6,607 research outputs found
Developing A Road Freight Transport Performance Measurement System To Drive Sustainability:An Empirical Study Of Egyptian Road Freight Transport Companies
While several road freight performance measurement systems have been developed, only a limited number of quantified performance measurement frameworks encompassing diverse sets of performance metrics from multiple sustainable perspectives are available on a technological platform. These sets of metrics could be integrated as crucial performance indicators for assessing the operational performance of various road freight transport companies. These indicators include fuel efficiency, trip duration, vehicle loading, and cargo capacity. The objective of this research is to construct a conceptual road freight performance measurement framework that comprehensively incorporates performance elements from sustainable viewpoints (economic, environmental, and social), leveraging technology to measure the performance of road freight transport companies. This proposed framework aims to aid these companies in gauging their performance using technology, thus enhancing their operations towards sustainability.Within the road freight transport sector, several challenges exist, with congestion, road infrastructure maintenance, and driver training and qualifications being particularly pressing issues. The developed performance measurement framework offers the means for companies to evaluate the effects of technology integration on vehicles and overall performance. This allows companies to measure their performance from an operational standpoint rather than solely a strategic one, thereby identifying areas requiring improvement. Egypt was chosen as the empirical study location due to its relatively low level of technological integration within its road freight sector.This thesis employs an explanatory mixed methods approach, encompassing four distinct phases. The first phase entails a review to formulate the proposed theoretical performance measurement framework. Subsequently, the second phase involves conducting semi-structured interviews using a Delphi method to both develop a conceptual performance measurement framework and explore the present state of Egypt's road freight transport sector. Following this, the third phase encompasses surveys based on the results derived from Delphi analysis, involving diverse participants from the road freight transport industry. The aim is to validate the developed performance measurement framework through an empirical study conducted in Egypt. Lastly, the fourth phase centres around organizing focus groups involving stakeholders within road freight transport companies. The goal here is to propose a roadmap for implementing the developed road freight transport performance measurement framework within the Egyptian context.The primary theoretical contribution of this research is the development of a road freight transport performance measurement framework that integrates the three sustainability dimensions with technology. Additionally, this study offers practical guidance for the application of the developed framework in various countries and contexts. From a practical standpoint, this research aids road freight transport managers in evaluating their operational performance, thereby identifying challenges, devising action plans, and making informed decisions to mitigate these issues and enhance sustainability-oriented performance. Ultimately, the developed road freight transport performance measurement framework is poised to promote performance measurement aligned with technology, fostering progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030
Performance evaluation of solar PV mini grid system in Nepal: a case study Thabang and Sugarkhal
This article investigates the performance metrics of two solar mini-grid systems, Thabang Solar Mini-Grid (TSMG) and Sugarkhal Solar Mini-Grid (SSMG), based on secondary live data, collected from Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood (RERL) and PVsyst software 7.4 spanning the years 2021–2023. Notably, the highest irradiance levels were recorded in April for both TSMG and SSMG. TSMG exhibited an energy generation of 83.206 MWh/year in 2021 and 112.140 MWh/year in 2022, with a peak sun hour (PSH) of 5.5 h. Conversely, SSMG energy generated 64.14 MWh/year in 2021 and 68.79 MWh/year in 2022, with a PSH of 5.7 h. The capture loss of SSGM recorded 0.239 kWh/day to 3.322 kWh/day in 2021 and 0.082 kWh/day to 2.086 kWh/day in 2022. Also, the capture loss of TSGM recorded 1.573 kWh/day to 5.011 kWh/day in 2021 and 0.470 kWh/day to 4.261 kWh/day in 2023. The efficiency of SSMG is consistently higher efficiency compared to TSMG. The capture factor of SSMG increased from 9.76% in 2021 to 10.47% in 2022, while of TSMG 6.33% in 2021 to 8.53% in 2023. The findings provide valuable insights into the comparative performance of these solar mini-grid systems, contributing to the optimization and improvement of solar energy generation in diverse environmental conditions
Strategy Tripod Perspective on the Determinants of Airline Efficiency in A Global Context: An Application of DEA and Tobit Analysis
The airline industry is vital to contemporary civilization since it is a key player in the globalization process: linking regions, fostering global commerce, promoting tourism and aiding economic and social progress. However, there has been little study on the link between the operational environment and airline efficiency. Investigating the amalgamation of institutions, organisations and strategic decisions is critical to understanding how airlines operate efficiently.
