Cost and time implications of abandoned project resuscitation

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwaseyi Olalekan Alao ◽  
Godwin Onajite Jagboro ◽  
Akintayo Opawole
Keyword(s):  
Performance Metrics ◽  
The Body ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Cost Overrun ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Relative Significance ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to determine the effect of the period of abandonment on the final cost and duration of resuscitated tertiary educational building projects as a basis for enhancing the performance metrics of the projects and improving the availability of facilities in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire was administered on 47 professionals involved in the physical development of construction projects in Osun State public tertiary educational institutions to provide primary data for the study. Secondary data relating to initial and final costs, initial and final completion dates, dates of abandonment, period of abandonment, date of re-award, etc. were obtained from selected resuscitated projects. Data were analyzed using relative significance index and regression analysis. Findings The most significant effects of project abandonment were found to be disappointment of populace and over-stretching of existing facilities. The study showed a directly proportional and an exponential effect of period of abandonment on percentage cost overrun of resuscitated projects, which were represented by yc = −329.755 + 19.545x and yc = 6.1662e0.0506x, respectively. A linear relationship between period of abandonment and percentage time overrun was represented by yt = 0.467 + 0.816x. Research limitations/implications The fact that the regression equations could not be validated because of paucity of data was identified as a limitation of this study. Practical implications This study adds to the body of knowledge on abandonment of building projects from a quantitative perspective. Findings have implications for guiding long-term infrastructure development plans in public tertiary educational institutions. Originality/value Maximum threshold at which abandoned projects may be resuscitated at an economic cost was established as 16 months. Findings further suggest that the economy of new construction would outweigh resuscitation of abandoned projects beyond this period.

The future of the printed book in the era of technological advancement: an imperative for digital innovation and engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhoydah Nyambane
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Young Generation ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Face ◽  
Book Publishers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the place of the printed book in the era of technological advancement with the assumption that the print media is facing imminent death in the face of readily available and convenient online information. Also the paper aims to assess how the development of new technologies have affected the production, circulation and readership of the printed book, especially among the young generation. Design/methodology/approach Explanatory study was used with closed-ended approach to collect data from 50 students of the Technical University of Kenya and 5 key informant interviews with selected book publishers in Nairobi. The uses and gratification theory was used to explore the knowledge-seeking behavior among the respondents. Findings Findings showed that more than 80% of the respondents preferred the internet to the printed book, which, according to them, has no future in the face of technological advancement. Book publishers, on the other hand, felt that the printed book has a bright future among specific audiences who are committed to it, and especially those in the rural areas who have no access to the internet. While they agreed that the internet has posed a major challenge to the sales and readership of the printed book significantly, it is helping in marketing the printed book as opposed to killing it. New bookshops in Nairobi and modern libraries in high schools, tertiary institutions and universities demonstrate that the printed book is not dying soon. Research limitations/implications The researcher experienced challenges in data collection as the respondents were busy preparing for final examinations and hence many of them were not willing to spare time to fill the questionnaire. To solve this, the researcher had to spend more time to collect data as opposed to if the students were free and ready to participate in the study without any pressure. Practical implications The findings can be used as a basis for further research to widen the scope that can help bring a wider perspective to the topic. The results can also inform policy guidelines on the topic and also contribute to the body of knowledge. Social implications The topic touches on social phenomena that are affecting a number of young people and their information-seeking habits in the era of digital revolution. The way the young generation seek and use information should be of interest not only to academic staff but also to policymakers. Originality/value The paper is original based on primary data that was collected by the researcher from the respondents. It is backed by secondary data to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

scholarly journals How can national governance affect education quality in Western Europe?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Gerged ◽  
Mohamed Elheddad
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
The Body ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Education Quality ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Western European

Purpose As the international society faces unprecedented challenges associated with resource scarcity, governance scandals, increasing injustice and inequality, new opportunities for higher education institutions are emerging. This paper aims to investigate the association between national governance standards and education quality across nine western European countries, namely, the UK, Germany, France, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland. Design/methodology/approach Using panel data from 2002 to 2017, this paper uses fixed-effects and random-effects models to examine the relationship between national governance (proxied by voice and accountability (V&A) indicator) and education quality (proxied by human development index: education index). This analysis is supplemented with conducting instrumental variable (IV) estimations to address any concerns regarding the expected occurrence of endogeneity problems. Findings The findings are suggestive of a significant and positive relationship between national governance and education quality in Europe. This implies that national governance standards, such as V&A, are essential actors in the enhancement of the quality of educational institutions’ outcomes. Research limitations/implications Policymakers should implement stricter regulations and ensure that accountability indicators are motivated if they wish to increase the spending on education, which is associated with better qualities of educational institutions. A culture of continuous review of education policies needs to be upheld in the Western Europe region to be watchful of any emerging problems while maintaining a sustainable relationship between the rule of law and the education administration. Originality/value So far, a minimal number of studies focussed on examining the role of country-level governance in advancing education quality. This study, therefore, extends the body of prior literature by investigating the possible effect of national governance structures on education quality across a sample of Western European countries.

