People-centred management for improving construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-368
Author(s):  
Tirivavi Moyo ◽  
Gerrit Crafford ◽  
Fidelis Emuze
Keyword(s):  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
The People ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Concern ◽  
The Impact

PurposeWhile operational factors reduce construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe, the impact of the people-centred management aspects has not been empirically interrogated as a remedy. This article reports on a study that sought to determine significant people-centred management aspects that lead to improved labour productivity and assesses the existence of statistically significant differences due to the demographic variables of respondents. Demographic-specific strategies that enhance construction “workers” productivity were revealed.Design/methodology/approachThe survey research design using a self-administered questionnaire was deployed to collect the primary data. The design followed a positivist paradigm to evaluate objectively how people-centred management affects construction workers' productivity. The statistical data were descriptively and inferentially analysed.FindingsPeople-centred management was determined to be significant in improving construction workers' productivity, with the most significant aspect being the building of employee confidence in related approaches. Designations and educational levels mostly indicated a statistically significant difference in several aspects that included the adoption of a functional reward culture for workers and training on people-centred principles. Training on-site management and construction workers in people-centred management and its application are crucial to improving construction workers' productivity.Research limitations/implicationsConstruction companies should drastically improve their concern for people while they sustain a high concern for production within their construction sites. Although several factors affect construction workers' productivity, this study determined that management-related factors and people-centred management were significant towards influencing low productivity in Zimbabwe.Originality/valueThe study determined people-centred management and demographic-specific interventions as being able to improve construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe.

Adoption of mobile self-service retail banking technologies

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 894-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Apostolos Giovanis ◽  
Costas Assimakopoulos ◽  
Christos Sarmaniotis
Keyword(s):  
Social Influence ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Service Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Self Service ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors influencing the adoption of mobile self-service retail banking technologies, and the degree of influence of each factors leading their usage. Having mobile banking (MB) as the reference service and drawing on previous studies in the field, an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model is proposed and empirically validated to investigate the impact of technology, social, channel and personal factors on potential customers’ usage intentions. Design/methodology/approach On evidence drawn, through a dedicated research instrument, from 513 non-users in Greece, the effects of the extended UTAUT’s drivers on MB adoption intentions are assessed using partial least squares path methodology. Findings The results indicated that technology-related factors, expressing innovation expected performance, and social influence are the leading determinants of MB adoption intentions, followed by the two channel-related factors, expressing perceived risk and trust toward MB usage, and potential users’ inherent innovativeness. Furthermore, the consideration of service experience as a moderating variable has shown that there is a significant difference in the effects of social influence and perceived trust on adoption intention between potential users with high and limited service experience. Research limitations/implications The sample is country specific and this may affect generalizability of findings. Also, the cross-sectional design adopted does not reflect the temporal changes. Practical implications From a practical point of view, the findings suggest that banks should consider, except of the technology-related factors of MB, the way that potential users perceive the channel-related factors as well as the individual differences in order to improve the MB acceptance level. Originality/value Although there are a few studies that use UTAUT to predict MB adoption, the proposed model is the first that combines four groups of MB adoption driving factors into a causal model in order to explain MB adoption intentions in a country which is facing severe financial crisis for the last eight years, Greece.

Physical and cognitive demands of work in building construction

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 745-764
Author(s):  
Franciscsa S. Rodriguez ◽  
Jan Spilski ◽  
Felix Hekele ◽  
Nils Ove Beese ◽  
Thomas Lachmann
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Construction Work ◽  
Specialized Knowledge ◽  
Cognitive Demands ◽  
Physical Demands ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Investigating demands within an occupational context has always been an essential endeavor to guarantee worker well-being and performance efficiency. In blue-collar occupations, the physical demands of manual labor have always been the major focus, but recent technological changes may come with higher demands on the intellectual capacities of workers. For this reason, the purpose of this paper is to assess physical and cognitive demands that construction workers face. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a quantitative study using standardized research instruments. Construction workers of three German construction companies were asked to volunteer to participate in interviews (n=35) and a survey (n=30) that assessed the extent of physical demands and a variety of cognitive demands experienced by construction workers. Findings The results suggest that construction work is demanding in physical terms as well as in perceptual, psychomotor, social and cognitive terms. Using and updating specialized knowledge, giving advice and providing consultation, friendliness, assertiveness and reliability are important demands among construction workers. Research limitations/implications Construction workers face an undervalued level of demands in their everyday work environment. As high demands can affect well-being and mental health, construction companies would greatly benefit from investing efforts into evaluating the multi-component demands profile of their workers and the impact on their health, in particular through the strongly increasing cognitive demands due to the ongoing digitization of the sector. Originality/value The study identified essential demands in construction work that are relevant for the workers’ productivity and well-being.

