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11 – 20 of over 8000NASHWAN N. DAWOOD and WILLIAM BATES
The heavy civil engineering industry (railways, sewage treatment, chemical and pharmaceutical facilities, oil and gas facilities, etc.) is one of the major contributors to the…
Abstract
The heavy civil engineering industry (railways, sewage treatment, chemical and pharmaceutical facilities, oil and gas facilities, etc.) is one of the major contributors to the British economy and generally involves a high level of investment. Clients in this industry are demanding accurate cost estimate, proper analysis of out‐turn cost and cost escalation and a high quality risk analysis throughout the construction processes. Current practice in the industry has suggested that there is a lack of structured methodologies and systematic cost escalation approach to achieve an appropriate cost analysis at the outset of projects and throughout the construction processes. In this context the prime objective of this research work is to develop a structured cost escalation methodology for improving estimating management and control in the heavy engineering industry construction processes. The methodology is composed of a forecasting model to predict cost indices of major items in industry and a risk knowledge base model for identifying and quantifying causes of cost escalations. This paper, as part of the research, reviews and discusses a knowledge‐based model for applying a cost escalation factor. The cost escalation factor is made up of market variation, a risk element and a component for bias. A knowledge elicitation strategy was employed to obtain the required knowledge for the model. The strategy included questionnaires, interviews and workshops and deliverables came in the form of influences and their effect on project cost escalation. From these deliverables, the concepts of a decision support model and system specification for applying cost escalation to base estimates is proposed.
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Ahmed Ebrahim Abu El-Maaty, Amr M. El-Kholy and Ahmed Yousry Akal
Modeling represents the art of translating problems from an application area into tractable mathematical formulations whose theoretical and numerical analysis provides insight…
Abstract
Purpose
Modeling represents the art of translating problems from an application area into tractable mathematical formulations whose theoretical and numerical analysis provides insight, answers and guidance useful for the originating application. The purpose of this paper is to determine the causal causes of schedule overrun and cost escalation of highway projects in Egypt in order to be used as independents variables in mathematical models for predicting the percentages of schedule overrun and cost escalation of such projects in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of a randomly selected samples yielded responses from 40 owners, 15 consultants and 56 contractors. The survey includes 38 schedule overrun factors and 26 cost escalation factors. The effectiveness degree of the identified factors has been identified by the triangle fuzzy approach.
Findings
The results of the survey show that “contractor’s technical staff is insufficient and ineligible to accomplish the project” is the most important cause of schedule overrun, while the major cause of cost escalation is inadequate preparation of the project concerning planning and execution.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this study is predicting the percentages of schedule overrun and cost escalation of highway projects in Egypt. Through the application of the linear regression analysis method and statistical fuzzy theory, four predictive models have been developed and it has been noted that the linear regression-based model shows prediction accuracy better than statistical fuzzy-based model in predicting percentages of schedule overrun and cost escalation.
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Business managers are constantly faced with the decision to continue or abandon new product development projects. However, this type of decision may not be easy. These decisions…
Abstract
Purpose
Business managers are constantly faced with the decision to continue or abandon new product development projects. However, this type of decision may not be easy. These decisions are usually prone to bias of managers. Managers are known to escalate their commitment toward failed projects. It is also not easy to identify projects that are suffering from escalation of commitment. The purpose of this paper is to propose an objective escalation identification method.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes an objective escalation identification method using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The results from DEA are compared with those of subjective methods of identifying escalation.
Findings
The objective estimate of escalation given by DEA was comparable to the subjective estimate of escalation given by the managers in the survey.
Research limitations/implications
DEA is sensitive to outliers and managers should be careful in selecting projects that are to be included for comparison. DEA does not give statistical fit indices as it is an operational research based technique.
Practical implications
DEA is an objective and automatic tool that makes the decision of managers easier. Managers can use this tool by inputting the output and input variables of their projects and then see which ones are escalated, therefore need to be abandoned. As a consequence, escalation of commitment and big losses can be prevented especially in new product development area.
Originality/value
By using the proposed objective approach, escalation of commitment and associated big losses can be prevented especially in new product development area.
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Peni Fukofuka, Neil Fargher and Zhe Wang
This purpose of this study is to further the study of escalation of commitment by considering the supportive role of accountants in providing reports that favour continuation of…
Abstract
Purpose
This purpose of this study is to further the study of escalation of commitment by considering the supportive role of accountants in providing reports that favour continuation of unprofitable projects and whether this role is influenced by culture. Research on the escalation of commitment suggests that the decision to commit resources to a failing project is due to several factors that include sunk costs, personal responsibility and culture.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a between-subjects design to examine accountants’ willingness to provide a report that facilitates continuation of an unprofitable project. The manipulated independent variables are sunk cost (present or absent), the level of reporting responsibility (high or low) and culture (Pacific Islands or Australia).
