Search results

1 – 10 of 106
Article
Publication date: 26 July 2022

Edson Neves da Silva, Luiz Carlos Brasil de Brito Mello and Gustavo Oliveira Pinto

This paper aims to evaluate the current level of knowledge about lean construction (LC) practices in construction companies, universities and class organizations in Brazil and…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the current level of knowledge about lean construction (LC) practices in construction companies, universities and class organizations in Brazil and identify the barriers to implementing LC in the Brazilian construction industry and prioritize them through comparison with global challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

This multiple case study was carried out through a questionnaire answered by 56 construction companies, 15 universities and 10 professional associations. The questionnaire evaluation allowed the authors to determine the level of knowledge about the LC, its adoption and barriers to its adoption in the Brazilian industry. The results were statistically analyzed using the weighted average (MIS) of results using the Kruskal–Wallis test, which compares sample distribution among groups, and Cronbach’s alpha test to measure the questionnaire reliability.

Findings

This study points to universities as the main ones responsible for the low adoption of LC in Brazil and points to the need for an integrated action among construction companies, universities and class organizations to overcome the traditional project management culture and raise the level of knowledge about LC.

Originality/value

This study evaluated the current LC situation in an emerging country, Brazil, and compared it with the principal international challenges observed in studies of other developing countries – China, India, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Singapore – least developed countries – Bangladesh and Nigeria – and developed country – UK. These studies evaluated construction companies located in the listed countries. Based on that, 22 international challenges were established for the LC adoption. Additionally, this research also evaluated universities and working-class organizations in addition to construction companies. This addition can contribute to a better result understanding that can be explored by Brazil and other countries.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. 23 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2020

Sara Neves and Carlos Brito

The objective of this research is to have an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the current knowledge regarding the variables that encourage the individuals, within the…

2172

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this research is to have an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the current knowledge regarding the variables that encourage the individuals, within the academic community, to get involved in knowledge exploitation activities. It is influenced by the observation that there is a need for more systematic scrutiny of micro-level processes to deepen our understanding of academic entrepreneurship (Balven et al., 2018; Wright and Phan, 2018). The study proposes to answer to ‘What are the drivers of academic entrepreneurial intentions?’ and ‘What are the emerging topics for future research?’

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows a Systematic Literature Review process (Tranfield et al., 2003) and adopts a four-step process format from previous literature reviews within the entrepreneurship context (Miller et al., 2018). From the results within Scopus and Web of Science databases, this research selected, evaluated, summarised and synthesised 66 relevant papers.

Findings

This study provides a factor-listed representation of the individual, organisational and institutional variables that should be considered in the strategies defined by the university. Moreover, the study concludes that the push factors behind the intentions are multiple, context-dependent, hierarchy-dependent, heterogeneous and, at the same time, dependent on each other and against each other. Lastly, the study contributes to academic entrepreneurship literature, especially entrepreneurial intention literature, which has recently received more researchers' attention.

Originality/value

The study corroborates that the individual factors, directly and indirectly via Theory of Planned Behaviour, strongly impact the academics' intentions. While the focus of the papers under review was an in-depth analysis of a selected group of factors, this SLR sought to compile the factors that were identified and provide a broader picture of all those factors to be considered by the university management. It contributes to the identification and clustering of the drivers that encourage academics to engage in knowledge valorisation activities, differentiating them by activity. For the practitioners, this list can be used by university managers, TTOs and department managers, and policymakers to guide questionnaires or interviews to analyse their academics' intentions and adequately support its academic engagement strategy. Lastly, this study also suggests worthwhile avenues for future research.

Details

Journal of Management Development, vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0262-1711

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1999

Carlos Melo Brito

Connectedness is a central characteristic of industrial networks with significant methodological implications. One of the most important implications has to do with the choice of…

1239

Abstract

Connectedness is a central characteristic of industrial networks with significant methodological implications. One of the most important implications has to do with the choice of the sampling unit. This paper introduces the concept of an issue‐based net and suggests its use as a unit of analysis in networks studies. An issue‐based net can be defined as a net of relationships amongst actors who are concerned with a particular issue through mutual or conflicting interests. Using a research project on the dynamics of the port wine industry in Portugal, the paper elaborates on the use of such a sampling unit as a way of understanding processes of change mainly driven by interaction amongst groups of interests.

