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Article
Publication date: 2 August 2024

Salma Ahmed, Lotfi Romdhane, Sameh Monir El-Sayegh and Solair Manjikian

The purpose of this study is to identify and assess new risks in construction projects that use 3D printing.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify and assess new risks in construction projects that use 3D printing.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed approach of both qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Literature review was conducted to extract 30 risks of 3D printing in construction. A survey was then developed to assess the probability and impact of these risks. In total, 37 respondents, who have experience and/or knowledge of 3D printing, completed the survey. The risk priority was calculated using a fuzzy logic approach. The main benefit of the proposed model is being able to use numerical and linguistic data in the risk assessment model.

Findings

The results show that the main risks, in terms of priority, are lack of codes and regulations for 3D printing in construction, delay in government approvals, shortage in labour skilled in 3D printed construction, lack of knowledge and information of 3D printed design concepts and changes in 3D construction codes and regulations.

Originality/value

This paper fills an identified gap in the literature related to 3D printing in construction and provides insights into the key risks affecting this disruptive technology.

Details

Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-4387

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 August 2024

Wasan Al-Masa’fah, Ismail Abushaikha and Omar M. Bwaliez

This study aims to evaluate the enhancement in prosthetic supply chain capabilities resulting from the implementation of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. The study…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the enhancement in prosthetic supply chain capabilities resulting from the implementation of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. The study presents an emerging model outlining the key areas that undergo changes when integrating 3D printing technologies into the prosthetic supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a qualitative approach, data were collected through field observations and 31 in-depth interviews conducted within various Jordanian organizations associated with the prosthetic industry and 3D printing technologies.

Findings

The findings suggest that the adoption of 3D printing technologies improves the prosthetic supply chain’s capabilities in terms of customization, responsiveness, innovation, environmental sustainability, cost minimization and patient empowerment. The study sheds light on the specific areas affected in the prosthetic supply chain following the adoption of 3D printing technologies, emphasizing the overall improvement in supply chain capabilities within the prosthetic industry.

Practical implications

This study provides recommendations for governmental bodies and prosthetic organizations to maximize the benefits derived from the use of 3D printing technologies.

Originality/value

This study contributes as the first of its kind in exploring the impact of 3D printing technology adoption in the Jordanian prosthetic industry, elucidating the effects on the supply chain and identifying challenges for decision-makers in an emerging market context.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2024

Eric Kwame Simpeh, Nana Akua Serwaa Adade, Mark Pim-Wusu, Henry Mensah, Akosua Serwaa Asante-Antwi and Frank Kwaku Aazore

Using and promoting green technologies in residential buildings might be a far more practical strategy for developing a sustainable built environment. The primary goal of this…

Abstract

Purpose

Using and promoting green technologies in residential buildings might be a far more practical strategy for developing a sustainable built environment. The primary goal of this study is to examine homeowners' knowledge and awareness of the different green technologies and concepts that can be adopted to improve the quality of their homes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a sequential mix technique methodology in order to accomplish its goal. A total of 156 respondents were chosen for a survey within the research areas using a simple random sample approach, while interviewees were chosen using a purposive sampling approach methodology. Descriptive and inferential statistics as well as content analysis were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively.

Findings

The findings indicate that homeowners have moderate knowledge of green technologies. It was also evident that print and electronic media are excellent at capturing and reaching a diverse range of homeowners interested in learning about sustainable development issues. Furthermore, the top three green technologies that most homeowners are aware of are using local materials over imported materials, grey water reclaiming and reuse technology and solar water heating technology. Subsequently, the homeowners in the three communities have differing opinions about the majority (82%) of the green technologies examined.

Originality/value

The findings will serve as a useful guide to assist practitioners and policymakers in implementing appropriate methods to integrate green technologies into housing projects and subsequently encourage their adoption.

