Industry Practitioners Research Articles

A Reference Architecture for Reverse Logistics in the High-Tech Industry

With the pressing need to shift towards sustainable sociotechnical systems, high-tech equipment manufacturers are facing an increasing demand for accountability in reverse logistics. Implementation of reverse logistics introduces complexities, particularly in handling the unpredictability of product returns, coordination of the network, and communication among different stakeholders along the reverse chain. To navigate these complexities and facilitate decision-making, the objective of this paper is to design a reference architecture tailored to the high-tech manufacturing sector. The proposed reference architecture encompasses a variety of reverse logistics activities, ranging from installed base management to recovery processes, to achieve supply chain circularity, and couples these witha data-driven decision-making processes to enhance efficiency and reliability throughout the reverse chain. The reference architecture is instantiated in the context of a real company case published in the literature and evaluated by domain experts and practitioners in the target industry. Evaluation results from questionnaire analysis indicate very positive responses towards our proposed solution in terms of completeness, flexibility, integration, simplicity, understandability, and usability. Overall, the reference architecture supports reverse logistics practitioners in integrated decision-making, ranging from organisational to operational levels.

Toward a greener future: Exploring sustainable practices in travel and tourism in Bali

Purpose: This study examines sustainable practices in travel and tourism, particularly Balinese tourism. It reviews the literature to understand the current sustainability efforts and suggests ways to enhance environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The aim is to offer ideas for a greener future in travel and tourism that is applicable beyond Bali. Research Methodology: This study employs a quantitative approach, focusing on structural equation modelling, to investigate sustainable tourism practices in Bali. A quantitative approach was selected for its ability to offer a comprehensive understanding of sustainable practices, challenges, and opportunities in Balinese tourism. Results: The findings suggest that while progress has been made in implementing sustainable practices, challenges remain to be overcome, such as balancing economic growth with environmental protection and ensuring that benefits are equally distributed among local communities. Limitations: The main limitation of this study is its reliance on quantitative analysis, which might limit the depth of analysis and the ability to collect firsthand insights from Balinese tourism stakeholders. Focusing solely on Balinese tourism could restrict the relevance of these findings to other locations. Contribution: This research can improve environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It aims to benefit policymakers, industry practitioners, and academics interested in promoting sustainability of travel and tourism in Bali and beyond. Novelty: This study is unique in its exploration of sustainable travel and tourism practices. Although sustainability in tourism is gaining attention, this study stands out for its detailed examination of environmental conservation, social responsibility, and economic viability.

Toward a greener future: Exploring sustainable practices in travel and tourism in Bali

Purpose: This study examines sustainable practices in travel and tourism, particularly Balinese tourism. It reviews the literature to understand the current sustainability efforts and suggests ways to enhance environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The aim is to offer ideas for a greener future in travel and tourism that is applicable beyond Bali. Research Methodology: This study employs a quantitative approach, focusing on structural equation modelling, to investigate sustainable tourism practices in Bali. A quantitative approach was selected for its ability to offer a comprehensive understanding of sustainable practices, challenges, and opportunities in Balinese tourism. Results: The findings suggest that while progress has been made in implementing sustainable practices, challenges remain to be overcome, such as balancing economic growth with environmental protection and ensuring that benefits are equally distributed among local communities. Limitations: The main limitation of this study is its reliance on quantitative analysis, which might limit the depth of analysis and the ability to collect firsthand insights from Balinese tourism stakeholders. Focusing solely on Balinese tourism could restrict the relevance of these findings to other locations. Contribution: This research can improve environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It aims to benefit policymakers, industry practitioners, and academics interested in promoting sustainability of travel and tourism in Bali and beyond. Novelty: This study is unique in its exploration of sustainable travel and tourism practices. Although sustainability in tourism is gaining attention, this study stands out for its detailed examination of environmental conservation, social responsibility, and economic viability.

