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Competency framework to integrate lean construction and integrated project delivery on construction megaprojects; towards a future of work global initiatives in multinational engineering organisations
Get PDFBuilt environment organisations face global challenges between business units, especially since the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has profoundly disrupted the construction industry worldwide, including the management of construction megaprojects (CMPs). This research aims to develop a competency framework, for global integrated delivery (GID) transformative initiatives and future of work (FOW) global initiatives, to manage integration between lean construction (LC) practices and integrated project delivery (IPD) on construction megaprojects (CMPs) in contemporary multinational engineering organisations.
‘Mixed research methods’ involves a two-stage quantitative and qualitative research approach. In the context of CMPs, stage one consisted of a qualitative research methodology comprising a literature review to examine competencies, COVID-19 impacts, responses and key drivers (KDs) to integrating LeanIPD&GID; stage one outcomes propose a conceptualisation of LeanIPD&GID, a competency framework and FOW global initiatives. Stage two involved an empirical questionnaire survey for a set of 30 KDs arranged into five factor clusters (FCs), 226 respondents from 23 countries with an extensive cosmopolitan experience; analysis adopted structural equation modelling (SEM), descriptive and inferential statistics, percentage scoring analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and Eigenvalues.
In the context of CMPs, stage one outcomes delivered a conceptualisation of LeanIPD&GID, a proposed competency framework and FOW global initiatives. Stage two concluded that the most significant KDs are ‘collaboration in design, construction works and engineering management,’ ‘coordination and planning of construction work,’ ‘senior organisational management support,’ ‘boosting implementation of LC, and integrating project delivery’, and ‘earlier and precise 3D visualisation of designs’. BIM adoption in the MENA region is higher than LC; the second is still taking its first steps, while IPD has little implementation. LeanBIM is slightly integrated, while LeanIPD integration is almost not present.
The research findings, conceptualised LeanIPD&GID principles, a proposed competency framework and FOW global initiatives, provided future research streams and directions; the study has provided a competency framework and FOW global initiatives for effective practical strategies for enhancing integration of LeanIPD&GID transformative initiatives on CMPs and will allow project key stakeholders to place emphasis on boosting LeanIPD&GID KDs
The use of social media, online support groups, and apps for pregnant women during COVID-19
No full textAt the start of 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Pregnant women were deemed a vulnerable group globally and advised to shield. Due to social distancing and the changes in maternity services, it was a reasonable assumption that pregnant women would turn to the online platform for advice and guidance. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this chapter explored the effect of social media, support groups, and app usage on pregnant women during the outbreak. Results evidenced that pregnant women utilised social media, support groups, and apps for information and support. Positive aspects were maintaining social connections whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines, access to support groups and people in similar situations, and ease of access to information. Negative aspects were excessive amounts of and overwhelming information, misinformation, judgement from others, and increased anxiety. Apps were deemed positive for general pregnancy but lacked COVID-19-related information
Heuristic assessment of psychological interventions in schools (HAPI Schools)
Get PDFChildren spend more time in school than in any other formal setting and, with mental illness in children on the rise, there is more pressure on schools to intervene in student mental health than ever before. In the current study, two phases of semistructured interviews were conducted with school leaders and special educational needs coordinators (Phase 1, N = 23; Phase 2, N = 11), to investigate first-hand experiences in dealing with student mental illness. Thematic analysis, drawing on Grounded Theory, was used to identify themes. The results identified deprivation as one of the main causes of mental ill-health in students, with insufficient budgets, inappropriate mental health services, and overly long waiting times as barriers to intervention. Difficulties in identifying appropriate mental health interventions to use in school were also reported. The authors propose a simple four-point heuristic, for assessing the quality of school-based mental health interventions to be used by school staff, so that educators can more readily identify appropriate mental health support for their students
Trauma, stages of change and post traumatic growth in addiction: A new synthesis
Get PDFPurpose: This paper proposes a foundation on which to consider post-traumatic growth (PTG) and
addiction recovery. It considers addiction as a traumatic experience with a consequential impact on
mental health that is a primer for PTG. It demonstrates the similarity of a prominent change model used in
the field of addiction recovery with PTG theory, offering the Extended Transformational Model, a PTG life
cycle model, as an output.
Research limitations: This research considers previous positive psychology (PP) work, specifically surrounding PTG and addiction recovery. As a next step, further investigation is necessary to demonstrate the
efficacy of the model comparison so it can mature into one that in application can integrate PTG theory
with addiction treatment services as a recognized and effective pathway to recovery.
