Developing generic competencies for infrastructure managers in India

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona N. Shah ◽  
Anand Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
Academic Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Generic Competencies ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Leadership Dimensions ◽  
Engineering Projects ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a model for generic competencies based on lifecycle orientation of projects to support infrastructure managers (IMs) in India. Design/methodology/approach This study has reviewed literature on competency theories and their advancement of knowledge in management, construction and engineering projects. This study has applied exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to structure generic competencies founded on infrastructure practices in India. Further this study has applied confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test for confirmation on emerged dimensionality of the competence construct for IMs in India. Findings Using data collected from 175 usable questionnaires of managers serving in infrastructure firms in India for EFA followed by CFA, six generic competencies have been established in the domains of strategic, analytical, personal, managerial, professional and leadership dimensions significantly impacting competent performance. Research limitations/implications This study has applied plausibility sampling and it presents only generic competencies for executives working in the infrastructure sector alone. Practical implications Due to the growth in number of executives to be employed in infrastructure firms in India, academic institutions in this subcontinent have gained momentum in offering programmes covering the field of infrastructure management. These institutions are believed to be covering domains of strategic, analytical, personal, managerial, professional and leadership dimensions for assuring competent performance of IMs in India. Social implications Attention to these generic competencies can help IMs to contribute towards better performance, academic institutions to design curriculum, recruiters to acquire talent and executives to advance professionally. Originality/value Extant academic studies relating to generic competencies are available mostly in project and construction domains. There is a paucity of such academic studies in the domain of infrastructure.

Evaluation of impediments to the competitiveness of the rail sector in Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 1097-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Ghaderi ◽  
Stephen Cahoon ◽  
Hong-Oanh Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Market Condition ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
Operational Environment ◽  
Transportation Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Freight Market

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to empirically evaluate the key impediments to the competitiveness of the rail sector in Australia; and second, to provide relevant transport management and policy recommendations for enhanced competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach This paper has adopted an empirical approach. A survey was developed and distributed among rail stakeholders in Australia. Accordingly, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to evaluate the key impeding areas. Findings This paper found four areas that are impeding rail development, these being infrastructure management, shortage of freight data and poor information sharing, service delivery and organisational and commercial interactions. Research limitations/implications The theoretical approach of this thesis can be applied to any freight market where competition exists between different transport modes. However, the specific strategies provided in this research in terms of transportation management, infrastructure planning and policy were made according to the specific market condition, infrastructure quality and regulation that exist in Australia. Practical implications The findings provide important implications for both industry and government in terms of making transport planning and policy decisions, but also useful insights by identifying the weak parts of the rail sector and directions to target them. Originality/value The notion of the rail stakeholder does not appear to have been previously defined in the literature. Therefore, this research takes a broader view of rail stakeholders to include various interest groups within the rail sector and its operational environment.

Examining the influences of perceived exclusivity and perceived rarity on consumers' perception of luxury

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xujia Wang ◽  
Billy Sung ◽  
Ian Phau
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Theoretical Support ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Luxury Market ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate how exclusivity and rarity (natural versus virtual) influence consumers' perceptions of luxury. Further, it examines whether exclusivity and rarity can function as distinct marketing strategies in today's luxury market environment.Design/methodology/approachOnline questionnaires were administered by adapting developed scales from prior research. Research stimuli were chosen from three luxury categories including bags, wine and cruise. Confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regressions were used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results confirmed that exclusivity, natural rarity and virtual rarity were perceived as relatively distinct constructs among our sample. Findings also highlighted that perceived natural rarity (PNR) has consistently emerged as a positive and significant contributor to consumers' perceptions of luxury across all three luxury categories. The influence of perceived exclusivity (PE) on perceptions of luxury has also shown to be significant for two product categories (luxury bag and luxury wine), whereas perceived virtual rarity (PVR) did not show any significant effects across all three categories.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that consumers perceive natural rarity, virtual rarity and exclusivity as relatively distinctive marketing strategies. This suggests that luxury businesses can adopt each strategy independently to achieve desired marketing outcomes.Originality/valueThis study offers theoretical support for the proposition that exclusivity and rarity may have different functions in luxury marketing implementations. It provides empirical evidence showing the distinctiveness of perceived exclusivity and perceived rarity, which have not be done in previous research.

Do tourists’ emotional experiences influence images and intentions in yoga tourism?

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 646-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pramod Sharma ◽  
Jogendra Kumar Nayak
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Intentions ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of tourists’ emotional experiences on predicting behavioral intentions via cognitive, affective and overall image in yoga tourism. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted using data collected from 398 tourists visiting a yoga tourism destination in India. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used in analyzing the collected data. Findings The study confirmed that specific tourists’ emotions act as a predictor of cognitive, affective and overall image. This in turn influenced the behavioral intentions of tourists. The effect of specific emotions on affective image was stronger than on cognitive image in yoga tourism. Practical implications The marketing campaign of yoga tourism should highlight the special benefits of yoga to activate, stimulate and influence tourists toward yoga tourism, thereby improving the flow of future tourists. It would also help in better positioning and promoting yoga tourism as a unique and distinct niche tourism market. Originality/value This study contributed to the literature by understanding the predictive power of specific emotions on behavioral intentions via, cognitive, affective and overall image in yoga tourism. As far as the authors’ knowledge is concerned, this study is first known attempt to investigate such relationships in tourism literature.

