scholarly journals Craft, Detail & Quality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Georgia Peacocke
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Timber Joint ◽  
Residential Architecture ◽  
Hotel Design ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Boutique Hotel ◽  
Quality Issues ◽  
Definition Of

<p>Over the past decade and even currently within New Zealand there have been quality issues within timber construction. My research proposes to address what these quality issues are both functionally, and aesthetically and how we can create a dialogue between craft, detail and quality. In residential architecture in New Zealand, the most common practice is timber stud framing or otherwise known as traditional platform framing. This construction type results in little variety throughout NZ as the vast majority is dominated by NZS:3604. This common platform framing can also create architecture that barely resembles the timber material.  This research creates a framework to what will be a possible solution in exposing the details of timber joints, which in turn may prevent quality issues along with creating a crafted timber design. As a starting point for this research, it seemed appropriate to draw on traditional Japanese, European and Pacific construction techniques. These cultures have mastered the art of craft, and we in New Zealand could learn from this and reflect in contemporary practices in NZ. This could in turn create a solution which highlights the quality issues in construction of New Zealand residential architecture.  Typically, in New Zealand platform framing construction, timber joint details are concealed. These concealed details are more prone to failure and so by exposing these, it can lead to improving quality of construction. Quality is, however, an elusive concept and this will become clear through an analysis of interviews with numerous builders, project managers, architects and of course the everyday user. These interviews define what they believe is the most common area of defect, and where quality can be improved. This research will therefore look at what system can be designed between the connections of architectural elements to focus on exposed refined details and joints. As these connection details are explored the definition of “craft” will become more defined, where it currently begins as examples of exposed, visible and readable detail.  Taking place in a rural New Zealand environment in Raglan Waikato, the portfolio proposes a boutique hotel, with a scheme that demonstrates this newly proposed construction system as an alternative to platform framing. The role of the hotel design is merely a vehicle to apply and test the research. There are many implications that may be a factor in the conclusion of this research proposal, for example CLT timber accessibility and costs. However further outcomes will result in celebration and awareness of detailing which leads to improving quality of New Zealand timber architecture.  This research explores turning traditional methods of construction into contemporary architecture using the technologies and material practices of today.</p>

scholarly journals Craft, Detail & Quality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Georgia Peacocke
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Timber Joint ◽  
Residential Architecture ◽  
Hotel Design ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Boutique Hotel ◽  
Quality Issues ◽  
Definition Of

<p>Over the past decade and even currently within New Zealand there have been quality issues within timber construction. My research proposes to address what these quality issues are both functionally, and aesthetically and how we can create a dialogue between craft, detail and quality. In residential architecture in New Zealand, the most common practice is timber stud framing or otherwise known as traditional platform framing. This construction type results in little variety throughout NZ as the vast majority is dominated by NZS:3604. This common platform framing can also create architecture that barely resembles the timber material.  This research creates a framework to what will be a possible solution in exposing the details of timber joints, which in turn may prevent quality issues along with creating a crafted timber design. As a starting point for this research, it seemed appropriate to draw on traditional Japanese, European and Pacific construction techniques. These cultures have mastered the art of craft, and we in New Zealand could learn from this and reflect in contemporary practices in NZ. This could in turn create a solution which highlights the quality issues in construction of New Zealand residential architecture.  Typically, in New Zealand platform framing construction, timber joint details are concealed. These concealed details are more prone to failure and so by exposing these, it can lead to improving quality of construction. Quality is, however, an elusive concept and this will become clear through an analysis of interviews with numerous builders, project managers, architects and of course the everyday user. These interviews define what they believe is the most common area of defect, and where quality can be improved. This research will therefore look at what system can be designed between the connections of architectural elements to focus on exposed refined details and joints. As these connection details are explored the definition of “craft” will become more defined, where it currently begins as examples of exposed, visible and readable detail.  Taking place in a rural New Zealand environment in Raglan Waikato, the portfolio proposes a boutique hotel, with a scheme that demonstrates this newly proposed construction system as an alternative to platform framing. The role of the hotel design is merely a vehicle to apply and test the research. There are many implications that may be a factor in the conclusion of this research proposal, for example CLT timber accessibility and costs. However further outcomes will result in celebration and awareness of detailing which leads to improving quality of New Zealand timber architecture.  This research explores turning traditional methods of construction into contemporary architecture using the technologies and material practices of today.</p>

scholarly journals Recovering the Common Good: The Key to a truly Prosperous Society?

