A mixed method for measuring incompatibilities between manufacturing approaches and off-site construction

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianing Luo ◽  
Hong Zhang ◽  
William Sher
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Fundamental Research ◽  
Practical Experiences ◽  
Prefabricated Houses ◽  
Architectural Perspective ◽  
Life Projects

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to measure incompatibilities between the manufacturing approaches (MA) used by the manufacturing industries, and those used for the off-site construction (OSC) of buildings. The aim is to explore which of these approaches could be integrated into OSC in a precise manner as viewed by architects as well as how this might occur.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical research and empirical cycle (EC) was adopted as a methodological framework to measure incompatibilities. A combination of quantitative and qualitative mixed methods was explored through a literature-based case study of prefabricated houses and cars, nine real-life projects built by the second author's research team and the first-named author's practical experiences of leading these projects, based on a logic framework derived from the authors’ reflections of their architectural practices.FindingsThe findings quantitatively present the incompatibilities between cars (automobile bodies) and prefabricated houses. Design-related aspects have the most potential for integration (42.3% increment). The key lessons were identified as specific design philosophies and related guidelines for architects.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are limited to single types of products (cars) and buildings (prefabricated houses) in particular regions. The key lessons just present a preliminary evaluation of the application of the design philosophies and related guidelines in nine real-life projects to comply with word limit constraints.Practical implicationsThis study could help architects and other practitioners to locate and target and alleviated incompatibilities between MA and OSC. It could also precisely identify integration shortcomings to optimize decision-making as well as technical pathways for possible and effective breakthroughs.Social implicationsThis study provides fundamental research as a starting point for further discussion and development. A series of additional in-depth investigations combined with case studies are planned for the future. These could provide alternative study approaches to develop more appropriate architectural design methodologies and more streamlined processes.Originality/valueThe research contributes an alternative architectural perspective when measuring incompatibilities between MA and OSC. The results highlight the implications of precise measurement and provide guidance for architects. These facilitate the effective and successful integration of MA into OSC of buildings and promote the uptake of lean construction (LC) in OSC.

Lean talent management: a novel approach for increasing creativity in architectural design firms

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1355-1375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman ◽  
Mohamed Hesham Madbouly Khalil
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Scant Attention ◽  
Design Firms ◽  
Aec Industry

PurposeArchitecture is classified as one of the creative industries worldwide. However, it is plagued with a number of problems that confine its creativity towards developing innovative solutions that fulfil society needs. One of these pressing problems is the lack of creativity due to the non-utilisation of talented architects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of lean talent management (LTM) as a novel approach to increase creativity in architectural design firms (ADFs).Design/methodology/approachIn order to achieve the above-mentioned aim, a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology is designed to accomplish three objectives. First, reviewing literature to investigate the concepts of creative industries, motivation, demotivation, talent management (TM), talents utilisation (TU), lean thinking (LT) and lean innovation (LI). Second, presenting and analysing five case studies to explore the integration between TM, LT and LI in real-life context to overcome barriers of creativity. Finally, analysing the results of a survey questionnaire conducted with a representative sample of Egyptian ADFs to evaluate their perception and application of TM as a facilitator for creativity.FindingsThe five barriers of creativity encompassed lack of motivation in ADFs and demotivation and lack of TU in ADFs and Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. TM facilitated motivation and eliminated six demotivating factors. The seventh factor was eliminated through LT. In AEC industry, TU was achieved through LI with five considerations. In ADFs, TU can be achieved through LTM. However, two additional barriers have been identified for further investigation. Egyptian ADFs failed increasing creativity with TM solely. Hence, a LTM framework is required.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study focussed on architecture as a case for creative industries and targeted Egyptian ADFs, the application of LTM is to be applied at any industry that is talent-based although barriers related to the design process could vary.Originality/valueThis paper presents an innovative approach through discussing the integration of lean concepts into TM towards increasing creativity in ADFs. This ideology has received scant attention in construction literature and is the first of its kind in the architectural field. The proposed ideas represent a synthesis that is novel and creative in thought and adds value to the knowledge in a manner that has not previously occurred.

