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Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14411/18
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Article The "Trickle-Across" Phenomenon: Consumption-Mimicking in Emerging Markets in a Stress Environment(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2025-11-17) Gungordu Belbag, Aybegum; Deligonul, Seyda Z.; Uner, Mehmet Mithat; Cavusgil, S. TamerPurpose - This study conceptualizes a novel framework called the "trickle-across" phenomenon to understand how middle-class consumers in emerging markets adapt their consumer behavior during economic crises. Unlike the trickle-down model based on upward emulation, the study explores how risk and uncertainty drive consumers to mimic their in-group. Design/methodology/approach - The study employs a conceptual review approach, synthesizing the crisis literature on middle-class consumer behavior across emerging markets. It offers four novel propositions to explain the socio-psychological underpinnings of the shift in middle-class consumer behavior. Findings - Under normal, low-anxiety conditions, middle-class consumers seek upward mobility through aspirational consumption and class emulation, referred to as trickle-down theory. However, during crises, heightened risk anxiety triggers a shift from upward emulation to lateral mimicry, where individuals conform to the consumption norms of their immediate social cohort. Socio-cultural influences play a critical role in risk trivialization and adapting to economic hardships. Originality/value - The study proposes the trickle-across phenomenon as a defining pattern of middle-class consumer behavior in emerging markets during crises. It shifts the focus from aspirational models to cohort-based survival strategies and highlights how socio-cultural factors help middle-class consumers adapt to economic hardships and preserve identity. The framework provides new insights for marketers, policymakers, and scholars.Article Citation - Scopus: 1An Activity-Based Lessons Learned Model To Support Scheduling Decisions in Construction(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2025-04-15) Yilmaz, Anil; Akcay, Emre Caner; Dikmen, Irem; Birgonul, M. TalatPurposeThe aim of this study is to develop an activity-based lessons-learned model that allows construction companies to capture, store, classify and reuse activity-related lessons learned (LL) from previous projects, thereby increasing the reliability of time estimates in scheduling.Design/methodology/approachScheduling is a knowledge-intensive process that requires the utilization of data and expert opinion elicitation from various levels of an organization in construction projects. This research consists of five successive steps: performing a needs analysis, proposing an activity-based lessons-learned process model, validating the proposed process model, developing a tool to apply the proposed model in a computer environment and testing the applicability of the tool. To implement the proposed model in practice, a web-based tool, namely the Construction Industry Scheduling with Activity-Based Lessons Learned Tool (ConSALL Tool), was developed. Its functionality was evaluated using black-box testing. The tool was then applied in a real construction project.FindingsResults show that ConSALL has the potential to improve scheduling decisions in construction projects by incorporating data and experience from previous projects. Findings from this research can be used to develop similar models and AI tools to foster activity-based learning in other project-based industries as well as the construction industry.Originality/valueThis paper presents an innovative approach to enhancing construction project scheduling by leveraging LL from past projects. The development and application of the ConSALL Tool demonstrate a practical implementation of the proposed model, providing a framework that can be adapted to other industries to improve project planning and execution.Article Design Team Effectiveness and Architects' Personality Types(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2025-01-21) Alan, Ece; Arditi, David; Gunaydin, Husnu Murat; Akcay, Emre CanerPurposeThe personalities of the design team members constitute one of the factors that influence team effectiveness. In this study, 223 members of the "American Institute of Architects" who are employed by the largest architectural design firms in the United States of America were categorized according to their personality types by using "The Enneagram Personality Type Model." Also, the respondents' opinions about eight team effectiveness outcomes were recorded in order to explore the relationship between team members' personality types and team effectiveness outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe information was collected by a questionnaire where the first part included 144 pairs of statements that were used to identify respondents' personality types. The second part sought designers' opinions about the importance of eight team effectiveness outcomes rated on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. The results were assessed by performing the Kruskal-Wallis test first and Dunn's post-hoc test with Bonferroni adjustment subsequently.FindingsThe findings highlight the significance of personality types in effective design teams. While Type 6 (loyalist and skeptic) and Type 3 (achiever and performer) architects prioritize team effectiveness the most, Type 7 architects (enthusiasts