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1 – 10 of 229
Open Access
Article
Publication date: 13 February 2024

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.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2011

Kristen N. Baughman and Jacklyn Bruce

The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine how college-level minority student leaders make meaning of those leadership experiences. Semi-structured interviews were…

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine how college-level minority student leaders make meaning of those leadership experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 students. Major findings noted a strong personal motivation to participate in student leadership positions. Further research on the impact of familial relationships on leadership development is recommended.

Details

Journal of Leadership Education, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1552-9045

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2010

Rodrigo Werlinger, Kasia Muldner, Kirstie Hawkey and Konstantin Beznosov

The purpose of this paper is to examine security incident response practices of information technology (IT) security practitioners as a diagnostic work process, including the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine security incident response practices of information technology (IT) security practitioners as a diagnostic work process, including the preparation phase, detection, and analysis of anomalies.

Design/methodology/approach

The data set consisted of 16 semi‐structured interviews with IT security practitioners from seven organizational types (e.g. academic, government, and private). The interviews were analyzed using qualitative description with constant comparison and inductive analysis of the data to analyze diagnostic work during security incident response.

Findings

The analysis shows that security incident response is a highly collaborative activity, which may involve practitioners developing their own tools to perform specific tasks. The results also show that diagnosis during incident response is complicated by practitioners' need to rely on tacit knowledge, as well as usability issues with security tools.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the nature of semi‐structured interviews, not all participants discussed security incident response at the same level of detail. More data are required to generalize and refine the findings.

Originality/value

The contribution of the work is twofold. First, using empirical data, the paper analyzes and describes the tasks, skills, strategies, and tools that security practitioners use to diagnose security incidents. The findings enhance the research community's understanding of the diagnostic work during security incident response. Second, the paper identifies opportunities for future research directions related to improving security tools.

Details

Information Management & Computer Security, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-5227

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2011

Ben Iaquinto, Ray Ison and Robert Faggian

This paper seeks to scope the nature and form of practices, understandings and institutional arrangements that might contribute to the successful “design” and continuity of

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to scope the nature and form of practices, understandings and institutional arrangements that might contribute to the successful “design” and continuity of Communities of Practice (CoP) in a state government department in Australia. The study aims to provide research evidence to support the design and establishment of a CoP based on systems thinking within this department.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 13 semi‐structured interviews were undertaken involving 14 informants. The interviewer also attended one CoP meeting. An emergent approach to research design was adopted with data analysis guided by previous studies on CoPs.

Findings

The research revealed the existence of six CoPs that were purposefully created internally by the department. Six “design” and practice considerations were suggested for practitioners aiming to create and sustain successful CoPs.

Research limitations/implications

Interview material was the only source of primary data and it was gathered from one organisation only – a state government department in Australia. Findings indicate that the role of the CoP coordinator is still not fully understood.

Practical implications

The results from this study can be used in re‐designing a systems thinking CoP to support systems thinking within the department. The study also revealed that purposefully designing CoPs is possible and useful for practitioners aiming to collaborate and share expertise across disciplinary and divisional boundaries.

Originality/value

This study provides some guidance for the purposeful design of CoPs, which has been under‐examined in the literature.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2010

Jessica Anderson, Jacklyn Bruce and Lauren Mouton

The purposes of this qualitative study were to determine the contribution of 4-H experiences to leadership life skill development of college-level 4-H alumni and to determine the…

Abstract

The purposes of this qualitative study were to determine the contribution of 4-H experiences to leadership life skill development of college-level 4-H alumni and to determine the effect of those skills on collegiate alumni’s desire to continue involvement in 4-H. The research methods included semi-structured interviews. Major findings of the study noted that the interviewees’ 4-H experiences positively contributed to leadership life skill development, closely following the pattern of the four essential elements which serve as the foundation of 4-H programming. Also identified was a strong desire of college-level 4-H alumni to continue their participation with 4-H. Recommendations include specifically targeting this generation of alumni for greater utilization because of their strong desire to stay connected.

Details

Journal of Leadership Education, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1552-9045

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 18 August 2022

Karin Seger, Hans Englund and Malin Härström

The purpose of this paper is to describe and theorize the type of hate-love relationship to performance measurement systems (PMSs) that individual researchers tend to develop in…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and theorize the type of hate-love relationship to performance measurement systems (PMSs) that individual researchers tend to develop in academia. To this end, the paper draws upon Foucault’s writings on neoliberalism to analyse PMSs as neoliberal technologies holding certain qualities that can be expected to elicit such ambivalent views.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a qualitative interview study of researchers from three Swedish universities, who were asked to reflect upon questions related to three overall themes, namely, what it means to be a researcher in contemporary academia, the existence and use of PMSs at their universities and if/how such PMSs affected them and their work as researchers.

