Commercial awareness in real estate courses

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Poon
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Royal Institution ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Real Estate Education ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how and to what extent commercial awareness is embedded within the curriculum of the UK Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)-accredited real estate courses. It also discusses the development of commercial awareness taxonomy. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents the research findings of questionnaire survey and interviews with RICS-accredited real estate course providers in the UK. The questionnaire aimed to gather course directors’ views on the definitions and components of commercial awareness and identify what skills and attributes are required for its development. It also evaluated how commercial awareness has been embedded in the real estate courses. The aim of the interview was to gain deeper insight on how components of commercial awareness are embedded in real estate courses and nine interviews were conducted. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded to identify similar themes. The frequency of the answer in the questionnaire and comments from interviewees is presented. Findings – The UK real estate academics agreed the most important definition of commercial awareness as that of a “person's ability on understanding of the economics of business”. They agreed that “strategic” is the most important component for commercial awareness, followed with “financial” and “process”. However, the “financial” component is embedded the most in the curriculum. The most important skill and attribute for commercial awareness development are “ability to define and solve problems” and “ability and willingness to update professional knowledge”, respectively. Commercial awareness was embedded in the overall curriculum and the key element for developing it is through having “practical experience”. Originality/value – This project is the first to conduct an in-depth analysis of commercial awareness in real estate education. It also develops the pioneer commercial awareness taxonomy.

Students’ views on the incorporation of commercial awareness in real estate education

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 326-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Poon ◽  
Michael Brownlow
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Real Estate Education ◽  
The Uk ◽  
E Mail

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review how real estate students perceive and define commercial awareness, which is one of the most important employability skills. This paper also examines students’ perceptions about how their courses support and develop their commercial awareness. In addition, it compares students’ and academics’ views on commercial awareness and identifies whether there are any gaps. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents the research findings of a questionnaire survey and e-mail discussions with students who are currently studying Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)-accredited real estate courses in the UK. The questionnaire aimed to gather students’ views on the definitions and components of commercial awareness and identify what skills and attributes are required for its development. It also evaluates how commercial awareness has been embedded in the real estate courses. The aim of each discussion was to gain deeper insight on how components of commercial awareness are embedded in real estate courses, and 17 discussions were conducted. The contents of the e-mail discussions were analysed and similar themes were identified and coded. The frequency of the answer in the questionnaire and comments from interviewees is presented. The findings from students’ views have been compared to published research reporting UK RICS-accredited real estate course providers’ views on commercial awareness. In addition to descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test was used to identify the statistical significance between the academics’ and students’ views on commercial awareness. Findings – The UK real estate students agreed that the most important definition of commercial awareness is a “person's ability to understand the economics of business”. They agreed that “financial” component is the most important component of commercial awareness and it is the largest portion of their courses. The most important skill and attribute for commercial awareness development are “critical thinking” and “ability and willingness to update professional knowledge”, respectively. Although the descriptive analysis shows students and academics have different views on the definition and components of commercial awareness and its incorporation within real estate courses, the Fisher exact test shows that only a few elements are different enough to be statistically significant. This analysis shows that while students and academics have slightly different views on commercial awareness they are not very different. Commercial awareness is an important employability skill, thus, it is still necessary for real estate academics to re-visit the curriculum and to ensure learning outcomes related to commercial awareness have been clearly explained and communicated to students. Furthermore, it is vital for students to obtain practical experience in order to fully develop their commercial awareness. Originality/value – This paper is a pioneer study focused on reviewing real estate students’ views on commercial awareness, including identifying its definition, components and evaluating the extent to which commercial awareness has been embedded in their courses. It also identifies the skills and attributes that students thought were required for the development of commercial awareness. Furthermore, it discusses students’ preferred ways of enhancing their commercial awareness as part of the course they are studying. It is the first study identifying the statistical difference between students’ and academics’ views on commercial awareness. The understanding of students’ views on commercial awareness, their preferred delivery method and the divergence between students’ and academics’ views on commercial awareness can provide useful insights for course directors on the development and renewal of real estate course curriculum.

