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Article
Publication date: 20 December 2022

Biyanka Ekanayake, Alireza Ahmadian Fard Fini, Johnny Kwok Wai Wong and Peter Smith

Recognising the as-built state of construction elements is crucial for construction progress monitoring. Construction scholars have used computer vision-based algorithms to…

Abstract

Purpose

Recognising the as-built state of construction elements is crucial for construction progress monitoring. Construction scholars have used computer vision-based algorithms to automate this process. Robust object recognition from indoor site images has been inhibited by technical challenges related to indoor objects, lighting conditions and camera positioning. Compared with traditional machine learning algorithms, one-stage detector deep learning (DL) algorithms can prioritise the inference speed, enable real-time accurate object detection and classification. This study aims to present a DL-based approach to facilitate the as-built state recognition of indoor construction works.

Design/methodology/approach

The one-stage DL-based approach was built upon YOLO version 4 (YOLOv4) algorithm using transfer learning with few hyperparameters customised and trained in the Google Colab virtual machine. The process of framing, insulation and drywall installation of indoor partitions was selected as the as-built scenario. For training, images were captured from two indoor sites with publicly available online images.

Findings

The DL model reported a best-trained weight with a mean average precision of 92% and an average loss of 0.83. Compared to previous studies, the automation level of this study is high due to the use of fixed time-lapse cameras for data collection and zero manual intervention from the pre-processing algorithms to enhance visual quality of indoor images.

Originality/value

This study extends the application of DL models for recognising as-built state of indoor construction works upon providing training images. Presenting a workflow on training DL models in a virtual machine platform by reducing the computational complexities associated with DL models is also materialised.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2024

Stefano Amato, Laura Broccardo and Andrea Tenucci

This study investigates the association between family firm status and the maturity level of management control systems (MCSs) by considering the moderating effect of process…

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the association between family firm status and the maturity level of management control systems (MCSs) by considering the moderating effect of process digitalization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an empirical analysis on a sample of 106 Italian firms, utilizing both ordinary least squares and ordered logistic regression in this study.

Findings

By resorting to the MCS maturity model proposed by Marx et al. (2012), the empirical findings reveal that family firms do not differ from their nonfamily counterparts regarding MCS maturity. Furthermore, the degree of process digitalization is positively associated with the probability of adopting IT-related technologies in MCSs. Digitalization negatively moderates the relationship between family firm status and MCS maturity, resulting in family firms exhibiting a lower MCS maturity level than their nonfamily counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

Despite similar efforts in the digitalization process, family firms lag behind in the adoption of IT-enabled MCSs, which suggests that reduced agency issues in family firms constrain the MCS maturity level.

Practical implications

This study can assist practitioners in implementing a more mature MCS by considering the interplay between internal digitalization processes and family status of the firm, thereby enhancing the decision-making process.

Originality/value

This study adds novelty to an underexplored area at the intersection of MCSs, family firms and digitalization.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 January 2024

Chris Rees

The article considers the utility of a pluralist perspective in the context of current debates around UK corporate governance reform. Oxford School pluralism advanced both a…

Abstract

Purpose

The article considers the utility of a pluralist perspective in the context of current debates around UK corporate governance reform. Oxford School pluralism advanced both a description of how industrial relations (IR) operated in practice plus a prescription for how it should operate. Whilst economic conditions are different today, a pluralist framing provides not only a useful way of understanding interests in firm governance (description) but also a solid grounding for a pragmatic reform agenda (prescription).

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from key texts in the field, the article considers core concepts within pluralist discourse and discusses their relevance to contemporary policy debates.

Findings

The article provides a short outline of recent economic and political developments and considers how a pluralist framing helps explain firm-level interests, challenging the dominant narrative of shareholder primacy. It then asks what policy interventions might flow from this analysis of capital and labour investments, and how feasible they are in the current UK context. This allows a discussion of levels of analysis (evident in materialist theories such as “radical pluralism” and the “disconnected capitalism thesis”). Finally, it reflects briefly on the links between corporate governance and wider patterns of inequality, suggesting the pluralist position is consistent with a Durkheimian sociology focusing on the potential in state-led regulatory interventions to tackle anomie and strengthen social solidarity.

Originality/value

The article brings together literature from what are often treated as relatively discrete areas of enquiry (employment relations and corporate governance) and also considers the public policy implications of these connections.

Details

Employee Relations: The International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 March 2024

Ilija Djekic and Nada Smigic

The main purpose of this paper was to evaluate the validation process of food safety control measures.

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper was to evaluate the validation process of food safety control measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The validation of control measures has been analyzed at 50 food companies in Serbia. The sample included companies that produce food of both plant and animal origin and have certified food safety management systems. A total of 156 control measures that combat physical hazards (41.6%), followed by microbial hazards (34.0%) and chemical hazards (24.4%), have been analyzed. To enable quantification of the validation protocols, each control measure was assigned a score.

Findings

The validation scores showed that the highest level of validation was observed in large companies, as opposed to small and medium-sized companies (p < 0.05). The type of food safety hazards and the food sector did not reveal any statistical differences in-between the scores. The main approach to validating control measures was referring to the technical documentation of equipment used (52.6%), followed by scientific and legal requirements (30.7%). Less than 20% of the analyzed control measures were validated with operational data collected on-site. No mathematical modeling was observed for the sampled food companies. Future steps should include the development of validation guides for different types of control measures and training modules.

Practical implications

This study can serve as an improvement guide for food safety consultants, food safety auditors, certification bodies, inspection services, food technologists and food managers.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to provide an insight into how food companies validate their control measures to combat microbial, chemical and physical food safety hazards.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

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