Postoccupancy evaluation of historic buildings after their adaptive reuse into boutique hotels: an experience from Yazd, Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadhossein Dehghan Pour Farashah ◽  
Ehsan Aslani ◽  
Solmaz Yadollahi ◽  
Zahed Ghaderi

PurposeIn the early 2000s, a wave of new practices concerning the adaptive reuse (AR) of historic buildings into boutique hotels began in Yazd, Iran. This study presents the findings of a postoccupancy evaluation (POE) of adaptively reused historic buildings into boutique hotels. It aims to explore and prioritize the main factors of architecture's physical aspects in the adapted buildings.Design/methodology/approachIn order to carry out a POE, hotel guests' written reviews from online international and national travel platforms were analyzed. According to this preliminary analysis, a questionnaire was designed and randomly distributed among 300 hotel guests. The data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS software. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce a set of indicators into the main components.FindingsThe findings revealed that “preliminary physical feasibility study and evaluation of building's functional potential” is the most important component with a weight of 0.709. Then, “adaptive reuse design” and “quality of building conservation” are placed with a weight of 0.232 and 0.058, respectively. The results show the mere attention of practitioners to architectural restoration rather than adapting historic buildings into boutique hotels in Yazd. Also, the lack of a specific framework for this purpose is felt in Iran.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could evaluate the architectural aspects of historic buildings that have been converted into various functions from the main users' views.Practical implicationsThis research's main contribution is to recommend guidelines for more user-friendly boutique hotels. This includes principal components and their sub-indicators that should be considered in the AR process of historic buildings by conservators, investors and hoteliers. Also, the extracted factors can be implemented for boutique hotels' improvements in operation because they determine the order of priority from the users' viewpoint.Originality/valueThis study introduces a new application of POE in the field of conservation of heritage assets and the hospitality industry; it focuses on the evaluation of the users' feedback regarding the architectural aspects of adaptively reused historic buildings into boutique hotels based on original empirical data.

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-22
Author(s):  
Matthew John Gill ◽  
Samantha Brookes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a psychological outcome tool which reflects the relationship between clusters of items on the Short Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) risk assessment and different categories of psychological progress in male inpatient psychiatric services. Design/methodology/approach A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on data from 135 male psychiatric rehabilitation patients’ START risk assessments. Findings PCA identified four strength psychology quadrants which were explained by a five-factor structure and four vulnerability quadrants which were explained by a four-factor structure. The development of the psychology quadrant, its usefulness in establishing a treatment pathway and areas of future research are also discussed. Originality/value Developing accessible, transparent outcome measures using evidence-based practice is highly relevant within the field of mental health rehabilitation.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yully Marcela Sepúlveda-Alzate ◽  
María Antonia García-Benau ◽  
Mauricio Gómez-Villegas

Purpose This paper aims to propose a measurement of the materiality of environmental, social and governance information (ESG) reported by listed companies belonging to sensitive industries in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. This analysis is carried out from the insights of stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory and institutional theory. The research questions addressed are: What type of information is considered as material by Latin American companies? Does this information respond to the environmental and social issues within the context of Latin American companies and the needs of their stakeholders? Design/methodology/approach A materiality index is developed from principal component analysis and factor analysis, which are multivariate analysis statistical techniques used in various fields to develop indices. The designed index examines materiality in the sustainability reports of 65 companies for 2017 and 67 companies for 2018. These firms belong to the energy, mining, chemical, construction, construction materials and public services industries in Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Findings The results show medium-high materiality indices, mostly in Chilean, Mexican and Colombian companies. In addition, issues such as water management, climate change and occupational health and safety are particularly interesting for companies. For the two years studied and from the perspective of material aspects for the company and its stakeholders, energy, mining and utilities (drinking water and sewage) sectors obtained the highest scores. This shows that the disclosure of ESG information is higher in industries related to the exploitation of natural resources that cause adverse effects on the environment such as extractive industries. Both the analysis presented in this paper and the materiality measurement developed, allow social responsibility managers to have a standard on the level of importance allotted to the different topics disclosed in sustainability reports. Additionally, this study provides a perspective of the material issues recognized by sensitive industries with great environmental impact. Similarly, an analysis of the issues considered material by stakeholders is provided. This allows such issues to be compared, identifying similarities and differences among the issues regarded as material by a company and its stakeholders. Practical implications The paper opens the debate is open as to whether the information disclosed response to the needs of stakeholders or whether, on the contrary, the materiality analysis is a process that emerges simply from the interests of the company. These demands for qualitative and field research to complement quantitative studies such as this one to research the stakeholders’ engagement processes in context. Social implications The paper’s purpose a challenge for future research is to strengthen the use of various methodologies that allow knowing the participation processes in the definition of materiality in the ESG information and the companies’ engagement with stakeholders. This stimulates research in the region, which is still in its infancy. Originality/value The international literature contains few studies related to the assessment of materiality for sustainability reporting. So this paper contributes proposes measurement of materiality for ESG information.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-358
Author(s):  
Chew Har Loke ◽  
Suhaiza Ismail ◽  
A.H. Fatima

