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Companies allowing employees to self-report business expenses face the risk of expense fraud because some occasionally engage in dishonest behavior to receive reimbursements for their use. Drawing on the technology acceptance model, this study aims to investigate the effects of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived security on the trust in e-reimbursement systems and the relationship with honest disclosure intention.

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 254 respondents, with the partial least squares structural equation modeling used to analyze the data.

The findings showed that perceived security and perceived usefulness explained trust in e-reimbursement systems, whereas perceived ease of use had no significant effect on it. Corporate governance and trust in e-reimbursement systems have a positive relationship with whistleblowing intention. At the same time, corporate governance mediates the relationship between trust in e-reimbursement systems and honest disclosure intention.

This study sheds light on using e-reimbursement systems within organizations to prevent fraudulent reimbursements and offers recommendations to management on enhancing employees’ intention to engage in honest disclosure behavior through e-reimbursement systems.

The core of the successful implementation of the integrated project delivery (IPD) mode is to establish a high-quality relationship of cooperation, trust and sharing among participants. This paper proposes recommendations to improve the relationship quality of participants from the owner's perspective. The results provide the theoretical basis and practical guidance for the popularization and application of the IPD mode.

This paper analyzes the dynamic relationship among participants in IPD mode based on supply chain theory and similarity theory. A tripartite game model of the owner, designer and the contractor is constructed to obtain the evolutionary equilibrium strategies under different parameter constraints. Then, numerical simulations under various scenarios are conducted to explore the dynamic evolution and the influencing factors of the relationship quality among the participant in the IPD mode.

The results show that (1) the relationship quality under certain conditions gradually improves as the project progresses until stable and high-quality cooperation is formed and (2) the owner's positive supervision cost, the distribution coefficient of incentive and punishment of participants and the scale of incentive pool are important factors influencing the relationship quality.

This study incorporates the following three innovations. First, analyzing the relationship quality among the participants of IPD mode based on supply chain theory. Second, the evolutionary game theory is applied to the relationship quality analysis. Third, conclusion innovation. The authors conclude that the relationship quality may progress, decrease or cycle with the progress of the project and targeted recommendations are presented based on the results.

In developing countries, construction organizations are seeking to effectively implement green innovation strategies. Thus, this study aims to assess the importance of green innovation practices and develop a measurement model for quantifying the green innovation degrees of construction firms.

A mixed-methods research approach is adopted. First, an extensive literature review is performed to identify potential green innovation items, which are then used to design a preliminary questionnaire. Next, expert interviews are conducted to pilot-test this questionnaire. Subsequently, by using a convenience non-probability sampling method, 88 valid responses are collected from construction firms in Vietnam. Then, one-sample and independent-samples t tests are employed to assess the importance of green innovation practices. Fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) is also applied to quantitatively compare such practices. Finally, green innovation level (GIL) is proposed to measure the green innovation indexes and validated by a case study of seven construction firms.

This study identifies 13 green innovation variables, of which several key practices are highlighted for small/medium and large construction firms. The results of FSE analysis indicate that green process innovation is the most vital green category in construction firms, followed by green product and management innovations, respectively. As a quantitative measure, GIL could allow construction firms to frequently evaluate their green innovation indexes, thereby promoting green innovation practices comprehensively. Hence, construction firms would significantly enhance green competitive advantages and increasingly contribute to green and sustainable construction developments.

This research is one of the first attempts to integrate various green innovation practices into a comprehensive formulation. The established indexes offer detailed green innovation evaluations, which could be considered as valuable references for construction practitioners. Furthermore, a reliable and practical tool (i.e. GIL) is proposed to measure the GILs of construction firms in developing countries.

Obtaining building permit certificate is an essential component of construction endeavors, but it can be cumbersome sometimes. The process is frequently beset with obstacles, including bureaucratic impediments, red-tapism, prolonged authorization protocols and insufficient inter-agency collaboration which result in project timeline extension, cost escalation and applicant dissatisfaction. Therefore, this study aims to examine customer satisfaction with the assessment of building construction permit certificates in Lalitpur, Nepal.