Details

Technological Sustainability, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-1312

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 23 August 2024

Mauricio Soto Rubio, Muhammad Fauzan Mirza, Mustafa Kagdi and Ahmad Ali Bisati

This research explores the role of concrete 3D printing (C3DP) in the development of culturally appropriate housing in Indigenous Reserves in Canada through the design, building…

Abstract

Purpose

This research explores the role of concrete 3D printing (C3DP) in the development of culturally appropriate housing in Indigenous Reserves in Canada through the design, building and evaluation of the Star Lodge project located in the Siksika Nation of Alberta, Canada. The project aims to assess the potential of C3DP in addressing the escalating housing demands in Indigenous communities in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, engaging Blackfoot Elders, Knowledge Keepers from the Siksika Nation, Siksika Housing and Nidus3D. Central to this was the design, build and documentation of the Star Lodge project to analyse the advantages and challenges, guided by weekly meetings and site visits.

Findings

The project harnessed C3DP to streamline construction, enhance durability, reduce maintenance costs and enhance the energy performance of the homes. Notable time savings were achieved compared to conventional construction methods. Challenges included developing strategies to overcome extreme cold weather conditions, achieving a consistent concrete mix and integrating conventional construction elements such as drywall construction in interiors. The project served as a platform for collaboration and community participation, shaping the design and construction process while raising awareness of innovative construction techniques in the community.

Originality/value

This study provides an evidence-based framework for the evaluation of C3DP technology by analysing the Star Lodge Project, the first C3DP project in Alberta and the largest of its kind in Canada. By addressing housing challenges in Indigenous communities, the research holds broader implications for sustainable development and Indigenous empowerment across Canada.

Details

Frontiers in Engineering and Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2634-2499

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 September 2024

Jéssica dos Santos Leite Gonella, Moacir Godinho Filho, Lucila Maria de Souza Campos and Gilberto Miller Devós Ganga

This paper aims to explore global research on individuals’ awareness and behaviours related to the Circular Economy, aiming to deepen the understanding of how people engage with…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore global research on individuals’ awareness and behaviours related to the Circular Economy, aiming to deepen the understanding of how people engage with and contribute to CE practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systematic literature review (SLR), this study methodically collects, codifies, analyses, synthesizes and interprets existing literature and research on Circular Economy. This approach aims for a comprehensive understanding of current global perspectives and practices.

Findings

The analysis reveals an increasing trend in empirical research focusing on Circular Economy strategies. This paper has identified 22 key strategies linked to public awareness and behaviours towards Circular Economy, noting that purchasing recycled products is the most commonly observed behaviour. The findings highlight the growing importance and complexity of individual roles in the Circular Economy.

Research limitations/implications

The study underscores the importance of consumer behaviour in advancing Circular Economy practices. This paper observes that despite the growth in Circular Economy research, there is still a notable gap in awareness and behaviour, even in developed countries. This is attributed to a lack of conceptual understanding, educational disparities, resource limitations, a limited grasp of cost–benefit considerations and inadequate government support. The paper also explores regional and sector-specific variations in Circular Economy adoption, with insights from countries such as the USA, China, the UK, Germany, France and Norway.

Practical implications

This study underscores the importance of consumer behaviour in advancing Circular Economy practices. Despite the growth in Circular Economy research, there is still a notable gap in awareness and behaviour, even in developed countries. This is attributed to a lack of conceptual understanding, educational disparities, resource limitations, a limited grasp of cost–benefit considerations and inadequate government support. The paper also explores regional and sector-specific variations in Circular Economy adoption, with insights from countries such as the USA, China, the UK, Germany, France and Norway.

Social implications

This research underscores the impact of demographic and sociocultural factors, including age, education, social norms and attitudes, on Circular Economy engagement. It identifies potential research areas, including examining cultural influences on social and personal norms related to circular behaviours. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral effort to facilitate a sustainable transition to a Circular Economy, addressing barriers and fostering awareness and behaviours conducive to circular practices.

Originality/value

This study acknowledges challenges affecting the maturity of Circular Economy practices, including a lack of comprehension, educational disparities, resource constraints and limited government support. It also underscores the impact of social and cultural factors on Circular Economy engagement. It suggests promising avenues for future research, providing valuable insights into the state of Circular Economy practices and offering a roadmap for advancing global sustainability initiatives.

