Developing a robust measurement instrument for the influence of national culture on lean production systems

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide a robust model to bridge the influence of national culture (NC) on lean production (LP), identifying relationships among their elements and investigating the degree of influence. Design/methodology/approach The culturally sensitive lean production model (CSLPM) is used as a framework to develop a survey questionnaire that captures the information to analyze using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). A case study to validate the model is presented from a subsidiary with operations in Mexico (MX) and the USA. Findings The CSLPM provides a robust framework for the measurement of the interaction between LP and NC. Multi-group analysis facilitated the comparison among the different groups (MX and USA), highlighting the differences of culture and the corresponding LP implementation within the same company. Research limitations/implications The instrument was validated only within two countries and one organization. A higher sample of respondents, countries and organizations could validate the relationships established and the replication of the model. Practical implications The CSLPM can be used for assessment of the evolution of organizations, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of a particular culture when implementing LP, providing focal points for research and training efforts. Originality/value The CSLPM is a robust instrument to measure expectations for LP practices according to their company’s geographical context. The incorporation of higher order variables and mixed directionality within the variables presented a novel approach to PLS-SEM.

Differences in Teachers’ Professional Action Competence in Education for Sustainable Development: The Importance of Teacher Co-Learning

This study builds on a research-practitioner partnership embedded within an education for sustainable development (ESD) project and aims to explore the major potential challenges (i.e., disciplinary boundaries set by subject specialization, especially in secondary education) and success factors (i.e., teacher co-learning experiences in ESD) associated with differences in teachers’ professional action competence (PACesd) in a sample of 557 in-service teachers in primary and secondary schools in Flanders, Belgium. The study employed a recently validated PACesd measurement instrument and involved quantitative data analysis in a structural equation modelling framework. The results show that primary education teachers tend to report higher PACesd levels compared to their peers in secondary education. Moreover, regardless of educational level, gender and teaching experience, all teachers participating in a working group or a learning community in ESD are more likely to show higher levels of PACesd. Implications of the findings, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Emotional Intelligence & ICTs for Women and Equality

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and is essential for the existence of peaceful societies, with human resources that are fully utilized and sustainable development. Emotional Intelligence is not gender biased and it is an integral key to successful personal and working life. In (Drigas & Papoutsi, 2021) there was an attempt to construct a reliable and valid measurement instrument of emotional intelligence with 81 items, based on the theoretical nine-layer pyramid model of emotional intelligence. The sample was consisted of 520 teachers (129 males and 391 females) from primary and secondary school grade and the data was collected with the Nine Layer Pyramid Model Questionnaire for Emotional Intelligence. Among other results we examined gender differences in emotional intelligence. The results revealed some differences between the two genders on emotional intelligence with women scoring higher on overall emotional intelligence. This article also provides an overview of the prevailing emotional intelligence status of both sexes as it emerges through research, beliefs about emotions between women and men, and suggestions for avoiding stereotypes and proper interventions for raising emotional both men and women. Finally, a reference is made to technology in its various forms, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which is also associated with emotional intelligence and has great potential to empower women worldwide and promote gender equality

Organizational and Personal Factors That Boost Innovation: The Case of Nurses during COVID-19 Pandemic Based on Job Demands-Resources Model

Since 2019, the world has been experiencing a pandemic period due to the COVID-19 virus, which has brought the need for organizations in general, healthcare organizations and their professionals in particular, to focus on innovation as a way to fight an utterly unknown virus. Thus, this study aims to understand how nurses and their personal factors (stress, anxiety, work engagement, organizational support) impact their innovative behaviour and innovation outputs, contributing to innovation in the current pandemic period through changes in thoughts, values, behaviours and relationships among healthcare professionals and their organizations. For this purpose, the Job Demands-Resources model was used as a reference, and the measurement instrument was applied to 738 nurses working in healthcare units in Portugal. Therefore, it was found that the nurses’ personal factors have a positive effect on the nurses’ innovative behaviour and innovation outputs, with the innovative behaviour having the most significant impact on innovation outputs, which will benefit healthcare organizations and the healthcare provided to patients during the pandemic, through innovative behaviours and products. It is also possible to understand how the available resources and the demands imposed on nurses interfere with their innovative behaviour (Job Demands-Resources model).

