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How does entrepreneurship flourish amidst persistent resource scarcity, market imperfections, underdeveloped infrastructure and institutional voids? In recent years, bricolage has emerged in the entrepreneurship literature as an effective form of resource mobilization in resource-constrained environments and crisis situations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of bricolage in new venture creation by examining the use of bricolage at each stage of the entrepreneurial process of opportunity discovery, development and exploitation.

The author conducted a qualitative analysis of 10 new business ventures established in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The author found a prevalence of bricolage at every stage of the entrepreneurial process in all cases, showing that bricolage was embedded in the behavior and decision-making of entrepreneurs throughout the process.

The finding have implications for policymakers aiming to support entrepreneurship in emerging economies.

This paper contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of bricolage behavior identified at every step of the entrepreneurial process in a specific emerging economy context.

This research aims to comprehend the factors that impact the emerging inclination of consumers toward mobile finance technology (fintech) services over banking institutions. The study focuses on users' demographics and psychographics to delineate their unique segments and profiles.

The study proposes a segmentation and profiling framework that includes variance analysis, two-step cluster analysis and pairwise statistical tests. This framework is applied to a dataset of customers using a range of mobile fintech services, specifically robo-investment, peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, robo-advisory and digital savings. The analysis creates distinct customer profile clusters, which are later validated using pairwise statistical tests based on segmentation output.

Empirical results reveal that P2P payment service users exhibit a higher frequency of usage, proficiency and intention to continue using the service compared to users of robo-investment or digital savings platforms. In contrast, individuals utilizing robo-advisory services are identified to have a significantly greater familiarity and intention to sustain engagement with the service compared to digital savings users.

The findings provide financial institutions, especially traditional banks with actionable insights into their customer base. This information enables them to identify specific customer needs and preferences, thereby allowing them to tailor products and services accordingly. Ultimately, this understanding may strategically position traditional banks to maintain competitiveness amidst the increasing prominence of fintech enterprises.

This research provides an in-depth examination of customer segments and profiles within the mobile fintech services sphere, thus giving a nuanced understanding of customer behavior and preferences and generating practical recommendations for banks and other financial institutions. This study thereby sets the stage for further research and paves the way for developing personalized products and services in the evolving fintech landscape.

Variations due to errors and mistakes have caused cost overruns in building projects. Therefore, it is undeniable that the gravity of such variations will be a critical factor in deciding the success of any building project. In addition, the design stage of a building project is considered the most suitable stage to identify and mitigate the causes of potential variations. However, there are no proper mechanisms to minimise the frequency or gravity of variations. Many researchers experienced the promising essence of Poka-Yoke, a mistake-proofing method aimed at increasing efficiency by early detection and eradication of the causes of potential errors. However, less attention has been paid so far to implement Poka-Yoke principles to minimise variations in the building project. Therefore, this study aims to develop a framework to minimise variations in building projects through the integration of the Poka-Yoke principles.

An interpretivism stance is adopted, and a qualitative research approach is used. The data collection technique adopted is semi-structured interviews with ten experts, and the data is analysed using code-based content analysis through NVivo12.

Research findings revealed 23 causes of variations, categorised under client-originated, consultant-originated, contractor-originated and other variations. The identified causes were then mapped with the Poka-Yoke principles to develop the framework. The research findings could prove useful to researchers, academics, government agencies and construction professionals in developing nations that have demographic/cultural and socioeconomic characteristics such as Sri Lanka.

The findings benefitted the Sri Lankan construction sector by minimising the causes of variations. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study will be the first of its kind in the Sri Lankan construction industry, leading to a better understanding of the “Poka-Yoke” principle within the building construction context.

A novel facet of the construction industry's (CI) digital transformation relates to the rise of smart contracts, and the contribution of blockchain technology in this domain appears to be nascent but rapidly gaining traction. Although the benefits of digitalisation for technologically less enthusiastic CI are irrefutable, the adoption of smart contracts has been found to be low pertaining to industry professionals' behavioural factors stimulated by technological perception. The challenge undertook by this study, therefore, is to develop a knowledge framework for blockchain-enabled smart contract adoption in the CI.

From a methodological perspective, this study employed a qualitative approach that involved semi-structured interviews with ten (10) highly experienced CI practitioners involved in digital innovations for data collection. Directed content analysis was performed using NVivo 12 software, which enabled the creation of preliminary open codes. Subsequently, these open codes were grouped into similar categories to develop axial codes. Finally, the study presented final themes along with their corresponding descriptions.

Notably, research findings expanded the current body of knowledge on perceived attributes and their measurement items to determine the perception of innovation adoption in CI, where a total of nine (9) perceived attributes were associated with thirty-two (32) measurement items.

The measurement items were seen as having an extensive impact on the CI professionals' decision to adopt blockchain-enabled smart contracts. With ensuing implications, this study represents one of the first to present a knowledge framework exclusively customised for blockchain-enabled smart contracts, laying the groundwork for effective technological adoption by CI professionals.

