Search Results (2,384)

Improving construction site safety remains a critical challenge in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing construction sector, where high accident rates and diverse labor forces demand evidence-based managerial interventions. This study investigated the influence of Managers’ Safety Perceptions and Practices (MSP) on Workers’ Safety Behaviors (WSB) in the Saudi construction industry, emphasizing the mediating roles of Workers’ Safety Awareness (WSA), Safety Competency (WSC), and Safety Actions (SA). The conceptual framework integrates these three mediators to explain how managerial attitudes and practices translate into frontline safety outcomes. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was adopted using a structured questionnaire distributed among construction workers, supervisors, and project managers. A total of 352 from 384 valid responses were collected, and the data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 4. The findings revealed that MSP does not directly influence WSB but has significant indirect effects through WSA, WSC, and SA. Among these, WSC emerged as the most powerful mediator, followed by WSA and SA, indicating that competency is the most critical driver of safe worker behavior. These results provide robust empirical support for a multidimensional mediation model, highlighting the need for managers to enhance safety behaviors not merely through supervision but through fostering awareness and competency, providing technical training, and implementing proactive safety measures. Theoretically, this study contributes a novel and integrative framework to the occupational safety literature, particularly within underexplored Middle Eastern construction contexts. Practically, it offers actionable insights for safety managers, industry practitioners, and policymakers seeking to improve construction safety performance in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. Full article

This study investigates the role of Big Data Analytics Capabilities (BDACs) in ambidexterity explorative innovation (EXPLRI) and exploitative (EXPLOI) innovation for achieving a sustainable performance (SP) in the manufacturing sector of a resource-constrained developing economy. While a BDAC has been widely linked to innovation in developed economies, its effectiveness in developing contexts shaped by indigenous innovation practices like Jugaad remains underexplored. Anchored in the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities (DC) theory, we propose a model where the BDAC enhances both EXPLRI and EXPLOI, which subsequently leads to an improved sustainable performance. We further examine the Jugaad capability as a cultural moderator. Using survey data from 418 manufacturing firms and analyzed via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), results confirm that BDA capabilities significantly boost both types of innovations, which positively impact sustainable performance dimensions. Notably, Jugaad positively moderates the relationship between EXPLOI and financial, innovation, and operational performance but negatively moderates the link between EXPLRI and innovation performance. These findings highlight the nuanced influence of culturally embedded innovation practices in BDAC-driven ecosystems. This study contributes by extending the RBV–DC framework to include cultural innovation capabilities and empirically validating the contingent role of Jugaad in enhancing or constraining innovation outcomes. This study also validated the Jugaad capability measurement instrument for the first time in the context of Pakistan. For practitioners, aligning data analytics strategies with local innovative cultures is vital for sustainable growth in emerging markets. Full article

This study aims to clarify how different types of motivation influence employee retention by identifying the distinct roles of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in shaping job satisfaction, particularly under varying levels of urban stress and generational identity. Drawing on Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory and Self-Determination Theory, we distinguish between intrinsic drivers (e.g., autonomy, achievement) and extrinsic hygiene factors (e.g., pay, stability). Using survey data from 356 Chinese employees and applying PLS-SEM with a moderated mediation design, we investigate how urbanization and Generation Z moderate these relationships. Results show that intrinsic motivation enhances satisfaction, especially in urban settings, while extrinsic factors negatively affect satisfaction when perceived as insufficient or unfair. Job satisfaction mediates the relationship between motivation and retention, although this effect is weaker among Generation Z employees. These findings refine motivational theories by demonstrating how environmental pressure and generational values jointly shape employee attitudes. The study contributes a context-sensitive framework for understanding retention by integrating individual motivation with macro-level moderators, offering practical implications for managing diverse and urbanizing labor markets. Full article

