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The purpose of this paper is to develop a simulation model capable of capturing the complex variables impacting the productivity of tunneling construction projects.

Simulation modeling is used to construct high‐level models of construction supply networks in order to perform quantitative analysis, enabling planners to work out the embedded complexities of the system.

This study presents a detailed simulation model of a real life tunnel construction project along with its supply chain of liner segments. Using this detailed model, a sensitivity analysis for the tunneling project shows the impact of chosen variables on the duration of a tunneling project; these results are used to verify the importance of considering the whole supply chain of a construction project in the planning stage.

Effective quality control, consideration of the shortage of storage space, and anticipation of required lead time when placing the first order to achieve the full storage capacity of liners before the start of a project are some practices that can be employed by construction organizations to address supply chain issues for tunneling projects.

Research into quantifying the benefits of implementing supply chain management (SCM) is very limited: the literature for the construction industry generally discusses how SCM concepts can be adopted, or what problems and challenges inhibit such adoption without analyzing and quantifying the effects of these techniques on an actual construction project.

Pipe‐spool module assembly involves a variety of uncertain factors and constraints, which complicate the assembly scheduling process. These factors also pose a challenge for the scheduler who struggles to produce a schedule that optimizes both the use of available resources (e.g. space) and meets the project's delivery deadlines. In the relatively quick production cycle of module assembly, the scheduling process plays an operative role. Thus, automation of the process would enhance productivity of the schedule updating process. This paper seeks to address this issue.

A simulation‐based approach is presented for scheduling pipe‐spool module assembly. This approach incorporates physical and logical constraints. General purpose simulation (GPS) is used to model these logical and heuristic constraints.

The application of the proposed model to an actual case study demonstrates the significant improvement in the assembly schedule when compared to traditional CPM‐based scheduling techniques.

The proposed model allows schedulers to experiment with various rules in order to improve the scheduling process by, for example, instantly updating the schedule.

Modelling construction resources and their dynamic interactions and constraints are a challenging problem. The allocation of these resources to competing activities is usually a function required in any scheduling process. Performing such allocation under a dynamic and diverse set of constraints adds more complexity to the problem. This study seeks a structured approach for representing resources and their allocation to different activities through the use of an agent‐oriented modelling framework.

A model is developed for a real case of assembly operations of industrial construction modules. The model follows a multi‐agent resource allocation structure and is implemented within an agent‐based simulation environment. The model is used to evaluate the effects of different optimization algorithms and modelling parameters on the generation of a construction schedule. Different experiments run through the model and their results are analyzed and discussed.

The model showed sensitivity only under large and continuous workloads. Overall the structured approach followed in developing the model provided a flexible medium for experimenting with different elements of the resource allocation problem.

The work is limited to the studied case and the results cannot be generalized beyond similar cases. The modelling approach used in the study provides a platform that can facilitate future research in construction resource allocation strategies.

The presented work demonstrates a new approach for modelling construction resource allocation problems that enables structured experimentation with alternative allocation algorithms. It also presents a novel way for modelling modular industrial construction operations.

This paper aims to examine the effect of the auditors’ burnout determinates on audit quality and performance. It also analyses whether the demographic characteristics of gender, age group, education and job positions affect auditors’ decisions for burnout, audit quality and performance.

A questionnaire was distributed on a sample of auditors in the top ten auditing firms in an emerging market including the Big 4. Factor analysis, correlation matrix and structural equation modeling were used for the analysis of the collected data and testing the developed hypotheses.

The results show that burnout has negative consequences for both the auditor and the auditing firm. While good organizational climate has a negative significant association with audit quality, nonethical decisions and audit performance, role clarity has positive significant association with the audit quality and performance and has an insignificant association with nonethical decisions. Also, turnover intention has significant positive association with nonethical decision, audit quality and performance.

This research is among the first to focus on auditor’s burnout determinates on audit quality and performance in an emerging market characterized by different socioeconomic, political and cultural factors compared with those of developed markets. Auditors, regulators and professional policymakers can benefit from the results of this research.

This paper aims to explore corporate governance (CG) and succession planning in family-owned businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Semi-structured interviews are conducted with 16 owners and heirs of UAE family businesses. The interviews – face-to-face and asynchronous electronic – are conducted instead of a questionnaire to get an in-depth analysis of the topic in the context of both medium- and large-sized family businesses.

