Determinants of business performance among women entrepreneurs in Southern Thailand

Since several decades ago, women entrepreneurs in Thailand have been continuously encountering issues and challenges in business which could be divided into three important parts, namely personal (motivation & risk-taking), social (work-family balance) and organizational (management, marketing, financial and operational competencies) issues. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to examine the determinant factors that affect the performance of women entrepreneurs in the Southern region of Thailand. The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative approaches that comprised of a self-administered questionnaire and semistructured interviews to gain a better understanding of the study context. The respondents were the Southern Thailand women entrepreneurs who were sole proprietors and had been operating their business for more than two years. About 330 usable questionnaires were used for the data analysis. This study also involved interview sessions with 21 selected women entrepreneurs from three districts, i.e. Hatyai, Songkhla, and Sadao, to probe for additional information. The findings discovered that risk-taking has a positive and significant relationship with business performance. Thus, only one out of seven linear relationships is found positive and significant. In addition, the qualitative results revealed that the main motivation for the women entrepreneurs to start their business is the positive advice from others, i.e. family and friends, and also their own personal desire to earn incomes to support their families’ expenditures. Most respondents seem to ignore the existence of risks, and in most cases they are able to resolve their business issues competently. They do not experience any family conflict; hence they are capable of balancing their work and family matters. Furthermore, they also do not face serious problems related to management, marketing, financial and operational competencies. The results of this study provide evidence and explanation of the determinants of business performance among women entrepreneurs in Southern Thailand, and also contribute some crucial insights to the policy- makers to further develop and improve the current policy and training programs or workshops for the Thai entrepreneurs