New facility for primary calibration of differential spectral responsivity of solar cells using LDLS-based monochromatic source

A newly established setup for primary calibration and characterization of solar cells at NMCC/SASO is presented. This differential spectral responsivity (DSR) measurement instrument uses laser-driven light source (LDLS)-based modulated (AC) source to measure the spectral responsivity of photovoltaic (PV) detectors and solar cells. The setup is intended for measuring the spectral responsivity in the wavelength range from 250 nm to 2000 nm, bias level up to 1.5 kW/m2, with which a measurement uncertainty of 1.06 % (k = 2, in the range of 300 nm to 900 nm) could be achieved. We present validation measurements as well as spectral responsivity and external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements of reference solar cells to demonstrate the objective of the setup. We present a preliminary evaluation of the associated uncertainty components as well as an uncertainty budget for validation, optimization and standardization of our setup.

Study and measurement of the productivity in the printing industry in Villahermosa Tabasco to develop an improvement proposal

Productivity is one of the paths that a company must take to achieve its objectives, goals and purposes, working effectively and efficiently. To achieve a culture of measurement, it is important to perform a productivity analysis, which will help to obtain adequate information to create development recommendations in the near future. This work provides information on the results obtained from a productivity measurement study in a sample of companies in the printing industry, in Villahermosa Tabasco, which helps to understand and adapt business needs within the cultural, environmental, technological, economic and political variables. To carry out this study, a measurement instrument has been used that obtains specific information on the elements that an organization must have for the development of productivity, this tool is called Comprehensive Productivity Assessment Technique (TIEP), the which will give us results that serve to generate a model for improving productivity, which will be of great help for the growth of this business sector with positive results that bring benefits to the region and society.

Constructing Indicators For Islamic Financial Inclusion

This study conceptualizes and proposes the measurement items and constructs for assessing the financial inclusion of Islamic finance. It proposes and validates the demand-side measurement tool for the financial inclusion of Islamic finance using four dimensions, i.e., quality, accessibility, usage, and satisfaction. The measurement instrument proposed in this study assesses the actual performance of Islamic finance towards total financial inclusion. The study was based on exploratory factor analysis of the questionnaire responses collected from 129 respondents. The questionnaires were distributed to the Zanzibar residents from February 2021 to March 2021. The questionnaires are adapted mainly from the Findex Survey (2017). The financial inclusion of Islamic finance can be determined using four dimensions (components); relevancy (quality) of Islamic financial services, accessibility of Islamic financial services, usage of Islamic financial services, and satisfaction with Islamic financial services. The study is limited to Principal Components Analysis as a factor analysis approach. Besides, the study has been conducted in Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous nation in East Africa. Therefore, more comprehensive studies are required in various areas for generalizing the results.

The degree of commitment among high school principals to integrity values from their viewpoints in Jordan

This study aimed to identify the degree of commitment among high school principals in Jordan to integrity values from their viewpoints. The researchers used a descriptive survey approach to achieve the study’s objectives. A random sample was chosen from the study population. The researchers used a questionnaire as a measurement instrument. The study results showed that the degree of commitment among high school principals in Jordan to integrity values got an ‘average’ degree. Besides, the study results displayed the absence of statistically significant differences at the significance level, following academic qualification and years of experience variables. The study recommends promoting the principles and integrity values (honesty, reform, sincerity, chastity and justice) among high school principals in the education ministry in Jordan. Keywords: Degree of commitment, high school principals, high schools, integrity values.

Research protocol for the implementation of management control tools in the operational areas of a logistics facility in the state of Veracruz

Management control tools are of great importance for any organization, therefore, in this research work, the study of management control tools will be carried out in the operational areas of a logistics facility in the state of Veracruz. , to later develop a measuring instrument. The study proposes to design a measurement instrument based on a Likert scale, converting qualitative information into quantitative data by the researcher, which allows visualization and clarity in determining the ideal tools for the control management of the studied area. The instrument will be applied to the company's experts, since they provide reliable information and provide a reliable scenario. The information is analyzed by the researcher, to later design and define a proposal, a proposal that allows the correct selection of control management tools and comprehensively improve the organization.