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1 – 10 of 505
Article
Publication date: 8 November 2022

Robin Bourgeois, Kwamou Eva Feukeu and Geci Karuri-Sebina

L'objectif visé est de nourrir les réflexions sur la colonisation du futur dans le présent en mettant particulièrement l’accent sur le continent africain. Nous visons à explorer…

Abstract

Objectif

L'objectif visé est de nourrir les réflexions sur la colonisation du futur dans le présent en mettant particulièrement l’accent sur le continent africain. Nous visons à explorer comment la recherche participative, et plus particulièrement la recherche-action anticipatoire, peut contribuer au processus de décolonisation effective.

Conception/méthodologie/approche

Considérant le futur comme un bien public, nous mobilisons une réflexion sur les processus coloniaux qui l’ont transformé, à bien des égards, en bien de club ou en bien privé. Nous faisons ensuite appel aux notions de production participative de connaissances et de recherche-action locale comme moyens de décoloniser le futur et de libérer l'imagination. Nous revisitons ensuite les principes de la recherche-action participative pour atteindre cet objectif et nous examinons les principales caractéristiques d'une recherche-action anticipatoire non coloniale dans le contexte des futurs de l'Afrique.

Résultats

Nous mettons en évidence les défis issus de la relation entre les efforts d'anticipation axés sur la recherche-action, la création d'une intelligence collective et la co-conception (codesign), dans le but d'encourager le processus de décolonisation. Cette démarche inclut des principes de conception, établit les bases pour un processus anticipatoire, potentiellement décolonial et envisage une possible réaction du système dominant à l’encontre de ce processus de décolonisation.

Implications/limitations

Il s’agit d’un travail conceptuel, qui ne fournit pas d’éléments testés sur le terrain. Toutefois, nous espérons que cela constituera un apport permettant de concevoir des méthodologies qui préviendront la colonisation du futur lors de la participation à des activités de recherche tournées vers les futurs en Afrique et ailleurs.

Originalité/valeur

Nous proposons une approche intégrale de la colonisation du futur, comme renouvellement d’une question ancienne. Nous articulons également cette démarche autour d’une réflexion sur la nature de ce que pourrait être une recherche-action anticipatoire décoloniale.

Details

foresight, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 March 2024

Sunil Kumar Yadav, Shiwangi Singh and Santosh Kumar Prusty

Business models (BMs) are becoming increasingly crucial for value creation in the healthcare sector. The study explores the conceptualization and application of BM concepts within…

Abstract

Purpose

Business models (BMs) are becoming increasingly crucial for value creation in the healthcare sector. The study explores the conceptualization and application of BM concepts within the healthcare sector and investigates their evolution in emerging economies (EEs) and developed economies (DEs). This study aims to uncover these two contexts' shared characteristics and unique variances through a comparative analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper systematically investigates and consolidates the literature on healthcare by employing the antecedents, decisions and outcomes (ADO) framework and finally examines 71 shortlisted articles published between 2003 and 2022.

Findings

The recognition of the BM within healthcare is increasing, both in EEs and DEs. EEs prioritize value creation and capture through cost efficiency, while DEs focus on innovation. Key theories employed include a resource-based view, the network theory and the theory of innovation. Case studies are commonly used as a methodology. Further research is needed to explore the decisions and outcomes of BMs.

Research limitations/implications

The study adopts stringent filtration and keyword criteria, potentially excluding relevant research. Future researchers are encouraged to broaden their selection criteria to encompass a more extensive range of relevant studies.

Practical implications

Beyond comparing and highlighting gaps in BMs between EEs and DEs, benchmarking DE's healthcare business models (HBMs) helps healthcare organizations in EEs align their practices, mitigate risks and establish efficient healthcare systems tailored to their specific contexts. The study adopts stringent filtration and keyword criteria, potentially excluding relevant research. Future researchers are encouraged to broaden their selection criteria to encompass a more extensive range of relevant studies.

Originality/value

The study analyzes HBMs using an SLR framework perspective and provides practical implications for academicians and practitioners to enhance their decision-making.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2024

Tamer K. Darwish, Osama Khassawneh, Muntaser Melhem and Satwinder Singh

This paper aims to explore the strategic and evolving role of human resource management (HRM) directors within the context of underdeveloped institutional arrangements. The study…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the strategic and evolving role of human resource management (HRM) directors within the context of underdeveloped institutional arrangements. The study focuses on India and conducts a comparative analysis of the roles of HRM directors in both multinational enterprises (MNEs) and domestic firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey-based data from the HRM directors of 252 enterprises were gathered for the comparative analysis, including both multinational and domestic enterprises.

