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1 – 10 of over 2000Olga Blasco-Blasco, Márton Demeter and Manuel Goyanes
The purpose of this article is to theoretically outline and empirically test two contribution-based indicators: (1) the scholars' annual contribution-based measurement and (2…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to theoretically outline and empirically test two contribution-based indicators: (1) the scholars' annual contribution-based measurement and (2) the annual contribution modified h-index, computing six criteria: total number of papers, computed SCImago Journal Rank values, total number of authors, total number of citations of a scholar’s work, number of years since paper publication and number of annual paper citations.
Design/methodology/approach
Despite widespread scholarly agreement about the relevance of research production in evaluation and recruitment processes, the proposed mechanisms for gauging publication output are still rather elementary, consequently obscuring each individual scholar’s contributions. This study utilised the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution method, and the authors built two indicators to value author's contribution.
Findings
To test both indicators, this study focussed on the most productive scholars in communication during a specific time period (2017–2020), ranking their annual research contribution and testing it against standard productivity measures (i.e. number of papers and h-index).
Originality/value
This article contributes to current scientometric studies by addressing some of the limitations of aggregate-level measurements of research production, providing a much-needed understanding of scholarly productivity based on scholars' actual contribution to research.
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Rahadian Haryo Bayu Sejati, Dermawan Wibisono and Akbar Adhiutama
This paper aims to design a hybrid model of knowledge-based performance management system (KBPMS) for facilitating Lean Six-Sigma (L6s) application to increase contractor…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to design a hybrid model of knowledge-based performance management system (KBPMS) for facilitating Lean Six-Sigma (L6s) application to increase contractor productivity without compromising human safety in Indonesian upstream oil field operations that manage ageing and life extension (ALE) facilities.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design applies a pragmatic paradigm by employing action research strategy with qualitative-quantitative methodology involving 385 of 1,533 workers. The KBPMS-L6s conceptual framework is developed and enriched with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize fit-for-purpose Key Performance Indicators. The application of L6s with Human Performance Modes analysis is used to provide a statistical baseline approach for pre-assessment of the contractor’s organizational capabilities. A comprehensive literature review is given for the main pillars of the contextual framework.
Findings
The KBPMS-L6s concept has given an improved hierarchy for strategic and operational levels to achieve a performance benchmark to manage ALE facilities in Indonesian upstream oil field operations. To increase quality management practices in managing ALE facilities, the L6s application requires an assessment of the organizational capability of contractors and an analysis of Human Performance Modes (HPM) to identify levels of construction workers’ productivity based on human competency and safety awareness that have never been done in this field.
Research limitations/implications
The action research will only focus on the contractors’ productivity and safety performances that are managed by infrastructure maintenance programs for managing integrity of ALE facilities in Indonesian upstream of oil field operations. Future research could go toward validating this approach in other sectors.
Practical implications
This paper discusses the implications of developing the hybrid KBPMS- L6s enriched with AHP methodology and the application of HPM analysis to achieve a 14% reduction in inefficient working time, a 28% reduction in supervision costs, a 15% reduction in schedule completion delays, and a 78% reduction in safety incident rates of Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), Days Away Restricted or Job Transfer (DART) and Motor Vehicle Crash (MVC), as evidence of achieving fit-for-purpose KPIs with safer, better, faster, and at lower costs.
Social implications
This paper does not discuss social implications
Originality/value
This paper successfully demonstrates a novel use of Knowledge-Based system with the integration AHP and HPM analysis to develop a hybrid KBPMS-L6s concept that successfully increases contractor productivity without compromising human safety performance while implementing ALE facility infrastructure maintenance program in upstream oil field operations.
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Jhon James Mora and Andres David Espada Castro
This article analyzes the determinants of credit constraints and their effects on the productivity of micro-firms in Colombia.
Abstract
Purpose
This article analyzes the determinants of credit constraints and their effects on the productivity of micro-firms in Colombia.
