scholarly journals A New Sustainable Warehouse Management Approach for Workforce and Activities Scheduling

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2021
Author(s):  
Vlado Popović ◽  
Milorad Kilibarda ◽  
Milan Andrejić ◽  
Borut Jereb ◽  
Dejan Dragan

Sustainable engineering is very important for logistics systems. Nowadays, sustainable warehouse management is a key factor in market success. Workforce fluctuation and inverting the number of customers’ demands make a lot of problems in distribution warehouses. This study addresses a sustainable approach for the workforce scheduling problem recognized in a real distribution warehouse. The problem arises from the high variability of demand for workers over one workday, which causes workforce surplus in some periods of the workday and shortages in others. Engineering managers of the distribution warehouse already use different full-time and part-time shifts, and schedule workers on different activities, but they still have significant workforce surpluses or shortages in some periods. This study proposes the scheduling of activities’ execution together with workers to face that variability and decrease the cost of the workforce. This idea comes from the fact that some activities in a distribution warehouse can be done in a specific time period after the need for them occurs. In this way, the variability of demand for workers can be decreased, and a lower workforce cost may be ensured. Based on this idea, the entire problem is modeled as integer linear programming. The real example of the problem is solved, and the proposed model is tested on randomly generated instances of the problem in Python by means of the PuLP linear programming package. The results indicate different positive effects in the manner of sustainable warehouse management: lower workforce costs, time savings, better utilization of all types of resources and equipment, increased employee satisfaction, and so on. For even 61% of instances of the introduced problem, the obtained cost of the workforce is lower by more than 20% if activities’ executions are scheduled together with employees.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Nadežda Jankelová ◽  
Zuzana Joniaková ◽  
Juraj Mišún

The aim of our paper is to examine whether the support of innovative work behavior by management is positively related to business performance and at the same time, whether this relationship is mediated by the teamwork climate and cognitive diversity of teams. Cognitive diversity is defined as differences in knowledge and perspective, which arise from professional diversity and account for its positive effects. A teamwork climate represents staff perceptions of collaboration between personnel. Business performance is defined by the level of sales. Our sample consisted of 211 managers of companies operating in Slovakia, and data collection took place in the form of a questionnaire. The main tool for examining the mechanism of operation of the investigated relationships is mediation using regression analysis and the Sobel test to determine the significance of the indirect effect of mediation variables. The findings point to a significant direct relationship between the innovative work behavior of company employees and business performance. The intensity of this relationship can be partly influenced by promoting cognitive diversity, especially in the area of knowledge and ways of thinking. The significant role of a teamwork climate was not demonstrated in the examined model.


2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuchih Ernest Chang ◽  
Anne Yenching Liu ◽  
Sungmin Lin

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate privacy boundaries and explores employees’ reactions in employee monitoring. Design/methodology/approach – The research used the metaphor of boundary turbulence in the Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory to demonstrate the psychological effect on employees. The model comprised organizational culture, CPM, trust, and employee performance in employee monitoring to further investigated the influence exerted by organizational culture and how employees viewed their trust within the organization when implementing employee monitoring. Variables were measured empirically by administrating questionnaires to full-time employees in organizations that currently practice employee monitoring. Findings – The findings showed that a control-oriented organizational culture raised communication privacy turbulence in CPM. The communication privacy turbulence in CPM mostly had negative effects on trust in employee monitoring policy, but not on trust in employee monitoring members. Both trust in employee monitoring policy and trust in employee monitoring members had positive effects on employee commitment and compliance to employee monitoring. Research limitations/implications – This research applied the CPM theory in workplace privacy to explore the relationship between employees’ privacy and trust. The results provide insights of why employees feel psychological resistance when they are forced to accept the practice of employee monitoring. In addition, this study explored the relationship between CPM and trust, and offer support and verification to prior studies. Practical implications – For practitioners, the findings help organizations to improve the performance of their employees and to design a more effective environment for employee monitoring. Originality/value – A research model was proposed to study the impacts of CPM on employee monitoring, after a broad survey on related researches. The validated model and its corresponding study results can be referenced by organization managers and decision makers to make favorable tactics for achieving their goals of implementing employee monitoring.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Diana Rusu ◽  
Angela Roman

Abstract Entrepreneurship is recognized as one of the factors stimulating economic growth and increasing economic competitiveness. In addition, the Europe 2020 Strategy has focused its attention on entrepreneurship as a key factor of economic growth, social progress, and employment. In this context, our study examines the role of entrepreneurial performance for sustaining the development of countries, focusing on a sample of European countries. We attempt to reveal if increasing entrepreneurial performance would have significant influence on improving the economic position of countries and their future economic development. Starting from the OECD-Eurostat Entrepreneurship Indicators Programme we use a set of entrepreneurial performance indicators as independent variables and examine to what extent they can influence competitiveness and economic growth, seen as dependent variables of the models. We focus on a period of 10 years (2008–2017) and we apply panel-data estimation techniques. Because the period considered includes the period of the last international financial crisis, we also include in our analysis a dummy variable. Our results emphasize that the changes in entrepreneurial performance play a significant role in enhancing national competitiveness and economic growth. Our findings contribute to the expansion of literature in the field by providing evidence on the correlation of indicators that measure entrepreneurial performance with national competitiveness and economic growth. Moreover, our findings point out the need of the policy makers to adopt measures and policies that help and stimulate entrepreneurs to become more performant because they can generate positive effects to the economy as a whole.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Wheatley