Towards a more professionalised municipal real estate management

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette van den Beemt-Tjeerdsma ◽  
Jan Veuger
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Design Collaboration ◽  
Estate Management ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Real Estate Management ◽  
Corporate Real Estate Management

Purpose The purpose of this study is to see how a more developed discipline – corporate real estate management (CREM) – can add value to a less developed discipline – municipal real estate management (MREM) – to contribute to their professionalisation. Design/methodology/approach Every year since 2008 (except for 2013), municipalities have been asked to complete a questionnaire on how they manage their real estate. With these results, it is possible to perform quantitative analyses on both trends and the current situation. In addition, municipalities’ descriptions of their real estate management have been analysed in a qualitative way. Findings Municipalities are concentrating their real estate tasks in the municipal organisation to link their real estate, their policies and the citizens/tenants. Remarkable is the diversity of the functions and the broad definition of “the real estate employee” (organisational structure). Municipalities make strategic and organisational changes that aim to improve both the real estate portfolio and the municipal organisation (operations). The next years, municipalities will focus in particular on vacancy rates, organisation design, collaboration, ownership and the sustainability of the portfolio (direction). Originality/value Qualitative and quantitative research are combined to compare theory with practice on CREM and MREM. The results contribute to the professionalisation of Dutch municipalities.

Feedback trading strategies in international real estate markets

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chrysanthi Balomenou ◽  
Vassilios Babalos ◽  
Dimitrios Vortelinos ◽  
Athanasios Koulakiotis
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Real Estate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Real Estate Markets ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Feedback Trading

Purpose Motivated by recent evidence that securitized real estate returns exhibit higher levels of predictability than stock market returns and that feedback trading (FT) can induce returns autocorrelation and market volatility, the purpose of this study is to examine the impact of FT strategies on long-term market volatility of eight international real estate markets (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong). Design/methodology/approach Assuming that the return autocorrelation may vary over time and the impact of positive feedback trading (PFT) or negative feedback trading (NFT) could be a function of return volatility, the authors use a combination of a FT model and a fractionally integrated Generalized AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model. Findings The results are mixed, revealing that both PFT and NFT strategies persist. Specifically, the authors detect PFT in the real estate markets of France, Hong Kong and Italy as opposed to the real estate markets of Australia, Germany, Japan and Sweden where NFT was present. A noteworthy exception is the UK real estate market, with important and rational FT strategies to sustain. With respect to the long-term volatility persistence, this seems to capture the mean reversion of real estate returns in the UK and Hong Kong markets. In general, the results are not consistent with those reported in previous studies because NFT dominates PFT in the majority of real estate markets under consideration. Originality/value The main contribution of this study is the investigation of the link between short-term PFT or NFT and long-term volatility in eight international real estate markets, symmetrically. Particular attention has been given to the link between short-term FT and long-term volatility, by means of a fractionally integrated GARCH approach, a symmetric one. Moreover, investigating the relationship between returns’ volatility and investors’ strategies based on FT entails significant implications because real estate assets offer a good alternative investment for many investors and speculators.

scholarly journals Accommodating nomadism and mobility

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 324-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoë James ◽  
Rebekah Southern
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Core ◽  
South West ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Socially Excluded ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how and why Gypsies and Travellers are socially excluded in England and how their experience may be reflected in other European contexts. Specifically, the paper explores the impact of planning policies on accommodation provision for Gypsies and Travellers in England and subsequently how their exclusion manifests due to the sedentarist binary definition of nomadism embedded within that policy. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on evidence from empirical research carried out by the authors in the South West of England in 2015 as part of an accommodation needs assessment of Gypsies and Travellers. The research was commissioned by a local authority but the analysis presented here was carried out in addition to the core report. The decision to comment further on the research findings in relation to policy and theory was agreed with the project funders. Findings The research findings show that there continues to be a lack of accommodation provided to Gypsies and Travellers in England, despite policy and legislative initiatives to the contrary. The paper identifies that current government policy in England is likely to diminish access to appropriate accommodation in the future for Gypsies and Travellers, particularly for the most vulnerable. Finally, the paper concludes that a sedentarist binary definition of nomadism has failed to recognise Gypsy and Traveller communities’ culture or mobility. Originality/value This paper sets out how an underpinning “sedentarist binary” definition of nomadism is used in England to determine policies of provision for Gypsies and Travellers. That definition is based on the sedentary notions of nomadism that are binary, distinguishing only between people who are mobile and people who are not, rather than acknowledging the cultural nomadism of Gypsies and Travellers. The findings are useful beyond the UK context as they help to explain why Gypsies, Travellers and Roma in wider Europe remain excluded within states despite extensive European initiatives for inclusion.

scholarly journals R.E. property meets technology: cross-country comparison and general framework

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Tagliaro ◽  
Stefano Bellintani ◽  
Gianandrea Ciaramella
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evolutionary Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Comparison ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Definition Of

