The portrayal of Australian women in property publications

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hera Antoniades ◽  
Clive M.J. Warren
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Gender Inequity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Promote Gender Equality ◽  
Management Roles ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Research Analysis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to undertake an analysis of the visual portrayal of women published in a professional journal within the built environment and to establish whether or not there is gender stereotyping through these published images. Design/methodology/approach A prominent property professional industry journal was selected for the research analysis. This journal was selected because of the national coverage within Australia and high prominence within the property industry. The analysis focused on a total of 166 pictures in the 2015 issues. The coding identified the publication year, issue number and page number of each photograph analysed and total number of pictures on each page. After this information was tabulated, each photograph was analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Findings The research identified that given the opportunity to be photographed ad hoc, women tend to take the dominant stance and yet when the pictures were posed, the women showed a tendency to adopt a submissive stance. Male images were 13.39 per cent in the dominance category indicating a higher score in comparison to females at 3.45 per cent. Practical implications Whilst it is generally accepted that there are more males in the built environment, the reality leans towards the notion that with less woman on property boards and management roles, it will be difficult to portray women in positions of authority and to balance the gender portrayal. In summary, the marginalisation of women is evident, and marketing media can be highly influential and unintentionally promote gender inequity with image portrayal. Originality/value This research provides a valuable insight on how women are portrayed in the property profession. The property industry and the professional bodies can provide an influential role to promote gender equality.

Ten questions that make a difference for HR leadership

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 20-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clinton Longenecker ◽  
Laurence S Fink
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Business Partnerships ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hr Practices ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Presents the distilled wisdom of two human-resource (HR) award facilitators. Design/methodology/approach – Takes in the form of ten questions that make a difference for HR leadership. Findings – Asks: Are you trusted by the members of your organization? Do you possess a real and comprehensive understanding of how your business makes money? Do you keep yourself up to speed on the legal and compliance issues that are most important to your organization? Do you think strategically and execute operationally? Are you measuring and monitoring the most meaningful metrics that measure mission-driven performance? Are you working hard to create business partnerships with your stakeholders that increase the likelihood of success? Are you taking steps to help all managers in your organization to operate like great HR leaders? Are you using your talents and influence to build teams and solve organizational problems? Do you seek out and apply innovative HR practices that can truly affect your organization’s bottom-line performance? Do you ensure that people have the information they need to perform in an optimal fashion? Practical implications – Urges HR specialists to review, reflect on and assess their response to each of the questions. Social implications – Suggests that each question identifies key behaviors and activities that can become a target for improvement. Originality/value – Provides valuable insight rarely available to HR specialists.

Generation Z entering the workforce: the need for sustainable strategies in maximizing their talent

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 34-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat Chillakuri ◽  
Rajendra Mahanandia
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Cohort Group ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Research Analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the characteristics of the cohort Generation Z and identify strategies for maximizing their talent. The study emphasizes that it is critical for the organization to revisit their strategies so as to accommodate this cohort group. With Generation Z entering the workforce, the nature of entry-level jobs is changing; hence, HR needs to redesign their strategies to attract and engage Generation Z.Design/methodology/approachThe research design adopted for the study is exploratory in nature. The research analysis is based on the information/data collected from the journal articles, newspapers and various conferences and majorly from in-person discussions with the Generation Z cohort group.FindingsGeneration Z believes in multitasking and likes to learn everything on their own, underscoring their individuality. They believe in doing more in less time, and thus, efficiency and effectiveness are attributed to be part of their DNA.Research limitations/implicationsIt has to be accepted that very little is known about Generation Z as they have just started to enter the workforce. The next two years will have this cohort joining organizations in entry-level jobs. Organizations have to carefully watch and redesign their strategies to effectively engage this group, as they have no choice except to accept the new generation.Practical implicationsThe literature on Generation Z is scanty, as much of the scholarly research is done in isolation. However, prior studies indicate that Generation Z is tech-savvy and wants everything connected. Organizations will be forced to accept technology as the preferred medium of communication when Generation Z enters the organization.Originality/valueThe study presents an alternative for managing the Generation Z, thereby maximizing their talent in the workplace.

Why and how to build back better in shrinking territories?

