Engaging consultants in green projects: exploring the practice in Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazirah Zainul Abidin ◽  
Nadia Alina Amir Shariffuddin
Keyword(s):  
Green Building ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Green Development ◽  
Request For Proposal ◽  
Engagement Process ◽  
The Face

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the practice of engaging key project consultants for the development of green projects in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach is adopted in this research using the face-to-face semi-structured interview process with 18 respondents consisting of developers and architects of green projects that have obtained green certification by the Malaysian Green Building Index. Findings The engagement of consultants is divided into three stages: engagement method; consultant selection method; and evaluation process. The engagement method can be initiated by the client or through the architect. The direct selection is the preferred strategy in engaging architects, while open strategy is commonly adopted for engaging other key consultants. The evaluation process consists of request for proposal evaluation and negotiation before appointment is awarded. In addition, there are four main criteria in selecting the consultants: client’s preference, fee flexibility, green project requirement and consultant firm’s internal strengths. Research limitations/implications The study is based on the Malaysian context and based on the engagement of main consultants in green development projects and, thus, cannot be generalised to other consultants’ engagement in conventional projects. Practical implications This research presents the process that can contribute to better planning, controlling and management of the consultants’ engagement process. The selection criteria shall form a reference in selecting the most suitable consultants for the project. Originality/value This study attempts to understand how consultants are engaged in green projects, an important management stage in project initiation, but has received little attention in the past.

Factors driving the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kofi Agyekum ◽  
Emmanuel Adinyira ◽  
Godslove Ampratwum
Keyword(s):  
Green Building ◽  
Green Buildings ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Code Of Practice ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Analysis Application ◽  
Qualitative Responses ◽  
Green Certification

PurposeSustainability has become a topical issue in many countries, with emphasis on green buildings. Though Ghana has recently adopted green buildings, there is lack of its speedy implementation. There is little literature on the adoption of green certification of buildings, especially in a developing country like Ghana. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that drive the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts face-to-face and telephone interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide among ten built environment professionals. Qualitative responses to the interview are thematically analysed using Nvivo 11 Pro analysis application software.FindingsThe findings suggest that “observability of the benefits of green certified buildings”, “commitment of Government to green building initiatives”, “incorporating green certification of buildings into the code of practice of professional bodies”, “green building certification incentives”, “public acknowledgement of the green building concept”, “policies and regulations to enforce the adoption of the concept” and “effective communication and source of information on the concept” are the factors that drive the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the understanding of the factors that drive the adoption of green building certification in Ghana. With these findings, stakeholders and industry practitioners can make informed decisions regarding how they can put in place strategies to ensure the effective adoption of green certification of buildings. Though this study was conducted within the context of Ghana, its findings and implications can be useful to policy makers, stakeholders and practitioners in other developing countries.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF FATHER EDUCATION ON THE PERCEPTION OF FATHERHOOD IN THE LIFELONG LEARNING PROCESS

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeşim Şölen ◽  
Yıldız Öztan Ulusoy
Keyword(s):  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Preschool Period ◽  
The Face ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Patriarchal Social Structure

In this study, the perceptions of fathers with children in the preschool period towards the concept of fatherhood, a lifelong learning process, and father education after the father education they received, were examined. The study was carried out with a qualitative research method. The sample of the study consisted of 14 fathers who had children attending two kindergartens in Kocaeli in the 2018-2019 academic year and volunteering to participate in the study. Fourteen fathers in the group were interviewed after the training program was applied. As a result of the face-to-face interviews with the semi-structured interview form, what they expressed about fatherhood, how they expressed themselves as fathers in the lifelong learning process, and their thoughts on participation in father education were obtained. It is known that the father has a critical role in the formation of the child's personality. Father education should be given importance to raise happy and healthy individuals. Today, it has been observed that there is a transition from the patriarchal social structure to modernity, and the fathers' traditional thoughts have changed, and they have started to think more child-oriented. It has been revealed that fathers gain awareness after education and fatherhood is a conscious and learnable phenomenon when an effort is made. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0720/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Audit roles and the review process: workpaper preparers’ and reviewers’ differing perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon Ater ◽  
Christine Gimbar ◽  
J. Gregory Jenkins ◽  
Gabriel Saucedo ◽  
Nicole S. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Review Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Process Characteristics ◽  
Workpaper Review ◽  
The Face