PurposeDue to the young age of proptech, little is known about the dynamics of its expansion. In particular, there is limited agreement about a definition of “proptech,” while different categorizations are popping up. A severe lack of information emerges for the proptech scenario in Italy. The goal of this paper is to systematize multiple proptech maps in the attempt to create a framework for comparison of country-specific trends and an overarching definition of proptech. The research examines the evolutionary stage of the Italian digital real estate sector and compares it to the international context.Design/methodology/approachAn in-depth analysis of 12 proptech maps at both national and international level was conducted based on online research. A list of Italian proptech companies was composed through multiple methods. A map was built for a cross-country comparison.FindingsEach country or organization tends to develop its own categorization. This creates a multifaceted context where comparison and analysis are challenging. The Italian proptech sector seems underdeveloped compared to neighboring countries. Big room for improving the proptech business in this country still exists.Practical implicationsThe results are valuable for proptech start-ups, business investors and well-established real estate actors to build on new entrepreneurial initiatives. The opportunity to advance proptech mapping and categorization emerges as a prospect for future research.Originality/valueThis research adds an overview of cross-country proptech categories and proposes the first analysis of Italian proptech. This will contribute to support entrepreneurial opportunities.

scholarly journals Production and production over-supply in construction: estimating unsold stock in Italy

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Ciaramella ◽  
Alberto Celani
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Real Estate Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose – The aim of the article is to identify the limitations and critical issues in the way information in the real estate sector in Italy is currently managed, and propose the principles of a method that would provide information and comparison of the phenomenon of over-supply and non-rational land use. This study is based on a series of assumptions, the first of which is a definition of “unsold”, deemed to mean “the amount of new housing units neither occupied nor sold nor rented”. In effect, unsold stock can be considered as over-supply of construction. Design/methodology/approach – The article identifies the critical aspects in the determination of unsold real estate in Italy, starting from the available data and research already carried out; the results are often contradictory. The comparison with programming systems of building production adopted in other countries allows identification of the guidelines that can be used to better understand and combat the phenomenon. Findings – The assessment of the state -of-the-art provides a clear picture of the shortcomings and potential of the tools used to date to meet the need of studying a complex phenomenon with many obscure points. Following the empirical analysis comes out a picture of inefficiencies due to the poor quality of information, as well as the reluctance of data-sharing and -integration procedures by the institutional and market players. Research limitations/implications – The research produces solutions addressed to the Italian situation, but it identifies systems and methods used in other countries. Practical implications – The article suggests the collection systems and management information that can be used for a more accurate knowledge of unsold real estate. Social implications – The article focuses on some of the limits of the Italian real estate market, highlighting the need for greater transparency and how this can contribute to a more conscious approach to the market. Originality/value – The article seeks to provide the necessary answers to those who must understand the reasons of harmful effects for the market, such as overproduction; besides some models focused on three areas – the procedures, the organization and the market – are also proposed.

scholarly journals The performance of a blended real estate portfolio for UK DC investors

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Moss ◽  
Kieran Farrelly
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Pension Fund ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Specific Investment ◽  
Risk Return ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Investment Requirement ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the performance implications for UK DC pension fund investors who choose to combine global listed and UK unlisted real estate in a blended allocation relative to a pure unlisted solution. Design/methodology/approach – Blended listed and unlisted real estate portfolios are constructed. Investor risk and returns are then studied over the full 15 year sample horizon and distinct cyclical phases over this period using a number of risk-return metrics. Performance is then contrasted with that of a pure unlisted solution, as well as UK equity market and bond total returns over the same period. Findings – A UK DC pension fund investor choosing to construct a blended global listed and UK unlisted real estate portfolio would have experienced material return enhancement relative to a pure unlisted solution. The “price” of this enhanced performance and improved liquidity profile is, unsurprisingly, higher portfolio volatility. However, because of the improved returns, the impact upon measured risk adjusted returns is less significant. Practical implications – Relatively liquid blended listed and unlisted real estate portfolios create efficient risk and return outcomes for investors. Originality/value – This study uses actual fund rather than index data (i.e. measures delivered returns to investors), has chosen a global rather than single country listed real estate allocation and is focused on providing clarity around the real estate exposure for a specific investment requirement, the UK DC pension fund market.

Development of students’ commercial awareness within the curriculum of professionally accredited courses

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Poon ◽  
Michael Brownlow
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Survey Interviews ◽  
The Uk ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Development Of Students

