Search results
21 – 30 of over 1000Yong‐Mei Deng, Kit‐lun Yick, Yi‐lin Kwok and Siu‐chun Wong
The purpose of this paper is to measure the craniofacial dimensions of 41 full‐term neonates nursed in the Special Care Baby Unit of Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, so as to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to measure the craniofacial dimensions of 41 full‐term neonates nursed in the Special Care Baby Unit of Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, so as to develop a good‐fitting and secure eye‐patch protector for protecting neonatal eyes from the strong light in phototherapy.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 14 craniofacial dimensions were measured using a new, safe and non‐intrusive method with a close‐range photogrammetric system and two dimensions of head circumference and facial arc were measured using manual method with a disposable paper tape in the hospital environment. Birth information of gestation, age, gender, present weight and present length has been recorded. A descriptive statistics was produced based on the measured data. Correlations between each pair of dimensions were investigated and factor analysis was conducted for application on an eye‐patch protector development.
Findings
Head circumference was identified as the most desirable key dimension of a sizing system for an eye‐patch protector. Two head circumferences with the sizes of 310‐349 mm and 350‐389 mm, respectively, could effectively cover all full‐term neonates. Design guidelines were generated according to the measurement of the craniofacial dimensions.
Originality/value
This paper presents the craniofacial dimensions of head, eye, nose and ear parts of full‐term neonates.
Details
Keywords
Yong‐tao Tan, Li‐yin Shen, Craig Langston and Yan Liu
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a quantitative method for assisting contractors to select appropriate projects for bidding by considering multiple attributes and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a quantitative method for assisting contractors to select appropriate projects for bidding by considering multiple attributes and integrating decision group member opinions.
Design/methodology/approach
The fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method is used to help contractors make decision on project selection and the linguistic terms are defined for representing the triangular fuzzy numbers for ratings of alternatives and weights of criteria.
Findings
The selection of appropriate projects for bidding is a multiple attribute group decision‐making exercise. In a real decision process, there are many uncertainties and ambiguities, and time limitations mean that decision makers cannot always make precise judgments. The numerical example demonstrates that the fuzzy TOPSIS approach can be used to simulate the decision process in project selection, and the results provide contractors with valuable insight into the project selection problem.
Originality/value
Selecting appropriate projects for bidding is to use a contractor's limited resources more efficiently and increase the probability of winning contracts. Therefore, there is a need for a quantitative method to help contractors make better decision on project selection. That leads to the formulation of this paper. The fuzzy TOPSIS method can assist contractors to make better decisions in bidding.
Details
Keywords
Ada S. Lo, Holly Hyunjung Im, Yong Chen and Hailin Qu
This study aims to investigate the impact of the loyalty program members’ satisfaction toward the hotel loyalty program benefits and the customer management relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of the loyalty program members’ satisfaction toward the hotel loyalty program benefits and the customer management relationship initiatives of individual hotels on the brand relationship quality (BRQ), i.e. their relationship quality with the hotel brand, and its outcomes. The moderating impact of membership level on the hypothesized relationships was also investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
A usable sample of 920 active members of a hotel loyalty program was obtained. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares method was used to estimate the structural relationships and to investigate the moderating effect of membership level.
Findings
Employee’s customer orientation, membership communication and hotel stay-related benefits are determinants of the loyalty program members’ BRQ. BRQ is also confirmed as a higher-order construct of three latent variables which include trust, satisfaction and commitment. Moderating effects of the membership were partially supported in this study. The strongest effect of BRQ is on members’ word of mouth followed by shares of purchase. BRQ is found to have negative relationship with members’ willingness to serve as marketing resource, but the impact was small.
Research limitations/implications
This is a cross-sectional study with a population of active loyalty program members of only one luxury hotel group. The sample size of the top-tier members is also smaller in comparison to the other two groups.
Practical implications
This study contributes to the understanding of the antecedents and consequences of BRQ and the body of knowledge about loyalty program for hotel industry.
Originality/value
This is one of the few studies investigating the effectiveness of hotel loyalty programs from the active members’ perspective and the moderating effect of membership level on the relationships among BRQ, its antecedents and its outcomes.
Details
Keywords
Adil Mansoor, Sarwat Jahan and Madiha Riaz
Drawing upon the intellectual capital-based view theory, this study explored the relationship between green intellectual capital (IC) and environmental performance (EP) with the…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing upon the intellectual capital-based view theory, this study explored the relationship between green intellectual capital (IC) and environmental performance (EP) with the intervening effect of green human resource management (GHRM).