Soil salinization in oasis areas of arid regions is recognized as a dynamic and multifaceted environmental threat influenced by both natural processes and human activities. In this study, 13 spatiotemporal predictors derived from field surveys and remote sensing are utilized to construct a spatial probabilistic model of salinization. A Bayesian Belief Network is integrated with spline interpolation in ArcGIS to map the likelihood of salinization, while Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) is applied to analyze the interactions among multiple drivers. The test results of this model indicate that its average sensitivity exceeds 80%, confirming its robustness. Salinization risk is categorized into degradation (35–79% probability), stability (0–58%), and improvement (0–48%) classes. Notably, 58.27% of the 1836.28 km² Keriya Oasis is found to have a 50–79% chance of degradation, whereas only 1.41% (25.91 km²) exceeds a 50% probability of remaining stable, and improvement probabilities are never observed to surpass 50%. Slope gradient and soil organic matter are identified by PLS-SEM as the strongest positive drivers of degradation, while higher population density and coarser soil textures are found to counteract this process. Spatially explicit probability maps are generated to provide critical spatiotemporal insights for sustainable oasis management, revealing the complex controls and limited recovery potential of soil salinization. Full article

Understanding the factors that drive green buying intentions has become critical, as environmental issues continue to rise globally. The study investigates the influence of environmental commitment and green motivation on environmental identity and green purchasing intentions. Additionally, it assesses the mediating role of environmental identity in the relationships between environmental commitment, green motivation, and green purchasing intentions. Moreover, it examines the moderating effect of eco-conscious behaviour on the relationships between environmental commitment, green motivation, green identity, and green purchasing intentions. A total of 440 participants, who stayed in high-rate hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh, were asked to fill out the survey distributed. (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze data. The study outcomes confirmed that environmental commitment and green motivation significantly affect green identity and purchasing behavior. Besides, the results showed the essential mediator contribution of the environmental identity between environmental commitment and green motivation. In addition, it explains eco-conscious behavior as a moderator between the previously mentioned variables. The study contributes to the existing tourism literature by demonstrating the impact of green commitment and environmental motivation on making choices to buy eco-friendly products. Moreover, the results hold significant implications for researchers, policymakers, and tourism stakeholders. Full article

The hybrid inorganic–organic material concept plays a bold role in multifunctional materials, combining different features on one platform. Once varying properties coexist without cancelling each other on one matrix, a new type of supermaterial can be formed. This concept showed that silver nanoparticles can be embedded together with inorganic and organic surface coatings and silicon quantum dots for symbiotic antibacterial character and UV-excited visible light fluorescent features. Additionally, fluorosilane material can be coupled with this prepolymeric structure to add the hydrophobic feature, showing water contact angles around 120°, providing self-cleaning features. Optical properties of the components and the final material were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and PL analysis. Atomic investigations and structural variations were detected by XPS, SEM, and EDX atomic mapping methods, correcting the atomic entities inside the coating. FT-IR tracked surface features, and statistical analysis of the quantum dots and nanoparticles was conducted. Multifunctional final materials showed antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus, exhibiting self-cleaning features with high surface contact angles and visible light fluorescence due to the silicon quantum dot incorporation into the sol-gel-produced nanocomposite hybrid structure. Full article

Commercially available bismuth subcarbonate (Bi₂O₂CO₃) was treated with nitric acid and the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The treated catalysts exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to pure Bi₂O₂CO₃ in the decolorization of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The absorbance at 554 nm gradually decreased over time and disappeared completely within 80 min. The crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The improved photocatalytic activity of the treated catalysts was attributed to partial carbonate removal and the formation of Bi⁵⁺ species. Scavenger experiments indicated that superoxide radicals (·O₂⁻) and photogenerated holes (h⁺) played significant roles in the photocatalytic decolorization of RhB. Full article

The highway and bridge industry is facing persistent challenges related to the high turnover of technical personnel, which poses risks to the continuity and sustainability of infrastructure development. Although Geographic Information System (GIS) training has increasingly been advocated as a strategy to stabilize the workforce, its practical application remains relatively limited across China. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study examines whether GIS training is associated with lower turnover intention among technical staff, potentially through enhanced perceptions of career growth and reduced work-related anxiety. Based on 412 valid responses—primarily from technical personnel employed by major infrastructure enterprises such as regional subsidiaries of the China Communications Construction Group (CCCG) and China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC)—the study employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the proposed relationships. The findings indicate that GIS training is negatively associated with turnover intention, with career growth partially mediating this association. Additionally, work anxiety moderates the relationship, such that the link between GIS training and turnover intention appears weaker under higher levels of anxiety. This research contributes to bridging the gap between training practices and theoretical understanding, offering insights to inform workforce retention strategies in technology-intensive industries. Full article