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development of students’ commercial awareness within the curriculum of professional accredited courses. The targeted area of study is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited property courses. This paper also discusses how the curriculum of RICS-accredited courses can be designed to successfully incorporate commercial awareness within them and suitable delivery methods for developing this within the curriculum. Commercial awareness is one of the most important employability skills, however, employers have expressed dissatisfaction with graduates’ performance in this area. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents the research findings of two sets of questionnaire surveys, as well as interviews and e-mail discussions with the course directors and current students of the RICS-accredited property courses in the UK. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse the questionnaire data. Fisher’s exact test was used to identify the statistical significance between academics’ and students’ views on the development of students’ commercial awareness as part of the RICS-accredited property courses’ curriculum. Content analysis was used to analyse the texts in the questionnaire survey, interviews and e-mail discussions. Findings – Academics and students involved with the UK RICS-accredited property courses agreed that commercial awareness is an important employability skill in the property sector and they mostly agreed on the definitions of commercial awareness, except in their “understanding of the wider business environment”. They also agreed that commercial awareness has three components: strategic, financial and process. Academics and students agreed that the commercial awareness components and process sub-components are largely incorporated into the curriculum of RICS-accredited property courses but they have divergent opinions on the level of incorporation of strategic and financial sub-components. A suitable way to deliver commercial awareness in RICS-accredited property courses is to incorporate it into the overall curriculum, ensuring that the components of commercial awareness are closely linked to the RICS APC and match relevant competency levels. They also commented that including practical experience in the curriculum is the most useful way to develop a student’s commercial awareness. Originality/value – This paper is the first to discuss the development of commercial awareness in professional accredited courses such as RICS-accredited property courses and also identifies suitable methods to enhance students’ commercial awareness as part of the curriculum. The research findings can also be applied to other professional accredited courses that have a strong vocational focus, such as nursing, engineering and accountancy. These courses are usually accredited by relevant professional organisations and students studying these courses usually plan to embark on a career in a relevant profession. The design of the course curriculum has a strong focus on equipping students with the essential competencies to develop their careers within the relevant field.

Competency expectations for property professionals in Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Poon ◽  
Michael Brownlow
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Curriculum Development ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Written Comments ◽  
Knowledge Requirements ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to identify the competency expectations for property professionals in Australia. It further discusses differences in competency expectations between property professionals who have different professional backgrounds, such as valuers or non-valuers, and property professionals who work in different sectors or different-sized companies and who have differing amounts of experience. The competencies identified in this paper include knowledge areas, skills and attributes. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents the research findings of a questionnaire survey sent to Australian Property Institute members, which aimed to gather Australian property professionals' views on the knowledge, skills and attributes required to perform their roles effectively. The percentage of the respondents who provided different choices of given answers for each of the 31 knowledge areas, 20 skills and 21 attributes was identified and discussed. The professional backgrounds of the respondents were also identified to see whether these impact on competency expectations for property professionals. Content analysis was used to analyse written comments collected in the questionnaire. Findings – The most important categories of knowledge, skill and attribute for Australian property professionals are valuation, effective written communication and practical experience, respectively. The least important are international real estate, second language and creativity. Knowledge of rural valuation is very important in Australia, although this has not been mentioned in previous studies. Professional backgrounds have a large influence on Australian property professionals' views on knowledge requirements, but less so on skills and attributes. Practical implications – The findings of this paper can be used as guidance for property professionals in their professional development plan. In addition, property course providers can use the research findings of this paper to inform their curriculum development and redesign. Originality/value – This project is the first to identify the comprehensive competency expectations of property professionals as a whole in Australia. At the same time, it identifies differences in the competency expectations of property professionals who have different professional backgrounds. Similar types of study have been conducted in the UK, the USA, Hong Kong and New Zealand but not yet in Australia. An understanding of the knowledge, skills and attributes required for property professionals is important for continuing professional development, curriculum development and the redesign of relevant property courses in order to maintain performance and competitiveness in the property sector.

Do real estate courses sufficiently develop graduates’ employability skills? Perspectives from multiple stakeholders

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 562-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Poon
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Human Resource Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Recent Graduates ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited real estate courses in the UK have equipped real estate graduates with sufficient relevant employability skills to embark on a career in the profession. This paper considers the perspectives of four stakeholders – employers, human resource managers, graduates and course directors of RICS-accredited real estate courses – in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – The results of a mixed-methods study, involving two online surveys with real estate employers and recent graduates of RICS-accredited real estate courses, and two sets of interviews with human resource managers of real estate surveying firms and course directors of RICS-accredited real estate courses, are presented. Findings – The employers and graduates of the RICS-accredited real estate courses do not think the courses sufficiently equip graduates’ with employability skills. On the other hand, the human resource managers are very impressed with graduates’ technical skills but have concerns about their soft skills and attributes. Human resource managers and course directors of RICS real estate courses commented that commercial awareness is an important employability skill but graduates are not well developed in this area. Course directors also noted that practical experience is vital to employability, commenting that students can only obtain real-life practical experience if employers offer them opportunities. Originality/value – This paper makes an original contribution to the existing literature on employability skills for real estate graduates. It describes pioneering research considering the perspectives of four types of stakeholders and evaluates whether real estate courses sufficiently develop graduates’ employability skills.

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