Intangible Factors Research Articles

Exploring the socio‐cultural sustainability of old and new housing: Two cases from Jordan

Vernacular architecture serves as inspiration and learning material to create more impactful and meaningful contemporary building solutions. However, most research in this area focuses on the technical aspects of sustainability. There remains a gap in the sociocultural aspects of both contemporary and vernacular architecture. A coherent understanding of the indicators that inform this vernacular-inspired sustainable architecture is also still lacking. This study aimed to propose and categorize indicators of a theoretical eco-cultural sustainability framework and indicators. This was underpinned by a literature review of existing sustainability assessment frameworks and tools. A qualitative approach was used comprising 81 semi-structured interviews from two case study areas - historical and contemporary development, in Jordan. Framework and thematic analysis guided the analysis stage. Factors related to cultural appropriation were the most prioritised by participants and linked to sustainability. It was also found that due to its intangibility and complexity, most sustainability frameworks in the built environment only focus on the environmental criteria and have failed to integrate cultural indicators. Therefore, this study makes a significant theoretical and practical contribution in that it bridges this gap by proposing tangible metrics relating to intangible cultural factors so that this can be effectively incorporated into existing design assessment methods and tools.

The application of quality control circle to improve the quality of samples: A SQUIRE-compliant quality-improving study.

Since its application in medical institutions in China, quality control circle (QCC) has gained achievements in medical care and thus earned more attention from the administrative department of health.In order to improve the quality of laboratory specimens, we launched a QCC activity to solve the problems and evaluate the effect of it. The data of 30,105 unqualified specimens in our hospital were collected from February to June 2017. After the QCC activity, the data of 43,125 specimens taken from July to December 2017 were collected.The defect rate of the specimens before the QCC activity was 0.98% (297/30105), and after the QCC activity, it was 0.45% (193/43125), showing a significant statistical difference (P < .05). The achievement rate and improvement rate were 108.2% and 54.1%, respectively.After the implementation of QCC, the defect rate of specimens in clinical laboratories was significantly decreased, and the intangible factors were also improved, which demonstrated the positive effects of QCC on the quality control of specimens.

PROBLEMATIC ISSUES OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUATION OF MONUMENTS

The article analyzes the current state of the regulatory framework governing the valuation of cultural monuments, in particular, the Monetary Valuation of Monuments approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated September 26, 2002 No. 1447. The classification of conservation categories by a monument (national and local significance) and types of monuments (archeology, history, monumental art, architecture and urban planning, landscape gardening art, historical landscape, science and technology) is given. The main problem in determining the value of monuments is to take into account not only the material factors of the monuments and its degree of wear, but also the consideration of its intangible factors, such as its historical, social, artistic value, the presence of objects of decorative art. That is, the cost of buildings-monuments of cultural heritage is formed: – due to the cost of the material “carrier” (land with improvements in the form of buildings, structures, small forms, etc.); – due to the value of the contribution of the intangible asset to the carrier. The article also describes the main problems that arise when assessing such objects (the presence of a monument’s status, the lack of an information base on market transactions, high operating costs, the need for restoration work, and high investment risks). The factors raising and lowering the value of a cultural heritage monument are characterized. Based on the analysis of the current regulatory framework, it was decided to develop practical recommendations for determining the value of real estate – monuments of architecture and urban planning, in particular built-in premises.

Closing the loop: Forging high-quality agile virtual enterprises in a reverse supply chain via solution portfolios

Reverse supply chains are receiving increased attention for business and sustainability opportunities. As few organizations are adept at both forward and reverse supply chains, subcontracting various activities is imperative. Vendor selection that best achieves combined expertise for reverse supply chains, while quickly forming virtual enterprises to seize market opportunities, is an emerging issue. We formulate a novel 0-1 integer nonlinear optimization model, subsequently linearized to enable efficient computational performance, to select vendors that minimize the maximum formation time for creating agile virtual reverse supply chains. We then generate a portfolio of diverse, high-quality vendor assignments by adapting a recent algorithmic technique, thereby allowing industrial managers to address intangible factors into their final decisions. Computational experiments on simulated data demonstrate the model’s efficiency for generating sets of high-quality and diverse solutions in reasonable timeframes.