Findings
Our results show that the presence of sunk cost is a motivation for accountants to provide reports that favour continuation of an unprofitable project. The results on cultural difference are also consistent with the contention that culture is influential in decision-making with respect to providing reports that favour continuation of an unprofitable project. We do not, however, find evidence consistent with a personal responsibility affect using the manipulation defined in this study.
Research limitations/implications
Consistent with this type of research, the results must be interpreted with respect to the specific design choices used in the experiment.
Practical implications
Continued research is needed to examine the impact of sunk costs and specific attributes of culture, such as the willingness to follow superiors, on the escalation of commitment to unprofitable projects. The mitigation of such effects through education of accountants to provide reports that do not favour continuation of unprofitable projects would, for example, be of interest to aid agencies and others investing in projects in developing economies in particular.
Originality/value
While previous research generally examines the decision-making role of managers in escalation of commitment to unprofitable projects, this study examines the supportive role that accountants play in facilitating managers’ escalation decisions. This issue is studied within a context examining the potential cultural impact of respect for authority.
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Natalie Todak and Michael D. White
The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of de-escalation among police officers who were nominated by peers as the most skilled at this strategy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of de-escalation among police officers who were nominated by peers as the most skilled at this strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
A peer nomination process identified eight skilled de-escalators in one department. Interviews were conducted with the officers individually. Additionally, in a focus group, the officers watched and debriefed body-worn camera videos for themes related to de-escalation.
Findings
Officers defined de-escalation as bringing calm to a conflict using the least amount of force possible. They said it could also be used preventatively. They identified de-escalation tactics, characteristics of skilled de-escalators and situations in which de-escalation is less effective.
Originality/value
This study initiates research into a much discussed but rarely researched topic. Future studies should continue to work toward a definition of de-escalation and understand how it can be used in policing to reduce violence, protect life and enhance police legitimacy.
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This study aims to explore the challenges that the escalation of commitment poses to information security.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the challenges that the escalation of commitment poses to information security.
Design/methodology/approach
Two distinct scenarios of escalation behavior are presented based on literature review. Psychological, organizational and economic theories on escalation of commitment are reviewed and applied to the area of information security.
Findings
Escalation of commitment involves continuation of a course of action after receiving negative information about it. In the information security compliance context, escalation affects a firm when an employee decides to break the firm’s information security policy to complete a failing task. In the information security investment context, escalation occurs if a manager continues investment in policies and solutions that are ineffective because of psychological, organizational or economic factors. Both of these types of escalation may be prevented with de-escalation techniques including a change in management or rotation of duties, monitoring, auditing and governance mechanisms.
Practical implications
Implications of escalation of commitment behavior for information security decision-makers and for future research are discussed.
Originality/value
This study complements the literature by establishing the context of escalation of commitment in decisions related to information security and reviewing managerial and economic theories on escalation of commitment.
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Dmitriy V. Chulkov and Mayur S. Desai
The purpose of this paper is to examine how the real option theory is applicable to evaluation of cases of escalation and premature termination of Management Information Systems…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how the real option theory is applicable to evaluation of cases of escalation and premature termination of Management Information Systems (MIS) projects.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper compares the implications of psychological and economic escalation theories with lessons from the real option theory as applied to MIS projects. Then, it examines published case studies, and discuss when project continuation enhances and reduces value for the manager and the firm.
Findings
Escalation of commitment is continuation of an investment project after receiving negative signals. Escalation was identified as a significant problem in MIS projects often explained by the desire of the manager to avoid recognizing mistakes and to protect reputation. The opposite problem of premature termination of certain investment projects was also identified. This study argues that accurate application of real option theory is critical to distinguish between escalation and premature termination. Under the real option theory, an investment project is analogous to a financial option, in that there is an opportunity to continue the project, but no obligation. Continuation has value when there is uncertainty and new information about the project may be revealed. Failure to account for the real options in a project is value‐reducing as it may lead to mistakes in premature termination of projects when projects with real option value are labeled as cases of irrational escalation.
Practical implications
The paper details the implications of real option theory to evaluating project continuation in the MIS setting.
Originality/value
This paper applies insights from real option theory to studies of escalation in MIS. Continuing a project may be seen as escalation when it actually has value for the firm, as new information received by continuing the project reduces uncertainty.
