Search results for "performance"
showing 10 items of 4457 documents
Towards human cell simulation
2019
The faithful reproduction and accurate prediction of the phe-notypes and emergent behaviors of complex cellular systems are among the most challenging goals in Systems Biology. Although mathematical models that describe the interactions among all biochemical processes in a cell are theoretically feasible, their simulation is generally hard because of a variety of reasons. For instance, many quantitative data (e.g., kinetic rates) are usually not available, a problem that hinders the execution of simulation algorithms as long as some parameter estimation methods are used. Though, even with a candidate parameterization, the simulation of mechanistic models could be challenging due to the extr…
Role of Sky-gardens in Improving Energy Performance of Tall Buildings
2018
Natural ventilation has been used as a passive strategy for many decades but only now its importance in tall buildings for addressing the issues of high energy usage and reducing carbon footprints is emerging. Sky-gardens can play an important role in successful implementation of natural ventilation through amplification of natural wind speeds. This study presents a state-of-the-art review on optimization of tall buildings energy performance through incorporation of sky-gardens. Pros and cons of use of natural ventilation for multi-story buildings are highlighted. Details of involved technical difficulties and barriers in the construction and operation process of sky-gardens are also given.…
Development of organizational trust among employees from a contextual perspective
2006
It is becoming increasingly accepted that trust in the workplace is an important factor which potentially leads to enhanced organizational performance and can be a source of competitive advantage in the long run (e.g. McAllister 1995, Whitener et al. 1998, Leana & van Buren III 1999, Wicks et al. 1999, Gould-Williams 2003). Although it may be unreasonable to expect that any firm can have boundless trust among employees, the starting point of this paper lies in the argument that organizational trust is more desirable from the viewpoint of the firm’s economic prosperity than its lack. Organizational trust is important for successful socialization, cooperation and effective teamworking (cf. Pu…
How personal resources predict work engagement and self-rated performance among construction workers: A social cognitive perspective
2014
Traditionally, research focussing on psychosocial factors in the construction industry has focused mainly on the negative aspects of health and on results such as occupational accidents. This study, however, focuses on the specific relationships among the different positive psychosocial factors shared by construction workers that could be responsible for occupational well-being and outcomes such as performance. The main objective of this study was to test whether personal resources predict self-rated job performance through job resources and work engagement. Following the predictions of Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and the motivational process of the Job Demands-Resources Model, we exp…
Organizational Learning Capability and Job Satisfaction: an Empirical Assessment in the Ceramic Tile Industry
2009
Organizational learning capability has been considered an essential issue of an organization's effectiveness and potential to innovate and grow. Although its positive effects on organizations and employees are generally assumed, there is no empirical evidence of its positive association with employee attitudes such as job satisfaction. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between organizational learning capability and job satisfaction through the questionnaire responses of 157 employees from eight companies in the Spanish ceramic tile industry. Results suggest that organizational learning capability and job satisfaction are strongly linked.
Moderating influence of organizational justice on the relationship between job insecurity and its outcomes: A multilevel analysis
2010
A great amount of research has illustrated the evident prevalence of job insecurity in working life and its harmful outcomes for employees and organizations. Some authors have identified factors that can reduce this negative influence. However, up until now, most of these factors have only been studied at an individual level, without taking into account the fact that contextual conditions can play a moderating role in organizations. Following this perspective, this article analyses the moderator role of organizational justice and organizational justice climate in the relationship between job insecurity and its outcomes. The study was carried out with a sample of 942 employees from 47 Spanis…
Exploring working conditions as determinants of job satisfaction: an empirical test among Catalonia service workers
2011
Job satisfaction is particularly important in the service industries since it involves direct contact with customers and thus has a direct influence on company performance. This paper analyses the impact of 10 working conditions on job satisfaction by means of structural equation modeling in a representative stratified random sample of 1553 service sector employees in Catalonia, Spain. Significant effects in social aspects (recognition of a job well done and social support) were found, followed by psychological loads (emotional demands and job insecurity) and by task contents (development and meaning, and predictability). These variables explained 50% of the variance in job satisfaction.
Strategic approaches, organizational design and quality management
1998
The main contribution of this paper is to integrate into one model management and organizational fields that are normally analyzed separately: contingency factors, organizational design variables, strategic approaches and quality management approaches. The essential core of the model is constituted by three basic variables of organizational design: level of centralization, level of formalization‐standardization, and level of shared vision and common values. Through analysis using this conceptual tool, we can: assess the position of tasks and organizational units in relation to these organizational variables; evaluate the congruence between organizational variables and contingency factors; i…
L’impatto della pandemia sui rapporti contrattuali: problemi e rimedi
2021
This paper aims to analyze the global disaster caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted the existence of almost all of humanity. In addition, examine the significant limitations limitations on individual and collective freedoms to protect public health and, secondly, to mitigate as much as possible the impact of the pandemic on economic activities. The attention of the article focuses exclusively on the rules that impact on the general discipline of obligations and contracts. The essay deals with the institutions of contract law that are best suited to counteract the effects of the pandemic on contractual relationships, especially those long term. Particular attention is paid to t…
An Environmental Analysis of the Effect of Energy Saving, Production and Recovery Measures on Water Supply Systems under Scarcity Conditions
2015
Water is one of the primary resources provided for maintaining quality of life and social status in urban areas. As potable water is considered to be a primary need, water service has usually been managed without examining the economic and environmental sustainability of supply processes. Currently, due to increases in energy costs and the growth of environment preservation policies, reducing water leakage, energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) production have become primary objectives in reducing the environmental footprint of water service. The present paper suggests the implementation of some performance indicators that show the interdependence of water loss, energy consumption and…