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Di Giovanni ◽  
Lorenzo Chelleri
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Path ◽  
Recovery Pattern ◽  
Territorial Transformation ◽  
Post Disaster ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of build back better (BBB) in contexts affected by depopulation and shrinking economies discussing how and if its principles are able to drive the recovery pattern toward a sustainability re-development path.Design/methodology/approachBBB principles’ usefulness in driving toward a sustainable post-disaster recovery has been tested in L’Aquila’s area (Italy) – severely affected by an earthquake in 2009 – through interviews and analyses of reconstruction plans and policies.FindingsAlthough most of the BBB principles can be recognized within the intentions of plans and policies, the recovery process highlights a major fallacy in addressing the pre-disaster socio-economic stresses inducing to shrinkage and depopulation development lock-ins.Practical implicationsAlthough most of the principles can be recognized in the intentions of plans and policies, the recovery process highlights a main fallacy of the “BBB paradigm”: the need of addressing pre-disaster socio-economic stresses while recovering from the shocks was not explicitly nor implicitly addressed.Originality/valueShrinkage as a process of territorial transformation has been little explored in relation to natural hazards and post-disaster contexts. Indeed, while from one side BBB concept and principles drive toward a potential mitigation of the main risks while re-building, it results challenging to overcome the built environment re-building priorities to question whether, what and how to re-build while investing in socio-economic recovery. Reverting, or accepting, shrinkage could indeed implies to not build back part of the urban fabric, while investing in skills and capacity building, which, in turn, would be difficult to justify through the reconstruction budget. The tension between re-building (better, the built environment) and re-development (skills and networks, at the expense of re-building) is critical when BBB faces disasters happening in shrinking territories.

The learnability of the dimensional view of data and what to do with it

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-53
Author(s):  
Dušan Vujošević ◽  
Ivana Kovačević ◽  
Milena Vujošević-Janičić
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Affective Computing ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
The Other ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Business Analytics ◽  
Affective Reactions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the usability of the dimensional view of data in the context of its presumed learnability. Design/methodology/approach In total, 303 participants were asked to solve 12 analytical problems in an experiment using the dimensional view of data for half of the problems and an operational view of data for the other half. Inferential statistics and structural equation modeling were performed with participants’ objective results and affective reactions. Findings Showing that the order of exposure to the two views of data impacts the overall usability of ad hoc querying, the study provided evidence for the learnability potential of the dimensional view of data. Furthermore, the study showed that affective reactions to the different views of data follow objective usability parameters in a way that can be explained using models from affective computing research. Practical implications The paper proposes a list of guidelines for use of the dimensional view of data in business analytics. Originality/value This study is the first to confirm the learnability of the dimensional view of data and the first to take a deeper look at affective reactions to an ad hoc business analytics solution. Also, it is one of few studies that examined the usability of different views of data directly on these views, rather than using paper representations of data models.

The sorcerer’s apprentice

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-80
Author(s):  
Peter Buell Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agile Methodologies ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Ad Hoc Teams ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illuminate the challenges of ad hoc teams in the corporate setting. Design/methodology/approach Review of the literature about teams, agile methodologies, scrums, etc. was carried out. Findings While ad hoc teams can create value, their proliferation has had unintended consequences. Research limitations/implications The literature review is, by its nature, selective not comprehensive. Practical implications Based on the recommendations cited, corporations will be able to make better decisions about when to initiate special teams. Social implications By doing so, companies will eliminate the frustrations employees feel in certain types of teams and improve their quality of life. Originality/value Although the subject of ad hoc teams has been extensively covered, this viewpoint takes a fresh look at the overall consequences of their proliferation.

Value of internships for professional careers in the built environment sector in Singapore

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan K.M. Lian ◽  
Zhi Yu Foo ◽  
Florence Yean Yng Ling
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Professional Careers ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Civil Engineers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the value of internships for professional careers in the built environment (BE) sector from the perspective of industry practitioners. It examines the perceptions of practitioners about internship and explores the relevance of internships for professional careers in the sector. Design/methodology/approach The research methods used were questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussion. The study focussed on careers such as architects, civil engineers, facility managers, project managers and quantity surveyors. Findings It was found that quantity surveyors and civil engineers value internship the most and are more likely to hire those who interned with them. Project managers also value internships but to a lesser extent. Facility managers and architects value internship the least and are also least likely to offer positions to their ex-interns. It is not conclusive whether internships are absolutely necessary to increase undergraduates’ employability upon their graduation. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to only five professions and focused on the perceptions of professionals and not the interns or academic supervisors. Practical implications Recommendations are made to improve internship programmes in the BE sector. These include making internships compulsory for students who intend to pursue civil engineering and quantity surveying careers and extending the duration of internships to six months. Originality/value The views of professionals in the BE sector are uncovered. Tertiary institutions can use the findings to improve their internship programmes and their students’ employability upon graduation.