Use of e-learning at higher educational institutions in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Fouad Hossain Sarker ◽  
Rafi Al Mahmud ◽  
M. Saiful Islam ◽  
Md Kabirul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Higher Educational Institutions ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms ◽  
Higher Educational

Purpose Although e-learning has already been accepted globally as an effective medium of delivery of quality education and ensure optimum student participation, Bangladeshi higher educational institutions are still at a very early stage of adopting such technologies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to critically examine the suitability of implementing effective e-learning through learning management system (LMS) at the tertiary educational institutions in Bangladesh, and how both students and teachers experience and respond to this new learning platform. Following mixed-methods techniques, data for this study were collected from students and respective course teachers of a private university in Bangladesh by administering questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The findings of this paper reveal that e-learning has been well accepted by most of the students as they are found routinely spending time on the LMS on a regular basis for watching lecture videos, viewing course information, reading postings of the fellow students in the forum. However, there are constraints as well, since the learning materials are poorly designed that do not allow much interaction between students and lecturers. There are also some technical problems such as poor internet connection which restrict access to e-learning platforms. To harness the optimum benefit of e-learning, this paper recommends a concerted effort by all stakeholders, such as students, lecturers, administrators and policy makers so that each of their priorities and expectations are reflected in the designing and implementing e-learning platforms. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the qualitative evaluation of Education 3.0 platform. Primary data were collected from the students using a well-structured survey questionnaire, and the findings of the survey have subsequently been cross-referred and supplemented by non-participatory observations with semi-structured interviews which allowed a better in-depth understanding of the issue at hand. Findings The findings of the study suggest that a majority of the students are found to be highly enthusiastic about the online courses. They are eager to participate and interact in the online platforms, which are somehow limited in the traditional classroom settings. However, there are several institutional, administrative and technical limitations of implementing e-learning in Bangladesh. It is recommended that better orientation of the users, quality content distribution though user-friendly systems and enhanced asynchronous interaction between the lecturers and students are the key pre-requisites to harness the optimum benefit from e-learning technologies in Bangladesh. Originality/value The data have been analyzed and discussed using qualitative framework which allows an in-depth understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the use of e-learning technologies at the higher educational institutions in Bangladesh.

Modeling the performance of healthcare construction projects

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2023-2039
Author(s):  
Karim A. Iskandar ◽  
Awad S. Hanna ◽  
Wafik Lotfallah
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Metric

Purpose Healthcare-sector projects are some of the most complex in modern practice due to their reliance on high-tech components and the level of precision they must maintain. Existing literature in healthcare performance specifically is scarce, but there is a recent increasing trend in both healthcare construction and a corresponding trend in related literature. No previously existing study has derived weights (relative importance) of performance metric in an objective, data-based manner. The purpose of this paper is to present a newly developed mathematical model that derives these weights, free of subjectivity that is common in other literature. Design/methodology/approach This paper’s model considers 17 exceptional projects and 19 average projects, and reveals the weights (or relative importance) of ten performance metrics by comparing how projects relate to one another in terms of each metric individually. It solves an eigenvalue problem that maximizes the difference between average and exceptional project performances. Findings The most significant weight, i.e. the performance metric which has the greatest impact on healthcare project performance, was request for information per million dollars with a weight of 16.07 percent. Other highly weighted metrics included construction speed and schedule growth at 13.08 and 12.23 percent, respectively. Rework was the least significant metric at 3.61 percent, but not all metrics of quality had low ratings. Deficiency issues per million dollars was weighted at 11.61 percent, for example. All weights derived by the model in this paper were validated statistically to ensure their applicability as comparison and assessment tools. Originality/value There is no widely accepted measure of project performance specific to healthcare construction. This study’s contribution to the body of knowledge is its mathematical model which is a landmark effort to develop a single, objective, unified project performance index for healthcare construction. Furthermore, this unified score presents a user-friendly avenue for contractors to standardize their productivity tracking – a missing piece in the practices of many contractors.

