Factors affecting the number of building defects and the approaches to reduce their negative impacts in Malaysian public universities’ buildings

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Hauashdh ◽  
Junaidah Jailani ◽  
Ismail Abdul Rahman ◽  
Najib Al-Fadhali
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Maintenance Phase ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Building Maintenance ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Significant Factors

Purpose The largest share of a building maintenance budget goes towards preventing or repairing building defects. Also, building defects shorten a building’s lifetime, impact the user’s safety and health, prevent the buildings from performing their functions well and repairing building defects generates waste. Therefore, this study aims to specify the factors that affecting the number of building defects and how to reduce their negative impacts. Design/methodology/approach A case study was used as a research strategy and convergent parallel mixed methods were used as research design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently, followed by independent analyses of the quantitative and qualitative data, and then merged the two sets of results according to the procedure of using the convergent parallel design. Descriptive statistics analysed quantitative data, whilst qualitative data was analysed by the content analysis technique. Findings The findings of this study explored the factors that affect the number of defects in buildings, the significant factors were related to the building’s life cycle in terms of design, construction, operation and maintenance phase; relevant attributes were construction teams, building users and maintenance teams. The study also addressed the approaches to minimise the negative impacts of those factors. Their negative impacts mainly contributed to increased building defects that increase maintenance costs, affect users’ safety and health, reduce buildings’ lifespan and cause environmental impact due to resource extraction. Originality/value The existing studies have not adequately addressed the significant factors that affect the number of building defects. Also, emerging technologies and environmental sustainability considerations related to building defects have not been linked in previous related work. Therefore, the present study has contributed to filling this gap.

scholarly journals Analysis of multi-factors affecting the performance of Nigeria's refineries: a systems thinking approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Obinna Iheukwumere ◽  
David Moore ◽  
Temitope Omotayo
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Policy Intervention ◽  
Loop Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Significant Factors

PurposeThe challenges facing the productivity of Nigeria's refineries have generated much academic discourse. This study was carried out to develop a causal loop model showing the interrelationships of the multiple factors driving the poor performance of the refineries. Using a framework of political, economic, social and technical (PEST) factors, the developed model helped identify leverage points for policy intervention in the system.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method approach was adopted to collect quantitative data from 118 refinery workers and qualitative data from 14 participants polled from the various Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) subsidiaries. The quantitative data were analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM) to prioritise the more significant factors, while the qualitative data were analysed by content analysis to further validate the questionnaire findings and provide clearer contexts for the operationalisation of the factors.FindingsThe structural equation model identified several PEST factors such as government interference, political indecision, funding issues, spare parts costs, pipeline vandalism, oil theft, maintenance issues as some of the significant factors affecting the performance of the refineries. The interviews validated these findings and provided richer contexts on how these factors operate within system. A causal loop model was developed based on these findings to identify key leverage points upon which policy intervention through best practice, management autonomy and stakeholder satisfaction was proposed to address these challenges.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uncovers that the factors which affect the performance of the refineries have significant multiple interrelationships, the understanding of which is crucial for developing effective solutions by policymakers.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study lay important foundations for a deeper understanding of how PEST factors interact to drive suboptimal performance across NNPC refineries.Originality/valueThe causal loop model developed in this study provides a new approach to viewing and analysing the associated factors affecting the performance of Nigeria's refineries from a non-linear perspective.

Assessment of the significance of factors affecting the growth of women entrepreneurs: study based on experience categorization

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sucheta Agarwal ◽  
Veland Ramadani ◽  
Leo-Paul Dana ◽  
Vivek Agrawal ◽  
Jitendra Kumar Dixit
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Gender Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Emerging Nations ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Significant Factors

Purpose The ascent of women enterprising community (WEC) in a couple of decades draws the attention of various government and non-government bodies. Literature has mentioned various studies that focus on the factors affecting the success or failure of women entrepreneurs (WEs), but understanding of the ranking of the factors depending on the experiences of different WEs is needed. This study aims to identify the significant factors essential for the growth of WEC. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the factors through interview of 33 WEs having different entrepreneurial experiences (less than 1 year, more than 1 year but less than 10 years and more than 10 years of experiences) from different regions of Uttar Pradesh, India, and with the help of analytical hierarchical process, ranks the factors affecting the sustainable growth of WEs. Findings Through analysis, significant factors have been identified such as determination, education, entrepreneurial resilience, personal satisfaction and provide employment, and these factors have been analysed according to the different experiences of WEs. An investigation of ranking these factors of WEC, especially in the emerging nations, can assist policymakers in designing projects that improve the mindfulness associated with women enterprise and define the compelling methodologies. Practical implications The growth of the WEC is significantly affected by gender orientation ways of thinking as driven by entrepreneurship models. Originality/value This study gives a direction to policymakers by emphasizing on significant factors of various stages of enterprise development for the encouragement of WEs in the emerging economies.

