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Open Access
Book part
Publication date: 1 May 2019

Ida Marie Tvedt and Kine Agnethe Dyb

This paper aims to highlight the need to place focus on ensuring soft factors in construction projects’ design management and to discuss whether soft factors are hidden success…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the need to place focus on ensuring soft factors in construction projects’ design management and to discuss whether soft factors are hidden success factors.

Design/Methodology/Approach

The presented data is a result of findings from two master theses. The approach is qualitative research and consists of nine semi-structured interviews with design managers and two case studies involving document analyses, meeting observations and descriptions of seven interviews.

Findings

This empirical study demonstrates that soft factors are considered important for design managers’ achievement of a successful design process. Focus on soft factors promotes good communication and will improve team performances. Factors are hidden because they are invisible and immeasurable. Furthermore, soft factors are not defined as assigned tasks and are, therefore, easily neglected. Designers are hesitant to explore the possibilities of new technology owing to the fear that they will forfeit human interaction.

Research Limitations/Implications

This paper is limited to the presentation of empirical findings. Therefore, theory is not a basis for the study but rather a framework for the discussion.

Practical Implications

The results in this paper broaden the understanding of human behaviour during the design phase. This knowledge should be considered when the project’s delivery model is designed as it will safeguard actor concerns during the ongoing technological transformation.

Originality/Value

This paper contributes knowledge of the view regarding soft factors among project actors. It expands the traditional understanding of value by adding soft factors to the traditional success measures of time, quality and cost.

Details

10th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organization
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-051-1

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 May 2023

Merja Halme, Anna-Maija Pirttilä-Backman and Trang Pham

Both governments and the food industry are interested in plant-based products. New products are advertised as climate-friendly, with plant-based materials increasingly replacing…

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Abstract

Purpose

Both governments and the food industry are interested in plant-based products. New products are advertised as climate-friendly, with plant-based materials increasingly replacing animal-based content. In Finland, oat milk dominates the plant-based milk market. The authors studied what features young and urban users of plant-based and cow's milk value in oat milk for coffee and how the preferences of the users relate to ethical food-choice motives.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 308 students filled in an e-questionnaire. The survey used best-worst scaling (BWS), a discrete choice approach, to measure the perceived values related to oat milk characteristics. The ethical motives were measured by a version of the Lindeman and Väänänen scale. Also the respondents' diets were asked. Preference clusters were identified and viewed with the ethical food-choice motives and diets.

Findings

The respondent group that exclusively used cow's milk attached more value to taste, added nutritional elements, discounts and recommendations by friends. The rest of the respondents attached more value to origin and sustainability-related features of oat milk. In the six-cluster solution, one extreme cluster was valuing taste and the other was valuing sustainability-related issues. All the ethical food-choice motives: ecological welfare, political values and religion were (roughly) the higher the cluster valued sustainability-related items. The respondents eating meat were more likely to belong to the clusters valuing taste than non-meat eaters that belong more likely to clusters valuing sustainability-related features.

Originality/value

Very few earlier studies have explored the heterogeneity of valuations of plant-based products and the products' relationship with ethical food-choice motives.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 December 2021

Laura Gonzalez

Academic innovation strives to benefit from an ample talent pool, and entrepreneurship and research competitions constitute an integral part of the effort. This prompts…

Abstract

Purpose

Academic innovation strives to benefit from an ample talent pool, and entrepreneurship and research competitions constitute an integral part of the effort. This prompts discussions about how to optimize the impact of interdisciplinary learning, especially for less-traditional participants. The main purpose of this article is to describe how synergies between research and business plan competitions can facilitate inclusive engagement and enhanced development of transferable skills.

Design/methodology/approach

A case illustration addresses the following questions: (1) what skills can be enhanced through a single project toward parallel participation in research and business plan competitions? (2) How can synergies between research and business plan competitions support more inclusive student development? The case illustration outlines the process and outcomes of an initiative with three first-gen business students, two female and two international.