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically test Arnaud’s (2010) ethical climate index (ECI) of measuring ethical work climate (EWC) in the context of Malaysian public sector auditors (PSAs). Design/methodology/approach EWC is conceptualized as four main components with two sub-components. Questionnaires were distributed to the population of PSAs in the Malaysian National Audit Department (NAD). Factor analysis (principal component analysis [PCA]) was used to verify the components of EWC. Findings Results from PCA revealed that EWC, indeed, has four main components. Therefore, the findings of this study provide empirical evidence that validates Arnaud’s (2010) EWC model, although tested on PSAs in Malaysia. Research limitations/implications This paper has a limited purpose, which is to test whether the ECI could be applied to PSAs in Malaysia to derive the original four main components of Arnaud’s EWC. Thus, this study does not evaluate the EWC of PSAs or determine causal relationships between EWC and other variables; these are left to future studies. Practical implications The findings of this study confirm that Arnaud’s (2010) ECI is sufficiently resilient to be applied to the context of PSAs in Malaysia. Hence, future studies could use this index to measure EWC not only in the public sector but also in the private sector. Future research could also further test this index in different contexts. Originality/value Arnaud’s (2010) ECI was originally applied in the context of the private sector in a developed country. Hence, this study adds value by extending the ECI to the public sector in a developing country, Malaysia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-507
Author(s):  
Ali Asghar Sharifi ◽  
Amir Hossein Farahinia

PurposeThis study aims to render a pattern for heritage restoration in the context of reusing historic buildings, to assist the authorities with decision-making process on the most appropriate time during the building’s life cycle. Here, the adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model is used to find the most appropriate time for adaptive reuse and calculating the useful life as well as the potentiality of the Amir Nezam House so a viable solution can be put forward.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, a quantitative and qualitative method is adopted to evaluate the useful life and potentiality of the Amir Nezam House of Tabriz to determine the most appropriate time for next intervention.FindingsResults show that the potential (ARP score) of the Amir Nezam House is increasing, the value of which will be greater than 50 percent by the next few years. Evaluations show that the most appropriate time for further intervention is the year 2035.Originality/valueThe significance of this research lies within the objective of proposing a preventive and protective schedule for historic buildings before they reach their life expectancy with an emphasis on environmental, economic, social and functional sustainability as well as environmental impacts. ARP model has been applied to implement this concept in the Amir Nezam House, Tabriz, Iran.


2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 708-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakan Erkutlu

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of leadership behaviors on both organizational and leader effectiveness at boutique hotels.Design/methodology/approachA total of 722 subjects (60 managers and 662 non‐managerial employees) participated in this study from 60 boutique hotels. Participants were told that the study was designed to collect information on the leadership styles used by managers and on the satisfaction and commitment of employees in the hospitality workforce. Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, Organizational Commitment Questionnaire and Job Descriptive Index were used to assess leadership behaviors of the boutique hotels' first‐line managers and commitment and satisfaction levels of employees, respectively.FindingsThere are significant relations between leadership behaviors and both organizational and leadership effectiveness. The findings support the suggestion in the literature that transformational leadership behaviors stimulate organizational commitment and job satisfaction in the hospitality industry.Research limitations/implicationsThere are several limitations that could be future research topics, such as hotels' source of funding, demographic characteristics of the participants. There is a question about the generalizability of these findings to other hospitality organizations such as four or five‐star hotels.Originality/valueThis paper explores an aspect of leadership in the hospitality industry that is often neglected. It provides compelling evidence for the importance of continuing the efforts to understand the nature of the leadership behaviors‐effectiveness connection.