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Andrew Bradstock
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Social Teaching ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Common Life ◽  
The Common Good ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Common ◽  
Definition Of

This article argues that the common good would have much to contribute to political discourse in New Zealand at the present time. Beginning with a definition of the concept, particularly as it has developed within Catholic Social Teaching, the article examines attempts by New Zealand church leaders to introduce it into public debate in recent decades, and concludes that, were the common good to be given serious consideration today, it would both prompt New Zealanders to look critically at their society and consider the purpose of their common life together, and enhance their quality of life individually and communally. The article addresses the charge that promoting the common good might be seen as favouring one (religiously-inspired) notion of 'the good life' over others, and, following Raymond Plant, suggests that, in a pluralist society, a more appropriate starting point for a conversation about such issues would be an exploration of 'social justice'. The article also explores the extent to which markets and governments might promote the common good.

scholarly journals Aesthetics of Home. Continuity and Variation in New Zealand Medium Density Housing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Abigail Barclay
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Housing Crisis ◽  
Visual Aesthetics ◽  
Integrated Research ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Aesthetic

<p>In New Zealand, most people do not find Medium Density housing (MDH) visually appealing. In October 2017, BRANZ carried out a survey on the different attitudes New Zealanders have towards MDH. This study concluded that the visual aesthetics is one of the top issues in shifting the acceptance of MDH within New Zealand. (BRANZ, 2017. p.2) Additionally in an attempt to house many people quickly, there have been growing concerns around the quality of the aesthetic output. (Howden-Chapman, 2015. p.80) This negative attitude towards MDH has fuelled the ever growing housing crisis.  This thesis proposes that improved aesthetic qualities can be achieved within a high density multiple housing project. It argues that identifying and analysing the current aesthetic issues connected with existing MDH in New Zealand, will create a starting point for further design-led research. From this critique, this thesis aims to design a viable alternative to the current New Zealand approach to MDH. This design will aim to model varied aesthetic qualities and to identify key strategies for potential application in other projects.  Research will occur through an extended series of different design-led research projects. Initially a quick fire design exercise in parallel with initial background research around the field of MDH and aesthetics will form the basis to begin from. Self and peer reflection will follow to inform the iterative research, extracting the key issues emerging from the research. Both research for design (theories and precedents), and researching through a series of iterative design projects occur. These two integrated research methods will be repeated in cycles throughout the year to keep the research current throughout the process and develop its depth.</p>

scholarly journals Understanding the Key Quality Factors in Construction Projects—A Systematic Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10376
Author(s):  
Sławomir Wawak ◽  
Žanesa Ljevo ◽  
Mladen Vukomanović
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Planning Stage ◽  
Starting Point

Project management frameworks describe the preferred approaches to project quality management, as well as applicable methods and tools. Despite this, quality problems in the construction project are still widespread. This study aimed to identify crucial quality-related factors in construction project management and find relations between them, to help researchers and project managers better respond to quality issues. A systematic literature review (SLR) was used to identify previous studies on quality-related factors. Literature review and further quantitative analysis revealed that quality-related factors are related to three categories: Quality of project process, quality of organisational processes, and quality of results (products), which together create the quality of the whole construction project. The results highlight quality-related factors (14 related to the quality of processes, 6 to quality of an organisation, and 13 to quality of products) that should be taken into account in further research, as well as planning and executing construction projects. Their inclusion at the planning stage should help project managers, sponsors, and steering committees avoid or minimise quality-related problems. Moreover, this study sheds an interesting light on quality. We found that the quality of processes and quality of an organisation has precedence over the final product quality. Based on the results of the study, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to create a null model that will be the starting point for further research in the construction enterprises.

