Fire risk of apparel manufacturing buildings in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M.D.I.M. Rathnayake ◽  
P. Sridarran ◽  
M.D.T.E. Abeynayake
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Apparel Manufacturing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Indirect Impacts

Purpose The total essence of apparel manufacturing buildings (AMBs) is highly influenced by fire incidents which are caused direct or indirect impacts to the present building structure or even in old age. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted to explore the local and international fire incidents in AMBs and identify 24 factors that contribute to fire risk of AMBs. A questionnaire survey with professionals who have the knowledge and experience related to past fire incidents and 18 interviews with professionals of fire safety management were carried out. Content analysis was involved to evaluate interviewees’ opinions and relative importance index was involved to rank identified factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs. Findings The results revealed that due to the business nature of AMBs hold a high risk for fire incidents. The study discovered 83.4% of high fire risk prevailing in AMBs in Sri Lanka. Faulty wiring, welding work with electrical sparks and accumulation of waste fabric, paper and other garbage recognized as the top three factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Finally, the strategies proposed to eliminate identified all 41 factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Originality/value The paper helps to guide facility owners regarding the fire safety of AMBs in Sri Lanka.

A benchmarking approach to the progress of green materials and systems’ use in the UAE construction industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aly Elgayar ◽  
Salwa Mamoun Beheiry ◽  
Alaa Jabbar ◽  
Hamad Al Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Green Materials ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines

Purpose Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced several green regulatory guidelines, federal decrees, and a considerable number of environmentally friendly initiatives. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the top green materials and systems used currently in the UAE construction industry as per the new laws dictate as well as see if professionals are switching over to incorporate more green materials, systems, and/or designs. Design/methodology/approach The work involved reviewing internationally popular green materials and systems for construction, developing a questionnaire based on the literature review, surveying professionals in the seven UAE emirates, and ranking the findings based on the relative importance index. Findings Findings found the top used green materials and system in the UAE’s construction industry. As well as identified that there is a communication gap between the design and implementation phases that is possibly hindering the use of more green materials and systems. Originality/value This study sets a baseline to measure the UAE’s progress over the coming years in terms of integrating more green construction materials, systems, methodologies, and trends.

Fuzzy model for assessing delays in Egyptian residential projects

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-246
Author(s):  
Tarek El-Rasas ◽  
Mohamed Marzouk
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Fuzzy Model ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Index Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Residential Projects

Purpose Construction delays are a common problem in the Egyptian construction industry. Frequent delays in a project can lead to disputes and litigation. This paper aims to study and analyze the causes of construction delays. Design/methodology/approach This research identifies delay causes in residential projects in Egypt and analyzes these causes with the relative importance index method. The feedback of construction experts was obtained through interviews. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was prepared. Fifty-six different delay causes were identified and categorized into eight categories based on a literature review and interviews with 36 experts from the construction industry who represent owners, consultants and contractors. Findings According to the highest values of the relative importance index, the top ten delay causes of residential projects in Egypt are determined. Statistical analysis is carried out using the analysis of variance method to test delay causes obtained from the survey, which revealed a good correlation between residential projects parties with respect to most of the delay causes. A fuzzy logic model using MATLAB is developed for determining the probability of delay of residential projects, and the model was tested in a real case study and was found to be satisfactory. Originality/value Delay causes in residential projects in Egypt were identified, and these causes were analyzed using the relative importance index method and fuzzy logic.

Investigating parameters affecting maintenance of heritage buildings in Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoda Abdelrazik ◽  
Mohamed Marzouk
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Index Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Heritage Buildings ◽  
Influencing Parameters

PurposeMaintenance of heritage buildings in Egypt is essential for extending their life and preserving them in a good condition for current use and future generations. The purpose of this paper aims to study the significant parameters to be taken into consideration in the decision-making process for maintenance of heritage buildings.Design/methodology/approachThis research identifies and analyzes the parameters affecting maintenance decision-making process using relative importance index method. Sixty-three parameters were collected from the literature and were categorized into six groups. The feedback of 15 experts who represent owners' representatives and consultants in the field of maintenance and preservation of heritage buildings was obtained through a questionnaire survey and analyses were conducted on the results.FindingsAccording to the highest values of the relative importance index method, the top 10 influencing parameters are determined. A comparison between feedback of the two groups of experts is conducted. Statistical analysis is carried out to test the parameters, revealing a strong correlation between structural and geotechnical groups of parameters.Originality/valueParameters affecting decision-making for maintenance of heritage buildings were identified, influencing parameters can be used to compare between heritage buildings in greater need of maintenance than others.