Are Malaysian Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibilities effective? A stakeholders’ view

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruna Babatunde Jaiyeoba ◽  
Abideen Adeyemi Adewale ◽  
Mahmud Oluwaseyi Quadry
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Responsibilities ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) using data collected from stakeholders in Malaysia. While Islamic scholars have developed the Islamic CSR from the Qur’anic verses, the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and from the western ideologies, the focus of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of the developed Islamic CSR practices. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research design was adopted for this study. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and other analyses are performed on the data collected from 193 stakeholders in Malaysia. Findings Based on the data collected and analyzed, the results show that stakeholders view the Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSRs as effective. Research limitations/implications This study investigates the effectiveness of Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSR based on the survey data collected. However, future studies could explore this in greater depth using mixed methods. Practical implications The research findings have great implications for researchers. Since this study is among the few research studies that investigate the effectiveness of Islamic CSR, the researchers have paved ways for further investigation in this area. In addition, the study encourages the Malaysian Islamic banks and other Islamic financial institutions to contribute more to the society. Originality/value The study examines the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ CSR and contributes to the growing discussions on the Islamic CSR. The study has opened up this area for further investigations by other researchers.

General decision making style: evidence from India

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Verma ◽  
Santosh Rangnekar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Voluntary Participation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Experience ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Decision Making Styles ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine applicability of the general decision-making style (GDMS) inventory in India, using a sample of managers. In addition the authors identify various decision-making styles (DMS) of Indian managers and explore their association with respondents’ gender, age, education, experience level, annual income, sector, industry and organizational output. Design/methodology/approach – The sample consisted responses of 500 Indian managers from public (13 percent) and private (87 percent) sector organizations. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, independent sample t-tests and ANOVA. Findings – All decision-making sub scales (rational, intuitive, dependent, avoidant and spontaneous) had satisfactory reliabilities and internal consistencies. Results obtained factor structure that confirmed the original five-factor structure of GDMS. There were also mutual correlations among the styles. Moreover, there were significant differences in the DMS across respondents’ profile variables. Research limitations/implications – This research is based upon survey method and voluntary participation. Hence one can question generalization of findings to larger samples. Practical implications – Results provide insights into DMS of the Indian managers. Organizations may use GDMS as a selection tool, respondents may hone their DMS. Originality/value – A majority of researchers use survey without evaluating validity of the instruments in the selected context and sample. This research contributed to the literature and practice by testing validation of the GDMS inventory in India.

LMX as a negative predictor of presenteeism climate

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 282-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristides I Ferreira ◽  
Luis F. Martinez ◽  
Cary Cooper ◽  
Diana M. Gui
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Negative Predictor ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Some underlying mechanisms regarding presenteeism still remain unclear, namely, the construct of “presenteeism climate” and the importance of “leadership” Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) for presenteeism. In order to shed some light into this phenomenon, the purpose of this paper is to develop and apply a new scale of presenteeism climate. Design/methodology/approach – In Study 1, the authors identified a pool of items from the literature and, in Study 2 (n=147) the authors tested 26 items that were pilot studied with exploratory factor analysis. In Study 3 (n=293) the authors tested a three-factor model – extra-time valuation, supervision distrust and co-workers competitiveness – with confirmatory factor analysis. Findings – Results showed that LMX has a negative correlation with presenteeism climate. Study 3 also showed that this structure remained invariant with additional samples from employees working in hospitals from Ecuador (n=90) and China (n=237). Finally, the authors included suggestions for future studies to overcome the limitations of this research. Practical implications – This study has implications for managers and academics, as it emphasizes the importance of favorable behaviors between leaders and employees in order to decrease presenteeism and its adverse consequences. Originality/value – The main contribution consists of identifying dimensions of presenteeism climate and developing measures. Additionally, the authors contribute to the literature on leadership by studying the influence of LMX on presenteeism climate.