and epicureans) assign the lowest importance. However, the presence of Type 1 (reformist and perfectionist) and Type 8 (challenger and protector) architects within the same design team may involve challenges or conflicts.Originality/valueThe primary contribution of this study is that it is the first study in the construction management literature that utilizes The Enneagram of Personality Test to understand the relationship between team members' personality types and team effectiveness outcomes. This study is of direct relevance to practitioners and could be utilized in design team-building activities.Article Citation - WoS: 12Citation - Scopus: 19Prospects of Ocean-Based Renewable Energy for West Africa's Sustainable Energy Future(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2020-03-16) Adesanya, Ayokunle; Misra, Sanjay; Maskeliunas, Rytis; Damasevicius, RobertasPurpose The limited supply of fossil fuels, constant rise in the demand of energy and the importance of reducing greenhouse emissions have brought the adoption of renewable energy sources for generation of electrical power. One of these sources that has the potential to supply the world's energy needs is the ocean. Currently, ocean in West African region is mostly utilized for the extraction of oil and gas from the continental shelf. However, this resource is depleting, and the adaptation of ocean energy could be of major importance. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibilities of ocean-based renewable energy (OBRE) and analyze the economic impact of adapting an ocean energy using a thermal gradient (OTEC) approach for energy generation. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is conducted from the perspective of cost, energy security and environmental protection. Findings This study shows that adapting ocean energy in the West Africa region can significantly produce the energy needed to match the rising energy demands for sustainable development of Nigeria. Although the transition toward using OBRE will incur high capital cost at the initial stage, eventually, it will lead to a cost-effective generation, transmission, environmental improvement and stable energy supply to match demand when compared with the conventional mode of generation in West Africa. Originality/value The study will contribute toward analysis of the opportunities for adopting renewable energy sources and increasing energy sustainability for the West Africa coast regions.Article Citation - WoS: 13Citation - Scopus: 13The Effects of Indoor Plants on Customers' Shopping Decisions in a Restaurant Environment(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2020-07-14) Yildirim, Kemal; Yildirim Kaya, Nazli Nazende; Olmus, FerdiPurpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on the effects of indoor plants on customers' shopping decisions in the restaurant environment. Design/methodology/approach The assumption of the research is that there is a relationship between restaurants where indoor plants are used and the customers' shopping decisions (restaurant entry and purchase). A hypothetical study was performed to test this assumption that was based on the digital images of two different restaurants (restaurant with and restaurant without indoor plants) modelled in a virtual environment. The Likert scale questionnaire used in this study was completed by 335 participants. Findings Results indicated that restaurants designed with indoor plants had a more positive effect on the shopping decisions of participants than restaurants designed without indoor plants. The statistically significant results between evaluations of customers and their demographic backgrounds were determined. The male participants with a 26-35 age range showed more positive opinions about the plant designed restaurants than female participants with a 36-55 age range. Also, higher education graduate participants showed more positive opinions about the plant designed restaurant than secondary education graduate participants. Originality/value This paper reveals a significant relationship between restaurant design and shopping decisions. Results of the study suggest that retailers and designers may be able to make easily stores more appealing for customers by designing them with indoor plants.Article Citation - WoS: 36Citation - Scopus: 37Mechanical, Thermal, Melt-Flow and Morphological Characterizations of Bentonite-Filled Abs Copolymer(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2020-06-17) Alhallak, Laylay Mustafa; Tirkes, Seha; Tayfun, UmitPurpose This study aims to investigate the mechanical, thermal, melt-flow and morphological behavior of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)-based composites after bentonite inclusions. Melt mixing is the most preferred production method in industrial scale and basically it has very near processing parameters compared to 3D printing applications. Rheological parameters of ABS and its composites are important for 3D applications. Melt flow behavior of ABS effects the fabrication of 3D printed product at desired levels. Shear thinning and non-Newtonian viscosity characteristics of ABS make viscosity control easier and more flexible for several processing techniques including injection molding, compression molding and 3D printing. Design/methodology/approach ABS copolymer was reinforced with bentonite mineral (BNT) at four different loading ratios of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. ABS/BNT composites were fabricated by lab-scale