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Article
Publication date: 25 May 2023

Phuong T.C. Phan and Zhipeng Zhou

This paper aims to inquire into the awareness of Vietnamese architects about design for safety (DfS) and the level of engagement in applying DfS among them to get a generic view…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to inquire into the awareness of Vietnamese architects about design for safety (DfS) and the level of engagement in applying DfS among them to get a generic view of the implementation of DfS in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research was used, in which a questionnaire was sent to Vietnamese architects to evaluate how they consider and apply DfS in the design process. Inferential and descriptive statistics then analysed the obtained data to identify the role of each factor.

Findings

The results from the survey conclude that Vietnamese architects have low engagement in applying DfS despite their high awareness and positive attitude towards DfS. Besides, the participants showed the need for further DfS education and training, which is lacking in Vietnamese formal education. In addition, the research also confirms that DfS education and training have positive impacts on the frequency of DfS implementation in Vietnam.

Research limitations/implications

This research contributes to the knowledge of DfS implementation in developing countries. In line with this, further studies on the DfS concept in developing countries are needed to draw a more objective overview and give the solution for the low DfS appliance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study inquiring into the implication of DfS in Vietnam, contributing to improving the lack of knowledge in this field in developing countries and Vietnam in particular.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 August 2023

Haiyan Xie, Ying Hong, Mengyang Xin, Ioannis Brilakis and Owen Shi

The purpose of this study is to improve communication success through barrier identification and analysis so that the identified barriers can help project teams establish…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve communication success through barrier identification and analysis so that the identified barriers can help project teams establish effective information-exchange strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The recent publications on construction communication about time management are reviewed. Then, the semi-structured interviews are performed with both questionnaires and audio recordings (n1 = 18). Next, the collected data are analyzed using both statistical measures on the questionnaire survey and qualitative coding analysis on the text transcripts from an audio recording. Particularly, the identified barriers are substantiated using a scientometrics approach based on the published articles (2011–2020, n2 = 52,915) for purposeful information-sharing solutions in construction time management. Furthermore, the intervention strategies from the top 10 most-cited articles are analyzed and validated by comparisons with the results from construction surveys and relevant studies.

Findings

Based on the discussed communication difficulties, five main barriers were identified during time-cost risk management: probability and statistical concepts, availability of data from external resources, details of team member experiences, graphics (and graphical presentation skills), and spatial and temporal (a.k.a. 4D) simulation skills. For the improvement of communication skills and presentation quality regarding probability and statistical concepts, project teams should emphasize context awareness, case studies and group discussions. Details of communication techniques can be adjusted based on the backgrounds, experiences and expectations of team members.

Research limitations/implications

The dataset n1 has both size and duration limits because of the availability of the invited industry professionals. The dataset n2 considers the literature from 2011 to 2020. Any before-the-date and unpublished studies are not included in the study.

Practical implications

A thorough comprehension of communication barriers can help project teams develop speaking, writing and analytical thinking skills that will enable the teams to better deliver ideas, thoughts and meanings. Additionally, the established discussion on barrier-removal strategies may enhance time management effectiveness, reduce project delays, avoid confusion and misunderstanding and save rework costs.

Social implications

This research calls for the awareness of communication barriers in construction project execution and team collaboration. The identified barriers and the established solutions enrich the approaches of construction companies to share information with communities and society.

Originality/value

This is the first identification model for communication barriers in the time management of the construction industry to the authors' knowledge. The influencing factors and the countermeasures of communication difficulties highlighted by the research were not examined systematically and holistically in previous studies. The findings provide a new approach to facilitate the development of powerful communication strategies and to improve project execution.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2023

Ernesto Pillajo, Claudio Mourgues and Vicente A. González

Information technology provides important support for on-site decision-making of field personnel. Most literature focuses on the technological aspects of decision-support systems…

Abstract

Purpose

Information technology provides important support for on-site decision-making of field personnel. Most literature focuses on the technological aspects of decision-support systems, without fully understanding the information required for effective decision-making. This study aimed to formalize decision-makers’ requirements in terms of the major goals, decisions and information.

Design/methodology/approach

The situation awareness (SA) approach was applied through the goal-directed task analysis (GDTA) method, narrowing the scope to field managers’ decision-making during indoor construction activities. This method was based on a series of interviews to define, revise and validate the decision-making requirements for the given scope.