This research aims to employ the strategy tripod perspective to investigate the efficiency of a global airline sample using a non-parametric linear programming method (data envelopment analysis [DEA]). Using a Tobit regression, the bootstrapped DEA efficiency change scores are further regressed to determine the drivers of efficiency. The strategy tripod is employed to assess the impact of institutions, industry and resources on airline efficiency. Institutions are measured by global indices of destination attractiveness; industry, including competition, jet fuel and business model; and finally, resources, such as the number of full-time employees, alliances, ownership and connectivity. The first part of the study uses panel data from 35 major airlines, collected from their annual reports for the period 2011 to 2018, and country attractiveness indices from global indicators. The second part of the research involves a qualitative data collection approach and semi-structured interviews with experts in the field to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the first part’s significant findings.
The main findings reveal that airlines operate at a highly competitive level regardless of their competition intensity or origin. Furthermore, the unpredictability of the environment complicates airline operations. The efficiency drivers of an airline are partially determined by its type of business model, its degree of cooperation and how fuel cost is managed. Trade openness has a negative influence on airline efficiency. COVID-19 has toppled the airline industry, forcing airlines to reconsider their business model and continuously increase cooperation. Human resources, sustainability and alternative fuel sources are critical to airline survival. Finally, this study provides some evidence for the practicality of the strategy tripod and hints at the need for a broader approach in the study of international strategies
Do VIP medical services damage efficiency? New evidence of medical institutions’ total factor productivity using Chinese panel data
This study examines the causal impact of very important person (VIP) medical services on hospital total factor productivity in Deyang, a prefectural-level city in western China, spanning the years 2015–2020. This aims to offer empirical evidence and policy recommendations for the implementation of VIP practices in the medical field. A secondary unbalanced panel dataset of 416 observations was collected from the annual reports of the Health Commission and 92 eligible medical institutions were included. This study utilized a two-stage strategy. First, the Global Malmquist index was used to calculate the total factor productivity and its decomposition terms for hospitals from 2015 to 2020. In the second stage, two-way fixed effects models and Tobit models were used to identify the relationship between VIP medical services and hospital efficiency; instrumental variables were used to solve potential endogeneity problems in the model. The results showed that VIP medical services had a significantly negative impact on medical institutions’ efficiency. The technological advances and pure technical efficiency related to VIP medical care may help explain these negative impacts, which were heterogeneous across groups divided by the nature of the hospital and the outside environment. It is imperative to prioritize the standardized provision of VIP medical services for medical institutions, optimize management and service process, enhance the training of clinical and scientific research capabilities of medical personnel, and scientifically allocate resources for both VIP and general medical services. This will help mitigate health inequality while improving the overall quality of medical services
Consumer engagement through corporate social responsibility communication on social media: Evidence from Facebook and Instagram Bank Accounts
This paper investigates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication through social media on consumer engagement, focusing on the top 15 European banks’ social media accounts. Drawing on stakeholder theory and customer engagement perspective, this study analyzes banks’ content posted on Facebook and Instagram from January 2021 to December 2022. The research employs multiple regression analysis to assess the relationship between CSR dimensions and consumer engagement. Results reveal that two CSR dimensions (employee support and diversity) positively arouse more engagement than non-CSR-related content. Oppositely, other CSR dimensions (environment, community support, product) provide negative or non-statistically significant results compared to non-CSR-related content. This empirical study, utilizing official data from Facebook and Instagram, contributes valuable insights into consumer engagement with CSR-related posts in the banking sector, addressing both scholarly and practical needs for understanding consumer social media engagement dynamics
Sustainable digital marketing under big data: an AI random forest model approach
Digital marketing refers to the process of promoting, selling, and delivering products or services through online platforms and channels using the internet and electronic devices in a digital environment. Its aim is to attract and engage target audiences through various strategies and methods, driving brand promotion and sales growth. The primary objective of this scholarly study is to seamlessly integrate advanced big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) technology into the realm of digital marketing, thereby fostering the progression and optimization of sustainable digital marketing practices. First, the characteristics and applications of big data involving vast, diverse, and complex datasets are analyzed. Understanding their attributes and scope of application is essential. Subsequently, a comprehensive investigation into AI-driven learning mechanisms is conducted, culminating in the development of an AI random forest model (RFM) tailored for sustainable digital marketing. Subsequent to this, leveraging a real-world case study involving enterprise X, fundamental customer data is collected and subjected to meticulous analysis. The RFM model, ingeniously crafted in this study, is then deployed to prognosticate the anticipated count of prospective customers for said enterprise. The empirical findings spotlight a pronounced prevalence of university-affiliated individuals across diverse age cohorts. In terms of occupational distribution within the customer base, the categories of workers and educators emerge as dominant, constituting 41% and 31% of the demographic, respectively. Furthermore, the price distribution of patrons exhibits a skewed pattern, whereby the price bracket of 0–150 encompasses 17% of the population, whereas the range of 150–300 captures a notable 52%. These delineated price bands collectively constitute a substantial proportion, whereas the range exceeding 450 embodies a minority, accounting for less than 20%. Notably, the RFM model devised in this scholarly endeavor demonstrates a remarkable proficiency in accurately projecting forthcoming passenger volumes over a seven-day horizon, significantly surpassing the predictive capability of logistic regression. Evidently, the AI-driven RFM model proffered herein excels in the precise anticipation of target customer counts, thereby furnishing a pragmatic foundation for the intelligent evolution of sustainable digital marketing strategies
Doctoral students in the entrepreneurial university: an untapped potential?