Following the notion of evaluation model theory, this study adopts an explanatory research design to determine the causal relationship between latent and observed variables. People who have recently completed the construction of their building and those people whose construction work is pending make up the population for the study. A total of 198 samples were collected by following the convenience sampling method from Lalitpur, Nepal. The primary data are collected by using the structured questionnaire with the interview process where the data are statistically evaluated using descriptive and inferential analysis using the KOBO toolbox, SPSS and AMOS. The connection between variables was examined using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results indicate that the negligence of the employees, the attitude of the employees, the need for additional costs and the hiring of the agent are the most significant obstacles encountered by customers during the process of getting construction permit. Regarding the whole assessment system, the general population expresses displeasure. SEM results indicate that environment and quality are significantly related to customer satisfaction.

This paper's novelty lies in its Nepal-specific inquiry into the relationship between building permit acquisition procedures and customer contentment. The study provides a distinctive viewpoint on this context by combining evaluation model theory and SEM. The localized approach emphasizes the importance of customized strategies to improve customer satisfaction, adding to the current literature on the subject. The study's use of SEM as a quantitative analysis tool enhances its methodological rigor. This interdisciplinary research offers valuable insights for academics, practitioners and policymakers in Nepal and contributes to the wider field of construction and customer satisfaction.

The purpose of this article is to prepare graphene/polyimide composite materials for use as bearing cage materials, improving the friction and wear performance of bearing cages.

The oil absorption and discharge tests were conducted to evaluate the oil content properties of the materials, while the mechanical properties were analyzed through cross-sectional morphology examination. Investigation into the tribological behavior and wear mechanisms encompassed characterization and analysis of wear trace morphology in PPI-based materials. Consequently, the influence of varied graphene nanoplatelets (GN) concentrations on the oil content, mechanical and tribological properties of PPI-based materials was elucidated.

The composites exhibit excellent oil-containing properties due to the increased porosity of PPI-GN composites. The robust formation of covalent bonds between GN and PPI amplifies the adhesive potency of the PPI-GN composites, thereby inducing a substantial enhancement in impact strength. Notably, the PPI-GN composites showed enhanced lubrication properties compared to PPI, which was particularly evident at a GN content of 0.5 Wt.%, as evidenced by the minimization of the average coefficient of friction and the width of the abrasion marks.

This paper includes implications for elucidating the wear mechanism of the polyimide composites under frictional wear conditions and then to guide the optimization of oil content and tribological properties of polyimide bearing cage materials.

In this paper, homogeneously dispersed PPI-GN composites were effectively synthesized by introducing GN into a polyimide matrix through in situ polymerization, and the lubrication mechanism of the PPI composites was compared with that of the PPI-GN composites to illustrate the composites’ superiority.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-12-2023-0415

The primary objective of this study is to ascertain how Metaverse technologies, primarily virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), redefine tourism experiences. It aims to delve into the capabilities of these technologies in eliminating conventional physical and economic barriers and enabling virtual exploration of destinations. Additionally, this study seeks to understand how tourism enterprises can leverage Metaverse technologies for operational efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction.

This research uses a two-pronged methodological approach, incorporating bibliometric analysis techniques and a systematic literature review. Bibliometric analysis provides a quantitative assessment of existing literature, identifying key trends, authors and publications in the domain of Metaverse tourism. Concurrently, this systematic literature review qualitatively evaluates the content and context of these studies, focussing on the applications of VR and AR in tourism as well as the managerial and consumer implications therein.

The findings reveal a significant uptick in literature production in the Metaverse tourism domain post-2018, indicating a burgeoning interest in this field. Metaverse facilitates a unique blend of engaging and personalised tourism experiences from the comfort of one’s home. Moreover, tourism enterprises stand to gain from streamlined booking processes and to improve operational efficiency, which in turn augments customer satisfaction.

