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1 – 10 of 254Martijn C. Vos, Jessica Sauren, Olaf Knoop, Mirjam Galetzka, Mark P. Mobach and Ad T.H. Pruyn
The purpose of this paper is to determine how the presence of cleaning staff affects perceptions and satisfaction of train passengers. Day-time cleaning is becoming increasingly…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine how the presence of cleaning staff affects perceptions and satisfaction of train passengers. Day-time cleaning is becoming increasingly popular in (public) service environments. It is however unknown how the presence of cleaning staff in the service environment affects perceptions and satisfaction of end-users.
Design/methodology/approach
Two experimental field studies were performed. Data for the first study were collected on the trajectory between the train station of Assen and the station of Groningen (N = 506) in the northern part of the Netherlands. Data for the second study were collected on the trajectory between train station “Amsterdam Amstel” and train station “Utrecht Centraal” (N = 1,113) in the central part of the Netherlands. In the experimental condition, two cleaners collected waste and performed minor cleaning activities (i.e. empty trash bins, cleaning doors and tables) during the journey. After the first study, cleaners received hospitality training and corporate uniforms.
Findings
The presence of cleaning staff positively influenced train passengers’ perceptions and satisfaction. Effects were stronger in the second study, after the second consecutive intervention (i.e. hospitality training, corporate uniforms). In both studies, the presence of cleaners positively influenced passengers’ perceptions of staff, cleanliness and comfort. The perception of atmosphere was only significant after the intervention.
Practical implications
The findings of this study allow in-house and corporate facility managers to better understand the possible effects of the presence of their cleaning staff on end-user perceptions and satisfaction.
Originality/value
The study’s value lies in its human centred approach by demonstrating the importance of day-time cleaning. This area of research has been largely neglected in the field of facilities and (public) services management research.
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Madhuritha Murali, Parthajit Kayal and Moinak Maiti
The study looks into the idea of Circular Economy through the lens of stock market performance. More specifically the authors examine if a company's association with the…
Abstract
Purpose
The study looks into the idea of Circular Economy through the lens of stock market performance. More specifically the authors examine if a company's association with the innovative and environment friendly disposal practices has an implication on its stock market performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a quantitative approach to derive conclusions. The market efficiency and excess volatility are estimated using OHLC measures for more accuracy. For robustness checks VRatio, bootstrapping and simulation are used as detailed in section 3.2 of the study.
Findings
The study estimates show a clear sign of excess volatility in the majority of the stocks under consideration. That confirms that the market is highly fragmented for Circular Economy–focused stocks. These types of stocks are often cyclical in nature and can offer a variety investment opportunity in the short to medium term. In addition to it the study estimates confirm that Circular Economy–focused stocks show limited signs of market efficiency. Thus, unlike ESG investment the concept of Circular Economy investment is a bit more ambiguous to the global investors.
Originality/value
The present study is first of its kind that looks into the idea of Circular Economy through the lens of stock market performance.
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Moonlighting, as the term implies, is the practice of holding a second job or being engaged in a second occupation after one's normal day time job has finished. Worldwide there is…
Abstract
Moonlighting, as the term implies, is the practice of holding a second job or being engaged in a second occupation after one's normal day time job has finished. Worldwide there is a growing army of moonlighters — part of the ‘black economy’ of those whose paid work does not enter official statistics. Accurate and detailed records are impossible to obtain, but the variety of jobs covers a wide spectrum. For example, witness the number of home‐related services such as baby sitting, gardening, cleaning, plumbing, electrical repairs, decorating, and window cleaning.
Many cases of food poisoning originate in the domestic environment and can be associated with improper food handling and ineffective cleaning by consumers. These practices could…
Abstract
Purpose
Many cases of food poisoning originate in the domestic environment and can be associated with improper food handling and ineffective cleaning by consumers. These practices could lead to the introduction and spread of bacterial contamination in the kitchen and if not subsequently removed could present an infection risk. This study proposes investigating changes in levels of bacterial contamination at five key sites in ten domestic kitchens during a period of 24 hours.
Design/methodology/approach
Microbiological swabs were used to provide an aerobic colony count and an Enterobacteriacea count. A record was kept of cooking, cleaning and other activities within the kitchen.
Findings
Results showed that contamination levels varied during the day, peaking after meal preparation and generally falling overnight. There was also indirect evidence of cross contamination, particularly from hands to other surfaces. Sites such as the refrigerator handle, kettle handle and taps, which generally only come into contact with hands, show increases in the levels of contamination recorded. Levels of microbiological contamination were lower in vegetarian than non‐vegetarian households. A variety of data showed that non‐food preparation activities also take place in the kitchen. These could also introduce bacterial contamination into the kitchen and facilitate their spread.
