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1 – 10 of 33Amna Siddique, Tanveer Hussain, Waseem Ibrahim, Zulfiqar Ali Raza and Sharjeel Abid
This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as an efficient discharging agent for indigo-dyed denim fabrics and identification of key…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as an efficient discharging agent for indigo-dyed denim fabrics and identification of key variables for its cost-efficient implication.
Design/methodology/approach
Response surface methodology, which is a statistical technique for the optimization of process variables, was used to study the effect of three key variables, i.e. KMnO4 concentration, printing paste pH and reaction time on whiteness and strength of discharged printed fabric. Regression models were developed to predict response variables, i.e whiteness, tensile strength and tear strength of discharge printed denim.
Findings
It was found that some captivating discharge printing effects could be produced using appropriate KMnO4 concentration, printing paste pH and reaction time without any significant loss in the fabric strength.
Practical implications
This study highlights the practical implication of KMnO4 to be used as a safe and effective discharging agent under different conditions and to optimize the parameters using statistical analysis to ensure minimum loss in textile properties. The use of denim has evolved over the decades from a rough and tough workwear to highly fashionable apparel. Various dry and wet processing techniques have been introduced in recent years for the value-addition of denim – discharge printing is one of them. As lab to bulk reproducibility requires some sort of experience and adjustments in main parameters, the practical feasibility on the bulk scale should be adjusted in advance by means of the lab scale experimentation.
Originality/value
The KMnO4 oxidation process is considered eco-friendly because manganese dioxide, which is formed when permanganate is reduced, can be recycled. Thus, the use of KMnO4 can be considered as an eco-friendly safe process for the discharging of indigo dyes.
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Dora Yeboah, Masud Ibrahim and Kingsley Agyapong
This study aims to investigate the drivers that motivate employees and guests' hotel service participation to understand how that can influence the implementation of Value…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the drivers that motivate employees and guests' hotel service participation to understand how that can influence the implementation of Value Co-Creation (VCC) in sub-Saharan African context.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an interpretive paradigm, the study draws on 32 in-depth interviews, 6 focus group discussions involving 32 participants and participant observation field notes. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
The study unravels nine motives that drive employee–guest VCC participation: passion, relationship, belongingness, shared and enhanced experiences, satisfaction, reputation development, openness, communication and rewards.
Research limitations/implications
This exploratory, cross-sectional study was undertaken in hotels within sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, findings cannot be generalised. However, it provides an opportunity for future quantitative approaches within different contexts involving other stakeholders.
Practical implications
Considering the numerous challenges from COVID-19 pandemic on the service industry, hotel managers might want to use the findings to not only formulate policies that support employee–guest co-creation for service improvement and survival but also introduce enhanced innovative service practices that deliver on employee and guest service expectations for retention. The findings encourage hotel managers to identify employee and guest context-specific motivations to be able to match with value-driven service activities, aimed at attracting positive behaviours to better respond to the numerous COVID-19-related challenges.
Originality/value
This work adds to the VCC literature by investigating the collective and individual drivers at the employee and guest dyadic level within sub-Saharan African hotel context. The authors propose a comprehensive model to guide the successful implementation of employee–guest VCC.
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Yuling Ran, Wei Bai, Lingwei Kong, Henghui Fan, Xiujuan Yang and Xuemei Li
The purpose of this paper is to develop an appropriate machine learning model for predicting soil compaction degree while also examining the contribution rates of three…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an appropriate machine learning model for predicting soil compaction degree while also examining the contribution rates of three influential factors: moisture content, electrical conductivity and temperature, towards the prediction of soil compaction degree.
Design/methodology/approach
Taking fine-grained soil A and B as the research object, this paper utilized the laboratory test data, including compaction parameter (moisture content), electrical parameter (electrical conductivity) and temperature, to predict soil degree of compaction based on five types of commonly used machine learning models (19 models in total). According to the prediction results, these models were preliminarily compared and further evaluated.