This article considers the impact of flexible working arrangements (FWAs), using the British Household Panel Survey and Understanding Society, 2001–10/11. Results of panel logit, ANCOVA and change-score analysis are indicative of positive impacts from use of a number of FWAs, including homeworking having positive effects for men and women on job and leisure satisfaction. However, findings reveal gaps in availability and use of FWAs, and highlight the gendered nature of flexible employment. Flexi-time, the most common FWA among men, has positive effects as it facilitates management of household responsibilities while maintaining full-time employment. Part-time and homeworking are also positive, consistent with men using FWAs with a greater degree of choice. Women more often are constrained in their use of FWAs, often into working reduced hours. Consequently, FWAs have negative impacts for some women, on job (part-time when used for extended periods, flexi-time), leisure (job-share, flexi-time) and life satisfaction (job-share).


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  

Abstract According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, schizophrenia causes a high degree of disability, which accounts for 1.1% of the total DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) and 2.8% of YLDs (years lived with disability). In the World Health Report [The WHO World Health Report: new understanding, new hope, 2001. Geneva]. In addition to the direct burden, there is considerable burden on the relatives who care for the sufferers. The workshop aimed to present and discuss different facets of what could be done for these persons and their families’ members in the light of what has been done in some European countries, which have conducted reforms. The round table will be introduced by presentations from two countries very much involved in psychiatric reforms which will present their attempts and results: first Italy with its emblematic radical deinstitutionalization model setting up a law to close down the psychiatric hospitals. The to-day situation will be presented underlying the huge diversity across Italian provinces and the dramatic lack of resources in some of them. Second the Portuguese reform will be described with a shift of psychiatric care toward general hospitals and its complete integration into health care catchment areas resulting in a increase of out patient acts among them home visits and a decrease of full time hospital admissions. Then a French three-year research program that focused on themes that aims to improve the every day well-being of people living with schizophrenia will be presented. This program aimed to provid new insights on their integration from different angles: information about the disease by doctors at diagnostic annoucement, on internet and actions to take on health administrator training against stigmatisation that could be extended to a larger public. Lastly the program allowed to interviewed face to face up to 67 people: 20 persons with schizophrenia, 20 person with bipolar disorders and 27 close ones to schizophrenic patients. A semi-structured interview collected information on the different aspects of care experiences plus “The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire” allowed to measure and compare perceptions of the disease. This will allow to present the very positive effects of a program toward family members and patients themselves: “psychoeducation” that is a structured educationnal intervention which provides information and guidelines on how to react with their family member and influences positively the patient’s outcome as the well being of both patient and family members. Each presentation will extensively be discussed with the attendance and followed by some recommandations Key messages Although schizophrenia is a severe disorder much could be done to alleviate the burden on the patients and their family members. Reorganising the care systems trough adequate policies, setting up policies against stigmatisation and providing educational intervention should promote patients and families empowerment.


Author(s):  
Bettina B Hoeppner ◽  
Susanne S Hoeppner ◽  
Hannah A Carlon ◽  
Alexandra Abry ◽  
Audrey Darville ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Most smoking cessation approaches are modeled on heavy daily smoking. With increasing prevalence of nondaily smoking, it may be necessary to modify these approaches for nondaily smokers. Aims To provide information about beliefs and attitudes relevant to smoking cessation for nondaily smokers. Methods Secondary analysis of two prospective studies on young adult smokers (18–24 years of age) provided brief advice to quit smoking. Measures include baseline levels of constructs relevant to smoking cessation counseling and perceived benefits of and barriers to smoking cessation. Results Participants (n = 40 nondaily, 122 daily smokers) were predominantly White (70% and 84%, respectively), gender-balanced (50% and 43% female), full-time college students (89% and 95%). At baseline, nondaily smokers reported lower levels of nicotine dependence (p < .001; nondaily: Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) = 0.8 ± 1.5, daily: FTND = 3.1 ± 1.9), lower urge to smoke (p < .001), greater self-efficacy when facing external smoking stimuli (p = .03), expecting to experience fewer positive effects (reduced negative affect, p = <.001, stimulation, p = .02), and valuing the importance of smoking effects less (ps < .01) than daily smokers. During counseling, nondaily smokers generated both fewer benefits of cessation (Wald X2(df = 1) = 4.91, p = .027) and fewer barriers (Wald X2(df = 1) = 5.99, p =.014) than daily smokers. Withdrawal was not listed by nondaily smokers as a barrier (p < .01). Conclusions Constructs relevant to smoking cessation for daily smokers were less salient to young nondaily smokers, compared with moderately addicted young daily smokers, as indicated by responses to standardized scales and by the generation of fewer benefits and barriers in counseling. Interventions may need to find novel ways to engage nondaily smokers, particularly young adult, in smoking cessation efforts. Implications This study is unique in eliciting benefits and barriers from nondaily smokers as they are about to make a quit attempt. This is a critically important point in time, as this is the point in time in which an action plan is formed and can be informed and enhanced by smoking cessation support. Our study further allowed direct comparison to daily smokers undergoing the same procedures, which allowed the identification of unique factors that may impact nondaily smokers in their quit attempt, which may guide intervention efforts. Use of a mixed method design further strengthen the rigor of this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 7030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Parth ◽  
Maximilian Schickl ◽  
Lars Keller ◽  
Johann Stoetter