The purpose of the present thesis, which is the main result of the author's doctoral journey, is to shed light on the early stage of doctoral students' entrepreneurial process within the framework of the entrepreneurial university. The paper approaches the topic from both theoretical and empirical perspectives, focusing on the entrepreneurial decision process of doctoral students as the starting point of their journey toward creating a new organization.
The thesis is structured into five chapters. It begins with an introduction to the topic and a general overview of the subsequent sections. The second chapter provides a solid conceptual foundation for the entire work through a systematic literature review (SLR) on the academic entrepreneurship process. Both individual factors and those related to the surrounding socio-organizational context are considered in the study of the process. Data are analyzed through thematic analysis and narrative synthesis, obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the state of the art of academic entrepreneurship. The results highlight what is currently known about the role of individual and socio-organizational variables in the entrepreneurial process. Finally, a research agenda is established around three questions that will guide future empirical work.
The third chapter analyzes the origin of doctoral entrepreneurship, defined as the decision of doctoral students to become entrepreneurs. A conceptual model that integrates the individual dimension with the university support system is proposed and empirically tested. Human capital is considered the antecedent of doctoral students' entrepreneurial readiness, while the university support system is hypothesized to enhance their transition from entrepreneurial readiness to the decision to become entrepreneurs. The results of the empirical analysis reveal that the decision to become an entrepreneur is a multifaceted phenomenon, influenced by numerous factors at different levels.
The fourth chapter delves into this theme, taking an inductive approach to analyze the complexity of doctoral entrepreneurship. The results highlight the prominent role of the individual dimension and the social context, represented by individuals who interact socially with doctoral founders, such as friends, colleagues and supervisors. In contrast, the university support system was found to play a marginal role.
The final chapter offers a general discussion of the results, with theoretical and practical implications
How 'one-size-fits-all' public works contract does it better? An assessment of infrastructure provision in Italy
Public infrastructure procurement is crucial as a prerequisite for public and
private investments and for economic and social capital growth. However, low
performance in execution severely hinders infrastructure provision and benefits
delivery. One of the most sensitive phases in public infrastructure procurement
is the design because of the strategic relationship that it potentially creates
between procurers and contractors in the execution stage, affecting the costs
and the duration of the contract. In this paper, using recent developments in
non-parametric frontiers and propensity score matching, we evaluate the
performance in the execution of public works in Italy. The analysis provides
robust evidence of significant improvement of performance where procurers opt
for a design and build contracts, which lead to lower transaction costs,
allowing contractors to better accommodate the project in the execution. Our
findings bear considerable policy implications
The role of supply chain management practices on competitive advantage and performance of halal agroindustry SMEs