Findings

The case illustration describes how synergies and alignments of deadliness between research and business plan competitions enhanced the learning process by facilitating more opportunities to showcase learning and receive feedback. In addition, the parallel preparation facilitated student inclusion by providing purposeful authentic practice in a project envisioned by the students. As a result of the 2019 learning experience, students and their employers continue to value in 2021 the effective development of transferable skills.

Originality/value

Previous studies examine independently entrepreneurship initiatives, science technology engineering arts and mathematics (STEAM) initiatives, transferable skills and pedagogy that support inclusive education. This manuscript describes the option of synergies between research and entrepreneurship competitions to support more inclusive student development. In addition, it provides recommendations for impact when scaling-up synergies.

Details

Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2397-7604

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 November 2022

Rui-Ting Huang

The primary purpose of this study is not only to examine the connections between self-determined motivation, attitudes toward change and participation in change, but also to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study is not only to examine the connections between self-determined motivation, attitudes toward change and participation in change, but also to explore the moderating impact of perceived organizational support on organizational change, and the mediating role of attitudes toward change in the link between perceived competence and participation in change.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from one semiconductor manufacturing company (study 1) and one logistics service company (study 2). Employees who experienced organizational change before were invited to finish the survey. The partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique and SPSS PROCESS (model 14) were utilized to analyze the data.

Findings

The study findings indicated that the perceived autonomy and relatedness were positively connected with perceived competence, which in turn would lead to better attitude toward change. Additionally, it was found that the perceived competence and attitude toward change would positively predict participation in change. More importantly, perceived organizational support would reinforce the positive relationship between attitude toward change and participation in change.

Originality/value

Although there are many organizational change reports, relatively little attention has been paid not only to the mediating role of attitudes toward change in the implication of organizational change but also to the moderating impact of perceived organizational support on the final success of organizational change.

研究目的

: 本研究的主要目的, 除了探討自決動機和對變革的態度兩者與參與變革的關係;也探究組織支持感對組織變革所起的緩和作用, 以及對變革的態度在感知的才能和參與變革兩者的關聯上所起的調節作用。

研究設計/方法/理念

: 有關的數據取自一間半導體製造商 (研究一) 和一間物流服務公司 (研究二) 。 曾體驗過組織變革的僱員被邀參與一項調查, 研究人員採用結構方程模式: 偏最小平方法 PLS-SEM、以及SPSS PROCESS (模型14), 來分析調查得來的數據。

研究結果

: 研究結果顯示、感知的自主和關聯性兩者與感知的才能有正關聯的關係, 而這反過來則會引來對變革有較良好的態度。研究結果亦顯示、感知的才能和對變革的態度兩者均能積極預測變革的參與;更重要的是、組織支持感會強化對變革的態度與參與變革之間的正關聯。

研究的原創性/價值

: 雖然有關組織變革的研究報告唯數不少, 惟於組織變革上的啟示而言, 探討對變革的態度所起的調節作用的研究實唯數不多, 而且、探討組織支持感對組織變革能否最終成功所起的緩和作用的研究似頗稀少。

Details

European Journal of Management and Business Economics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2444-8451

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 7 December 2021

Shaizatulaqma Kamalul Ariffin, Mohamad Fakhrul Reza Abd Rahman, Ali Mughal Muhammad and Qi Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key factors that explain intention to use e-wallet services (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, subjective…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key factors that explain intention to use e-wallet services (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, subjective norm, positive disconfirmation and perceived behavioral control). The moderating role of perceived value in the relationship between satisfaction and their intention to continue using the e-wallet is also examined.

Methodology

A total of 257 e-wallet users participated in an online survey and hypotheses were tested with SPSS/PLS-SEM.

Findings

The constructs technology acceptance model (TAM), theory of planned behavior (TPB) and user satisfaction affect intention to use. However, perceived value does not strengthen the relationship between user satisfaction and e-wallet usage intention.

