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1 – 10 of 79
Article
Publication date: 8 April 2021

Angeliki Paidakaki, Rani De Becker, Yana De Reu, Febe Viaene, Shareen Elnaschie and Pieter Van den Broeck

This paper explores social resilience through the lenses of migration. It specifically studies the role of community architects in building socially resilient refugee camps which…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper explores social resilience through the lenses of migration. It specifically studies the role of community architects in building socially resilient refugee camps which are human settlements characterized by a transient and heterogeneous community with unique vulnerabilities. These settlements are managed through exceptional governance arrangements between hegemonic and counter-hegemonic humanitarian organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical evidences are drawn from the Office of Displaced Designers (ODD), a design-focused creative integration organization active on Lesvos island. During one-month ethnographic research with ODD, empirical data were harvested through an extensive review of project archive materials including transcripts and audio files of interviews with project participants and collaborators conducted by ODD, architectural drawings and teaching materials, photo and video archives and administrative documents. The ethnographic research was complemented with semi-structured interviews with the founding members and former volunteers and partners of ODD; key site visits to the Moria Hotspot and the surrounding Olive Groves; as well as a desk study on European Union (EU) policies and legislative papers and legal information regarding the asylum seeker application procedure in Europe and Greece.

Findings

Reflecting on the potential and limitations of community architects in building socially resilient refugee camps, the paper concludes that in order for community architects to make long lasting improvements they must think holistically and design flexible structural solutions for the entire camp, leverage existing expertise within communities and assist other organizations through administrative, financial and design consultancy support. Community architects are also expected to take active roles in forming pro-equity governance structures and steering pro-resilient humanitarian trajectories by acting as mediators, lobbying their partners, advocating for inclusive practices and social spaces and documenting their projects to build an evidence base across practices and contexts and to strengthen their voice as a collective of community architects.

Originality/value

The role of community architects in building socially resilient human settlements in post-disaster place-based recovery processes has been widely discussed in the disaster scholarship. These studies have primarily emphasized permanent and in situ reconstruction efforts in disaster-affected areas. What remains limitedly discussed is the resilience-building potential of community architects in extraterritorial temporary human settlements characterized by displacement and temporality such as in refugee camps. In light of these observations, the aim of this paper is to push the boundaries of knowledge on post-crisis recovery by re-approaching the notion of social resilience from a migratory perspective and revealing the potential and limitations of community architects in fostering socially resilient refugee camps in new (national) territories.

Details

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-6862

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Annals in Social Responsibility, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-3515

Article
Publication date: 27 June 2018

María Paula Lechuga Sancho, Domingo Martínez-Martínez, Manuel Larran Jorge and Jesús Herrera Madueño

Regardless of the noteworthy growth in research and practice associating corporate social responsibility (CSR) with human resource management, little has been written in regard to…

3114

Abstract

Purpose

Regardless of the noteworthy growth in research and practice associating corporate social responsibility (CSR) with human resource management, little has been written in regard to one major dimension of CSR in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as CSR policies and practices are directed toward employees. The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a conceptual framework connecting socially responsible human resource management (SRHRM) to competitive performance that fits small business.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to get empirical evidence, structural equation modeling technique was applied on the data from 481 Spanish SMEs.

Findings

Results confirm both the direct contribution of SRHRM to business competitiveness and the multiple effects resulting from including two variables of additional interest for the relationship under study: employee’s commitment and relational marketing.

Practical implications

One of the main research limitations is that the paper only reflects the perceptions of owners/managers of SMEs. Although it was believed that the respondents give reliable and accurate information about the way their firms are involved in CSR practices, there is a possibility that they might provide incorrect or incomplete information.

Originality/value

The relationships proposed have never been studied before in context of SMEs. This is a worthwhile endeavor, which makes an empirical contribution.

Article
Publication date: 12 December 2016

Nitya Rani and Anand Samuel

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into differences in work values and Person–Organisation (P–O) fit of Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y in India and to understand…

7622

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into differences in work values and Person–Organisation (P–O) fit of Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y in India and to understand the relationship between (P–O) fit values and turnover intention of Generation Y employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The work values were measured using an adapted version of Lyons Work Values scale. The generational differences in work values and P–O fit were studied using multivariate analysis of variance and relationship between P–O fit values and turnover intention of Gen Y employees was studied using polynomial regression and response surface methodology.

Findings

Significant differences in work values were observed between Generation Y and older generations. Generation Y also reported significantly higher discrepancy in P–O fit values than Generation X and Baby Boomers. This had an effect on their turnover intention.

