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Article
Publication date: 24 August 2023

Nasser Zaky, Mohamed Zaky Ahmed, Ali Alarjani and El-Awady Attia

This study aims to improve the market competitiveness of iron and steel manufacturers in developing countries by reducing their production costs.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to improve the market competitiveness of iron and steel manufacturers in developing countries by reducing their production costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology relies on a case study-based approach. The study relies on six steps. The first is the preparation, then the five steps of the six-sigma – define, measure, analyze, improve, control. The qualitative and quantitative data were considered. The qualitative analysis relies on the experts’ judgment of internal status. The quantitative analysis uses the job floor data from three iron and steel manufacturers. After collecting, screening and analyzing the data, the root causes of the different wastes were identified that increase production costs. Consequently, lean manufacturing principles and tools are identified and prioritized using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method, and then implemented to reduce the different types of waste.

Findings

The main wastes are related to inventory, time, quality and workforce. The lean tools were proposed with the implementation plan for the discovered root causes. The performance was monitored during and after the implementation of the lean initiatives in one of the three companies. The obtained results showed an increase in some performance indicators such as throughput (70.6%), revenue from by-products (459%), inventory turnover (54%), operation availability (45%), and plant availability (41%). On the other hand, results showed a decrease of time delay (78%), man-hour/ton (52.4%) and downgraded products (63.3%).

Practical implications

The current case study findings can be utilized by Iron and Steel factories at the developing countries. In addition, the proposed lean implementation methodology can be adopted for any other industries.

Social implications

The current work introduces an original and practical road map to implement the lean six-sigma body of knowledge in the iron and steel manufacturers.

Originality/value

This work introduces an effective and practical case study-based approach to implementing the lean six-sigma body of knowledge in the iron and steel manufacturers in one of the underdevelopment countries. The consideration of the opinion of the different engineers from different sectors shows significant identification of the major problems in the manufacturing and utility sectors that lead to significant performance improvement after solving them.

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: 30 November 2022

Noorjahan Banon Teeluckdharry, Viraiyan Teeroovengadum and Ashley Keshwar Seebaluck

The paper provides a step-by-step guide in the guise of a roadmap for service improvement initiatives using importance performance map analysis (IPMA).

Abstract

Purpose

The paper provides a step-by-step guide in the guise of a roadmap for service improvement initiatives using importance performance map analysis (IPMA).

Design/methodology/approach

To empirically illustrate how IPMA can be applied to any service industry, three sectors are considered; sports and fitness (study A), hospitality (study B) and higher education (study C). Following the proper selection of measuring instruments and their evaluation using structural equation modeling-partial least squares (Smart-PLS), IPMA is applied to identify those attributes having strong total effects (high importance) over the targeted construct (satisfaction) but which also have low average latent variable scores (low performance).

Findings

For sports and fitness (study A), the physical aspects and programme quality require managerial attention. For the hospitability sector (study B), it is service commitment, interaction quality and internal sense of happiness. Whereas for higher education (study C), it is administrative quality as well as the element of transformative quality, namely the university’s role in adding to its students’ emotional stability, which needs the attention of the top management.

Originality/value

This study provides researchers and practitioners with a roadmap for applying PLS-SEM and IPMA for continuous service quality improvement. The roadmap extends upon Ringle and Sarstedt’s (2016) work. It highlights critical decisions that need to be considered in the pre-analytical stages of the IPMA application, i.e. at the research design phase in selecting the most appropriate service quality measurement model specifications. It not only contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence to advance theory development in the quality management field but also has implications for the practitioners in any service sector on where to focus their attention for an effective service improvement.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 September 2023

Shehreen Amin Bhuiyan and Minhazul Abedin

The very criticism of public policy being rigid and generalized on one hand, and insouciant and noncustomizable on the other has to be addressed to cope up with the comingled…