Practical implications

The TAM, TPB and expectancy disconfirmation model (EDM) constructs help explain the use of e-wallet services. These results will help the providers of these services to understand user behavior and to design their marketing strategies more appropriately to ensure consumer satisfaction and their intention to use e-wallet services.

Originality

This study adopts a holistic and integrative approach to explain the continued use of e-wallet services. The model integrates three basic adoption theories: TAM, TPB and EDM.

Propósito

El propósito es investigar los factores clave que explican la intención de utilizar los servicios de monedero electrónico (utilidad percibida, facilidad de uso percibida, actitud, norma subjetiva y control conductual percibido). También se examina el papel moderador del valor percibido en la relación entre la satisfacción y su intención de seguir usando el monedero electrónico.

Metodología

257 usuarios de monederos electrónicos participaron en una encuesta online y las hipótesis fueron contrastadas con SPSS/PLS-SEM.

Hallazgos

los constructos TAM (modelo de aceptación de la tecnología), TPB (teoría del comportamiento planificado) y la satisfacción del usuario afectan a la intención de uso. Sin embargo, el valor percibido no refuerza la relación entre la satisfacción del usuario y la intención de uso del monedero electrónico.

Originalidad

Este estudio adopta un enfoque holístico e integrador para explicar el uso continuado de los servicios de monedero electrónico. El modelo integra tres teorías básicas de adopción: TAM, TPB y EDM (modelo de desconfirmación de expectativas).

Implicaciones prácticas

los constructos TAM, TPB y EDM permiten explicar el uso de los servicios de monedero electrónico. Estos resultados ayudarán a los proveedores de estos servicios a comprender el comportamiento de los usuarios y diseñar sus estrategias de marketing de forma más adecuada para garantizar la satisfacción del consumidor y su intención de utilizar los servicios de monedero electrónico.

目的

目的是研究解释使用电子钱包服务意向的关键因素(感知的有用性、感知的易用性、态度、主观规范和感知的行为控制)。此外, 还研究了感知价值在满意度和他们继续使用电子钱包的意向之间的调节作用。

方法

257名电子钱包用户参与了一项在线调查, 用SPSS/PLS-SEM对假设进行了检验。

研究结果

TAM(技术接受模型)、TPB(计划行为理论)和用户满意度影响使用意向。然而, 感知价值并没有加强用户满意度和电子钱包使用意向之间的关系。

原创性

本研究采用了一种整体和综合的方法来解释电子钱包服务的持续使用。该模型整合了三个基本的采用理论:TAM、TPB和EDM(期望不确认模型)。

实际意义

TAM、TPB和EDM构造有助于解释电子钱包服务的使用。这些结果将有助于电子钱包服务提供商了解用户行为, 并更恰当地设计他们的营销策略, 以确保消费者的满意度和他们使用电子钱包服务的意向。

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 August 2023

Meriam Trabelsi, Elena Casprini, Niccolò Fiorini and Lorenzo Zanni

This study analyses the literature on artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for the agri-food sector. This research aims to identify the current research streams, main…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study analyses the literature on artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for the agri-food sector. This research aims to identify the current research streams, main methodologies used, findings and results delivered, gaps and future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on 69 published contributions in the field of AI in the agri-food sector. It begins with a bibliographic coupling to map and identify the current research streams and proceeds with a systematic literature review to examine the main topics and examine the main contributions.

Findings

Six clusters were identified: (1) AI adoption and benefits, (2) AI for efficiency and productivity, (3) AI for logistics and supply chain management, (4) AI for supporting decision making process for firms and consumers, (5) AI for risk mitigation and (6) AI marketing aspects. Then, the authors propose an interpretive framework composed of three main dimensions: (1) the two sides of AI: the “hard” side concerns the technology development and application while the “soft” side regards stakeholders' acceptance of the latter; (2) level of analysis: firm and inter-firm; (3) the impact of AI on value chain activities in the agri-food sector.