Details

Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-2752

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 1 March 2023

Rachel Madeira Magalhães, Luiz Carlos Brasil de Brito Mello and Maria Aparecida Steinherz Hippert

The main factor that leads organizations to implement Building Information Modeling (BIM) is customer demand. While this is a frequent topic in the BIM literature, few studies…

Abstract

Purpose

The main factor that leads organizations to implement Building Information Modeling (BIM) is customer demand. While this is a frequent topic in the BIM literature, few studies address BIM organizational readiness. Due to this gap in BIM implementation literature, this paper aims to understand what affects organizational BIM readiness and how the BIM readiness process occurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper adopts design science research as a methodological approach. A literature review examined 69 journal articles. The analysis focused on multiple theories, such as organizational readiness for change, adoption and diffusion of innovations and project management.

Findings

By investigating BIM organizational readiness, this study presents a construct and a conceptual model for driving BIM readiness.

Originality/value

This study can benefit researchers and organizations. The results presented may drive further research and discussions on the topic. But it is important to state that these results must be tested on real situations.

Details

Frontiers in Engineering and Built Environment, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2634-2499

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 March 2017

Barbara de Lima Voss, David Bernard Carter and Bruno Meirelles Salotti

We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in…

Abstract

We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in the construction of hegemonies in SEA research in Brazil. In particular, we examine the role of hegemony in relation to the co-option of SEA literature and sustainability in the Brazilian context by the logic of development for economic growth in emerging economies. The methodological approach adopts a post-structural perspective that reflects Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. The study employs a hermeneutical, rhetorical approach to understand and classify 352 Brazilian research articles on SEA. We employ Brown and Fraser’s (2006) categorizations of SEA literature to help in our analysis: the business case, the stakeholder–accountability approach, and the critical case. We argue that the business case is prominent in Brazilian studies. Second-stage analysis suggests that the major themes under discussion include measurement, consulting, and descriptive approach. We argue that these themes illustrate the degree of influence of the hegemonic politics relevant to emerging economics, as these themes predominantly concern economic growth and a capitalist context. This paper discusses trends and practices in the Brazilian literature on SEA and argues that the focus means that SEA avoids critical debates of the role of capitalist logics in an emerging economy concerning sustainability. We urge the Brazilian academy to understand the implications of its reifying agenda and engage, counter-hegemonically, in a social and political agenda beyond the hegemonic support of a particular set of capitalist interests.

Details

Advances in Environmental Accounting & Management: Social and Environmental Accounting in Brazil
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-376-4

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2001

Carlos Melo Brito

The study of interorganisational cooperation has gained increased currency. An important empirical and conceptual contribution in this field owes much to the network approach. The…

2258

Abstract

The study of interorganisational cooperation has gained increased currency. An important empirical and conceptual contribution in this field owes much to the network approach. The picture provided by the network approach contrasts with other models that regard cooperation as a mere contractual and legal inter‐corporate connection. Whilst accepting the existence of formal types of collaborative arrangements, the network approach emphasises the importance of informal and emergent cooperation. This paper is an attempt to extend the current perspective by focusing on interorganisational cooperation in the context of collective action phenomena. These usually involve a large number of actors concerned with the formulation of market rules, the prevention of instability and disorder and, in general, the promotion or defence of their mutual interests. The paper offers an institutional explanation of why and how collective actions emerge and influence the shape and evolution of industrial networks.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2007

Carlos Brito and Catarina Roseira

The article aims at contributing to a better understanding of the interdependence between supply management and the strategic position of the buying firm.

1084

Abstract

Purpose

The article aims at contributing to a better understanding of the interdependence between supply management and the strategic position of the buying firm.

Design/methodology/approach

The research follows a qualitative analysis of two cases: Adira, a family‐owned manufacturer of machinery to cut steel, and Vulcano, a manufacturer of instantaneous house gas water‐heaters and boilers.

Findings

The article finds that supply management decisions depend not only on the network position of the buying firm, but also on the network vision of its managers.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on two contrasting cases. Further research should develop and test the findings by using other cases and methodological approaches more quantitative in nature.