This research is confined to the analysis of the existing literature and does not involve primary data collection, which could limit the comprehensiveness of the insights. Moreover, the nascent stage of Metaverse technology in tourism presents a challenge in deriving conclusive implications. This study underscores the need for further empirical research to validate the theoretical frameworks discussed and explore the long-term implications of Metaverse technologies in the tourism sector.

Metaverse opens avenues for tourism enterprises to enhance their customer engagement and operational efficiency. It offers a novel platform for immersive and personalised travel experiences, thereby potentially increasing the market reach and customer satisfaction. The streamlined processes facilitated by Metaverse could also lead to cost reduction and increased profitability for tourism enterprises.

The integration of Metaverse technologies could democratise travel experiences, allowing individuals who might be economically or physically constrained to virtually explore global destinations. However, it also raises concerns regarding the digital divide and potential loss of authentic human interactions and cultural exchanges that traditionally characterise tourism.

This study is among the pioneering efforts to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse the burgeoning field of metaverse tourism. By amalgamating bibliometric analysis with a systematic literature review, it unveils the potential of Metaverse technologies in transcending conventional tourism paradigms, presenting a comprehensive understanding of the practical, managerial and consumer-centric implications therein.

本研究采用了双管齐下的方法, 既有文献计量分析技术, 又有系统的文献综述。文献计量分析对现有文献进行定量评估, 确定元旅游领域的主要趋势、作者和出版物。同时, 系统性文献综述对这些作品的内容和背景进行了定性评估, 重点关注虚拟现实（VR）和增强现实（AR）在旅游业中的应用以及对管理和消费者的影响。

本研究的主要目的是确定元宇宙技术（主要是 VR 和 AR）如何重新定义旅游体验。研究旨在深入探讨这些技术在消除传统物理和经济障碍以及实现目的地虚拟探索方面的能力。此外, 本研究还试图了解旅游企业如何利用元数据技术提高运营效率和客户满意度。

研究结果表明, 2018 年后, Metaverse 旅游领域的文献产量大幅上升, 表明人们对这一领域的兴趣日益浓厚。Metaverse 可以让人们在家中就能享受到独特的个性化旅游体验。此外, 旅游企业可从简化预订流程和提高运营效率中获益, 进而提高客户满意度。

本研究仅限于对现有文献的分析, 不涉及原始数据收集, 这可能会限制研究见解的全面性。此外, Metaverse 技术在旅游业中的应用尚处于起步阶段, 这对得出结论性影响提出了挑战。本研究强调有必要开展进一步的实证研究, 以验证所讨论的理论框架, 并探索元数据技术在旅游业中的长期影响。

Metaverse 为旅游企业提高客户参与度和运营效率开辟了道路。它为身临其境的个性化旅游体验提供了一个新颖的平台, 从而有可能提高市场覆盖率和客户满意度。Metaverse 推动的简化流程还可降低旅游企业的成本, 提高其盈利能力。

Metaverse 技术的整合可以使旅游体验平民化, 让经济或身体条件有限的人也能以虚拟方式探索全球旅游目的地。然而, 它也引发了人们对数字鸿沟的担忧, 以及对传统旅游业所特有的真实人际互动和文化交流的潜在损失的担忧。

本研究是定量和定性分析新兴的 Metaverse 旅游领域的开创性研究之一。通过将文献计量学分析与系统的文献综述相结合, 本研究揭示了元数据技术在超越传统旅游范式方面的潜力, 并对其中的实用、管理和以消费者为中心的含义提出了全面的理解。

Esta investigación utiliza un enfoque metodológico doble, que incorpora técnicas de análisis bibliométrico y una revisión sistemática de la literatura. El análisis bibliométrico proporciona una evaluación cuantitativa de la literatura existente, identificando tendencias, autores y publicaciones clave en el ámbito del turismo en el Metaverso. Al mismo tiempo, la revisión sistemática de la literatura evalúa cualitativamente el contenido y el contexto de estos trabajos, centrándose en las aplicaciones de la Realidad Virtual (RV) y la Realidad Aumentada (RA) en el turismo, así como en sus implicaciones para la gestión y el consumidor.