The Informational Content of Geographical Indications

Geographical indications (GIs) convey information about the place of production as a proxy for the attributes of agricultural products. We define the informational content of the GI proxy as its capacity to describe the tangible characteristics of production sites, instead of random noise or intangible factors from political bargaining about designation (i.e., lobbying effects). We estimate econometrically the informational content of wine‐related GIs for the Côte d'Or region of Burgundy, France. We show that GIs signal vineyard attributes with high precision, while we find some persistent bias from lobbying effects. We also study alternative classifications, from history and from simulations, which reveal a significant increase in the informational content of GIs over the last hundred years or so, and provide guidelines for better designated GIs in the future.

Modelo para Aferir a Hospitalidade a Bordo das Aeronaves do Transporte Aéreo Doméstico Brasileiro

Propósito justificado do tema: O conhecimento da forma como os passageiros enxergam a hospitalidade a bordo das aeronaves brasileiras permite identificar os fatores tangíveis e intangíveis valorizados pelos passageiros e que podem fazer diferença no momento da escolha da empresa aérea. Objetivo: Dentro do universo da hospitalidade na aviação, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a hospitalidade no transporte aéreo doméstico brasileiro a partir da visão dos passageiros. Metodologia e abordagem: O estudo é de natureza mista compreendendo fase qualitativa com revisão bibliográfica e quantitativa com o desenvolvimento de instrumento de coleta de dados e a análise de 1.163 questionários, tendo se utilizado como ferramenta de análise o software SPSS. Resultados: Os resultados alcançados permitem concluir que, na visão dos passageiros, a hospitalidade é percebida a bordo das aeronaves do transporte aéreo doméstico brasileiro, abrangendo um conjunto de 19 itens que podem ser explicados usando-se 5 fatores que foram denominados “atrativos”, “atendimento”, “bem-estar”, “low-cost” e “higiene”. Originalidade do documento: Este trabalho é original, pois tem por objetivo apresentar modelo inédito para se aferir a hospitalidade a bordo das aeronaves brasileiras.

Measuring Performance of Business Incubators: A Literature Review and Theoretical Framework Development

Business Incubation is one of the latest concept in promoting entrepreneurship in global economy. Concept which originated in 1958 at Batavia, United States is now hot buzz around the world. The present study provides a conceptual framework developed through identified strategic performance indicators (SPIs) used or suggested by authors for mapping performance of Business Incubators (BIs). The conceptual framework embarks SPIs both for BI management and incubatees which together constitute major stake holding in BIs. The SPIs have been identified from extensive literature review of correlated research articles from 1990 to 2017. The research is suggestive of that least number of authors have used IPRs as SPI in their PMS, frequently used SPI in literature is survival rate of incubatee firms. Intangible factors have not been given due weightage by authors in their PMS The study is also suggestive of that most of the PMS adopted in BIs are not holistic in approach as they ignore assessment of incubatees at various stages of BIP. A conceptual framework is proposed based on segregation of identified SPIs amongst incubator manager and incubatees. The framework depicts the need and importance of Operational performance indicators for each identified SPIs.

