scholarly journals Factors influencing transaction costs of prefabricated housing projects in China: developers' perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongjuan Wu ◽  
Queena K. Qian ◽  
Ad Straub ◽  
Henk J. Visscher
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Transaction Costs ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Information Costs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
General Contractors ◽  
Local Policies

PurposeThe recent promotion of prefabricated housing (PH) in China has resulted in a prosperous period for its implementation. However, transaction costs (TCs) cause low economic efficiency to stakeholders and hinder the further promotion of PH. No relevant study has yet been made to investigate the TCs and their causes in the PH field. This paper identifies critical TCs and explores the influencing factors from the developers' perspective.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey were used to collect data about TCs and influencing factors. The most influential factors are identified with their impacts on particular TCs, yielded from correlation analysis and logistic regression.FindingsFrom the developers' perspective in China's PH market, this study identified that the most concerning sources of TCs are: hidden costs arising from disputes, extra workloads from design changes, learning costs, intensive communication and coordination in assembly and unexpected information costs in decision-making. The use of an ordered logistic regression approach indicates that the four most influential factors are: qualification of the general contractor, mandatory local policies, owner type and competitiveness of the developer.Practical implicationsTo reduce the TCs, experiencing learning and ensuring the design scheme's complicity are recommended to save information searching and exchanging costs. The implications for the PH developers are for them to: (1) professionalize their own organization and (2) procure high-qualified general contractors. For the policymakers, this means they should improve the clarity of the mandatory local policies for PH step-by-step.Originality/valueBy applying the TCs economic theory, this study explores factors that influence TCs in the PH industry. It sheds light on the influencing mechanism behind the TCs in the context of prefabricated housing.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and influencing factors of anxiety among pregnant women in Wuhan during the outbreak of COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenping Ding ◽  
Jianmei Lu ◽  
Yan Zhou ◽  
Weizhong Wei ◽  
Zhihong Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Prenatal Anxiety

Abstract Background Prenatal anxiety has been a significant public health issue globally, leading to adverse health outcomes for mothers and children. The study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), and anxiety level of pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in Wuhan and investigate the influencing factors for prenatal anxiety in this specific context. Methods Pregnant subjects’ KAP towards COVID-19 and their sociodemographics and pregnancy information were collected using questionnaires. The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used to assess anxiety status. Factors associated with the level of prenatal anxiety were analyzed by Pearson’s chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results The prenatal anxiety prevalence in this population was 20.8%. The mean score of knowledge was 13.2 ± 1.1 on a 0 ~ 14 scale. The attitudes and practices data showed that 580/ 817 (71.0%) were very concerned about the news of COVID-19, 455/817 (55.7%) considered the official media to be the most reliable information source for COVID-19, and 681/817 (83.4%) were anxious about the possibility of being infected by COVID-19. However, only 83/817 (10.2%) worried about contracting COVID-19 infection through the ultrasound transducer during a routing morphology scan. About two-thirds 528/817 (64.6%) delayed or canceled the antenatal visits. Approximately half of them 410/817 (50.2%) used two kinds of personal protection equipments (PPEs) during hospital visits. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the influential factors for prenatal anxiety included previous children in the family, knowledge score, media trust, worry of contracting the COVID-19 infection and worry about getting infected with COVID-19 from the ultrasound probe antenatal care (ANC) schedule. Conclusion Prenatal anxiety was prevalent among pregnant women in Wuhan during the outbreak of COVID-19. The current findings identified factors associated with the level of prenatal anxiety that could be targeted for psychological care.

