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Article
Publication date: 13 October 2021

Zul-Atfi Ismail

The conventional e-complaint method provides a platform that contains multiple data sources of an infrastructure project, including building facilities, associated asset…

Abstract

Purpose

The conventional e-complaint method provides a platform that contains multiple data sources of an infrastructure project, including building facilities, associated asset documentation of the asset. However, the conventional e-complaint method practised by the Development and Facilities Management Unit (UPPF) faces issues due to management deficiencies and negligent staff to handle operations and maintenance processes within facilities management at Malaysian Polytechnic. This paper aims to identify the different maintenance management system (MMS) approaches using information and communication technology that is equipped with decision-making processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This research presents eight cases of the use of e-complaint in major facilities management platforms in Malaysian Polytechnic, identifying the major problems using the conventional e-complaint method, the current technologies realised, as well as the procedures for learning and improving e-complaint to the Polytechnic institution. The major conclusion drawn from the interview results was that there is a lack of comprehensive MMSs that integrate operations and maintenance processes within facilities management and software programming to provide guidelines for decision-making processes.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that the conventional e-complaint method cannot be used effectively to support the defect diagnosis process during maintenance assessment and development. The case studies further demonstrated that the conventional e-complaint method will be particularly led to inadequate strategic decision-making to analyse information to improve the maintenance project outcomes for Malaysian Polytechnic’s buildings, thereby, ignoring the accuracy and reliability of information for operations and maintenance. New MMS tools are suggested from the findings and lessons learned as a good practice to reduce defect repetition on the design specifications used and construction methods practised.

Originality/value

Due to the increasingly complex nature of projects in terms of size and information technology, realising these current technologies would require a learning process for all stakeholders involved in financial and managing assets. This research proposes stepped change and learning opportunity for maintenance value maximisation and delivery, management and operation efficiency using MMS. The new MMS can potentially transform operational and maintenance processes within facilities management into one of the most sophisticated technologies by accommodating data recordings, such as complaints and specific items needed for maintenance through the internet and intranet to facilitate improved execution of Polytechnic’s building activities.

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2017

Yanto Chandra and Liang Shang

Qualitative research suffers from “contestation” and a lack of “boilerplate” problems to assessing and presenting qualitative data, which have hampered its development and the…

4398

Abstract

Purpose

Qualitative research suffers from “contestation” and a lack of “boilerplate” problems to assessing and presenting qualitative data, which have hampered its development and the broader acceptance of qualitative research. This paper aims to address this gap by marrying the constructivist methodology and RQDA, a relatively new open-source computer-assisted qualitative data analysis (CAQDAS)-based R extension and demonstrate how the software can increase the rigor, transparency and validity of qualitative research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper highlights the constructivist approach as an important paradigm in qualitative research and demonstrates how it can be operationalized and enhanced using RQDA. It provides a technical and methodological review of RQDA, along with its main strengths and weaknesses, in relation with two popular CAQDAS tools, ATLAS.ti and NVivo. Using samples of customer-generated e-complaints and e-praises in the electronics/computer sector, this paper demonstrates the development of a process model of customer e-complaint rhetoric.

Findings

This study offers step-by-step instructions for installing and using RQDA for data coding, aggregation, plotting and theory building. It emphasizes the importance of techniques for sharing coding outputs among researchers and journal gatekeepers to better disseminate and share research findings. It also describes the authors’ use of RQDA in classrooms of undergraduates and graduate students.

Research limitations/implications

This paper addresses the “contestation” and “boilerplate” gaps, offering practical, step-by-step instructions to operationalize and enhance the constructivist approach using the RQDA-based approach. This opens new opportunities for existing R users to “cross over” to analyzing textual data as well as for computer-savvy scholars, analysts and research students in academia and industry who wish to transition to CAQDAS-based qualitative research because RQDA is free and can leverage the strengths of the R computing platform.

Originality/value

This study offers the first published review and demonstration of the RQDA-based constructivist methodology that provide the processes needed to enhance the rigor, transparency and validity of qualitative research. It demonstrates the systematic development of a data structure and a process model of customer e-complaint rhetoric using RQDA.