Purpose This paper aims to examine the perceptions of auditor roles on the workpaper review process in current audit practice. Specifically, the paper investigates how an auditor’s defined role leads to perceived differences in what initiates the workpaper review process, the preferred methods for performing reviews and the stylization or framing of communicated review comments. Design/methodology/approach A survey was administered in which practicing auditors were asked about workpaper review process prompts, methods and preferences. The survey was completed by 215 auditors from each of the Big 4 accounting firms and one additional international firm. The final data set consists of quantitative and qualitative responses from 25 audit partners, 33 senior managers, 30 managers, 75 in-charge auditors/seniors and 52 staff auditors. Findings Findings indicate reviewers and preparers differ in their perceptions of the review process based on their defined roles. First, reviewers and preparers differ in their perspectives on which factors initiate the review process. Second, the majority of reviewers and preparers prefer face-to-face communication when discussing review notes. Reviewers, however, are more likely to believe the face-to-face method is an effective way to discuss review notes and to facilitate learning, whereas preparers prefer the method primarily because it reduces back-and-forth communication. Finally, reviewers believe they predominantly provide conclusion-based review notes, whereas preparers perceive review notes as having both conclusion- and documentation-based messages. Research limitations/implications This paper advances the academic literature by providing a unique perspective on the review process. Instead of investigating a single staff level, it examines the workpaper review process on a broader scale. By obtaining views from professionals across all levels, this work intends to inspire future research directed at reconciling differences and filling gaps in the review process literature. The finding that reviewers and preparers engage in role conformity that leads to incongruent perceptions of the review process should encourage the consideration of mechanisms, with the potential to be tested experimentally, by which to reconcile the incongruities. Practical implications Results support recent regulator concerns that there are breakdowns in the workpaper review process, and the findings provide some insight into why these breakdowns are occurring. Incongruent perceptions of review process characteristics may be the drivers of these identified regulatory concerns. Originality/value This is the first study to examine current workpaper review processes at the largest accounting firms from the perspective of both preparers and reviewers. From this unique data set, one key interpretation of the findings is that workpaper preparers do not appear to recognize a primary goal of the review process: to ensure that subordinates receive appropriate coaching, learning and development. However, workpaper reviewers do, in fact, attempt to support preparers and work to create a supportive team environment.

Approaching life story interviews as sites of interaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-187
Author(s):  
Stig-Börje Asplund ◽  
Héctor Pérez Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Conversation Analysis ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Analysis Methodology ◽  
Interview Research ◽  
Life Story Interview ◽  
The Face ◽  
Life Story Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore what conversation analysis has to offer when analysing a series of life story interviews aiming to capture how reading and texts are used in a rural working-class man’s identity construction. Design/methodology/approach The conversation analysis methodology with its explicit focus on embodied social action, activity and conduct in interaction is integrated with a life story approach when analysing and describing the identity constructing processes that take place in life story interview settings. Findings Through a close and detailed analysis of the interaction between interviewer and interviewee, and by focusing and highlighting the phenomena and identities that are oriented to in the face-to-face interaction here and now (and in relation to there and then), descriptions of the complex and dynamic identity constructing processes that are set into play in the life story interview are possible. Research limitations/implications It is argued that the approach has a lot to offer when approaching life story data, and thus is a method that can increase the transparency in life story interview research. Originality/value The paper explores the intersection of what is often seen as diametrically opposed forms of analysis: conversation analysis and narrative inquiry.

