dibbling and transplanting – under different production systems – rain-fed and irrigation – in Ghana.

Using recent cross-sectional data of 200 smallholder rice farmers from the upper east region of Ghana, this study employed multinomial logit model and descriptive and inferential statistics for the analysis.

The results revealed that rice production under irrigation system contributes significantly to increasing farm productivity and profitability. Rice farmers who adopted dibbling and transplanting technologies under both irrigation and rain-fed production system obtained higher productivity and profitability than those who used broadcasting technology. Adoption of improved rice planting technologies by smallholder farmers is significantly influenced by education, farm size, improved rice varieties, sales outlets, hired labour and percentage of paddy sold.

The sample size is relatively small, even though findings are still very important in terms of policy formulation for improved smallholder farm performance in a developing country like Ghana.

This study calls for collaborative efforts by government, donor agencies and NGOs to establish irrigation facilities and/or expand existing ones, increase sensitization and dissemination of improved planting technologies, as well as intensify the input subsidy programme in Ghana.

To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study that focuses on farmers' choice of rice planting technologies under irrigation and rain-fed production systems, and how these technologies impact on smallholder farm performance in Ghana.