Towards a 5c theory of communication for scrum-based distributed projects

Scrum-based distributed projects face numerous challenges and failures due geographical, dispersed, times and cultural differences. To improve the success of such software development projects, there is a need to identify factors crucial to achieving the required level of communication between the distributed stakeholders. In this paper, we reviewed the issues and challenges associated with communication in scrum-based distributed projects and explored factors that could improve communication for scrum-based distributed projects. A total number of 25 interviews were conducted in various geographical regions which helped to identify five major factors, i.e. competency, correlation, comprehension, contentment and commitment, crucial to the success of scrum-based distributed projects. Our identification of these factors presents a research and practice approach to developing a theory of communication that would help project managers, scrum masters and practitioners to improve practices while undertaking scrum-based distributed projects

Exploring barriers to carbon management in UK universities

In the race to Net Zero by 2050, organisations including universities are under pressure from governments and stakeholders to reduce carbon emissions. The University sector in the UK has significant social, environmental, and economic impacts alongside a leadership role in the society and is not exempt from challenging carbon reduction aspirations. Carbon management is gaining attention in academia, however, research in this area from an organisational perspective is in early phase. This paper explores barriers to carbon management in UK universities and highlights key challenges to be addressed. This research adopted a mixed-methods approach including a content analysis of eighteen universities’ carbon management plans (CMPs) and seventeen semi-structured interviews with middle and senior managers in UK universities and other stakeholder organisations. The study found that UK universities are facing major barriers, namely, lack of funding, lack of stakeholder engagement - staff and student engagement, lack of human resources, lack of senior management leadership, complex buildings stock, estate development & business growth, potential conflicts & core business priorities and energy & carbon intensive research. The acknowledgement of these barriers could help senior and middle managers responsible for implementing carbon management strategies to achieve net zero by 2050 at the very latest

Factors affecting eWOM credibility, information adoption and purchase intention on Generation Y: a case from Thailand

Purpose: With the ever-expanding online shopping, electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) has become a significant factor affecting the consumer decision-making behaviour. This is specially the case when considering Generation Y (Millennials), who are old enough to be independent buyers and young to be almost immersed in online living. This article aims to assess the impact of eWOM on purchase intention by developing a conceptual model of hypotheses encompassing a multitude of factors that may be associated with this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: The researcher investigates what factors impact eWOM credibility and make the consumer may adopt it when making a purchase. To examine our research model, a quantitative approach is employed for this purpose using a sample through online survey from Thailand – where there is a large number portion Generation Y consumer base. Findings: It was found that source style as a visual attribute information is the most significant factor that may impact eWOM credibility in addition to source credibility, argument quality and source homophily, respectively. Practical implications: From a practical point of view, it helps firms to understand what needs to be taken into consideration when building their marketing strategy. Originality/value: This is believed to add significant insights into the eWOM literature by identifying its route of impact toward the purchase intention on Generation Y

Exploring the impact of institutional forces on the social sustainability of logistics service providers: insights from a high terrorism-affected region

Purpose Achieving social sustainability has become a critical challenge in global supply chain networks, particularly during complex crises such as terrorism. The purpose of this study is to explore how institutional forces influence the social sustainability approaches of logistics service providers (LSPs) in high terrorism-affected regions (HTAR). This then leads to investigating how the key factors interact with Institutional Theory. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory multiple-case study research method was used to investigate six cases of different-sized logistics LSPs, each in an HTAR. The data was collected using semistructured interviews and triangulated using on-site observations and document analysis. Thematic analysis was used in iterative cycles for cross-case comparisons and pattern matching. Findings The findings interact with Institutional Theory and the three final-order themes. First, management processes are driven by coopetition and innovation. Second, organizational resources, structure and culture lead to an ineffective organizational design. Finally, a lack of institutionalization creates institutional uncertainty. These factors are rooted in many other first-order factors such as information sharing, communication, relationship management, capacity development, new process developments, workforce characteristics, technology, microlevel culture and control aspects. Originality/value This study answers the call for social sustainability research and enriches the literature on social sustainability, Institutional Theory and LSPs in HTARs by providing illustrations showing that institutional forces act as driving forces for social sustainability initiatives by shaping the current management processes. Conversely, the same forces impede social sustainability initiatives by shaping the current organizational designs and increasing institutional uncertainty. </jats:sec

Flexible green supply chain management in emerging economies: a systematic literature review

The purpose of this research is to synthesize the fragmented extant knowledge on flexible and green supply chain management (FGSCM) in the context of emerging economies and to unearth research gaps to motivate future research. We adopted a novel structured systematic literature review by triangulating a systematic literature review, text mining, and network analysis. Institutional theory and contingency theory were employed to analyze the results of the review. The results show that, firstly, research on FGSCM in emerging economies, despite its importance, is immature compared to general FGSCM literature. Second, the specificities of strategies and practices that distinguish this topic in emerging economies are discussed and the drivers and barriers are identified with respect to sources of institutional pressure. Third, a research framework for FGSCM in emerging economies is developed and 12 gaps for future research are identified. This study has exclusively developed a research framework for FGSCM in an emerging economy which has received the least consideration in the literature and practice. The framework was developed to synthesize the existing literature and to identify the research gaps to inspire future research

Novel strategies to reduce engine emissions and improve energy efficiency in hybrid vehicles

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) can provide a same power as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles while also reducing fuel consumption by 40–50%. However, due to a complex system of HEV, the power control strategies are used to improve the work efficiency, fuel economy and to reduce exhaust emissions. In the present work, four parameters are studied with the main focus on the optimization of power system of a parallel hybrid vehicle. These parameters are the influence of fuzzy logic algorithm on hybrid electric vehicle power train that is acceleration performance, climbing performance, engine efficiency and exhaust gas emissions. First, the vehicle’s power train is optimized using the Advanced Vehicle Simulator (ADVISOR). Secondly, by ensuring acceleration and climbing performance, the vehicle manufacturing cost is reduced by reducing the weight of the vehicle. Thirdly, two driving road test conditions, Extra-Urban Driving Cycle (EUDC) and Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) are used to enhance the fuel consumption efficiency of the vehicle. Using a fuzzy logic algorithm for random operations, the operating range of an internal combustion engine is controlled as much as possible in the most efficient range. Through the control of 121 different algorithms, the operating efficiency of the powertrain is optimized to reduce exhaust emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The results showed that the proposed strategy can reduce fuel consumption by 5%, CO by 50% and improved the operating efficiency of engine by 15%. Not only this control strategy optimizes the efficiency of powertrain, but also the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Moreover, the motor and battery pack itself can be optimized. These hybrid vehicles can minimize the fuel demand and are the best substitute for the classic internal combustion engines