Stonemasonry skills development: two case studies of historic buildings in Scotland

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott McGibbon ◽  
Mohamed Abdel-Wahab
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Historic Buildings ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Built Heritage ◽  
Industry Experience

Purpose – Scotland’s built heritage (pre-1919 building stock) is exhibiting varying levels of disrepair, in particular for stonemasonry works, despite the government’s on-going efforts for promoting higher standards of repair and maintenance (R & M) of historic buildings. The purpose of this paper is to examine the problems associated with the R & M of historic buildings. Design/methodology/approach – Two case studies (Projects A and B) exhibiting critical disrepair are reported. Site surveying was carried-out on both projects, to identify site features and R & M problems along with proposed solutions drawing on the lead author’s extensive industry experience as a stonemasonry consultant. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals involved in each project to elicit views on the challenges faced. Additionally, three industry experts were interviewed to provide a wider perspective of the R & M challenges facing historic buildings. Findings – Neglect and poor practice resulted in both projects becoming more challenging and expensive than they needed to be, which was attributed to generic and advanced skills 6deficiencies of the workforce. There is an urgent need for a multi-disciplinary approach to the development of a method statement for R & M, drawing on the expertise of professionals and contractors, particularly when specifying repairs to structural elements. Originality/value – This paper has provided original and valuable information on R & M problems, highlighting the importance of continued investment in skills development for historic building R & M to enhance existing current training provision and practice. There is a need for further similar project-based data to inform skills development strategies for the R & M of historic buildings as well as enhancing existing qualification frameworks.

Value conflicts in co-production: governing public values in multi-actor settings

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 775-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Aschhoff ◽  
Rick Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Third Parties ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Public Values ◽  
Value Conflicts ◽  
Public Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Managers

Purpose Co-production with citizens brings about the challenge to orchestrate public values which might be in conflict with each other. However, little is known about what types of value tensions occur in co-production and how actors cope with them. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on three case studies of co-production in Germany. In total, 24 semi-structured interviews with public managers, citizens, and third parties were conducted. Findings The analysis identified three major public value tensions occurring in co-production: the inclusiveness-accountability-tension, the flexibility-accountability-tension, and the productivity-diversity-tension. Furthermore, six strategies of coping with these tensions are examined. Research limitations/implications As the paper is based on case studies, further research is required to explore possible other public value tensions emerging from different manifestations of co-production. Originality/value This paper bridges the fields of public values and co-production. By including perceptions of all actor groups, a more comprehensive understanding of public values in co-production and how they are in conflict is provided. A novel coping strategy is revealed, which has previously not been mentioned in the literature.

Annual hours, workplace partnership and mutual gains: exploring the links

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Ryan ◽  
Joseph Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Collective Bargaining ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Material ◽  
The Creation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the capacity of annual hours (AH) to deliver gains to both workers and management and assesses the role of workplace partnership in three Irish companies that have adopted AH. Design/methodology/approach – Three case studies are compared and contrasted. The case studies were compiled through semi-structured interviews with management and trade union representatives, a survey of 205 workers and secondary material. Findings – The authors find that workplace partnership is not a prerequisite for achieving mutual gains where AH are concerned. The research draws attention to the importance of a mechanism for the creation of gains, in these cases, AH and that such gains can arise from different processes. Mutual gains output is not confined to workplace partnership but can arise from collective bargaining. Originality/value – The paper highlights the importance of comparing case studies so that the role of factors often seen as causal to mutual gains in exemplar cases can be critically evaluated. It also utilises directly workers’ opinions on AH and workplace partnership where typically, representative views of management and trade unions dominate the literature on these issues.