Resistance to change: an empirical investigation of its antecedents

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 426-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Amarantou ◽  
Stergiani Kazakopoulou ◽  
Dimitrios Chatzoudes ◽  
Prodromos Chatzoglou
Keyword(s):  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Change Initiatives ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Resistance to change (RtC) is widely recognized as the main reason of failure, when it comes to change initiatives. Despite its importance, there is still a rather limited knowledge concerning the factors that trigger this behavior at the workplace. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors affecting RtC in healthcare organizations (namely, hospitals) and specifically, in emergency departments (EDs). Design/methodology/approach An original conceptual framework (research model) has been developed and empirically tested using primary data collected from EDs of six Greek hospitals. In total, the actual sample incorporates the responses of 158 ED health professionals who completed a structured questionnaire. Findings The findings verified the initial assumption that “disposition towards change (DtC),” “anticipated impact of change (AIC)” and “attitude towards change (AtC)” mediate the impact of various personal and behavioral characteristics on “RtC.” The results suggested that “RtC” is (indirectly) influenced by four main factors (“employee-management relationship,” “personality traits,” “employee participation in the decision-making process” and “job security”). Originality/value This study investigates how several factors affect, both directly or indirectly, employee reactions toward “RtC.” It also examines the mediating effect of three factors (“DtC,” “AtC,” “AIC”) that capture three different dimensions of individual evaluation toward change, something that goes beyond previous work. In addition, the present study examines a wide range of antecedents of RtC, including both personality-related and job-related factors.

Beamless or beam-supported building floors

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz M. Jarkas
Keyword(s):  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
Floor Area ◽  
Productivity Data ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Due to a dearth of quantitative research into buildability factors affecting formwork labour productivity of in situ reinforced concrete construction, the purpose of this paper is to establish a distinct point of departure from the prevalent qualitative trend of buildability research practices by exploring, quantifying and comparing the influence of the two widely used design schemes; namely, beamless and beam-supported building floors, on formwork labour productivity. Design/methodology/approach A considerable quantity of relevant formwork labour productivity data associated with each building floor configuration was collected from projects sharing similar characteristics. The data were analysed to determine the statistical significance of the difference between the two labour productivity “means” of the sample sets representing both populations. Regression analyses were further carried out to assess the impact of floor area on labour efficiency. Findings The results obtained show a statistically significant difference between the two means of formwork labour productivity achieved, where the efficiency of “forming” the beam-supported floor type is, on average, lower by 57 per cent than that of the beamless configuration. The outcomes further demonstrate a significant influence of building floor area on the productivity of the form-working operation. Practical implications The findings can provide designers with feedback on how well their decisions consider the requirements of buildability principles, and the consequences thereto on labour productivity. The depicted pattern of results may, moreover, provide guidance to estimators and project managers for reasonable cost estimation, effective planning and efficient labour utilisation. Originality/value The general guidelines available for buildability improvement lack the supporting quantitative evidence, and thus are often viewed with scepticism, especially amongst design practitioners. On the contrary, the quantitative outcomes reported in this study are based on rigorous methodology, hence can be used as a supporting reference to “formalise” the specific buildability knowledge of the activity explored.