The Salton Sea: a selective annotated bibliography

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Payne
Keyword(s):  
Water Policy ◽  
Salton Sea ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Reference Librarians ◽  
Ecological Conservation ◽  
Fundamental Research ◽  
Selective Bibliography ◽  
Informational Value ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a selective bibliography for reference librarians with sources they can use for helping patrons researching the Salton Sea.Design/methodology/approachThe paper shows recently published or created works, which aim is to provide authoritative and scholarly information. With the exception of two, all sources are current and aid in fundamental research. The sources are sorted into sections: books, articles, reports, and websites.FindingsThe paper provides a critique of each source and its informational value. Each section includes the key sources available.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper implies it is not a comprehensive list, of which would number in the hundreds and would date back several decades.Practical implicationsThis paper is a very useful resource for anyone seeking information about the Salton Sea, ecological conservation, avian habitats/flyways, and inland water policy.Originality/valueThe bibliography in this paper fills an identified need and offers users a starting point as well as further information/readings.

scholarly journals Improving graduate outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugochukwu Chinonso Okolie ◽  
Elisha Nwonu Elom ◽  
Paul Agu Igwe ◽  
Michael Olayinka Binuomote ◽  
Chinyere Augusta Nwajiuba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Life Problems ◽  
Starting Point

PurposeThis study explores how the implementation of problem-based learning (PBL) in technical and vocational education training (TVET) systems of Nigerian higher education (HE) can enhance quality graduate outcomes. The study also explores the issues and challenges of PBL implementation in the TVET system of Nigerian HE.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows the assumptions of qualitative research. The authors interviewed 55 participants and had a focus group with 7 TVET postgraduate students. The 55 interviewees were drawn from TVET teachers (n = 33; 24 males and 9 females), Directors at National Board for Technical Education (n = 4; 3 males and 1 female), Directors of National Directorate of Employment (n = 5; 3 males and 2 females), Directors at the Federal Ministry of Education (n = 3 males), and industry executives (n = 10; 7 males and 3 females). Data were collected through a semistructured interview approach, transcribed and coded using NVivo 12 plus and analyzed through thematic analysis.FindingsThe results show that PBL in the Nigerian TVET system has positive implications for quality TVET graduate outcomes in that it can enable integrating theory and practice, motivate learning, improve students' self-efficacy, allow students to construct learning on their own, enhance graduate competencies and graduate employability. It also revealed six perceived possible major challenges to effective implementation of PBL in the Nigerian TVET system, which includes inadequacy of teaching and learning facilities; corruption in Nigerian education sector; recruitment of unqualified incompetent TVET teachers; difficulties in identifying real-life problems, among others. Participants offered benchmarks and actions and standards for improving the identified challenges, which formed a framework for coping with issues, challenges, and barriers to effective implementation of PBL in the TVET system of Nigerian HE (Table 1).Originality/valueThe results of this study are original and serve as an advocacy for Nigerian HE authorities to explore how PBL can be implemented in the TVET system to improve graduate outcomes. The study serves as a starting point for more research in the domain of improving the quality of TVET programs in Nigerian HE. Industry leaders and policymakers in Nigeria and other developing countries could use the findings from this study to increase HE and industry participation and partnership for quality of TVET program.

scholarly journals BIM in facilities management applications: a case study of a large university complex

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Kassem ◽  
Graham Kelly ◽  
Nashwan Dawood ◽  
Michael Serginson ◽  
Steve Lockley
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Operational Systems ◽  
Efficiency Increase

Purpose – Building information modelling (BIM) in facilities management (FM) applications is an emerging area of research based on the theoretical proposition that BIM information, generated and captured during the lifecycle of a facility, can improve its management. Using this proposition as a starting point, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the value of BIM and the challenges affecting its adoption in FM applications. Design/methodology/approach – Two inter-related research methods are utilised. The literature is utilised to identify the application areas, value and challenges of BIM in FM. Due to the lack of case studies identified in the literature review, and to provide empirical evidence of the value and challenges of BIM in FM, a case study of Northumbria University’s city campus, is used to empirically explore the value and challenges of BIM in FM. Findings – The results demonstrated that BIM value in FM stems from improvement to current manual processes of information handover; improvement to the accuracy of FM data, improvement to the accessibility of FM data and efficiency increase in work order execution. The main challenges were the lack of methodologies that demonstrate the tangible benefits of BIM in FM, the limited knowledge of implementation requirement including BIM for FM modelling requirements, the interoperability between BIM and FM technologies, the presence of disparate operational systems managing the same building and finally, the shortage of BIM skills in the FM industry. Originality/value – There is lack of real-life cases on BIM in FM especially for existing assets despite new constructions representing only 1-2 per cent of the total building stock in a typical year. The originality of this paper stems from both adding a real-life case study of BIM in FM and providing empirical evidence of both the value and challenges of BIM in FM applications.

