Toward self-reliant development

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-339
Author(s):  
Michaël Willem Maria Smits
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Existing Housing ◽  
Interview Setting

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an extensive household survey amongst four rural communities on Mt. Elgon Kenya. The area is the chosen area for the author’s overall PhD research. In order to offer the inhabitants of Mt. Elgon suitable housing support, the purpose of this paper is to assess the gap between existing housing capacities and compare those to desired housing capacities. Design/methodology/approach The research combined a survey method with an interview setting. The survey helps the interviewer to structure and register given answers. The interview allows the inhabitant to ask questions or make suggestions. Findings The research finds that the two communities with financial restraints are unable to articulate improved housing (within their existing capacities) without external help. For the two communities with less financial restraints, the research finds that they struggle to maintain, extend or replicate housing solutions without external help. Originality/value The size (200 households), type (purpose, design and approach) and locality of the research are uncommon frameworks to understand inhabitants’ needs toward their built environment. The value, therefore, not only lies in the design of the evaluation framework, but also in the findings that indicate that this is a successful way to conduct this type of research in a vulnerable context. Hopefully providing other researchers in the built environment with an applicable framework.

Evaluating the usability of the information architecture of academic library websites

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Mariann Silvis ◽  
Theo J.D. Bothma ◽  
Koos J.W. de Beer
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Information Architecture ◽  
Visual Design ◽  
Heuristic Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
Web Developers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated list of heuristics and an information architecture (IA) framework for the heuristic evaluation of the IA of academic library websites as well as an evaluation framework with practical steps on how to conduct the evaluation.Design/methodology/approachA set of 14 heuristics resulted from an integration of existing usability principles from authorities in the field of usability. A review of IA literature resulted in a framework for dividing academic library websites into six dialogue elements. The resulting heuristics were made applicable to academic library websites through the addition of recommendations based on a review of 20 related studies.FindingsThis study provides heuristics, a framework and workflow guidelines that can be used by the various evaluators of academic library websites, i.e. library staff, web developers and usability experts, to provide recommendations for improving its usability.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of the usability principles is the evaluation of the IA aspects of websites and therefore does not provide insights into accessibility or visual design aspects.Originality/valueThe main problem that is addressed by this study is that there are no clear guidelines on how to apply existing usability principles for the evaluation of the IA of academic library websites.

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.

Relative exploration orientation and real options reasoning: survey evidence from Denmark

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Højmark Jensen ◽  
Thomas Borup Kristensen
Keyword(s):  
Real Options ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Complete System ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Downside Risk ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Chief Financial Officer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multidimensional Construct ◽  
Product Service

Purpose This paper aims to extend the understanding of how real options reasoning (ROR) is associated with downside risk and how a firm’s portfolio (explore and exploit) of investment activities affects managers’ ability to effectively apply ROR in relation to downside risk. Design/methodology/approach The survey method is used. It is applied to a population of Danish firms, which in 2018 had more than 100 employees. The chief financial officer was the target respondent. Findings This study finds that a higher level of ROR is associated with lower levels of downside risk. ROR’s association with lower levels of the downside risk is also moderated by the level of relative exploration orientation in a negative direction. Originality/value The field of ROR research on downside risk and portfolio subadditivity has been dominated by research focused on multinationality. This paper extends extant literature on ROR by studying ROR as a multidimensional construct of firm action, which is associated with lower levels of downside risk, also when studied outside of a multinationality setting. This is the case when ROR is implemented as a complete system. This paper also applies a framework of exploitation and exploration to show that findings on subadditivity in options portfolios caused by asset correlations extend outside the scope of multinationality and into one of product/service innovation.

scholarly journals Developing evaluation of signage for people with dementia

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith Gresham ◽  
Liz Taylor ◽  
Sarah Keyes ◽  
Heather Wilkinson ◽  
Danielle McIntosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Prior Work ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
World Cafe ◽  
Cent Level ◽  
Level Of Agreement