The impact of customisation experience and co-design value on the 3D printed specimen

Nowadays, academics and industrial practitioners widely consider additive manufacturing systems to enhance overall production and operational effectiveness and efficiency, owing to the concepts of Industry 4.0 and 5.0. This paper proposes a structural equation model to evaluate the impact of customisation experience and perceived value within a data-driven additive manufacturing system. To deepen the understanding of customer-perceived value and its connection to additive manufacturing, this study defines four new sources of perceived value: reliability, performance, aesthetics, and features. All of these new values are based on utilitarian value, and four of them exhibit statistical significance in relation to utilitarian value. In order to apply these new values to additive manufacturing, it is necessary to conduct mechanical testing and studies to identify the ideal parameter set for 3D printing that aligns with customer-perceived value regarding these new values.

725 Delphi Consensus to Improve Patient Safety in the Aesthetic Injectables Market: Consensus, Controversies and the 5Ps Framework

Abstract Aim The rapid growth of the aesthetic injectables sector presents a public health challenge given limited regulations to date. This study aimed to establish agreed proposals from industry experts and practitioners to uphold and safeguard patient safety. Method A Delphi consensus design was adopted comprising three survey rounds. Industry practitioners and experts were invited to suggest proposals to improve patient safety. We used the MoSCoW prioritization technique to aid practitioners in attributing importance and significance to proposals. Consensus was defined a priori as 75%. Results One-hundred-and-twenty-two practitioners completed Round 1, 100 completed Round 2 and 51 completed Round 3. A total of 38 proposals were identified after consolidation and removal of duplicates from Round 1. Round 2 established consensus on 16 items, and 18 items went to Round 3 but consensus was not achieved on all these items. Of the 38 proposals initially made, a series of five overarching themes emerged as fundamental for stakeholders. Issues relating to patients, practitioner skills or competence, product type and storage, place of practice and promotion techniques were the key themes. From these we propose and evaluate the five Ps framework: Patient, Practitioner, Product, Place and Promotion. Conclusions Our Delphi consensus study establishes consensus for 16 key proposals to improve patient safety. The study also highlights areas of controversy and proposes the novel 5Ps framework to help appraise the aesthetics industry.

Exploratory Studies of Mechanical Properties, Residual Stress, and Grain Evolution at the Local Regions near Pores in Additively Manufactured Metals.

Directed energy deposition (DED) is gaining widespread acceptance in various industrial applications since its unique manufacturing features allow the DED to print metallic parts with very complex geometries. However, DED inevitably generates a lot of internal pores which can limit the widespread applications of the DED technique. The current studies on DED porosity are mostly focused on analyzing pores' bulk-scale influences on mechanical properties and performances. Since DED pores have a micro-scale existence, with dimensions ranging from a few microns to several hundred microns, it is fundamental to explore the pores' influences on the micro-scale, including local mechanical properties, residual stress, and grains near pores. However, this important research direction has been neglected. The objective of this work is to fill the above gap in DED porosity research and acquire a fundamental understanding of the role of porosity on a microscopic scale. The authors used nanoindentation approaches to investigate internal pores' effects on mechanical properties and residual stress in local regions surrounding the pores. In addition, the grains near pores were observed through EBSD, and simulated with the Kinetic Monte Carlo model. The research findings can be provided for DED researchers and industrial practitioners as technical guidance. Most importantly, the research results can work as a good reference for tracing the source of bulk-scale mechanical performances and properties of DED parts with internal pores.

Research on the Generation of Professional Skill Modules for Talent Cultivation in the Landscape Architecture Profession for Industry-Education Integration of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Due to industry characteristics or regional limitations, many students in certain majors tend to seek employment in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs face certain challenges in implementing industry-education integration, and there is a lack of mature methods in specific implementation processes and talent cultivation plan generation. Taking the landscape architecture profession as an example, this paper conducts a correlation analysis and cross-analysis of the industry-required professional skills based on surveys of over 300 industry practitioners employed in SMEs. It provides professional skill cultivation modules based on market feedback. This research process and analysis method have certain reference significance for the rapid production of adaptive talent cultivation professional skill modules in other industries targeting SMEs.

