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1 – 10 of 166Olga Piedad Zalamea Patino, Jos Van Orshoven and Thérèse Steenberghen
The purpose of this paper is to present the development of an ontological model consisting of terms and relationships between these terms, creating a conceptual information model…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the development of an ontological model consisting of terms and relationships between these terms, creating a conceptual information model for the Built Cultural Heritage (BCH) domain, more specifically for preventive conservation.
Design/methodology/approach
The On-To-Knowledge methodology was applied in the ontology development process. Terms related to preventive conservation were identified by means of a taxonomy which was used later to identify related existing ontologies. Three ontologies were identified and merged, i.e. Geneva City Geographic Markup Language (Geneva CityGML), Monument Damage ontology (Mondis) and CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CIDOC-CRM). Additional classes and properties were defined as to provide a complete semantic framework for management of BCH.
Findings
A BCH-ontology for preventive conservation was created. It consists of 143 classes from which 38 originate from the Mondis ontology, 38 from Geneva CityGML, 37 from CIDOC-CRM and 30 were newly created. The ontology was applied in a use case related to the New cathedral in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Advantages over other type of systems and for the BCH-domain were discussed based on this example.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed ontology is in a testing stage through which a number of its aspects are being verified.
Originality/value
This ontological model is the first one to focus on the preventive conservation of BCH.
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Samantha Miles and Kate Ringham
The purpose of this paper is to use a multi-disciplinary theoretical understanding of boundary setting to develop a quadripartite model in which sustainability reporting…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use a multi-disciplinary theoretical understanding of boundary setting to develop a quadripartite model in which sustainability reporting boundaries are classified as “Reputation Management”, “Ownership and Control”, “Accountability”; and, “Stakeholder Engagement”. Content analysis is then used to empirically test the model.
Design/methodology/approach
Using impression management theory, rationalism, systems and contingency theory, and network theory, a model is created which classifies sustainability reporting boundaries. Content analysis is used to empirically test boundaries across the disclosure of 49 GRI topics by the FTSE100.
Findings
Sustainability reporting fails to discharge accountability due to adoption of narrow “Reputation Management” boundaries. Boundaries are significantly (p<0.0001) narrower than previous research suggests. Findings support impression management theory as the strongest theory to predict reporting content. An ownership and control boundary, although widely criticized, represents the boundary of progressive reporters, lending marginal support for economic theories. Accountability boundaries are scarce. No evidence was found for stakeholder engagement boundaries.
Practical implications
The determination of boundary is critical to the discharge of accountability. A critical consideration of boundary setting is required, including authentic stakeholder engagement in determining boundaries and transparency of boundary adopted. The results are ranked to enable benchmarking of the FTSE100. Boundaries can be widened through regulation or “name and shame campaigns”.
Originality/value
This paper provides a theory-informed advancement in thinking on sustainability reporting boundary setting and the importance of this for advancing sustainability reporting quality.
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Abstract
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Peter Koudal and Gary C. Coleman
Over the last two years, the authors have studied the growth strategies and the supporting operations of nearly 650 companies around the world. While most have the expectation…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the last two years, the authors have studied the growth strategies and the supporting operations of nearly 650 companies around the world. While most have the expectation that innovation will drive corporate fortunes, the research makes it clear that building or restructuring business operations to profitably bring new products and services to market is a top priority only for best performing companies but near the bottom of most companies' priorities.
Design/methodology/approach
Explains how top‐performing global companies are investing in the product development capabilities, the supply chain process infrastructure, and the sophisticated information systems needed to support and synchronize innovation across the value chain.
Findings
Research on a subset of the survey base (the 300+ larger companies and business units with revenues ranging from US$200 million to US$10 billion and higher) shows that those that can synchronize complex global value chains – the complexity masters – are up to 73 percent more profitable than the others.
Research limitations/implications
Interviews with senior managers at leading firms and case studies on the complexity masters would be of high value.
Practical implications
The authors suggest three steps: create innovation – build an idea‐generation machine; exploit innovation where and when it matters; and invest in innovation capabilities for creating and sustaining a profit cycle. The four ingredients that make top‐performing companies stand out are visibility, flexibility, collaboration, and technology.
Originality/value
Lists the best practices – the strategies and tactics – of the most profitable innovators, the elite “complexity masters.”
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Nattaporn Thongsri, Liang Shen, Yukun Bao and Ibraheem Mubarak Alharbi
The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence the intention to use mobile learning (m-learning) by learners in developing countries such as Thailand. This…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence the intention to use mobile learning (m-learning) by learners in developing countries such as Thailand. This study integrated two theories; namely, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), which focuses on technology, and uses and gratifications theory (UGT), which involves studying learners’ motivation.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying a quantitative research method, this study conducted a survey of 359 undergraduates. The partial least squares methods and a statistical analysis technique based on the structural equation modelling (SEM), were used to analyse the data.
Findings
The results revealed that the performance expectancy, cognitive need, affective need and social need had significant effect on intention to use m-learning. Furthermore, this study found a significant effect of the cognitive need on the performance expectancy and social need on effort expectancy.
