Search results

1 – 10 of 36
Article
Publication date: 29 December 2023

Ying Hsun Lai

The study integrated understanding by design-Internet of Things (UbD-IoT) education with design thinking and computational thinking to plan and design an IoT course. Cross-domain…

Abstract

Purpose

The study integrated understanding by design-Internet of Things (UbD-IoT) education with design thinking and computational thinking to plan and design an IoT course. Cross-domain application examples were employed to train students in problem-understanding, deep thinking and logical design for IoT applications.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the UbD model was integrated with design thinking and computational thinking in the planning and design of an IoT course. The examples of cross-domain applications were used to train students to understand a problem by engaging themselves in deep thinking and helping them think and design logically for an IoT application.

Findings

The UbD-IoT learning design greatly decreased students' overall cognitive load. UbD-IoT learning has a significant impact on the performance of computational thinking in problem-solving and problem-understanding. The impact of UbD-IoT learning on logical thinking and program learning cognition in students needs to be verified.

Originality/value

The results of this study have shown that the UbD model is effective in reducing the cognitive load of a learning course and also strengthens T-competencies in the lateral skills of computational thinking, critical problem-solving, logical thinking and creative thinking.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2023

Frank Ato Ghansah and Weisheng Lu

Despite the growing attention on the relevance of improved building management systems with cognition in recent years in the architecture, engineering, construction and operation…

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the growing attention on the relevance of improved building management systems with cognition in recent years in the architecture, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) community, no review has been conducted to understand the human-environment interaction features of cyber-physical systems (CPS) and digital twins (DTs) in developing the concept of a cognitive building (CB). Thus, this paper aims to review existing studies on CPS and DTs for CB to propose a comprehensive system architecture that considers human-environment interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

Scientometric analysis and content analysis were adopted for this study.

Findings

The scientometric analysis of 1,042 journal papers showed the major themes of CPS/DTs for CB, and these can be categorized into three key technologies to realize CB in the AECO community: CPS, DTs and cognitive computing (CC). Content analysis of 44 relevant publications in the built environment assisted in understanding and evidently confirming the claim of this study on the integration of CPS and DTs for CB in construction by also involving the CC. It is found and confirmed that CB can be realized with CPS and DTs along with the CC. A CB system architecture (CBSA) is proposed from the three key technologies considering the human-environment interactions in the loop. The study discovered the potential applications of the CBSA across the building lifecycle phases, including the design, construction and operations and maintenance, with the potential promise of endowing resilience, intelligence, greater efficiency and self-adaptiveness. Based on the findings of the review, four research directions are proposed: human-environment interactions, CB for sustainable building performance, CB concept for modular buildings and moving beyond CB.

Originality/value

This study stands out for comprehensively surveying the intellectual core and the landscape of the general body of knowledge on CPS/DTs for CB in the built environment. It makes a distinctive contribution to knowledge as it does not only propose CBSA by integrating CPS and DTs along with CC but also suggests some potential practical applications. These may require expert judgments and real case examples to enhance reproducibility and validation.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2023

Nils M. Høgevold, Rocio Rodríguez, Carmen Otero-Neira and Göran Svensson

The purpose of the study was to benchmark meta-analytical conceptualizations of business-to-business (B2B) seller skills against empirical evidence in services firms.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to benchmark meta-analytical conceptualizations of business-to-business (B2B) seller skills against empirical evidence in services firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a deductive approach and questionnaire survey focusing on a range of services firms from different industries and corporate sizes. A total of 389 questionnaires out of 732 were returned, generating a response rate of 53.1%.

Findings

The study aims to provide empirical evidence and structures relating to B2B sellers' capabilities in a seven-dimensional conceptualization, all of which can be used in services firms to improve their seller efficiency. Each seller skill dimension performs a different function in the sales services process.

Research limitations/implications

The authors conclude that the verified meta-analytical conceptualizations of B2B seller skills seem valid and reliable in services firms. Nevertheless, further research needs to be carried out, based on other company characteristics as well as industries.

Practical implications

It reduces the risk perceived by customers in B2B services settings through cultivating the sellers' capabilities, based on the seven-dimensional evidence of seller skills to enhance sales performance.

Originality/value

The study contributes to existing theory and previous studies by offering a foundation on which to structure sales performance indicators in services firms. Specifically, it contributes to structuring B2B seller skills across a selection of principal dimensions in B2B services settings.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 September 2023

Marta Giovannetti, Arun Sharma, Deva Rangarajan, Silvio Cardinali and Elena Cedrola

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to major sales strategy and process changes as many interactions migrated from face-to-face to virtual environments. The nature of the interactions…

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to major sales strategy and process changes as many interactions migrated from face-to-face to virtual environments. The nature of the interactions changed, and sales firms, the sales function and salespeople created new processes to excel in virtual environments. As sales processes evolve further, this paper aims to focus on understanding the enduring shifts in sales strategy and processes. In addition, this study seeks to understand the characteristics of enduring shifts and how they are distinct from temporary shifts.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the sales organizations and salespeople over the period from the start of the pandemic to early 2022. The authors interviewed 66 sales professionals from different countries and industries to better understand the temporary and enduring shifts in sales strategy and processes, adopting ad inductive and narrative approach.

