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Youth knowledge mobilization: Reflections on theory and practice
Full text linkThis article explores knowledge mobilisation in youth research. We take as a starting point that youth knowledge mobilisation (YKMb) requires specific strategies because of the unique power dynamics involved in mobilising knowledge related to young people. However, existing knowledge mobilisation models cannot account for these specificities. YKMb often requires co-creation with partner organisations as well as with youth themselves, leading to diverse and sometimes fragmented approaches to YKMb. An overarching discussion about the theory and practice of YKMb is missing from the literature. To explore the factors that influence the diversity of approaches to YKMb, we take up reflexivity to explore the experiences of a YKMb Chair working in intersectoral partnerships as well as with young people in Quebec, Canada. This article features an emergent YKMb framework that conceptualises a continuum of approaches to mobilising knowledge about, for, with and by youth. Across these modes of working, several factors influence YKMb in practice, from research paradigm and context as well as specificities regarding which actors are involved and why these different actors want to mobilise knowledge, as well as what roles different actors play in knowledge production and mobilisation. These factors influence the continuum of roles that academic researchers may play in YKMb, from more traditional roles as knowledge translators to engaged roles such as facilitators, advocates and learners. Conceptualising YKMb through continuums of practice offers critical insights to support intersectoral and interdisciplinary teams of academic researchers, partners and young people in research co-creation to better bridge the gap between research and practice
The Negative Factors that Influence the Performance of Ghanaian Construction Projects
Full text linkNumerous factors affect the performance of construction projects. The goal of this paper is twofold: first, to identify and determine the negative factors influencing construction projects, and second, to specify the hypothesised causal relations between the observed and hidden variables using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model. A deductive research approach and a cross-sectional design method were chosen for the study. A literature review was first conducted, and 66 negative variables were identified. The factors were modified and designed into a questionnaire for data collection. The Cronbach alphas of the three components indicate a high degree of internal consistency. The measurement variables adequately measure the negative factor construct. In addition, the fit indices suggest that the postulated model sufficiently describes the dataset. Poor environmental practices (PAS2), inadequate environmental legislative framework to address modern environmental concerns in the delivery of construction projects (PAS1), and non-inclusion of occupational health and safety in contracts (PAS3) were identified as three relevant negative factors impacting project performance. The paper identified poor assessment strategies, weak management systems, and inefficient regulatory systems as the significant latent factors that affect performance. According to the findings, a poor assessment strategy is more consequential. The results of the study suggest that poor assessment strategies, weak management systems, and inefficient regulatory systems can lead to worsening health and safety conditions in the construction industry, as well as environmental violations and poor environmental practices. The government should enact adequate health and safety and environmental and local community protection laws to protect the environment and local communities during construction. Clients must liaise with consultants to incorporate sufficient health and safety clauses into construction contracts and ensure judicious compliance by contractors. To reduce corruption in the construction sector, the government should strengthen its anti-corruption mechanisms
Local government staff perceptions of accountants’ ethical conduct: a case study of Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly, Ghana
No full textThis study examines local government staff perceptions of whether accountants within the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly, Ghana behave ethically. Within Ghana’s decentralised governance system, accountants play a central role in safeguarding public resources, yet little is known about how ethical they are perceived to be by colleagues. Using a qualitative case study design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with staff from eight departments. Thematic analysis, guided by Rest’s four-component model of ethical decision-making, revealed gaps in ethical awareness, inconsistent training, and organisational pressures that undermine ethical conduct. While staff expressed strong intent to act ethically, weak institutional support, political interference and limited enforcement of policies often prevented ethical judgement from translating into action. The study findings underscore the need for continuous, context-specific ethics training and stronger institutional safeguards. The study contributes to the literature by extending Rest’s model to show how organisational culture mediates the translation of ethical intent into practice
Empowering Indigenous Coastal Conservation: Eco-Muamalat as a Model for Sustainable Marine Practices
No full textThe degradation of marine ecosystems and the socioeconomic vulnerability of coastal populations are intensifying due to unsustainable fishing methods and inadequate regulatory frameworks. This study seeks to establish the Eco-Muamalat framework, a comprehensive model that integrates Islamic principles with sasi for marine conservation and community empowerment. Utilizing grounded theory, data were gathered via interview and participant observation of the seaside community of Iha. The results indicate that conservation activities are intricately integrated into religious rites, socio-ecological norms, and ethical economic allocation. The Eco-Muamalat framework offers a contextually relevant and ethically sound paradigm for marine governance that fosters ecological sustainability, justice, and public welfare. This work theoretically enhances Islamic environmental ethics by illustrating how religious values serve as both normative goals and practical governing instruments. The framework provides policymakers with a culturally integrated approach religion-informed, community-driven conservation that is scalable and adaptable to many socio-ecological environments
Win-win approach to subcontracting in building construction: Sri Lankan perspective