Building palaeopathology: practical applications of archaeological building analysis

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Heaton
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Historic Buildings ◽  
Methodological Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Survey Techniques ◽  
Legal Contexts ◽  
Professional Guidance ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate, to construction professionals, the client benefits of archaeological building analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe principles of the technique are summarised, followed by a summary of the academic and legal contexts in which such analyses are conducted. Three short case studies are presented, followed by methodological conclusions.FindingsThe paper finds that after c100 years of methodological development, client interests are not represented in any technical or professional guidance; and that historic buildings are structurally and cosmetically more complex than received architectural histories would have one believe and that much decorative detail is likely to be of relatively recent installation, information that can be of benefit to clients wishing to modify listed and other historic buildings.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the introductions and legal and academic summaries are international in scope, the case studies are limited to its own work. Nonetheless, the principles established are applicable to all forms of historic buildings and refurbishment projects.Practical implicationsThe paper posits that a hitherto regulatory burden can be applied in the clients' interests with only a slight adjustment in approach to well established survey techniques.Originality/valueWhile the survey techniques described are well established in archaeological circles, the client‐oriented approach advocated here is not. Construction professionals dealing with historic buildings will find the approach of immediate practical benefit.

Adaptive reuse of buildings: the case of Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-96
Author(s):  
G.D.R. De Silva ◽  
B.A.K.S. Perera ◽  
M.N.N. Rodrigo
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Adaptive Reuse ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Historic Buildings ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Barriers And Challenges

Purpose Historic buildings can make a significant contribution to the history and culture of a country. Today, land scarcity has led to the demolishing of existing buildings to meet the demand for new constructions. Adaptive reuse of buildings (ARB) while preserving the hidden prestige of historic buildings plays a pivotal role in regenerating the built environment to cater to the demand that exists for new buildings. Sri Lanka has so far not embraced ARB, which can help to preserve the historical and cultural values of the existing building stock in the country. Hence, the study aims to analyze the remedial actions that can overcome the barriers to and challenges of ARB in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a qualitative research approach by using three expert interviews and five case studies. The data collected from the case studies were analyzed using content analysis. As a part of the case studies, semi-structured interviews with 15 professionals who are already practicing ARB were conducted. Findings When making the ARB decision, key drivers and parameters of ARB have to be considered. ARB has socio-cultural, environmental and economic benefits. Sri Lanka as a developing country will definitely face barriers and challenges when adopting ARB. These barriers/challenges could be categorized as social; environmental; economic; legal-regulatory; and physical-technical-other barriers/challenges. The economic barrier, “Higher opportunity costs,” and the legal barrier, “Health and safety requirements,” stipulated by the authorities were common to all five case studies. Originality/value The study identifies the actions that can overcome ARB barriers and challenges present in Sri Lanka to reap maximum socio-cultural, environmental and economic benefits.

scholarly journals Fashion “see-now-buy-now”: implications and process adaptations

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-515
Author(s):  
Rosy Boardman ◽  
Yvonne Haschka ◽  
Courtney Chrimes ◽  
Bethan Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Vertical Integration ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relationship Management ◽  
Supplier Relationship Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify if and how the see-now-buy-now model impacts the traditional buying, merchandising and supply chain processes (BMSCP) of multi-brand fashion retailers (MBFR) and whether they need to be adapted in order to facilitate this development.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study includes three industry case studies, triangulated with external observers. A total of 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted within Germany and the UK.FindingsFindings demonstrate that in order to adopt the see-now-buy-now model there is a need for process-shortening, as well as better process and network alignment between MBFR and brands through agility, supplier–relationship management and vertical integration in order to stay competitive against time-based competition. Whilst most steps of the traditional BMSCP are still applicable under the see-now-buy-now model, they must be re-engineered and shortened, with the steps being rolling rather than linear, with buyers and merchandisers operating in a more hybrid role.Originality/valueThis paper addresses the lack of research on the see-now-buy-now model as well as on the BMSCP of MBFR and the implications that see-now-buy-now could have on those processes. A modified buying, merchandising and supply chain framework adapted to incorporate see-now-buy-now is created which will be useful for academics and practitioners.

scholarly journals Teaching innovations in Asian higher education: perspectives of educators

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Advanced Technologies ◽  
The Many