Achieving construction innovation in best value procurement projects: New Zealand mega projects study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei J. Ying ◽  
Nan Zhao ◽  
John Tookey
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Managers ◽  
Best Value ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Strategic Procurement

Purpose Best value procurement (BVP) has been recognized for some time as offering significant opportunities to advance process excellence in the construction sector. As an innovative approach to strategic procurement, BVP has attracted attention from the New Zealand (NZ) Government. It has similarly been found that the most substantial benefit of this modified approach to procurement is in value creation and innovative organizational processes through identifying “best value.” Yet to date, there is a lack of robust evidence as to how BVP can exactly influence construction innovation. Accordingly, this paper aims to explore how to improve BVP implementation to promote construction innovation and what are the values to be achieved in BVP mega projects from the view of innovation. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews with 22 participants, including project managers, procurement specialists, engineers and general managers from three organization types, were conducted to explore BVP implementation in a range of mega construction projects in NZ. Findings Barriers to BVP implementation and value innovation have been identified in this paper. Data analysis suggested traditional mindset in the procurement process, market constraints, mistrusts and fuzzy definition of BVP are the challenges for BVP implementation; BVP cultivates organizational competition because of diverse collaboration models and value attitudes; and BVP considers more values from the whole supply chain. To promote innovative construction, existing BVP should consider adopting progressive enhancements toward updating procurement guidance, encouraging effective communications, collaborating and promoting changes in stakeholders’ mindset. Practical implications Identified barriers to BVP implementation set up a platform for framing guidance, which could provide an effective approach as it enables a better understanding of what BVP means to NZ and what needs to be overcome. Taking this into account, similar small size markets around the world would be able to consider the applicability of BVP for innovative improvements. Originality/value This paper provides insights into value concepts in project procurement. It theoretically and practically possesses originality in linking BVP to innovative construction. The study of BVP and its application further reveals the importance of establishing a distinct regulation and fostering organizational competition from value aspects to achieve construction innovation.

TECHNICAL-ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT ELEMENTS SPECIFIC TO ECO-COMMERCE

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Cristina Labes (CRACIUN) ◽  
Adrian Ioana ◽  
Roxana Marina Solea ◽  
Daniela Tufeanu ◽  
Paul Stefan Trandafir
Keyword(s):  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Marketing Mix ◽  
Original Model ◽  
Economic Management ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Organic Products ◽  
European Regulations ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Legal Sense

The article has as a starting point the definition of the notion of commerce in its two senses: economic sense and legal sense. We also defined the notion of eco-commerce as "the presentation and sale of organic products, under prescribed ecological conditions", according to European regulations. Also, in the article we present original elements of technical-economic management specific to eco-commerce. We present and analyze the correlations between the "4 P" of the marketing mix (production, price, promotion, placement) and the technological elements. Based on an original correlation scheme, we have designed and analyzed 7 levels of such correlations, of which we notice: the biunivocal correlation Product (P1) - Promoting (P2) is based on assuring the quality of the product, The level of technological optimization is directly correlated with the product’s quality. In the article we also present an original model of economic analysis. This model has as its starting point 3 categories of subjects: Intern performers, Joint performers and External performers. Information (including conclusions) of economic analysis conducted can be passed to the three distinct pathways: Domestic Customers → Direct (Official) → Company (trader); Indirect (unofficial) → Company (trader); External Customers (with respect ownership) → Indirect Competition (banks) → Company (trader).

Improving the quality of business process descriptions of public administrations

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Ferrari ◽  
Hans Friedrich Witschel ◽  
Giorgio Oronzo Spagnolo ◽  
Stefania Gnesi
Keyword(s):  
Business Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Text Quality ◽  
Research Challenges ◽  
Quality Issues ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Official Procedure

Purpose Business processes (BPs) of public administrations (PAs) are often described in the form of written procedures or operational manuals. These business process descriptions are expected to be properly understood and applied by civil servants, who have to provide legally compliant service provisions to the citizens. However, process descriptions in the PA are sometimes hard to read, ambiguous, or vague, leading to false interpretations or even incorrect execution of the processes. The purpose of this paper is to focus on improving the descriptions of BPs to be used in PAs. Design/methodology/approach To this end, the authors present an in-depth domain analysis, including a literature review and interviews with PA stakeholders belonging to different realities. From this analysis, the authors identified a set of 52 typical defects of process descriptions. Findings The authors provide a set of guidelines and a template to constrain the definition of these documents and to mitigate the identified defects. Furthermore, the authors outline research challenges in the field of quality assessment of textual process descriptions for the PA. Research limitations/implications This paper addresses the needs of any PA officer who has to write an official procedure or operational manual, and should be studied by researchers who wish to provide automatic strategies to check the quality of these documents. Originality/value Text quality issues have been addressed in various fields (e.g. requirements engineering), but not in the area of BP descriptions of PAs. The contribution consists in the study of the quality issues that occur and create problems in the practice of this particular domain. Based on this insight, we provide directions for research that will find solutions to mitigate the issues.