Design/methodology/approach
An Endogenous Switching Regression Model (ESRM) is estimated to analyze credit constraint impact on economic performance.
Findings
The results show that owner characteristics such as age and gender decrease the likelihood of being constrained. Firms' characteristics, such as legal status, the formality of the employees, commercial property and savings, are important for reducing credit constraints.
Originality/value
This article discusses how formal credit restrictions harm the economic performance of Colombia's micro-firms. The results show that the productivity of the micro firms in Colombia could increase, on average, by U$ 825 USD when all types of restrictions are eliminated.
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Prachi Vinod Ingle, Mahesh Gangadhar and M.D. Deepak
In recent times, there has been a lot of research focused on performance measurement (PM) in project-based sectors. However, there are very few studies that were reported on the…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent times, there has been a lot of research focused on performance measurement (PM) in project-based sectors. However, there are very few studies that were reported on the significance of PM in the construction sector. Keeping track of an organization in achieving organizations goals and objectives seems an important way. One of the major challenges faced by the industry is unavailable of an appropriate PM system for assessing organizational performance. Most of the PM approaches consider the traditional project triangle assessment of project success. Based on the limitations identified in existing PM models, the purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive PM model, i.e. Modified Project Quarter Back Rating (MPQR) applicable for construction projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A detailed list of performance areas as a method for PM is analyzed in the construction industry context. Also, industry-specific professionals conducted semi-structured interviews to assess whether these performance areas are sufficient to measure and understand the PM systems.
Findings
The research finding focuses on developing the MPQR model that considers both financial and non-financial areas for performance assessment to provide a holistic assessment of project performance.
Practical implications
MPQR model provides an opportunity to set the benchmark for overall performance for construction organizations.
Originality/value
The findings of the study are expected to provide guidelines to construction professionals for implementing the performance model that will improve performance in the construction industry.
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Micah DelVecchio, Joseph Ofori-Dankwa and Akosua K. Darkwah
Microenterprises in emerging economies are known to operate in turbulent and resource-scarce environments. We test our hypothesis that a more comprehensive “Integrated…
Abstract
Purpose
Microenterprises in emerging economies are known to operate in turbulent and resource-scarce environments. We test our hypothesis that a more comprehensive “Integrated Capital-Based Model” (ICBM) is needed when explaining the performance of microenterprises in such an environment. The model combines traditionally researched financial, human and social capital with more recently emphasized psychological and cognitive capital, providing greater explanatory power than models using only the traditional types of capital.
Design/methodology/approach
We use a pooled linear regression to analyze an existing survey of more than 900 independent business owners who were interviewed seven times between 2008 and 2012 in the Accra and Tema marketplaces in Ghana. We measure the performance of microenterprises using three dependent variables (revenue, profits, and productivity). We contrast the explanatory power of ICBM models against the more traditional models.
Findings
The ICBM has significantly higher levels of explanatory power over the traditional models in examining the performance of these microenterprises. These results highlight the importance of psychological and cognitive capital in emerging economies.
Research limitations/implications
We advocate for a more comprehensive view of capital as shown in our ICBM. However, the data were gathered only in an urban setting, which limits the generalizability to rural parts of emerging economies.
Practical implications
These findings suggest the utility of government and appropriate agencies finding ways to enhance the level of psychological and cognitive capital of microenterprise owners.
Originality/value
This paper's originality stems from hypothesizing and empirically confirming the higher predictive efficacy of ICBM against more traditionally researched capital sources.
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Olusegun Emmanuel Akinwale, Owolabi Lateef Kuye and Olayombo Elizabeth Akinwale
The dynamics of work have increased the importance of work conditions and job demand in the corporate environment. This has exposed the high predominance of work overload among…
Abstract
Purpose
The dynamics of work have increased the importance of work conditions and job demand in the corporate environment. This has exposed the high predominance of work overload among employees and managers in social organisations. This study aims to investigate the contemporary determinants of workaholism (organisational culture, financial well-being and career development) and quality of work-life (QWL) in Nigeria’s information technology (IT) sector.