Positive image as a key factor of increasing the enterprise's competitiveness

The article is devoted to defining the essence and role of corporate (value) image as a factor of the value-oriented competiti-veness at the enterprise. The relevance of topic is due to growing role of intangible assets, image of the company, in the growth of its market value. Need for further research is connected with the problem of valuation of image. It is also connected with fact that in the highly concentrated basic industries of economy in Ukraine the overwhelming number of enterprises are cost oriented. Purpose of the work is to improve methodology of assessing the image of a value-oriented enterprise based on the concept of Balanced Scorecard - BSC. The system-structural analysis and the method of logical generalization were used to clarify essence and place of image in the structure of intangible assets of the enterprise, factor and economic-mathematical analysis – to form the BSC management panel and to calculate the integral index of corporate image; critical analysis - to compare alternative approaches to form a Balanced Scorecard and role of company image in the implementation of its cost growth strategy. Assessment of the corporate (value) image of a metallurgical value-oriented enterprise is implemented by the normative method of integral evaluation of the investment attractiveness of enterprises and organizations. The Balanced Scorecard - BSC concept, which is emerged as a system of estimation of the cost and efficiency of the enterprise using measuring instruments of material and intangible factors of its value creation, was used as a tool for assessing the corporate (value) image of a metallurgical value-oriented enterprise. The validity of valuing image of a value-oriented enterprise based on the BSC concept is that a positive image of an industrial enterprise produces its future value in the stock market, which allows it to gain an edge over its competitors. The authors have improved the method of estimating the image of a value-oriented enterprise, which, unlike the known ones, involves the calculation of integral index of the corporate image of enterprise on the basis of the Balanced Scorecard. The comprehensive assessment of the indicator takes into account both positive characteristics and reasoning for the choice: significant orientation on expectations of the investment community; the possibility of taking into account contribution of intellectual capital of the enterprise in the creation of its future value; simplicity of calculation and availability of indicator logic perception at all levels of management; the ability to navigate key factors of value creation and value image of the enterprise to lower levels of management. The practical value of the proposed methodology for the assessment of corporate image is to determine the strategy of its adjustment and increase the strategic competitiveness of the enterprise.

PECULIARITIES OF INFLUENCE OF INTANGIBLE FACTORS ON ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL CHANGE OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES

At the present stage of development of territorial communities, the problem of their unification, including the change of administrative boundaries, has become a serious problem. The policy of dividing these boundaries is reflected in the perspective plan for the development of territorial communities, in particular relying on the material component without taking into account the intangible factor. This is quite clearly seen at the stage of formation of new ATGs and those conflict situations that arise in their formation. Administrative-territorial changes, although a manifestation of legal regulation, are a combination of material and intangible factors in the development of spatial systems. The material component manifests itself in the clear regulation of the boundaries, principles and methods of organization of united communities, as well as their powers in the urban sphere. Intangible (dominant) is manifested in the fact that members of the community have the right to determine the vector and specificity of development of the spatial structure of the city or settlement. The analysis of the law on decentralization shows that the lawmakers also put the intangible in its basis: the continuity of the territory of the ОTG; taking into account historical, natural, ethnic, cultural and other factors; the impossibility of reducing the quality and publicity of all services provided before the creation of the community The peculiarity of the transformation of the administrative-territorial structure and the process of forming the ОTG is that the center, as a rule, becomes the most developed settlement, including the city. Lastly, in this regard, it has high prospects for the development of an urbanized area, but this is possible only after overcoming a number of contradictions. It is possible to solve the latter by taking into account intangible factors, in particular property relations, which in the process of joining the city of the surrounding territories, offset the established principles of ownership and people's view of the surrounding space. Our surveys and their results prove that the agglomeration territory and the process of its formation are a consequence of socio-political processes, and the elements of the natural environment, form a new type of urban space, when the newly annexed territories are considered as recreation areas and satisfy the aesthetic and landscape preferences of residents. The latter are an intangible manifestation and, at the same time, a modern trend in the development of urbanized areas, where landscape and environmental issues are recognized as key needs of residents. In accordance with these needs, a transport network is formed and urban space is zoned. A new type of socio-economic, labor, cultural, and recreational ties is emerging. Keywords: intangible factors, spatial structure, urban system, city, united territorial communities, change of settlements.