As augmented reality (AR) advertising becomes increasingly prevalent across digital platforms, understanding how its unique features influence consumer responses is critical for both theory and practice. Based on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), this study develops and validates a dual-dimension content–dual-route processing model to investigate how different features of AR advertising influence consumer engagement. Specifically, it examines how product-related attributes (attractiveness, informativeness) and technology-related attributes (interactivity, augmentation) shape attitudes toward the ad and purchase intentions through cognitive (information credibility) and affective (enjoyment) pathways. Using data from an online survey (N = 299), the study applies partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the proposed model. The results show that informativeness and augmentation significantly enhance information credibility, while attractiveness primarily influences emotional responses. Interactivity and augmentation positively influence cognitive and affective responses. Mediation analysis confirms the simultaneous activation of central and peripheral processing routes, with flow experience emerging as a significant moderator in selected pathways. By introducing a structured framework for AR advertising content, this study extends the applicability of the ELM in immersive media contexts. It underscores the combined impact of rational evaluation and emotional engagement in shaping consumer behavior and offers practical insights for designing effective AR advertising strategies. Full article

Biochar has garnered considerable attention as a soil amendment due to its unique physicochemical properties. Its application not only enhances soil carbon sequestration but also improves nutrient availability. Incorporating biochar into soil is regarded as a promising strategy for mitigating global climate change while delivering substantial environmental and agricultural benefits. In this study, biochar was extracted from Siraitia grosvenorii and subsequently modified through alkali treatment. A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to assess the effects of unmodified (JMC) and modified (GXC) biochar, applied at different rates (1%, 2%, and 4%), on organic carbon mineralization and soil nutrient dynamics. Results indicated that, at equivalent application rates, JMC-treated soils exhibited lower CO₂ emissions than those treated with GXC, with emissions increasing alongside biochar dosage. After the incubation, the 1% JMC treatment exhibited a mineralization rate of 17.3 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹, which was lower than that of the control (CK, 18.8 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹), suggesting that JMC effectively inhibited organic carbon mineralization and reduced CO₂ emissions, thereby contributing positively to carbon sequestration in Siraitia grosvenorii farmland. In contrast, GXC application significantly enhanced soil nutrient levels, particularly increasing available phosphorus (AP) by 14.33% to 157.99%. Furthermore, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) identified application rate and pH as the key direct factors influencing soil nutrient availability. Full article

The importance of non-performing loans (NPLs) for the stability of financial sectors is difficult to overestimate. The NPL level depends on numerous factors; this study’s goal is to determine the impact of macroeconomic factors on NPLs with the mediation effect of foreign, saving and social factors in Kazakhstan’s banking sector. To determine the affecting factors, the authors performed a systematic literature review. To determine the dependencies between constructs, the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used. Macroeconomic factors’ direct effect on non-performing loans (NPLs) was examined; a significant negative dependence was determined. The mediation effect of foreign, saving, and social factors was investigated. Foreign factors have a mediation effect, strengthening the dependence between macro factors and NPLs. Nevertheless, they do not have a mediating effect; moreover, they balance and make the effect of macro factors on NPLs statistically insignificant. These findings allow policy-makers to stabilize the situation on NPLs in the financial markets of developing countries like Kazakhstan by directly influencing not only the financial sector but also other sectors of the national economy. Full article