scholarly journals Which cues cause consumers to perceive brands as more global? A conjoint analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 606-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah De Meulenaer ◽  
Nathalie Dens ◽  
Patrick De Pelsmacker
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Conjoint Analysis ◽  
Consumer Culture ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Product Category ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Brand Name ◽  
High Involvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the globalization (vs localization) of different cues (advertising copy, brand name, spokesperson, brand logo) influences consumers’ perceived brand globalness. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted conjoint analyses for two products differing in product category involvement (chocolates vs computer) with 200 consumers from the Netherlands. Additionally, based on cluster analysis, the authors divide respondents into two groups: local vs global consumer culture individuals, and the authors compare the results of the conjoint analysis for these two clusters. Findings – Advertising copy is most important in determining perceived brand globalness. The spokesperson and the brand logo determine perceived brand globalness more strongly for a low-involvement product, whereas the brand name is more important for a high-involvement product. Further, the spokesperson and the brand logo are relatively more important for global consumer culture individuals, while local consumer culture individuals find the brand name and advertising copy relatively more important. Practical implications – The most important cue to position a brand as global is the advertising copy. Brand managers of a low-involvement product and/or targeting global-minded consumers should concentrate on the spokesperson and the brand logo to position their brand. Managers of a high-involvement product and/or targeting local-minded people should focus on the brand name. Originality/value – While a number of researchers have emphasized the importance of perceived brand globalness for international consumer behavior, the present study is the first to the authors’ knowledge to investigate the relative importance of different cues in creating perceptions of brand globalness.

Adoption of integrated reporting in Sri Lanka: coverage and trend

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thilini Cooray ◽  
Samanthi Senaratne ◽  
Nuwan Gunarathne ◽  
Roshan Herath ◽  
Dileepa Neelangi Samudrage
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disclosure Requirements ◽  
Comprehensive Index ◽  
Reporting Framework

Purpose This paper aims to examine the coverage of and trends in reporting content elements in the integrated reports of the Sri Lankan companies following the International Integrated Reporting Framework (IIRF). Design/methodology/approach Based on a comprehensive checklist developed on the content elements of the IIRF, 171 corporate integrated reports were content-analyzed over a period of three years. The results were theorized subsequently using the legitimacy theory. Findings The study identifies that the extent of and trend in the coverage of content elements of the IIRF have increased during the period under consideration despite some under-addressed areas. It indicates that Sri Lankan companies are making progress in the preparation of integrated reports in line with the IIRF, which provides evidence in support of both strategic and institutional perspectives of the legitimacy theory because of the proactive actions taken by managers to acquire legitimacy along with the other normative and mimetic pressures available in the IR landscape. Originality/value This is one of the first studies that evaluate the compliance of IR adopters with the IIRF overtime in the entirety of a single country. It also develops a comprehensive index to capture the disclosure requirements of IR and extends the analysis to a voluntary context using both strategic and institutional perspectives of the legitimacy theory.

Significance of operational capabilities of suppliers on the front-end decision making in apparel product innovation in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niromi Seram ◽  
Julian Nanayakkara ◽  
Gamini Lanarolle
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Apparel Manufacturing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Front End ◽  
Operational Capabilities ◽  
Apparel Product

Purpose The suppliers are recognized as important external sources who can significantly contribute by working together with the buyer during the innovation process. Operational capabilities of suppliers can be one of the considerable factors when selecting them to participate in the activities at the front-end of innovation. However, proper understanding of the influence of operational capabilities of suppliers on front-end decision-making in apparel product innovation is still very limited particularly in the context of the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Therefore, this study aims to explore the influence of operational capabilities of suppliers on the front-end decision making in apparel product innovation in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach Both semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey were used as data collection techniques. Six senior managers for the interviews and 60 participants for the questionnaire were randomly selected. All those who participated in interviews and the questionnaire respondents have been involved in the front-end of innovation in different apparel manufacturing organizations in Sri Lanka. Findings The results indicated that the operational capabilities of suppliers had a direct positive influence on front-end decision-making, and the suppliers’ production flexibility was found to be the most influential. Further, the results highlighted that 27.3% of the front-end decisions associated with apparel product innovation in Sri Lanka were influenced by the factors governing operational capabilities of suppliers. Originality/value The findings of the research will be beneficial for both academia and industry. The findings will be useful to extend the current understanding and make a noteworthy contribution to this topic and to provide useful and practical guidance to material suppliers and supporting industries who work with Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing.

An assessment of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Ebekozien ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa ◽  
Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri ◽  
Nuzaihan Aras Agus Salim
Keyword(s):  
Fire Safety ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Safety Measures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Electrical Faults ◽  
Fire Accidents ◽  
Safety Rules

PurposeThe occurrence of fire accidents in hospital buildings has become a serious challenge and more serious in developing nations. The purpose of this paper intends to assess fire safety measures in Nigerian hospital facilities. The significance of this study is to ensure that the design and construction of hospital facilities enhance the safety of users and properties.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected via a case study and questionnaire survey and administered to the facility users. The study survey is to assess the respondents' perception of fire safety measures in hospital facilities and suggest possible policy measures that will be employed to enhance safety.FindingsThis paper found that 91% of the respondents have awareness of fire safety measures in hospital facilities. Electrical faults and combustible materials were identified as the frequent causes of fire occurrences in hospital facilities. This can be averted where flammable materials and electrical appliances are correctly installed, and safety rules enforced. Findings show that safety rules are lax in public than standard private hospitals.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to fire safety measures in Nigerian healthcare facilities. Future research is needed to evaluate the level of compliance from design, construction and post-construction of precautionary fire safety measures in hospital facilities in Nigeria.Practical implicationsThis paper recommended that designers and hospital administrators should improve on fire safety measures via the development of fire safety management plan and education. Thus, enforcement of fire safety measures in hospital facilities as specified in building codes should be implemented and monitored during and after the design of the hospital buildings. Findings provide valuable lessons on how to improve the fire safety measures in healthcare facilities across the states and other developing countries with similar healthcare situations.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates that the stakeholders, especially government agencies concern with approval and enforcement of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities need to reawaken to her responsibility because of the lax implementation across the states.