Understanding clients’ experience of trust and distrust in dwelling fit-out projects

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 444-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Ning ◽  
Minjie Feng ◽  
Jin Feng ◽  
Xiao Liu
Keyword(s):  
Data Sources ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Cost Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Multiple Data ◽  
The Face ◽  
Gathering Data ◽  
Proper Balance

PurposeDrawing upon the ambivalence literature, the purpose of this paper is to explore clients’ ambivalence caused by the co-existence of trust and distrust and to investigate how clients respond to the ambivalence.Design/methodology/approachQualitative research strategies using multiple data sources were adopted. Face-to-face interviews were the major method for gathering data. Additional data sources included archival cases, official reports, regulations and rules and survey reports.FindingsThe results identified that clients’ ambivalence occurs in the face of the co-existence of trust and distrust. Clients might trust contractors on certain aspects and distrust of others or when they realize that trust and/or distrust have mixed merits and demerits. As a response strategy to the ambivalence, clients may choose to oscillate between trust and distrust in accordance with contractors’ quality and cost performance.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation is that dwelling fit-out projects are generally small in size. Parties in small size projects might have different mindsets than large projects. Thus, it is worthwhile to extend the framework to the context of large projects.Practical implicationsManagers or clients should be aware of the double-edged sword nature of trust and distrust. To deal with the ambivalence resulting from co-existence of trust and distrust, a proper balance of trust and distrust might be effective.Originality/valueThis study contributes an ambivalence approach to the trust research in project management.

scholarly journals Sales promotion: the role of equity sensitivity

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim-Shyan Fam ◽  
James E. Richard ◽  
Lisa S. McNeill ◽  
David S. Waller ◽  
Honghong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Sales Promotion ◽  
Equity Sensitivity ◽  
Shopping Mall ◽  
Price Fairness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
The Face ◽  
Third Person ◽  
Equity Model

PurposeThis paper explores how consumer psychographics impact responses to sales promotions (SPs), and specifically whether equity sensitivity (ES) moderates attitudes towards sales promotion in the retail purchase experience (PE).Design/methodology/approachThe study examines data from a survey of 284 Hong Kong consumers, using a shopping mall-intercept method. Every third person walking past the researchers was asked to participate in the survey. After obtaining their permission, those agreeing to take part in the study were surveyed either inside or outside of the shopping complex. The face-to-face intercept surveying method also increases confidence in sample and response reliability.FindingsThe study finds that ES has a significant positive relationship with evaluations of the retail PE. Consumers identified as “Benevolents” were significantly more positive towards SPs and reported significantly higher satisfaction with the PE. In contrast, consumers identified as “Entitled” were less positive towards SP and less satisfied with the PE. In addition, noncash SPs significantly positively influenced Benevolents' PE.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study extends and expands equity theory and ES research by applying these concepts to consumer SPs. The study is limited to an examination of common consumer purchases, across different product categories and SP types. While this allows us to examine the relationship between SP attitudes, ES and purchase satisfaction, future comparisons between individual sales promotion techniques (SPTs) and specific consumer profiles are recommended.Practical implicationsFrom a retail perspective, it is important to understand individual differences and what influences and motivates the consumers' retail PE. Retail managers are advised to track customer purchases and satisfaction levels linked to SPs as this would allow for the identification of which customers are more likely to fit the Entitled or Benevolent psychological profiles and predict their likely responses to SP offers.Originality/valueTo date, there has been little research on individual psychological differences between consumers when offered SPs at retail stores. The current study contributes to the marketing literature by extending the price fairness equity model to the retail PE, thereby addressing a prominent gap in the literature.

scholarly journals MARKET READINESS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR GREEN BUILDINGS: CASE STUDY FROM HONG KONG

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhonghua Gou ◽  
Stephen Siu-Yu Lau ◽  
Deo Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Green Construction ◽  
Green Development ◽  
Building Market ◽  
Technology Level

This study is to assess developers' market readiness to green construction including their ideas on green construction, their understanding of current green building policies, their awareness and familiarity with green building and related industries, and the barriers they are facing for implementing green building projects. By eleven face-to-face semi-structured interviews with locally-based developers, the study finds that the Green Building Market in Hong Kong is basically ready in technology level. However, the motivation for green development is confined to commercial buildings for lease. Legislation is agreed by developers as an effective motivator to green building development. An effective mechanism to provide incentives for market players to adopt green voluntarily is explored in this paper. Expedited permits and density bonus are thought to be major incentives.