El objetivo principal de este estudio es determinar cómo las tecnologías asociadas al Metaverso, principalmente la RV y la RA, redefinen las experiencias turísticas. Pretende profundizar en las capacidades de estas tecnologías para eliminar las barreras físicas y económicas convencionales y permitir la exploración virtual de los destinos. Además, este estudio pretende entender cómo las empresas turísticas pueden aprovechar las tecnologías relacionadas con el Metaverso para mejorar la eficiencia operativa y la satisfacción del cliente.

Los resultados revelan un aumento significativo en la producción de literatura en el ámbito del turismo en el Metaverso desde el año 2018, lo que indica un creciente interés en este campo. El Metaverso facilita una combinación única de experiencias turísticas atractivas y personalizadas desde la comodidad del hogar. Además, las empresas turísticas se benefician de la agilización de los procesos de reserva y la mejora de la eficiencia operativa, lo que a su vez aumenta la satisfacción del cliente.

La investigación se limita al análisis de la bibliografía existente y no incluye la recopilación de datos primarios, lo que podría limitar la exhaustividad de las conclusiones. Además, el estado incipiente de la tecnología relacionada con el Metaverso en el turismo supone un reto a la hora de extraer implicaciones concluyentes. Este estudio subraya la necesidad de realizar más estudios empíricos para validar los marcos teóricos discutidos y explorar las implicaciones a largo plazo de estas tecnologías en el sector turístico.

El Metaverso abre vías para que las empresas turísticas mejoren su compromiso con el cliente y su eficiencia operativa. Ofrece una plataforma novedosa para experiencias de viaje inmersivas y personalizadas, con lo que aumenta potencialmente el alcance del mercado y la satisfacción del cliente. La racionalización de los procesos facilitados por el Metaverso también podría conducir a la reducción de costes y al aumento de la rentabilidad de las empresas turísticas.

La integración de las tecnologías relacionadas con el Metaverso podría democratizar las experiencias de viaje, permitiendo a personas con limitaciones económicas o físicas explorar virtualmente destinos globales. Sin embargo, también suscita preocupación en relación con la brecha digital y la posible pérdida de interacciones humanas auténticas e intercambios culturales que tradicionalmente caracterizan al turismo.

Este estudio es uno de los pioneros en analizar cuantitativa y cualitativamente el creciente campo del turismo en el Metaverso. Amalgamando el análisis bibliométrico con una revisión sistemática de la literatura, desvela el potencial de las tecnologías relacionadas con el Metaverso para sacar a la luz los paradigmas turísticos convencionales, presentando una comprensión exhaustiva de sus implicaciones prácticas, de gestión y centradas en el consumidor.

Studies focusing on the growth of indigenous construction firms (ICFs) are getting dated, and unreflective of recent policy changes in developing countries. This study sought to analyze critical barriers to the growth of ICFs and obtain an unsupervised parsimonious grouping of the barriers for policy improvements.

A mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods was adopted for the study. ICFs in Nigeria were cross-sectionally surveyed based on a set of firm growth barriers obtained from literature and refined by focus group discussion. Descriptive (means, standard deviations, percentages) and inferential (Kruskal-Wallice and Mann-Whitney U test) statistics were used in the analyses of the data. Factor analysis was used to group the variables.

Results showed that “declining” ICFs are more negatively impacted by low construction mechanization/use of labor intensive methods, inadequate geographical reach of operations, and inadequate flow of jobs/low demand than “stunted” and “growing” ICFs. The three main domains of critical barriers to the growth of ICFs were identified in descending order of importance as low patronage, difficulty accessing funds, and business management incapacity.

The study recommends improvements in access to funds for ICFs by increasing the percentage of advance payments, and creating a pool of equipment for easy hire by ICFs. ICFs are advised to seek information on tendering opportunities outside their regions of domicile in order to increase their patronage.

This study reveals differences in the impacts of growth barriers on ICFs at different growth levels. This study also clarifies persisting barriers to the growth of ICFs [primarily construction micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)] from a developing country perspective using a longer list of variables.