Design/methodology/approach
To synthesise an understanding of factors that are responsible for workaholic behaviour among employees in the IT industry, this study used a cross-sectional research design to investigate the phenomenon that accounts for such hysteric conditions. This study administered an inventory battery of scales to obtain data from the study population on a random sampling technique to measure the established constructs responsible for workaholism and QWL. This study surveyed 644 samples of IT professionals in Nigeria and used structural equation modelling and artificial neural networks to examine the data obtained from the IT professionals.
Findings
The outcome of this study was significant as proposed. This study demonstrated that compulsive work approach adversely affects employee QWL in Nigeria’s IT industry. Also, excessive work adversely affects employee QWL in Nigeria’s IT industry. This study further discovered that organisational culture and management pressure significantly affect the QWL in the Nigerian IT industry. The results of this study showed that financial well-being significantly affects the QWL in the Nigerian IT industry. Lastly, it established that career development significantly affects the QWL in the Nigerian IT industry. This study concluded that if working round the clock is not completely removed from Nigeria’s IT cultural system, the industry will not be a safe environment and will not attract employees anymore. It has enabled many Nigerian workforces to quit working in Nigeria and migrate to international organisations.
Originality/value
This study has shown a meaningful dimension by discovering that workaholism is inherently in the cultural values and DNA of Nigerian IT institutions and not work addiction in itself for the employees. The novelty of this research has indicated that workaholism has not been documented much in the Nigerian IT sector.
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Evangelia Panagiotidou, Panos T. Chountalas, Anastasios Ι. Magoutas and Fotis C. Kitsios
This study aims to dissect the multifaceted impact of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, specifically within civil engineering testing and calibration laboratories. To achieve this, it…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to dissect the multifaceted impact of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, specifically within civil engineering testing and calibration laboratories. To achieve this, it intends to explore several key objectives: identifying the prominent benefits of accreditation to laboratory performance, understanding the advantages conferred through participation in proficiency testing schemes, assessing the role of accreditation in enhancing laboratory competitiveness, examining the primary challenges encountered during the accreditation process, investigating any discernible adverse effects of accreditation on laboratory performance and evaluating whether the financial cost of accreditation justifies the resultant profitability.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with 23 industry professionals—including technical managers, quality managers, external auditors and clients. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke’s six-stage paradigm, was utilized to interpret the data, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the accreditation’s impact.
Findings
Findings reveal that accreditation significantly enhances operational processes, fosters quality awareness and facilitates continuous improvement, contributing to greater client satisfaction. In addition, standardized operations and rigorous quality controls further result in enhanced performance metrics, such as staff capability and measurement accuracy. However, the study also uncovers the challenges of accreditation, including high resource costs and bureaucratic hurdles that can inhibit innovation and slow routine operations. Importantly, the research underscores that the impact of accreditation on profitability is not universal, but contingent upon various factors like sector-specific regulations and market demand. The study also highlights sector-specific variations in the role of accreditation as a marketing tool and differing perceptions of its value among clients. It further emphasizes the psychological stress of high-stakes evaluations during audits.
Originality/value
This study represents the first in-depth investigation into the impact of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation on civil engineering testing and calibration laboratories, directly contributing to the enhancement of their quality and operational standards. Providing actionable insights for laboratories, it underscores the importance of weighing accreditation costs and benefits and the necessity for a tailored approach to the unique market and regulatory landscapes they operate in.