Details

Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-2752

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2020

Zul-Atfi Ismail

Several previous studies have described the use of maintenance management (MM) at polytechnic institutions. However, a major drawback of those studies is that they did not reveal…

Abstract

Purpose

Several previous studies have described the use of maintenance management (MM) at polytechnic institutions. However, a major drawback of those studies is that they did not reveal the actual support for MM as practiced using the conventional method. To describe the full situation at polytechnics, the gaps in the conventional method must be determined. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyse the gaps in the conventional method for actual MM as practiced at Malaysian polytechnics.

Design/methodology/approach

The existence of these gaps must be explored further to reach a better understanding of the utilisation of the conventional method for MM. Primary data were gathered through interviews to develop the proposed system. The major conclusion drawn from the interview results is that there is a lack of comprehensive MM systems that integrate the operation and maintenance processes of facilities management and software programming to guide the decision-making processes. The interview results also reveal irregularities within the MM database used by Malaysian polytechnics related to e-complaints, as well as the fact that the database is unsystematic.

Findings

The findings show the need for sophisticated MM at polytechnics.

Originality/value

The identified gaps will guide future improvements to develop MM systems that meet the solution needs.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

Ilker Sahin, Mustafa Gulmez and Olgun Kitapci

This research aims to scrutinize the negative reviews regarding the 5-star chain hotels and the e-responses on TripAdvisor, to categorize the complaints declared in the review…

2169

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to scrutinize the negative reviews regarding the 5-star chain hotels and the e-responses on TripAdvisor, to categorize the complaints declared in the review texts, to provide better understanding of the online problem-solving methods of hotels and their corporate approach to e-complaints and to reveal the post-vacation electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) behaviours of the complaining tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the scope of this research, 404 negative reviews and 364 e-responses are subject to an extensive content analysis. A total of 1,655 tourist e-complaints which were mentioned in the negative online reviews are categorized according to their subject matters and grouped under main themes. The e-responses of hotels and statements of e-complaining tourists regarding post-vacation experience are analysed in detail based on a qualitative research approach.

Findings

As a result of the research, 82 sub-themes within 11 complaint categories are determined, and it is found out that the e-complaints mainly focus on “food and beverage services”, “room comfort” and “hotel staff”. The hotel management mainly implemented problem-solving strategies such as “request for future patronage, a recovery plan as a result of the detailed analysis of the problem and warning to the relevant department performing poor service” as well as giving unsatisfactory “cliché responses”. Dissatisfied tourists performed negative e-WOM behaviours by using abusing expressions in review text, recommending different hotel alternatives, failing to recommend the hotel and expressing that they would not return.

Originality/value

Combing through negative e-reviews which include wide range of complaints of disappointed tourists and the statements which reveal post-vacation tendencies and feelings, the e-responses of hotels that are providing insight regarding the corporate approach to negative feedbacks and formation of post-vacation relations between the hotel and customers, the paper adopts a qualitative and utilitarian approach. The originality of the paper stems from its elaborative context analysis and balanced comparison of three 5-star luxury chain resort hotels located on the shores of the Mediterranean with almost similar quality standards and guest relations/public relations (GR/PR) departments that represent corporate identity. To this respect, the research is thought to be original in quality and can fill out the gap in the tourism literature. Presenting conceptual framework and practical information, the paper is predicted to guide the future studies, tourism marketers, travel consultants, PR/GR staff and managers employed in hospitality businesses.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Case study
Publication date: 22 August 2023

Aleena Shuja, Malik Imtiaz Awan and Imran Saleem

The purpose of this study is to make students understand the logic behind and implications of the “Socio-Technical Imbrication Framework” that can help them understand the…

Abstract

Learning outcomes

The purpose of this study is to make students understand the logic behind and implications of the “Socio-Technical Imbrication Framework” that can help them understand the importance of aligning workforce motivation and capabilities with the modern technology deployed in the organization. Moreover, students will understand the essentiality and criticality of customer satisfaction for the organization.

Case overview/synopsis

The technical services operations team at Cotton Web Limited formerly relied on JS Node, e-coordination system, to address customer complaints. There were many bugs in that system as it did not carry along the complaint tracking protocol, was slow in response, fundamentally structured upon manual complaint record keeping that resulted in piling up un-resolved complaints for a longer period of time. The team under the leadership of Mr. Hasan Ali, a competent expert working as GM Research and Data Analytics, undertook detailed analysis of recurring glitches in this system and replaced it with a novel Web-based automated complaint management system at Cotton Web Limited. This entire diagnosis and intervention process took almost three months till completion. The case is written for use in courses in the curriculum of BBA, BBIS, BSIT and BSCS programs at undergraduate level. It is most suitable for the courses in leadership, change management, business process reengineering, soft engineering, team building and business communication.