Impact of information and communication technology on marketing of rice

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1061-1080
Author(s):  
Kakali Majumdar ◽  
Rajeev Kumar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The lack of proper dissemination of market information is observed as the main reason of poor marketing of the agricultural produce in India. Application of information and communication technology (ICT) can bridge this information gap by means of dissemination of required marketing information specifically targeted at the farmers. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of ICT on marketing of rice in Uttar Pradesh, one of the biggest northern states of India. Design/methodology/approach As rice is the dominant crop of Uttar Pradesh, the impact of ICT on net price received (NPf) by rice producers of the state is studied. An attempt is also made to identify the factors that influence the use of ICT. Primary data are collected through a multistage sampling technique. Single, multiple dummy and binary logistic regression models are used in the present work. Findings A significant difference is observed in the NPf of the farmers using ICT than that of non-users. Education and land holding type also have a positive and significant impact on ICT use. Originality/value In the existing literature, the study related to the impact of ICT on agricultural marketing is almost absent for India in general, and Uttar Pradesh in particular. ICT has created impact in almost all directions of life. It is expected that the implementation of ICT will create a notable impact on the income level of the farmers. The present study will give a direction in this regard. The study is based on primary data and original work of the authors.

A Study On Impact Of Work Life Related Factors On Employee Engagement In Health Care Sector Workers In Dindigul District.

2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (7) ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
S. JAYARAMAN ◽  
R. Sindhya ◽  
P. Vijiyalakshmi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Care Sector ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact

this research aims to find out the intensity of Employee Engagement of the health care sector workers and the relationship between the Work life factors and Employee Engagement of Health care sector workers in Dindigul District. Primary data were used in this research, were collected from 298 Health care workers from Dindigul District. Questionnaire was the major tool used to gather the primary data from the selected sample respondents. For this purpose, a well structured questionnaire was constructed with the help of professionals and the practiced employees of various health care units in Dindigul District. The health care employees were chosen by simple random sampling method. The investigative measures of regression Path analysis, and simple percentage analysis were utilized to find the impact of work life related factors with the Employee Engagement. The maximum Health care workers were generally satisfied with their jobs. The analytical procedure of path analysis multiple regressions was utilized to determine the predicting strength among Work life factors and the employee engagement. This study provides an another view about the importance of Work life factors and Employee engagement for organizational effectiveness and performance .

The role of innovation in building competitive advantages: an empirical investigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prodromos Chatzoglou ◽  
Dimitrios Chatzoudes
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose Nowadays, innovation appears as one of the main driving forces of organisational success. Despite the above fact, its impact on the propensity of an organisation to develop and sustain a competitive advantage has not yet received sufficient empirical investigation. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the existing empirical literature by focusing on the antecedents of innovation and its impact on competitive advantage. It proposes a newly developed conceptual framework that adopts a three-step approach, highlighting areas that have rarely been simultaneously examined before. Design/methodology/approach The examination of the proposed conceptual framework was performed with the use of a newly developed structured questionnaire that was distributed to a group of Greek manufacturing companies. The questionnaire has been successfully completed by chief executive officers (CEOs) from 189 different companies. CEOs were used as key respondents due to their knowledge and experience. The reliability and the validity of the questionnaire were thoroughly examined. Empirical data were analysed using the structural equation modelling technique. The study is empirical (based on primary data), explanatory (examines cause and effect relationships), deductive (tests research hypotheses) and quantitative (includes the analysis of quantitative data collected with the use of a structured questionnaire). Findings Results indicate that knowledge management, intellectual capital, organisational capabilities and organisational culture have significant direct and indirect effects on innovation, underlining the importance of their simultaneous enhancement. Finally, the positive effect of innovation on the creation of competitive advantages is empirically validated, bridging the gap in the relevant literature and offering avenues for additional future research. Originality/value The causal relationship between innovation and competitive advantage, despite its significant theoretical support, has not been empirically validated. The present paper aspires to bridge this gap, investigating the impact of innovation on the development of competitive advantages. Moreover, the present study adopts a multidimensional approach that has never been explored in the existing innovation literature, making the examination of the proposed conceptual framework an interesting research topic.