Abstract

Purpose

The very criticism of public policy being rigid and generalized on one hand, and insouciant and noncustomizable on the other has to be addressed to cope up with the comingled economic, social and environmental challenges. Policies that fail the litmus test of changing and challenging conditions will run the risk of not achieving their purpose and obstructing the ability of citizens, communities and businesses. This paper draws the case of Bangladesh to explore the principles of adaptive policies in the surfacing of the recently adopted Digital Commerce Management Guide 2021 under the National Digital Commerce Policy, 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative paper that is based on both primary and secondary data. While secondary data on the policy crafted a strong call for increased adaptiveness, primary data extracted from the interviews presented several lacking and loopholes from respondents’ firsthand experiences. Based on secondary content and primary data from consumers and business owners of the most-used social commerce platform (a form of digital commerce), Facebook commerce, hereto referred to as F-commerce, this paper discusses the possible characteristics of adaptive policy-making for more innovative, contextual, gender-inclusive, efficient and environmentally sustainable policies.

Findings

The paper points out some reform and adjustment scope for the recently introduced digital commerce policy to make it more adaptive to the present and upcoming policy context.

Research limitations/implications

It must be mentioned that there is a dearth of research on digital commerce policy and the platform as a whole.

Originality/value

Hence, this paper offers a fresh perspective toward time befitting policy formulation in the digital commerce sector and set in motion the policy attention that this platform requires.

Details

Southeast Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1819-5091

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2023

Esteban R. Brenes, Gabriel Rodriguez, Jorge-Vinicio Murillo-Rojas and Caleb A. Pichardo

Resiliency is essential for achieving the necessary level of performance and ensuring the survival of a new business during difficult times. However, neither this characteristic…

Abstract

Purpose

Resiliency is essential for achieving the necessary level of performance and ensuring the survival of a new business during difficult times. However, neither this characteristic nor its antecedents have been exhaustively studied. Using a configuration approach, this study aims to analyze the neuropsychological and business-related characteristics of entrepreneurs that may explain their resilience during the business development process.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), the authors investigated distinct characteristics of Costa Rican agro-entrepreneurs with high levels of entrepreneurial resilience. The fsQCA methodology identifies combinations of causal measures that result in the outcome.

Findings

From the mixture of configurations, the authors found four combinations of individual’s characteristics that explain the profile of a resilient agro-entrepreneur.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the literature on agricultural entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial resilience. This study identifies four distinct combinations of entrepreneurs’ characteristics that produce entrepreneurial resilience in the agricultural industry. Moreover, it incorporates individuals’ business-related attributes into examining characteristics combinations that affect resilience. Also, this research offers agro-entrepreneurs’ stakeholders, valuable insights to develop more resilient entrepreneurs.

Propósito

La resiliencia es esencial para lograr el nivel de rendimiento necesario y garantizar la supervivencia de un nuevo negocio en tiempos difíciles. Sin embargo, ni esta característica ni sus antecedentes han sido exhaustivamente estudiados. Empleando un enfoque de configuración, este estudio busca analizar las características neuropsicológicas y empresariales de los emprendedores que pueden explicar su resiliencia durante el proceso de desarrollo empresarial.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Utilizando el análisis cualitativo comparativo de conjuntos difusos (fsQCA, por sus siglas en inglés), investigamos distintas características de los agroemprendedores costarricenses con altos niveles de resiliencia emprendedora. La metodología fsQCA identifica combinaciones de medidas causales que originan un fenómeno o resultado.

Hallazgos

A partir de la mezcla de configuraciones, encontramos cuatro combinaciones de características del individuo que explican el perfil de un agroemprendedor resiliente.

Originalidad/valor

Nuestro trabajo contribuye a la literatura sobre emprendimiento agrícola y resiliencia emprendedora. Este estudio identifica cuatro combinaciones distintas de las características de los emprendedores que producen resiliencia emprendedora en la industria agrícola. Además, incorpora las características empresariaes de los individuos al examinar las combinaciones de características que afectan la resiliencia. También, nuestra investigación ofrece a los públicos de interés información valiosa para desarrollar emprendedores más resilientes.

Objetivo

A resiliência é essencial para alcançar o nível de desempenho necessário e garantir a sobrevivência de um novo negócio em tempos difíceis. Porém, nem esta característica nem seus antecedentes foram exaustivamente estudados. Empregando uma abordagem de configuração, este estudo busca analisar as características neuropsicológicas e empresariais de empreendedores que podem explicar sua resiliência no processo de desenvolvimento de negócios.