In response to water scarcity in Sri Lanka, the government is implementing strategies such as rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, wastewater treatment and desalination. Initial efforts include the establishment of a desalination plant in Jaffna, with additional plans for the dry zones (DZ). The study aims to comprehensively identify the barriers to establishing desalination plants in the DZ and provide recommendations to mitigate these barriers. Additionally, this research provides valuable insights aimed at minimizing barriers to the construction of future desalination plants within Sri Lanka.

The study used qualitative methods, using an expert survey to identify current and future barriers, along with strategies for overcoming them. The collected data were analysed using the template analysis technique.

Regarding desalination plant establishment, various barriers such as high capital costs, high energy expenses, brine discharge, pollution, emissions, technical challenges, health concerns and waste disposal have been identified. However, specific strategies exist to address and mitigate each of these obstacles.

The study offers recommendations to environmental experts and government on expediting the approval procedures for desalination plants in Sri Lanka’s DZ. Adapted to Sri Lanka’s specific challenges, it highlights strategies and barriers essential for upcoming desalination projects. Furthermore, it emphasizes the financial advantages such as increased production and job creation resulting from establishing desalination facilities.

Through this study, promoting sustainable practices and fostering community involvement, it aims to enhance livelihoods, accelerate economic development and improve overall well-being through reliable access to water. Additionally, the study aims to enhance understanding of the importance of desalination in alleviating water scarcity, promoting community engagement and ultimately facilitating improved living conditions, health outcomes and economic opportunities in Sri Lanka’s DZs.

This study provides crucial direction for decision-makers by highlighting the main barriers to the establishment of desalination plants in Sri Lanka and outlining practical solutions. Implementing these strategies helps meet the region’s increasing water demands, advance sustainable water management, improve the standard of living for nearby communities and promote the socioeconomic development of desalination plants in Sri Lanka’s DZ.

This project examines digital modeling strategies for existing buildings. In this context, it aims to question assumptions about the need for geometric accuracy and the efficacy of predefined ontologies. As a counterpoint to prevailing digital modeling strategies, this project proposes a digital modeling approach using a project-specific, emergent ontology.

Nishiki Market, in Kyoto, Japan, is studied as a test case. The emergent-ontology modeling process is introduced with an initial minimal set of operations including basic fold and trim operations applicable to surfaces. As the model develops iteratively, new situations are encountered for which existing rules are insufficient. In response, the model maker’s subjective judgment is invoked to introduce new operations, and ontological rules are allowed to expand.

The emergent-ontology approach, when executed on the Nishiki Market test case, enables representation of specific architectural qualities, highlighting semantic distinctions between digitally modeled elements of real-world features. The modeling approach generated project-specific knowledge, informing disciplinary understanding. Ontological emergence enabled semantic relationships to be disclosed and newly constructed.

The project proposes a novel methodology using an emergent ontology for digitally modeling existing buildings. Instead of remaining within the limitations a predefined ontology, the model maker’s subjective decisions shape the model’s ongoing development. This interpretive approach allows project-specific knowledge generation while challenging prevailing assumptions about accuracy and consistency in digital models of existing buildings.

This paper aims to discuss the issues and challenges related to housing continuity for individuals transitioning from homelessness to securing a place to live in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The aim of the study is to explore the problems and solutions in the context of housing policy, particularly as they pertain to homeless households. The study involves conducting in-depth interviews with various stakeholders involved in helping homeless households find shelter and access to public housing.

The research methodology comprises a comprehensive literature review encompassing housing affordability, affordable housing and homelessness both within Malaysia and globally to identify research gaps. One of the key questions highlighted the effectiveness of existing programs aimed at providing short-term shelter and social integration for homeless individuals. Additionally, it highlights one of the primary challenges in this process, which is the tendency of homeless individuals to return to homelessness due to various factors. The data collection uses a qualitative approach and the data are obtained through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders responsible for assisting homeless households in Klang Valley, Malaysia, encompassing federal, state and local government representatives. Purposive sampling ensures diverse stakeholder representation. Interviews are structured semi-structured to maintain consistency while allowing for open-ended discussions on challenges and successes in facilitating homeless individuals' transition to stable housing. Thematic analysis of transcribed interview data focuses on recurring themes related to housing continuity, affordability and homeless households' behavioural patterns.

There are five (n = 5) stakeholders consist of local government (Code: R1), ministries (Code: R2; R5) and government agencies (Code: R3; R4). The study revealed that various programs have been implemented to provide short-term shelter and facilitate the integration of homeless individuals into society. Nevertheless, a significant challenge identified was the recurring tendency of homeless households to return to homelessness. This “behavioural direction” was found to be influenced by multiple factors which includes mental health and attitude problem. The findings emphasise the need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to address the issues and challenges related to housing continuity in Klang Valley.