Findings

The study yielded 1,056 highly interrelated elements. The results indicate that the field manager’s overall goal is to execute and handoff work within the established deadlines, with the required quality, maximizing profits, within a safe work environment. The overall goal construes into five main goals regarding work progress, quality, costs, safety and communication. These goals include subgoals, decisions, and the information necessary to attain them, depicted in diagrams.

Practical implications

The findings allow enhancing the design of decision-support solutions by identifying information required for future developments and showing the interrelations between goals and information requirements that need to be addressed to present interfaces for effectively assisting on-site decision-making. Moreover, the results allow for the assessment of solutions regarding the sufficiency of information.

Originality/value

This is the first effort to fully understand the information required by field managers for on-site decision-making during indoor construction activities.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 May 2023

Alberto Michele Felicetti, Antonio Palmiro Volpentesta, Roberto Linzalone, Giovanni Schiuma and Salvatore Ammirato

Digital platforms for the provision of food information-based services (FISs) represent a consolidated business with increasing revenue streams for entrepreneurs. Such platforms…

Abstract

Purpose

Digital platforms for the provision of food information-based services (FISs) represent a consolidated business with increasing revenue streams for entrepreneurs. Such platforms have transformed and clarified the nature of uncertainty and ambiguity inherent in the traditional food sector entrepreneurial processes. Anyway, a clear understanding of the value of digital platforms for FISs is not yet consolidated in the literature. With this paper, the authors try to fill this gap through a critical literature review of scientific research that combines knowledge on food consumer's behavior and user's knowledge behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out a critical literature review of scientific research combining knowledge of food consumer's and food information user's behavior. This allowed the identification of the main value components of FISs.

Findings

The authors propose a multidimensional framework for modelling the value proposition of digital platforms for FISs. Three main value dimensions have been identified: relevance, credibility, and accessibility. These dimensions concur with the consumer's perceived value of consumers in terms of benefits increase and cost reduction.

Research limitations/implications

The research was intended to shed light on aspects characterizing consumers' perception of food information value. The authors put in evidence that the informational perspective of food communication is under-investigated. This study attempts to provide a holistic overview of the dimensions impacting on consumers' perception of the value of information for food consumers, opening new research perspectives.

Practical implications

The framework represents a tool for positioning food information offerings on the market, with the objective to analyze the value proposition of FISs according to a consumer perspective and to understand gaps of current offering of FISs. Moreover, it may support the design of a new generation of digital platform for food information provision, which would respond to consumers' expectations and information needs, highlighting emerging business opportunities for digital entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

Few research works provide a characterization of value proposition of digital platforms providing food information to consumers. In particular, to date, literature lacks of a holistic overview of the dimensions influencing consumer's perception of the information value of food communications.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 February 2022

Gabriela Santiago and Jose Aguilar

The Reflective Middleware for Acoustic Management (ReM-AM), based on the Middleware for Cloud Learning Environments (AmICL), aims to improve the interaction between users and…

Abstract

Purpose

The Reflective Middleware for Acoustic Management (ReM-AM), based on the Middleware for Cloud Learning Environments (AmICL), aims to improve the interaction between users and agents in a Smart Environment (SE) using acoustic services, in order to consider the unpredictable situations due to the sounds and vibrations. The middleware allows observing, analyzing, modifying and interacting in every state of a SE from the acoustics. This work details an extension of the ReM-AM using the ontology-driven architecture (ODA) paradigm for acoustic management.

Design/methodology/approach

This work details an extension of the ReM-AM using the ontology-driven architecture (ODA) paradigm for acoustic management. In this paper are defined the different domains of knowledge required for the management of the sounds in SEs, which are modeled using ontologies.

Findings

This work proposes an acoustics and sound ontology, a service-oriented architecture (SOA) ontology, and a data analytics and autonomic computing ontology, which work together. Finally, the paper presents three case studies in the context of smart workplace (SWP), ambient-assisted living (AAL) and Smart Cities (SC).

Research limitations/implications

Future works will be based on the development of algorithms for classification and analysis of sound events, to help with emotion recognition not only from speech but also from random and separate sound events. Also, other works will be about the definition of the implementation requirements, and the definition of the real context modeling requirements to develop a real prototype.

