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1 – 10 of 356Johanna Maria Liljeroos-Cork and Kaisu Laitinen
Infrastructure forms a basis for the operations and sustainability of the modern society. This paper aims to recognize value creation from the infrastructure procurement ecosystem…
Abstract
Purpose
Infrastructure forms a basis for the operations and sustainability of the modern society. This paper aims to recognize value creation from the infrastructure procurement ecosystem perspective to achieve those goals. The pursuit of enhancing value creation involves an examination of infrastructure procurement challenges, boundaries as well as boundary spanners that facilitate effective knowledge transfer and interaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative study is based on content analysis of 25 thematic interviews. Data was transcribed and coded via Atlas.ti software.
Findings
Infrastructure procurement value creation challenges appear complex and related to boundaries that hamper collaboration, coordination and knowledge sharing. Our results show that these boundaries locate within and between different levels of procurement ecosystem. Therefore, value creation in infrastructure procurement requires boundary spanners for leveraging knowledge sharing and interaction. Artifacts, discussion, processes and brokers as identified boundary spanners are strongly nested and interrelated in the industry. Special attention should be given to supporting individuals to act as brokers, since they play the key roles in trust building, culture steering and usage of other boundary spanners.
Social implications
Promoting value creation in infrastructure procurement helps to achieve socio-economic development goals.
Originality/value
This study offers a unique perspective on value creation in the context of infrastructure by adopting an ecosystem lens and examining boundary crossing mechanisms. The results support future development of collaboration and knowledge sharing practices fostering procurement productivity.
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Kari-Pekka Tampio and Harri Haapasalo
The purpose of this paper is to identify the areas and logic of integration of different stakeholders using different methods and to analyse their applicability and challenges in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the areas and logic of integration of different stakeholders using different methods and to analyse their applicability and challenges in practical projects. The main aim is to describe how these different methods impact value creation.
Design/methodology/approach
Action design research was carried out in a large hospital construction project where the first author acted as an “involved researcher” and the second author acted as an “outside researcher”. Two workshops were organised to evaluate the direct and indirect challenges and benefits of the applied four methods and to explain how different methods enable value creation.
Findings
All the studied methods provide good results in terms of usability and commitment to the aims of the project, thus delivering the direct benefits expected. Process, people and tools logic works well in this case project when applying the methods properly. Significant evidence was provided on secondary deliverables of the methods, and all analysed methods had a significant impact in the area of leading people, clarifying what “focus on people” means and how it is enabled.
Practical implications
Focus on people can be achieved through different operative methods if applied in the right way. It is necessary to select the most suitable methods based on all the direct and indirect deliverables.
Originality/value
This case project offered a platform to analyse integration methods in a real-life project using the collaborative contract method. The authors were able to participate in the analysis by taking action from the very beginning of the project in terms of training, learning, continuous development and coaching of these methods and evaluating the applicability.
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The literature review explores how multidisciplinary approaches based on critical pedagogy and participatory research can provide frameworks for equitable partnerships and genuine…
Abstract
Purpose
The literature review explores how multidisciplinary approaches based on critical pedagogy and participatory research can provide frameworks for equitable partnerships and genuine participation in educational design and research practices. Additionally, the essay aims to expand understandings of equitable engagement within educational research and design based on principles from critical pedagogy.
Design/methodology/approach
The essay draws from diverse literature in the learning sciences, health informatics, industrial design, disability studies, ethnic studies, rehabilitation science, and to a lesser extent HCI research to understand how critical pedagogy and participatory research methods can provide useful frameworks for disabled peoples' equitable engagement and genuine participation in educational research and design. The literature reviewed in the paper concern topics such as participatory approaches to community development with disabled adults, the implementation of university-initiated community partnerships, participatory research with students and disabled people, and the importance of culturally-responsive research practices. The design literature in this review explores various arenas such as the co-design of assistive technologies with disabled children and adults and the design of curricula for students with and without disabilities. This review focuses on research practices that engender disabled peoples' participation in educational research and design, with focus on developing multidisciplinary frameworks for such research.
Findings
The literature review concludes that participatory research methods and critical pedagogy provide useful frameworks for disabled peoples’ participation in educational design and research practices. Critical pedagogy and participatory design allow for the genuine participation of disabled people in the research process.
Social implications
Emphases on collaboration and collective knowledge-building in social transformation are present in scholarship concerning critical pedagogy, participatory research, and disability studies. However, these connections have been routinely underexplored in the literature. This paper aims to underscore these integral connections as a means to build solidarity between disabled and other marginalized people.
Originality/value
The connections between participatory research methods, critical pedagogy, and disability studies have been previously underexplored. The literature review proposes a combined approach, which has the potential to radically transform multiple realms of research beyond the learning and information sciences.