Complexity academic level

The case is suitable for teaching at Undergraduate level to the students of BBIS, BBA, BSCS and BSIT students in the last year of their degree programs. Teaching faculty can use case-based methodology for student learning by putting them into a real-life situation faced by an organization and letting them think critically and identify following points for further discussion and clarity: individual or in groups; problem identification through discussion; the stakeholders involved in the company’s situation through presentation or one-pager presentation; case analysis with reaching best solution to prevailing issue at hand through group discussion; reaching a decision or solution with reasonable logic and justification through group discussions; and create further dilemma on the basis of questions unanswered within this case story.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 7: Management Science.

Details

Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Case Study
ISSN: 2045-0621

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2005

Cheol Park

In the discount store area, foreign large retailers such as Wal‐mart, Carrefour, and Costco fight hard with domestic retailers in Korea. The Korean customer is a judge in the…

2369

Abstract

In the discount store area, foreign large retailers such as Wal‐mart, Carrefour, and Costco fight hard with domestic retailers in Korea. The Korean customer is a judge in the centre of such a difficult fight. Therefore, foreign retailers who are willing to win the game should pay attention to what Koreans say and respond to the complaint as fast as they can. This study monitored e‐complaints of customers towards Korea Carrefour through analysing contents of the bulletin board in an anti‐Carrefour site. Upon examining e‐complaints by category and retail attributes, there were found to be more complaints in electrical goods and food and groceries by product category, and in employee attitudes and store atmosphere by retail attributes. The implications for successful retail strategies of foreign discount stores in Korea are discussed and further research is suggested.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 April 2020

Mohamad Ridhuan Mat Dangi, Anuar Nawawi and Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin

The purpose of this study is to determine whether higher-learning institutions have sufficient internal controls to manage whistle-blowing or similar means when encountering…

1042

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine whether higher-learning institutions have sufficient internal controls to manage whistle-blowing or similar means when encountering repetitive complaints requiring similar corrective actions. This study attempts to classify complaints as per categories, criteria and components of the COSO framework using a checklist called self-assessment checklist of internal control kits so that complaint activities can be efficiently and effectively managed.

Design/methodology/approach

As a case study, one public university in Malaysia was selected, and 740 complaints were examined over a four-year period. Two methods of data collection, namely, document analysis and interviews, were used.

Findings

This study found no internal controls established to oversee the complaints that were received. Hence, repetitive complaints were received for similar areas and functions over a period. The application of COSO framework on complaints and whistle-blowing activities, however, led to more organised and visible problems; therefore, effective corrective and preventive action may be conducted.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted on only one organisation with several series of interviews and limited period of document analysis because of privacy and confidentiality of the information. Future research should collect and analyze data from a higher number of organisations with more respondents for interviews and a longer period for document analysis to obtain more accurate results.

Practical implications

This study provides further evidence on the suitability of COSO framework for different types of organisations, either public or private, and has been successfully adopted globally. It is effective not only to manage the operation and financial matters but also to manage complaints and whistle-blowing activities in organisations.

Originality/value

This study is original because it focuses on the current practices of internal control in government entities, particularly for organisations that operate as higher-learning institutions, which is scarce in the literature. In addition, this study analysed the drawbacks of internal control systems, especially in dealing with whistle-blower reports and complaints by referring to the list of complaints made by their stakeholders.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 62 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 February 2019

Zaid Alrawadieh and Mithat Zeki Dincer

Drawing on a sample of 520 negative reviews posted on TripAdvisor against all five-star hotels operating in Petra, Jordan, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the response of…

1318

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on a sample of 520 negative reviews posted on TripAdvisor against all five-star hotels operating in Petra, Jordan, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the response of luxury hotels to negative online reviews by considering the Response Rate (RR), the Response Time (RT) and the Response Content (RC).

Design/methodology/approach

A deductive content analysis was used on hotels’ managerial responses. Based on the literature review, a four-construct scheme was identified to guide the analysis including Appreciation; Apology; Explanation; and Incentive. The managerial responses were carefully read and manually coded based on the four-construct scheme. The time between the review posting date and the date of the managerial response was also recorded. Luxury hotel managers were also surveyed to obtain insights into their perceptions and practices with respect to online reputation management.