Details

Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8021

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 August 2024

Muyiwa Oyinlola, Oluwaseun Kolade, Patrick Schröder, Victor Odumuyiwa, Barry Rawn, Kutoma Wakunuma, Soroosh Sharifi, Selma Lendelvo, Ifeoluwa Akanmu, Timothy Whitehead, Radhia Mtonga, Bosun Tijani and Soroush Abolfathi

This paper aims to provide insights into the environment needed for advancing a digitally enabled circular plastic economy in Africa. It explores important technical and social…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide insights into the environment needed for advancing a digitally enabled circular plastic economy in Africa. It explores important technical and social paradigms for the transition.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an interpretivist paradigm, drawing on thematic analysis on qualitative data from an inter-sectoral engagement with 69 circular economy stakeholders across the continent.

Findings

The results shows that, while substantial progress has been made with regard to the development and deployment of niche innovations in Africa, the overall progress of circular plastic economy is slowed due to relatively minimal changes at the regime levels as well as pressures from the exogenous landscape. The study highlights that regime changes are crucial for disrupting the entrenched linear plastic economy in developing countries, which is supported by significant sunk investment and corporate state capture.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is with the sample as it uses data collected from five countries. Therefore, while it offers a panoramic view of multi-level synergy of actors and sectors across African countries, it is limited in its scope and ability to illuminate country-specific nuances and peculiarities.

Practical implications

The study underlines the importance of policy innovations and regulatory changes in order for technologies to have a meaningful contribution to the transition to a circular plastic economy.

Originality/value

The study makes an important theoretical contribution by using empirical evidence from various African regions to articulate the critical importance of the regime dimension in accelerating the circular economy transition in general, and the circular plastic economy in particular, in Africa.

Details

Journal of Strategy and Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-425X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 August 2024

Jailos Mrisho Nzumile

Quality has always been a competitive advantage for every organisation that strives for customer satisfaction when offering services or products. Technological advancements during…

Abstract

Purpose

Quality has always been a competitive advantage for every organisation that strives for customer satisfaction when offering services or products. Technological advancements during the industrial revolutions have enabled organisations to grub improvement and transition opportunities into a new paradigm in operating business processes. In light of the fourth industrial revolution (FIR), in which Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) leveraged its technologies, this study establishes the need for service organisations to transition to Q4.0. It unveils the awareness level within the organisation, the existing challenges and the benefits of transitioning to Q4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study was acquired through a survey methodology; it involved qualitative and quantitative methodologies and a mix of primary and secondary sources. The challenges and benefits regarding Q4.0 adoption were obtained from the relevant literature and used as a base of assessment in the selected service organisations. Minitab version 20 and SPSS 21.0 software packages analysed the gathered data.

Findings

The study found a high level of awareness regarding Q4.0 among the selected service organisations. Despite the high level of awareness, it was revealed that neither of the Q4.0-related technologies have been implemented nor in the process within the selected service industries. This is due to numerous challenges, including inadequate high-speed internet, a high cost of investment, inadequate skilled personnel and inadequate scepticalness to the implementation outcomes. Despite these challenges, leveraged technologies, potential benefits and Q4.0 awareness all demonstrate the need for Q4.0.

Research limitations/implications

The study introduces the advent of the FIR and the disruptive nature of the associated technologies. It also unveils the potential of the contemporary technologies of the FIR that could elevate quality service provision to increase their competitiveness. Moreover, it also assists service organisations in planning and properly allocating their resources to ensure all the challenges are addressed in the Q4.0 adoption process. The study is limited in that it merely considers service organisations in Tanzania without categorising what type of service organisations were considered, i.e. banking, telecommunications, health, etc. thus generalising the findings.