The Analysis of Electronic Marketing of Agriculture Products Based on Feasibility, Desirability, and Feasibility Risk

Many industries have been impacted by saturation in a highly competitive climate. Many conventional Business-to-consumer companies are dealing with the dilemma of fragmented and lost clientele. However, live-streaming commerce has shown its potential in recent years, which brought conventional enterprises an opportunity. While many primary industry entrepreneurs lack knowledge of this sector. Therefore, this report will discuss the feasibility of selling agricultural products online with live commerce. Both primary data and secondary data are used. I have collected data from multiple experienced sellers from electronic business platforms, including sales, market share, etc. However, literature is also used for analyzing live commerces success factors and forecasting the feasibility of the online agriculture market. The results of this study show feasibility, desirability, and feasibility risk, lending practitioners in multiple traditional industries, especially agriculture suppliers, a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that would affect live commerces success and motivations of consumer decisions. The outcomes can be further used as a fundamental of online platforms improvement and agriculture products online selling suggestions.

How Does the One Belt One Road Initiative Affect the Chinese International Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Firms? Empirical Analysis Based on Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-Differences Method

With the proposal of the “One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative”, the Chinese architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has increasingly been exploring the overseas markets. This paper adopted the propensity score matching and difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) method to evaluate the impact of the OBOR Initiative on Chinese international contractors and consulting firms, respectively. The results shows that the OBOR Initiative significantly stimulated the overseas market development of contractors, whereas it had no positive impact on consulting firms. The results may provide comprehensive guidance for industry practitioners, policymakers, and scholars to correctly understand the different characteristics of international contractors and consulting firms, thereby formulating a targeted development strategy.

Analyzing the impact factors of remanufacturing industry on the Indian economy: a step towards circular economy

Purpose The purpose of this article is to investigate and analyze the interactions between economic and sustainable development elements in the context of remanufacturing in India. Design/methodology/approach To comprehend the hierarchical and contextual link among factors impacting remanufacturing in India, the study used interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methodologies. Findings The integrated ISM-DEMATEL approach identifies optimal utilization of the resources as the most crucial factor influencing remanufacturing in India, followed by reducing landfills, conserving energy and low cost. The study also reveals that optimal utilization of resources, reduction of landfills, conservation of energy and incorporated advanced technology impacts most of the factors but get affected by a few factors. Practical implications Industry practitioners and policymakers should consider the remanufacturing process to achieve sustainable and economic development. The government and other stakeholders can use the ISM framework and cause-and-effect diagram to classify the impact factors and their impact on the Indian economy and environment. Social implications This study supports the process to save the landfills and curbing pollution, conserve energy and optimize utilization of the resources, generate employment and supporting the development of the economy. Remanufacturing will undoubtedly contribute to the development of an environment and economy in India that benefits both. Originality/value ISM and DEMATELs strategy offers a tiered model and a cause-and-effect relationship between the variables affecting remanufacturing in India.

Measuring the impact of lean implementation on BIM and project success: case of construction firms

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to reveal the degree of association between lean, building information modeling (BIM) and construction project success. The study further intends to provide strategies for high and low associations of the factors.Design/methodology/approachLean construction and BIM are two important applications that have recently gained popularity in terms of enhancing project success. Considering this impact, this study investigates the synergy between lean construction and BIM and determines to what extent these two contribute to the success of the projects. As a first step, lean, BIM and project success were examined based on an in-depth literature review. In the second stage, a structural equation model (SEM) was established to reflect the relationship among these three through hypotheses. Then, a questionnaire was designed and administered to the construction professionals experienced in both lean and BIM implementation. The SEM was tested using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS), an SPSS tool.FindingsThe results indicated that lean implementation has a significant and positive impact on BIM implementation and project success. On the other hand, BIM implementation had a lower significant impact on project success than lean implementation construct.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study can be used by both policymakers and industry practitioners in terms of developing strategies for effectively using both lean and BIM. The researchers can further develop other implementation models to investigate whether these concepts are more effective in increasing project success when used integratively.Originality/valueThis study considers both the impact of lean and BIM on project success through input from construction practitioners working on large projects. This way, the study fosters the use of lean, BIM or lean–BIM together in construction projects to enhance project success.