Originality/value

This study provides interpretive insights into the extant literature on AI in the agri-food sector, paving the way for future research and inspiring practitioners of different AI approaches in a traditionally low-tech sector.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 April 2022

Linlin Xie, Ting Xu, Tianhao Ju and Bo Xia

The alienation of megaproject environmental responsibility (MER) behavior is destructive, but its mechanism has not been clearly depicted. Based on fraud triangle theory and the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The alienation of megaproject environmental responsibility (MER) behavior is destructive, but its mechanism has not been clearly depicted. Based on fraud triangle theory and the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method, this study explored the combined effect of antecedent factors on alienation of MER behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the fraud triangle theory and literature review, eight influencing factors associated with the alienation of MER behavior were first identified. Subsequently, the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was used in this study to reveal configurations influencing alienation of MER behavior.

Findings

The study found nine configurations of MER behavioral alienation antecedent factors, integrated into three types of driving modes, i.e. “economic pressure + learning effect,” “institutional defect + moral rejection,” and “information asymmetry + economic pressure + expectation pressure.”

Originality/value

By analyzing the configuration effects of various induced conditions, this study puts forward a comprehensive analysis framework to solve the alienation of MER behavior in the megaprojects and a practical strategy to control alienation of MER behavior.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 June 2023

Abdelaziz Hakimi, Rim Boussaada and Majdi Karmani

This paper aims to investigate the reciprocal nonlinear relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm performance (FP).

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the reciprocal nonlinear relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm performance (FP).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a sample of 814 European firms over the period 2008–2017. The Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model was performed as an econometric approach.

Findings

Firstly, results show a threshold effect in the CSR–FP relationships within the two directions. More specifically, the authors found that firms are more likely to engage in CSR by surpassing a threshold of 1.231% for return on assets (ROA) and 0.821% for Tobin’s Q ratio. Secondly, the authors also found that the impact of CSR on FP is positive and significant only if the environment, social and governance score surpasses the threshold of 56.780% when the dependent variable is ROA and 41.02% when Tobin’s Q ratio measures performance.

Research limitations/implications

A significant part of the literature supports the linear relationship between CSR and FP from the unique direction (CSR → FP). This study comes to fill this gap by assessing the possible nonlinear relationship. In addition, this nonlinear relationship is tested under the two directions. Therefore, defining the threshold of FP that allows companies to engage in CSR, on the one hand, and the threshold of engagement in CSR that improves FP, on the other hand, could be an exciting topic.

Practical implications

To get the full benefit from CSR effects, firms should be with better financial performance to be socially responsible.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, few studies have explored the nonlinear relationship between CSR and FP. In addition, this study raises the question of whether this relation is causal. The authors assess the two nonlinear relationships between CSR ? FP and FP ? CSR by determining the optimal thresholds.

研究目的

本文旨在探究企業社會責任 (以下簡稱企社責) 與公司業績之間的相互非線 性關係。

研究設計

研究所採用的樣本為814間歐洲公司, 涵蓋期為2008年至2017年。研究人 員使用縱橫平滑轉換模型、作為經濟計量方法和工具去進行研究。

研究結果

研究結果顯示、在有關的兩個方向內, 企社責與公司業績之間的關聯上是 存在著閾值效應的。更具體地說, 研究人員發現, 若企業的資產報酬率超過1.231%的 水平, 以及托賓的Q比率 (Tobin’s Q Ratio) 0.821%的水平的話, 它們會更願意承擔企 社責。其次, 研究結果亦顯示, 企社責對企業的業績會產生積極的影響; 另外, 只有 當資產報酬率是因變數、而環境、社會和公司治理的分數 (ESGS) 超過56.780%, 以 及當托賓的Q比率用來測量績效、而數值為41.02%時, 企社責對企業的業績所產生的 影響會較為顯著。