Originality/value
The implications of these results are that the most important time for cleaning in the kitchen is immediately after food has been prepared, with attention focussing on high risk areas such as the work surface, chopping board, taps and other hand contact surfaces.
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Sharnil Pandya, Anirban Sur and Ketan Kotecha
The purpose of the presented IoT based sensor-fusion assistive technology for COVID-19 disinfection termed as “Smart epidemic tunnel” is to protect an individual using an…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the presented IoT based sensor-fusion assistive technology for COVID-19 disinfection termed as “Smart epidemic tunnel” is to protect an individual using an automatic sanitizer spray system equipped with a sanitizer sensing unit based on individual using an automatic sanitizer spray system equipped with a sanitizer sensing unit based on human motion detection.
Design/methodology/approach
The presented research work discusses a smart epidemic tunnel that can assist an individual in immediate disinfection from COVID-19 infections. The authors have presented a sensor-fusion-based automatic sanitizer tunnel that detects a human using an ultrasonic sensor from the height of 1.5 feet and disinfects him/her using the spread of a sanitizer spray. The presented smart tunnel operates using a solar cell during the day time and switched to a solar power-bank power mode during night timings using a light-dependent register sensing unit.
Findings
The investigation results validate the performance evaluation of the presented smart epidemic tunnel mechanism. The presented smart tunnel can prevent or disinfect an outsider who is entering a particular building or a premise from COVID-19 infection possibilities. Furthermore, it has also been observed that the presented sensor-fusion-based mechanism can disinfect a person in a time of span of just 10 s. The presented smart epidemic tunnel is embedded with an intelligent sanitizer sensing unit which stores the essential information in a cloud platform such as Google Fire-base. Thus, the proposed system favours society by saving time and helps in lowering the spread of coronavirus. It also provides daily, weekly and monthly reports of the counts of individuals, along with in-out timestamps and power usage reports.
Practical implications
The presented system has been designed and developed after the lock-down period to disinfect an individual from the possibility of COVID-19 infections.
Social implications
The presented smart epidemic tunnel reduced the possibility by disinfecting an outside individual/COVID-19 suspect from spreading the COVID-19 infections in a particular building or a premise.
Originality/value
The presented system is an original work done by all the authors which have been installed at the Symbiosis Institute of Technology premise and have undergone rigorous experimentation and testing by the authors and end-users.
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Victoria D. Ojeda, Laura Romero and Arisa Ortiz
The purpose of this paper is to describe a sustainable free laser tattoo removal clinic for economically disadvantaged adult probationers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a sustainable free laser tattoo removal clinic for economically disadvantaged adult probationers.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes the partnerships, methods and challenges/lessons learned from the implementation of a free monthly laser tattoo removal program for adult probationers within a medical school setting in California.
Findings
Possible patients are identified via a collaboration with the county’s Probation Department. Founded in 2016, this monthly program has provided tattoo removal services to >37 adult patient probationers, many of whom receive follow-up treatments. Clients seek to remove about four blue/black ink tattoos. Since its inception, 23 dermatology residents have volunteered in the program. Challenges to patients’ ongoing participation primarily pertain to scheduling issues; strategies for overcoming barriers to participation are provided. No safety concerns have emerged.
Social implications
Programs such as this public-private partnership may benefit probationers by eliminating financial barriers associated with tattoo removal. This model supports the training of cohorts of dermatologists seeking community service opportunities related to laser medicine. Others seeking to implement a similar program may also consider expanding treatment days/times to facilitate access for working probationers, providing enrollment options for other health and social services (e.g. public insurance, food stamp programs) and hosting a mobile onsite clinic to address clients’ physical and mental health needs.
Originality/value
This paper describes a unique collaboration between law enforcement and a medical school and it may assist other jurisdictions in establishing free tattoo removal programs for the benefit of probationers. The methods described overcome challenges regarding the implementation of this specialized clinical service.
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Abstract
Details
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Should allowance for fatigue be made in Rating? The orthodox answer to this is that it should not.
A distinction must be drawn between a dismissal on the one hand, and on the other a repudiation of a contract of employment as a result of a breach of a fundamental term of that…
Abstract
A distinction must be drawn between a dismissal on the one hand, and on the other a repudiation of a contract of employment as a result of a breach of a fundamental term of that contract. When such a repudiation has been accepted by the innocent party then a termination of employment takes place. Such termination does not constitute dismissal (see London v. James Laidlaw & Sons Ltd (1974) IRLR 136 and Gannon v. J. C. Firth (1976) IRLR 415 EAT).
M.R. Denning, Edmund Davies and Gordon Willmer
October 14, 1969 Master and Servant — Negligence — Duty of care — Workman required to work with detergents — Risk of dermatitis — Foreseeability — Employer's duty.