Transformational leadership and employee efficiency: knowledge sharing as mediator

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1571-1590
Author(s):  
Preeti Dwivedi ◽  
Vijit Chaturvedi ◽  
Jugal Kishore Vashist
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Blue Collar ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis research aims to examine the influence of transformational leadership on employee efficiency. The research also examines the role of knowledge sharing as a mediator between transformational leadership and employee efficiency.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on the survey conducted among 200 employees of logistics firms. Exploratory Factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) approaches are used for the evaluation.FindingsThe study found that transformational leadership has positive and significant influence on employee efficiency. The research also demonstrates that after introducing knowledge sharing, it fully mediated the influence of transformational leadership on employee efficiency. The study suggests that, if leaders share their knowledge and expertise among the team, employees have a propensity to be highly effective and efficient than without knowledge sharing.Research limitations/implicationsBlue collar staff and unskilled labors of the firms are not included in the study. So, the study is limited to white collar staff only which can further be expanded by considering other ground staff. Also few or no such researches have been conducted in logistics firms, particularly in Indian logistics firms. So, the result of this study can be used as reference to explore the area. This study can be replicated in the logistics firms of other regions also.Practical implicationsThe finding of the study will help the top management of the organizations to formulate strategies to enhance its senior-subordinate relationship through knowledge sharing. The study also suggests that regular dissemination of knowledge among the team improves the efficiency of the team members and hence the performance of the organization.Originality/valueThis research examines the degree to which knowledge sharing acts as a mediator between transformational leadership and employee efficiency, which has not been found in previous studies.

Customer decision-making styles as a tool for segmenting digital products market in Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 560-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahryar Mohsenin ◽  
Seyedamir Sharifsamet ◽  
Mohammad Rahim Esfidani ◽  
Lucas A. Skoufa
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Market Segmentation ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Digital Products ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Decision Making Styles ◽  
Shopping Experience ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to define and develop digital products market segments in Tehran based on consumers’ buying decision-making styles (CDS) and testing applicability of Sproles and Kendall’s model [consumer style inventory (CSI)] for this steady growing market in Tehran and contributing to theories of market segmentation. Design/methodology/approach This research used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to explore and identify digital products shoppers CDS. In addition, to determine whether the selected items and factors loaded, measured the identified CDS correctly, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to substantiate the number of explored CDS. Then, cluster analysis was executed to pinpoint decision-making groups and demographic characteristics such as gender, marital status, age, education and digital shopping experience to profile the diagnosed clusters. Findings Five CDS were distinguished for digital products customers (four former styles and one new one’s named “Premeditated buying”) through EFA and CFA analysis as a tool for segmenting; four clusters are, namely, “Best Seekers”, “Premeditators”, “Innovation Seekers”, and “Price Insensitive”. Practical implications It will be beneficial to companies focussing on the Iranian digital market. This study identifies each cluster behaviour based on demographic data too. Originality/value This is the first study focussing on market segmentation using extracting digital products decision-making styles. As the new shopping style, “Premeditated buying”, has been explored from this analysis and due to the nature of digital products, this CDS has not been found in previous studies and is unique to Iranian digital products shoppers.

Why some leaders qualify for hate: an empirical examination through the lens of followers’ perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunjan Sharma ◽  
Kushagra Kulshreshtha
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Workplace Relationships ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The leaders’ perception about self and the opinion of the subordinates about them is crucial to understand why some leaders qualify for hate. Much has been discussed on the positive and ethical side of leadership. However, the research on the darker side of leadership needs more attention. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the factors along with their impact responsible for hate-for-leaders, a relatively scant area of leadership. This study may facilitate understanding why some leaders become subject to hate despite many efforts by the organization. Design/methodology/approach For exploring the different factors responsible for hate-for-leaders, a survey was conducted by developing a scale using the focus group, Delphi technique, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The results were analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings The factors responsible for qualifying the leaders for hate were identified. Moreover, the results indicated that the subordinate hate the leaders for his/her unacceptable behaviour/actions which they assume the leader has control over it and exhibited otherwise intentionally on targeted employees. Moreover, some undesirable behaviour of leaders is attributed to fundamental attribution errors i.e. situational factors. Practical implications A fully developed scale for assessing the hate-quotient for leaders is proposed. This research will facilitate the managers/leaders as to why some of the followers/employees hate them. This scale provides an opportunity for managers and leaders to introspect themselves for improved workplace relationships and not to encourage sunflower management that seeks to get submissive and aligned-thought employees around the leader. Originality/value The fact that the decisions taken by managers/leaders adversely affecting the employees are not always because of malice or wrong intentions but sometimes due to situational factors i.e. fundamental attribution error. Moreover, the scale act as a reference to evaluate the hate-for-leaders in the organizational context.

Managing project scope creep in construction industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mian M. Ajmal ◽  
Mehmood Khan ◽  
Angappa Gunasekaran ◽  
Petri T. Helo
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeProject scope creep is a nightmare and nearly intolerable task. Most project managers struggle to curtail the expanse and degree of scope creep. This study examines different likely project scope creep factors associated with the construction industry projects.Design/methodology/approachAfter many brainstorming sessions with construction stakeholders, several project scope creep factors were identified. Then, a detailed survey was executed in big construction projects of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).FindingsThe results derived and validated five conspicuous factors leading to project scope creep. Respectively, the highest and the lowest impact on project scope appears to be imposed by tasks/specifications and complexity/uncertainty.Practical implicationsIt offers crucial support to the project stakeholders in scrutinizing different factors that stand as hurdles to project success and allows them to seek remedies to resolve them.Originality/valueIt is among the first study in the region that identifies and validates the factors that hinder construction project success.

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