研究的啟示

過去的學術文獻、大部份都是以唯一的方向 (企社責 ->公司業績) 去確認 企社責與企業業績之間的線性關係。本研究評估了兩者之間可能存在的非線性關係; 而且, 這非線性關係是在有關的兩個方向下而進行測試的; 因此, 本研究一方面給可 讓公司以企社責的精神和理念去營運的企業業績的閾值下了定義; 另一方面, 又給參 與企社責為公司帶來業績的改善的閾值下了定義。這均為令人興奮的課題。

實務方面的啟示

企業若想取得因參與企社責而帶來的完全好處, 它們必須擁有更佳 的財務績效、以能盡其社會責任。

研究的原創性

盡我們所知, 探究企社責與企業業績之間的非線性關係的研究實在不 多; 而且, 本研究對這兩者的關係是否是因果關係提出了質疑; 就此, 我們藉著釐定 最佳的相對閾值、來評估企社責 ->企業業績與企業業績 ->企社責之間的兩個非線性的 關係。

Details

European Journal of Management and Business Economics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2444-8451

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 December 2020

Himanshu Singla, Amandeep Singh and Pooja Mehta

Based on the job demands–resources (JD-R) model, this study aims to answer a key research question, i.e. can the job characteristics (i.e. job demands and resources) affect…

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Abstract

Purpose

Based on the job demands–resources (JD-R) model, this study aims to answer a key research question, i.e. can the job characteristics (i.e. job demands and resources) affect intention to retire early? Additionally, a mediating effect of emotional exhaustion and organizational commitment on the relationships of job demands and job resources, respectively, with early retirement intentions has been explored in the study.

Design/methodology/approach

The data has been collected from survey of 450 employees from the banking sector in the state of Punjab (India). A structured questionnaire adapted from past literature has been used as survey instrument for the study. Partial least squares structural equation modelling has been applied in the study using latest version of SmartPLS (version 3.2.8) software.

Findings

Both job resources and job demands have a direct significant impact on early retirement intentions. Moreover, a significant partial mediation effect of emotional exhaustion and affective organizational commitment has also been found out on the relationship of job demands and job resources with early retirement intentions, respectively.

Originality/value

The study makes incremental contribution by highlighting the role of both deterrent and motivational factors that either instigate or discourage early retirement intentions among employees. It offers valuable insights for the organizations to use efforts for curtailing the excessive job demands that lead to emotional exhaustion and further result in early retirement intentions. Besides this, adequate job resources should be provided to the employees that lead to the development of affective organizational commitment, which further helps in sustaining the workforce until their actual retirement age.

Details

Organization Management Journal, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN:

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 October 2019

Li Xuemei, Yun Cao, Junjie Wang, Yaoguo Dang and Yin Kedong

Research on grey systems is becoming more sophisticated, and grey relational and prediction analyses are receiving close review worldwide. Particularly, the application of grey…

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Abstract

Purpose

Research on grey systems is becoming more sophisticated, and grey relational and prediction analyses are receiving close review worldwide. Particularly, the application of grey systems in marine economics is gaining importance. The purpose of this paper is to summarize and review literature on grey models, providing new directions in their application in the marine economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper organized seminal studies on grey systems published by Chinese core journal database – CNKI, Web of Science and Elsevier from 1982 to 2018. After searching the aforementioned database for the said duration, the authors used the CiteSpace visualization tools to analyze them.

Findings

The authors sorted the studies according to their countries/regions, institutions, keywords and categories using the CiteSpace tool; analyzed current research characteristics on grey models; and discussed their possible applications in marine businesses, economy, scientific research and education, marine environment and disasters. Finally, the authors pointed out the development trend of grey models.

Originality/value

Although researches are combining grey theory with fractals, neural networks, fuzzy theory and other methods, the applications, in terms of scope, have still not met the demand. With the increasingly in-depth research in marine economics and management, international marine economic research has entered a new period of development. Grey theory will certainly attract scholars’ attention, and its role in marine economy and management will gain considerable significance.

Details

Marine Economics and Management, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-158X

Keywords

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