Findings
The Gaussian process regression model has a good effect on the prediction of degree of compaction of the two kinds of soils: the error rates of the prediction of degree of compaction for fine-grained soil A and B are within 6 and 8%, respectively. As per the order, the contribution rates manifest as: moisture content > electrical conductivity >> temperature.
Originality/value
By using moisture content, electrical conductivity, temperature to predict the compaction degree directly, the predicted value of the compaction degree can be obtained with higher accuracy and the detection efficiency of the compaction degree can be improved.
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Waseem Ahmad Parray, Mohammed Ayub Soudager, Zubair Ahmad Dada, Effat Yasmin and Tanveer Ahmad Darzi
Many tourism academics have investigated the linkages between tourism, power and space; few have specifically addressed the profound links between tourism and geopolitics. In view…
Abstract
Purpose
Many tourism academics have investigated the linkages between tourism, power and space; few have specifically addressed the profound links between tourism and geopolitics. In view of the restrictive assumptions of the linear framework used in the earlier studies, and hidden asymmetries present in the time series data. Against this backdrop, the study tries to find out how tourists may respond differently to favourable and unfavourable shocks in geopolitical risk (GPR).
Design/methodology/approach
In order to capture this asymmetric nature of the problem, the study employs the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model to evaluate data from 2001Q1 to 2019Q4.
Findings
The results show that both positive and negative shock to GPR does not produce results of equal magnitude. A positive shock to GPR has a more detrimental effect on foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) than a beneficial effect a negative shock produces. Besides this, the present study also looks at the effect of other macro-economic variables on FTA. An ascend in the real effective exchange rate (REER) i.e. appreciation of the domestic currency has an unfavourable impact on foreign visitor arrivals, while an increase in world gross domestic product amplify it. The results of the study are robust to alternative measures of the control variable.
Practical implications
The study is significant for policymakers in understanding the short and long-run implications of GPR on FTA in India. The present study can assist policymakers, and destination managers to manage the external and internal risks and minimise the consequences of geopolitical threats on the Indian tourism industry. Consequently, destination managers can utilise the study's findings in calibrating their operations and designing crisis marketing strategies within the geopolitical dynamics of the Indian state.
Originality/value
The study tries to find out how tourists may exhibit distinct reactions to positive and negative disturbances in GPR. The study provides first-hand evidence of how GPR impacts tourism demand. The paper also includes the existing body of literature related to GPR factors and their effect on tourist influx, specifically in the framework of the Indian tourism sector.
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Siti Noratisah Mohd Nafi, Mathivannan Jaganathan and Mohd Abidzar Zainol Abidin
The world we are living today is faced with social challenges that call for radical innovation. The rapid pace of technological developments played a key role in delivering social…
Abstract
The world we are living today is faced with social challenges that call for radical innovation. The rapid pace of technological developments played a key role in delivering social developments in a cautious manner that will ensure a promising future for social capital. Social innovation is a phenomenon that is put forward to urge countries to find solution to address the recurring problems of social inequalities that were not able to be eliminated by the existing rules and policies. It involves understanding the complexity of the society ecosystem and task calls for a partnership and networks between the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. This chapter explains how Malaysia utilizes public–private partnership to promote social innovations in the country. Through the 11th Malaysia Plan, Malaysia envisages to put forward the well-being and development of the people through social innovation to balance between the social and economic development. In order to fulfill this aim, Malaysia has implemented various programs and policies through the social innovation ecosystem that has been formed. The ecosystem is comprised of four initiatives, which includes microfinancing; social entrepreneurship; public service delivery; and grassroots innovation of science and technology. These initiatives will be collaboratively developed using the concept of 4P, which is the public, private, people, and professionals. Each of this initiative is discussed thoroughly in this chapter alongside with the programs and policies that have been carried out since then. Additionally, the chapter also includes the discussion on the issues and challenges that could be seen and presumed to be the hindrance to the success of the social innovation development.