Individuals' waste separation practice in a relationship with social bonds: a case study of Hanoi, Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thi Kim Nhung Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Social Bonds ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sociological Approach ◽  
Waste Separation

PurposeThe paper aims to ascertain whether residents in Nguyen Du ward still sort their waste at source following the end of the 3R project that ended in 2009. Additionally, this paper aims to explore the relationship between waste separation practices and social bonds.Design/methodology/approachThe Travis Hirschi theory of social control was applied, together with the mixed method research design which included a structured questionnaire survey. Twelve semi-structured interviews were also conducted with residents and the data processed by SPSS software, using Chi-Square test, Independent-Samples t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis.FindingsA proportion of respondents has continued practicing waste separation since the 3R project ended. The study also indicated that the greater the involvement in family and neighborhood activities the more the participants were likely to practice waste separation.Research limitations/implicationsThe small sample size limits the extent to which the most influential factors can be determined and therefore the degree to which the findings can be generalized.Practical implicationsThe study includes implications for rerunning the waste separation programs for households as together with community campaigns to improve individuals' attachment and commitment and thus their participation in pro-environmental behaviors.Originality/valueTo the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to take a sociological approach to investigate factors affecting household waste separation, which has attracted little attention in previous studies. Useful information is also provided to local authorities for a policy-making process to implement effective domestic waste policies.

Transformation paths and influencing factors of tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge in real estate companies: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guodong Ni ◽  
Ziyao Zhang ◽  
Zhenmin Yuan ◽  
Haitao Huang ◽  
Na Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Real Estate ◽  
Tacit Knowledge ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
Tacit Knowledge Management

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to figure out the paths about transformation of tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge, i.e. tacit knowledge explicating (TKE) in real estate companies, and determine the influencing factors of TKE in Chinese real estate companies to enable enterprises make better use of their knowledge resources.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted an exploratory design method using thematic analysis and grounded theory, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. The interviewees consisted of employees in different positions, who come from Chinese real estate companies with different ranking ranges and different knowledge management levels. Data collection was divided into two rounds for the identification of transformation paths and influencing factors.FindingsThis study has shown that 11 paths about TKE divided into solidified organization process and construction of organizational infrastructure go into effect within the real estate companies. Factors influencing TKE in real estate companies concern three main categories: organizational distal factors, contextual proximal factors and individual factors, including 21 subordinates in total. Furthermore, correlation between TKE paths and influencing factors is established.Research limitations/implicationsResearch results may lack generalizability due to the method adopted. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to verify the outcomes of this research.Practical implicationsThis research provides a new idea and solutions for the tacit knowledge management in real estate companies.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to systematically identify paths and the influencing factors of TKE in real estate companies, contribute to the incipient but growing understanding of achievement of “tacit to explicit” and enrich the corporate tacit knowledge management literature.

Causes and mitigation for declining productivity in the Australian mid-rise residential construction sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tillmann Böhme ◽  
Alberto Escribano ◽  
Emma Elizabeth Heffernan ◽  
Scott Beazley
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Residential Construction ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Productivity ◽  
Productivity Losses ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Stage Process

Purpose The construction industry is a significant driver of economic activity in many countries. However, there has been a lack of growth in productivity within the Australian construction sector over recent years. The purpose of this paper is to gain an in-depth understanding of the causes for declining productivity within the Australian mid-rise residential construction network. Design/methodology/approach Two in-depth case studies have been conducted with a builder and developer, both significant entities of the Australian mid-rise residential construction network. Case study data collection comprised a five-stage process including semi-structured interviews and archival information review. Findings Drivers for declining construction productivity were identified under the categories of: industry-, firm- and project-level productivity. The drivers include: incomplete documentation, design changes, inefficient project management, supply chain fragmentation, among others. Originality/value The contribution of this study is the identification and categorisation of major issues impacting sector productivity along the mid-rise residential construction supply chain. The research identified that the substructure and superstructure are the construction phases during which most productivity losses occur. Mitigations are discussed in terms of systemic sector productivity increases at an industry, firm and project levels.

