Search results

This paper aims to review and synthesize the existing literature related to negotiation complexity and provides an integrative model to systematically identify and examine factors contributing to negotiation complexity and how they affect negotiating parties’ behaviors and economic and subjective outcomes.

The approach was to combine relevant literature from negotiation in general and from negotiation complexity in particular and to develop and support an integrative model of complexity in real-world negotiations.

The literature on negotiation complexity and previous analytical frameworks are reviewed from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Based on the integrative review, an integrative model of negotiation complexity is proposed for identifying important complexity contributory factors. Six contributory factors are distinguished based on the three negotiation components – negotiation task, dynamic variables of negotiators and negotiation context. Their effects on negotiation complexity are examined and discussed with respect to four complexity dimensions (i.e. informational and computational, procedural, social and strategic dimensions). Finally, the effects of negotiation complexity on parties’ behaviors and outcomes are examined based on previous theoretical and empirical research and practical tools for managing negotiation complexity are delineated.

The integrative review and conceptualization of negotiation complexity are helpful for gaining a better understanding of negotiation complexity and its management in various real-world domains.

This study aims to further understand the factors contributory to fire occurrences in two semi-arid regions in the American Southwest, Clark County in Nevada and Maricopa and Pinal Counties in Arizona.

Statistical and geographic information system analyses were employed to examine the spatial and temporal relationships of various natural and human-caused factors with fire incidences.

Angström fire danger index, average amount of rainfall one month prior, extent of forests and grasslands, and proximities to secondary roads and population centers have significant relationships with fire events.

The importance of the factors contributory to fire occurrence is site-specific even in areas with similar climatic regimes and varies among different geographic regions; as such, researchers will need to conduct specific investigation of each study area.

The findings of this study can be instrumental in facilitating fire managers to derive more informed strategies in fire prevention and management.

While there are many studies on fire, most of them are conducted in wet regions with a lot of vegetative cover; not much work is done on arid areas. This paper considered and compared the spatial and temporal relationships of a wide range of natural and human-caused factors with fire events in two semi-arid areas. The intent was to assess the relative importance of these factors in areas even with similar climatic regimes. As our world is facing unprecedented changes in terms of climate and population growth, it is paramount to have an enhanced understanding of the impacts of these changes on fire regimes. The study areas are hot and dry, and they are located in the wildland–urban interfaces with rapid population growth and urbanization; as such, the research findings may contribute to existing literature.

Risk management has become an integral part in businesses around the world. In the construction industry, risk management has also been introduced and has been mainly entrusted in the hands of the project team to go through a laid down risk management processes to identify possible risk events, which may occur during the project execution and the impact they may have on the project deliverables should they occur. It is, however, believed that small construction firms do not take risk management as a serious exercise even though most of the project risks are transferred to them as subcontractors. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate risk management processes in the small construction companies and the impact of risk management on their project deliverables.

A case study of a single construction company was used for this study. Data were collected through structured questionnaire to 16 respondents who are involved in the project execution in the case study company. Two managing directors of the case study company were also interviewed. In total, 11 project site meetings were also attended to observe meeting proceedings and to record issues discussed. In total, 15 monthly project reports and project close-out reports were also studied. In total, One hundred and five completed projects of which 58 per cent were renovation projects, 27 per cent were new projects and 15 per cent were civil/structural works were also examined. The data were then analysed using excel analytical tool and the content analysis method.

The findings indicate that small construction companies with respect to the case study company do not have a specific laid down risk management processes that project team are made to go through before and during the execution of their projects. There is, however, no conclusive evidence regarding the impact of risk management on project performance as a significant number of projects done were able to meet a successful project performance indicators even though risk management exercises were not done. Some of the identified risk events that caused project failures are payment delays, labour related issues, subcontractor/main contractor related issues, insufficient contingency reserves/plan, etc.

Only one construction company was used as a case study for this research and all sources of data were related to a single company. The results may, therefore, be not generalisable.

The research has discovered that projects outcome could have improved tremendously if proper risk management exercises were implemented before project execution as most of the causes of project failures could have been identified through the risk management processes. This study, hence, gives an insight as to why small construction firms like the case study company should take risk management seriously in their projects execution to improve on the performance of their projects.

