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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 November 2024

Yuanchen Yang, Silvia Granados Ibarra, Manuk Ghazanchyan and Gustavo Canavire-Bacarreza

Despite its negative effects, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The rapid increase in connectivity and digital services…

Abstract

Purpose

Despite its negative effects, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The rapid increase in connectivity and digital services helped mitigate the pandemic's negative impact on the labor markets, especially for those with enough flexibility to continue working from home. The shock affected women due to their household responsibilities and labor market characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines how digital development may have affected gender gaps in employment and job loss in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. Using a sample of countries from Latin America and the Caribbean and various econometric techniques, we explore the digitalization gender gaps and job market outcomes during the pandemic.

Findings

Our findings suggest that the expansion on digital technologies are associated with increased female employment and reduced job losses for both men and women. These findings hold even after controlling for child care, household chores and the COVID-19 shock. Our results are also robust to various econometric techniques.

Originality/value

The paper leverages on unique dataset that was collected during the pandemic and the results are contrasted with existing macro data with robust results.

Details

Journal of Internet and Digital Economics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2752-6356

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 4 April 2024

Weihua Zhang, Yuanchen Zeng, Dongli Song and Zhiwei Wang

The safety and reliability of high-speed trains rely on the structural integrity of their components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system. This paper aims to…

Abstract

Purpose

The safety and reliability of high-speed trains rely on the structural integrity of their components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system. This paper aims to define and substantiate the assessment of the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains in both theory and practice. The key principles and approaches will be proposed, and their applications to high-speed trains in China will be presented.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains are defined, and their relationship is introduced. Then, the principles for assessing the structural integrity of structural and dynamical components are presented and practical examples of gearboxes and dampers are provided. Finally, the principles and approaches for assessing the dynamical integrity of high-speed trains are presented and a novel operational assessment method is further presented.

Findings

Vehicle system dynamics is the core of the proposed framework that provides the loads and vibrations on train components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system. For assessing the structural integrity of structural components, an open-loop analysis considering both normal and abnormal vehicle conditions is needed. For assessing the structural integrity of dynamical components, a closed-loop analysis involving the influence of wear and degradation on vehicle system dynamics is needed. The analysis of vehicle system dynamics should follow the principles of complete objects, conditions and indices. Numerical, experimental and operational approaches should be combined to achieve effective assessments.

Originality/value

The practical applications demonstrate that assessing the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains can support better control of critical defects, better lifespan management of train components and better maintenance decision-making for high-speed trains.

Details

Railway Sciences, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2755-0907

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 January 2023

Yuan Chen, Ziyue Yang, Bingsheng Liu, Dan Wang, Yan Xiao and Anmin Wang

This study aims to investigate the influence mechanism of expatriates' cultural intelligence (CQ) on expatriate effectiveness (task performance and premature return intention)…

1042

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence mechanism of expatriates' cultural intelligence (CQ) on expatriate effectiveness (task performance and premature return intention), identifying work engagement as a mediator and cultural distance as a boundary condition.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the conservation of resource theory and the person–environment fit (P–E fit) theory, a moderated mediation model is built. Working with a sample of 303 international construction expatriates collected by snowball sampling, the hypotheses are tested by using the structural equation model analysis.

Findings

Work engagement partially mediates the relationship between expatriates' CQ and task performance, as well as fully mediates the relationship between expatriates' CQ and premature return intention. Cultural distance moderates the positive relationship between CQ and work engagement, as well as moderates the mediating effects of work engagement.

Research limitations/implications

The impacts of potential moderators (e.g. work–family conflict and organizational culture) on the relationship between CQ and expatriate effectiveness have not been considered in this study.

Practical implications

This study is useful for international construction firms to optimize the allocation of human resources.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the expatriate literature by adding empirical evidence to explain the influence mechanism of expatriates' CQ on expatriate effectiveness.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 May 2024

Meng-Nan Li, Xueqing Wang, Ruo-Xing Cheng and Yuan Chen

Currently, engineering project design lacks a design framework that fully combines subjective experience and objective data. This study develops an aided design decision-making…

Abstract

Purpose

Currently, engineering project design lacks a design framework that fully combines subjective experience and objective data. This study develops an aided design decision-making framework to automatically output the optimal design alternative for engineering projects in a more efficient and objective mode, which synthesizes the design experience.

Design/methodology/approach

A database of design components is first constructed to facilitate the retrieval of data and the design alternative screening algorithm is proposed to automatically select all feasible design alternatives. Then back propagation (BP) neural network algorithm is introduced to predict the cost of all feasible design alternatives. Based on the gray relational degree-particle swarm optimization (GRD-PSO) algorithm, the optimal design alternative can be selected considering multiple objectives.

Findings

The case study shows that the BP neural network-cost prediction algorithm can well predict the cost of design alternatives, and the framework can be widely used at the design stage of most engineering projects. Design components with low sensitivity to design objectives have been obtained, allowing for the consideration of disregarding their impacts on design objectives in such situations requiring rapid decisions. Meanwhile, design components with high sensitivity to design objective weights have also been obtained, drawing special attention to the effects of changes in the importance of design objectives on the selection of these components. Simultaneously, the framework can be flexibly adjusted to different design objectives and identify key design components, providing decision reference for designers.

Originality/value

The framework proposed in this paper contributes to the knowledge of design decision-making by emphasizing the importance of combining objective data and subjective experience, whose significance is ignored in the existing literature.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2018

Dorota Stadnicka and R.M. Chandima Ratnayake

The calculation of quotations has been proven to be an extremely challenging matter in customized manufacturing requirements. There are significant wastages, which are attributed…

Abstract

Purpose

The calculation of quotations has been proven to be an extremely challenging matter in customized manufacturing requirements. There are significant wastages, which are attributed to activities related to the quotation preparation process (QPP) and their influence on an offer of delivery time to a customer. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to develop a tailor-made value stream mapping (VSM) approach, combined with a set of performance indicators for QPP performance measurement and management, to decrease the lead time of QPP.

Design/methodology/approach

Current and future state value stream maps have been developed to measure the performance of QPP. To minimize the weaknesses of the cycle efficiency indicator, additional indicators, assessing improvements to value- and non-value-added activities, external interested parties’ influence on lead time, etc., have been developed for QPP performance management. To illustrate the usefulness of the proposed indicators, a case study has been performed.

Findings

Only when all appropriate indicators are calculated than we have the whole overview of the current and future state in a QPP.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed indicators were used only in one case study. If they are used in different case studies from different companies and operating in different industries, it will be possible to discover whether the presented indicators are enough to fully understand the analyzed process.

Practical implications

The proposed methodology is ready to be used in industry practice.

Originality/value

The presented VSM methodology, combined with a set of performance indicators for QPP, provides the originality of the work.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 29 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

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