Integrated model for Multi-criteria Supplier Selection and Order Allocation Problem

This paper discusses an integrated model of selecting suppliers and order allocation for a company that wishes to decide the quantity to be ordered from each supplier on the basis of some qualitative criteria. Since each supplier may have a different performance with respect to these criteria, an integration of analytical hierarchy process and linear program model is proposed to solve the problem in two stages. In the first stage, suppliers are evaluated based on qualitative criteria to consider both tangible and intangible factors in choosing the best suppliers. The output of this stage is the final score of each supplier. In the second stage, a linear programming model is proposed to placing the optimum order quantities among them such that the total final scores of suppliers become maximum. The mathematical programming model is validated through numerical analysis, and the computation result shows that the model is effective and applicable.

Supplier selection in rank order using fuzzy ahp and fuzzy molp with sensitivity analysis

Supply chain management (SCM) plays a great role in any company, a good SCM requires a good selection of all its components. One of the components is the raw material supplier selection that needs to consider both tangible and intangible factors in each supplier. Therefore, we can use fuzzy AHP which uses an intangible approach and fuzzy MOLP which uses a tangible approach. In this paper, we aim to use both methods to get the rank order of the best suppliers from all 5 suppliers in a woodworking company. The result shows that both methods can work together as the rank order from both methods gives the same result. However, sensitivity analysis is done in case both methods give different rank order. Sensitivity analysis shows that change in criteria from 10% to 100% make a variance in fuzzy AHP from 0% to 30% while fuzzy MOLP from 75% to 100%. That means fuzzy AHP is more robust than fuzzy MOLP. We also found that fuzzy AHP is influenced heavily by the expertise of the expert as two experts give different results while fuzzy MOLP is more objective-oriented using real data. These results suggest that each Method has its own characteristics that must be put into mind when we use it.

Factors impacting integrated design process of net zero energy buildings: an integrated framework

Adoption of an Integrated Design Process (IDP) to achieve Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) targets is suggested by various studies, but there is a serious lack of pragmatic understanding of factors and relationships that affect its implementation in real-life projects. The focus of this study is to identify tangible (such as budget) and intangible (such as conflict of interest, expertise and experience, sense of ownership and occupant input) factors and relationships to help practitioners and researchers gain a better operational understanding of IDP implementation in actual projects. The study first identifies and organises factors and relationships into a systematic framework and then demonstrates the applicability of the framework using a case study. In the study, identification of previously studied factors and relationships is taken up through directed content analysis of literature, followed by semi-structured interviews with ten building experts to expand on existing knowledge providing new factors and relationships. Using Dedoose, factor frequency and co-occurrence analysis of audio and textual interview transcripts are conducted to obtain a total of forty-one unique factors and relationships. Lastly, framework validation is achieved using an actual IDP implementation case study - the new NZEB at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The framework is useful to design teams for training on IDP and design management, and to researchers for comparison of IDP implementation between projects.

Personality Assessment and Emotional Intelligence in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Selection and Training.

Orthopaedic surgery has increasingly emerged as one of the most popular and competitive of all medical specialties. The selection of the best applicants has become a more difficult process because the number of qualified medical students has concomitantly grown. Although there are standardized guidelines in residency selection, there are several intangible factors that determine an applicant's fit into a program. Personality assessments, such as the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Personality Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, are proficiencies that have garnered significant interest to help fill this void. Understanding and measuring empirically supported measures of personality traits and styles of medical students and residents may be valuable to medical educators and program directors in a variety of applications such as residency selection, mentoring, and education. Similar to personality identification, emotional intelligence assessments, such as the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, can prove to be pivotal tools in residency education and training. Emotional intelligence has shown to align with current Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education residency standardized core competencies that emphasize aptitude in noncognitive characteristics.