Originality/value: While this is a first attempt at such a model comparison, demonstrating the similarity
between PTG and addiction recovery through a life cycle model, offers the opportunity to develop effective
interventions, in addition to building confidence in a recognized discipline of PTG in addiction recovery
Surface Modification of Commingled Flax/PP and Flax/PLA Fibres by Silane or Atmospheric Argon Plasma Exposure to Improve Fibre−Matrix Adhesion in Composites
Get PDFChallenges faced by natural fibre-reinforced composites include poor compatibility between hydrophilic fibres such as flax and hydrophobic polymeric matrices such as polypropylene (PP) or poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and their inherent flammability. The former promotes weak interfacial adhesion between fibre and matrix, which may be further compromised by the addition of a flame retardant. This paper investigates the effect that the added flame retardant (FR), guanylurea methylphosphonate (GUP) and selected surface treatments of commingled flax and either PP or PLA fabrics have on the fibre/matrix interfacial cohesive forces in derived composites. Surface treatments included silanisation and atmospheric plasma flame exposure undertaken both individually and in sequence. 1-, 2- and 8-layered composite laminates were examined for their tensile, peeling and flexural properties, respectively, all of which yield measures of fibre-matrix cohesion. For FR-treated Flax/PP composites, maximum improvement was obtained with the combination of silane (using vinyltriethoxysilane) and plasma (150 W) treatments, with the highest peeling strength and flexural properties. However, for FR-treated Flax/PLA composites, maximum improvement in both properties occurred following 150 W plasma exposure only. The improvements in physical properties were matched by increased fibre-matrix adhesion as shown in SEM images of fractured laminates in which fibre-pullout had been eliminated
Emotional intelligence skills and their variability between postgraduate students and the time they start working as employees in the tourism industry
Get PDFThe objective of this study was to identify and analyze the differences in the
Emotional Intelligence skills of employees in the industry of Tourism, between
the period of their studies and a later period when they had already started
working. Moreover, this study attempted to interconnect the Emotional
Intelligence skills of participants with their performance levels, in the scope to
highlight the significance of these skills for the development of their careers in
the industry of Hospitality and Tourism.
This research project comprises of four phases:
The first and the third phase of the study was represented by a distribution of
a questionnaire to the participants who were students in a Hotel Management
school at that period, depicting aspects of their Emotional Intelligence. In the
second phase, a different questionnaire has been addressed to educators,
where they could highlight sectors where the students were already
performing satisfactorily, or where they should become stronger. The fourth
and final phase of the research consisted of the participants’ self-assessment
of their level of performance as well as their understanding of usefulness of
the EQ skills in the operational and administrative challenges they face in the
workplace.
The findings that have been collected at the 1st and the 3rd phase of the
research, revealed a raise of the levels of six out of the eight Emotional
Intelligence examined skills. This finding supports the fact that Emotional
Intelligence is teachable and can be developed.
Finally, the last phase of the research identified through the results obtained
from the questions that were part of the respective questionnaire, the value of
Emotional Intelligence and its usefulness in the work places related to the
Tourism sector
Effects of water and chemical solutions ageing on the physical, mechanical, thermal and flammability properties of natural fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites
Get PDFBiocomposites comprising a combination of natural fibres and bio-based polymers are
good alternatives to those produced from synthetic components in terms of sustainability and
environmental issues. However, it is well known that water or aqueous chemical solutions affect
natural polymers/fibres more than the respective synthetic components. In this study the effects
of water, salt water, acidic and alkali solutions ageing on water uptake, mechanical properties and
flammability of natural fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites
were compared. Jute, sisal and wool fibre- reinforced PP and PLA composites were prepared using a
novel, patented nonwoven technology followed by the hot press method. The prepared composites
were aged in water and chemical solutions for up to 3 week periods. Water absorption, flexural
properties and the thermal and flammability performances of the composites were investigated
before and after ageing each process. The effect of post-ageing drying on the retention of mechanical
and flammability properties has also been studied. A linear relationship between irreversible flexural
modulus reduction and water adsorption/desorption was observed. The aqueous chemical solutions
caused further but minor effects in terms of moisture sorption and flexural modulus changes. PLA
composites were affected more than the respective PP composites, because of their hydrolytic
sensitivity. From thermal analytical results, these changes in PP composites could be attributed to
ageing effects on fibres, whereas in PLA composite changes related to both those of fibres present
and of the polymer. Ageing however, had no adverse effect on the flammability of the composites
Social media use for supporting mental health (SMILE)
Get PDFPurpose: The SMILE study (Social Media as Informal support for people with mental illness: an
Exploratory study) aimed to explore how people with mental health issues use and value social
media as a support mechanism.