Findings

There are four major findings. First, four key themes emerged: increased digitalization, resistance to digitalization, sales process changes and sales organization transformation. Second, changes are classified as temporary, permanent and accelerated changes. Third, some proposed changes were not supported. Finally, five findings were found that were not discussed in previous literature.

Originality/value

This paper finds distinctive findings that offer additional valuable insights that connect to and extend existing literature. These include emerging themes, classification shifts, unsupported proposed changes and unique findings.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 September 2023

Shehreen Amin Bhuiyan and Minhazul Abedin

The very criticism of public policy being rigid and generalized on one hand, and insouciant and noncustomizable on the other has to be addressed to cope up with the comingled…

Abstract

Purpose

The very criticism of public policy being rigid and generalized on one hand, and insouciant and noncustomizable on the other has to be addressed to cope up with the comingled economic, social and environmental challenges. Policies that fail the litmus test of changing and challenging conditions will run the risk of not achieving their purpose and obstructing the ability of citizens, communities and businesses. This paper draws the case of Bangladesh to explore the principles of adaptive policies in the surfacing of the recently adopted Digital Commerce Management Guide 2021 under the National Digital Commerce Policy, 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative paper that is based on both primary and secondary data. While secondary data on the policy crafted a strong call for increased adaptiveness, primary data extracted from the interviews presented several lacking and loopholes from respondents’ firsthand experiences. Based on secondary content and primary data from consumers and business owners of the most-used social commerce platform (a form of digital commerce), Facebook commerce, hereto referred to as F-commerce, this paper discusses the possible characteristics of adaptive policy-making for more innovative, contextual, gender-inclusive, efficient and environmentally sustainable policies.

Findings

The paper points out some reform and adjustment scope for the recently introduced digital commerce policy to make it more adaptive to the present and upcoming policy context.

Research limitations/implications

It must be mentioned that there is a dearth of research on digital commerce policy and the platform as a whole.

Originality/value

Hence, this paper offers a fresh perspective toward time befitting policy formulation in the digital commerce sector and set in motion the policy attention that this platform requires.

Details

Southeast Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1819-5091

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2023

Joby John and Ramendra Thakur

To reconceptualize the organizational environment in a comprehensive manner, it is important to specify not just the velocity but also other aspects of turbulent environments…

Abstract

Purpose

To reconceptualize the organizational environment in a comprehensive manner, it is important to specify not just the velocity but also other aspects of turbulent environments. Concurrently, the purpose of this paper is to also propose that organizational adaptability and, particularly, the speed of adaptations are critical to moderate the impact of turbulence in the environment on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a conceptual methodology to fully specify turbulent environments and commensurate managerial response appropriate for such environments. Based on a perspective borrowed from the field of fluid dynamics used to specify the phenomenon of turbulence, the authors develop a conceptual model with research propositions. Four dimensions that describe turbulence in fluid flow when applied metaphorically offer a comprehensive view of the organizational environment.

Findings

An extreme, unanticipated, sudden onslaught resulting in a prolonged disrupted environment such as during the recent coronavirus crisis is best characterized as having caused turbulent environmental conditions. Management theories have addressed disruptions as high-velocity environments in the context of rapid changes in information technology. With a broadened conceptualization of the organizational environment to better capture extreme disruptions, the authors provide a comprehensive model appropriate for turbulent environmental conditions and offer research directions for scholarly pursuit.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new perspective from the physical sciences to better conceptualize organizational environments during extreme disruptions such as in turbulent environmental conditions.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2022

Hasan Unver, Orkun Alptekin and Melike Kalkan

Adaptability studies in the literature include repetitive models and completely independent new model proposals. As a result of the evaluation of these studies, the lack of…

Abstract

Purpose

Adaptability studies in the literature include repetitive models and completely independent new model proposals. As a result of the evaluation of these studies, the lack of analysis studies based on a certain algorithm was determined. In this context, in this study, existing models are evaluated in order to contribute to future studies in the context of adaptability. This study is presented as a guide for new studies in the context of adaptability.

Design/methodology/approach

In the study, first of all, the change of the concept of adaptability in the historical process was investigated by literature review from 1958 to the present. Then, a comparative analysis of the existing adaptability models used in architecture between the years 2007–2020 was made in the context of the main and sub-criteria obtained in the literature research.

Findings

In the study, the concept of adaptability, the definition of building adaptability and the analysis of adaptability models were examined and findings were obtained under three main headings. The definition of adaptability takes place in the literature on a multidisciplinary scale. In the definition of adaptability, it should cover not only structural but also functional, economic, technological and performance-oriented strategies applied to structures. Although the theories examined within the scope of building adaptability are seen as a guide for future studies, they should be supported by examples that can be applied in a global context. In the study, 7 adaptability models determined by a semi-systematic literature review were analyzed. The matrices of the models based on the adaptability sub-criteria are discussed in the context of scenario, physical life, openness, physical use, barriers and obsolescence. The data obtained is a guide for the models to be used in the future within the scope of adaptability.