Background: Digital transformation is increasingly present in modern logistics, especially in the context of sustainability and circularity pressures. The integration of technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and automated platforms involves not only infrastructure but also a strategic vision, a flexible organizational culture, and the ability to support decisions through artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems. Methods: This study proposes an extended conceptual model using structural equation modelling (SEM) to explore the relationships between five constructs: technological change, strategic and organizational readiness, transformation environment, AI-enabled decision configuration, and operational redesign. The model was validated based on a sample of 217 active logistics specialists, coming from sectors such as road transport, retail, 3PL logistics services, and manufacturing. The participants are involved in the digitization of processes, especially in activities related to operational decisions and sustainability. Results: The findings reveal that the analysis confirms statistically significant relationships between organizational readiness, transformation environment, AI-based decision processes, and operational redesign. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of an integrated approach in which technology, organizational culture, and advanced decision support collectively contribute to the transition to digital and circular logistics chains. Full article

According to the literature, the advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) has increased individual exposure to scams, turning fraud victimization into a significant concern. While prior research has primarily focused on socio-demographic predictors of fraud victimization, this study adopts a behavioral perspective that is grounded in the Signal Detection Theory (SDT) to investigate the likelihood determinants of individuals becoming fraud victims. Using survey data of 671 Indonesian respondents analyzed with the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), we explored the roles of vigilance and financial literacy in moderating the relationship between fraud exposure and victimization. Our findings substantiate the notion that higher exposure to fraudulent activity significantly increases the likelihood of victimization. The results also show that vigilance negatively moderates the relationship between fraud exposure and fraud victimization, suggesting that individuals with higher vigilance are better at identifying scams, thereby decreasing their likelihood of becoming fraud victims. Furthermore, financial literacy is positively related to vigilance, indicating that financially literate individuals are more aware of potential scams. However, the predictive power of financial literacy on vigilance is relatively low. Hence, while literacy helps a person sharpen their indicators for detecting fraud, psychological, behavioral, and contextual factors may also affect their vigilance and decision-making. Full article

Industry 4.0 represents a significant transformation in industrial systems through digital integration, presenting both opportunities and challenges for aligning the workforce, especially in emerging economies like Thailand. This study adopts a sequential exploratory mixed-method approach to investigate how strategic human resource development (HRD) contributes to sustainable transformation, defined as the enduring alignment between workforce capabilities and technological advancement. The qualitative phase involved case studies of five Thai manufacturing firms at varying levels of Industry 4.0 adoption, utilizing semi-structured interviews with executives and HR leaders. Thematic findings informed the development of a structured survey, distributed to 144 firms. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships among business pressures, leadership support, HRD preparedness, and technological readiness. The analysis reveals that business pressures significantly influence leadership and HRD, which in turn facilitate technological readiness. However, business pressures alone do not directly enhance readiness without the support of intermediaries. These results underscore the critical role of integrated HRD and leadership frameworks in enabling sustainable digital transformation. This study contributes to theoretical perspectives by integrating HRD, leadership, and technological readiness, offering practical guidance for firms aiming to navigate the complexities of Industry 4.0. Full article

Construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) contains various types of substances, which require different processing methods to maximize benefits and minimize harm to realize the goal of the circular economy. Therefore, it is urgent to promote the on-site sorting of C&D waste and explore the determinants of managers’ waste sorting intention. Based on a comprehensive literature review of C&D waste management, seven determinants are identified to explore how antecedent factors influence waste sorting intention by symmetric and asymmetric techniques. Firstly, the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted to analyze the data collected from 489 managers to assess the net impact of each determinant on their intentions. Then, the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) provided another perspective by determining the configurations of the causal conditions that lead to higher or lower levels of intention. The PLS-SEM results reveal that all determinants show a significant positive relationship with the intention except for the perceived risks, which are negatively correlated with managers’ attitudes and intentions regarding C&D waste sorting. Moreover, top management support and subjective norms from other project participants and the public exhibit a huge impact, while the influence of perceived behavioral control (PBC) and policies is moderate. Meanwhile, fsQCA provides a complementary analysis of the complex causality that PLS-SEM fails to capture. That is, fsQCA identified six and five configurations resulting in high and low levels of intention to sort the C&D waste, respectively, and highlighted the crucial role of core conditions. The results provide theoretical and practical insights regarding proper C&D waste management and enhancing sustainable development. Full article