International benchmarking for performance improvement in construction safety and health

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 916-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance W. Saunders ◽  
Andrew P McCoy ◽  
Brian M. Kleiner ◽  
Helen Lingard ◽  
Tracy Cooke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Construction Safety ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Project Lifecycle

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to advance knowledge on the advantages of integrating safety earlier in the construction project lifecycle. Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach is used to collect data from construction sites in the USA, which performs poorly in construction safety and health, and Australia (AU), which performs well in construction safety and health. Qualitative data are collected to determine how and when safety is considered in the project lifecycle in both countries, and then the results are benchmarked to determine the benefits of addressing safety earlier in the process. Findings – Data show that addressing a potential hazard earlier in the project lifecycle has performance benefits in terms of the level of hazard control. Research limitations/implications – The processes that are identified as possibly explaining the performance difference are just based on qualitative data from interviews. Targeted research addressing the relationship between these processes and safety outcomes is an opportunity for further research. Practical implications – The case study data are used to identify specific processes that are used in AU that might be adopted in the USA to improve performance by integrating safety earlier into the decision-making process. Social implications – This paper highlights the advantages of integrating safety as a decision factor early in the process. Worker safety is not just an issue in the construction industry, and thus the findings are applicable to all industries in which worker safety is an issue. Originality/value – This paper advances the safety in design literature by quantitatively supporting the link between when a hazard is addressed and performance. It also links the results to specific processes across countries, which advances the literature because most research in this area to data is within a single country.

Medical tourism in the COVID-19 era: opportunities, challenges and the way ahead

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind Chhabra ◽  
Mehak Munjal ◽  
Prabhu Chandra Mishra ◽  
Kritika Singh ◽  
Debjanee Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Tourism ◽  
Healthcare Industry ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Indian Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe novel coronavirus has not only caused significant illness and loss of life, it has caused major disruption at local, national and global levels. While the healthcare industry is experiencing growth during the pandemic, disruption to travel has affected medical tourism. This article considers the short-term factors affecting medical tourism and how they could be mitigated by incorporating technological advances to secure long-term growth.Design/methodology/approachThe study examines data provided by the Indian government as well as from non-government sources available in the public domain to review the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on medical tourism. The authors also examine data on technological advances in the healthcare industry that could help to reduce the impact of the pandemic.FindingsThis study’s findings show that while in-person services have been seriously impacted in the short term, technological adaptation of medical services to facilitate remote medical consultation has significantly increased. This has enlarged the business opportunities available to hospitals and general practitioners, and it could be leveraged to enhance medical tourism.Originality/valueThe article provides an analysis of the impact of the pandemic on medical tourism and how technology could be used to overcome short-term negative impacts and support longer-term development.

Effect of crosslinking agents on the strength characteristics of cellulosic fabrics using 23 32 mixed level factorial

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhana Naeem ◽  
Fareha Asim ◽  
Muhammad Tufail
Keyword(s):  
High Strength ◽  
Strength Characteristics ◽  
Blend Ratio ◽  
Tear Strength ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Acrylate Copolymer ◽  
Curing Method ◽  
Crosslinking Agents ◽  
Significant Factors