Originality/value

This study presents a semi-systematic analysis of the studies in the literature on the adaptability of structures. In this context, the study serves as a guide for adaptability models to be designed in the future.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Yixuan Zhao, Guangyuan He, Danxia Wei and Shuming Zhao

The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of digitalized transformation in organizations’ human resource management (HRM). This study summarizes three basic factors…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of digitalized transformation in organizations’ human resource management (HRM). This study summarizes three basic factors driving the digital transformation process in China: level of perception, level of application and speed of transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes the strategic transformation process of HRM in Haier, Hisense and Chambroad to explore the human resource digital transformation mechanism in Chinese enterprises.

Findings

The results of this study show that three HR value chain models can be constructed based on how well HRM deals with business: the efficiency-oriented HRM value chain, quasi-business-oriented HRM value chain and business-oriented HRM value chain. The basic factors – level of perception, level of application and speed of transformation – are observed in the entire HRM digital transformation process.

Originality/value

This study provides theoretical and empirical insights for enterprises to explore the value of digital technology in HRM and facilitate the digital transformation of HRM.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 November 2022

Anna Pistoni, Anna Arcari and Chiara Gigliarano

This study analyses the link between product/service innovation, partnerships and Managerial Control System (MCS). Particularly, it aims to analyse empirically the role of MCS in…

Abstract

Purpose

This study analyses the link between product/service innovation, partnerships and Managerial Control System (MCS). Particularly, it aims to analyse empirically the role of MCS in supporting the innovation partnership successful functioning and management.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of this study consists of 106 Italian manufacturing firms belonging to the sectors of the Italian economy with the largest number of registered patents according to the European trend chart on innovation.

Findings

The results show that MCS may play a key role in reducing risks and lowering the likelihood of failure of innovation partnerships. Particularly, the authors found a positive correlation between the use of informal control mechanisms and a partnership’s successful performance. Moreover, among informal control, the findings show that trust is the only true informal mechanism that can guarantee a successful collaboration. The results of this study may offer relevant implications for practitioners. With regard to the control of the partnership’s activities, the initiatives and creativity of those who are actively involved in the innovation process should not be inhibited; therefore, stifling them with strict rules and procedures would be ineffective but if a firm is not willing to give up formal control mechanisms altogether because it does not believe that a trust-based coordination is sufficiently reassuring, it should opt for “weak”, albeit formal, control mechanisms based on a shared production and management of plans and reports, thus ensuring a perfect information symmetry among different partners.

Originality/value

Notwithstanding the different opportunities provided by partnerships and strategic alliances to support there is a growing body of evidence of a high failure rate in such organisational forms. One of the causes cited in the literature is the high level of risk associated with alliances as compared to internal development of innovation. The risks mainly arise from the difficulties to obtain cooperation with partners that might have different objectives, and from the potential opportunistic behaviour of some of the partners. This is particularly true in innovation networks where the uncertainty of producing an interesting result is very high and the investments that the partners make are considerable. In this context, MCS could play a relevant role in reducing the risks and decreasing the likelihood of failure.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2024

Ashalakshmy Nair, Sini V. Pillai and S.A. Senthil Kumar

The study aims to investigate the integration of human and machine intelligence in Industry 4.0 (I4.0), particularly in the convergence of industrial revolutions 4.0 (IR4.0) and…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the integration of human and machine intelligence in Industry 4.0 (I4.0), particularly in the convergence of industrial revolutions 4.0 (IR4.0) and 5.0. It seeks to identify employee competencies aligned with industry 5.0 (I5.0) and propose a framework for deep multi-level cooperation to improve human integration within the intelligence system.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses bibliometric analysis to review 296 research papers retrieved from the Scopus database between 2002 and 2022. The prominence of the research is evaluated by analyzing the publication trend, sample statistics, theoretical foundation, commonly used keywords, thematic evolution, country-based contributions and top-cited documents.

Findings

The study observed that research in I5.0 has been limited in the past but has gained momentum since 2015. An analysis of research papers from 2002 to 2022 reveals a gradual shift toward human-centric practices. The literature on I4.0, the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud manufacturing, blockchain and big data analysis has been increasingly highlighting the growing importance of digitalization in the future. An increase in the number of countries contributing to the field of study has also been observed.

Originality/value

This analysis offers valuable insights for managers, policymakers, information technology (IT) developers and stakeholders in understanding and implementing human-centric practices in I5.0. It emphasizes staying current with trends, embracing workforce empowerment through reskilling and upskilling, and prioritizing data privacy and security in adaptable systems. These strategies contribute to developing effective, inclusive and ethically sound approaches aligned with the principles of I5.0.

Details

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

Keywords

1 – 10 of 36