Author(s):  
Andrea Luciani ◽  
Davide Del Curto

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the cross-fertilisation process between the concept of resilience and building conservation. The authors discuss how the conservation field can address new issues posed by climate change and whether the concept of resilience plays a role within the framework of sustainable building conservation. Design/methodology/approach Starting from the use of resilience as a “travelling concept”, different interpretations of the term emerging from different fields are compared and interrelated in order to understand how this concept can impact future research in building conservation. Findings In addition to summarising recent developments in conservation theory with a special focus on how sustainability has influenced the field, this work also suggests some lines of research where resilience could foster interdisciplinary approaches to building conservation and presents some controversial outcomes. Originality/value The paper raises a discussion on how the concept of resilience could renew the field of building conservation, helping contemporary society to address the challenges of climate change.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Sharifi

Purpose The concept of adaptive reuse is an effective strategy for enhancing heritage assets, economic, cultural and social values. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to reuse historic buildings within appropriate time frames. The adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model assesses the potential of buildings based on obsolescence criteria in order to determine the optimal time for changing the use of such assets. Design/methodology/approach Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used in this research to evaluate the reuse potential of The Mashrooteh Building by using the ARP model. Predicting and evaluating the physical life, useful life and potential of the historic Mashrooteh building in Tabriz will ensure its reuse and will increase its future life. Findings Findings have shown that to increase the future life of The Mashrooteh Building, its adaptive reuse quality needs to be improved for the next intervention within a reasonable time. Further procedures can be outlined when the appropriate time for future rehabilitation is known. Originality/value With an emphasis on conservation of national heritage as well as promoting sustainable development, the overall future life of assets can be extended. The significance of this study is closely related to organizations dealing with the conservation and rehabilitation of historical buildings with the emphasis on sustainable improvement of environmental, economic, social and functional aspects in the best possible time frame. The result of this study will add a value to existing sustainable reuse database in Tabriz and other countries in the Middle East region.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Athuman Kalokola Mahyoro ◽  
Pendo Shukrani Kasoga

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how the level of attributes of the internal audit function relates to the effectiveness of internal audit services in local government authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach Data have been collected through a survey whereby 510 respondents from LGAs in Tanzania through their Heads of Internal Audit Functions, Internal Auditors and Chairpersons of Audit Committees respond to the questionnaire. The data were subjected to principal component analysis and exploratory factor analysis to reduce the set of items and to provide continuous scores for use in multiple regression analyses. Findings The findings reveal that audit quality; organization setting and auditee attributes have a significant positive influence on the effectiveness of internal audit services in LGAs in Tanzania. Research limitations/implications The study covered only LGAs in Tanzania. Future research in this field should address the gaps identified in the study. Practical implications This paper highlights areas that need management attention on the improvement of the effectiveness of internal audit units. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature of both internal auditing and management studies by linking the level of attributes of internal audit function which are audit quality, organization setting, auditee attributes and effectiveness of internal audit services in Tanzania.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-541
Author(s):  
Adlin Baizura Ariffin ◽  
Mohd Salehuddin Mohd Zahari ◽  
Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah

PurposeThis article aims to illustrate the influence of the adaptive reuse of historic buildings on tourists’ appreciation and actual visitation.Design/methodology/approachThis study surveyed the perception of tourists on the adaptive reuse of historic buildings activity in Kuching city, Malaysia, via the causal research design and self-administered questionnaire. Two hundred forty-two respondents participated in this survey.FindingsThis study found that the tourists highly acknowledged the practices of adaptive reuse of the historic buildings. Their positive behaviour is evident when most of the tourists perceived the adaptive reuse of the historic buildings influence their level of appreciation and subsequently translated it into their actual visitation.Practical implicationsBased on these findings, this study proposes that the adaptive reuse of historic buildings be marketed as a heritage tourism product. This promising indication from the tourists will undoubtedly draw several practical implications to the local authority policy on the practices of historic buildings adaptive reuse and how it benefits the heritage tourism development.Originality/valueThis study confirms that adaptive reuse is an excellent initiative as it is not only preserving the historical treasures for future generations but is a catalyst for tourism development and helps to generate income for the community.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 696-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Manes Rossi ◽  
Francesca Citro ◽  
Marco Bisogno

Purpose Intellectual capital (IC) is attracting increasing attention from scholars and practitioners in the private sector, while research in the public sector is still in its embryonic stage, especially in regards to local governments. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by channelling conceptual and empirical findings from the large body of IC literature. Design/methodology/approach The research investigates IC in action in the local government domain. A survey has been carried out involving both managers and politicians of all Italian local governments (ILGs) with more than 40,000 inhabitants. In order to define the constituents of each IC dimension perceived by ILGs, principal component analysis was used in investigating the results. Findings Results highlights how IC components are perceived in ILGs: human capital is a combination of aptitudes in pursuing target performances, sense of ownership and motivations; relational capital is a combination of values, relationships and acts; structural capital includes procedures and routines supporting the decision-making process, the ability of achieving objectives and handling changes. Research limitations/implications While the research findings are limited due to being based on a survey in a single country, they present opportunities for future research regarding further testing of how IC is perceived in LGs in different context. The conclusion could be beneficial also for standard setters, providing a path to support the IC disclosure by LGs. Originality/value The paper contributes to a narrow strand of research – IC in LGs – adding new knowledge in “IC in action” research stream.


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