Purpose Low pilling and wrinkle-free appearance of cellulosic fabrics are always demanded. Resin finishes are applied to improve these properties, but there is an adverse effect of the resin finish as it tends to reduce the strength of the fabrics. Therefore, the effect of the two most important finishes; anti-pilling and resin finish, on the strength characteristics of 100% viscose and 50:50 Viscose/cotton plain and satin fabrics were investigated in this paper. The purpose of this study is to identify significant factors affecting the strength of fabrics finished with crosslinking agents [non-ionic acrylate copolymer and (dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea)]. Design/methodology/approach A statistical model of 23 32 mixed level factorial design was used for the study. Appratan N9211 (A) and Arkofix NF (B) were tested at three concentrations, whereas three factors fabric; weave (C), blend ratio (D) and curing method (E) were tested at two levels. The performance of the finish was evaluated by two response variables, which were tensile and tear strength. Findings The various conditions of high strength values of the fabrics were presented in this paper. It was found that the tear strength of the fabrics increased after finishing except for 50:50 viscose/cotton plain fabric, whereas the tensile strength of plain fabrics is better at shock cure and for a satin normal cure is better. The model adequacy plots exhibit that the assumptions of normality and independence are not desecrated. Moreover, the values of “predicted R2” are in reasonable agreement with the “adjusted R2,” which confirms that models have been accounted for most of the inconsistency. Originality/value This paper is a part of my PhD dissertation. Unlike the previous studies, this paper investigated the effect of two crosslinking agents, Appretan N9211 as anti-pilling and Arkofix NF as wrinkle resistant agents on 100% viscose and 50:50 viscose/cotton plain and satin. Three different concentrations of both the crosslinking agents were used. Also, fixation of the finishes was carried out at a normal cure and shock cure.

Identifying interrelationships among factors affecting innovation archetypes: the case of China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-432
Author(s):  
Rafif Al-Sayed ◽  
Jianhua Yang
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Multivariate Statistical Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Innovation Ecosystem ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Significant Factors

Purpose This paper aims at studying the concept of innovation ecosystems and investigating the factors affecting them based on their interrelationships with respect to different innovation archetypes. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is based on using multivariate statistical analysis of the inter-correlations among a number of variables which led to extracting a reduced set of new significant factors that affect China’s innovation ecosystem. Findings The results showed that innovation archetypes differ significantly with respect to the majority of the new factors. Practical implications Through identifying these challenges, decision-makers can develop a better understanding of the variables affecting each archetype of innovation and act accordingly. Originality/value The study is the first to fill the gap of addressing a large number of variables affecting innovation and analyzing their interrelationships.

An on-campus university student accommodation model

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-229
Author(s):  
Fredrick Simpeh ◽  
Winston Shakantu
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
University Student ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Facility Maintenance ◽  
Internet Study ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a model that can be used as a guide for the provision, adaptation and management of on-campus student accommodation spaces and services. Design/methodology/approach A phenomenological research strategy was used for the study. Qualitative data were collected by means of focus group discussions (FGDs) and observations. A total of ten FGDs were conducted. The student accommodations were observed to augment the information gathered through the FGDs. The data was analysed thematically. Findings The study found that students perceived some spaces and services as essential, whereas others were perceived as nonessential. Spaces including washroom, sleeping space, kitchen, laundry area and dry line, sick bay, computer area and study area, as well as services such as electricity, water, security, fire safety, internet, study furniture, health care, generators, electric fittings, ventilation, maintenance, pest control, refuse collection and cleaning were perceived as the most essential spaces and services required in student accommodations. It also became evident that apart from the spaces and services aforementioned, a student accommodation should also be provided with spaces and services that promote students’ well-being and leisure. Practical implications The model can be used as a guide by estate, facility, maintenance and hostel managers to effectively manage on-campus university student accommodation spaces and services. Moreover, the model can assist to ensure that all spaces and services perceived as essential are provided when designing, constructing or upgrading student accommodations. Originality/value Although several studies have been conducted on student accommodations, studies that mainly focused on identifying and prioritising the spaces and services required in student accommodations is lacking.

A new model for analyzing the role of new ICT-based technologies on the success of employees' learning programs

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Masoud Rahmani ◽  
Ali Ehsani ◽  
Mokhtar Mohammadi ◽  
Adil Hussein Mohammed ◽  
Sarkhel H. Taher Karim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Management ◽  
Evaluation Tools ◽  
Employee Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Virtual Classes ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Significant Factors