The research has discovered that projects outcome could have improved tremendously if proper risk management exercises were implemented before project execution as most of the causes of project failures could have been identified through the risk management processes. This study, hence, gives an insight as to why small construction firms like the case study company should take risk management seriously in their projects execution to improve on the performance of their projects.

Despite the extensive research on critical success factors (CSFs), there is a paucity of studies that examine CSFs for the deployment of risk assessment and management processes in developing countries, particularly, Africa. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perception of construction professionals on CSFs appertaining to the deployment of risk assessment and management practices (RAMP) in Tanzania with the aim of filling the knowledge gap.

The primary data were collected from 67 construction professionals working with clients (private and public), consultants, and contractor organisations (foreign and local) within the Tanzanian construction. Response data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics with one-way analysis of variance to examine the differences in the perception of the identified CSFs.

The descriptive and empirical analysis demonstrated a disparity of the ranking of the ten CSFs among the groups; however, the differences were not significant. Based on the overall sample, the results of the mean score ranking indicate that “awareness of risk management processes”; “team work and communications”; and “management style” were the three highly ranked CSFs whereas “co-operative culture”; “customer requirement”; and “positive human dynamics” were considered to be the least important.

The study did not differentiate the perceptions of the CSFs according to the ownership (local or foreign), and the sample consisted of organisations in one industry operating in Tanzania. Consequently, the findings may not generalise to other industries or to organisations operating in other countries.

For RAMP to be implemented effectively, Tanzanian constructional-related organisations should consider the identified CSFs as a vehicle for improving project success through reduction of risk uncertainty. Furthermore, regardless of the type of organisation, “management style”, “team work and communication” are necessary for the successful deployment of RAMP.

This study makes a contribution to the body of knowledge on the subject within a previously unexplored context. The study provides insights on the drivers and enablers (CSFs) of risk assessment implementation across the Tanzania construction sector.

Develops from the Greek myth about Narcissus and Echo some contemporary aspects of normal and pathological narcissism. Narcissism is part of a normal developmental phase and reflects the universal need during early childhood, and later in life, to be loved and confirmed. However, there are many possibilities of being hurt in the course of this developmental phase and this experience will leave the individual with a narcissistic vulnerability. One way of handling this is to develop a pathological narcissism, the most prominent characteristics of which are: egocentricity, extreme sensitivity to criticism, strong projective tendencies, lack of empathy as well as fantasies of grandiosity, open or concealed. The need for power may be compensatory for inner powerlessness and lack of self‐esteem. A leader will be more or less influenced by the role he/ she plays and by group processes in the organization. Today’s leaders are often influenced by criticism from inside and outside and this may foster narcissistic defences. Male leaders show greater tendencies to pathological narcissism, while female leaders are more inclined to renounce their role. Some research indicates that successful female leaders have all had very good relationships with their fathers. The differences between males and females in this area revert to the Greek myth. Also questions whether some of these differences may be the result of different treatment given by mothers to sons and daughters.

The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of research into the levels of awareness, usage and benefits of risk assessment and management practices (RAMP) within the construction industry in Ghana.

The study was conducted through a structured questionnaire administered to 103 construction professionals practising with construction client (private and public), consultant and contractor organisations within the Ghanaian construction industry. The results were analysed to establish the current levels of awareness, usage and perceived benefits of risk management practices. Survey response data were subjected to descriptive statistics; subsequently, ANOVA and other non-parametric tests were used to examine the differences in the levels of agreement of the perceived benefits.

This study illustrates that although the majority of the respondents are aware of RAMP, some professionals found the process not to be formal. Relative to the benefits, there was a disparity in the ranking of agreement scores on two of the eight benefits among the respondents in relation to “product to the required quality” and “reduction in contract claims”. However, they all agreed on “improved team morale” as the most important benefits.

The research limitation of the study is that the cross-sectional data made it difficult to generalise the findings. Geographically, only respondents from construction organisations in the Greater Accra Region were considered. However, it is recommended that future work on RAMP be extended to cover all the regions of the country.