The responses are mixed with regard to governance challenges (duality, gender, internal control, transparency, etc.). The majority of the interviewees indicate that succession planning remains one of the biggest challenges for family businesses in the UAE. Fifteen of the sixteen interviewees document that a sound succession strategy must be in place to ensure the continuity of the business and prevent future disputes among potential successors. Similarly, the respondents also emphasise the importance of transparency and accountability for the sustainability of family businesses. The sustainability of family businesses relies on many aspects, such as national regulations, corporate systems and the succession process. Finally, most of the respondents from medium-sized companies opined that incorporating CG is a time-consuming and expensive process.

The interviewees supported stewardship theory in case family members are occupying positions on the board as they have more long-term commitment and a greater sense of belonging to the business (socio-emotional wealth) compared to non-family members. The interviewees acknowledge that the lack of professionalism and conflicts of interest among family members can be offset by recruiting non-family members.

Family businesses are particularly significant in the Arab world as they account for over 60% of gross domestic product (GDP) and use above 80% of the workforce which make them interesting research subject. In addition, this paper explores the CG challenges faced by both large- and medium-sized family businesses in the UAE within the theoretical framework of stewardship theory.

The purpose of this paper is to prepare amphiphilic block copolymers polyethylene adipate-block-polyethylene glycol (PEA-b-PEG)s and study their performance as plasticizers in rotogravure ink formulations.

Series of amphiphilic block copolymers (PEA-b-PEG1), (PEA-b-PEG2), (PEA-b-PEG3), (PEA-b-PEG4) and (PEA-b-PEG5) were prepared by the reaction of adipic acid, ethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol of different molecular weights (300, 1,000, 2,000, 10,000 and 20,000 g/mol), respectively. Full characterization of the prepared copolymers was achieved using Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H NMR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The performance of the prepared copolymers as plasticizers for neat nitrocellulose resin were studied in different formulations, namely, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 containing copolymers (PEA-b-PEG1), (PEA-b-PEG2), (PEA-b-PEG3), (PEA-b-PEG4) and (PEA-b-PEG5), respectively. In addition to formula R0 that contains acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) as a commercial plasticizer. The mechanical properties, thermal analysis (DSC, TGA) and optical properties of the prepared formulations films were investigated. Theses amphiphilic block copolymers were then applied as plasticizers in different rotogravure ink formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5) and compared with commercial rotogravure ink formula (F0). The color measurements and optical properties of all formulations were achieved.

It was found that the performance of the prepared copolymers as plasticizers in different formulations based on nitro cellulose resin gives better gloss, adhesion for R1 compared with the other samples and color strength for F1 compared with F0. Finally, all the samples gave excellent plasticizing effect.

The authors believe that type of these materials open the way for a new class of plasticizers that upon application or even degradation gives small ecofriendly molecules (adipic acid and or ethylene glycol moieties) taking into consideration the simplicity of the rout of the synthesis process.

The prepared ecofriendly (PEA-b-PEG)s could be successfully used as plasticizers instead of commercial plasticizer ATBC.

The research provides that the prepared (PEA-b-PEG)s with different molecular weights can act as plasticizers in rotogravure ink formulations, and their performance was acceptable and available.

Utilization of sustainable materials is a global demand in the construction industry. Hence, this study aims to integrate waste management and artificial intelligence by developing an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict the compressive strength of green concrete. The proposed model allows the use of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), recycled fine aggregate (RFA) and fly ash (FA) as partial replacements of concrete constituents.

The model is constructed, trained and validated using python through a set of experimental data collected from the literature. The model’s architecture comprises an input layer containing seven neurons representing concrete constituents and two neurons as the output layer to represent the 7- and 28-days compressive strength. The model showed high performance through multiple metrics, including mean squared error (MSE) of 2.41 and 2.00 for training and testing data sets, respectively.

Results showed that cement replacement with 10% FA causes a slight reduction up to 9% in the compressive strength, especially at early ages. Moreover, a decrease of nearly 40% in the 28-days compressive strength was noticed when replacing fine aggregate with 25% RFA.

The research is limited to normal compressive strength of green concrete with a range of 25 to 40 MPa.