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Mohammed Awad Alshahrani, Muhammad Zafar Yaqub and Mahmoud Abdulhadi Alabdali
Based on the intellectual capital (IC) theory and the resource-based view (RBV), the paper seeks to elucidate the direct and indirect relationships between IC and competitive…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the intellectual capital (IC) theory and the resource-based view (RBV), the paper seeks to elucidate the direct and indirect relationships between IC and competitive advantage in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Therewithal, besides examining the mediating role of innovation capabilities in the IC-competitiveness link, it scrutinizes the moderating effect of entrepreneurial orientation in causing IC to boost competitiveness in SMEs through flourishing innovation capabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 206 participants working in SMEs operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the help of a structured questionnaire distributed through LinkedIn. Partial least square (PLS)-based structural equation modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS 4.0 has been performed to calibrate the auxiliary and structural models.
Findings
Based on the empirical analysis, IC significantly and directly enhances the competitive advantages of SMEs. Additionally, innovative capability has been found to be a complementary partial mediating condition in enabling IC to foster competitiveness in SMEs. Furthermore, the moderated mediation analysis reveals that innovation capabilities strongly mediate the association between IC and competitiveness in SMEs, characterizing higher entrepreneurial orientation.
Research limitations/implications
The study provides significant insights to academicians and practitioners seeking to comprehend or configure interactions among IC, innovation capabilities, and entrepreneurial orientation in maturing competitiveness among SMEs, especially in emerging economies. Furthermore, the study provides a valuable integrative perspective on SMEs’ competitiveness by involving three voguish constituents of contemporary scholarly discourse grounded into the leading underpinning theoretical perspectives, such as IC theory, RBV, and entrepreneurship theory.
Originality/value
The uniqueness of this model lies in its rich theory-laden conceptualization and explanation that could extend theoretical debate and managerial action to the next levels.
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David A. Makin, Mary K. Stohr, Jacelyn Unger, Ethan Howell, Megan Parks, Dale Willits and Craig Hemmens
The paper examines “lessons learned” from the COVID-19 pandemic by capturing the organizational and operational experiences of police departments in the state of Washington across…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper examines “lessons learned” from the COVID-19 pandemic by capturing the organizational and operational experiences of police departments in the state of Washington across two waves of survey administration. This study is among the first to document experiences at a state level, affording an opportunity to compare national results and allowing for documenting shifts between each wave.
Design/methodology/approach
This study draws from a state-specific replication of the IACP instrument fielded by Lum et al. (2020a) on the experiences of police departments working under COVID-19 and integrates specific questions from stakeholders in Washington. The survey was administered through Qualtrics, which was distributed by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) 6 months into the pandemic and 18-months later.
Findings
Respondents reported operational and organizational reconfigurations including shifting to telecommuting for support staff and command staff, implementing online reporting forms for use by the public to report crimes and planning exercises for predicted budget reductions. While CDC and Washington Department of Health guidelines informed most of the respondents' policy, integrating that policy into the operational procedures demonstrated how quickly issues in staffing can transition from a challenge to a severe issue. Quarantining and staffing problems remained an issue across both waves, which were exasperated by staff turnover.
Research limitations/implications
The response rate and response completeness, particularly a drop in response for Wave 2, limit the ability to supply more precise estimates documenting the experiences of WA police departments. Relatedly, an inability to match Wave 1 to Wave 2 results inhabits a direct comparison of changes 12-months later. Second, the responses reflect those of the chief law enforcement officer (Chief of Police, Sheriff) or the person designated by the chief, which may not represent the experiences of front-line officers.
Practical implications
Reflecting on the lessons learned across each Wave, agencies shared adaptations implemented to better protect the health of staff and their communities to effectively manage future health emergencies. Most directly, they learned how to conduct some business remotely and the necessity to innovate. The most important lesson learned, and implication for policy is improving the resourcing and logistics to secure adequate health protections. The data also highlight a concern for clarity, consistency, and credibility in supplying information to police departments in pandemic and emergency situations.
Originality/value
This paper fulfils an identified need to enhance “lessons learned” for police response in pandemic and emergency situations. These data supply insight into the anticipated and lived experiences of agencies adapting to the pandemic in Washington State. The endogenous and exogenous shock that is COVID-19 altered how police departments interacted externally and internally resulting in operational and organizational reconfigurations.
