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1 – 8 of 8Leili Tapak, Yadollah Hamidi and Zahra Toosi
Learning organization (LO) concept has received much attention in the last decades. The purpose of an LO is to proactively shape its future by fostering a culture of continuous…
Abstract
Purpose
Learning organization (LO) concept has received much attention in the last decades. The purpose of an LO is to proactively shape its future by fostering a culture of continuous learning among its members. This approach empowers the organization to adapt, evolve and innovate, aligning with the needs and aspirations of both internal and external stakeholders. As a result, the assessment of an organization’s LO level, whether strong or weak, becomes a matter of significance. This study aims to use Senge’s LO Questionnaire (SLOQ) in conjunction with latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify latent classes within the organization. This approach seeks to enhance the organization‘s learning potential and facilitate its evolution.
Design/methodology/approach
This research was a cross-sectional study conducted at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The statistical population consisted of 451 managers and employees across seven departments based at the university headquarters. The sample included 295 individuals, and data was collected using the SLOQ.
Findings
The LPA has shown an excellent accuracy (97%) in identifying SLOQ cut-off points (three classes of good, moderate and low). Most of the participants are considered as a moderate LO (55.9%), which implies the possibility of improving learning, especially enhancing “common vision” and “systemic thinking.” Also, individuals belonging to the high-class category were more likely to be male and hold associate degree than individuals in other categories.
Research limitations/implications
This study depends on self-report, and different perceptions of questions can cause percept bias. Another limitation is about the nature of this research, which is cross-sectional, which may bring back causality among variables. The other is only three demographic variables have been considered, and it is necessary to pay attention to other influential variables in future studies.
Originality/value
The originality of this study lies in its use of the SLOQ in combination with LPA to identify latent classes in an organization to improve learning potentials.
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Hossein Toosi, Mohammad Amin Ghaaderi and Zahra Shokrani
The purpose of this study is to compare the trend of academic project management research in Iran and the World in five-year periods with a text mining approach and TF–IDF method.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to compare the trend of academic project management research in Iran and the World in five-year periods with a text mining approach and TF–IDF method.
Design/methodology/approach
The research population consists of 1205 theses presented between 2000 and 2019 in Iranian universities. The central library website of the mentioned universities was used for data collection, and the text mining approach with the TF–IDF method was used for data analysis.
Findings
The remarkable results of this study include: Concrete structures are the most frequent among structural systems, Risk Management is the most frequent among PMBOK Knowledge Areas, Design-build (DB) system is the most frequent among Project Delivery Systems, Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) is the most frequent among DB Project Delivery Systems, Financial Management is the most frequent among specialized construction knowledge areas, Soft Skills is the most frequent among Global Trends, Contracting Companies is the most frequent among Project Parties, Construction Projects is the most frequent among Project Areas, Power Plant and Refinery is the most frequent among Project Subjects, Optimization is the most frequent among Problem-Solving Approaches, Fuzzy Logic is the most frequent among Novel Algorithms and Motivation is the most frequent among Soft Skills.
Originality/value
The innovative aspect of this research is that for the first time, text mining has been used to analyze academic research on project and construction management, and also for the first time, academic research on construction industry in Iran has been compared with global research.
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Z. Zare‐Hoseini, M.J. Tarokh and H. Jabbari Nooghabi
Acquiring and retaining profitable customers are major concerns of a business. In this paper, the customers of the Restoration and Beauty Clinic of Iran University are segmented…
Abstract
Purpose
Acquiring and retaining profitable customers are major concerns of a business. In this paper, the customers of the Restoration and Beauty Clinic of Iran University are segmented using three value types: current value, expected value, and loyalty in a case study to predict the probability of customer churn and future purchase services in the clinic.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilized customers' data records with nine data fields (socio‐demographic and transactional) from three year's transactions of the clinic. Logistic regression as a data mining technique is then used to predict the future behavior of the customers. In addition, the verification and the validation of the models are done using lift charts.
Findings
This research segments the customers of the clinic into four categories based on three values (current value, expected value, and loyalty). Then simple marketing strategies that might be adopted are suggested. These strategies might help the shareholders and experts of the clinic to promote relationships with patients and deliver better services to attract and retain their customers.