Findings

HRM directors in MNEs lack the proficiency required to effectively fulfil their strategic role. In addition, there has been a notable shift in the responsibilities of HRM directors in MNEs, with increased emphasis on labour movements and trade union negotiations, as opposed to traditional human resource (HR) activities. This shift suggests that the role of HRM in MNEs operating in India has been influenced by local isomorphic forces, rather than following a “pendulum swing” between home and host country institutional pressures. The prevalence of informality in the Indian institutional arrangements may act as a strong counterforce to integrating the strategic agency of MNEs' home country HRM directors into the organizational structure. Despite facing resistance from the local institutional context, HRM directors in MNEs are responding with a pushback, prioritizing labour movements and trade union negotiations over core HRM activities.

Research limitations/implications

The study highlights the broader implications for theory and practice, shedding light on the challenges faced by HRM directors in navigating incoherent institutional arrangements. It emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of local forces in shaping HRM practices within multinational settings.

Originality/value

We contribute to the comparative HRM literature by elaborating on power struggles that HRM directors face amid the dichotomies of formal power and authority that are encoded in the organizational structure versus culturally contingent power that can be accrued from engaging in informality. We also highlight their engagement in prolonged institutional mediation and change, which serves as a compensatory mechanism for the institutional shortfalls they encounter within the context of emerging markets.

Details

Employee Relations: The International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 September 2022

Chems Eddine Berrehail and Amar Makhlouf

The objective of this work is to study the periodic solutions for a class of sixth-order autonomous ordinary differential equations x…

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this work is to study the periodic solutions for a class of sixth-order autonomous ordinary differential equations x(6)+(1+p2+q2)x… .+(p2+q2+p2q2)x¨+p2q2x=εF(x,ẋ,x¨,x,x… .,x(5)), where p and q are rational numbers different from 1, 0, −1 and pq, ε is a small enough parameter and FC2 is a nonlinear autonomous function.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors shall use the averaging theory to study the periodic solutions for a class of perturbed sixth-order autonomous differential equations (DEs). The averaging theory is a classical tool for the study of the dynamics of nonlinear differential systems with periodic forcing. The averaging theory has a long history that begins with the classical work of Lagrange and Laplace. The averaging theory is used to the study of periodic solutions for second and higher order DEs.

Findings

All the main results for the periodic solutions for a class of perturbed sixth-order autonomous DEs are presenting in the Theorem 1. The authors present some applications to illustrate the main results.

Originality/value

The authors studied Equation 1 which depends explicitly on the independent variable t. Here, the authors studied the autonomous case using a different approach.

Details

Arab Journal of Mathematical Sciences, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1319-5166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2024

Mohammad Akhtar and Mohammad Asim

To develop a fuzzy causal model of enterprise flexibility dimensions in a case study of Indian pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract

Purpose

To develop a fuzzy causal model of enterprise flexibility dimensions in a case study of Indian pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The eight dimensions of enterprise flexibility were identified based on literature review. Fermatean fuzzy decision-making trail and evaluation laboratory (FF-DEMATEL) technique is applied to develop the cause-and-effect interrelationship model among various enterprise flexibility dimensions.

Findings

The information technology flexibility, supply chain flexibility, technical flexibility and marketing flexibility are found to be causing/influencing other flexibilities and contributing to overall enterprise flexibilities. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to develop and sustain them for competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

Fermatean fuzzy sets offer more flexibility and more accurate handling complex uncertain group decision making. FF-DEMATEL is a more accurate method to develop inter-dependencies and causal model than ISM, TISM. Ratings from the limited number of decision experts (DEs) from few pharmaceutical firms were done. Future study should take bigger sample of firms and more number of DEs to generalize the findings.

Practical implications

The model will help managers in pharmaceutical industry to prioritize the dimensions of enterprise flexibility to achieve agility, responsiveness, resilience and competitive advantage.

Originality/value

To the best knowledge of the authors, causal modeling enterprise flexibility dimensions using FF-DEMATEL has been studied for the first time in a developing economy context.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2024

Jacques Abou Khalil, César Jiménez Navarro, Rami El Jeaid, Abderahmane Marouf, Rajaa El Akoury, Yannick Hoarau, Jean-François Rouchon and Marianna Braza

This study aims to investigate the morphing concepts able to manipulate the dynamics of the downstream unsteadiness in the separated shear layers and, in the wake, be able to…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the morphing concepts able to manipulate the dynamics of the downstream unsteadiness in the separated shear layers and, in the wake, be able to modify the upstream shock–boundary layer interaction (SBLI) around an A320 morphing prototype to control these instabilities, with emphasis to the attenuation or even suppression of the transonic buffet. The modification of the aerodynamic performances according to a large parametric study carried out at Reynolds number of 4.5 × 106, Mach number of 0.78 and various angles of attack in the range of (0, 2.4)° according to two morphing concepts (travelling waves and trailing edge vibration) are discussed, and the final benefits in aerodynamic performance increase are evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

This article examines through high fidelity (Hi-Fi) numerical simulation the effects of the trailing edge (TE) actuation and of travelling waves along a specific area of the suction side starting from practically the most downstream position of the shock wave motion according to the buffet and extending up to nearly the TE. The present paper studies through spectral analysis the coherent structures development in the near wake and the comparison of the aerodynamic forces to the non-actuated case. Thus, the physical mechanisms of the morphing leading to the increase of the lift-to-drag ratio and the drag and noise sources reduction are identified.