Research limitations/implications

A cross-sectional design was used to study the generational differences in work values where the generation effects may have been confounded with age effects.

Practical implications

The differences in work values and P–O fit values of Generation Y and older generations provide input into designing organisation systems and structures more suitable for younger generations to manage the high turnover among Generation Y in India.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies on generational differences in work values and P–O fit in the Indian context. It is also one of the first to investigate relationship between P–O fit and turnover intention of Generation Y in India.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 39 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 September 2019

Bela Florenthal

A comprehensive operational framework is proposed to explain young consumers’ (i.e. generations Y and Z) engagement with brands on social media sites (SMSs). This paper aims to…

8612

Abstract

Purpose

A comprehensive operational framework is proposed to explain young consumers’ (i.e. generations Y and Z) engagement with brands on social media sites (SMSs). This paper aims to synthesize two motivational theories: uses and gratifications (U&G) theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM).

Design/methodology/approach

A selective literature review was conducted to examine recent publications related to young consumers’ brand-driven engagement behavior on SMSs in which either TAM or U&G theory was applied. A three-stage method was used: an initial search was followed by vertical and horizontal searches and then a targeted search of scholarly publications. At each stage, the university’s library databases and Google Scholar were searched for relevant, mainly peer-reviewed articles, using appropriate filters and keywords. The articles’ references and the studies that cited those articles were added to the initially identified research pool (vertical search), coupled with publications of a similar nature based on keywords (horizontal search). The final stage, the targeted search, involved identifying and adding specific articles (e.g. literature reviews and integrated models).

Findings

After a review of a significant number of U&G and TAM studies, similarities and differences of the two theories were identified, and an integrated operational framework was developed. Based on empirical findings of existing U&G and TAM studies, testable propositions were presented.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed hybrid model and the associated propositions provide a research opportunity to empirically examine how young consumers’ motivational (i.e. motivating and demotivating) drivers, normative influence, perceived value and attitudes (toward brand content and engagement) predict intention or actual brand-related behavior on SMSs.

Practical implications

Much of current research indicates that generations Y and Z (“digital natives”) spend considerably more time on SMSs than any of the older generations (“digital immigrants”). Thus, brands that aim to target this cohort need to develop successful engagement strategies (e.g. gamification and influencer marketing) on current and emerging SMSs. The suggested conceptualization provides guidelines for companies to effectively use such communication strategies to motivate young people to engage with their brands on sites such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Originality/value

A review of TAM research indicates that it lacks rich motivating/demotivating constructs, and thus borrows from other theories to complement this weakness. An examination of U&G frameworks, particularity Ducoffe (1996)-based models, indicates that these frameworks mainly test engagement with social media advertising but seldom other types of brand-driven engagement on SMSs. In addition, many U&G studies focus less than TAM studies do on outcome variables such as behavioral intentions and behavior. Thus, the authors propose a synthesized U&G and TAM framework that mitigates both theories’ weaknesses and builds on their strengths, enriching the growing research on brand-driven engagement behavior via SMSs.

Article
Publication date: 4 October 2022

Hardeep Chahal, Kamani Dutta and Asha Rani

The purpose of this paper are threefold paper are threefold; firstly, to validate and measure significant dimensions of customer experience in the health care sector; secondly, to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper are threefold paper are threefold; firstly, to validate and measure significant dimensions of customer experience in the health care sector; secondly, to evaluate the antecedents and dimensions of customer experience and its impact on customer outcomes in health care; and thirdly, to examine the role of customer involvement as a moderator between antecedents and dimensions of customer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based upon primary data collection sources, particularly in-depth interviews, focus group interviews and survey methods. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were carried out. This qualitative study was conducted to conceptualize customer experience in the health-care sector. Whereas the quantitative study was undertaken to collect data from randomly selected, experienced 181 respondents for testing the proposed model.

Findings

Affective, relational and physical have emerged as significant customer experience dimensions in the health-care sector. All three dimensions have a positive and significant impact on the important customer outcomes, that is, satisfaction, attitudinal loyalty and brand equity. Service quality, supportive services and contextual services significantly affect customer experience. Customer involvement moderates the relationship between all the three antecedents and dimensions of customer experience.

Research limitations/implications

This study is primarily focused on customers' perceptions of the health-care sector. This study’s model could be implemented in different sectors such as lodging, food service, restaurant or other industries as well. Further, the role of moderators, namely, consumer attitudes, service quality, perceived risk, price and past experience, are also suggested to be explored for theorising the customer experience.