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to to describe development of a framework for use in the evaluation of the effectiveness of signage to assist people with dementia.Design/methodology/approachThe study consisted of two parts. Workshops held in both Sydney and Edinburgh using “world café” methodology with 28 knowledgeable participants produced a pool of statements. These were subsequently used in a three-round Delphi process administered to 38 participants in order to generate ideas and develop consensus content for a signage evaluation framework.FindingsThis process resulted in a framework consisting of Delphi statements which had a 70 per cent level of agreement and a series of prompt questions. Both intrinsic factors and wider environmental, extrinsic factors in signage for wayfinding were identified.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of this study were the small number of participants, including only four people with dementia, and the unresolved problems inherent in designing signage that may simultaneously be universally relevant and readily understood, yet meets the idiosyncratic needs of each individual living with dementia.Originality/valueAs there is little prior work in this field concerning signage use by people with dementia, this framework provides an original preliminary tool that may be used in further research on evaluating signage effectiveness. In designing signage and testing its effectiveness, it was concluded that the direct involvement of people with dementia is essential.

scholarly journals Creative tourism: catalysing artisan entrepreneur networks in rural Portugal

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 731-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Eva Bakas ◽  
Nancy Duxbury ◽  
Tiago Vinagre de Castro
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Social Embeddedness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Small Cities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rural Context ◽  
First Time

Purpose Given limited research about how artisans become integrated into tourism, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the emergence of artisan entrepreneur–mediators who link artisans to tourism in rural areas and small cities in Portugal. Using social embeddedness as a conceptual framework, this paper views artisan entrepreneur–mediators as existing within an entrepreneurial ecosystem. The paper investigates their role within this ecosystem and how social networks influence the artisan entrepreneur–mediators’ roles in connecting artisans to creative tourism. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on new (2017 and 2018) empirical evidence developed through two rounds of semi-structured interviews of five artisan entrepreneur–mediators. Findings This paper finds that artisan entrepreneur–mediators in rural areas or small cities take on multiple roles as networking agents who organize and offer creative tourism experiences, providing the missing link between artisans and tourists. An analysis of the nuances of the operations of these artisan entrepreneur–mediators suggests that high levels of social embeddedness within local rural communities are important in order for these neo-rural entrepreneurs to attain their goals. Originality/value Originality lies in the identification of a gap in artisan entrepreneurship literature in a rural context. It is the first time that a critical analysis of artisan entrepreneur–mediators who facilitate the link between artisans and tourism is carried out in terms of social embeddedness, their roles and connections to creative tourism, and types of community engagement.

Sustainability ratings in residential development: a worthwhile endeavour?

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Warren-Myers ◽  
Madeline Judge ◽  
Angela Paladino
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Housing Market ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Residential Development ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Rating tools for the built environment were designed to engage consumers and enhance sustainability and resilience. However, the intended outcomes of these rating systems appear to have limited implementation in the residential new housing market in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumers’ motivations and experiences who have purchased houses that are situated in a sustainability-based certified development and will have been required to comply with mandatory dwelling certification. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores the awareness and perception of sustainability ratings and whether the motivations for purchasing in the sustainably certified development have heightened their awareness of sustainability and the resilience of new housing. This has been investigated through a pilot study of consumers who have purchased land in a certified estate and built a new home, through an online survey. Findings The findings reveal that the rating systems are at present not having the desired influence as first thought; that is, to inform consumers of the sustainability of a dwelling or property and to instigate trust of the environmental credentials of the property. Research limitations/implications This illuminating case study of participants who have purchased a sustainable rated development demonstrates that regardless of their concern for environmental issues, consumers have both low awareness and trust in the ratings. Despite this, consumers do seek value from these credentials to the overall property. Originality/value This study aims to illustrate the disconnect in engagement between developers, builders and new home buyers in relation to sustainability certification and implementation.