Findings

This study investigates the influence of shear-layer and near-wake vortices on the SBLI around an A320 aerofoil and attenuation of the related instabilities thanks to novel morphing: travelling waves generated along the suction side and trailing-edge vibration. A drag reduction of 14% and a lift-to-drag increase in the order of 8% are obtained. The morphing has shown a lift increase in the range of (1.8, 2.5)% for angle of attack of 1.8° and 2.4°, where a significant lift increase of 7.7% is obtained for the angle of incidence of 0° with a drag reduction of 3.66% yielding an aerodynamic efficiency of 11.8%.

Originality/value

This paper presents results of morphing A320 aerofoil, with a chord of 70cm and subjected to two actuation kinds, original in the state of the art at M = 0.78 and Re = 4.5 million. These Hi-Fi simulations are rather rare; a majority of existing ones concern smaller dimensions. This study showed for the first time a modified buffet mode, displaying periodic high-lift “plateaus” interspersed by shorter lift-decrease intervals. Through trailing-edge vibration, this pattern is modified towards a sinusoidal-like buffet, with a considerable amplitude decrease. Lock-in of buffet frequency to the actuation is obtained, leading to this amplitude reduction and a drastic aerodynamic performance increase.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2023

Ibrahim M. Hezam, Anand Kumar Mishra, Dragan Pamucar, Pratibha Rani and Arunodaya Raj Mishra

This paper develops a decision-analysis model to prioritize and select the site to establish a new hospital over different indicators such as cost, market conditions…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper develops a decision-analysis model to prioritize and select the site to establish a new hospital over different indicators such as cost, market conditions, environmental factors, government factors, locations and demographics. In this way, an integrated model is proposed under the intuitionistic fuzzy information (IFI), the standard deviation (SD), the rank-sum (RS) and the measurement of alternatives and ranking using the compromise solution (MARCOS) approach for ranking hospital sites (HSs).

Design/methodology/approach

The IF-SD-RS model is presented to obtain the combined weight with the objective and subjective weights of diverse sub-criteria and indicators for ranking sites to establish the hospital. The IF-MARCOS model is discussed to prioritize the various sites to establish the hospital over several crucial indicators and sub-criteria.

Findings

The authors implement the developed model on a case study of HSs assessment for the construction of new hospital. In this regard, inclusive set of 6 key indicators and 18 sub-criteria are considered for the evaluation of HSs. This study distinguished that HS (h2) with combined utility function 0.737 achieves highest rank compared to the other three sites for the given information. Sensitivity analysis is discussed with different parameter values of sub-criteria to examine how changes in weight parameter ratings of the sub-criteria affect the prioritization of the options. Finally, comparative discussion is made with the diverse extant models to show the reasonability of the developed method.

Originality/value

This study aims to develop an original hybrid weighting tool called the IF-SD-RS model with the integration of IF-SD and IF-RS approaches to find the indicators' weights for prioritizing HSs. The developed integrated weighting model provides objective weight by IF-SD and subjective weight with the IF-RS model. The model presented in the paper deals with a consistent multi-attribute decision analysis (MADA) concerning the relations between indicators and sub-criteria for choosing the appropriate options using the developed IF-SD-RS-MARCOS model.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 December 2022

Zhenmin Yuan, Yuan Chang, Yunfeng Chen, Yaowu Wang, Wei Huang and Chen Chen

Precast wall lifting during prefabricated building construction faces multiple non-lean problems, such as inaccurate lifting-time estimation, unreasonable resource allocation and…

Abstract

Purpose

Precast wall lifting during prefabricated building construction faces multiple non-lean problems, such as inaccurate lifting-time estimation, unreasonable resource allocation and improper process design. This study aims to identify the pathways for improving lifting performance to advance lean construction of prefabricated buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed a methodological framework that integrates the discrete event simulation method, the elimination, combination, rearrangement and simplification (ECRS) technique and intelligent optimization tool. Two schemes of precast wall lifting, namely, the enterprise's business as usual (BAU) and enterprise-leading (EL) schemes, were set to benchmark lifting performance. Furthermore, a best-practice (BP) scheme was modeled from the perspective of lifting activity ECRS and resource allocation for performance optimization.

