Research measurement of knowledge advances in building maintenance issues

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Falorca ◽  
R. Calejo Rodrigues ◽  
R. Mendes da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Maintenance ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Management Functions ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Approximate Measurement ◽  
Made In

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the general progress of Building Maintenance knowledge, to ascertain the growth of the whole body of literary production, and to determine which research lines may require further development. Design/methodology/approach – Using several means of support, a detailed survey of over 2,000 titles of publications was made. The survey data were grouped into six pre-defined bibliographic indicators. The survey results were gradually organized into a database and MS Excel features were used for the subsequent process of counting and statistical analysis. Findings – The results allowed the authors to develop an approximate growth model of the literature and provided indications of possible gaps in the development of knowledge. Research limitations/implications – To allow for a more extensive analysis of the problem, this study was structured differently to a traditional literature review. Practical implications – This study offers an overview of the evolution of building maintenance literature to researchers and institutions. A dynamic bibliographic database was also created which could be useful for those who perform management functions. Originality/value – The approach of this study differs from other known studies in the area of building maintenance. This study releases an approximate measurement of advances made in the knowledge of a particular subject.

Marketing and delivering information literacy on the web, yesterday and today, from 2009 to 2012

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Q. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Status ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
The Web ◽  
Made In

Purpose – This study aims to ascertain the trends and changes of how academic libraries market and deliver information literacy (IL) on the web. Design/methodology/approach – The author compares the findings from two separate studies that scanned the Web sites for IL-related activities in 2009 and 2012, respectively. Findings – Academic libraries intensified their efforts to promote and deliver IL on the web between 2009 and 2012. There was a significant increase in IL-related activities on the web in the three-year period. Practical implications – The findings describe the status quo and changes in IL-related activities on the libraries’ Web sites. This information may help librarians to know what they have been doing and if there is space for improvement. Originality/value – This is the only study that spans three years in measuring the progress librarians made in marketing and delivering IL on the Web.

The fierce urgency to create safe spaces for the heart in relation to sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Livingstone
Keyword(s):  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safe Spaces ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
The World ◽  
Moral Superiority ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Made In

Purpose The paper aims to rediscover the subtle heart and discuss its importance in relation to conversations regarding sustainability. Design/methodology/approach Based on the imaginal approach of the author’s doctoral research, this paper is informed by the discourse of transpersonal psychology, attempting to open a space through which it becomes possible to perceive the heart differently. Findings This paper discusses the idea that knowledge as generated through the heart has been rendered subservient to knowledge generated through the mind/brain through a dominant/medical narrative (Bound Alberti, 2012). This means that the heart’s wisdom and the heart’s benevolent qualities cannot gain traction at the level at which decisions are made in society. Research limitations/implications While the heart is not unproblematic, and can carry notions of moral superiority, this paper is written as an appeal to create safe enough spaces to bring the heart back into conversation at the level of political discourse. Practical implications This paper suggests that it is the approach of the heart, the qualities and characteristics that the heart embodies, and the different way of being in the world that the heart makes possible, which could play an important role in guiding us towards a more sustainable world. When taken seriously, the heart offers a way of engaging with, and thinking about, ideas of relationship, wholeness and interconnection – all of which have been identified as important by numerous scholars in relation to engaging with global challenges (de Witt, 2016). Social implications This paper suggests that it is the approach of the heart and the different way of being in the world that the heart makes possible, which could play an important role in guiding humanity towards a more sustainable world. Originality/value Since the late 1900s, scholars have been calling for creative thinking in relation to engaging with the myriad of issues facing our planet, and this paper is written as a response to that call – creating a platform for the heart to speak and making a case for its importance in conversations relating to sustainability.

Agency costs in the market for corporate control: evidence from UK takeovers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Jones ◽  
Bing Xu ◽  
Konstantin Kamp
Keyword(s):  
Agency Costs ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Corporate Control ◽  
Sales Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market For Corporate Control ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Theory Framework ◽  
Made In

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether agency costs predict disciplinary takeover likelihood for the UK listed companies between 1986 and 2015. Design/methodology/approach Using survival analysis, the approach is to identify candidates for disciplinary takeover on the basis of Tobin’s Q (TQ), which is consistent with the approach advocated by Manne (1965). This study then examines how indicators of agency costs affect takeover likelihood within the set of disciplinary candidates. Findings This paper provides evidence of the effectiveness of TQ, rather than excess return, in identifying disciplinary takeover candidates. Takeover hazard for disciplinary candidates is higher for companies with higher levels of asset utilization and sales growth in particular. Companies with stronger agency problems are relatively less susceptible to disciplinary takeover. Practical implications Given the UK context of the study, where anti-takeover provisions are disallowed and when compared to findings of US studies, the results imply some support for the effectiveness of an open merger policy. Originality/value While the connection between takeover likelihood and the market for corporate control has been made in previous studies, the study adopts a more explicit agency theory framework than previous studies of takeover likelihood. A key component of the contribution follows from differentiating candidates for disciplinary takeovers from other forms of mergers and acquisitions.