micro-compounder followed by injection molding process. Mechanical, thermo-mechanical, thermal, melt-flow and morphological properties of composites were investigated by tensile, hardness and impact tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), melt flow index (MFI) test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Findings Mechanical tests revealed that tensile strength, elongation and hardness of ABS were enhanced as BNT content increased. Glass transition temperature and storage modulus of ABS exhibited increasing trend with the additions of BNT. However, impact strength values dropped down with BNT inclusion. According to MFI test measurements, BNT incorporation displayed no significant change for MFI value of ABS. Homogeneous dispersion of BNT particles into ABS phase was deduced from SEM micrographs of composites. Loading ratio of 15% BNT was remarked as the most suitable candidate among fabricated ABS-based composites according to findings. Research limitations/implications The advanced mechanical properties and easy processing characteristics are the reasons for usage of ABS as an engineering plastic. Owing to the increase in its usage for 3D printing technology, the ABS became popular in recent years. The utilization of ABS in this technology is in filament form with various colors and dimensions. This is because of its proper rheological features. Practical implications Melt-mixing technique was used as preparation of composites, as this processing method is widely applied in industry. This method is also providing similar processing methodology with 3D printing technology. Originality/value According to the literature survey, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first research work regarding the melt-flow performance of ABS-based composites to evaluate their 3D printing applications and processability. ABS and BNT containing composites were characterized by tensile, impact and shore hardness tests, DMA, TGA), MFI test and SEM techniques.Article Citation - WoS: 10Citation - Scopus: 17Investigation of Employers' Performance Expectations for New It Graduates in Individual and Team Work Settings for Software Development(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2018-02-05) Akman, Ibrahim; Turhan, CigdemPurpose - In general, software development work environments involve many different tasks and have high demands on efficiency and quality of performance at both individual and team levels, which depend on the competencies of employees. However, the literature does not provide satisfactory evidence as for the characteristics and competencies of individuals. Especially, the employers' expectations of new graduates have not been investigated in detail for different work environments. The purpose of this paper is to examine employers' expectancies regarding technical, personal and educational competencies among IT-graduated employees to provide a comparison between individual and team work settings. Design/methodology/approach - A survey approach was used for this purpose, and the research model was tested using multiple regression. Findings - The results revealed that significant diversity exists in individual and team work settings regarding employers' expectations for new graduates' competencies in terms of adapting to new software development methods and approaches, using time effectively and experience gained in undergraduate projects. Originality/value - The results of this study will yield insight to computer-related departments in curriculum development by providing a comparison between the varying competencies required in individual and team work settings from the employer's perspective. In the long run, the aim is to meet employers' demands of the new graduates' competencies, resulting in better individual and team performances in information technology companies, thereby leading to successful software development.Article Citation - WoS: 223Citation - Scopus: 276Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling in Hospitality and Tourism: Do Researchers Follow Practical Guidelines?(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2018-10-09) Usakli, Ahmet; Kucukergin, Kemal GurkanPurpose The purpose of this study is to review the use of partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in the field of hospitality and tourism and thereby to assess whether the PLS-SEM-based papers followed the recommended application guidelines and to investigate whether a comparison of journal types (hospitality vs tourism) and journal qualities (top-tier vs other leading) reveal significant differences in PLS-SEM use. Design/methodology/approach A total of 206 PLS-SEM based papers published between 2000 and April 2017 in the 19 SSCI-indexed hospitality and tourism journals were critically analyzed using a wide range of guidelines for the following aspects of PLS-SEM: the rationale of using the method, the data characteristics, the model characteristics, the model assessment and reporting the technical issues. Findings The results reveal that some aspects of PLS-SEM are correctly applied by researchers, but there are still some misapplications, especially regarding data characteristics, formative measurement model evaluation and structural model assessment. Furthermore, few significant differences were found on the use of PLS-SEM between the two fields (hospitality and tourism) and between the journal tiers (top-tier and other leading). Practical implications To enhance the quality of research in