Findings

The empirical findings show that the hate-love relationship can be understood in terms of how PMSs are involved in three central moments of governmentality, where each such moment of governmentality tends to elicit feelings of ambivalence among researchers due to how PMSs rely on: a restricted centrifugal mechanism, normalization rather than normation and a view of individual academics as entrepreneurs of themselves.

Originality/value

Existing literature has provided several important insights into how the introduction and use of PMSs in academia tend to result in both negative and positive experiences and reactions. The current paper adds to this literature through theorizing how and why PMSs may be expected to elicit such ambivalent experiences and reactions among individual researchers.

Details

Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1176-6093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2021

Dheeraj Nimawat and B.D. Gidwani

Industry 4.0 implementation appears to have a far-reaching effect on consumer demand. Research findings on market prospects and implementation status are also rare. The purpose of…

Abstract

Purpose

Industry 4.0 implementation appears to have a far-reaching effect on consumer demand. Research findings on market prospects and implementation status are also rare. The purpose of this study is to address the essential factors regarding the implementation status of the Indian manufacturing industries that would entail a complete implementation of the Industry 4.0 innovations in developing nations and execute them entirely to achieve related benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary factors impacting the Industry 4.0 implementation status recognized a focus on comprehensive literature analysis and its validation by recommendations from 12 specialists with substantial expertise in Industry 4.0. The DEMATEL technique has been implemented in this analysis to examine the structure of causal interactions among the recognized essential factors.

Findings

From a literature analysis and recommendations from specialists, 16 essential factors are recognized. Using DEMATEL techniques, ranking of the essential factors has been obtained according to their importance. Moreover, the findings show the cause and effect interactions among essential factors in the perspective of Industry 4.0 innovations in Indian manufacturing industries.

Research limitations/implications

The current research is restricted to Indian manufacturing industries (developing nations).

Practical implications

It will help industries move towards an Industry 4.0 implementation by knowing their status. A research model is being developed, including specific vital features of Industry 4.0 as indicators for its implementation. Nevertheless, few are renowned for how industries, especially in developing nations, perceive the possible effects of Industry 4.0 technological innovations and industrial efficiency.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present research contributes first to be carried out regarding the model of information about the nature of causal interactions among the recognized essential factors of Industry 4.0 in the surrounding of Indian manufacturing industries to address the implementation status of Industry 4.0 innovations using DEMATEL technique.

Article
Publication date: 1 November 1951

G.R. Brailsford

IN problems involving mechanics and engineering, determination of moment of inertia, product of inertia and second moment of area is a common procedure. But, frequently, it is by…

Abstract

IN problems involving mechanics and engineering, determination of moment of inertia, product of inertia and second moment of area is a common procedure. But, frequently, it is by no means an easy one. For example, when considering the moment of inertia of the triangle or figures built up from the triangle, the mathematics involving calculus and several inertia theorems, can be difficult in manipulation.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 23 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2020

Ankita Ray and Sorokhaibam Khaba

The purpose of this study is the identification and analysis of key ethical issues of green procurement (GP) and the potential solutions to mitigate the issues in the Indian…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is the identification and analysis of key ethical issues of green procurement (GP) and the potential solutions to mitigate the issues in the Indian automobile sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review and expert elicitation, 23 ethical issues of GP in the Indian automobile industry and 11 solutions to mitigate these issues were identified. This paper explores the ethical issues based on an integrated method consisting of interpretative structural modelling fuzzy Matrice d'Impacts Croisés-Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement, analytical hierarchy process and the solutions to mitigate these issues using fuzzy VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje.

Findings

The findings suggest that ethical issues such as favouritism towards suppliers and failure to fulfil business objectives by top management are identified as the most significant variables with the highest importance weights, while top management commitment for ethical behaviour is identified as the most potent solution for mitigating the issues.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the literature review and experts’ opinions.

Practical implications

The results may help practitioners and researchers to focus on major ethical issues of GP to strategize proactive solutions that may help to mitigate or eliminate the ethical issues.

Originality/value

This paper is an original contribution of the analysis of GP and provides an interesting insight into the Indian automotive industry.

Details

Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-5364

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1972

MIHAJLO D. MESAROVIC and EDUARD C. PESTEL

Foundations for a new approach to modelling of critical world relationships are presented, based on the regionalization of the world and multilevel—multigoal concepts. The…

Abstract

Foundations for a new approach to modelling of critical world relationships are presented, based on the regionalization of the world and multilevel—multigoal concepts. The fundamental structure of the model is described and the directions for further developments indicated. Areas of possible applications of the model both for the analysis of these critical relationships and as a decision‐making tool are discussed.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

1 – 10 of 229