scholarly journals TALENT MANAGEMENT IN THE CAREER COACHING STYLE USING A METAPROGRAM APPROACH

2020 ◽  
pp. 78-82
Author(s):  
N. M. Tverdola
Keyword(s):  
Talent Management ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Career Coaching ◽  
Talent Pool ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Definition Of

There is a point of view that it is already impossible to bring new ideas into talent management. The current practice has been considered in the article and also an alternative approach that can increase the quality of training of talent pool to a higher level has been presented . A new strategy for integrating career coaching and a metaprogram approach into the system of talent pool management, as well as a different starting point for work with it, have been proposed. The prospects and potential of candidates for company vacancies to be included in the personnel reserve are already assessed at the recruitment stage. Specific steps have been listed. The author’s definition of the term “career coaching” has been given.

scholarly journals Training in the Application of Translation Strategies for Undergraduate Scientific Translation Students

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria González Davies ◽  
Christopher Scott-Tennent ◽  
Fernanda Rodríguez Torras
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Translation Strategies ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Regular Work ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Experimental Training

Abstract A research project2 was recently carried out consisting of the following stages: 1. Finding out what was previously known or hypothesised about the role of strategies in the translation process by reviewing the relevant literature. 2. Deciding on an operative definition of translation strategies. 3. Selecting 3 types of problems to give experimental training in the application of strategies to solve them. 4. Designing a theoretically optimal course, by considering relevant pedagogical literature, to give pre-service training in the application of these strategies. 5. Carrying out an empirical study to observe, measure and analyse the effects of such a course. A full report on this study is to be found in Investigating Translation (John Benjamins, 1999). On conclusion of the study, it was found that the experimental course had been perceived as satisfactory by all the participants, and clearly increased the frequency and effectiveness of trainees' application of target strategies. It was also found that this had significantly improved the quality of target texts, according to external raters. Subsequently, the teacher of this experimental course has spontaneously continued to include this type of training in her regular work. Other colleagues have also undertaken similar experiences and expressed their positive evaluation of them. The aim of this present article is to report more fully on the methodology which was followed in the experimental course. This could provide a useful starting point for discussion for those teachers who would like to experiment with this type of training in their own classes.

scholarly journals Aesthetics of Home. Continuity and Variation in New Zealand Medium Density Housing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Abigail Barclay
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Housing Crisis ◽  
Visual Aesthetics ◽  
Integrated Research ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Aesthetic

<p>In New Zealand, most people do not find Medium Density housing (MDH) visually appealing. In October 2017, BRANZ carried out a survey on the different attitudes New Zealanders have towards MDH. This study concluded that the visual aesthetics is one of the top issues in shifting the acceptance of MDH within New Zealand. (BRANZ, 2017. p.2) Additionally in an attempt to house many people quickly, there have been growing concerns around the quality of the aesthetic output. (Howden-Chapman, 2015. p.80) This negative attitude towards MDH has fuelled the ever growing housing crisis.  This thesis proposes that improved aesthetic qualities can be achieved within a high density multiple housing project. It argues that identifying and analysing the current aesthetic issues connected with existing MDH in New Zealand, will create a starting point for further design-led research. From this critique, this thesis aims to design a viable alternative to the current New Zealand approach to MDH. This design will aim to model varied aesthetic qualities and to identify key strategies for potential application in other projects.  Research will occur through an extended series of different design-led research projects. Initially a quick fire design exercise in parallel with initial background research around the field of MDH and aesthetics will form the basis to begin from. Self and peer reflection will follow to inform the iterative research, extracting the key issues emerging from the research. Both research for design (theories and precedents), and researching through a series of iterative design projects occur. These two integrated research methods will be repeated in cycles throughout the year to keep the research current throughout the process and develop its depth.</p>

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