Originality/value

This study makes a maiden attempt to establish affective, relational and physical as three significant dimensions of customer experience in the health-care sector. Sensory and cognitive dimensions are found to be insignificant.

Details

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6123

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2017

Jeevan Jyoti and Asha Rani

The purpose of this paper is to explore the high performance work system through ability, motivation and opportunity model (Jiang et al., 2013) and its impact on organisational…

3986

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the high performance work system through ability, motivation and opportunity model (Jiang et al., 2013) and its impact on organisational performance. Further, the mediating role of knowledge management between high performance work system and organisational performance has also been evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire technique has been used to collect the data from managers (n=58) and employees (n=246) working in telecommunication organisations in Jammu and Kashmir (North India). Data collected have been validated using the exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Hypotheses have been tested through structural equation modelling with the help of AMOS and SmartPLS3 softwares. Further, theoretical, managerial and socio-economic implications have also been discussed.

Findings

The study indicates that high performance work system positively affects organisational performance. Further, knowledge management act as a mediator between high performance work system and organisational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study has been conducted only in the private telecommunication sector (Airtel, Aircel, Tata Indicom, Idea, Reliance, Vodafone). Further, the study being limited to telecommunication sector can be extended in other sectors also.

Practical implications

In order to create superior work system, management should focus on ability-enhancing initiatives such as extensive job training, computer-based training, etc. on regular basis. Employees should be rewarded extrinsically as well as intrinsically to keep them motivated to achieve higher levels of performance. Further, management should empower the employees through decentralisation of authority, participative decision making, etc. Besides this, management should also instil the knowledge culture in the organisation in order to enhance the knowledge capability of the employees.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by identifying the black box using knowledge management to understand the relationship between high performance work system and organisational performance in the telecommunication sector.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 September 2019

Geetha Rani Prakasam, Mukesh Mukesh and Gopinathan R.

Enrolling in an academic discipline or selecting the college major choice is a dynamic process. Very few studies examine this aspect in India. This paper makes a humble attempt to…

3072

Abstract

Purpose

Enrolling in an academic discipline or selecting the college major choice is a dynamic process. Very few studies examine this aspect in India. This paper makes a humble attempt to fill this gap using NSSO 71st round data on social consumption on education. The purpose of this paper is to use multinomial regression model to study the different factors that influence course choice in higher education. The different factors (given the availability of information) considered relate to ability, gender, cost of higher education, socio-economic and geographical location. The results indicate that gender polarization is apparent between humanities and engineering. The predicated probabilities bring out the dichotomy between the choice of courses and levels of living expressed through consumption expenditures in terms of professional and non-professional courses. Predicted probabilities of course choices bring in a clear distinction between south and west regions preferring engineering and other professional courses, whereas north, east and NES prefer humanities.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper follows the same approach as that of Turner and Bowen (1999). The Multinomial regression is specified as P ( M i = j ) = ( exp ( β j × X i ) / j 1 5 exp ( β j × X i ) ) , where P (Mi=j) denotes the probability of choosing outcome j, the particular course/major choice that categorizes different disciplines. This response variable is specified with five categories: such as medicine, engineering, other professional courses, science and humanities. The authors’ primary interest is to determine the factors governing an individual’s decision to choose a particular subject field as compared to humanities. In other words, to make the system identifiable in the MLR, humanities is treated as a reference category. The vector Xi includes the set of explanatory variables and βj refers to the corresponding coefficients for each of the outcome j. From an aggregate perspective, the distribution of course choices is an important input to the skill (technical skills) composition of future workforce. In that sense, except humanities, the rest of the courses are technical-intensive courses; hence, humanities is treated as a reference category.

Findings

The results indicate that gender polarization is apparent between humanities and engineering. The predicated probabilities bring out the dichotomy between the choice of courses and levels of living expressed through consumption expenditures in terms of professional and non-professional courses. Predicted probabilities of course choices bring in a clear distinction between south and west regions preferring engineering and other professional courses, whereas north, east and NES prefer humanities.

Research limitations/implications

Predicted probabilities of course choices bring in a clear distinction between south and west regions preferring engineering and other professional courses, whereas north, east and NES prefer humanities. This course and regional imbalance need to be worked with multi-pronged strategies of providing both access to education and employment opportunities in other states. But the predicted probabilities of medicine and science remain similar across the board. Very few research studies on the determinants of field choice in higher education prevail in India. Research studies on returns to education by field or course choices hardly exist in India. These evidences are particularly important to know which course choices can support student loans, which can be the future area of work.