Research from China finds no significant difference in impact of public service motivation (PSM) in public and private sectors

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Intention To Leave ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The authors assumed PSM would be higher in the public sector, but they set up a trial to find out if this was the case. Design/methodology/approach To test their theories, the authors conducted two independent surveys. The first consisted of 220 usable responses from public sector employees in Changsha, China. The second survey involved 260 usable responses from private sector employees taking an MBA course at a university in the Changsha district. A questionnaire was used to assess attitudes. Findings The results found no significant difference between the impact of public sector motivation (PSM) on employee performance across the public and private sectors. The data showed that PSM had a significant impact on self-reported employee performance, but the relationship did not differ much between sectors. Meanwhile, it was in the private sector that PSM had the greatest impact on intention to leave. Originality/value The authors said the research project was one of the first to test if the concept of PSM operated in the same way across sectors. It also contributed, they said, to the ongoing debate about PSM in China.

Does an impaired capacity for self-care impact the prevalence of social and emotional loneliness among elderly people?

2018 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irena Canjuga ◽  
Danica Železnik ◽  
Marijana Neuberg ◽  
Marija Božicevic ◽  
Tina Cikac
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Self Care ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Self ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of self-care on the prevalence of loneliness among elderly people living in retirement homes and older people living in their homes/communities. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted through standardized SELSA-L assessment loneliness questionnaires and the Self Care Assessment Worksheet for self-care assessment. The results were processed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Findings The obtained results have shown that impaired self-care ability affects the prevalence of loneliness among the elderly almost the same in both groups of participants. However, regarding the relationship between the state of health and self-care, only a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of loneliness is found in the case of the participants living in their homes, with the worst health condition affecting the poorer psychological care. Research limitations/implications It is necessary to point out the limitations of the research, primarily sample limitations and the selected design of the study. The sample consisted of two different and relatively small groups of participants which could adversely affect the representativeness of the sample and reduce the possibility of generalising the results. The next limiting factor is the age distribution the authors used in the research, where the age of the participants as a very important variable was collected by age range and not precisely which consequently resulted in inequality in subgroup sizes. Thus, the middle age (75–85) covers up to ten years, which is a huge range at an older age and can mean major differences in functional ability, and can impact the self-care assessment. Practical implications Nurses are indispensable in care for the elderly and they need to promote and encourage self-care of the elderly through health care. Elderly people living in retirement homes should be allowed to participate equally in health care in order to preserve their own autonomy and dignity. However, to benefit those who live in their homes, nurses should be connected to the local community and thus stimulate various forms of preventative (testing blood sugar levels, blood pressure and educating on the importance of preventive examinations) or recreational activities in the environment of elderly people with the goal of preserving their functional abilities. Originality/value The impact of self-care on loneliness was not sufficiently researched, and this paper contributed to understanding the complexity of loneliness phenomena among the elderly with the aim of developing a model of prevention.

scholarly journals Analysis of Green Marketing Tools towards Consumer Purchase Intention in Kathmandu

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Shulov Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Hypothesis Testing ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Green Marketing ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Green Products ◽  
The People ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
Green Packaging ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

<p>The main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of green marketing tools on product choice and how green initiatives influence purchase intention of consumers. The research also attempts to examine the relationship between age, income, education, and occupation with consumer purchase intention in association with green marketing tools. The study is descriptive in nature and focuses on hypothesis testing using structured questionnaire and interview. Structured questionnaire is used to collect primary data from a sample size of 120 respondents focusing on employed, self-employed, students and homemakers. These groups are assumed to represent green purchase in today’s society. However, opinions of marketing professionals have also been considered. The survey population represents the people who go for shopping; data have also been collected from the point of purchase. Green purchase intention was seen to be incremental considering the increase in the level of education of individuals. Green marketing tools i.e., environmental belief, green packaging, green branding, green advertisement, green labelling has been taken into account to observe its significance towards consumer purchase intention. Likert scale questions with five-scalerating were used to do the hypothesis testing. The questions included statements in conjunction with the measure of green marketing tool’s influence over consumer purchase intention. The research revealed that green marketing tools played a significant role in inducing a positive purchase intention towards green products. While there exists growing preference towards green products, price plays a major role in product purchase.</p><p>Journal of Business and Social Sciences Research, Vol. 1, Issue 1, pp. 37-57</p>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document