Methodology: A systematic search of Facebook and Twitter identified groups and pages relating to
mental health issues. 203 users over the age of 18 were recruited via Facebook and Twitter. Any user
who considered themselves to experience mental health problems could opt to participate and no
exclusion criteria were applied. A mixed-methods online survey retrieved demographic and
qualitative data by asking users to describe their personal experiences when using social media for
mental health support.
Findings: Users perceive Facebook and Twitter as useful online resources to gain informational and
emotional support and to share experiences. The benefits were; ease of access, anonymity and
personal control over engagement levels. Users had subjective experiences of engagement,
however, overall these were deemed positive. Using Facebook and Twitter for mental health
provided users with a sense of connectedness and reduced feelings of isolation.
Originality: The qualitative methodology allowed participants to share their experiences and views,
with positive implications for services. Social media was discussed as a prospective tool for raising
awareness and reducing stigma. The study highlights scope for mental health service providers to
tap into the social media consumer market and provide quality online support provision
A BIM-driven framework for integrating rules and regulations in the decommissioning of nuclear power plants.
Get PDFPurpose: The relative low capital cost and contributions to mitigating global warming have favoured the continuous construction and operation of nuclear power plants across the world. One critical phase in the operation of nuclear plants for ensuring safety and security of radioactive products and by-products is decommissioning. With the advent of digital twinning in the building information modelling (BIM) methodology, efficiency and safety can be improved from context-focus access to regulations pertaining demolition of structures, and cleaning-up of radioactivity inherent in nuclear stations. A BIM-driven framework to achieve a more regulation-aware and safer decommissioning of nuclear plants is proposed.
Design: The framework considers task requirements, and landscape and environmental factors in modelling demolition scenarios that characterise decommissioning processes. The framework integrates decommissioning rules/regulations in a BIM linked non-structured query system to model items and decommissioning tasks, which are implemented based on context-focused retrieval of decommissioning rules and regulations. The concept’s efficacy is demonstrated using example cases of digitalised nuclear power plants.
Findings: This approach contributes to enhancing improvements in nuclear plant decommissioning with potential for appropriate activity sequencing, risk reduction, and ensuring safety.
Originality: A BIM-driven framework hinged on querying non-structured databases to provide context-focused access to nuclear rules and regulations, and to aiding decommissioning, is new
Corporate manslaughter and its relationship with corporate social responsibility in Nigeria
Get PDFThis thesis examines the relationship between corporate manslaughter and corporate social
responsibility in Nigeria through the lens of legal enforceability.
The law all over the world has been unclear as regards what corporate social responsibility
means1 and the level of obligation that a company owes its employees and other stakeholders.
The issue of legal enforceability has been staggered in/ with different jurisdictions. While in
some countries the liability for death at the workplace is individual but some countries have
moved to organizational liability.
This thesis, therefore, asks whether the absence of a coherent legal framework to legally
enforce all aspects of corporate social responsibility affects the legal enforceability of
incidences that leads to corporate manslaughter offenses. Whether there is a link between
corporate manslaughter and corporate social responsibility through the lens of legal
enforcement? What is the attitude of the courts on legal enforceability?
Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that is experiencing problems in prosecuting
multinational oil companies because the laws in existence are weak.
With regards to enforceability, one consequence of the artificial nature of a company as a legal
person (corporate personality) is that inevitably decisions for, and actions by, it must be taken
by natural persons. Decisions on its behalf may be taken by shareholders of the company. These
shareholders in the event of corporate manslaughter may refuse to ratify the decisions of their
senior managers as the acts of the company itself. Secondly, a country with weak laws and a system for the enforcement of the law will have problems prosecuting companies in the event
of corporate manslaughter.
In such circumstances, this thesis will look at the culture behind legal enforcement, the attitude
of the government and its institutions, the companies, and the people towards the enforcement
of corporate manslaughter laws.
This researcher will use a questionnaire and organized interview to measure whether the
absence of a coherent legal framework to legally enforce all aspects of corporate social
responsibility affects the legal enforceability of incidences that leads to corporate manslaughter
offenses.
This researcher intends to use a case study. Using a case study, the researcher will be able to
discover that with regards to enforcement have read the duty of care provision in Nigerian law
in pari passu with the provision of the law in the United Kingdom, the law in Nigeria is weak
and porous.
The significance of the findings in this research is to explain that in Nigeria, the system of
enforcement of the law against companies is almost non-existent. This means that for corporate
manslaughter cases in Nigeria, there must be a certain system of enforcement involving the
government and its institution to legally enforce the law. This is to ensure obedience to the law
by the companies and the citizens