Search results
1 – 10 of over 3000Muhammad Sabbir Rahman, Mahafuz Mannan, Md. Afnan Hossain and AAhad M. Osman Gani
The purpose of this research is to investigate the significant antecedents that influence students’ awareness of occupational hazards (AOHs) in their respective…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to investigate the significant antecedents that influence students’ awareness of occupational hazards (AOHs) in their respective institutions. The researchers proposed a theoretical model consisting of three dimensions: knowledge sharing behavior (KSB), sense of spirituality (SS) and awareness of occupational hazards (AOHs).
Design/methodology/approach
This study targets students of different public and private higher learning institutions in Bangladesh with a total of 260 respondents, utilizing a survey questionnaire as the data collection instrument to test the proposed conceptual model. The structural equation modeling approach was used to test the proposed model.
Findings
The results show that SS has a mediating effect on KSB and AOHs at higher learning institutions.
Originality/value
The study contributes for first time to the theoretical novelty of the body of the existing literature in the domains of students’ KSB, SS and AOHs. The study also provides insight on future research directions by helping in identifying gaps in literature in this field and higher learning institutions in Bangladesh.
Details
Keywords
The problem of workers at risk should be reframed to reflect the impact of social stratification, power relations and divergent interests in occupational health practices…
Abstract
The problem of workers at risk should be reframed to reflect the impact of social stratification, power relations and divergent interests in occupational health practices. The past two decades have seen rapid developments in technology for detecting genetic traits and abnormalities in individuals that may indicate damage from chemical exposure. Occupational physicians, industrial managers and biomedical scientists increasingly favour this technology. However these methods have only selective appeal and are quite controversial. Their accuracy in identifying high‐risk workers is disputed as well as their value and consequences. Social factors that shape the way workers at risk have been defined are discussed. These social processes help to explain the way issues of risk are framed and industrial practices are conducted. They also explain patterns of support and opposition to genetic technology.
Details
Keywords
Theophilus Tagoe and Kwesi Amponsah-Tawiah
The current happenings in the Ghana banking space and anecdotal evidence suggest that employees face psychosocial issues which impact their levels of work engagement. An…
Abstract
Purpose
The current happenings in the Ghana banking space and anecdotal evidence suggest that employees face psychosocial issues which impact their levels of work engagement. An intervention to manage these psychosocial hazards and promote work engagement among the employees is necessary. In effect, the study has proposed the promotion of a positive psychosocial safety climate (PSC) therein. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating effect of PSC on the relationship between psychosocial hazards (i.e. work stress, workplace violence and workplace bullying) and work engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
The study gathered quantitative data from six commercial banks. Miller and Brewer’s (2003) sample determination formula was used to calculate the sample. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Questionnaires were used for the data collection, and Structural Equation Modelling was used to analyze the data from 543 usable responses.
Findings
Workplace bullying negatively predicted work engagement, whereas work stress and workplace violence had no significant effect on work engagement. PSC had a significant positive effect on work engagement. Furthermore, PSC only moderated the workplace bullying–work engagement relationship.
Originality/value
Based on the findings, PSC can be a national and organizational intervention promoted to create a positive psychological work environment devoid of such psychosocial hazards in the Ghanaian banking sector. Also, this will foster work engagement among the employees which will culminate into increased productivity.
Details
Keywords
Behdokh Farsipour, Ali Faghihi-Zarandi, Abbas Mozaffari and Somayyeh Karami-Mohajeri
The main occupational safety measure in factories is monitoring workers exposed to various types of contaminations. The main environmental concern of governments about…
Abstract
Purpose
The main occupational safety measure in factories is monitoring workers exposed to various types of contaminations. The main environmental concern of governments about copper industries is emission of dust, metals, metal compounds and volatile organic compounds in air. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the immune system status of workers in a copper concentration factory in Iran by placing the emphasis on oxidative stress biomarkers.
Design/methodology/approach
A comparative cross-sectional study was performed on 40 workers of the copper concentration factory and 40 unexposed individuals. White blood cell count, plasma interleukin 2 and 4, oxidative burst of neutrophils, oxidative damages of DNA and RNA, lipid and protein, total antioxidant capacity of plasma, and antioxidant enzymes activities were measured.
Findings
A significant decrease in the white blood cell count and interleukin 2 and an increase in the interleukin 4 were observed in the workers and these changes represented the possibility of inflammation and weakening of the immune system. The elevation of oxidative damages, total antioxidant capacity and the activity of antioxidant enzymes are indicative of the change in oxidative stress status.
Originality/value
The oxidative stress induction and immune system changes might be useful biomarkers in screening and surveillance for occupational hazard. More studies are needed to find out the type and the concentration of pollutants and to evaluate the protective effects of natural antioxidants.