The findings of the study provide practical for organisations to measure the benefits and capture the awareness of risk management practices through the provision of a framework based on an index and scoring method. This can be used by senior management in assessing the current benefit levels within projects “internal benchmarking” and has potential for external benchmarking purposes. Furthermore, through education and training, both formal and informal process including more information and provision of expertise within RAMP could enhance the levels of awareness.

Little is known about the current levels of awareness, usage and benefits of risk management among Ghanaian construction organisations, and this study provides some insights and deepening our understanding on the uptake and perceived benefits of RAMP among construction professions in Ghana. These findings may help construction practitioners in having an increased awareness of risk management practices, and this can further lead to a higher uptake and usage resulting in reaping the advocated benefits of the implementing risk management practices such as achievement of project objectives of time, cost and quality, as well as enhanced decision-making processes.

This paper briefly reviews the nature of sexual harassment, the response of industry to the problem and the adverse impact that may result from sexual harassment. Data from a survey of sexual harassment experienced by hospitality students whilst on supervised work experience are reported. The reported personal consequences of sexual harassment are considered and the results discussed in relation to previous research. Particular attention is drawn to the high incidence of customer harassment; the need for additional research is identified.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the common themes leading or contributing to clinical incidents in a UK teaching hospital.

A root‐cause analysis was conducted on patient safety incidents. Commonly occurring root causes and contributing factors were collected and correlated with incident timing and severity.

In total, 65 root‐cause analyses were reviewed, highlighting 202 factors implicated in the clinical incidents and 69 categories were identified. The 14 most commonly occurring causes (encountered in four incidents or more) were examined as a key‐root or contributory cause. Incident timing was also analysed; common factors were encountered more frequently during out‐hours – occurring as contributory rather than a key‐root cause.

In total, 14 commonly occurring factors were identified to direct interventions that could prevent many clinical incidents. From these, an “Organisational Safety Checklist” was developed to involve departmental level clinicians to monitor practice.

This study demonstrates that comprehensively investigating incidents highlights common factors that can be addressed at a local level. Resilience against clinical incidents is low during out‐of‐hours periods, where factors such as lower staffing levels and poor service provision allows problems to escalate and become clinical incidents, which adds to the literature regarding out‐of‐hours care provision and should prove useful to those organising hospital services at departmental and management levels.

This article aims to report on a Department for International Development (DFID) funded enterprise education programme in Ukraine, managed by the University of Durham. It seeks to offer a description and explanation of the programme along with an analysis of its rationale, operation and workings. The focus is on the method used to transfer, adapt and apply a programme for the introduction of enterprise education from the UK to Ukraine.

A partnership‐based framework of analysis that underpins the actual workings of the programme is detailed. Issues affecting societies and economies in transition are explored with a specific focus on Ukraine. The programme rationale and its operational workings are discussed before revealing the key findings and their implications for theory and practice.

In the transition economies of Eastern Europe, enterprise education can help bring about peaceful social and economic transformation. Enterprise education helps to establish the principle that in a free society starting a business is not just a right of all citizens but it is within their capabilities. The concept is liberating and liberalising and is a tool that encourages, advocates and advances freedoms and opportunities. It can help stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship and as a tool of empowerment it can help people cope with and adapt to an uncertain economic future.

The paper shows that in recognising the educational value of “positive mistake making” a more “can do”, calculated risk‐taking attitude can be fostered to encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship. It also illustrates that the development of teaching resources is essential and needs to be done in context making it relevant to local conditions and circumstances.

Examines the situation in the UK in some detail with regard to three aspects of the Charter of Fundamental Human Rights of the European Union. Looks at the aims, together with an analysis and appraisal. Considers, first, information and consultation rights with regards to the transfer of undertakings and redundancies, followd by the right to collective action and, lastly, protection in the event of unjustifiable dismissal. Presents case law throughout as examples. Concludes that the UK has attempted to prevent social and economic rights for workers from being included in the final charter despite fierce opposition. Compares this view together with the UK suspicion of Europe against the views of the other member states.