Desenho/metodologia/abordagem

Usando a análise comparativa qualitativa do conjunto difuso (fsQCA), investigamos características distintas de agroempreendedores costarriquenhos com altos níveis de resiliência empreendedora. A metodologia fsQCA identifica combinações de medidas causais que causam um fenômeno ou resultado.

Resultados

A partir da mistura de configurações, encontramos quatro combinações de características individuais que explicam o perfil de um agroempreendedor resiliente.

Originalidade/valor

Nosso trabalho contribui para a literatura sobre empreendedorismo agrícola e resiliência empreendedora. Este estudo identifica quatro combinações distintas de características dos empreendedores que produzem resiliência empreendedora na indústria agrícola. Além disso, incorpora as características de negócios dos indivíduos ao examinar as combinações de características que afetam a resiliência. Adicionalmente, nossa pesquisa oferece às partes interessadas dos agroempreendedores insights valiosos para desenvolver empreendedores mais resilientes.

Details

Management Research: Journal of the Iberoamerican Academy of Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1536-5433

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2023

Said Al Riyami, Mohammad Rezaur Razzak and Adil S. Al-Busaidi

Sweeping changes are underway in the world of work where new work-models such as permanent work-from home mandates are being implemented by many organizations in the aftermath of…

Abstract

Purpose

Sweeping changes are underway in the world of work where new work-models such as permanent work-from home mandates are being implemented by many organizations in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although cost benefits for organizations are obvious from such measures, little is known about how emotions of employees are affected by such measures. A recent industry survey reveals that some employees feel that they are being ostracized from their normal workplace while others are being allowed to return to their normal office settings. However, there appears to be dearth of empirical studies on how employees are coping with workplace ostracism (WO), and whether such emotions are related to factors such as their levels of mindfulness and perceived organizational support (POS). Therefore, this study deploys the stress and coping theory to suggest that individuals with high levels of mindfulness are less likely to experience WO, and that such a relationship is further moderated by POS.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses developed in this study are tested through survey data collected from 240 employees who work for various large organizations in Oman. Eligible respondents are employees who have been directed by their employers to continue to work from home even after a large portion of their colleagues have returned to their physical offices.

Findings

The data is analyzed with R Core Team software. The findings reveal that employees with high levels of mindfulness reported lower levels of WO. Furthermore, POS moderates the inverse relationship between mindfulness and WO at moderate and high levels of POS but not when organizational support is perceived to be at low levels.

Research limitations/implications

This study suffers from several limitations. First, the study is cross-sectional in nature and does not capture how the perceptions of workplace ostracism change over time. Considering that majority of the new directives to employees to permanently work from their remote locations are quite recent. Second, this study posits the effect of mindfulness as a trait on WO and does not consider other constructs. Third, the demographic details of the respondents indicates that bulk of the employees that were asked by their employers to continue to work from home even after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted were women (68%).

Practical implications

Practically, the relationships between mindfulness, perceived organizational support and workplace ostracism provide useful managerial knowledge. This is particularly important considering the fact that the influence on employee perceptions due to these new work models are yet to be fully realized. As a result, managers can fine-tune their organizational communication and their training programs toward developing awareness of the present among employees to enable them to appraise new organizational policies from a more holistic long-term perspective. Additionally, the management can also emphasize sufficient material and psychological support for employees that are required to remain working from home.

Originality/value

This study appears to be among the first empirical research that provides evidence on the inverse relationship between mindfulness and WO, especially in the context of the new work-models in the post pandemic period. Additionally, the study demonstrates that moderate to high levels of POS can further mitigate WO among individuals with higher levels of mindfulness.

Details

Evidence-based HRM: a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-3983

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2023

Minh Van Nguyen

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance is critical to address construction activities’ environmental and social impacts. This study aims to evaluate the level of CSR…

Abstract

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance is critical to address construction activities’ environmental and social impacts. This study aims to evaluate the level of CSR implementation across various categories within the context of the Vietnamese construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review and semi-structured interviews were conducted to determine Vietnamese construction organizations’ most commonly implemented CSR activities. A total of 252 valid responses were then obtained through a questionnaire survey. In addition, the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method was used to evaluate the extent to which CSR categories have been implemented in construction companies.