Repositioning Work and Leisure: Digital Nomads Versus Tourists

ABSTRACTA growing yet fragmented debate addressing digital nomadism has recently emerged across different disciplines, including management, organizational behavior, and mobility studies. However, the intersection between digital nomadism and leisure and tourism activities remains blurred. Integrating existing theoretical assessments, this conceptual paper scrutinize digital nomadism from a tourism and leisure perspective, and attempts to provide a broader understanding of this phenomenon. The paper repositions digital nomads in the center of tourism and travel discourse by describing their key characteristics, mobility motives, destination selection process, and critical features, singling them out from conventional business/leisure tourists. This paper significantly contributes to an emerging stream of tourism research addressing digital nomadism as an emerging lifestyle market and provides timely practical implications for policymakers and industry practitioners.

Knowledge reuse for ontology modelling and application of maintenance motion state sequence

With the current digital transformation and the development of complex manufacturing systems, advanced maintenance is proposed to improve the competitiveness of complex products, generating a large amount of heterogeneous maintenance data and information. There is a lack of standardized representations of motion-centred maintenance knowledge which leads to semantic ambiguity and poor intertranslatability. In addition, it causes subjective deviations and human resource investments in related time prediction applications. Therefore, a knowledge reuse method for ontology modelling and the application of maintenance motion state sequences is proposed. First, a framework for reusing maintenance motion state sequence (MMSS) knowledge is established, which is defined as the state sets of time-sequence maintenance motion. Second, maintenance motion state sequence ontology (MMSSO) is constructed to standardize the definition of MMSS, as a supplement to the current maintenance ontologies. Third, an MMSSO application for automatic maintenance time prediction is proposed by incorporating the standardized specifications of MMSSO and improving the MODAPTS method. Finally, using aviation equipment as an example, the rationality and superiority of MMSSO in real applications are verified. MMSSO is a new practice of integrating multi-source information in advanced maintenance. It can also provide predicted time as an iterative reference for industrial practitioners in the digital design stage.

Barriers to Industry Adoption of AI Video Generation Tools: A Study Based on the Perspectives of Video Production Professionals in China

In recent years, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in the video sector has captured widespread attention. Despite the proliferation of AI video generation tools targeted at general consumers, there remains a gap in addressing the specialized requirements and advanced functionalities sought by industry professionals. This study aims to identify and overcome the barriers hindering the adoption of AI video tools in the Chinese video industry, thereby facilitating their seamless integration. The research unfolded in two phases employing a comprehensive methodology. Initially, we delineated the industry’s video usage standards, drawing upon both established norms and insights gleaned from seasoned industry experts through focus group interviews. These insights informed the formulation of semi-structured interview questions. Subsequently, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten Chinese industry experts, leading to the identification of eight primary adoption barriers: innovation, market demand, technological maturity, cross-disciplinary collaboration, ethics and privacy, public acceptance, data security and copyright, and global perspectives and localization. In the second phase, a detailed questionnaire survey involving 401 Chinese industry practitioners validated these factors. A data analysis underscored the significant impact of these eight factors on industry adoption, particularly emphasizing technological maturity. Furthermore, exhaustive examinations and discussions were undertaken for each identified barrier. The findings of this study theoretically bridge the gaps in understanding the impediments to the application of AI video generation tools in the video industry. They offer valuable insights into the current application landscape and furnish pertinent suggestions for advancing technology promotion and development in the future. Ultimately, this research aspires to augment the integration and utilization of AI technology within the Chinese video production industry, thereby propelling its progress and development forward.