hospitality and tourism, the present study provides recommendations for improving the future use of PLS-SEM. Originality/value The present study fills a sizeable gap in hospitality and tourism literature and extends the previous assessments on the use of PLS-SEM by providing a wider perspective on the issue (i.e. includes both hospitality and tourism journals rather than the previous reviews that focus on either tourism or hospitality), using a larger sample size of 206 empirical studies, investigating the issue over a longer time period (from 2000 to April, 2017, including the in-press articles), extending the scope of criteria (guidelines) used in the review and comparing the PLS-SEM use between the two allied fields (hospitality and tourism) and between the journal tiers (top-tier and other leading).Article Citation - WoS: 18Citation - Scopus: 24University Students' Heuristic Usability Inspection of the National Library of Turkey Website(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2018-01-15) Inal, YavuzPurpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usability of the National Library of Turkey website developed for all citizens in the country to retrieve information available in a wide range of areas. Design/methodology/approach - The evaluation performed by 57 undergraduate university students involved the identification and analysis of usability problems in the selected website. The assessment process was mainly based on Nielsen's Heuristics. The data obtained in the evaluation process were enriched using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Net Promoter Score (NPS) to conduct a more detailed analysis. Findings - The participants identified many usability problems concerning the evaluated website and considered it as having low usability characteristics. The most violated heuristic item was found to be "consistency and standards" whereas the least violated heuristic item was "match between system and the real world." The total number of the usability problems in heuristic evaluation correlated significantly and negatively with the SUS and the NPS results indicating that the more participants identified usability problems, the less they considered the website as usable and recommendable. Research limitations/implications - The participants were not usability experts, however they were selected from among the students who received the Human Computer Interaction course to ensure that they had sufficient information and experience concerning the evaluation of a website with heuristics. Besides, the study was limited to a small number of university students. The implication is that results of this study have potential to guide libraries, which plan to adapt themselves to the digital world by delivering web services, by addressing critical points influencing users' points of views toward library websites and their usability evaluation result. Practical implications - Depending on the changes in user habits regarding the retrieval of information, libraries have made considerable investments in web technologies to meet their users' demands, and recently, digital libraries have begun to take over physical libraries. Users always need to perform tasks efficiently, effectively and satisfactorily when using websites. As one of the most crucial sources of digital materials, library websites are expected to have usable characteristics that satisfactorily meet user requirements. Therefore, the practical implication is that the findings of the study will guide designers, developers and practitioners in the development of library websites. Originality/value - In the context of usability evaluation of digital libraries, this is the first study to analyze effects of usability problems identified by users during the heuristic inspection on their overall evaluation score and willingness to recommend the website to their friends or colleagues.Article Citation - WoS: 3Citation - Scopus: 3Prediction of Tourists' Intention Toward Domestic Vs International Destinations in Post-Covid Recovery: the Role of Covid-19, Future Anxiety and Solidarity(Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2024-01-22) Kucukergin, Kemal Gurkan; Ozekici, Yakup Kemal; Sahin, Gonca Guzel; Güzel Şahin, GoncaPurposeThis paper aims to investigate, upon taking into consideration both symmetric and asymmetric effects, how the economic and psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, solidarity and future anxiety affect travel intention and the willingness to support a destination (WSD). Furthermore, the study sheds light on whether these relationships vary between domestic and international destinations.Design/methodology/approachThe data are collected from 379 potential tourists. To detect and analyze the symmetrical and asymmetric effects, the covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) and the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) are employed, respectively.FindingsIt is observed that, whereas only the effects of solidarity on travel intention and WSD differ in the CB-SEM, the fsQCA results include different recipes for the two groups.Originality/valueThere has not been much research done yet on the influence of future anxiety on tourists' decisions. Furthermore, it has not been thoroughly investigated whether solidarity has a different function for destinations within and outside of the country. In this respect, the study of both symmetric and asymmetric effects represents an important contribution to the literature.