Reframing construction within the built environment sector

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 740-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard de Valence
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Special Role ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Official statistics on the output of the construction industry capture on-site activities of contractors and sub-contractors; however, the role of the industry linking suppliers of materials, machinery, products, services and other inputs is also widely recognised. These two views have been called broad and narrow, with the narrow industry defined as on-site work and the broad industry as the supply chain of materials, products and assemblies, and professional services. An argument is made for using the term “built environment sector” (BES) for the broad industry definition of construction. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Construction industry statistics capture the on-site activities of contractors and sub-contractors. This paper reviews research that adds to construction output the contributions of suppliers of materials, machinery and equipment, products and components, professional services and other inputs required to deliver the buildings and structures that make up the built environment. Findings The same term, “construction”, has been used in a number of ways in different definitional studies of the narrow and broad industry. The term that best encompasses the large number and range of participants in the creation and maintenance of the built environment, from suppliers to end users, is the BES. Research limitations/implications Construction economics makes an important contribution to researching the macroeconomic role of the BES. There is also a special role for construction economics in researching both the boundaries of the BES and the data available on the industries that contribute to the BES. Practical implications Measuring the BES would improve the understanding of its macroeconomic role and significance. Social implications Measuring the BES would contribute to city policies and urban planning. Originality/value The paper proposes a new approach to defining and measuring the industries that contribute to the production, maintenance and management of the built environment. It introduces a new name for the combination of those industries.

scholarly journals What is meant by adaptability in buildings?

Facilities ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 2-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Pinder ◽  
Rob Schmidt ◽  
Simon A. Austin ◽  
Alistair Gibb ◽  
Jim Saker
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Common Term ◽  
Professional Disciplines ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Despite being a common term in the literature, there is little agreement about what the word “adaptability” means in the context of the built environment and very little evidence regarding practitioners’ understanding of adaptability. This paper aims to examine what practitioners in the building industry mean when they talk about “adaptability”. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a qualitative approach, involving 82 unstructured face-to-face interviews with practitioners from a range of professional disciplines in the construction industry, including architects, engineers, facilities managers, property agents and planners. The interview transcripts were coded inductively to identify themes in the qualitative data. Findings The interview data revealed a wide range of perspectives on adaptability, particularly regarding terminology, the meanings practitioners associate with adaptability and the way in which these meanings are communicated to others in the industry. The applied meaning of adaptability varied depending on context. Practical implications Conflicting language, and different interpretations of adaptability, is a potential barrier to the development of adaptable buildings. A clearer articulation of the meaning of adaptability (particularly by clients) during briefing and design could give rise to a more appropriate level of adaptability in the built environment. Originality/value This study has addressed a gap in the existing literature by foregrounding the voices of industry practitioners and exploring their (sometimes very different) interpretations of adaptability in buildings.

Hygienic design of a unit for supercritical fluid drying – case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (9) ◽  
pp. 2155-2165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilija Djekic ◽  
Nikola Tomic ◽  
Nada Smigic ◽  
Bozidar Udovicki ◽  
Gerard Hofland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety Risks ◽  
Supercritical Fluid Drying ◽  
Design Requirements ◽  
Potential Food ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the hygienic design of a scalable unit for supercritical carbon dioxide drying of food. Design/methodology/approach For the purpose of this study, a checklist has been developed, covering requirements from sanitary standards and industry-tailored guidelines. Beyond hygienic design, failure mode and effects analysis of the results were performed to assess the potential food safety risks that may arise from failures to hygienic design requirements. Findings The overall score of the hygienic design was 46 percent. This kind of evaluation revealed two types of nonconformities. The first type was related to inadequate sanitary procedures. The second type was associated to design failures. Research limitations/implications The highest risk was designated to problems related to cleaning and sanitation followed by risks associated with the formation of dead zones and biofilms. Practical implications This study provides valuable insight to engineers and food technologists on hygienic design issues. Originality/value Application of a similar methodology was used for evaluating hygienic design of other non-thermal food technologies.

Quantitative analysis of blind tower-crane lifts using laser-scanning information

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aviad Shapira ◽  
Sagi Filin ◽  
Amit Wicnudel
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tower Crane ◽  
Work Area ◽  
Lift Task ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This study aims to show how laser scanning data can be utilised to quantitatively assess “blind lifts” with respect to their rate and spatial distribution. Design/methodology/approach – This study employed time study of crane cycles for quantitative measuring of the crane’s work periods in dead areas and mapping the crane operator’s field of view and developing a model that allows the spatial analysis of blind lifts. Findings – This study found a discrete geometric laser scan-based model that is capable of locating and quantifying the visible and invisible zones from the crane operator’s cabin; 28 per cent of the analyzed crane’s work area represented by the model were found to be invisible, which corresponds fairly to 35 per cent of the half-cycles measured manually that were found to involve blind lifting; the range of blind lifts duration derived from the spatial information-based model was 50 to 84 per cent, which is in excellent correspondence with the 54 per cent to 82 per cent range obtained from the time unit-based analysis. Research limitations/implications – The laser-based model and the ensuing analyses are limited to the type of buildings whose envelope can practically be represented by the vertical extrusion of their footprint. Practical implications – The practical implications of the study are reduction of blind lifts as a factor when selecting the location of the crane and staging areas; more effective preplanning of signallers positioning; and ad hoc consideration of analysed dead space for various lift task-based decision-making during construction. Originality/value – This study demonstrates the ability to capture the geometric relations that characterise the work scene around the tower crane by harnessing the increasingly available laser technology and correlates the results of the manual observations with those obtained from the laser-based model.

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