The mega railway infrastructure projects are faced with complex environments and multi-level management challenges. Thus, the mega railway infrastructure project management system not only needs to focus on its composition, but also needs to consider changes and impacts of internal and external environment.

This study attempts to introduce the concept of dissipative structure from the perspective of complexity theory and constructs a positive entropy and negentropy flow index system for mega railway infrastructure project management system in order to analyze the factors of management system more deeply. The Brusselator model is used to construct the structure of the mega railway infrastructure project management system, and the entropy method is used to calculate the positive entropy and negentropy values to verify whether the management system is a dissipative structure.

A plateau railway project in China was used as an example for an empirical study, not only its own characteristics are analyzed, but also the role of constraints and facilitation of the internal and external environment. Based on the research results, several effective suggestions are put forward to improve the stability and work efficiency of mega railway infrastructure project management system.

This study demonstrates that mega railway infrastructure project management system has the characteristics of dissipative structure. It can provide theoretical support for the development of mega railway infrastructure project management system from disorderly state to orderly state.

The emergence of virtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including tourism, as it delivers a simulated environment that closely emulates real-life experiences. Therefore, this study aims to explore how the factors, i.e. enjoyment, emotional involvement, flow state, perceived privacy risk, physical risk and cost, influence the customers’ intention to use VR for tourism.

This study integrates the technology acceptance model, hedonic consumption theory with other factors, including cognitive response, authenticity, perceived privacy risk, perceived physical risk, perceived cost and perceived presence. Partial least squares structural equation modelling approach was used to test the proposed research model.

The finding based on the sample of 252 respondents revealed that authenticity is the most influential factor impacting behavior intention followed by perceived cost, attitude, cognitive response and enjoyment. Also, the study supported the moderating impact of personal innovativeness between attitude and behavioral intention to use VR for tourism.

The findings of the study offers practical implications for service providers, site managers, destination marketers, tourist organizations and policymaker to develop more effective strategies for offering VR services for tourism.

This study enriches the current understanding of VR adoption in context of tourism with empirical evidences.

The construction industry is an industry which has gained notoriety when it comes to both physical and mental health problems. Compared to other industries, the construction sector has a higher prevalence of many stressors and mental health concerns. This calls for mechanisms to cope with these concerns. One coping mechanism propounded to help cope and adapt in the face of pressures and challenges is “Mental Toughness (MT)”. While mental toughness has been widely studied in various fields, there is a paucity of comprehensive research examining its significance among construction professionals. Thus, the motivation of this study is to establish the mental toughness characteristics among construction professionals in Ghana.

The construction industry is an industry which has gained notoriety when it comes to both physical and mental health problems. Compared to other industries, the construction sector has a higher prevalence of mental health concerns. One coping mechanism propounded to help cope and adapt in the face of pressures and challenges is “Mental Toughness (MT)”. While mental toughness has been widely studied in various fields, there is a paucity of comprehensive research examining its significance among construction professionals. Thus, the motivation of this study is to establish the mental toughness characteristics among construction professionals.

the study's findings revealed 13-factor model characteristics of mental toughness with 43 variables for mentally tough performers in the construction environment. These 13-factor models include Pressure Management (PM), Motivation (M), Emotional Intelligence (EI), Interpersonal self-belief (SB), Tough Attitude (TA), Job-related self-belief (SBB), Ethical Values (EV), Commitment (C), Focus (F), Optimism (OP), Expertise and Competence (EC), Imagery Control (IC) and Resilient (R).

The outcome of this study has significant practical implications for various stakeholders. For construction professionals the identified factors provide valuable insights into the psychological attributes and behaviours that contribute to mental toughness among construction professionals. Understanding these characteristics can empower professionals to develop strategies for coping with stress, maintaining focus, and fostering resilience in challenging construction environments to achieve optimum performance levels consistently.

The originality of this study's findings stems from the fact that it is among the first to provide greater insight into mental toughness characteristics considered by professionals (quantity surveyors, construction managers, engineers, project managers, architects, estate managers) in the construction industry.