Originality/value

Much has been discussed in the literature regarding Q4.0 in manufacturing organisations, focusing less on service organisations. This study uniquely assessed the need to transition to Q4.0 for service organisations, which has yet to be covered in the literature.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 August 2024

Samreen Junaid, Muhammad Ijaz Mairaj and Sanila Aslam

This study aims to investigate the digital information needs and seeking behaviour of legal practitioners practising at the Lahore High Court in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the digital information needs and seeking behaviour of legal practitioners practising at the Lahore High Court in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a quantitative approach based on an e-questionnaire survey to collect data from legal practitioners following a comprehensive census. Among the 9,933 registered legal practitioners, a random sample size of 370 respondents was determined, of whom 302 responded to the survey, resulting in a response rate of 81.6%.

Findings

Legal practitioners prefer the Pakistan Law Site and law journals as primary sources of information acquisition, with a distinct inclination towards digital formats over traditional print. These resources are primarily used for court case preparation, significantly enhancing the research capabilities of legal practitioners and ensuring they remain current in their field. However, several challenges were identified, including time constraints, limited access to digital resources and inadequate availability of legal resources in digital format. These challenges emphasize the critical need for enhancing the digital infrastructure of law libraries.

Research limitations/implications

The study calls for law libraries to adopt technological advancements and underscores the necessity of improving digital infrastructure to better serve the evolving information needs of legal practitioners.

Originality/value

This study underscores the preferred information sources and formats of legal practitioners for seeking information, their purpose for using law resources and the impact of digital media on their information-seeking behaviour. In addition, this study reveals the challenges they face in seeking them.

Details

Digital Library Perspectives, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5816

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 August 2024

Masum Miah, S.M. Mahbubur Rahman, Subarna Biswas, Gábor Szabó-Szentgróti and Virág Walter

This study aims to examine the direct effects of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices on employee green behavior (EGB) in the university setting in Bangladesh and to…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the direct effects of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices on employee green behavior (EGB) in the university setting in Bangladesh and to find the indirect effects of how GHRM promotes EGB through sequentially mediating employee environmental knowledge management (EEKM) (environmental knowledge and knowledge sharing) and green self-efficacy (GSE).

Design/methodology/approach

For the empirical study, the researcher uses partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the proposed conceptual model built on existing literature for greening workplaces in the university in Bangladesh. The study has collected data from 288 Bangladeshi university employees using convenient sampling.

Findings

The findings that GHRM practices positively and significantly promote EGB, which captures the employee's tendencies to exercise green behavior in daily routine activities such as turning off lights, air conditioning, computers and equipment after working hours, printing on both sides, recycling (reducing, repair, reuse), disseminating good green ideas, concepts, digital skills and knowledge to peers and champion green initiatives at work. Moreover, the findings also revealed the sequential mediation of EEKM (environmental knowledge and knowledge sharing) and GSE of employees between the link GHRM and EGB. At last, the findings suggested that HR managers can implement the GHRM practices to promote green behaviors among the academic and non-academic staff of the university.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field by extending knowledge of Social Cognition Theory and Social Learning Theory for greening workplaces in Bangladesh, particularly universities. Specifically, this empirical study is unique to the best of our knowledge and highlights the role of EEKM and GSE as mediation between GHRM and EGB association.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 July 2024

Mohd Shoaib Ansari and Aditya Tripathi

This study aims to evaluate the information behavior of the Banarasi Sarees weaving community and propose an information-focused policy tailored to their needs.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the information behavior of the Banarasi Sarees weaving community and propose an information-focused policy tailored to their needs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in seven weaver-centered areas in Varanasi and was designed around semi-structured interviews to explore various information-related aspects among the weavers. It aims to focus on their knowledge of weaving, their information needs, seeking behavior, preferred communication channels, prioritization of information and methods for enhancing information-related situations.

Findings

It was found that a lack of information among weavers significantly impacts their livelihoods and businesses. They struggle to make product, pricing and marketing decisions without access to accurate, timely and relevant information. They cannot expand their businesses and invest in new equipment and materials. The weavers need a library with a specialized collection and a qualified librarian to guide them in using the information sources. They also need a dedicated information system and community information centers to provide better information services.

Originality/value

This study is a work whose expected results and findings would help policymakers adopt measures to encourage providing information services through public libraries and community information centers. The results of this study may be further used to frame information policy for weavers and other occupational communities.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

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