Prescriptive versus non‐prescriptive prison design briefs

Facilities ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 216-225
Author(s):  
Giustina G.S. Consoli
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Delivery Methods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Private Prison ◽  
Request For Proposal ◽  
Alternative Delivery ◽  
Interview Questionnaire ◽  
Design And Construction

PurposeTo report on architect reactions to the use of non‐prescriptive design and construction briefs in the delivery of private prison projects in Australia.Design/methodology/approachThe introduction of the private prison projects in Australia saw the introduction of alternative delivery methods, such as Design‐Construct, for the delivery of prison facilities. The resulting design brief, forwarded as the “Request for Proposal”, was typically a non‐prescriptive document. Those architects who participated in such private prison design projects were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview questionnaire. Beliefs regarding the use of such briefs were gauged from the interview data.FindingsThe interviews revealed conflicting beliefs regarding the usefulness and appropriateness of the design brief. The responses were divided between a minority who found the briefs adequate, owing principally to the belief that it facilitated innovation. However, the majority considered the briefs as inadequate for prison construction. They believed that it allowed for manipulation by contractors, and that it compromised the design process and the integrity of the facility. As architects question the suitability of such design briefs for the delivery of prison facilities, the paper highlights the advantages and limitations in using prescriptive and non‐prescriptive prison design briefs.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils a need for data regarding the role of design briefs in prison design and construction. It offers a valuable comparison of the diverse approaches that can be taken, and the impacts this has upon how architects operate in prison projects.

Comparing Collaborative Writing Activity in EFL Classroom: Face-to-Face Collaborative Writing versus Online Collaborative Writing Using Google Docs

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-215
Author(s):  
Jitlada Moonma
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Google Docs ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Mode ◽  
English Major ◽  
The Face ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Writing Exercises ◽  
Better Than

Collaborative writing is acknowledged as one of the most beneficial writing exercises for improving writing skills. This study aimed to look at the errors of online collaborative writing using Google Docs and face-to-face collaborative writing, as well as to find out how satisfied students were with both modes. Purposive sampling was used to pick 32 Thai second-year English major students (19 females, 13 males) from Writing II. A record form of the error kinds derived from Norrish (1983) a questionnaire, and a semi-structured interview were used as instruments. Frequency and percentage were the statistics used. The data revealed that 346 errors were discovered in online mode, while 389 errors were discovered in face-to-face mode, which was at a higher level. The most common types in the online mode were sentence fragments, while the most common kinds in the face-to-face mode were determiners. Grammars were presented to students in both modes, followed by lexis and mechanics. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the students reported being highly satisfied with online mode using Google Docs (X ̅ = 3.50), followed by face-to-face setting (X ̅ = 3.45). Students also had an overall positive feedback on Google Docs and found it useful in terms of writing anywhere and anytime. Based on the results of this study, students in online co-produced texts better than in face-to-face mode. Time independence and features of Google Docs might be the crucial factors which facilitated the students’ writing in online mode.

A conceptual framework for operational performance measurement in wholesale organisations

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faris Odeh Al Majali
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Performance Factors ◽  
Measurement Framework ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness

PurposePerformance measurement involves gaining useful information about performance. The purpose is to develop a conceptual framework to assist wholesale managers in selecting useful information to evaluate operational performance. The proposed framework identifies core operations, measures of operational performance and factors that affect the performance of wholesale organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe research essentially relies on the available literature to develop a conceptual framework and define related components. Research primary data were used to validate the framework components and to implement the framework in wholesale organisations by allocating performance factors to the different components of the proposed framework. Using a semi-structured interview design, ten face-to-face interviews were conducted with managers of ten different wholesale organisations.FindingsThe research identifies five core operations that affect the operational performance in wholesale organisations, four measures for evaluating efficiency and effectiveness in every core operation and 28 factors that influence operational performance in wholesale organisations.Originality/valueOperational performance is monitored by evaluating the achievement of efficiency and effectiveness in operations. The research introduces a performance measurement framework that identifies the required information to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of core operations in wholesale organisations.

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