CATEGORY-CONCEPT APPARATUS AND STATE OF INVESTIGATION OF THE INTANGIBLE PHENOMENON

The article examines the influence of intangible factors on the spatial organization of urban systems through the prism of concepts and terms that characterize the process of creating and modifying urban planning systems that ensure the organization and ordering of social relations. Taking into account the phenomenon of non-material in urban development is due to the need to harmonize the rights and interests of the individual on the one hand, and spatial organization on the other. Attention is drawn to the fact that the process of civilization organization, among all other features, is a characteristic feature of urbanization. Creating and developing cities is the key to social development and a form of satisfaction for certain types of goods. Therefore, the correct interpretation of concepts and terms that are closely intertwined with each other, allow us to more accurately and correctly characterize those processes and phenomena that determine the comfort and uniqueness of spatial systems. In the context of our study we should pay attention to the analysis of the following terms and concepts, in particular: architectural form, urban planning space, urban planning system, urban system, spatial organization, spatial structure of territorial systems. All these categories are closely interrelated and interdependent, and should be considered individually and in view of their intangible factors. Intangible factors are key in spatial organization, and their consideration in urban development will allow to create a harmonious urban environment that will take into account not only the practical needs of man, but also spiritual, ecological and other.

INTANGIBLE FACTORS IN SPATIAL ORGANIZATION AND CITY DEVELOPMENT

The article examines the influence of intangible factors on the spatial organization of urban systems through the prism of a value group, which is represented by the mental-ethical, historical-cultural, religious-spiritual factors that characterize the process of creation and modification of urban planning systems that provide organization and orderliness. Urban processes require the harmonization of certain tangible and intangible goods, as well as the rights and interests of the individual on the one hand, and spatial organization on the other. Creating and developing cities is the key to social development and a form of satisfaction for certain types of goods. It should be emphasized that the expression of the intangible is a person who is an active subject, who seeks to improve their own lives, and designs the environment according to their own needs. Man is the creator of the city, the average city dweller, to a greater or lesser extent creating space around himself. Therefore, a clear delineation of the influence of intangible factors, which are closely intertwined with each other, enable us to more accurately and correctly characterize those processes and phenomena that determine the comfort and uniqueness of spatial systems. In the plane of our study, attention is paid to the analysis of the following terms and concepts, in particular: moral and ethical norms, religious and spiritual factors, historical and cultural components that in one way or another affect the process of organizing space in cities. All these categories are closely interrelated and complementary, and they should be considered both individually and in view of their impact on the urban system.Intangible factors are key in spatial organization, and their presence in urban development will allow to create a harmonious urban environment that will take into account not only the practical needs of man, but also spiritual, ecological and other.

Supplier selection under strategic decision environment

The world is becoming more and more a global marketplace and the global environment is forcing companies to take almost everything into consideration at the same time. Increase flexibility is needed to remain competitive and respond to rapidly changing markets. an effective supplier selection process is very important to the success of any organization. Supplier selection represents one of the most important decisions in a company to remain competitive, In this context, supplier selection represents one of the most important functions to be performed by the purchasing department. The supplier selection is a multi-criterion problem which includes both qualitative and quantitative factors (criteria). In order to select the best supplier it is necessary to make a tradeoff between these tangible and intangible factors some of which may conflict. This report deals with the supplier selection where a state of the art is presented. The supplier selection process deploys a tremendous amount of a firm’s financial resources. In return, firms expect significant benefits from contracting with suppliers offering high value.

Knowledge management, customer satisfaction and organizational image discriminating certified from non-certified (ISO 9001) municipalities

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to ascertain the extent to which knowledge management (KM), customer satisfaction (CS) and organizational image (OI) discriminate quality-certified municipalities from non-certified ones (ISO 9001).Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study was carried out involving 81 Portuguese municipalities (40 certified, 41 non-certified), paired in a random sampling procedure. The Knowledge Management Questionnaire (n=1,372 municipality employees), the Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Organizational Image Questionnaire (n=3,096 residents) were applied. Multiple discriminant analysis was performed.FindingsThe results indicate that certified and non-certified municipalities are distinct based on a function that considers KM (competitive orientation and formal KM practices), CS (intangible and tangible factors) and OI (favorable image).Research limitations/implicationsThe findings need further validation in other countries. However, the results highlight the importance of quality certification for both employees and residents.Practical implicationsThe results encourage local public administration organizations to introduce and maintain quality certification.Originality/valueThis research is the only one, to the authors’ knowledge, that simultaneously explores organizational processes of KM, CS and OI in local public administration. The sampling procedure and the information from diverse data sources are unique contributions. The conclusions may aid practitioners and scholars in understanding these organizational phenomena in the context of quality-certified and quality non-certified municipalities.