The collective creativity of academics and practitioners in innovation projects

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torild Alise W. Oddane
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Innovation Activity ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collective Creativity ◽  
Innovation Projects ◽  
The Common ◽  
Creativity And Innovation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Life Projects

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the adequacy of the common individual creativity vs organizatonal innovation dichotomy in a complex real-life context. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a retrospective case study of a R&D project in a large industrial company. Findings – The paper shows that understanding the relationship between creativity and innovation as a matter of individual creativity followed by subsequent collective innovation, fails to account for the inherent collective, and improvisational nature of innovation projects. To deal with this weakness, the paper proposes a reconceptualization of the relationship in terms of a capacity/activity distinction which views creativity as an individual and collective integral part of the complex innovation activity. Research limitations/implications – This paper does not discuss challenges regarding collaboration between people representing a variety of expertise, interests, and organizational belongings. Practical implications – The paper points out that continuous collective creativity is more important than initial individual creativity in complex real-life projects. The paper provides specific examples of work forms and approaches encouraging the collective creativity of researchers and practitioners in an innovation project. The work forms and approaches show how people continually deal with complexity, uncertainty and “the unexpected.” As such, the paper may be valuable to managers of complex real life-projects involving people with a great variety of expertise. Originality/value – The paper contributes to a reconceptualization of the relationship between creativity and innovation which forms a contrast to the most common ways to distinquish between the phenomena. The capacity/activity distinction reflects the common assumption of a close relationship between creativity and innovation, but does not restrict creativity to the individual level or initial stage of innovation projects only. As such, the reconceptualization of the relationship between creativity and innovation can form the basis for practice-based theories in project management.

Untangling knowledge fields and knowledge dynamics within the decision-making process

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantin Bratianu ◽  
Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu ◽  
Sorin Anagnoste ◽  
Gandolfo Dominici
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Managerial Decisions ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Knowledge Dynamics

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the influences of different types of knowledge and their inherent dynamics on the effectiveness of the decision-making (DM) process. Knowledge dynamics (KD) is envisioned through the lens of the knowledge fields theory while effective DM process is objectivised via organisational appreciation and reward, higher business performance, sustainable partnerships and managerial satisfaction with previous achievements.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 275 middle managers from companies operating in the business consulting field. The conceptual and structural model was tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique.FindingsThe study advances novel insights into the significant positive influences of various knowledge fields on KD on the DM process within real-life business environments. Even though rational knowledge exerts a noteworthy effect on DM, its influence is exceeded by the KD, which proves that integrating emotional and spiritual knowledge in the decisional equation may become a pivotal input to making good managerial decisions regardless of the level of regulation and standardisation in the field.Research limitations/implicationsThe research relied on threefold knowledge fields as predictors for the DM process, thus providing a starting point for the development of more complex models.Originality/valueThe study emerges as a groundbreaking approach via the integration and application of the knowledge fields theory within a more comprehensive and empirical outlook on the DM process. Simultaneously, it places DM beyond the unidimensional outcomes of rationality and intuition by urging its intricate and interactional nature.

French consumer profiles' reactions to information on cod fillet products

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Themistoklis Altintzoglou ◽  
Morten Heide ◽  
Mats Carlehög
Keyword(s):  
Fish Consumption ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Subjective Knowledge ◽  
Fresh Fish ◽  
Information Cues ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Fish Remains

Purpose – The aims of this study were: to identify consumer segments in France, based on their use of and trust in information sources regarding the freshness of fish, to examine differences between the segments regarding use of and interest in information cues and objective and subjective knowledge, to compare the consumer segments regarding their fish consumption and fish storage behaviour and to discover how different consumer segments reacted to labels regarding the processing of cod fillet products. Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes how French consumers (n=485) of fish were clustered in three segments based on their use of and trust in information sources regarding the freshness of fish and then compared by means of use of and interest in various information cues, knowledge, fish consumption behaviour, age and parenthood. Findings – Information regarding thawed cod fillet products should be carefully communicated. Fresh fish remains at the top of consumers' aspirations, regarding fish. However, a short label indicating that fish was frozen directly after catch and thawed directly before they were put on the retailers' displays may lead to an improvement of the image of previously frozen cod fillet products. Research limitations/implications – This survey based study could be confirmed in a real-life experimental setting. Practical implications – The results can be direct advice for the development of communication strategies for the successful launching of fresh and thawed cod fillet products in the market. Originality/value – This manuscript expands the segmentation presented by Pieniak et al. to France. Using this segmentation as a starting point, this study demonstrates the benefits of its use in the development of directed communication strategies.