A Framework of Best Practice by Upstream Oil and Gas Contractors in Malaysia

Due to unstable global economic conditions, Malaysia’s oil and gas industry encounters numerous challenges and uncertainties. Consequently, effective contract management has become a critical factor in ensuring the success of oil and gas projects. Projects undertaken by contractors are often exposed to various risks that can hinder project performance, cause financial instability, and lead to disputes, impacting all parties involved. Furthermore, many industrial practitioners overlook this issue and are unaware of the potential serious consequences. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to establish a theoretical framework for best practices in contract management for oil and gas contractors in Malaysia. A survey was conducted using questionnaires and a quantitative correlational research approach that employed a multistage cluster sampling method, targeting Malaysia’s oil and gas contractors. The study aimed to gauge the respondents' level of understanding and assess the effectiveness of their current contract management approaches. The collected data underwent analysis through descriptive methods, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and theoretical integration. The goal was to develop a novel framework comprising six core modules: staff accountability and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), risk management, tender and award processes, cost management, contract awareness and review, and contractual record-keeping. This framework equipped oil and gas contractors with the tools and practices necessary to navigate the global crisis. The oil and gas sector, particularly contractors, stands to gain substantial benefits from the framework introduced in this study. It is a valuable resource that contractors can leverage to enhance their methodologies, procedures, and contract management tools, enabling them to operate effectively amid the persisting global challenges.

A NOVEL BIM-ENABLED SOFTWARE BASED SOLUTION FOR MITIGATING CONSTRUCTION RISK MANAGEMENT

This paper presents a novel Software based solution to mitigate the most prevalent construction risks with systematic implementation of Building Information Modeling Software at the lifecycle stages of the project and provides practical recommendations for industry practitioners. The construction industry has a complex and uncertain process presenting different opportunities and challenges at various project phases. Incorporating traditional risk management methods with BIM help identify and manage risks effectively. This research paper presents a systematic approach to implementing BIM throughout the lifecycle of an eight-story building project, from feasibility to construction, to manage major risks in each phase. The paper addresses a gap in the literature by identifying and mitigating prominent risks in the construction industry of Pakistan through BIM modeling, based on a review of 180 common risks and detailed interviews. The research methodology involved surveys and data analysis to identify and prioritize the most significant risks and suitable BIM mitigation measures. The study suggests that BIM’s collaboration software resolves communication issues while Clash Detection mitigates Design-related risks before the start of construction. Simulation of Planned vs. Actual Progress and accurate Quantity Estimates achieved by BIM’s estimation software contributes to the successful completion of project. BIM and its tools have the potential to revolutionize the construction process if used as a structured risk management tool throughout the project lifecycle. The paper advises designing out most project risks in the Planning and Design phase, while reserving monitoring and control for later stages as early identification and management of risks is critical for success.

The Solo Broadcast Journalism Practices from an Industry Perspective

Social networking is a rapidly growing source of news in broadcast journalism. Broadcast journalism is facing a continuing decline in electronic media circulation and social media changes. The concept of online convergence in broadcast journalism has become a news trend on social media. Solo broadcast journalism and social media are becoming practices in news organisations today. Therefore, this article aims to identify the practices of solo broadcast journalism from an industry practitioner’s perspective. A qualitative methodological approach was used in this study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with eight informants who practised solo broadcast journalism. The data were analysed thematically. The results showed that production tasks, location reviews, good time management, relationships with the community, preparation tasks, and comfortable places are among the concepts of practising solo broadcast journalism in news organisations. The findings of this study show that journalists practice solo broadcast journalism to get news in line with the development of digital media today. The findings of this study are expected to benefit the National ICT Agenda on National Broadband Policy from the perspective of newspaper organisations in expanding the use of technology in the distribution and publication of stories for news. The findings of this study will help make appropriate adjustments to develop human capital by integrating broadcast journalism practices with technology-assisted work in solo broadcast journalism. In addition, this study is also significant to the National Education Policy. The study will impact the educational curriculum of broadcast journalism by introducing changes in line with the development of solo broadcast journalism. Keywords: Practice, solo broadcast journalism, industry practitioner, Industrial Revolution 4.0, social media.