Practical implications
This research model has provided guidelines for the effective development of educational applications for use on mobile devices. The findings can be applied as guidelines for public organizations to develop educational strategies to further encourage the development of online learning.
Originality/value
This research closed a gap of understanding from previous studies by integrating UTAUT and UGT. The method derived from the theoretically integrated model could be applied to study the intentions for the implementation the mobile learning application from the context of developing countries such as Thailand.
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Kuen‐Hung Tsai and Jiann‐Chyuan Wang
To examine the moderating effect of employee benefits on the relationship between labor input and firm output.
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the moderating effect of employee benefits on the relationship between labor input and firm output.
Design/methodology/approach
Three high‐tech sectors, covering different time periods, are taken as the analytical samples. An extended Cobb‐Douglas production function is adopted to examine the research hypotheses.
Findings
Examinations reveal that employee benefits have a moderating effect on firm productivity, irrespective of industry or firm size. Furthermore, the effect size is greater in small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) than in large firms.
Research limitations/implications
Using benefits to achieve competitive advantage for SMEs seems to be more important than for large firms. However, this examination concentrates on the electronics industry only.
Practical implications
Benefits can help a firm achieve competitive advantage through better quality of labor.
Originality/value
This study makes an interesting contribution to the understanding of the relationship between benefits and firm productivity.
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Although individual work performance (IWP) has been the subject of research by many authors, most of them have explored work performance as an outcome. However, IWP can also be…
Abstract
Purpose
Although individual work performance (IWP) has been the subject of research by many authors, most of them have explored work performance as an outcome. However, IWP can also be viewed as conducive job behaviors. On the other hand, as employee behavior is contextual, it must be analyzed from various angles, especially in regard to a national culture of employees. In line with that, the purpose of this study was to explore the behavior-based IWP in the banking and insurance sector in New Delhi (India) by testing the original tool and modifying it into a proposed instrument for its assessment in a Hindi–English environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a quantitative approach and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, specific items for the work performance assessment were selected. The specific steps involved in these processes and resulting item inclusion are discussed in detail.
Findings
Although employees display a positive behavior-related work performance, there is a difference between private and public company workers. The study proposes modification to the original scale used.
Originality/value
The originality of the study is the assessment of IWP as a result of job behaviors in the non-Western context, in banking and insurance companies. The study has both theoretical and practical value.
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Md Nahin Hossain, Md. Shamim Talukder, Abul Khayer and Yukun Bao
In the era of m-learning environments, multiple factors have been considered to explain adult learners' continuance usage intention, but largely without considering the role of…
Abstract
Purpose
In the era of m-learning environments, multiple factors have been considered to explain adult learners' continuance usage intention, but largely without considering the role of specific configurations of variables and how they may affect learners' intention. The purpose of this study is to show how cognitive need, subjective norms, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, confirmation, attitude and perceived ease of use combine to predict learners' frequent use intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
It is empirically validated through configurational analysis, using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on 211 adult learners with experience in using Mobile learning applications (MLA).
Findings
The findings show learners' satisfaction of MLA usage combined with the cognitive need and attitude were found to be core conditions reinforcing learners' continuance intention.
Research limitations/implications
This study was conducted in the context of adult learners MLA whereby the motivations for continued usage and the nature of technological innovation could differ. In this regard, findings from this study may not be generalizable to other technological contexts.
Practical implications
In the planning and development of learning apps, software developers should pay attention to practical functions and extend key features that are frequently required for solving a problem using the new skill. On the marketing side, MLA companies should emphasize the full functionality of their apps to cater efficiently to the different needs and expectations of the learners.
Originality/value
This study contributes by extending existing knowledge on how cognitive need, satisfaction and attitude combine to increase or mitigate continuance intention to use toward the development of new configurational theories. This study fills the gap in the literature by introducing adult learners' continuance intention to use MLA and introducing through a methodological approach of fsQCA in adult learners' context.
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Mohamed Syazwan Ab Talib, Abu Bakar Abdul Hamid and Mohd Hafiz Zulfakar
The aim of this study is to discover the critical success factors (CSFs) for the Halal supply chain management because this area is gaining recognition. Plus, the aim is to use…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to discover the critical success factors (CSFs) for the Halal supply chain management because this area is gaining recognition. Plus, the aim is to use the CSFs for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on the application of CSFs on the Halal supply chain. A comprehensive literature review is undertaken to discover the CSFs of conventional supply chain and to apply it to the Halal supply chain.
Findings
Government support, transportation planning, information technology, human resource management, collaborative relationship, Halal certification and Halal traceability are the CSFs for the Halal supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
This study only discusses the CSFs related to the Halal supply chain and ignoring other forms of Halal businesses. This study only concerns on English literatures and omit other languages. The study lacks empirical evidence and future research should be done to test the CSFs relevancy.
Practical implications
This study addresses stakeholders of the Halal supply chain CSFs, which have not been fully understand and appreciated.
Originality/value
CSFs concept has never been attempted on the Halal supply chain. Therefore, this study appraises the concept of CSFs and adds value to the knowledge on the Halal supply chain.
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