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Skill matrix for prefabricated construction: A case of NZ modular company
No full textSkill shortage is a critical issue in the uptake of prefabricated construction around the world, and New Zealand is no exception. Prefabricated construction is an emerging industry, that amalgamates manufacturing and construction practices. Further, the workforce for prefabricated construction has diverse backgrounds considering traditional construction, manufacturing or any other industry. This establishes the in consistency of skill sets for profiles based on different qualifications and experience. This study aims to develop a comprehensive skill matrix as per profiles in prefabricated construction companies. A case study approach was adopted to understand the essential skills of various profiles within the organizational structure. Skill profile studies were involved in the design, manufacturing and construction processes. Data was collected from interviews with key employees for job descriptions affiliated with the selected case company. The data was triangulated with archives, reports, and market recruitment sources. Key participants were involved in profiles from managerial (3) to supervision (4) to front-line workers (4), also supporting staff (4). A skill matrix was developed showing skills and profiles, and skills classified based on core and overlapping, soft and hard, also technical and managerial. This study sets a foundation for further research on companies using low to high-prefabricated construction technologies. A robust skill matrix will help both new and old companies to understand human resource requirements
The design of the Winter Gardens
No full textFirst constructed in 1916, the Winter Gardens in Auckland was William Gummer’s first public building in New Zealand. Listed as Category 1 by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in 1989 and beloved by Aucklanders, the gardens remain under-researched in Aotearoa New Zealand’s architectural historiography. This paper aims to comprehensively analyse the Winter Gardens, exploring their historical context, architectural design, and the unique relationship between architecture and garden.
This study sheds light on the distinctive architectural character of the Winter Gardens. The spatial organisation and layout between the indoor and outdoor spaces, the enclosure of space, and the structural system, materials and architectural elements that define this character can be understood by examining the architectural principles employed by William Gummer, learned during his time at London’s Royal Academy of Art and under the tutelage of Edwin Lutyens. This paper will also discuss the client’s motivations and the building’s construction history.
This research aims to deepen our understanding of the architectural significance of the Winter Gardens in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Skills shortage in New Zealand prefabricated construction
No full textBACKGROUND
• Prefabricated construction has proven to be a non traditional innovative approach for rapid, cost effective, high quality, safe and sustainable buildings
• Prefabricated construction has evolved from manufacturing, and the construction workforce has not yet familiarised themselves ..“A skill shortage is when there are not enough skilled people in a sector of the industry to deliver that outcome”outcome”(p 31 ))(Bryson et al, 2018
• Skill shortage and retention are critical challenge for prefabricated construction companies (Masood et al 2021
OBJECTIVE
• This study aims to propose strategies to address skills shortage in New Zealand prefabricated construction
METHODOLOGY
• An industry wide survey was conducted to capture insight into the skill shortage using likert scale 1 =Not at all Significant, 2 =Slightly Significant, 3 Moderately Significant, 4 =Very Significant, 5 =Extremely Significan
Kaikōrua: Sea, land & sky: An architectural research project addressing the lack of awareness of Kaikōura’s marine biodiversity through architecture
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
how could an architectural proposition raise awareness of the marine biodiversity of Kaikōura’s coast?
ABSTRACT
Aotearoa (New Zealand) features an array of unique, pristine environments. These environments attract masses of tourists to the country, of which small coastal towns have based their economy on. Kaikōura is no exception and has a long history relying on the marine eco-system formed by the Hikurangi sub-marine trench. In 2016, the top of the South Island was rocked by an earthquake that would change the dynamics of Kaikōura. The coastal town was isolated and ultimately lost its aquarium and research laboratory. The result is a loss of education about the marine system and a lack of awareness of the wildlife that depends on it, such as the Kaikōura titi (shearwater titi), which is only found within the region and is not well known to visitors. The local council has hinted at developing an area (Wakatu Quay) to educate visitors about wildlife, but the development has stalled. This research project, ‘Kaikōura. Sea, Land & Sky’ addresses the absence of awareness of marine biodiversity off the coast of Kaikōura. A hypothetical architectural proposition is oriented around providing an educational experience to a broad spectrum of comprehension. The research will investigate Ngāti Kuri’s connection to the area, contextual history, animal biodiversity, aquarium dynamics, and hybridisation. This includes a typology-driven site selection, examination of precedents and development of a programme to produce a responsive architectural outcome
Language Barriers for the migrant population in the Workplace
No full textLanguage barriers are a phenomenon that affects migrants regardless of their origin or social status. Cultural adaptation and communication difficulties have repercussions not only on a personal level but also in the workplace. Through ten interviews, this study set out to investigate how these barriers affect the confidence and work performance of migrants in Invercargill, New Zealand. It also sought to corroborate how migrants overcome language barriers and what kind of support they receive in the workplace. The methodology used in the study was interviews and a thematic approach was used for the data analysis. The findings corroborated how language barriers have a negative impact on workers' confidence and self-esteem and this in turn affects their productivity and performance. It was also found that formal support provided by companies is very limited, while support for migrant workers, whether from co-workers or managers, is limited to emotional support or the use of everyday tactics to facilitate communication. Future research is suggested in different industries and cities in New Zealand to broaden the knowledge of understanding language barriers experienced by migrant workers and thus provide migrant-recruiting companies with valuable information to consider when employing foreign workers who use English as a second language
A billabong or puna ngahere of sound?: Teaching Linklater Voice in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
No full text● Who we are
● What is voice?