No full textSubcontracting has long been studied due to subcontractors’ critical role in construction. However, significant issues persist, especially in developing countries like Sri Lanka, impacting project performance. These issues between main contractors and subcontractors stem from a lack of mitigation methods incorporating relationship management into traditional practices. Furthermore, most prior mitigation strategies are not favorable to both parties. This research aims to develop a “win–win” approach to subcontracting, focusing on relationship and performance management, specifically applicable to building construction. A mixed-method research approach was employed, involving literature review, questionnaire survey, and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings reveal that effectively managing critical factors that influence both subcontracting relationships and subcontractor performance can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. The study identified critical factors affecting the subcontracting relationship as mutual trust, good communication, and a clear understanding of the work scope by the subcontractor, while for subcontractor performance, the critical factors include time and cost management capabilities of the subcontractor, the availability of finance and working capital for both parties, and issues such as material price increase and inflation rate when subcontractors supply materials. The findings emphasize that prioritizing mutual satisfaction throughout the subcontracting process is essential for implementation. Recommendations provided in this study aim to improve these critical factors, offering practical solutions to enhance project efficiency and individual performance. This research provides valuable insights for developing organizational policies or industry guidelines, particularly for the unique challenges being faced in developing countries
Enhancing Profitability and Cost Efficiency in China\u27s Construction Industry: Strategic Analysis and Recommendations
No full textThis paper aims to investigate the profitability status and cost structure of the construction industry in China, as well as to conduct a case study analysis on the profit gap and differences between industries for cost drivers and strategies for taking returns. Using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, Monte Carlo simulation, and cluster analysis, this study draws from national statistics, industry reports, and company financial statements to determine the influence labor costs, material prices, and taxes have on earnings. The study finds that there is a substantial return distribution across sub-sectors: residential construction shows shorter projects lives and higher returns, while the long-term nature of civil engineering (and associated infrastructure) results in lower profitability despite large capital outlays. The biggest headwinds appear to be material and labor costs, while tax burdens compound the issues. While Monte Carlo simulations quantify the uncertainty of profitability, cluster analysis is used to detect the cost–profit structure and offers insights for developing focused efficiency strategies. In addition to operational effectiveness and resilience, some measures are encouraged like lean construction, digitalization (BIM and AI), and prefabrication, advancing public–private partnerships. They are actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders to inform evidence-based cost containment, strategic investment, and sustainable growth in construction
Enhancing Flood Risk Governance in Australia: Challenges, Opportunities, and International Insights
No full textThe substantial damage to homes and infrastructure in Australia rekindles the push for improved governance frameworks and adaptive policy measures. Coordinating efforts across federal, state, and local governments has proven challenging due to policy fragmentation, delayed responses, overlapping roles, and disparities in resource allocation. This study examines the strengths and weaknesses of Australia’s flood risk management (FRM) policies through a qualitative document analysis approach, comparing governance structures with international best practices from countries such as Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. The findings highlight Australia’s strengths in collaborative governance, targeted funding mechanisms, and advanced technical resources such as flood mapping and real-time monitoring systems. However, key weaknesses include governance fragmentation, inconsistent policy implementation, and insufficient support for rural and regional councils. The study proposes a more integrated and adaptive governance framework incorporating cross-jurisdictional coordination, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and sustainable investment strategies. The results contribute to policy discussions on flood risk governance by offering recommendations for strengthening institutional resilience and improving disaster preparedness. By addressing governance inefficiencies and adopting international best practices, Australia can develop a more cohesive and adaptive FRM system to mitigate future flood risks
Exhausted Employees do not leave, Disengaged Employees do: A Case of Indian Construction Industry
No full textThe purpose of this study is to examine the mechanisms that explain how burnout mediates the relationship between job demands and turnover intention. Responses on job demands (workload, WOL, and time pressure, TPR), burnout (exhaustion, EXH and disengagement, DIS) and turnover intention (TOI) were sought employing standard measures. The valid data (N = 199), thus collected, was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The significant mediating effects of TPR, i.e., WOL→TPR→DIS (H02) and WOL→TPR→EXH (H03) indicate that excessive workload on construction projects enhances time pressure, which in turn leads to disengagement and exhaustion. Similarly, the significant mediating effects of EXH, i.e., WOL→EXH→DIS (H04) and TPR→EXH→DIS (H05) testify that workplace demands lead to exhaustion; disengagement sets in later. Further, the significant mediating effects of DIS, i.e., WOL→DIS→TOI (H08), TPR→DIS→TOI (H09), and EXH→DIS→TOI (H10) suggest that in the wake of excessive demands and exhaustion, employees are likely to feel disengaged and eventually consider quitting the organization. With respect to the research implications, this study attempts a multi-theoretic conceptualization following it up with comprehensive mediation analyses. With respect to the practical implications, the study findings call for actionable strategies in the domains of work design, training, and supervisor support
Yellow wattle (Acacia) - Three versions - English, Spanish, Indonesian
No full textIan Campbell’s trilingual poem series explores the Acacia genus, Australia’s national floral emblem, across English, Spanish, and Indonesian. Inspired by Campbell’s family history and A.J. Campbell’s 1921 Golden Wattle – Our National Floral Emblem, the series examines the cultural and ecological significance of Acacia in Australia, Latin America, and Indonesia. Each version reflects linguistic and regional nuances, showcasing how the essence of a shared theme transforms across languages
Floating Cities: Xi Xi, Magritte, and the Insouciance of Allegory
Full text link`Floating Cities: Xi Xi, Magritte, and the Insouciance of Allegory’ examines the ekphrastic relation of text and image in relation to the operations of analogy, the proportions of which have cracked, and allegory as an insouciant genre. Xi Xi’s short-story `Marvels of a Floating City’ is clearly linked to a reflection on Hong Kong’s hand-over from London to Beijing in 1997, but it also passes through that fixed date to ask how such an image-text might operate along different registers as we pass from Aristotle toward Benjamin and Deleuze. As Magritte rightfully insists, painting (like writing) is thinking and ekphrastic allegory opens up not only mourning for the passing of all things, but also an enigmatic joy that such a fractured passaging occurs at all, especially in those marvelous moments when cities are hovering as if suspended between the sea and the sky
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