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Júlia Quintino Sant’Ana, Linda Jessica De Montreuil Carmona and Giancarlo Gomes
This study aims to answer the following research question: What are the opportunities for future research concerning the Frugal Innovation (FI) phenomenon? To address this, the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to answer the following research question: What are the opportunities for future research concerning the Frugal Innovation (FI) phenomenon? To address this, the authors propose a novel approach to literature review on the topic. They do so in view of synthesising scholars’ recommendations for subsequent studies. They also advocate that it is time to contribute to the establishment of the FI field by mapping the future of this approach.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) to connect past and future research on FI. After the screening process of the documents extracted from multiple databases, they performed a bibliometric analysis to provide an overview of the field. Furthermore, the lexical analysis and descending hierarchical analysis were generated through the IRAMUTEQ software to identify the clusters for future research on FI.
Findings
This research not only demonstrates the current state of the art of FI literature but also identifies a research agenda with six categories of opportunities for further studies on the topic: frugal consumer behaviour; establishment of the field; sustainable impact; approaches to different contexts; implementation processes; and challenges for value creation.
Originality/value
The FI phenomenon is receiving increasing attention from scholars in the management field due to its socioeconomic and managerial implications, especially after the Covid-19 outbreak. Therefore, the findings benefit scholars striving to expand the scope of FI research, as well as entrepreneurs, managers and organisations aiming to enhance their social responsibility to reduce their environmental impact.
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Anthony Olukayode Yusuf, Adedeji Afolabi, Abiola Akanmu, Homero Murzi, Andres Nieto Leal, Sheryl Ball and Andrea Ofori-Boadu
There is a growing mismatch between the skill demands of the industry and the offerings of academia. One way of reducing this mismatch is by improving collaborations between…
Abstract
Purpose
There is a growing mismatch between the skill demands of the industry and the offerings of academia. One way of reducing this mismatch is by improving collaborations between practitioners and instructors using web-networking platforms. However, it is important to understand practitioners’ considerations while collaborating with instructors. Therefore, this study identified these considerations in order to infer inputs for the design of the graphical user interface (GUI) of a web-based platform for connecting instructors and practitioners.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed method was adopted through a survey and focus group. A survey was used to capture practitioners’ considerations while collaborating with instructors for student development, and a focus group helped uncover an in-depth understanding of the study phenomena. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic analysis.
Findings
The results show the willingness of practitioners to collaborate with instructors for student development, the ways by which practitioners are willing to meet instructors' course-support needs and their considerations in deciding to do so. Slight differences were observed between the results of the survey and the focus group regarding the ranking of the practitioners’ considerations. The study highlighted demographic differences in practitioners’ considerations when deciding on meeting instructors' course-support needs. The results provide a basis to deduce the GUI inputs of web-networking platforms for connecting instructors and practitioners.
Originality/value
This study revealed practitioners’ design needs and GUI inputs to facilitate the design of web-networking platforms for connecting instructors and practitioners. This study also contributes to user interface design principles, theories on individual differences and practitioners’ involvement in student professional development.
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Kaisu Laitinen, Mika Luhtala, Maiju Örmä and Kalle Vaismaa
Insufficient productivity development in the global and Finnish infrastructure sectors indicates that there are challenges in genuinely achieving the goals of resource efficiency…
Abstract
Purpose
Insufficient productivity development in the global and Finnish infrastructure sectors indicates that there are challenges in genuinely achieving the goals of resource efficiency and digitalization. This study adapts the approach of capability maturity model integration (CMMI) for examining the capabilities for productivity development that reveal the enablers of improving productivity in the infrastructure sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Civil engineering in Finland was selected as the study area, and a qualitative research approach was adopted. A novel maturity model was constructed deductively through a three-step analytical process. Previous research literature was adapted to form a framework with maturity levels and key process areas (KPAs). KPA attributes and their maturity criteria were formed through a thematic analysis of interview data from 12 semi-structured group interviews. Finally, validation and refinement of the model were performed with an expert panel.
Findings
This paper provides a novel maturity model for examining and enhancing the infrastructure sector’s maturity in productivity development. The model brings into discussion the current business logics, relevance of lifecycle-thinking, binding targets and outcomes of limited activities in the surrounding infrastructure system.
Originality/value
This paper provides a new approach for pursuing productivity development in the infrastructure sector by constructing a maturity model that adapts the concepts of CMMI and change management. The model and findings benefit all actors in the sector and provide an understanding of the required elements and means to achieve a more sustainable built environment and effective operations.
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Valentina Patetta and Marta Enciso-Santocildes
The aim of this paper is to provide insights and knowledge about the motivations and implications for social enterprises' participation in SIBs, particularly in terms of…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide insights and knowledge about the motivations and implications for social enterprises' participation in SIBs, particularly in terms of collaboration and partnership with the public sector, as well as the different positions on this issue. The overall aim, therefore, is to show how social enterprises and public organisations have interacted in the context of SIBs and what has been achieved by participating.
Design/methodology/approach
This multiple case study approach applies qualitative methods like observations and semi-structured and unstructured interviews.
Findings
The study shows that SIBs can be an option for financing social enterprises within a strategy of income diversification and resource dependency. Despite tensions and complexities, SIBs can renew the traditional funding relationship by adding innovation, strengthening the co-creation process and creating a stable relationship.
Research limitations/implications
Research findings may lack generalisability due to the specific context in which the case study is rooted.