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Michael D. White, Victor J. Mora, Carlena Orosco and E. C. Hedberg
De-escalation training for police has received widespread attention as a method for reducing unnecessary and excessive use of force. There is virtually no research on de-escalation…
Abstract
Purpose
De-escalation training for police has received widespread attention as a method for reducing unnecessary and excessive use of force. There is virtually no research on de-escalation, and as a result, there is little understanding about what it is, what it includes and whether it is effective. The current study compares attitudes about the importance and use of de-escalation among officers who were randomly assigned to participate (or not) in de-escalation training.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study draws from a larger randomized controlled trial of de-escalation training in the Tempe, Arizona Police Department (TPD). Approximately 100 officers completed a survey in June–July 2019 and again in June–July 2020. TPD delivered the de-escalation training to half the patrol force in February–March 2020. The authors compare treatment and control officers' attitudes about the importance of specific de-escalation tactics, how often they use those tactics and their sentiments de-escalation training. The authors employ an econometric random-effects model to examine between-group differences post-training while controlling for relevant officer attributes including age, race, sex, prior training and squad-level pretraining attitudes about de-escalation.
Findings
Treatment and control officers reported positive perceptions of de-escalation tactics, frequent use of those tactics and favorable attitudes toward de-escalation before and after the training. After receiving the training, treatment officers placed greater importance on compromise, and reported more frequent use of several important tactics including compromise, knowing when to walk away and maintaining officer safety.
Originality/value
Only a few prior studies have has examined whether de-escalation training changes officer attitudes. The results from the current study represent an initial piece of evidence suggesting de-escalation training may lead to greater use of those tactics by officers during encounters with citizens.
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Jigeesh Nasina and Sai Nandeswara Rao Nallam
The purpose of this paper is to examine different possible issues that can contribute to cost escalations in pharmaceutical capital projects and identify remedial measures to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine different possible issues that can contribute to cost escalations in pharmaceutical capital projects and identify remedial measures to control them.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is supported by a detailed survey performed around some big pharmaceutical companies of Indian sub-continent. Various issues that lead to cost escalations of projects have been identified. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes have been applied to the feedback data.
Findings
The study derived and validated four prominent factors leading to cost escalations. The paper discusses these factors along with the remedies identified to control project cost. Convergent and discriminant validity have been well established for the model.
Research limitations/implications
The data needful for the study were collected from only four big pharmaceutical companies established in Southern India. Through frequent and elaborate interactions with senior project managers of those companies, it became possible to get a consolidated list of reasons that contribute to cost escalations in pharmaceutical projects. The list and the feedback data may be more exhaustive if some more companies would have been surveyed. Future research is committed to cover some more notable pharmaceutical companies both nationally and internationally and enhance the sample size. This would add more strength to the analysis and derive more consistent and validated results.
Practical implications
This study provides necessary support to the project people to analyze different issues that stand as hurdles for project success and enable them to look for remedies to resolve them. The results would help the project managers to enhance their awareness in controlling the project costs. The study stands as a stepping stone and a roadmap to embed further research in this direction.
Originality/value
Since several significant issues impact the progress of the projects, this work focussed on analyzing cost-related issues in projects; since there is meager research work done in the area of pharmaceutical project management, as an attempt to fill the research gap, this work carried out detailed analysis of different issues leading to cost escalations in pharmaceutical capital projects; factor analysis, including exploratory and confirmatory, has been applied to the data collected and several important factors derived and the measurement model well validated; the research work was done in close interaction with the project people working in four big Indian pharmaceutical companies and useful information was collected; in addition to generation of important factors from the factor analysis, the study was further extended to collect various remedies to mitigate the issues that lead to cost escalations; the research work has enough strength to act as a role model to motivate researchers and project people to further their research on other issues and also refine the present work.
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Craig Bennell, Brittany Blaskovits, Bryce Jenkins, Tori Semple, Ariane-Jade Khanizadeh, Andrew Steven Brown and Natalie Jennifer Jones
A narrative review of existing research literature was conducted to identify practices that are likely to improve the quality of de-escalation and use-of-force training for police…
Abstract
Purpose
A narrative review of existing research literature was conducted to identify practices that are likely to improve the quality of de-escalation and use-of-force training for police officers.
Design/methodology/approach
Previous reviews of de-escalation and use-of-force training literature were examined to identify promising training practices, and more targeted literature searches of various databases were undertaken to learn more about the potential impact of each practice on a trainee's ability to learn, retain, and transfer their training. Semi-structured interviews with five subject matter experts were also conducted to assess the degree to which they believed the identified practices were relevant to de-escalation and use-of-force training, and would enhance the quality of such training.
Findings
Twenty practices emerged from the literature search. Each was deemed relevant and useful by the subject matter experts. These could be mapped on to four elements of training: (1) commitment to training (e.g. securing organizational support for training), (2) development of training (e.g. aligning training formats with learning objectives), (3) implementation of training (e.g. providing effective corrective feedback) and (4) evaluation and ongoing assessment of training (e.g. using multifaceted evaluation tools to monitor and modify training as necessary).
Originality/value
This review of training practices that may be relevant to de-escalation and use-of-force training is the broadest one conducted to date. The review should prompt more organized attempts to quantify the effectiveness of the training practices (e.g. through meta-analyses), and encourage more focused testing in a police training environment to determine their impact.
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