Details
Keywords
Ajith Tom James, Girish Kumar, Megha Bhalla, Megha Amar and Prasham Jain
The increase in automobile usage across the world has fortified the opportunities of maintenance service garages. However, there are significant numbers of challenges in…
Abstract
Purpose
The increase in automobile usage across the world has fortified the opportunities of maintenance service garages. However, there are significant numbers of challenges in front of maintenance service providers at all stages of the business. This paper identifies, analyzes and prioritizes various challenges associated with the establishment and survival of garages specific to Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, challenges for automotive service garage are identified through expert opinion, garage survey and literature. A structural hierarchical framework of the identified challenges is established through structural models, including interpretive structural modeling and analytic hierarchy process.
Findings
This paper has identified nine challenges, namely proliferation of new models and variants; technological advancements in automobile systems; demand of better service quality; space and ambience requirements; labor requirements; requirement of modern support equipments, tools and spares; safety requirements and prevention of occupational hazards; environmental norms and concerns; proper documentation requirements. The drivers and dependent variables have been identified. A hierarchical framework of challenges has been established.
Practical implications
This paper provides a comprehensive list of challenges and their priority in establishing an automobile maintenance garage business in Indian context. This will help the budding entrepreneurs and existing maintenance organizations to focus on the challenges that necessitate immediate attention and corrective actions.
Originality/value
This paper provides a significant contribution in the literature of garage maintenance services, which is established on the viewpoint of different collaborators associated with this business. This study will be a foundation to investigate further in this domain.
Details
Keywords
B.S. Dhillon, A.R.M. Fashandi and K.L. Liu
This paper presents a review of published literature on robot reliability and safety. The literature is classified into three main categories: robot safety; robot…
Abstract
This paper presents a review of published literature on robot reliability and safety. The literature is classified into three main categories: robot safety; robot reliability; and miscellaneous. Robot safety is further categorized into six classifications: general; accidents; human‐factors; safety standards; safety methods; and safety systems/technologies. The period covered by the review is from 1973 to 2001.
Details
Keywords
Anna Pluta and Aleksandra Rudawska
The purpose of this paper is to propose holistic approach to human resources in the situation of organizational acceleration. Authors are postulating that the holistic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose holistic approach to human resources in the situation of organizational acceleration. Authors are postulating that the holistic approach to HR helps in maintaining sustainable individual resources of employees in the situation of continuous organizational changes and time pressure that further can prevent from the individual resources exhaustion.
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual paper builds on the problem of occupational stress that is connected with organizational acceleration. Authors define stress as the individually perceived inability to match expectations caused by the deficiency of individual resources. They conceptualize the individual resources of employees basing on the concepts of human capital and the individual energy at work and propose a framework of individual resources of employees that enables holistic view of an individual in an organization.
Findings
In the situation of organizational acceleration HRM function plays important role in sustaining individual resources of employees in order to minimize threat of occupational stress and further burnout. HR practices should apply multidimensionality of individual resources and threat it holistically aiming at sustaining all four potentials – spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical.
Research limitations/implications
Authors indicate that managers need to understand how to deal with the acceleration in order to overcome the negative consequences for individuals. There is still need for identifying HR practices that are the key success factors in the situation of organizational acceleration.
Originality/value
Authors take up the current problem of organizational acceleration from the individual perspective. They propose a concept of individual resources of employees and connected to it holistic approach to HR in the times of great time pressure, work overload, occupational stress and burnout threat.
Details
Keywords
The links between work and mental health are gaining increasing recognition both within individual member states and at European Community level as a whole. Yet it is also…
Abstract
The links between work and mental health are gaining increasing recognition both within individual member states and at European Community level as a whole. Yet it is also well recognised that employment has significant benefits for mental health and well‐being. This paper reviews current evidence on the negative mental health impacts of employment, the key factors in work‐related stress and European policies for promoting mental health in the workplace. It ends with some examples of good practice in workplace mental health promotion drawn from a range of European countries.
Details
Keywords
AA MileMaster Britain. Combines UK route planning, mapping and tourist information. Up to 200 place names can be selected, from a database of 40 000, and the best route…
Abstract
AA MileMaster Britain. Combines UK route planning, mapping and tourist information. Up to 200 place names can be selected, from a database of 40 000, and the best route planned between them. Route directions include what is on the signposts, landmarks and turnings, and height restrictions for HGVs.
Ben (C.) Fletcher and Roy L. Payne
There is a large literature devoted to the stresses and strains of work and work‐related activities. This research effort shows no sign of abating. The aim of this paper…
Abstract
There is a large literature devoted to the stresses and strains of work and work‐related activities. This research effort shows no sign of abating. The aim of this paper is to highlight and discuss several centrally important questions and assumptions in the nature of this research which, in our view, require more careful consideration in future work.