Findings

A real project was selected to test the effect of the methodological framework. The results showed that compared with the EL scheme, the BP scheme reduced the total lifting time (TLT) by 6.3% and mitigated the TLT uncertainty (the gap between the maximum and minimum time values) by 20.6%. Under the BP scheme, increasing the resource inputs produces an insignificant effect in reducing TLT, i.e. increasing the number of component operators in the caulking subprocess from one to two only shortened the TLT by 3.6%, and no further time reduction was achieved as more component operators were added.

Originality/value

To solve non-lean problems associated with prefabricated building construction, this study provides a methodological framework that can separate a typical precast wall lifting process into fine-level activities. Besides, it also identifies the pathways (including the learning effect mitigation, labor and machinery resource adjustment and activities’ improvement) to reducing TLT and its uncertainty.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2023

Awaisu Adamu Salihi, Haslindar Ibrahim and Dayana Mastura Baharudin

The study aims to examine the association between the sustainable development triangle and real earnings management (REM) and the moderating role of business innovation.

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to examine the association between the sustainable development triangle and real earnings management (REM) and the moderating role of business innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on the quadruple bottom line approach to measuring corporate sustainable development. For the REM, Roychowdhury model is used to identify the practices. The study used panel data using 740 firm-year observations from non-financial listed companies in the Nigerian market from 2011 to 2020, collected from the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

Findings

The study finds a negative influence on the association of economic, environmental, social and governance (EESG) on REM in related party transactions. Thus, by regressing the three different components of REM separately, then EESG will have strongest impact as well. The study suggests a bidirectional association between EESG and REM. Furthermore, the study finds that business innovation strengthens the negative association between EESG and REM. The study concludes that sustainable companies in the Nigerian public market are less liable to practice REM.

Research limitations/implications

The study examines only non-financial listed companies quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange, which restricts the generalization of the findings.

Practical implications

The findings of the study should be of immense value to the investors who need comprehensive appraisal of earnings quality to enhance sustainable development strategies for sustainable business innovation among Nigeria firms. Thus, sustainability and innovation can serve as the principles for supporting developing countries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting a sustainable development.

Social implications

The study will be of immense value to policymakers, regulators and standard setters who demand for facts insightful of business practices and reporting behaviors for sustainable development.

Originality/value

Existing studies have mainly focused on triple bottom line. This study adds to the existing body of literature on the Quadruple bottom line in an African market. More so, the study investigates the impact of business innovation on the relationship between economic, environmental, social and governance and real earnings management, which was rarely investigated in the prior literature.

Details

International Journal of Innovation Science, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-2223

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2023

Ibrahim M. Hezam, Debananda Basua, Arunodaya Raj Mishra, Pratibha Rani and Fausto Cavallaro

Achieving a zero-carbon city requires a long-term strategic perspective. The authors propose a decision-making model which would take into account the economic, environmental and…

Abstract

Purpose

Achieving a zero-carbon city requires a long-term strategic perspective. The authors propose a decision-making model which would take into account the economic, environmental and social impacts for prioritizing the zero-carbon measures for sustainable urban transportation.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated intuitionistic fuzzy gained and lost dominance score (IF-GLDS) model is introduced based on intuitionistic fuzzy Yager weighted aggregation (IFYWA) operators and proposed weight-determining IF-SPC procedure. In addition, a weighting tool is presented to obtain the weights of decision experts. Further, the feasibility and efficacy of developed IF-SPC-GLDS model is implemented on a multi-criteria investment company selection problem under IFS context.

Findings

The results of the developed model, “introducing zero-emission zones” should be considered as the first measure to implement. The preference of this initiative offers sustainable transport in India to achieve a zero-carbon transport by having the greatest impact on the modal shift from cars to sustainable mobility modes with a lower operational and implementation cost as well as having greater public support. The developed model utilized can be relocated to other smart cities which aim to achieve a zero-carbon transport. Sensitivity and comparative analyses are discussed to reveal the robustness of obtained result. The outcomes show the feasibility of the developed methodology which yields second company as the suitable choice, when compared to and validated using the other MCDA methods from the literature, including TOPSIS, COPRAS, WASPAS and CoCoSo with intuitionistic fuzzy information.

Originality/value

A new intuitionistic fuzzy symmetry point of criterion (IF-SPC) approach is presented to find weights of criteria under IFSs setting. Then, an IF-GLDS model is introduced using IFYWA operators to rank the options in the realistic multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) procedure. For this purpose, the IFYWA operators and their properties are developed to combine the IFNs. These operators can offer a flexible way to deal with the realistic MCDA problems with IFS context.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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