Findings

The findings revealed 31 commonly implemented CSR activities of the Vietnamese construction firms, which were grouped into four categories. Of the four categories, the FSE analysis showed that stakeholder CSR was the most critical category, followed by ethical CSR, philanthropic CSR and environmental CSR.

Originality/value

This research provides valuable CSR activities to construction companies that intend to develop sustainably. Moreover, the proposed prioritization methodology offers practitioners a reliable and easy-to-use evaluation tool that clearly understands CSR performance within their organizations.

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: 15 July 2022

Sobia Bano, Muhammad Zeeshan Mirza, Marva Sohail and Muhammad Umair Javaid

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has given an upsurge to online retailing in Pakistan. This shift has escalated the issues about privacy concerns among consumers…

Abstract

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has given an upsurge to online retailing in Pakistan. This shift has escalated the issues about privacy concerns among consumers. Keeping in view the growing concerns, the objective of this study is to investigate customer patronage in online shopping and the role of privacy concerns in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

To generalize the relationship between antecedents and outcomes of privacy concerns, a cross-disciplinary macro model was used. Data were collected through a survey method from the consumers who used credit and debit cards during online shopping.

Findings

Results show that government regulations have a significant positive relationship with privacy concerns and customer patronage. Privacy concerns are found to have a significant negative relationship with organizational ethical care while customer patronage was found to have a significant positive relationship with organizational ethical care. Customer patronage was also found to have a significant negative relationship with privacy concerns. Privacy concerns mediated the relationship between government regulations and customer patronage, whereas privacy concerns does not mediate the relationship between organizational ethical care and customer patronage.

Originality/value

The research adds to the existing literature and highlights the customer behavior toward online shopping/e-commerce in developing economies. The research gives a direction to stakeholders to counter privacy concerns and ensure safer e-commerce practices.

Details

EuroMed Journal of Business, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1450-2194

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 December 2022

Saptarshi Bhattacharya, Rajendra Prasad Sharma and Ashish Gupta

Online shoppers feel insecure due to the various unethical practices of e-tailers. It is, therefore, crucial for online retailers to alleviate customer concerns. Extant literature…

Abstract

Purpose

Online shoppers feel insecure due to the various unethical practices of e-tailers. It is, therefore, crucial for online retailers to alleviate customer concerns. Extant literature indicates that country-of-origin (COO) cues influence consumer perception. A relatively underexplored phenomenon in an emerging market context, the COO image of the online retailer, i.e. a foreign-origin online retailer (FOOR) or an Indian-origin online retailer (IOOR), needs validation. The current study investigates customer expectations of online retailers' ethical behaviour against the backdrop of online retailer-based signals in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers floated an online questionnaire using a seven-point Likert scale. The authors sought recipient responses in Google Forms shared via e-mails and social media connections. The authors analysed 1,018 useable responses using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in Smart PLS 3.

Findings

The empirical study examined the influence of the consumer perception of ethics of online retailers (CPEOR) and COO on consumer purchase intention. It validated the proposed research model. The research findings inform that the CPEOR and the COO influence purchase intention through the mediation effects of trust and satisfaction. Results indicate that privacy, security, non-deception, fulfilment, customer service, FOOR and IOOR strongly predict consumer trust. In contrast, privacy, non-deception, fulfilment, customer service and FOOR strongly predict consumer satisfaction. However, security and IOOR did not influence consumer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The study results have theoretical and practical implications for academic researchers and online retailing managers. Future studies can validate the model in different geo-demographic scenarios and e-commerce settings.