Practical implications
The paper offers practical implications in terms of insights and suggestions for social enterprises and the public sector interested in developing the scheme.
Originality/value
This paper adds the voice and perspective of social enterprises on the relationship with the public sector within the framework of SIBs initiatives.
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Hang Thi Ngo and Le Thi Hoai Nguyen
This study aims to identify the key factors driving consumer adoption attention toward FinTech services in a bank-based financial system to lay a firm ground for further policy…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the key factors driving consumer adoption attention toward FinTech services in a bank-based financial system to lay a firm ground for further policy recommendations to promote the dual development of FinTech and the banking industry in Vietnam as well as other emerging economies similar banking system.
Design/methodology/approach
A technology acceptance model with a data set of 387 observations collected from a thorough research design is used and proceeded with probit regression.
Findings
The paper finds that existing bank users are holding a high intention to approach FinTech services regardless of involved costs and time, suggesting a traditional banking system to open up the collaboration channel with FinTech firms in prospective business areas. The findings also reveal an interestingly important position of consumers’ latent needs in inclining consumers to use FinTech services in Vietnam.
Research limitations/implications
In this study, the variable measurement is not comprehensive as the authors use a single question for each variable. Second, most of the respondents reside in two big cities of the country, which are currently witnessing the rising presence of FinTech companies. So, if the future penetration of FinTech firms reaches out of these big cities, a better research sample with a diversified geographic trait should be considered.
Practical implications
This study’s findings draw out valuable recommendations to bankers and especially policymakers to stimulate the future penetration of FinTech firms along with assuring and strengthening the important position of the banking sector in the economy.
Originality/value
This paper’s novelty lies in several aspects. First, this study provides a broad view of the market potentials for FinTech firms from the demand side on a wide range of FinTech services rather than focusing only on payment services as presented in previous studies. Besides, the paper also discovers a new factor attributing to the adoption intention of the FinTech end-users, the users’ latent needs. Third, these empirical results carry a considerable contribution to the limited literature on this topic in Vietnam. And, most importantly, this study’s findings significantly prove the noticeable contribution of consumers’ preference to the indisputable development of FinTech. This afterwards helps to shape viable governmental regulations to facilitate effective market penetration strategies of FinTech in accordance with nurturing the future strategic development of a bank-based financial system under the emergence of FinTech. Of which, the authors call for clear and official moves of the governmental bodies in facilitating the collaboration between FinTech and the banking system coupled with enhancing measures of customer protection in the financial field in Vietnam. The findings and the regulatory implications for our country could be a vital source and replicated for other emerging economies’ cases with similar traits of the financial system.
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Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Abid Iqbal
The objectives of the study were to identify the effects of blockchain technology (BT) on the university librarians, the impact of BT on the university library services and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The objectives of the study were to identify the effects of blockchain technology (BT) on the university librarians, the impact of BT on the university library services and to reveal the challenges to adopt BT in the university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was applied to address the objectives of the study. Around 25 studies published in peer-reviewed journals were selected to conduct the study.
Findings
The findings of the study revealed that blockchain technology (BT) has positive effects on the university librarians as it assists them in digital resources management, provision of integrated library services, effective records management and continued professional development. The study also displayed that BT has a positive impact on the university libraries through effective information management, user privacy, collaboration, technological innovation and access control. Results also revealed that technical issues, financial constraints, security problems, skill issues and sociocultural issues created challenges to adopt BT in the university libraries.
Originality/value
The study has offered theoretical implications for future investigators through the provision of innovative literature on the prospectus and challenges associated with blockchain in the context of librarianship. The study has also provided practical implications for management bodies by offering recommendations for the successful adoption of blockchain in the university libraries. Additionally, a framework has been developed to adopt BT successfully in the university libraries for the delivery of smart library services to library patrons.
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Panos Vostanis, Sajida Hassan, Syeda Zeenat Fatima and Michelle O'Reilly
Children in majority world countries (MWC) have high rates of unmet mental health needs, with limited access to specialist resources. Integration of child mental health in…
Abstract
Purpose
Children in majority world countries (MWC) have high rates of unmet mental health needs, with limited access to specialist resources. Integration of child mental health in existing psychosocial care can improve provision. Through a Train-the-Trainer (ToT) cascade approach, this study aimed to provide a framework for such integration in resource-constrained communities in Karachi, Pakistan and to establish hindering and enabling factors.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight practitioners attended a child mental health ToT program, including training on a five-domain service transformation framework. Trainers co-designed and implemented interventions that integrated child mental health knowledge and skills on each domain. These were attended by 136 end-users (youth, parents, teachers, managers), of whom a sub-sample of 47 stakeholders, as well as the trainers, attended focus groups on their experiences. Data were analysed through a thematic codebook.
Findings
Established themes reflected common ingredients across all domains/interventions that were deemed important for child mental health care integration. These included child-centric approaches, positive parenting, community mobilization and systemic changes.
Originality/value
Integrated child mental health care informed by the Train-of-Trainer approach can be a useful model for resource-constrained MWC contexts. Integrated interventions should be co-produced with communities.
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