The developed model is designed in a flexible and user-friendly manner to be able to contribute to the sustainable development of the construction industry by saving time, effort and cost consumed in the experimental testing of materials.

Green concrete containing wastes can solve several environmental problems, such as waste disposal problems, depletion of natural resources and energy consumption.

This research proposes a machine learning prediction model using the Python programming language to estimate the compressive strength of a green concrete mix that includes construction and demolition waste and FA. The ANN model is used to create three guidance charts through a parametric study to obtain the compressive strength of green concrete using RCA, RFA and FA replacements.

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the positive influence of human resource management practices (HRMPs) on job satisfaction (JS) and affective commitment (AC).

Data were collected through a self-administrated questionnaire disseminated in 19 resort hotels in Egypt’s Red Sea region. The structural equation modeling results indicate that HRMPs significantly affect JS and AC through mediation effects.

This study highlights the importance of a hotel’s behavior in fulfilling its HRMPs obligations on employee attitudes and behaviors. Effective HRMPs (i.e. recruitment and selection, training and socialization and security) positively influence employee outcomes like JS and AC. JS has a significantly positive relationship with AC and a mediating effect on the link between HRMPs and AC.

These results cannot be generalized to the overall Egyptian hospitality sector context. The survey data are self-reported, so future research should investigate hotel managers and guests through interviews or focus groups.

Effective HRMPs should increase JS and AC. human resource managers should emphasize the critical role of HRMPs in enhancing JS and AC and motivating hotel employees to remain with their hotels. They should also develop a robust framework to improve JS and AC with HRMPs effectively. This study provides a conceptual model for researchers in the HRM literature.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to empirically investigate the impact of HRMPs on JS and AC in the Red Sea region, with significant academic and practical implications. This research is unique in presenting a conceptual model exposing the AC of organizational commitment.

Higher education institutions are undergoing a change in their teaching–learning practices, with the core goal of giving students the necessary skills and competencies to succeed in a complex and uncertain society. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of business simulation as a pedagogical strategy for teaching 21st-century competencies to undergraduate students. The study looks at students’ self-perception on how business simulation impacts future skills such as entrepreneurship, employability and sustainability.

The research incorporates a one-week workshop for undergraduate business students using AnyLogic business simulation. For this study, a 24-item skills-based survey was used as the instrument for eliciting input about students’ self-perceptions. To measure the impact of business simulation on overall student learning, a theoretical framework was developed and tested using SmartPLS version 4 for construct reliability, validity and hypotheses testing.

Based on the students’ feedback, the finding shows that most of the 24 soft skills were facilitated by the business simulation used. The simulation significantly affects the development of entrepreneurial and employable skills. On the contrary, it has little effect on enhancing sustainability skills. In addition, the study suggests that factors like gender and expertise had little overall impact on the results.

The most apparent practical implication of this study is that business schools should focus more on skill development by stressing on experiential teaching methods like business simulation to help students build various skills and become more prepared for the actual world of business.

The research presents fresh empirical data that add to the continuing discussion on active learning in business education and assist educators in avoiding some potential drawbacks of these innovative teaching techniques. With the right direction and criticism throughout the simulation, this learning experience has shown to be useful for everyone involved.

The purpose of this paper is to address the following questions: how do consumers construct meaning around their inconspicuous luxury fashion experiences? What desires do inconspicuous consumers strive to fulfill? What sentiments do they associate with their inconspicuous luxury fashion consumption?

This exploratory research begins with a netnographic study of 11 online luxury blogs followed by in-depth interviews and home observations of ten luxury consumers with inconspicuous preferences in Dubai.

Inconspicuous choices are not simply for associative or dissociative motivations but several symbolic consumption schemas come into play. A typology of inconspicuous luxury fashion consumers has emerged: fashion influencers, trendsetters, fashion followers, and luxe conservatives.

The findings have potential to yield important managerial implications for fashion retailers and brand communications. The typology of inconspicuous consumers provides a basis for developing a more targeted relationship marketing program for luxury fashion brands.

This research advances luxury knowledge in fashion and consumer behavior research by unveiling how consumers construct meanings around their inconspicuous consumption. The typology developed in this study marks the starting point for further extensions to explore the complexities of inconspicuous luxury consumers, which are grounded in the roles they take on in society, how they plan their luxury consumption journey and how they eventually use these possessions for self-identification and communication to others.