● Who is Kristin Linklater?
● What is Linklater Voice training?
● The role of imagery in Linklater Voice
● Our hypothesis
● Orkney
● The Linklater progression
● Exploration: Forrest pool of vibration
● Discussio
Environmental reporting and firm profitability: Evidence from Sri Lanka
No full textBackground of study
Literature review: gaps
Research questions
1 Do disclosures on materials, energy, and water impact firms’ profitability?
2. Do bio-diversity disclosures impact firms’ profitability?
3. Do disclosures on emissions, effluents, and waste impact firms’ profitability?
4. Do disclosures on products & services, compliance, transport, overall supplier assessment, and environment grievance mechanisms impact firms’ profitability?
Contribution
Research context
Methodology
Conceptual framework
Measurement of variables
Model development
Data analysis
Findings
Conclusions, limitations and suggestions
NOTE:
Initial author = Lakshan Attanayake on Unitec staff directory; and A.M.I. Lakshan on paper
Resilient hub
Get PDFThe proposal describes a community hub; a site located within the suburban and urban built environment, made up of an arrangement of community-run buildings and facilities. Modern sustainable technologies and building typologies will be promoted and community interaction encouraged. Multiple functions will work in unison, with all members of the surrounding community interfacing with it. Through participation, collaboration and creative contribution, the Resilient Hub will demonstrate in a tangible, real-time way the connection between energy, water, food production, food preparation, food consumption, compost and energy use. The knowledge and practices gained will proliferate in community members’ daily practices and help to accelerate the uptake of sustainable technology, building construction and use. Involving the community at the design stage will further integrate the relevance of these sustainable methods. All these aspects combine to challenge us to think in a more integrated way about our future neighbourhoods and how all aspects of them are part of an interconnected syste
Interpolation of financial time series data in a three-dimensional spatialisation
No full textThis paper introduces a new approach to interpolating and visualising financial time series data, e.g., Bitcoin prices, in a spatial domain using the notion of spatialisation: forming a spatial representation of non-spatial phenomena. The proposed algorithm first utilises the temporal components of the Bitcoin prices, i.e., date and time of day, to build a 2D vector map based on four observations per day, i.e., opening, high, low and closing prices. It then uses the coordinates assigned to the prices and their values to convert the 2D vector map into a 3D raster map. This transformation is performed using the Natural Neighbour Interpolation (NNI) algorithm. We then apply the 3D map to interpolate time series data with a 30-minute frequency and compare it with the actual observed data to assess the quality of the map. The RMSE results show an improvement of 12% using the proposed method compared with conventional interpolation method
Does the threat of takeover affect default risk?
No full textWe examine the impact of the threat of takeovers on default risk. Using a sample of 50,189 firm-year observations for US firms over the period 1990–2015, we find that the threat of takeovers has a negative relation with default risk. We use difference-in-difference analysis to address potential endogeneity concerns and propensity score matching to control for self-selection bias. The results are robust to alternative measures of default risk and exclusion of the dot com and financial crisis periods. Our results also hold after controlling for Governance Index and Entrenchment Index. We identify improvement in performance and earnings quality in response to the threat of takeovers as channels underlying our main result. The effect of the threat of takeovers on default risk is more pronounced for firms with opaque information environment and low institutional ownership. Our findings provide important insights for the market for corporate control as a disciplining mechanism in reducing default risk