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Yasir Rashid, Ansar Waseem, Ahmad Ahsan Akbar and Fatima Azam
The purpose of this paper is to deliver a summary of the influential work regarding value co-creation in the context of social media. Although, research on the role of social…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to deliver a summary of the influential work regarding value co-creation in the context of social media. Although, research on the role of social media in co-creation and new product development is growing field; the extant literature is still in developing stage, which needs systematization and categorization to comprehend its current stage and previous research.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, existing literature on social media and co-creation was studied. Initially, a citation analysis was conducted of influential papers correlated with the topic to identify three streams of research. Later, thematic analysis was carried out to explore specific themes within these categories.
Findings
Through citation analysis three research streams namely customer’s co-creation on new product development, firm specific capabilities for knowledge sharing, absorption and processing and new opportunities were identified. Later, total four categories were identified through thematic analysis which contains different sub-themes such as test of theories, proposed theoretical frameworks, lead users characteristics, customer’s motivation and experience regarding co-creation, online communities of customers and open innovation.
Research limitations/implications
This study also categorizes and systemizes the extant literature exploring role of social media in value co-creation. Such systematic review of the extant literature will help the academicians to understand the previous stream of work and pursue a particular line of enquiry in furthering the understanding of interaction between social media and co-innovation.
Practical implications
This work is particularly useful for practitioners as more firms are moving the business online. These firms are actively using social media and user-generated content to gain insight into customer’s preferences. By increasing the participation of customers and lead users through online communities, firms can also increase customer’s commitment.
Originality/value
The paper adds to the extant literature by identifying research streams and themes in the extant literature on the role of social media in value co-creation. Later, these themes are abductively linked to develop a theoretical framework.
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The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of intellectual capital on the innovation performance of the Jordanian banking sector and identify the moderating role of big…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of intellectual capital on the innovation performance of the Jordanian banking sector and identify the moderating role of big data analytics.
Design/methodology/approach
For this study's purposes, 333 questionnaires were analysed. Convergent validity, discriminant validity and reliability tests were performed through structural equation modelling (SEM) in the Smart-PLS program. A bootstrapping technique was used to analyse the data.
Findings
Empirical results showed that each of the components of intellectual capital and big data analytics explains 63.5% of the variance in innovation performance and that all components of intellectual capital have a statistically significant impact on innovation performance. The results also revealed that the relationship between structural capital and innovation performance is moderated through big data analytics.
Research limitations/implications
This cross-sectional study provides a snapshot at a given moment in time, a methodological limitation that affects the generalisation of its results, and the results are limited to one country.
Practical implications
This study promotes the idea of focusing on components of intellectual capital to enhance innovation performance in the Jordanian banking sector and knowing the effect of big data analytics in this relationship.
Social implications
This study makes recommendations for financial policymakers to improve the effectiveness of intellectual capital practices and innovation performance in the context of big data analytics.
Originality/value
This study has important implications for leaders in the Jordanian banking sector, in general, as the study highlights the importance of intellectual capital to enhance the innovation performance, especially in light of the big data analytics in this sector, and thus increase the innovative capabilities of this banks, which leads to an increase in the level of innovation.
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Taghrid S. Suifan, Ayman Bahjat Abdallah and Marwa Al Janini
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of transformational leadership on employees’ creativity in the Jordanian banking sector through the mediating effect of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of transformational leadership on employees’ creativity in the Jordanian banking sector through the mediating effect of perceived organizational support.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on survey data collected from 369 employees working in Jordanian banks. Validity and reliability analyses were performed, and direct and indirect effects were tested using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results indicate that transformational leadership positively affects some dimensions of employees’ creativity and perceived organizational support. However, perceived organizational support is found to not be significantly related to some dimensions of employees’ creativity. Additionally, the mediating effect of perceived organizational support on the relationship between transformational leadership and some dimensions of employees’ creativity is found to not be significant.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the first to examine the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ creativity through perceived organizational support, especially in an Arab country and in the banking sector.
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