A holistic perspective

The phenomenon of globalization and the need to combat the harmful effects of the recent financial and economic crisis associated with rapid urban development and stagnant economic growth in countries/regions/cities seen in the last decade worldwide, has led to a paradigmatic change in the view of cities’ role in urban economic development. This profound change means that cites are faced with a complex and enormous challenge, set out in the European Union’s 2020 Strategy based on the premises of long-term intelligent, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. However, these premises imply that models of economic growth and their traditional determining factors are altered, and so development of the so-called new economy is in evidence. This means that the new economy proposed by the European Union, besides being based on traditional factors generating economic growth, has come to include a new own resource, the intangibility and soft and hard amenities of urban places, or cities, as factors associated with cities’ urban economic development. The changes in regional and public policies linked to repositioning cities have aroused great interest in the academic world and in other public and private agencies, leading to the emergence of countless constructs, concepts and models aiming to contribute to understanding of this global phenomenon. In this context, the concepts of creativity, intelligence and urban sustainability, as inseparable dimensions of cities, have gained relevance in studies on cities, particularly regarding their measurement. Consequently, a series of models and indices have been developed aiming to answer the question of how to assess cities’ performance around these dimensions. This proliferation of studies has not exhausted the topic, as gaps remain to be filled, particularly those involving great complexity by interlinking various constructs such as urban networks, besides creativity, intelligence and urban sustainability in cities. In this scenario, the general aim of the research presented here is to propose a holistic, multidimensional model for Current Creative Cities (CCCs) and its empirical validation through constructing a Composite Index for their holistic performance. The broad spectrum of this objective is clear, and so it was divided in six specific objectives, namely: 1) to map the most studied topics concerning networks and the performance of creative cities, through a bibliometric analysis; 2) to present a proposal of a multidimensional design for CCCs and the respective indicators to measure their performance; 3) to validate empirically the model proposed for each dimension proposed per se, and subsequently, for all the dimensions of the holistic model as a whole; 4) to demonstrate that networks are predictors of CCCs’ holistic performance; 5) to propose a taxonomy for the holistic performance of CCCs and 6) to analyse the effect of living labs on the economic growth of CCCs. 5) to propose a taxonomy for the holistic performance of CCCs; To respond to these aims a mixed research methodology was adopted, since quantitative and qualitative approaches complement each other, particularly concerning internal and external validity, using different research techniques of a deductive and inductive nature, as explained below. In Chapter 2, responding to the first objective, the bibliometrics revealed the most studied topics, besides exponential interest in studying creative cities and networks together. It was also clarified that creativity can be associated with intelligence and urban sustainability in CCCs, that there is still a need to construct a holistic, transversal model for these dimensions, and that this should allow measuring performance and the effect of networks on this. The result obtained in this study directed the research to Chapter 3, i.e., to the second aim established, and so a multidimensional, holistic model is presented to measure CCCs’ holistic performance. With the answers to the first objectives defined, Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7 aim to provide the response to the third and fourth objectives, presenting individual Composite Indices and for the Holistic Performance of CCCs, obtained through multivariate statistical techniques – Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Principal Components Analysis (PCA). These indices were validated empirically in Portugal. The results obtained and their discussion revealed that strategies directed to implementing creative, intelligent and sustainable measures are visible in economic growth in Portugal, despite the need to continue to develop and spread the structural and conjunctural bases through public policies aiming to overcome persisting weaknesses. Therefore, the methodological tool presented here is a bonus for local authorities and their public policies. The demographical, spatial and territorial variations of Portuguese towns and cities led to developing a taxonomy of their holistic performance, to respond to the fifth objective defined by using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, presented in Chapter 8. The results show that improved holistic performance is only achieved when taking all the axes/dimensions of CCCs as a synergetic whole and as a cyclical consequence rather than per se. Finally, these results were complemented in Chapter 9 (sixth objective) by the case study method applied to the town of Fundão, which demonstrated it is not enough to activate the means for citizens to be dynamic actors in improved holistic performance, as current public policies must be strategically managed and promoted by reducing the financial costs involved. The studies presented here allowed presentation of a Composite Index for the Holistic Performance of Portuguese towns and cities, which with the due adaptations to the context analysed can be applied generally. This instrument forms the main contribution of this research, which is of an innovative and relevant nature by being based on urban networks as inductors and catalysts of improved urban economic growth in cities/local authorities. It is also shown that when cities include networks in their public policies, the intangible returns obtained benefit their holistic performance indirectly. Finally, Chapter 10 describes the limitations of the studies presented and makes general conclusions and contributions with implications for theory and practice.O fenómeno da globalização e a emergência de se contornar os efeitos nefastos da recente crise financeira e económica associados ao rápido desenvolvimento urbano e à estagnação do crescimento económico dos países/regiões/cidades a que se assistiu na última década em todo o mundo, originou que a visão do papel