Design/methodology/approach
Cross-sectional data were collected from 187 human resource directors/managers working in manufacturing firms of Pakistan. A partial least squares approach was applied to test the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
The results showed a mediating effect of GHRM on the relationship between green human capital and the organizational EP. Also two dimensions of green IC (green human capital, green relational capital) were also found positively related to the EP of the firm.
Practical implications
Policymakers should devote their attention to the preservation and enhancement of their employees' knowledge as green human capital is possessed by the employees. Furthermore, managers must exchange information with key stakeholders to better understand and resolve their environmental concerns. Organizational leaders must also ensure the implementation of GHRM policies that, in turn, improve the EP with the aid of green IC.
Originality/value
The current research contributes to the literature by defining green IC as an antecedent and GHRM as an intervening variable for EP. In addition, this study underlines the significance of GHC as a valuable intangible asset for the achievement of environmental sustainability. It also illustrates the importance of GRC, which creates an exchange partnership with the stakeholders to promote corporate environmentalism.
Details
Keywords
Stella Lai Man So and Mark W. Speece
Relationship marketing is widely regarded as effective in developing competitive advantage. But views on exactly what activities constitute relationship marketing may differ in…
Abstract
Relationship marketing is widely regarded as effective in developing competitive advantage. But views on exactly what activities constitute relationship marketing may differ in various cultural settings. In‐depth interviews with account managers in commercial banks in Hong Kong yielded a list of activities considered critical to building relationships. In a following survey, account managers in Asian banks rated the importance of the various social activities higher than did account managers in Western banks, although all respondents were ethnic Chinese. The Western banks rated business activities more important than did the Asian banks. Factor analysis shows that managers in Western banks perceive dimensions of business activities consistent with recent thinking about relationship marketing. Respondents in the Asian banks do not view social activities and business activities to be distinct, nor do they distinguish strongly differentiated dimensions of business activity elements.
Details
Keywords
Yongli Li, Zhilin Li, Yong‐qi Chen and Xiaoxia Li
The study of spatial entities needs a model that is not only fully observable and controllable, but also computable. Euclidean topology on R2 is a usually used tool for this…
Abstract
The study of spatial entities needs a model that is not only fully observable and controllable, but also computable. Euclidean topology on R2 is a usually used tool for this study, but it has the following two weaknesses. First, there exists some phenomenon of human perception of the spatial entity that cannot be simulated by it. Second, its observation of the basic geometric properties (interior, exterior, boundary) of the spatial entity lacks computability so that the model based on it lacks computability and cannot be directly used to practical systems. Consequently, in this paper, we present another tool for studying spatial entities – raster quasi‐topology on R2 and then compare the two tools.
Details
Keywords
Jing Yi Yong, Mohd Yusoff Yusliza, T. Ramayah, Khalid Farooq and Muhammad Imran Tanveer
The study aims to investigate the relationships between green intellectual capital, green human resource management (HRM), and sustainability.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to investigate the relationships between green intellectual capital, green human resource management (HRM), and sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on information gathered from 112 large Malaysian manufacturing companies.
Findings
The study findings revealed that green human capital and green relational capital positively influence green HRM. In addition, green HRM positively related to social, environmental and economic performance. Besides, green HRM positively mediates the relationships between green human capital and economic, social and environmental performance. Finally, green relational capital improves sustainability (economic, environmental, and social performance) mediated by green HRM.
Originality/value
The current study contributes to the literature by examining green IC (green human capital, green structural capital, and green relational capital) as an independent variable and green HRM as a mediating variable for sustainability (economic, environmental, and social performance). The findings and recommended for the managers of large manufacturing firms and practitioners to invest in green IC to achieve sustainability through green HRM.
Details
Keywords
Andrew Ebekozien, Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan, Clinton Aigbavboa and Andrew I. Awo-Osagie
The cost of residential building maintenance can harmfully affect low-income earners' expenditure if not checked. A customised maintenance concept via a framework will ensure…
Abstract
Purpose
The cost of residential building maintenance can harmfully affect low-income earners' expenditure if not checked. A customised maintenance concept via a framework will ensure efficient and proper building maintenance operations. The outcome may keep the life cycle cost down. Studies concerning the low-cost housing (LCH) maintenance concept through a framework are scarce in Malaysia. Thus, the study aims to investigate the state of LCH and develop a framework to improve LCH maintenance practices in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a soft system methodology (SSM) to comprehend Malaysia's LCH building maintenance practices. The SSM allowed an alternative approach to improve LCH maintenance practices via a developed framework. Virtual interviews were conducted with experts, and findings were presented. It was in line with the SSM seven steps.