Discovery of an Unexpected Similarity in Ligand Binding Between BRD4 and PPARγ

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Humbeck ◽  
Jette Pretzel ◽  
Saskia Spitzer ◽  
Oliver Koch
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Resistance Development ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Fundamental Research ◽  
Important Drug

Knowledge about interrelationships between different proteins is crucial in fundamental research for the elucidation of protein networks and pathways. Furthermore, it is especially critical in chemical biology to identify further key regulators of a disease and to take advantage of polypharmacology effects. A comprehensive scaffold-based analysis uncovered an unexpected relationship between bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). They are both important drug targets for cancer therapy and many more important diseases. Both proteins share binding site similarities near a common hydrophobic subpocket which should allow the design of a polypharmacology-based ligand targeting both proteins. Such a dual-BRD4-PPARγ-modulator could show synergistic effects with a higher efficacy or delayed resistance development in, for example, cancer therapy. Thereon, a complex structure of sulfasalazine was obtained that involves two bromodomains and could be a potential starting point for the design of a bivalent BRD4 inhibitor.

Teaching Music Theory

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Snodgrass
Keyword(s):  
Music Theory ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Aural Skills ◽  
New Faculty ◽  
Music Therapist ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Teaching Music

Many innovative approaches to teaching are being used around the country, and there is an exciting energy about the scholarship of teaching and learning. But what is happening in the most effective music theory and aural skills classrooms? Based on 3 years of field study spanning 17 states, coupled with reflections from the author’s own teaching strategies, Teaching Music Theory: New Voices and Approaches highlights teaching approaches with substantial real-life examples from instructors across the country. The main premise of the text focuses on the question of “why.” Why do we assess in a particular way? Why are our curricula designed in a certain manner? Why should students master aural skills for their career as a performer, music educator, or music therapist? It is through the experiences shared in the text that many of these questions of “why” are answered. Along with answering some of the important questions of “why,” the book emphasizes topics such as classroom environment, undergraduate research and mentoring, assessment, and approaches to curriculum development. Teaching Music Theory: New Voices and Approaches is written in a conversational tone to provide a starting point of dialogue for students, new faculty members, and seasoned educators on any level. The pedagogical trends presented in this book provide a greater appreciation of outstanding teaching and thus an understanding of successful approaches in the classroom.

Experience and expression of social isolation by inner-city high-rise residents

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Love M. Chile ◽  
Xavier M. Black ◽  
Carol Neill
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Health And Social Care

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of social isolation and the factors that create social isolation for residents of inner-city high-rise apartment communities. We critically examine how the physical environment and perceptions of safety in apartment buildings and the inner-city implicate the quality of interactions between residents and with their neighbourhood community. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used mixed-methods consisting of survey questionnaires supplemented by semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions using stratified random sampling to access predetermined key strata of inner-city high-rise resident population. Using coefficient of correlation we examine the significance of the association between social isolation, age and ethnicity amongst Auckland's inner-city high-rise residents. Findings – The authors found the experience and expression of social isolation consistent across all age groups, with highest correlation between functional social isolation and “being student”, and older adults (60+ years), length of tenure in current apartment and length of time residents have lived in the inner-city. Research limitations/implications – As a case study, we did not seek in this research to compare the experience and expressions of social isolation in different inner-city contexts, nor of inner-city high-rise residents in New Zealand and other countries, although these will be useful areas to explore in future studies. Practical implications – This study is a useful starting point to build evidence base for professionals working in health and social care services to develop interventions that will help reduce functional social isolation amongst young adults and older adults in inner-city high-rise apartments. This is particularly important as the inner-city population of older adults grow due to international migration, and sub-national shifts from suburbs to the inner-cities in response to governmental policies of urban consolidation. Originality/value – By identifying two forms of social isolation, namely functional and structural social isolation, we have extended previous analysis of social isolation and found that “living alone” or structural social isolation did not necessarily lead to functional social isolation. It also touched on the links between functional social isolation and self-efficacy of older adults, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds.

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