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Olusegun Emmanuel Akinwale, Owolabi Lateef Kuye and Olayombo Elizabeth Akinwale
The cultural norm of compelling employees to work beyond the standard measure as a result of internal pressure from organisations is gaining popularity in the business environment…
Abstract
Purpose
The cultural norm of compelling employees to work beyond the standard measure as a result of internal pressure from organisations is gaining popularity in the business environment today. This research is a pointer to a nuanced and dynamic understanding of workaholism, and this study aims to investigate factors that constitute an individual as a workaholic in the banking industry in Nigeria. This study aims to examine the influence of workaholism on the quality of work-life (QWL) of the workforce and how it led pockets of the workforce to migrate to an international workspace.
Design/methodology/approach
To capture a good understanding of what describes an individual as a workaholic, and what influences the QWL among the workforce in the banking environment, this study utilised a longitudinal research design to survey bankers in corporate organisations in Nigeria. The study administered a battery of adapted scales to measure latent constructs of dimensions of workaholism and QWL on a random simple probability technique. The study surveyed 425 professional bankers in Nigeria's banking workspace. A structural equation model was used to analyse the data obtained from the banking workforce to establish the relationship that exists between the dimensions of workaholism and QWL.
Findings
The outcome of this study indicated an insightful one. The results of the study illustrated that long hours of work, workload, work pressure, financial challenges as well and the pursuit of career growth are determinants of workaholism in banking corporate business. The study illustrated that all the predictors of workaholism equally affect the QWL of the employees in Nigeria's banking industry.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is captured in the dynamics of the concept of workaholism which portends negative outcomes in the Nigerian business environment given the nature of banking business in Nigeria. The study elucidates that workaholism is not work engagement in Nigeria but the attitude of compulsion from the management of the organisations.
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Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke, John Aliu, Solomon Onajite and Michael Simeon
As the construction sector constantly seeks ways to address ever-growing societal demands, the need to embrace innovation and digital technologies (DTs) cannot be overstated…
Abstract
Purpose
As the construction sector constantly seeks ways to address ever-growing societal demands, the need to embrace innovation and digital technologies (DTs) cannot be overstated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the success factors influencing the adoption of DTs to achieve sustainable construction in a developing economy such as Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research approach was conducted with close-ended questionnaires developed and administered to construction professionals based in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data obtained was analyzed using percentages, frequency, mean item score and exploratory factor analysis.
Findings
The findings from the mean scores revealed the leading influential success factors which were education and training, methodology of model constructions, organization development, customer satisfaction and profitability and new revenue. Factor analysis revealed three clusters of success factors which were management needs, construction methodology and effective communication.
Practical implications
To adequately integrate DTs into construction industry activities and processes, awareness about the technologies must be created and enhanced if already in play. This study posits that the construction sector must accept and implement this new paradigm of innovation to benefit from this disruptive era.
Originality/value
This study serves as a foundation for other related studies that are aimed at advocating the efficacy of DTs in the effective and efficient execution of construction activities. The assessment of the success factors influencing the adoption of DTs would help construction organizations and stakeholders to understand the need to embrace and implement smart technologies into the activities, operations and processes of the construction industry.
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Aldo Salinas and Cristian Ortiz
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the productive structure and the size of the informal economy in Latin American countries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the productive structure and the size of the informal economy in Latin American countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs econometric techniques for panel data covering the period from 2002 to 2017 and considering 17 Latin American countries. The evidence presented is based on the informal economy data generated by Medina and Schneider (2018) who estimate the size of the informal economy using a structural equation model and the share of manufacturing in total employment as a measure of the size of the manufacturing sector. Also, the study addresses the possible endogeneity bias in the relationship studied and makes the conclusions more robust, thus avoiding spurious correlations that weaken the findings.
Findings
The results indicate that most industrialized Latin American countries are associated with a smaller size of the informal economy.
Practical implications
The findings have important policy implications, as they suggest that Latin American economies need to switch the structure of the economy toward more sophisticated productive structures if they want to reduce the size of the informal economy. Thus, more efforts should be deployed to policies to diversify and upgrade economies.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature on the informal economy by connecting the country’s productive structure and informality. Specifically, the results show that the productive structure of countries is a plausible explanation for the size of the informal economy.
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