Factors influencing cruise vacations: the impact of online reviews and environmental friendliness

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frida Bahja ◽  
Cihan Cobanoglu ◽  
Katerina Berezina ◽  
Carolin Lusby
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Environmental Friendliness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cruise Line ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of the study was to discover the relative importance of influencing factors toward booking a cruise vacation. Based on a review of literature, this study focused on exploring the relative importance of six influential factors in cruise customers’ decision-making process: cruise vacation price, cruise duration, distance from the cruise port, itineraries, environmental friendliness of cruise line and cruise online reviews. Design/methodology/approach The complexity of cruise customers’ decision-making process for involving these six attributes with several levels was examined with choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis. CBC was selected due to its realistic approach to purchase decisions, in the form of trade-offs. The online survey collected data anonymously. The survey was distributed through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (Mturk) platform. The sample consisted of 450 cruise customers, who had experienced a cruise vacation before. Findings The findings of the study showed that online reviews were the most influential attribute for cruise customers in their cruise decision, followed very closely by the environmental friendliness of the cruise line. The next influential factor was the duration of the cruise vacation, which was followed by distance from the cruise port, cruise itinerary and cruise vacation price. The best and the worst cruise vacation profiles were generated based on the CBC analysis. Practical implications The findings of this study provide some insights with regard to cruise customers’ importance about influencing factors when deciding on a cruise vacation. Originality/value The research provides insides in understanding the influential factors at the last stage of cruise customers’ decision-making process. In this regard, cruise industry can pay more attention in promoting the attributes of a cruise offer as influential factors. Additionally, the findings of this study contribute to the general knowledge about cruise customers’ decision-making process.

Influential factors on medical equipment maintenance management

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rona Bahreini ◽  
Leila Doshmangir ◽  
Ali Imani
Keyword(s):  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Equipment Maintenance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Job Levels ◽  
Medical Equipment Maintenance

PurposeEffective maintenance management of medical equipment is one of the major issues for quality of care and cost-effectiveness especially in modern hospitals. An effective medical equipment maintenance management (MEMM) consists of adequate planning, management and implementation. This is essential for providing good health services and saving scarce resources. Considering the importance of the subject, the purpose of this paper is to extract the influential factors on MEMM using a qualitative approach.Design/methodology/approachDocuments review and interviews were main methods for data collection. Semi structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 14 clinical engineers with different degree of education and job levels. Interviews were voice recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analyzed using a content analysis approach (inductive and deductive) to identify the underlying themes and sub-themes.FindingsFactors influencing an effective and efficient MEMM system categorized in seven themes and 19 sub-themes emerged. The themes included: “resources,” “quality control,” “information bank,” “education,” “service,” “inspection and preventive maintenance” and “design and implementation.”Originality/valueThe proposed framework provides a basis for a comprehensive and accurate assessment of medical equipment maintenance. The findings of this study could be used to improve the profitability of healthcare facilities and the reliability of medical equipment.

Relational contracts and value chain governance: exporter approaches to overcoming transaction costs in Rwanda's coffee sector

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Gerard ◽  
Maria Claudia Lopez ◽  
John Kerr ◽  
Alfred R. Bizoza
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Transaction Costs ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Foreign Firms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relational Contracts ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Relational Contracting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coffee Sector

Purpose In developing countries, local buyers often rely on relational contracting based on reciprocity and trust. This paper analyzes relational contracting and global value chain (GVC) governance by focusing on how domestic and foreign coffee exporters in Rwanda confront challenges.Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 representatives of Rwandan private, Rwandan cooperative-owned and foreign exporters, and four coffee sector stakeholders.Findings Foreign firms export most Rwandan coffee, and local exporters express concerns about their ability to compete. Rwandan exporters face challenges accessing capital, competing with foreign firms and managing high transaction costs. They use relational contracts to reduce transaction costs, and they benefit from a monopsony zoning regulation that reduces competition. Foreign exporters face regulatory challenges: a government-set coffee price and the zoning regulation. They vertically integrate to reduce costs and lock in suppliers through prefinancing.Research limitations/implications Future research should analyze differences between local and foreign exporters in other contexts to advance understanding of the different challenges faced and contracting approaches used.Originality/value Few GVC governance studies address the role of relational contracts in contexts where enforcement is costly. Considering relational contracts within GVCs can improve value chain analysis, specifically in the developing countries where many GVCs start.