scholarly journals Information security behaviour of smartphone users

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 444-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shohana Nowrin ◽  
David Bawden
Keyword(s):  
Information Security ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Security Risks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
University Library ◽  
Smartphone Use ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the information security behaviour of the students of the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in the use of smartphones. Bangladesh is well-known as one of the largest and fastest growing mobile phone market of the world, and the University of Dhaka is also the largest student’s assembly in the country in terms of using smartphones. Besides, the rising use of smartphones is also likely to be typical of other sub-continent countries. Design/methodology/approach To gain an understanding of the information security behaviours of the students of University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, a quantitative survey method was deployed in revealing the approaches of the students towards avoidance of various security risks. A total of 356 students participated in the study, although eight of the participants did not carry out the full survey because they do not use smartphones. The collected data were analysed with suitable statistical methods. Findings The findings of the study reveal that students of University of Dhaka possess a moderately secure behaviour in terms of avoiding harmful behaviours, using useful phone settings and add-on utilities and disaster recovery. This study also shows that the students do not behave securely in all aspects of using different security features in the same way, and it also varies somewhat according to gender, and between faculties and institutions. The university library is recommended as the focus for instruction and guidance on the best practice in smartphone use by students. Research limitations/implications The study does not include any other universities of Bangladesh except University of Dhaka due to the shortage of time. A further study can be conducted to gain an understanding in a greater extent by including students of the other universities and perhaps also other countries. Originality/value This is the first paper in Bangladesh related to the study of information security behaviour regarding the use of smartphone among the student of University of Dhaka. This study will help to raise information security awareness among the students and encourage the authorities to adopt appropriate strategies and policies to resolve information security risks in the use of smartphones. Specially, the university library can take some initiatives in this case, such as providing advice, seminars, workshops and lectures to make the students aware about security issues.

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.

scholarly journals Foresight evaluation: lessons from project management

foresight ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina A. Makarova ◽  
Anna Sokolova
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Project Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evaluation Procedures

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to identify ways for improvement of the foresight evaluation framework on the basis of analysis and systematisation of accumulated experience in the field of project management. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a detailed literature review devoted to an evaluation of foresight and traditional projects. The approaches to project evaluation in the field of project management were investigated, and the main steps of traditional project evaluation process were determined. The most commonly applied steps of foresight evaluation were identified by the analysis of recent foresight evaluation projects. The comparison of evaluation frameworks for foresight projects and traditional projects allows to provide recommendations for foresight evaluation framework improvement. Findings – The paper identifies several lessons for foresight evaluation from project management. The elements which can enrich foresight evaluation framework are the following: the development of an evaluation model; the extensive use of quantitative methods; the elaboration of evaluation scales; the inclusion of economic indicators into evaluation; and the provision of more openness and transparency for evaluation results. Originality/value – Given the importance of foresight evaluation procedures and the lack of a commonly applied methodological approach, the value of this paper consists in identifying a foresight evaluation framework and enriching it with elements of project management.

Domain knowledge and data quality perceptions in genome curation work

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Huang
Keyword(s):  
Data Quality ◽  
Domain Knowledge ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Computational Science ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genome Data ◽  
Quality Perceptions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand genomics scientists’ perceptions in data quality assurances based on their domain knowledge. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a survey method to collect responses from 149 genomics scientists grouped by domain knowledge. They ranked the top-five quality criteria based on hypothetical curation scenarios. The results were compared using χ2 test. Findings – Scientists with domain knowledge of biology, bioinformatics, and computational science did not reach a consensus in ranking data quality criteria. Findings showed that biologists cared more about curated data that can be concise and traceable. They were also concerned about skills dealing with information overloading. Computational scientists on the other hand value making curation understandable. They paid more attention to the specific skills for data wrangling. Originality/value – This study takes a new approach in comparing the data quality perceptions for scientists across different domains of knowledge. Few studies have been able to synthesize models to interpret data quality perception across domains. The findings may help develop data quality assurance policies, training seminars, and maximize the efficiency of genome data management.

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