das cidades no desenvolvimento económico urbano fosse alterada de modo paradigmático. Esta alteração profunda significa que atualmente as cidades estão perante um desafio complexo e enorme, o qual se consubstanciou na Estratégia 2020 da União Europeia que assenta nas premissas de um crescimento económico inteligente, inclusivo e sustentável a longo prazo. Contudo, estas premissas implicaram que os modelos de crescimento económico e que os seus fatores determinantes tradicionais fossem alterados, pelo que se tem assistido ao desenvolvimento da denominada nova economia. Isto significa que a nova economia preconizada pela União Europeia, para além de assentar nos fatores tradicionais geradores de crescimento económico, passou a incluir um novo recurso próprio, a intangibilidade e as amenidades soft e hard dos lugares urbanos, vulgo cidades, como fatores associados ao desenvolvimento económico urbano das cidades. As mudanças das políticas económicas regionais e públicas ligadas ao reposicionamento das cidades despertou um elevado interesse no meio académico e em outras agências públicas e privadas, pelo que surgiram inúmeros construtos, conceitos, modelos que visavam contribuir para a compreensão desse fenómeno global. Neste contexto, os conceitos de criatividade, de inteligência e de sustentabilidade urbana, enquanto dimensões indissociáveis das cidades, ganharam relevância nos estudos sobre cidades, particularmente no tocante à mensuração da sua performance. Por conseguinte, uma bateria de modelos e de índices têm sido desenvolvidos visando responder à questão de como avaliar a performance das cidades em torno destas dimensões. Esta proliferação de estudos não esgotou a fertilidade desta temática, pela que ainda persistem lacunas por colmatar, em particular aquelas que envolvem elevada complexidade ao interligarem vários construtos, como as redes urbanas, para além da criatividade, inteligência e sustentabilidade urbana nas cidades. Neste cenário, o objetivo geral da investigação aqui apresentada passa pela proposta de um modelo holístico e multidimensional para as Currents Creative Cities (CCCs) e a sua validação empírica através da construção de um Índice Compósito para a performance holística das mesmas. É clarividente o largo espectro deste objetivo, pelo subdividiu este em seis objetivos específicos a saber: 1) Mapear as temáticas mais investigadas sobre as redes e a performance das cidades criativas, através de uma análise bibliométrica; 2) Apresentar uma proposta de desenho multidimensional para as CCCs e respetivos indicadores para a mensuração da performance das mesmas; 3) Validar empiricamente o modelo proposto para cada uma das dimensões propostas per si e, posteriormente, para o conjunto da todas as dimensões de modo holístico; 4) Demonstrar que as redes são preditores da performance holística das CCCs; 5) Propor uma taxonomia para a performance holística das CCCs; e 6) Analisar o efeito que as living labs têm no crescimento económico das CCCs. Para dar resposta a estes objetivos seguiu-se uma metodologia de investigação mista, uma vez que a abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa são complementares uma da outra, nomeadamente no tocante à validade interna e externa, em que se utilizaram diferentes técnicas de investigação de natureza dedutiva e indutiva, como explicado a seguir. Assim, o capítulo 2 responde ao primeiro objetivo, a bibliometria revelou os tópicos mais estudados, para além de um interesse exponencial em estudar as cidades criativas e as redes em conjunto. Também se clarificou que a criatividade é passível de associação à inteligência e à sustentabilidade urbana nas CCCs, que persiste a urgência de se construir um modelo holístico e transversal a estas dimensões e que possibilitem que se mensure a performance e o efeito das redes nessa. Assim, a resposta obtida neste estudo direcionou a investigação para o capítulo 3, ou seja, para o segundo objetivo estabelecido, pelo que se apresenta um modelo multidimensional e holístico para a mensuração da performance holística nas CCCs. Ainda com a resposta aos primeiros objetivos definidos, os capítulos 4, 5, 6 e 7 visam ilustrar a resposta aos terceiro e quarto objetivos, em que se apresentaram Índices Compósitos individuais e para a Performance Holística das CCCs, obtidos pelo uso de técnicas estatísticas multivariadas – Análise Fatorial Exploratória (AFE) e Análise dos Componentes Principais (ACP). Estes índices foram validados empiricamente em Portugal. Os resultados obtidos e a sua discussão revelaram que as estratégias direcionadas para a implementação de medidas criativas, inteligentes e sustentáveis são visíveis no crescimento económico em Portugal, porém ainda urge que se continue a germinar e disseminar as bases estruturais e conjunturais através de políticas públicas que visem ultrapassar as fragilidades que ainda persistem. Deste modo, a ferramenta metodológica aqui apresentada é uma mais valia para os municípios e suas políticas públicas. A disparidade demográfica, espacial e territorial das cidades em Portugal induziu ao desenvolvimento de uma taxonomia de performance holística para as mesmas, dando resposta ao quinto objetivo definido pela utilização da Análise Hierárquica de Clusters (AHC), apresentado no capítulo 8. Os resultados mostram que as melhorias na performance holística só são conseguidas quando se encaram todos os eixos/dimensões das CCCs como um todo sinérgico e como uma consequência em ciclo e não per si. Por último, estes resultados foram complementados no capítulo 9 (sexto objetivo) pelo método de estudo de caso aplicado à cidade do Fundão, o que possibilitou que se demonstrasse que não basta acionar os meios para que os cidadãos sejam atores dinâmicos na melhoria da performance holística, pois é premente que as atuais politicas públicas sejam estrategicamente geridas e alavancadas pela redução dos encargos financeiros afetos a essas politicas. Os estudos aqui apresentados possibilitarem a apresentação de um Índice Compósito para a Performance Holística das cidades portuguesas, que com as devidas adaptações ao contexto em análise é passível de aplicação generalizada. Este instrumento constitui o principal contributo desta investigação e que assume um carácter inovador e pertinente ao ter como pedra basilar as redes urbanas como indutoras e catalisadoras da melhoria do crescimento económico urbano das cidades/municípios. Mostra-se ainda que as cidades que integram as redes nas suas políticas públicas obtêm retornos intangíveis que indiretamente beneficiam a sua performance holística. Finalmente, no capítulo 10 são explanadas as limitações dos estudos apresentados e tecidas as conclusões gerais e outros contributos com implicações para a teoria e para a prática