Reinforcing each other: strategies to advance international interlibrary loan

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-44
Author(s):  
Hilary H. Thompson ◽  
Kurt Munson ◽  
James B. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
International Federation ◽  
Interlibrary Loan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Multiple Translations ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Stars Survey

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share the results of the 2019 international interlending survey conducted by the American Library Association, Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section (STARS) International Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Committee, the fourth such survey conducted by this group since 2007. Design/methodology/approach Committee members developed the survey instrument and collected data in Qualtrics. Questions from the 2015 and 2011 instruments were reused to support longitudinal data analysis, and new questions related to improving the sharing of resources across borders were added. The survey was distributed to libraries worldwide via multiple methods, and translations in six of the seven official International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions languages were provided. Findings Results reveal challenges to engaging in global resource sharing in the areas of discovery and request methods, policies and service models, copyright and licensing, delivery and payment. Strategies to overcome these challenges, as informed by both the survey results and recent literature, are shared. Reinforcing each other, these independently and organically developed solutions illustrate ways to further advance ILL. Practical implications The findings can aid ILL practitioners and the organizations to which they belong in improving the sharing of resources across borders. By optimizing this service, libraries can better support researchers in a globalized environment. Originality/value The 2019 RUSA STARS survey is the first survey on the topic of international ILL to offer multiple translations complimenting global distribution. It contributes to the literature by offering a broad and updated perspective on current international ILL practices, challenges impeding the sharing of library materials abroad and possible solutions.

A conceptual framework for integrated performance management systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Johanson ◽  
Roland Almqvist ◽  
Matti Skoog
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Present Form ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Management Systems ◽  
Integrated Performance ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to further develop a conceptual framework for analysing performance management systems (PMS). The framework aims to be useful for a rich understanding of a specific organisation’s PMS. At the same time, it should preferable be simple so that it could be used even in practice. The framework adds to earlier work by Malmi and Brown (2008), Ferreira and Otley (2009), Broadbent and Laughlin (2009), Bedford and Malmi (2015) and Johanson et al. (2001). Design/methodology/approach The paper is theoretical but has also been applied to a Swedish municipality. The purpose of the latter was to understand if the framework is feasible so far. Findings The authors hold that the framework in its present form is useful to use as an analytical tool even if it needs to be subjected to further development. Research limitations/implications The paper addresses an issue that is continuously changing. This means that the suggested framework may suffer from theoretical weaknesses in some respects. To balance between a theoretically deep and exhaustive framework and a framework that is simple enough to use is a tricky question that needs further investigation. Practical implications The ambition with the framework is that it shall be useful even in practice. Originality/value The need for further research in the PMS area has been emphasised by the above researcher but also by, e.g., Van Helden and Reichard (2016). They hold that the authors need rich European cases to improve the understanding of how PMS works. The authors hold that the present framework has the potential to meet the demands from Van Helden and Reichard.

scholarly journals Accounting and accountability in the Anthropocene

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Bebbington ◽  
Henrik Österblom ◽  
Beatrice Crona ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Jouffray ◽  
Carlos Larrinaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
Accounting Practice ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to interrogate the nature and relevance of debates around the existence of, and ramifications arising from, the Anthropocene for accounting scholarship. Design/methodology/approach The paper’s aim is achieved through an in-depth analysis of the Anthropocene, paying attention to cross-disciplinary contributions, interpretations and contestations. Possible points of connection between the Anthropocene and accounting scholarship are then proposed and illuminated through a case study drawn from the seafood sector. Findings This paper develops findings in two areas. First, possible pathways for further development of how accounting scholarship might evolve by the provocation that thinking about the Anthropocene is outlined. Second, and through engagement with the case study, the authors highlight that the concept of stewardship may re-emerge in discussions about accountability in the Anthropocene. Research limitations/implications The paper argues that accounting scholarship focused on social, environmental and sustainability concerns may be further developed by engagement with Anthropocene debates. Practical implications While accounting practice might have to change to deal with Anthropocene induced effects, this paper focuses on implications for accounting scholarship. Social implications Human well-being is likely to be impacted if environmental impacts accelerate. In addition, an Anthropocene framing alters the understanding of nature–human interactions and how this affects accounting thought. Originality/value This is the first paper in accounting to seek to establish connections between accounting, accountability and the Anthropocene.