Practical implications

In the case studies is possible to observe the flexibility that the ReM-AM middleware based on the ODA paradigm has by being aware of different contexts and acquire information of each, using this information to adapt itself to the environment and improve it using the autonomic cycles. To achieve this, the middleware integrates the classes and relations in its ontologies naturally in the autonomic cycles.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work is the description of the ontologies required for future works about acoustic management in SE, considering that what has been studied by other works is the utilization of ontologies for sound event recognition but not have been expanded like knowledge source in an SE middleware. Specifically, this paper presents the theoretical framework of this work composed of the AmICL middleware, ReM-AM middleware and the ODA paradigm.

Details

Applied Computing and Informatics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2634-1964

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2024

Jitender Kumar and Vinki Rani

This paper aims to identify the factors influencing the adoption of financial technology (FinTech) services among Indian residents. Moreover, it compares the awareness levels…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the factors influencing the adoption of financial technology (FinTech) services among Indian residents. Moreover, it compares the awareness levels among both male and female users to offer a comprehensive insight into FinTech adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The research comprises two cross-sectional surveys utilizing self-administered questionnaires: Study A involves 411 male participants and Study B involves 473 female users in FinTech adoption. This article used a “Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) followed by partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)” for data analysis.

Findings

The exciting finding reveals that attitude and personal innovativeness have a significant impact, while technology anxiety shows a statistically insignificant impact on awareness in both studies. Surprisingly, the socio-demographic factor significantly impacts awareness (in Study A) and has an insignificant impact on awareness in Study B. Moreover, both studies reveal that awareness significantly impacts perceived usefulness and ease of use. Additionally, the outcomes confirm a positive relation between awareness, perceived usefulness, ease of use and FinTech adoption in both studies.

Practical implications

The present research will offer valuable insights to all FinTech service providers and stakeholders, aiding them in planning and designing relevant policies.

Originality/value

As far as the researchers are aware, this study stands as the initial survey into FinTech that specifically examines the impact of gender on technology adoption. The divergence in awareness and adoption rates between males and females and the authors’ insightful findings illuminate the context's uniqueness. Moreover, this article offers a robust model for using FinTech services from the perspective of a developing economy.

Details

International Journal of Accounting & Information Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1834-7649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2024

Cristian Rizzo, Giacomo Bagna and David Tuček

The purpose of this study is to investigate managers’ decision-making processes when evaluating suggestions provided by human collaborators or artificial intelligence (AI…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate managers’ decision-making processes when evaluating suggestions provided by human collaborators or artificial intelligence (AI) systems. We employed the framework of Social Comparison Theory (SCT) in the business context to examine the influence of varying social comparison orientation levels on managers’ willingness to accept advice in their organization.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted on a sample of 192 US managers, in which we carried out an experiment manipulating the source type (human vs AI) and assessing the potential moderating role of social comparison orientation. Results were analyzed using a moderation model by Hayes (2013).

Findings

Despite the growing consideration gained by AI systems, results showed a discernible preference for human-generated advice over those originating from Artificial Intelligence (AI) sources. Moreover, the moderation analysis indicated how low levels of social comparison orientation may lead managers to be more willing to accept advice from AI.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the current understanding of the interplay between social comparison orientation and managerial decision-making. Based on the results of this preliminary study that used a scenario-based experiment, future research could try to expand these findings by examining managerial behavior in a natural context using field experiments, or multiple case studies.

Originality/value

This is among the first studies that examine AI adoption in the organizational context, showing how AI may be used by managers to evade comparison among peers or other experts, thereby illuminating the role of individual factors in affecting managers’ decision-making.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2024

Puneett Bhatnagr, Anupama Rajesh and Richa Misra

This study builds on a conceptual model by integrating AI features – Perceived intelligence (PIN) and anthropomorphism (PAN) – while extending expectation confirmation theory…

Abstract

Purpose

This study builds on a conceptual model by integrating AI features – Perceived intelligence (PIN) and anthropomorphism (PAN) – while extending expectation confirmation theory (ECT) factors – interaction quality (IQU), confirmation (CON), and customer experience (CSE) – to evaluate the continued intention to use (CIU) of AI-enabled digital banking services.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an online questionnaire administered to 390 digital banking customers in India. The data were further analysed, and the presented hypotheses were evaluated using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The research indicates that perceived intelligence and anthropomorphism predict interaction quality. Interaction quality significantly impacts expectation confirmation, consumer experience, and the continuous intention to use digital banking services powered by AI technology. AI design will become a fundamental factor; thus, all interactions should be user-friendly, efficient, and reliable, and the successful implementation of AI in digital banking will largely depend on AI features.