Practical implications

The research evidence is particularly important to know which course choices can support student loans, which can be the future area of work, as well as how to address the gender bias in the course choices.

Social implications

The paper has social implications in terms of giving insights into the course choices of students. These findings bring in implications for practice in their ability to predict the demand for course choices and their share of demand, not only in the labor market but also across regions. India has 36 states/UTs and each state/UT has a huge population size and large geographical areas. The choice of course has state-specific influence because of nature of state economy, society, culture and inherent education systems. Further, within the states, rural and urban variation has also a serious influence on the choice of courses.

Originality/value

The present study is a value addition on three counts. First, the choice of courses includes the recent trends in the preference over market-oriented/technical courses such as medicine, engineering and other professional courses (chartered accountancy and similar courses, courses from Industrial Training Institute, recognized vocational training institute, etc.). The choice of market-oriented courses has been examined in relation to the choice of conventional subjects. Second, the socio-economic background of students plays a significant role in the choice of courses. Third, the present paper uses the latest data on Social Consumption on Education.

Details

Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2515-964X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2021

P. Pranav, E. Sneha and S. Rani

This paper aims to provide a detailed review of various cutting fluids (CFs).

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a detailed review of various cutting fluids (CFs).

Design/methodology/approach

Friction and wear are inevitable in machine parts in motion. The industrial sector uses various kinds of lubricants, which include engine oils, CFs, hydraulic fluids, greases, etc. to control friction and wear. The main purpose of using CF is to remove heat produced during machining and to reduce cutting forces, tool wear and energy associated with it. Thus, it increases the productivity and quality of the manufacturing process. But more than 80% of the CFs used in the industries now are mineral oil-based. These mineral oils and additives are highly undesirable because of their toxicity, nonbiodegradability, pollution and ecological problems. Hence, these petroleum-based oils in the lubrication system can be substituted with alternatives such as vegetable-based CF. Several studies are being conducted in the field of eco-friendly CFs. Because of the variance in fatty acid profile and availability, the selection of vegetable oils (VOs) is another problem faced nowadays. The present study is focused on bio-based oils and many eco-friendly additives. Various machining processes and comparisons relating to the same have also been made. The aim is to minimize the use of mineral oil and thereby introduce sustainability in production.

Findings

In this present study, bio-based oils, additives and various characteristic behavior of them in machining are being discussed. The VOs are found to be a potential base oil for industrial CFs.

Originality/value

This paper describes the importance of sustainable CFs.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 73 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 May 2011

Nuria Gonzalez‐Alvarez and Vanesa Solis‐Rodriguez

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, it intends to analyze the influence of human capital and social capital on the second of the stages in the process of entrepreneurial…

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, it intends to analyze the influence of human capital and social capital on the second of the stages in the process of entrepreneurial creation established by Shane and Venkataraman, the discovery of opportunities for creating a business. Second, it aims to analyze the existence of gender differences both in the discovery of opportunities and in the stock of human and social capital possessed by men and women.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Spanish Project. From a random sample of 28,888 individuals, which is representative of the whole of the Spanish population between the ages of 18 and 64, the opinion of 1,473 active entrepreneurs has been gained. Also, logistic regressions were used as a statistical method to test the hypotheses proposed.

Findings

The results indicate that individuals possessing a greater stock of human capital, as well as those who are highly involved in broad social networks, discover more chances of business creation. Similarly, this work shows that men discover more business opportunities and possess more human and social capital than women.

Research limitations/implications

The results obtained allow the authors to make a contribution to the literature about the influence that human and social capital exerts on the discovery of entrepreneurial opportunities. Regarding gender, the main contribution of the work is that gender differences exist both in the discovery of opportunities and in the stocks of human and social capital possessed by individuals. The main limitation of the paper is the difficulty of directly measuring variables used and thus the need to use “proxy” variables.

Practical implications

The results of the paper can help politicians and educators to enhance endeavours to increase attention to human and social factors and gender differences, in order to develop the second of the stages in the process of entrepreneurial creation, the discovery of opportunities for creating a business.

Originality/value

In line with the findings and research implications, the paper provides additional proofs of why gender differences exist with regard to the entrepreneurial process, in part related to differences in human and social capital. However, other factors apart from the different stocks of human and social capital could explain this phenomenon, so a new line of research is necessary.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 111 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

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