3DPortCityMeasure: Methodology for the Comparative Study of Good Practices in Port–City Integration

Most port cities have a long history of investment in the waterfront, adapting these spaces to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants and increase the tourist interest of the city, in a 50-year process of waterfront regeneration that started in the late 1960s. Even though one of the drivers of development in today’s port cities continues to be the transfer of knowledge and experiences between different cases, not all these cities have achieved their goals, nor have all done so in a sustainable way. This article exposes a new methodology, motivated by the need to carry out a comparative study of good practices of port–city integration for twelve specific cases. To enable a comparison of intangible realities such as port–city integration, it is mandatory to have a common benchmark to quantify features of cities from different cases. The 3DPortCityMeasure methodology is intended to provide a framework for analysing port-city integration, with results that supply an immediate understanding of each case. This tool enables direct comparative evaluation and provides support for land use planning and urban design approaches. The results show that the proposed approach for measuring intangible factors in the field of the port–city relationship is a very useful tool, novel in this discipline, and fully applicable to other cases and other urban issues.

Consideration of Both Latent Variables and Taste Variation in Modeling Destination Choice for Student’s Non-mandatory Activities

Extensive studies have been conducted on urban travel behavior, but rarely have addressed the travel behavior of special trip generators such as dormitory students. One of the most important student travel activities is non-mandatory (shopping or recreation) ones. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the factors (both tangible and intangible) on the destination choice of such activities for future policy-making in line with appropriate distribution of demand in the city. Therefore, a questionnaire was designed and distributed among the students residing in Imam Khomeini International University dormitories. The results showed that taking individual perception in addition to their taste variation into account would enhance the ρ2(0) index of the mixed hybrid logit model by 0.175 than the standard logit model (with no latent variable and no consideration of taste variations). Furthermore, it was found that increasing the distance to a zone and the absence of direct accessibility to a particular zone via public transportation (buses or taxies) reduced the utility of traveling to that zone. Moreover, the presence of the central business district (CBD) of city in a particular zone and increasing the individuals’ perceived attractiveness of a zone (as the latent variable) increased the utility of traveling to that zone. The results of the mean marginal effect of “Attractiveness” variable show that the probability of five investigated zones increases by 12.2–49.3%. Therefore, this study concludes that both tangible and intangible factors are needed to better understand students' destination choice behavior for using in future policy-making.

Investing in Art: The Informational Content of Italian Painting Pre-Sale Estimates

As the size of the art market increases and a growing number of investors are attracted by the high returns, the amount and quality of information available to market participants becomes increasingly relevant, especially for less experienced investors. One of the most relevant information sources in the art market is the price estimate provided by auction houses, that is the price that auctioneers believe a piece of art might bring at auction. Auction houses are regarded as providing additional valuable information to market participants. Thus pre-sale estimates could be useful reference points in the art valuation process, driving operators' investment and divestment decisions. However, as the price of each unique artwork is affected by inconstant and intangible factors, estimates are usually expressed as a range within which the experts forecast the final price will fall. The informational content of such estimates can be examined along two dimensions: the uncertainty and the accuracy of estimates in predicting sale prices. We test for any systematic differences in predicting hammer prices using a sample of 1,975 sales of Italian paintings which were sold all over the world at least twice during the 1985-2006 period. Three results emerge from the empirical evidence. First, pre-sale estimates are not good predictors of final sale prices. Second, uncertainty and accuracy in price prediction decreases and increases, respectively, when Italian paintings are auctioned in Italy, thus revealing a Country effect. Finally, the informational content of estimates is affected by past prices, thus revealing an anchoring effect.