Originality/value
The results of this research enable public health agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of their policies and detect their shortcomings in order to better serve patients. Also, it will help to increase their profits from the clinics and raise customer satisfaction.
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Reza Fazli-Salehi, Mohammad Rahim Esfidani, Ivonne M. Torres and Miguel Angel Zúñiga
Universities are increasingly encountering high levels of national and international competition. In order for universities to continue with their business success and expansion…
Abstract
Purpose
Universities are increasingly encountering high levels of national and international competition. In order for universities to continue with their business success and expansion, they have relied on developing and maintaining a differentiated brand identity by improving their branding strategy. The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of students’ identification with the brand of public universities in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
Sampling was done in multiple stages. In the first stage – using stratified sampling – students were recruited from distinct degree programs and universities based on the Iranian national demographic proportions. In the second stage, convenient sampling was used within each degree program category. For data collection, the interviewer distributed questionnaires among students regardless of age and gender. The number of questionnaires distributed in each university (i.e. the sample size in each university) was determined using the number of students in the country and percentage of students at each university.
Findings
The results showed support for the hypothesized positive relationship between brand identification and the antecedent factors including prestige, interorganizational and intraorganizational competition. On the other hand, the results showed no significant relationship between brand identification and the antecedent factors including distinctiveness and memorable experience. Outcomes (i.e. word-of-mouth, active engagement and loyalty) of brand identification were also tested and their relationships with brand identification are supported.
Research limitations/implications
This study was conducted in the higher education sector in one cosmopolitan Iranian city (i.e. Tehran) to which Iranians from other cities travel to for studying. Thus, the results of this survey include a variety of sub-cultures. In the future, a study that incorporates all major metropolitan cities of Iran may increase the generalizability of the findings. Unrelated to the purpose of this study, a future research study may extend the currently studied geographical dimensions and examine the antecedents of students’ identification with the brand of public universities across different nations using a cross-cultural approach.
Practical implications
A study of the antecedents of students’ identification with the university brand can provide a guide for universities to manage their brand and marketing strategies. Managers of higher education institutions can take important steps in establishing a link between students and university brands. Managers can highlight interorganizational competitions. The authors recommended universities publicize and honor students’ success in academic competitions on the university website, via ceremonies dedicated to the student winners, and using print banners that identifies their name and achievement, among other mediums. Additionally, competitions can be promoted among students through professors and motivational speeches from recognized leaders.
Originality/value
Results revealed that brand prestige of public universities positively affects students’ identification. This study highlights the importance of national and international rankings of universities and the sensitivity of students to such rankings. Undoubtedly, this is evident in Iranian students’ behavior in selecting their university. Additionally, this study showed that brand distinctiveness of public universities does not significantly affect students’ identification with the university brand. Further examination is recommended to help explain this finding and a cross-cultural comparison will assist in this endeavor.
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The basic aim behind this paper is to explain disregarding of a paramount point in Islamic economic research and its actual performances. That is the significant relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
The basic aim behind this paper is to explain disregarding of a paramount point in Islamic economic research and its actual performances. That is the significant relationship between Islamic epistemological considerations (IEC), and its related actual works (both theoretical and empirical ones). Considering this crucial bridge, in the author's opinion, has been neglected.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper has been developed, mainly, by using an analytical and descriptive method along with logical reasoning. Applying the Islamic approach along with consistent economic theories (linked with some compatible doctrines of philosophy of science) and using some statistical analysis indicates the basic theoretical and subject scope of the paper.
Findings
One finding of this paper is that a considerable number of Islamic economic works do not consider their own epistemological doctrines. Second, paying attention to IEC is helpful for both researchers and the policy makers. Through which, researchers can realize the scientific difficulties much more easily, and explain and predict the behavior of variables more carefully. Some findings of this paper can also help policy makers to resolve their problems through increased confidence. It might also have some policy implications regarding the recent economic crisis.
Originality/value
This paper is considered to have its own originality in framework of Islamic literature, for actually there is some kind of dichotomy between that literature and IEC. In addition, this paper does have its own recommendation regarding the recent economic crisis.
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