A qualitative study of students' perspective on e-learning adoption in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Phutela ◽  
Sunita Dwivedi
Keyword(s):  
Further Education ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Industry ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis paper will try to uncover how e-learning is giving a new shape to the education industry. Also, it will encompass the students' perspective and experience of e-learning.Design/methodology/approachThe present study employed interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to intensely scrutinize the lived-in experiences of the participants. In the present study, the respondents were selected from Delhi NCR of India. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the primary data to understand the student's perspectives on the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) in education industry.FindingsThe findings have been grouped under two sections referred to as “themes,” which include “drivers for e-learning adoption” and “inhibitors which restrict the adoption of e-learning.”Practical implicationsAt present, India does not have a big market for e-learning, but there is huge potential in the country. The present study may be helpful for the educational institutions in India and in similar developing countries in understanding the students' perspectives on e-learning adoption. The educational institutions may improve their systems accordingly so that they can not only retain the students of their own countries but also attract students from other countries for further education.Social implicationsE-learning can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and the cultures to increase the tangibility.Originality/valueThe study will be useful to the policymakers in the higher education sector of developing nations like India, in understanding the students' mindsets. This study makes a contribution to the growing literature on e-learning, where the researchers have determined the relative importance of various motivating and inhibiting factors which influence the adoption of e-learning. Additionally, the study has used IPA as the methodology to determine the factors, which is a novel contribution.

Pritchett Controls: ten years into employee ownership

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-322
Author(s):  
Richard C. Hoffman ◽  
Wayne H. Decker ◽  
Frank Shipper
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Employee Ownership ◽  
Strategic Human Resource Management ◽  
The Body ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
In The Beginning

Synopsis This case illustrates the rationale for adopting employee ownership, and difficulties in implementing employee empowerment beyond investment. In the beginning it focuses on why Jerry Pritchett, one of the co-founders of Pritchett Controls, decided to convert it to an employee-owned company. In the body of the case, it details the efforts of the company to operate under its new ownership structure in an increasingly competitive environment. Although Pritchett established employee owners, only selected High Performance Work Systems (HPWS) practices have been implemented. The issue that reader must grapple with is whether other HPWS practices should be adopted or not. Research methodology Primary data were collected by interviewing eight managers including the current and former CEO at two of the firm’s three locations. Secondary data were used to supplement industry and competitive information. Relevant courses and levels Human resources courses, especially those that focus on strategic human resource management, organizational development, and how high performance organizations can be built, would be most appropriate for this case. Theoretical bases The primary theoretical foundations for this submission are shared entrepreneurship and HPWS. Knowledge of leadership, employee ownership, human resources, corporate governance, organizational culture and strategy would also be helpful in analyzing this case.

Effect of factors of organizational structure influencing nonphysical waste in road projects of developing countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 3135-3153
Author(s):  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Muhammad Sohail Anwar Malik ◽  
Syyed Sami Ul Haq Kaka Khel
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Organizational Structure ◽  
The Body ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Cost Overrun ◽  
Cost Overruns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Road Projects ◽  
Significant Factors

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to rank the most significant factors of organizational structure that can reduce time and cost overruns (nonphysical waste) in road projects of the developing countries. Additionally, the effect of factors of organizational structure on nonphysical waste in road projects is also measured.Design/methodology/approachFactors of organizational structure causing time and cost overrun are extracted through a content analysis of the published literature. Moreover, a questionnaire survey is carried out involving 128 professionals to assess the effect of organizational structure factors on time and cost overrun. Finally, to obtain a more objective evaluation, relative importance index and regression analysis techniques are utilized, and the most severe factors influencing time and cost overrun are indicated.FindingsThis study found out that top management support and procurement procedures are the most significant factors influencing time and cost overruns in road projects of the developing countries.Originality/valueA small number of studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of factors of organizational structure on time and cost overrun in the construction industry. And even more, its relation with respect to road projects of the developing countries is limited. This research highlights the effect of most significant factors of organizational structure that influence the nonphysical waste in road projects of the developing countries. Therefore, this study adds to the body of knowledge by recommending that all the stakeholders of construction project should pay close attention toward these factors to control the enigma of time and cost overrun. It might also prove helpful, if implemented to its full extent, in all the road construction activities undertaken.