Findings
The findings show that apart from the poor state of LCH maintenance, there is the absence of a framework to improve maintenance practices, especially in LCH across Malaysia's cities. The findings developed a framework that would reposition the joint management body and management corporation in collaboration with the proposed maintenance agency for better service delivery via substantive, technical and administrative aspects.
Research limitations/implications
This study's data collection is restricted to Pulau Pinang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor through a qualitative research design approach. Future research is needed to consider more extensive coverage and validate the developed framework from this study via a quantitative research design.
Practical implications
Apart from the conceptual model that was developed, the suggested framework can be employed by Malaysia's maintenance practitioners and policymakers as a guideline to improve LCH building maintenance practices across the cities.
Originality/value
This study examined Malaysia's LCH maintenance practices via SSM to identify the state of the houses, identify the information required and propose a suitable framework to improve Malaysia's LCH maintenance practices.
Details
Keywords
Roya Dehgani and Nima Jafari Navimipour
The impact of information technology (IT) on the agility of supply chain management (SCM) systems is very noticeable in the business world nowadays. Competition and constant…
Abstract
Purpose
The impact of information technology (IT) on the agility of supply chain management (SCM) systems is very noticeable in the business world nowadays. Competition and constant changes, including product/technological innovations, decreasing product lifestyles and product proliferation, create pressure that affects the business environment. Organizations are required for answering the changes in the market to gain a competitive advantage and business success. The organizations are able to answer to unexpected market changes through supply chain market, and these changes are converted to business opportunities. Using IT to achieve the agility of SCM is one of the important factors to help the organizations. Therefore, the adoption of IT and its efficient implementation can improve the cooperation between supply chain agility through the rapid transfer, the distribution of accurate information and the use of information. This paper aims to investigate the impact of IT on the agility of SCM.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 120 employees of the Golasal firm are involved in collecting data using a questionnaire. Measurements were performed in all questionnaires using a five-point Likert scale. The causal model is evaluated by structural equationmodeling technique, which is used to examine the reliability and validity of the model.
Findings
The results have shown that IT has positive influences on the agility of SCM systems. In addition, the obtained results have shown that four variables, namely, IT skills and knowledge, IT-based systems integration, IT infrastructure and design of global position system and geographic information systems, affect the agility of SCM systems.
Originality/value
In this paper, the agility of SCM systems is pointed out and the approach to resolve the problem is applied into a practical example. The presented model provides a complete framework to examine the impact of IT on the agility of SCM systems.
Details
Keywords
Olusanjo Fadiya, Panos Georgakis, Ezekiel Chinyio and Chris Nwagboso
The purpose of this paper is to discuss an integrated decision analysis framework for the investment justification of implementing alternative information and communication…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss an integrated decision analysis framework for the investment justification of implementing alternative information and communication technology (ICT)-based logistics systems in the construction industry so as to enhance the decision-making process in selecting the best alternative.
Design/methodology/approach
An integrated framework is proposed that is composed of a set of interrelated evaluation and analysis techniques that allow the identification and quantification of costs, benefits and risks involved in implementing ICT systems to mitigate problems that hinder the efficient operation of construction logistics. Such techniques include decision trees and multi-attribute decision-making under uncertainty that can be applied to the logistics planning of any new build construction project.
Findings
The probabilities of providing benefits vary among the alternatives, and the probabilities will replace the uncertainties surrounding the impacts of the alternative ICT systems in addressing the identified construction logistics problems with chance events so as to estimate the expected cost of each alternative with respect to each selection attribute.
Practical implications
This paper shows that it is almost certain that the analysed alternative ICT system will provide benefit because its probability of benefit is almost equal to 1.
Originality/value
The framework captures the existing problems of logistics in construction process, potential solution that can address the problems through the implementation of ICT systems and the decision-making process in the selection of appropriate ICT solution. The output of the framework will help to make knowledge-based decision in selecting the best ICT system for addressing construction logistics problems.
Details