Assessment of lean concepts in the South African construction industry

Abstract: The South African construction sector has been confronted with the issues of not meeting project schedules, budget and specifications set by the client and architect or engineer. Several studies have demonstrated that the applied models of project management and tools it employs fail to deliver projects on time, at agreed budget and at desired quality. Lean construction promotes the construction development and accomplishing the project objectives by reducing waste. However, in spite of the potential benefits of lean construction and assuming its awareness among stakeholders, little has been reported regarding its execution for performance enhancement and the successful fulfilment of clients’ needs in the South African construction industry. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess lean concepts and to recommend the most effective options for lean concepts’ adoption in South Africa. A quantitative approach has been used for this study. The data used in this study was derived from primary sources using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed both physically and using Google Forms. Out of the 200 questionnaires distributed, 152 were returned. However, only 151 questionnaires were usable, representing a 75.5% response rate. The data collected were analysed using the descriptive statistics (mean item score) and multivariate statistics (exploratory factor analysis) and Cronbach's alpha reliability test. Findings from the data revealed that there is a high level of awareness of lean principles and there is an average level of awareness of lean techniques within the South African construction industry. The study also revealed that there is an average level of application of lean principles while there is a low level of usage of lean techniques within the South African construction industry...M.Tech. (Construction Management

Educational Technology and Related Education Conferences for June to December 2015

The 33rd edition of the conference list covers selected events that primarily focus on the use of technology in educational settings and on teaching, learning, and educational administration. Only listings until December 2015 are complete as dates, locations, or Internet addresses (URLs) were not available for a number of events held from January 2016 onward. In order to protect the privacy of individuals, only URLs are used in the listing as this enables readers of the list to obtain event information without submitting their e-mail addresses to anyone. A significant challenge during the assembly of this list is incomplete or conflicting information on websites and the lack of a link between conference websites from one year to the next

An assessment of risk associated with digitalisation in the South African construction industry

Abstract: In recent years, globalisation, international trade and industry competition have become a part of the construction industry’s operative. In this regard, time and space are progressively diminishing as obstacles to deliver customised and best services to clients at constrained budgets and time frames. All these deliverables call for an innovative approach in conducting business with effective communication being a key to its success. It is for this reason that digital methods and processes are slowly becoming a requirement for any construction company in South Africa to keep abreast with competitors in the same market. Digitalisation is the term used to describe the optimisation of information that has been digitised to improve business operations. Companies around the globe are considering this digital transition in order improve bottom line figures. However, the introduction of digital methods that threaten processes that have been working for years is perceived as a risk. Previous research studies outline a wide range of benefits related to the implementation of digital technology in the construction industry; however, studies do not highlight the inherent critical risk factors. This reveals an information deficit, which this study sought to fill. This study therefore assessed risks that are related to digitalisation uptake in the South African construction industry. In pursuit of this, a quantitative approach was adopted with questionnaires used as the instrument for data collection from construction professionals in the Gauteng Province...M.Tech. (Quantity Surveying