Digital Innovations and Market Dynamics of Tourism Businesses in Turkey

This research explores the intricate relationship between digital innovations and market dynamics within the Turkish tourism businesses. Employing a qualitative approach, data were gathered through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including representatives from tourism agencies, hoteliers, tour operators, and technology providers. Thematic analysis of the data revealed several key findings. Firstly, digital innovations have enabled tourism businesses to enhance customer engagement and deliver personalized experiences, leveraging social media, online booking platforms, and mobile applications. Secondly, technology adoption has led to improved operational efficiency and cost reduction through automation and optimization of various processes. Thirdly, digital platforms have facilitated market expansion and global reach, enabling businesses to tap into new markets and attract international tourists. However, challenges such as digital literacy, data privacy concerns, and the need for government support remain prevalent. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial in driving digital transformation and fostering sustainable growth in the Turkish tourism industry. While the qualitative nature of this study limits generalizability, future research endeavors could explore longitudinal trends, conduct comparative studies across regions, and investigate the role of emerging technologies. Overall, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the impact of digital innovations on the Turkish tourism sector and provides valuable insights for academia, industry practitioners, and policymakers alike.

Text mining on sustainability reports of top 40 airlines and bibliometric analysis of airline's sustainability

This study aims to comprehensively explore sustainability practices, guidelines, and emerging trends in the airline industry through an in-depth analysis of their sustainability reviews. A thorough bibliometric analysis of airline sustainability was conducted using the Scopus Database. Additionally, employing text-mining techniques, a meticulous analysis focused on the sustainability reports of the leading 20 airlines compared to the subsequent 20, considered as followers, in the textual examination of sustainability reports. The results revealed thematic disparities between these two cohorts. The top 20 airlines prioritized significant concerns such as safety and other sustainability-related aspects like biodiversity. In contrast, follower companies placed a higher emphasis on financial considerations. This analysis illuminates the primary focuses of airlines and the spectrum of sustainability-related issues. Moreover, offering valuable insights for both researchers and industry practitioners, this study presents a repository of pertinent data related to sustainability practices in the aviation sector. Integrating text mining and bibliometric analysis emphasizes essential facets of airline sustainability, resulting in a comprehensive overview of the research landscape.

Applying Systems Thinking to Research into Risk Factors Influencing Earthmoving Equipment Operation Safety in Construction Sites

Earthmoving operations in the construction process are complex environments that involve interactions between equipment, the workforce, and materials within an overarching construction plan. Over the past two decades, researchers in construction have focused on improving the safety of construction earthmoving equipment due to their omnipresence in the construction environment. Although previous studies have explored safety risks and the causes of accidents involving construction earthmoving equipment, their approaches were common and lacked a comprehensive perspective. Hence, this systematic literature review applies Rasmussen’s (1997) risk management framework using a systems thinking approach to identify and classify the risk factors influencing earthmoving equipment operation safety in construction sites. Utilizing a multistep methodology, this research first identifies 38 risk factors pertinent to earthmoving equipment operations and then classifies them based on systems thinking. Social network analysis (SNA) is employed to analyze the data. The results show that most research on earthmoving equipment safety focuses on monitoring construction sites, but very little on government and regulatory roles. When considering the interdependencies of risk factors, safety training is the most important factor, followed by the largely overlooked earthmoving machinery characteristics and manufacturer’s performance. The results of this review inform both the research community and industry practitioners regarding the less-understood aspects of earthmoving equipment operation safety and future research directions.