Originality/value

The study enriches the extant literature on CPEOR in the Indian context. This study is pioneering work examining consumer purchase intention by adding the COO construct to the CPEOR model.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 March 2024

Won-Moo Hur and Yuhyung Shin

This study aims to explore the role of frontline service employees’ (FSEs) awareness that their job can be substituted by smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the role of frontline service employees’ (FSEs) awareness that their job can be substituted by smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and algorithms (STARA) in their job autonomy and proactive service performance and when these relationships can be buffered. Drawing on the cognitive appraisal theory of stress, the study examined the mediating relationship between FSEs’ STARA awareness, job autonomy and proactive service performance and the moderating effects of self-efficacy and resilience on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors administered two-wave online surveys to 301 South Korean FSEs working in various service sectors (e.g. retailing, food/beverage, hospitality/tourism and banking). The Time 1 survey measured respondents’ STARA awareness, self-efficacy, resilience and job autonomy, and the Time 2 survey assessed their proactive service performance.

Findings

FSEs’ STARA awareness negatively affected their subsequent proactive service performance through decreased job autonomy. The negative association between STARA awareness and job autonomy was weaker when FSEs’ self-efficacy was high than when it was low. While the authors observed no significant moderation of resilience, the author found a marginally significant three-way interaction between STARA awareness, self-efficacy and resilience. Specifically, STARA awareness was negatively related to job autonomy only when both self-efficacy and resilience were low. When either self-efficacy or resilience was high, the association between STARA awareness and job autonomy became nonsignificant, suggesting the buffering roles of the two personal resources.

Research limitations/implications

Given that the measurement of variables relied on self-reported data, rater biases might have affected the findings of the study. Moreover, the simultaneous measurement of STARA awareness, self-efficacy, resilience and job autonomy could preclude causal inferences between these variables. The authors encourage future studies to use a more rigorous methodology to reduce rater biases and establish stronger causality between the variables.

Practical implications

Service firms can decrease FSEs’ STARA awareness through training in the knowledge and skills necessary to work with these technologies. To promote FSEs’ proactive service performance in this context, service firms need to involve them in decisions related to STARA adoption and allow them to craft their jobs. Service managers should provide FSEs with social support and exercise empowering and supportive leadership to help them view STARA as a challenge rather than a threat.

Originality/value

Distinct from prior research on STARA awareness and employee outcomes, the study identified proactive service performance as a key outcome in the STARA context. By presenting self-efficacy and resilience as crucial personal resources that buffer FSEs from the deleterious impact of STARA awareness, the study provides practitioners with insights that can help FSEs maintain their job autonomy and proactive service performance in times of digitalization and automation.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 December 2022

Peyman Jafary, Davood Shojaei, Abbas Rajabifard and Tuan Ngo

Building information modeling (BIM) is a striking development in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, which provides in-depth information on different…

Abstract

Purpose

Building information modeling (BIM) is a striking development in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, which provides in-depth information on different stages of the building lifecycle. Real estate valuation, as a fully interconnected field with the AEC industry, can benefit from 3D technical achievements in BIM technologies. Some studies have attempted to use BIM for real estate valuation procedures. However, there is still a limited understanding of appropriate mechanisms to utilize BIM for valuation purposes and the consequent impact that BIM can have on decreasing the existing uncertainties in the valuation methods. Therefore, the paper aims to analyze the literature on BIM for real estate valuation practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a systematic review to analyze existing utilizations of BIM for real estate valuation practices, discovers the challenges, limitations and gaps of the current applications and presents potential domains for future investigations. Research was conducted on the Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar databases to find relevant references that could contribute to the study. A total of 52 publications including journal papers, conference papers and proceedings, book chapters and PhD and master's theses were identified and thoroughly reviewed. There was no limitation on the starting date of research, but the end date was May 2022.

Findings

Four domains of application have been identified: (1) developing machine learning-based valuation models using the variables that could directly be captured through BIM and industry foundation classes (IFC) data instances of building objects and their attributes; (2) evaluating the capacity of 3D factors extractable from BIM and 3D GIS in increasing the accuracy of existing valuation models; (3) employing BIM for accurate estimation of components of cost approach-based valuation practices; and (4) extraction of useful visual features for real estate valuation from BIM representations instead of 2D images through deep learning and computer vision.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research efforts on utilization of 3D modeling in real estate valuation practices. In this regard, this paper presents a broad overview of the current applications of BIM for valuation procedures and provides potential ways forward for future investigations.

Details

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

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 1000