Construct creation from research questions

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 1817-1838
Author(s):  
Sarah Forbes ◽  
Mark Avis
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Methodological Problem ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Made In

Purpose Construct Creation (CC) is a methodological problem occurring when a research process, instead of measuring an extant construct in the participant’s mind, creates the construct. The purpose of this paper is to argue that CC derives from problems around ecologically invalid research and attitudinal responses developed on the spot, both resulting from self-generated validity. Design/methodology/approach A between-subjects design was used to explore whether the personification prime (PP), a component of brand personality (BP) methodology, influenced the CC of BP for rocks. Analysis of qualitative data on how participants made their BP ratings in the absence of a PP was also completed. Findings Findings revealed that a methodology can enable CC in the participant’s mind, despite the construct being ecologically invalid prior to them participating in the study. Analysis also revealed that participants will use varied, and sometimes elaborate, strategies to enable CC and provide researchers with the answers to their questions. Research limitations/implications Previous research has drawn attention to CC as a problem but the implications of prior research have so far been “sidestepped”. Consequently, this paper demonstrates CC and why it is a problem, while rebutting some arguments made in prior research for sidestepping CC. Practical implications CC is a potentially serious methodological problem that can result in invalid findings informing or misdirecting theory used by practitioners. As such, this paper proposes methods to ameliorate CC and improve ecological validity of future research. Originality/value This study will contribute to methodological literature by refocusing attention to the currently neglected problem of CC and by proposing a model of CC by participants.

Research gaps in Lean manufacturing: a systematic literature review

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 815-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Psomas ◽  
Jiju Antony
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Academic Journal ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Literature contributions to Lean manufacturing (LM) are fragmented and show some significant limitations. The purpose of this paper is to identify the existing research gaps in LM as well as to group them into respective themes. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) of peer reviewed journal articles in LM was carried out by the authors, based on four major publishers, namely, Emerald Online, Science Direct, Springer Link and Taylor & Francis. In total, 120 articles published in 30 journals during 2005–2016 were collected which revealed LM research gaps. A simple affinity diagram was applied in order to group the research gaps into logical themes. Findings A large number of research gaps are identified in the LM literature and meaningful themes of these gaps are also revealed. Research limitations/implications The SLR carried out by the authors is based on only four academic journal publishers and some of other publishers might have been missed out in this search. Excluding articles focusing on an individual Lean principle or tool/technique is also a limitation of the present SLR. Practical implications Researchers and practitioners can use the LM research gaps presented in this study for further development of LM methodology. Originality/value Presenting LM research gaps analytically and grouping them into meaningful themes, significantly differentiates the present SLR study from those published so far.

scholarly journals Made in India: an interview with Mr Vimal Mahendru, CEO, Indo-Asian Fusegear Ltd.

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Guru Prakash Prabhakar ◽  
Pankaj Saran
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Made In

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 – Great leaders in the field of business tend to have an understanding of business environments of other countries; they are quick at learning from the strengths of other leaders. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives 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.

scholarly journals Work-wear pattern design to accommodate different working postures

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bragança ◽  
Miguel Carvalho ◽  
Pedro Arezes ◽  
Susan P. Ashdown
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Pattern Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Working Postures ◽  
Standard Base ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Made In

Purpose This paper presents an analysis of several issues that are preponderant for the work-wear design. The purpose of this paper is to create a prototype of a women’s base upper body garment, based on the information gathered. Design/methodology/approach All the necessary information was collected through questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and evaluation of compression forces between the different prototypes. Findings It was possible to conclude that to create a better design some alterations need to be made in the standard base pattern design, such as measurements across the back length. Research limitations/implications Despite the fact that these design changes have a great impact on the stretch ability and on the compression forces, using softer fabric, such as cotton, is always better for an increased comfort. However, in more professional situation where these fabrics should not be used, these design changes can really make a difference. Practical implications A test with a set of compression sensors showed that the simple alteration of one measurement in the design of the base patterns highly reduces the compression forces. Social implications These simple alterations allow the garments to adjust to the users’ needs, promoting higher levels of comfort and lower levels of limitations of movement. Originality/value The designs presented in this paper can be easily adapted to a variety of garments, such as jackets or dresses, both for leisure or professional activities.

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