Practical implications

The article has three major practical implications: supply management should integrate three levels of decisions: dyadic, portfolio and network decisions; supply management does not depend solely on firms' strategic positioning and strategies, but also on managers' network theory about the role and capabilities of suppliers; and “no strategy” can also be a strategy.

Originality/value

The study was conducted on the basis of a multi‐dimensional model that integrates three levels of analysis: dyadic, portfolio and network.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 February 2015

Francisco Vieira and Carlos Brito

– This study aims to map scientific knowledge in industrial marketing.

3043

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to map scientific knowledge in industrial marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted on the basis of a quantitative and descriptive research using scientometric analysis based on scientific records. It analyzes more than 14,000 scientific records on the Scopus database from 1956 to 2009. The sample fits Bradford’s and Lotka’s power laws of distribution of science in use.

Findings

The study reveals the existence of four stages: the genesis of this stream of research (1956-1984), the early development (1985-1995), the consolidation of production (1996-2003) and the phase of scientific maturity (from 2004) with an increasing number of records in recent years. Regarding authorship, there is a clear predominance of single authorship and an average increase in the number of authors per record from one to two authors for recent years. The main sources of knowledge are the Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing and the Industrial Marketing Management journal. A statistical significance is shown between the number of records and the number of papers per journal, highlighting that Management Science and Industrial Marketing Management journals are the most cited sources.

Practical implications

Practitioners find in this paper a sound basis for a wide perspective of the key issues addressed by researchers on industrial marketing over the past decades, as well as good insights in terms of the main challenges faced by companies in this field.

Originality/value

Evidence was found of the existence of a long tail behavior in scientific literature of industrial marketing regarding chronology, sources, number of records with a single author and number of records cited.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Carlos Brito

The paper aims to develop an understanding of the port wine sector from a relational, holistic, and dynamic perspective.

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to develop an understanding of the port wine sector from a relational, holistic, and dynamic perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted a qualitative methodological approach. Primary data were collected through semi‐structured interviews. The analysis focused on the relationships established among both economic and non‐economic actors.

Findings

The paper offers an overview of the port wine sector on the basis of the conceptual background of the IMP (Industrial Marketing and Purchasing) Group. The study suggests that the dynamics of the sector is not solely determined by economic and technological variables, but also by interests assuming both an economic, social and political nature.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should develop and test the findings by using other cases and methodological approaches.

Practical implications

Managers must be aware that firms are embedded not only in economic systems but also in political and social networks whose dynamics cannot be neglected.

Originality/value

While most studies on the dynamics of economic systems have focused on the role played by technological factors, relatively few have addressed the importance of collective actions. In this line, the paper contributes for a better understanding of the role of collective actors created to defend the interests of their members. Moreover, since the port wine sector is not an idiosyncratic case because most of its features are also present in other wine regions, the conclusions of the paper are likely to be used for the understanding of other wine regions.

Details

International Journal of Wine Marketing, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-7541

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2013

Jane Sparrow

The purpose of this paper is to show how human resources (HR) can influence sustained engagement by supporting managers to be expert engagers of others.

8449

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how human resources (HR) can influence sustained engagement by supporting managers to be expert engagers of others.

Design/methodology/approach

This article discusses the limitations of organizational level engagement strategies in relation to sustained engagement. It outlines the critical task managers and leaders play in securing meaningful, long‐term engagement, based on the author's personal views, experience and analysis of effective engagement strategies. The article outlines five key roles that managers need to be proficient in if they are to influence high performance in others. The effectiveness of the roles is supported with the author's observations of managers, leaders and HR practitioners who all excel as engagers.

Findings

Whilst organizational level engagement strategies play a key role in building understanding and awareness for employees, this is rarely enough to secure deeper and more meaningful levels of engagement that endure. Managers are the missing link in building cultures of performance but they cannot do so alone. HR must support their managers and leaders as engagers with the practical skills and personal development they need to ensure they can deliver.

Originality/value

The article refers to the type of support and counsel managers require of HR to help them fulfill their five roles as engagers. Some practical steps are given within the article for this specific purpose.

1 – 10 of 106