Facilitating the application of auditors’ underlying skeptical disposition

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-56
Author(s):  
Jahanzeb Khan ◽  
Noel Harding
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Skepticism ◽  
Schwartz Value Survey ◽  
Auditor Judgments ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Motivated by ongoing calls for auditors to exercise an elevated level of professional skepticism, this paper aims to examine the relationship between basic human values (values) and an underlying skeptical disposition (trait skepticism). Understanding the values that are associated with levels of trait skepticism will help in the design of audit environments that make the application of an underlying skeptical disposition more likely. Design/methodology/approach A survey was administered in which 140 postgraduate auditing students responded to the Schwartz value survey to measure the relative importance of different values, and the Hurtt trait skepticism scale to measure trait skepticism. The relative importance of the ten values was regressed against trait skepticism. Findings This study finds that the importance placed in the values of tradition and power, relative to other values, is negatively associated with levels of trait skepticism. Research limitations/implications The use of postgraduate auditing students as participants may limit the generalizability of the study’s findings. Practical implications Qualified by the need for future research to test the generalizability of the findings to an audit practitioner sample, the results of this study suggest that auditors with higher levels of trait skepticism may experience negative affect in environments that emphasize values of power and tradition. To the extent that current audit environments emphasize tradition and power, the results may help explain why trait skepticism is not consistently reflected in audit judgments and actions. Originality/value The affective implications of the environment within which auditors exercise professional skepticism is emerging as an important area by which to understand and improve audit quality. By identifying the values that those with a high skeptical disposition place relatively less importance in, this study informs an understanding of the circumstances where an underlying skeptical disposition is more or less likely to be reflected in auditor judgments and actions.

Fire safety management of public buildings: a systematic review of hospital buildings in Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naziah Muhamad Salleh ◽  
Nuzaihan Aras Agus Salim ◽  
Mastura Jaafar ◽  
Mohd Zailan Sulieman ◽  
Andrew Ebekozien
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Technical Management ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThere is increasing recognition amongst healthcare providers on the necessity to improve fire safety management in healthcare facilities. This is possibly not yet satisfactory because of recent fire incidents in Asia. This paper set out to analyse the literature because of the paucity of systematic reviews on fire safety management of public healthcare facilities and proffer preventive measures.Design/methodology/approachThirty related studies were identified with the support of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses via Scopus and Web of Science databases.FindingsInfluencing factors, hindrances to fire safety management and preventive measures for fire-related occurrence in Asian hospital buildings were the three themes that emerged from the reviewed. The factors that influence fire in Asian hospital buildings were categorised into technical, management and legislation factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe recommendations of this paper were based on literature that was systematically reviewed but does not compromise the robustness concerning fire safety management in hospital buildings across Asian countries. Much is needed to be known regarding fire safety in healthcare buildings across Asian countries. This paper recommended exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach as part of the implications for further studies. This will allow in-depth face-to-face interviews and increase the generalisability of future findings concerning fire safety management in hospital buildings across Asian countries to a larger population.Practical implicationsAs part of the practical implications, this paper recommends fire safety management plan as one of the practical possible measures for addressing technical, management and legislation factors. Also recommended is training and fire safety education of healthcare staff in collaboration with safety firefighters to address major issues that may arise from management factors. The government should upgrade the safety technology equipment in healthcare facilities as part of measures to mitigate issues concerning technical and legislation factors. Also, the identified factors are part of the theoretical contributions to the advancement of knowledge and this brings to the front burners new opening.Originality/valueThis is probably the first systematic review paper on fire safety hospital buildings in Asia.

Unexplained wealth and for what purpose: a Sri Lankan perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-28
Author(s):  
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Political Corruption ◽  
Economic Crime ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Content Type ◽  
State Sector ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Entire Society

Purpose Explore perspective from Sri Lanka on unexplained wealth and why it should be taken as a pivotal measure to fight corruption in the society. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative and referenced work to explain the viewpoint. Findings The prevailing political will in achieving goals to fight economic crime is questionable. The entire society has a role to play when fighting corruption, which is not only limited to regulators, bribery commissions and the state sector. Private sector and individual voices in the society, including whistle blowers, could play a leading role in combating cases of unexplained wealth. Originality/value This study highlights political corruption in Sri Lanka with a unique viewpoint connecting political lobbying and unexplained wealth.

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