Findings

The findings call into question luxury hotels’ awareness of the harmful impact of negative online reviews. Specifically, the findings suggest that less than half of the negative reviews received a managerial response, and that more than half of these were standardized and did not refer to the issues raised in the reviews. The low response rate coupled with the hotel managers’ consensus on the importance of answering all online reviews indicates inconsistency between hotel managers’ perceptions and practices with regard to online reputation management.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the ongoing debate on reputation management in the hospitality industry by considering the managerial response to negative online reviews. The paper discusses several managerial implications for hotel managers as well as avenues for future research.

研究目的

本论文以TripAdvisor网站上520条关于约翰佩特拉古城五星级酒店的负面评论为样本, 分析豪华酒店如何应对网上负面评论, 具体评估变量包括反应率(RR),反应时间(RT),以及应对内容(RC)。

研究设计/方法/途径

本论文采用由繁入减的方法来文本分析酒店经理应对反馈内容。结合文献综述, 本论文共确立四个变量:(1)感谢;(2)道歉;(3)解释;以及(4)补偿。经理回复内容经过了研读和手动编码等过程进行分析。评论刊登和经理反馈时间差也经过审阅分析。此外, 豪华酒店经理还接受了问卷调查来获得他们关于在线名誉管理的意见和处理措施。

研究结果

本论文结果呼吁豪华酒店对于网上负面评论的严重影响的重视。其中, 研究结果表明, 不足一半的负面评论获得了经理回复, 而且, 一半以上的回复还是标准回答, 并没有涉及评论中提出的问题。低回复率以及酒店经理对于回复所有网上评论的统一认识表明, 酒店经理对于网上名誉管理的认知和措施存在于不一致性。

研究原创性/价值

本论文主要研究了经理应对在线负面评论的态度和措施, 其研究结果对于酒店业名誉管理方面一直以来存在的争论提供了科学检验。本论文讨论了多个酒店经理人管理理念以及提供了未来科研方向。

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 December 2021

Zul-Atfi Ismail

In the context of the study, soft skill means identifying efficient and effective approaches for improving operation and maintenance (O&M) processes in facilities management and…

Abstract

Purpose

In the context of the study, soft skill means identifying efficient and effective approaches for improving operation and maintenance (O&M) processes in facilities management and extending the management of building facilities and infrastructure. Applying the concept of soft skill to the O&M processes of facilities management at polytechnics in Malaysia, the paper aims to identify problems with conventional working practices in this area and to recommend potential solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews evidence that conventional working methods generate significant problems related to paper-based forms, improper database management and flawed decision-making processes.

Findings

The paper finds that the application of the concept of soft skill reveals the need for more sophisticated management solutions in the O&M processes of facilities management.

Originality/value

The concept of soft skill will guide future improvements and developments in maintenance management systems (MMS) to fulfil requirements in this area.

Details

Property Management, vol. 40 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 November 2022

Md Ashraf Harun

The study aims to examine the factors affecting the customers' choice of Bangladeshi banks during the Covid-19 pandemic and the moderating effects of private and public banks on…

1584

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to examine the factors affecting the customers' choice of Bangladeshi banks during the Covid-19 pandemic and the moderating effects of private and public banks on this association.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on explanatory research, where significant factors have been explored to evaluate the customers' perception of private and public banks in Bangladesh. Primary data are accumulated through an online survey from customers who have an account in a private or public bank in Bangladesh during the past four months, where 318 (non-probability convenience sampling) are usable, and secondary data are collected from various sources. Descriptive statistics, multiple and hierarchical multiple regressions have been conducted.

Findings

The results revealed that customers consider safe and secure websites, infrastructural facilities, technological know-how, service, price, time, payment, administrative and psychological factors in choosing Bangladeshi banks during Covid-19. Moreover, the results show that private and public banks have moderated these associations.

Originality/value

During Covid-19, few studies were conducted on Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Ethiopian banking customers, where different factors are significant; however, this study is unique because all factors are significant for Bangladeshi banking customers. The findings will originate the value with several theoretical implications and managerial guidelines.

Details

South Asian Journal of Marketing, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2719-2377

Keywords

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