Effective supply chain management (SCM) has become a potentially valuable way to secure competitive advantage and improve organizational performance because competition is no longer between organizations but between supply chains. This study examines the relationship between the influence of SCM practices on competitive advantage and organizational performance. The data for this study were collected from 165 employees in one of the SMEs in the Halal Agroindustry in Indonesia. Survey data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results suggest that higher levels of SCM practices can lead to increased competitive advantage and improved organizational performance. Also, competitive advantage can have a direct positive impact on organizational performance. This study also confirms the mediating effect of competitive advantage on the relationship between SCM practices and organizational performance
Challenges facing small and medium enterprises at the Lephalale Local Municipality of Limpopo Province in South Africa
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) development is significant for employment, wealth distribution, and innovation advancement. SMEs struggle to survive in the commercial world despite the availability of government programmes. This study was to identify the factors that hinder SMEs in Lephalale Local Municipality from succeeding. The phenomenological research design was used to investigate the current state of SMEs. The objectives were achieved by employing a qualitative approach and using unstructured interviews from a population of 318 participants. The data were analysed using Atlas. ti 8 software. SMEs struggle to sustain their businesses because of a lack of access to equipment and financial resources. SMEs consider attending bookkeeping training. SMEs find it difficult to compete with large businesses because they lack the resources. SMEs should consider collaborating with other businesses to acquire business skills and the government should review the current standards to help SMEs meet the requirements for business development.U bveledzwa ha mabindu maṱuku na a vhukati (dzi SME) ndi zwa ndeme kha mushumo, u kovhela lupfumo na u bvela phanḓa na vhubveledzi. Dzi SME dzo konḓelwa u bvela phanḓa kha ḽifhasi ḽa mbambadzo naho hu na mbekanyamushumo dza muvhuso. Ngudo heyi yo itwa u topola zwiṱaluli zwine zwa thivhela dzi SME kha Masipala Wapo wa Lephalale kha u bvelela. Nḓila ya ṱhoḓisiso ya zwibveleli yo shumiswa u ṱoḓisisa tshiimo tsha zwino tsha dzi SME. Zwipikwa zwo swikelelwa nga u shumisa ngona ya khwaḽithethivi na u shumisa inthaviwu dzine mbudziso dza hone dza sa thome dza dzudzanywa kha vhathu vha vhadzheneli vha 318. Data yo saukanywa hu tshi khou shumiswa sofuthiwee ya Atlas.ti 8. Dzi SME dzi a konḓelwa u bvela phanḓa na mabindu adzo ngauri dzi a konḓelwa u swikelela zwishumiswa na zwiko zwa masheleni. Dzi SME dzo dzhiela nṱha u dzhenela vhugudisi ha u vhulunga rekhodo dza masheleni. Dzi SME dzi wana zwi tshi konḓa u ṱaṱisana na mabindu mahulwane ngauri a vha na zwiko. Dzi SME dzi fanela u dzhiela nṱha tshumisano na maṅwe mabindu u wana zwikili zwa bindu, na muvhuso u fanela u sedzulusa hafhu zwilinganyo zwa zwino u thusa dzi SME u swikelela ṱhoḓea dza mveledziso ya bindu.Go hlongwa ga dikgwebopotlana le dikgwebo tša magareng (di-SME) go bohlokwa go tlhomo ya mešomo, go kabaganyo ya lehumo le go tšwetšopele ya boitlhamelo. Di-SME di swara bothata go tšwela pele ka kgwebo ka lefaseng la kgwebo le ge e le gore go na le mananeo a mmušo. Dinyakišišo tše di dirilwe ka nepo ya go tseba mabaka ao a šitišago di-SME ka Masepaleng wa Selegae wa Lephalale go atlega. Tlhamo ya dinyakišišo tša boleng bja maitemogelo di šomišitšwe go nyakišiša seemo sa bjale sa di-SME. Maikemišetšo a ile a fihlelelwa ka go diriša mokgwa wa boleng le go šomiša dipoledišano tše dipotšišo tša tšona di sego tša hlangwa peleng go bakgathatema ba 318. Tshedimošo e ile ya sekasekwa ka go šomiša softewere ya Atlas.ti 8. Di-SME di swara bothata bja go tšwetša pele dikgwebo tša tšona ka lebaka la tlhokego ya phihlelelo ya ditlabelo le methopo ya ditšhelete. Di-SME di nyaka go tsenela tlhahlo ya mabapi le go beakanya dipuku tša ditšhelete. Di-SME di bona go le boima go phadišana le dikgwebo tše kgolo ka ge di hloka methopo. Di-SME di swanetše go nagana ka go dirišana le dikgwebo tše dingwe go hwetša mabokgoni a bophelo, gomme mmušo o swanetše go lekodišiša maemo a bjale a go thuša di-SME gore di fihlelele dinyakwa tša tlhabollo ya kgwebo.Business ManagementM. Comm. (Business Management
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