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the teaching innovations that have been implemented in higher education institutions in Asia and the perspectives of educators on them. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 educators who were affiliated with 23 higher education institutions in ten Asian countries/regions. The interviews covered information about the teaching innovations of the participants’ institutions, the characteristics of the innovative practices and the participants’ views on them. The relationships between the characteristics of institutions and their teaching innovations were also examined. Findings The results showed that the teaching innovations included two main categories, namely, those which involved the use of advanced technologies and those which did not. The innovations that involved the use of advanced technologies were mainly from larger institutions, while the other category was mainly from smaller ones and had been practised for less than 1.5 years. Differences were also identified between the two categories in terms of the aims and importance of innovations, innovative features, the evaluation of innovations and improvements needed for them. Originality/value The results highlighted that technology is only one of the many aspects of teaching innovations, which is different from the view prevailing in the literature. They also suggested that differences in the scale of institutions (in terms of number of students) possibly influences the kind of teaching innovations adopted.

scholarly journals Exploring producers' motivations and challenges within a farmers' market

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (7) ◽  
pp. 2089-2103
Author(s):  
Rosario Michel-Villarreal ◽  
Eliseo Luis Vilalta-Perdomo ◽  
Martin Hingley
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Short Food Supply Chains

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore food producers' motivations and challenges whilst participating in short food supply chains (SFSCs). This paper compares findings with previous literature and investigates the topic in the context of producers' motivations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper includes a literature review concerning producers' motivations to engage in SFSCs. A case study was designed to investigate motivations underlying producers' engagement in SFSCs, as well as the challenges that they face. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a farmers' market located in Mexico. Thematic analysis is used to identify the principal issues for producers'. Propositions based on findings are presented.FindingsFindings suggest that small, large, part-time and full-time producers are willing to engage with farmers' markets for diverse primary economic and non-economic motivations. Individual and collective challenges were also identified.Originality/valueThis research helps to explain producers' motivations and challenges within SFSCs in an under-researched context, namely a focus on producers' and in the Global South.

Negotiation and corporate strategy

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-6
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Organizational Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Consistent Approach

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Negotiation is a key tool in delivering competitive advantage but requires a clear and consistent approach closely linked to organizational strategy. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Blending global and regional planning in multinationals

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 16-18
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Regional Planning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Central Planning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Blending global and regional planning is important for multinationals. Within a central framework, local offices should have input. Different regions will approach this in different ways, but regional planning needs to be in-synch with central planning cycles. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Has Lean improved organizational decision making?

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 536-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Simons ◽  
Jos Benders ◽  
Jochen Bergs ◽  
Wim Marneffe ◽  
Dominique Vandijck
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lean Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Organizational Decision Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Contexts ◽  
Sustainable Improvement ◽  
Care Processes ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Sustainable improvement is likely to be hampered by ambiguous objectives and uncertain cause-effect relations in care processes (the organization’s decision-making context). Lean management can improve implementation results because it decreases ambiguity and uncertainties. But does it succeed? Many quality improvement (QI) initiatives are appropriate improvement strategies in organizational contexts characterized by low ambiguity and uncertainty. However, most care settings do not fit this context. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether a Lean-inspired change program changed the organization’s decision-making context, making it more amenable for QI initiatives. Design/methodology/approach – In 2014, 12 professionals from a Dutch radiotherapy institute were interviewed regarding their perceptions of a Lean program in their organization and the perceived ambiguous objectives and uncertain cause-effect relations in their clinical processes. A survey (25 questions), addressing the same concepts, was conducted among the interviewees in 2011 and 2014. The structured interviews were analyzed using a deductive approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using appropriate statistics. Findings – Interviewees experienced improved shared visions and the number of uncertain cause-effect relations decreased. Overall, more positive (99) than negative Lean effects (18) were expressed. The surveys revealed enhanced process predictability and standardization, and improved shared visions. Practical implications – Lean implementation has shown to lead to greater transparency and increased shared visions. Originality/value – Lean management decreased ambiguous objectives and reduced uncertainties in clinical process cause-effect relations. Therefore, decision making benefitted from Lean increasing QI’s sustainability.

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