The originality of this research lies in its focus on the specific and under-researched context of Klang Valley, Malaysia, regarding the critical issues of housing affordability and the challenges of housing continuity for homeless households. While housing affordability and affordable housing are widely recognised as global housing policy concerns, this study delves into a localised setting where limited attention has been given to understanding the transitions of homeless individuals to stable housing. The findings provide unique insights into the efforts and challenges faced in Klang Valley, shedding light on the behavioural patterns and factors contributing to recurring homelessness. This paper offers a context-specific perspective that contributes to the broader understanding of housing continuity issues.

Drawing on institutional theory analytical perspectives of theorisation and translation, this study aims to explore the institutionalisation of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) in Indonesia from a regulatory and filer perspective.

The Indonesian capital market offers a unique case of the integration of XBRL regulatory reporting between multiple regulators and a transfer from capital market regulation to state-level regulation. This study uses semi-structured interviews with key actors employed with Indonesian XBRL-regulatory bodies and listed companies (filers).

External pressures, monitoring issues and tensions in the implementation process were instrumental in the theorisation and translation of XBRL in Indonesia. Specifically, the findings show that choices made with respect to XBRL regulation and implementation created tensions between XBRL reporting fulfilling a monitoring purpose and serving stakeholders’ interests. The findings also indicate that the Indonesian approach to XBRL regulation and implementation had distinct characteristics compared to XBRL implementation in other jurisdictions.

This study emphasises the necessity for robust regulatory support and strict enforcement to navigate the complexities and tensions arising from a multi-regulatory approach. Additionally, it stresses the importance of firms’ readiness and expertise in XBRL as more sophisticated implementation strategies are considered.

Using the analytical lens of theorisation and translation, the study provides a deeper understanding of how a globally diffused accounting technology was institutionalised and legitimised in a developing country. Specifically, this study explains why a conversion approach to XBRL implementation was favoured and how XBRL implementation and reporting were managed and coordinated between different Indonesian regulators.

This paper aims to examine how different contextual contingency factors and organizational goals influence construction clients’ decision-making when procuring contractors in the housing sector. More specifically, it investigates how clients’ choice of procurement strategies and organizational control systems is contingent upon various contextual factors and organizational goals.

It is based on an explorative interview study of clients and contractors in the Swedish housing sector underpinned by a review of organizational control literature.

The client's knowledge and resources, as well as project complexity and uncertainty, are the most important contextual contingency factors, while property management and sustainable development are the most important organizational goals that housing clients consider when designing procurement strategies.

The paper contributes to the understanding of how construction clients choose procurement strategies, by providing new insights into effects of the mentioned contextual contingency factors and organizational goals on clients’ choice of control systems through their procurement strategies.

Property owners who continuously procure housing projects with sustainability requirements and high degrees of complexity and uncertainty should develop knowledge and resources related to their client role, to enable the design and implementation of appropriate procurement strategies.

Novel aspects of the paper are the demonstration of the value of a holistic approach, considering both contextual contingency factors and organizational goals, when selecting control systems and explicit discussion of how the client's knowledge and resources influence possibilities to implement different control systems.

This paper aims to explore how employees reconceptualized their time and space to order and structure their lives in an unprecedented scenario of nonvoluntary work from home.

Set in the context of lockdowns due to the pandemic scenario, the study uses a constructivist approach to collect data through in-depth online interviews to understand how employees coped with the challenges emanating in a nonvoluntary work from home situation. The respondents were purposively selected to reflect a diverse pool in terms of gender, familial responsibilities and age/tenure.

The findings present temporal and spatial themes that provide several insights into how employees made sense of time and space as resources to navigate their challenging work-home roles.

In the present study, the authors found that when boundaries get violated, it does not necessarily manifest in the form of dissatisfaction with one or the other domain. The respondents in the current study show-cased adjustment mechanism to cope with the boundary permeability that happened. They adopted ways in which they could safe-guard their multiple identities in the situation they found themselves in, do justice to the salient roles in their lives, emerge as more empathetic humans and look forward to a brighter and more hopeful future. This opens-up a possibility of studying the theory behind human behavior in crisis-like situations and the degree of acceptance that people show when they find themselves in undesirable-unalterable situations.

A mental reorientation is required on the part of both employees and employers to navigate smoothly in this new “normal” and find more sustainable solutions to the problem if the remote working or hybrid mode of working becomes mainstay. Clear demarcations between work and nonwork time are a key element to ensure proper work schedules for remote workers. Offline meetings and get-togethers can be organized on a periodic basis to facilitate employee interaction and engagement. Participation of employees in key decisions becomes more important in such situations as it makes employees feel more connected with their work space.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is original as it is set in a completely unprecedented situation of lockdowns (during the pandemic) that affected the lives of everyone in some way or the other. The findings of the study are unique and insightful, as they help understand the sense-making mechanism adopted by people to successfully navigate through the crisis.