PurposeThe concept of e-learning is essential in employee education since it provides different ways to develop employees' knowledge, skills and attitudes using modern technologies. E-learning has been overgrowing in employee education because learning can be held anytime and anywhere. In order to succeed in implementing e-learning and benefiting from its capacities, and avoiding potential threats in the country, it is necessary to address the factors affecting its success. This paper aims to test the role of internet of Things (IoT)-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes, evaluation tools, attitude, content management and creativity on the success of employees' e-learning programs based on a framework.Design/methodology/approachE-learning systems receive ever-increasing attention in academia, business and public administration. With the development of e-learning, employee education has also benefited from its capacities in various fields. To succeed in implementing e-learning and benefiting from its capacities, and avoiding potential threats in the country, it is necessary to address its success. The proposing of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based technologies such as the IoT, cloud, etc., in e-learning, can help transform education. Therefore, this paper aims to test the role of IoT-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes, evaluation tools, attitude, content management and creativity on the success of employees' e-learning programs based on a framework. The research model and the data collected from the questionnaires have been analyzed via Smart PLS 3.2. This study has utilized the SEM to evaluate the causal model's reliability and validity based on measurement. According to the literature in this study, a framework has been proposed that examines the impact of IoT-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes, evaluation tools, attitude, content management and creativity on employees' learning programs' success.FindingsThe results have shown that IoT-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes and evaluation tools are four significant factors affecting attitude, content management and creativity. The results have also shown that attitude, content management and creativity are three significant factors affecting employees' learning programs' success. The factors above are considered critical in explaining the success of employees' e-learning programs, but, as far as we know, there has been no study in which all these factors were demonstrated together.Practical implicationsFrom a practical viewpoint, the statistical outcomes support the important role of the following factors: IoT-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes, evaluation tools, attitude, content management and creativity. Henceforth, aspects relating to these factors got the attention of any organization to develop e-learning processes.Originality/valueThis research will contribute to the literature related to employees' e-learning programs' success by integrating all the mentioned variables. As far as we know, it is the first study to test these variables in Iran.

Wavelet and multiple linear regression analysis for identifying factors affecting particulate matter PM2.5 in Mumbai City, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1750-1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivekanand Venkataraman ◽  
Syed Usmanulla ◽  
Appaiah Sonnappa ◽  
Pratiksha Sadashiv ◽  
Suhaib Soofi Mohammed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Significant Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify significant factors of environmental variables and pollutants that have an effect on PM2.5 through wavelet and regression analysis. Design/methodology/approach In order to provide stable data set for regression analysis, multiresolution analysis using wavelets is conducted. For the sampled data, multicollinearity among the independent variables is removed by using principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis is conducted using PM2.5 as a dependent variable. Findings It is found that few pollutants such as NO2, NOx, SO2, benzene and environmental factors such as ambient temperature, solar radiation and wind direction affect PM2.5. The regression model developed has high R2 value of 91.9 percent, and the residues are stationary and not correlated indicating a sound model. Research limitations/implications The research provides a framework for extracting stationary data and other important features such as change points in mean and variance, using the sample data for regression analysis. The work needs to be extended across all areas in India and for various other stationary data sets there can be different factors affecting PM2.5. Practical implications Control measures such as control charts can be implemented for significant factors. Social implications Rules and regulations can be made more stringent on the factors. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in the integration of wavelets with regression analysis for air pollution data.

scholarly journals Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic in Construction Labor Productivity: A Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emer Tucay Quezon
Keyword(s):  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Schedule Compression ◽  
Significant Factors

This research aims to identify and analyze the various factors affecting construction labor productivity covering the period from December 9, 2020 - January 31, 2021, a year after it was declared Covid-19 a pandemic. Due to the pandemic effect, the local government units in four selected study areas imposed intermittent Enhance Community Quarantine on all places to control the Coronavirus spread in compliance with the health department protocol. Fifty-five questionnaires returned out of 63 distributed are tabulated according to each group-related factor. The correlation analysis resulted in the highest coefficient value of 0.89 between the CTDEO and contractor groups. Meaning, most respondents have the same perception of the factors affecting construction's low labor productivity. Besides, results depicted that the absence of health workers on the construction site ranked 1st in the health & safety provision factor group with an RII of 0.97, followed by no safety engineers on the construction project sites with an RII of 0.93. From all the seven groups of factors, the health and safety group-related factors ranked 1st with an RII of 0.81, next, the schedule compression group with an RII of 0.78. Hypothesis testing asserted that working six days per week was one of the significant factors affecting labor productivity on the contractor's side, suggested by more than 50% of the respondents. The workforce group-related factors with an RII of 0.77 demonstrated a slight difference with the schedule compression group-related factors. Thus, the Covid-19 pandemic has a significant effect on the essential factors affecting construction's low labor productivity.

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