Originality/value

This study is the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of an AI-ECT model for AI-enabled Indian digital banks. The user continuance intention to use digital banking in the context of AI has not yet been studied. These findings further enrich the literature on AI, digital banking, and information systems by focusing on the AI's Intelligence and Anthropomorphism variables in digital banks.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2024

Sunet Grobler and Ann-Kathrin Dittrich

The explanatory study aimed to understand the global perspective of quality education and describe transformative strategies that empower teacher educators and equip the education…

Abstract

Purpose

The explanatory study aimed to understand the global perspective of quality education and describe transformative strategies that empower teacher educators and equip the education system and future teachers to act as change agents by fostering learning processes that support students towards a sustainable future.

Design/methodology/approach

The explanatory study used a descriptive qualitative design. The researchers conducted four semi-structured group interviews of the 23 participants including pre- and in-service teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers from Austria, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States, and South Africa during the Teach4Reach 1.0 project on SDG4. The inductive thematic analysis of the data was guided by Kuckartz’s six-phase approach for constructing data-driven categories.

Findings

The study identified SDG4 as pivotal in supporting the overall UN Agenda 2030. Furthermore, three distinct themes unequivocally emerged and were developed concerning the imperative nature of envisioning transformation for sustainability: (1) collaboration, (2) well-being and context of individuals, and (3) strategies for skill development.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the qualitative nature of the study, the participants’ comprehensive understanding of the SDGs and their perceptions remained conditional to methodological subjectivity.

Practical implications

The study enabled a dialogue between educational stakeholders (pre- and in-service teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers), whereby an awareness and encouragement of SDG4 regarding quality education and training of quality future teachers occurred. A further implication includes increased collaboration and dialogue regarding the well-being of individuals (educational stakeholders), the context of individuals, and strategies for skill development.

Originality/value

The study elaborates on reaching the SDGs and identifies themes essential for sustainability transformation in teacher education. It also highlights further research and clarity about the responsibilities of educational stakeholders for quality education, for instance, (1) how to increase the supply of quality teachers by focusing on collaboration, well-being, and the contexts of individuals and (2) how value-embedded skills can support quality education for sustainability.

Details

International Journal of Comparative Education and Development, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2396-7404

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 June 2024

Mohd Azhar, Ruksar Ali, Ariba Naz and Sujood Sujood

The purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents of metaverse adoption intention amongst Muslim students by expanding the technology acceptance model (TAM) to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents of metaverse adoption intention amongst Muslim students by expanding the technology acceptance model (TAM) to incorporate factors viz. perceived cyber risk (PCR), perceived enjoyment (PE), personal innovativeness in IT (PIT), self-efficacy (SE), trust (TR) and religiosity (RL).

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was circulated using a Google questionnaire to gather information on the study constructs. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were adopted to reach the targeted students. The proposed associations were examined through the application of structural equation modelling with the use of AMOS software.

Findings

The findings suggest that the empirical results derived from the study present a compelling and effective model, and the model is designed to elucidate the intentions of Indian Muslim students regarding their willingness to embrace or adopt the metaverse. The research has identified and showcased a robust conceptual framework that provides insights into the factors influencing the metaverse adoption intentions among Muslim students.

Research limitations/implications

This research adds value to the existing literature by expanding the understanding of metaverse adoption amongst Muslim students. This thorough framework offers an intricate comprehension of metaverse adoption, offering a theoretical framework beyond traditional technological determinants. This study provides important insights that can assist educationists, administrators and policymakers in various ways in chalking out essential strategies, policies and programmes related to metaverse adoption amongst Muslim students.

Originality/value

This study is unique as the six additional constructs, viz. PCR, PE, PIT, SE, TR and RL, are included in the original TAM model, thus filling the literature gap. It also augments the comprehension of the metaverse and unfolds the antecedents of metaverse adoption intention amongst Muslim societies through the lens of students.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

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