Logistic regression analysis for factors influencing cost performance of design-bid-build and design-build projects

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenxue Lu ◽  
YuanYuan Hua ◽  
SuJuan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Cost Performance ◽  
Project Cost ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Design Bid Build

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the influencing factors of cost performance of design-bid-build (DBB) and design-build (DB) projects and comparing the differences of influencing factors between these two delivery methods. Design/methodology/approach This research identified and refined 14 influencing factors through literature review and academic expert discussions. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data about the influencing factors and project cost performance. Then those factors were reduced to four components by factor analysis. Logistic regression analysis is used to investigate the relationship between four principal components and project cost performance. Findings The results indicate that the significant influencing factors of project cost performance of DBB projects and DB projects are different. For DBB projects, owner abilities, such as owner team ability, owner experience, and owner finance, are important influencing factors causing cost overruns, while for DB projects cost performance is more sensitive to the contractor abilities, namely, contractor team ability, contractor finance, contractor experience, etc. Research limitations/implications The results of the paper are mainly derived by quantitative research method based on the survey of 144 samples, so the results may need validation by qualitative studies. Further research could apply case study or interview to validate the findings in this research. In addition, project type and location are not considered as control variables due to the limited number of samples, future research could be conducted to investigate their relationship with project performance. Practical implications The findings of this research not only help practitioners have a better understanding of the factors influencing project cost performance, but also provide some guidelines for practitioners to pay attention to different factors to better control the cost performance within different delivery systems. Originality/value Owner ability and contractor ability are found to be of different importance in influencing cost performance of DBB and DB projects. This research extends previous research on cost management by considering different significant factors in influencing project cost performance within DBB and DB projects.

Factors affecting empowerment of female librarians, views of female managers of Tehran public libraries

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 663-672
Author(s):  
Maryam Nakhoda ◽  
Samaneh Rahimian
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Job Skills ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Female Managers ◽  
Inhibiting Factors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study promoting and inhibiting factors in empowerment of female librarians in the opinion of female managers. It is necessary that library managers identify and monitor influential factors in empowering librarians, and attempt to eliminate factors with negative effects. Design/methodology/approach – This study is conducted in a phenomenological approach, which relies on in-depth interviews among nine female managers of top public library in Tehran. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis method was used for analysis of data. Findings – Interviews analysis revealed that job skills, participation and teamwork, role resolution, access to information, motivation, role modeling, recognition, and appreciation were among the effective factors in empowerment of female librarians. On the other hand, poor organizational communication system, negative attitudes toward staff, and instructional management style were among the inhibiting factors in empowerment of female librarians in the opinion of female public library managers. Originality/value – Results of the present study can help managers of public libraries to identify factors affecting empowerment of female librarians’. Also the findings can be used in managers’ planning and decision-making process.

scholarly journals Internal audit effectiveness: operationalization and influencing factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-271
Author(s):  
Oktay Turetken ◽  
Stevens Jethefer ◽  
Baris Ozkan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Standard Procedures ◽  
Audit Effectiveness ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a framework that presents how internal audit effectiveness can be operationalized and what factors are available to influence the effectiveness. Internal audits have become one of the key practices for organizations to control the adherence of their processes to standard procedures and regulations. The benefits of conducting internal audits are well acknowledged in the literature. However, it is difficult for organizations to assess the effectiveness of internal audits and to understand the factors that influence audit effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review was conducted to identify relevant publications and collect and synthesize evidence on the operationalization of internal audit effectiveness and the factors that potentially influence the effectiveness of internal audits. Findings A thorough analysis of the relevant studies resulted in a comprehensive list of indicators used for the operationalization of audit effectiveness and a list of potentially influencing factors. The results of the systematic review are synthesized into a framework. Research limitations/implications The researchers should consider this study as a comprehensive source that offers pointers on the factors investigated in the literature and a basis for future research in this field to address the gaps that are identified. Practical implications Awareness about how the effectiveness of internal audits can be measured, and the factors that can potentially influence this effectiveness can help organizations to understand their current performance and ultimately improve it in the future. Originality/value The contributions of this study will help in better understanding the state of the research on internal audit effectiveness, including the influential factors, and gaps and opportunities for future research.

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