Making the Case for Practice-Based Research and the Imperative Role of Design Practitioners

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara Freihoefer ◽  
Terri Zborowsky

The purpose of this article is to justify the need for evidence-based design (EBD) in a research-based architecture and design practice. This article examines the current state of practice-based research (PBR), supports the need for EBD, illustrates PBR methods that can be applied to design work, and explores how findings can be used as a decision-making tool during design and as a validation tool during postoccupancy. As a result, design professions’ body of knowledge will advance and practitioners will be better informed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the society. Furthermore, characteristics of Friedman’s progressive research program are used as a framework to examine the current state of PBR in design practice. A modified EBD approach is proposed and showcased with a case study of a renovated inpatient unit. The modified approach demonstrates how a highly integrated project team, especially the role of design practitioners, contributed to the success of utilizing baseline findings and evidence in decision-making throughout the design process. Lastly, recommendations and resources for learning research concepts are provided for practitioners. It is the role of practitioners to pave the way for the next generation of design professionals, as the request and expectation for research become more prevalent in design practice.

2021 ◽  
pp. 203-238
Author(s):  
Ashish Varma ◽  
◽  
Palmira Piedepalumbo ◽  
Daniela Mancini ◽  
◽  
...  

Over the years, the importance and role of Big Data have grown considerably. Accountants’ work requires sound judgement and decision making, which makes their activities less conducive to automation. Nonetheless, it is useful for accountants to be at ease with the use of data analysis, especially when data are unstructured and relevant to decision making. This study aimed to visualize the research panorama on the theme “Big Data and accounting” to appreciate the current state of knowledge in this field. Bibliometric analysis was used to study literature on the topic of Big Data and accounting. The data were collected using the Scopus database to ascertain the authors, countries, keywords and journals that have contributed the most to this body of knowledge. VOSviewer software was used for data visualization. Through a visual analysis, the results reveal the current state of knowledge on the theme of Big Data and accounting, with significant implications for future works in this field. The findings also highlight the potential opportunities for future studies on this topic and on peripheral themes. Keywords: Big data, accounting, bibliometric analysis, digital accounting, research agenda.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Lang

AbstractOrganisations are important gatekeepers in the labour market inclusion of immigrants and their children. Research has regularly documented ethnic discrimination in hiring decisions. Aiming to further our understanding of the role of organisations in influencing the professional trajectories of individuals of immigrant origin, this paper investigates the recruitment practices of public administrations. Drawing on approaches from organisational sociology and a qualitative case study of public administrations in the German state of Berlin, the article identifies three crucial elements of organisational decision-making affecting the recruitment of staff of immigrant origin: decisions regarding advertisement strategies, formal criteria, and individual candidates. Further, the article shows the underlying decision-making rationalities and the role of organisational contexts and ethnic stereotypes for recruitment-related decisions.


Author(s):  
Raffi Kamalian ◽  
Alice M. Agogino ◽  
Hideyuki Takagi

In this paper we review the current state of automated MEMS synthesis with a focus on generative methods. We use the design of a MEMS resonator as a case study and explore the role that geometric constraints and human interaction play in a computer-aided MEMS design system based on genetic algorithms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milad Around

In the world of business special attention is paid to entrepreneurs for their potential and large corporations for their impact on the market. Due to this, small businesses often fall short of resources and tools to help them grow. The aim of this dissertation is to introduce a framework for decision making to small businesses as a tool to help embed more structure into their organization. The framework was then applied to two distinct case studies to display its functionality and usefulness. The framework consists of several steps: 1) corporate plan and financial assessment 2) a current state analysis 3) a quantitative and mathematical feasibility study of the decision The framework in each case study resulted in an objective and qualified decision. It also suggests that, due to the unique structure and characteristics of each small business, the framework proposed would only be relevant and applicable on a general level and more work is required to refine the details in order to be able apply it universally to business entities with limited working capital.


Author(s):  
Yangji Doma Sherpa ◽  
A. John Sinclair ◽  
Thomas Henley

The Himalayan region of India is experiencing rapid development in tourism, agriculture, highway construction and hydroelectric dam construction. This research considered the role of the public both within and outside of development decision-making processes in these high mountain environments using the proposed Himalayan Ski Village (HSV) in Manali as a case study. The qualitative data revealed that there has been an extensive array of public participation activity related to the HSV project over approximately 10 years. Very little of this activity has evolved, however, through the formal decision-making process. Rather, most participation activities, such as general house meetings, objection letters, public rallies, court cases against the proposed project, and a religious congregation were instigated by the public to protest the proposed development. The findings also show that involvement in the participatory activities undertaken by the public and project proponent fostered instrumental and communicative learning outcomes.


Author(s):  
R.Todd Stephens

This chapter examines the critical task of governing the Web application environment with enterprise metadata methodologies. As organizations move to higher levels of maturity, the ability to manage and understand the entire environment is one of the most critical aspects of the architecture. Metadata can be defined as information pertaining to the Web application environment that the organization defines as critical to the business. Successful metadata management requires a comprehensive strategy and framework which will be presented through historical, current-state, and future perspectives The author expects that by understanding the role of metadata within the Web application environment, researchers will continue to expand the body of knowledge around asset management and overall architecture governance.


Author(s):  
Carol Pollard ◽  
Amanda Diggles

This research explores interorganisational collaboration in business-to-business e-commerce, and the factors that influence its development in a unique Australian environment. Using a qualitative case study approach, seven informants from four Tasmanian organisations were interviewed. The data confirmed trust was an important prerequisite for the establishment and development of both electronic and traditional interorganisational relationships. Collaborative relations such as communication and repeated interactions facilitated the development of trading-partner trust. Interestingly, trading-partner size did not influence trading partner trust, although “volume of business conducted” between trading partners was an influencing factor. Other factors included trading-partner reputation and length of preexisting relationship. Perceived benefits of trading partner trust included general business efficiencies, business growth, faster payment, increased information sharing and confidence, improved business relations, delivery, and reliability. The results enhance organisational awareness of similarities and differences between traditional and electronic business-to-business trading relationships, and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on interorganisational trust and business-to-business e-commerce. The influence of the unique Tasmanian environment was acknowledged and discussed as a mediating variable in considering the findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 7006
Author(s):  
Josefine Rasmussen

Energy efficiency is an important means for sustainable manufacturing. One action for manufacturing companies to improve energy efficiency is through investments. While these investments often are profitable, opportunities remain unexploited. This paper explores the structural context of the investment decision-making process by examining the associated activities, procedures, and the role of information. While the structural context may limit complex investments that do not fit predefined rules and controls, such as energy efficiency and other sustainability-related investments, it remains a scarcely studied aspect of investment decision-making for energy efficiency investments. Method-wise, the paper is based on a case study of a major investment at a pulp and paper company, motivated and justified based on productivity, strategic, energy, and sustainability rationales. The paper contributes with illustrating how configurations of internal investment activities and procedures may be crucial for sustainability-related investments to pass through the investment process. Moreover, the configuration of activities and procedures is also indicated as influential for the way in which an investment is executed. Hence, for energy efficiency and other sustainability-related investments to make business sense constitutes more than achieving desirable payback periods; the structural context should be considered.


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