The science–education cooperative venture “Our Common Future: ‘eKidZ’—Teach Your Parents Well” explores intergenerational learning processes and the transfer of learning from the younger to the older generation. Students acting as multipliers and their multiplication effect on parents is part of the research setting: 20 high school students, in the role of researchers, investigated the question of whether children who participate in the Climate Change Education (CCE) program “k.i.d.Z.21” passed on their climate-change-related knowledge, attitudes and actions to their parents (n = 91), in comparison to a control group (n = 87). Due to the annual increase in student participants in the CCE project “k.i.d.Z.21” since 2012 (n = 2000), this article can build on the results of a questionnaire regarding the school year 2017/18 (n = 100–120). A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) showed that the “k.i.d.Z.21” project has a multi-faceted knock-on effect on parents, constituting a multiplier effect: increasing knowledge, and, above all, improvements to the child–parent relationship. Additionally, measurable positive effects in the frequency and quality of climate change communication between children and their parents have been observed (Spearman Rank Correlations), but a distinct lack of positive effects regarding changing climate-friendly attitudes or actions have been noted (Pearson Product–Moment Correlation). The importance of the child–parent relationship is a key factor in bridging the knowledge–action gap, and is reviewed in the context of CCE.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 870-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Schmidt ◽  
Bettina Rickert ◽  
Oliver Schmoll ◽  
Thomas Rapp

Abstract The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes water safety plans (WSPs) – a risk-based management approach – for premise plumbing systems in buildings to prevent deterioration of drinking-water quality. Experience with the implementation of WSPs in buildings were gathered within a pilot project in Germany. The project included an evaluation of the feasibility and advantages of WSPs by all stakeholders who share responsibility in drinking-water safety. While the feasibility of the concept was demonstrated for all buildings, benefits reported by building operators varied. The more technical standards were complied with before implementing WSP, the less pronounced were the resulting improvements. In most cases, WSPs yielded an increased system knowledge and awareness for drinking-water quality issues. WSPs also led to improved operation of the premise plumbing system and provided benefits for surveillance authorities. A survey among the European Network of Drinking-Water Regulators on the existing legal framework regarding drinking-water safety in buildings exhibited that countries are aware of the need to manage risks in buildings' installations, but experience with WSP is rare. Based on the successful implementation and the positive effects of WSPs on drinking-water quality, we recommend the establishment of legal frameworks that require WSPs for priority buildings whilst accounting for differing conditions in buildings and countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihaela Pintea

Abstract I develop a model with status concerns to analyze how different economic factors affect female labor participation and welfare, as well as average household incomes and wages. Reductions in the price of domestic goods and increases in female wages have positive effects on female participation. Increases in male wages have different effects on female participation depending on whether they affect female wages or not. Events that lead to increases in female participation are usually associated with decreases in the welfare of stay-at-home wives but are not necessarily associated with increases in welfare of working wives. Allowing for part-time work can lead to an increase in overall female labor force participation, but some women that would have worked full-time end up working part-time. If female wages are endogenous, an increase in male wages leads to an increase in the female participation rate even if it is not associated with a decrease in the gender wage gap. The positive feedback of increased female participation on their wages can lead to hysteresis of dual equilibria of high and low female labor force participation and a discontinuous transition between these equilibria.


F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Sabioni ◽  
Bernard Le Foll

Cannabis use has been continuously increasing, and cannabis use disorder (CUD) has become a public health issue. Some psychosocial interventions have demonstrated the ability to reduce cannabis use; however, there are no pharmacotherapies approved for the treatment of CUD. Some drugs have shown limited positive effects on use and withdrawal symptoms, but no controlled studies have been able to show strong and persistent effects on clinically meaningful outcomes. The aim of this review is to synthesize the evidence from the available literature regarding the effectiveness of psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for CUD among adults (that is, 18 years old or older). An analysis of the evidence shows that the current best psychosocial intervention to reduce cannabis use is the combination of motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, preferably accompanied by a contingency management approach. In regard to pharmacological interventions, there are mostly unclear findings. Some drugs, such as CB1 agonists, gabapentin, and N-acetylcysteine, have been shown to produce improvements in some symptoms of CUD in single studies, but these have not been replicated. Other classes of medications, including antidepressants and antipsychotics, have been unsuccessful in producing such effects. There is an imminent need for more clinical trials to develop more effective treatments for CUD.


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