Exploring the integration between Lean and the Theory of Constraints in Operations Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 718-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Augusto de Jesus Pacheco ◽  
Isaac Pergher ◽  
José Antônio Valle Antunes Junior ◽  
Guilherme Luís Roehe Vaccaro
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Production System ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
The Body ◽  
System Structure ◽  
Theory Of Constraints ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare different models integrating the TOC and Lean approaches. Design/methodology/approach The models of reference were identified through a comprehensive literature review. A qualitative and comparative analysis was carried out by pointing out the strengths, weaknesses and gaps of models integrating the TOC and Lean based on the production system requirements. Findings The findings indicate that these models can be improved by introducing aspects related to the system structure such as main key performance indicators, type of shop layout and performance metrics to evaluate the improvements implemented in the production system. The results provided evidence that the TOC and Lean are complementary approaches, and the individual gaps of each approach seem to be, in the most part, offset by the virtues of the other. Practical implications This study enables decision makers and industrial managers to evaluate the practices adopted in the production environment, as well as the use of the different set of continuous improvement practices. This article also minimizes the literature gap regarding whether and how integrated Lean and TOC approach can be used in the firms. Originality/value This study contributes to the body of literature on Lean by comparing three different models integrating Lean and the TOC. Furthermore, a research agenda is suggested for future research aimed at developing new models integrating both approaches, aiming to increase the competitiveness of the production systems.

Mobile lecturers, mobile students: an exploratory study in a blended architectural technology context

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 748-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Harpur
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
The Body ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Students ◽  
Survey Questionnaires

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review mobility-oriented criteria that inform the on-the-move use of digital technology. It addresses aspects of mobile technology-enhancement learning and the perceived differences between mobile lecturers and mobile learners in a higher education (HE) context in an Architectural Technology domain. Design/methodology/approach A review of literature comprising journal and peer-reviewed conference papers, books and e-articles published between 2009 and 2016 was conducted. The review was supplemented by the administration among facilitating lecturers (n=3) and a cohort of undergraduate students (n=14) of custom-designed survey questionnaires, comprising open-ended and closed items. Qualitative analysis via ATLAS.ti of literature sources and questionnaire-based feedback led to a theoretically grounded codebook enhanced by empirically based items. Findings Qualitative analysis of literature sources and respondent feedback produced guidelines for mobility in HE environments and led to a set of 32 criteria grouped pragmatically in six themes, namely: mobile technology; stakeholder outlook; effectiveness; facilitation; capability and interactivity. Furthermore, perceived differences between mobile lecturers and mobile students emerged and informed institutional decisions regarding mobility in educational contexts. Research limitations/implications The study was limited in the following ways: although the all facilitating lecturers (3) and the enroled cohort of students (14) was selected, this sample is small. The institutional comprises several campuses, faculties and departments covering a wide spectrum of domains. However, the study was purposively and conveniently limited to a single innovative and blended, undergraduate Architectural Technology programme. Face-to-face interviews were not feasible limiting primary data collection to online survey questionnaires; and finally, the study was not longitudinal but designed to be based on a “slice in time” context. Practical implications Strategic, tactical, and operational stakeholders such as institutional leadership; administrators; courseware designers; lecturers; and students benefit from this study. Originality/value This study contributes to the body of knowledge by speaking to capabilities of mobile technology in a digital milieu. It guides practical mobility considerations in HE environments and supports competitive advantage decision-making. The paper establishes awareness of mobility differences between mobile lecturers and mobile students thus highlighting concepts associated with the ad hoc use of mobile technology among HE stakeholders.

Identifying macro-environmental critical success factors and key areas for improvement to promote public-private partnerships in infrastructure

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Wibowo ◽  
Hans Wilhelm Alfen
Keyword(s):  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
The Body ◽  
Public Private Partnerships ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
And Performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify macro-environmental critical success factors (CSFs) and key areas for improvement for public-private partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure development, using Indonesia as a case study. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology includes the definition of CSFs based on the United Nations for Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific's self-assessment diagnostic tool and a survey on importance and performance attributes, the application of gap analysis (GA) and importance-performance analysis to prioritize areas needing urgent improvements, and the use of inter-rater agreement analysis to examine to what extent the ratings tend to converge on the same conclusions regarding importance and performance. Findings – Out of 40 possible success factors, a total of 16 are identified as CSFs in the context of Indonesia. GA suggests that no performance ratings exceed importance ratings for the identified CSFs, indicating the need for remedial actions. The factors requiring immediate improvements are all associated with commitments: to policy continuity, financial transparency, and corruption eradication. Practical implications – Although the paper discussing a specific country, the proposed approach is replicable and adaptable in different country contexts. Indonesia's experience can also be of value to governments facing similar problems in encouraging private investment in infrastructure. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the body of knowledge on PPP in infrastructure development by focussing exclusively on macro-environmental CSFs and Indonesia's PPPs, which are both rarely discussed in the existing literature.

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