Thesis and Research Data Repository Leeds Beckett University
Not a member yet
631 research outputs found
Sort by
Health, Safety and Well-being Issues in Construction
No full textConstruction occurs in the elements, is physically demanding, entails exposure to a range of hazards, and entails long working hours and working more than five days a week. These characteristics result in disease, illnesses, injuries, fatalities, and the experience of stress, which in turn result in absenteeism. Furthermore, mental health has been identified as the leading health and safety (H&S) issue in construction. The objectives of the study were to determine the: extent to which H&S hazards are experienced; extent to which diseases / illnesses / injuries are experienced; causes of stress, and causes of absenteeism. A quantitative study was conducted among civil engineers, site supervisors, and construction health and safety officers (CHSOs) using a self-administered questionnaire. The salient findings include: dusts, noise, and cement / plaster / screeds predominate in terms of the exposure of workers to occupational health (OH) hazards; headaches, pain and numbness in the wrist, and neck and back injuries predominate in terms of diseases / illnesses / injuries workers experience; unsatisfactory working conditions, demanding construction activities / tasks, poor remuneration, hazardous work, unhealthy and unsafe sites, long working hours, and poor career opportunities predominate in terms of factors contributing to workers experiencing stress; alcoholism, injuries (work related), and ill health predominate in terms of factors contributing to workers being absent, and manual handling, moving objects, and tripping predominate in terms of hazards workers are exposed to. Conclusions include: workers are exposed to a wide range of H&S hazards; experience stress and are absent due to a range of work-related and socio-economic factors, and experience a range of diseases / illnesses /injuries. Recommendations include: hazard identification and risk assessment should be enhanced; occupational health interventions such as training, and surveillance should be enhanced; working conditions and working hours should be interrogated, and health and well-being programmes should be implemented.</p
Reducing Polar Ambient Temperatures by Implementing Orbital Solar Shielding
No full textThe aim of this study is to develop an engineering method to reduce the amount of solar radiation received at the poles, hence providing a mechanism to slow the rate of warming. There is an unprecedented continual rise in global sea-levels attributed to human-caused global warming (NASA 2021). The rise is caused by both melting ice-sheets and glaciers, and the sea?water expansion as it warms up. Polar icecaps are melting around 13% per decade. At this rate, the Arctic will be ice-free by 2040 (Worldwildlife 2022) and a minimum of 410 million people will be affected by sea-level flooding by 2100 (Hooijer et al. 2021). Potential methods of reducing sea-level rise have been proposed including placing in space a massive shield of 2,000 km span costing around $10 trillion to manufacture (Early 1989). In contrast, this research proposes a sustainable method of orbital solar radiation management, utilising cost-effective small “nanosatellites” and solar sailing techniques. The aim is to produce a network in polar orbit of solar powered satellites, each containing a reflective solar shield/sail. The satellite swarm would have the appearance of a large shield of which each satellite is one pixel in the whole system. Such a network is easier and more cost effective to launch, moderate, control and maintain. It can be extended by adding satellites when costs permit; it operates even if there is a faulty satellite (which can be replaced); and each small sail is individually angled to moderate the Solar radiation shielding and its re-direction. Calculations are presented of local Polar surface temperature affected by varying altitude, orientation and light scattering efficiency. The performance of a shield deployment method is tested to indicate the key challenges and advantages of the design. Future developments such as storing solar energy or power beaming are identified.</p
Barriers to the Implementation of Work-Based Learning into Learning Engineering Programmes: A Review
No full textOver the years, the average age of the workforce in the engineering sector of the economy has been increasing. Literature indicates that low labour productivity and skills shortage could be attributed to the ageing workforce situation. Work-based learning programmes are designed to provide young people with the skills and knowledge required for industry job roles. However, there are barriers to the smooth implementation of work-based learning programmes in the engineering sector. Thus, the current study explored the findings in relevant studies through a systematic review to summarize the barriers to the implementation of work-based learning in engineering programmes. The study showed that finance is the most predominant barrier to the implementation of work-based learning. Case study is the most common research method used in previous studies on this topic. By synthesizing existing knowledge, this review provides insights into the barriers to the implementation of work-based learning. The study contributes to knowledge in various ways. First, it provides a comprehensive insight into the barriers to the implementation of work-based learning in engineering programmes. Second, it highlights trends and gaps in the current knowledge on barriers to the administration of work-based learning programmes. The information presented in the study could be used to develop strategies and policies for improving the process of running work-based learning for engineering programmes.</p
An exploration of situated cognition in sport coaching using three contrasting methodological approaches
No full textSport coaching has been described as a dynamic, complex and at times, messy, activity that occurs in specific social contexts (Abraham & Collins, 1998; Bowes & Jones, 2006; Cushion, 2007; Jones & Wallace, 2005; Lyle, 2018). Existing research that explores coaching cognitions is, to date, limited in capturing, acknowledging and making sense of the rich socio-cultural backdrop in which coaches mentally operate and practice. The aim of this research is to explore situated coaching cognitions, notably the how (style) and what (content) of coaches’ thinking, whilst explicitly capturing the environmental constraints and affordances of the layered contextual environment in which coaching is situated.
As part of a complex research design, three contrasting methodological approaches have been used. These gradually progress towards an embedded and highly-contextualised research setting. The research adopts the situated cognition paradigm and consists of three self-contained but connected studies that describe, conceptually refine, and situate cognitions within a rich coaching context. In study 1, a modified Applied Cognitive Task Analysis, along with stimulated recall, was used to reveal coaching tasks and a framework of higher psychological functions (types of thinking in which specific cognitions can be grouped). In study 2, coaching cognitions in a micro-management setting were examined using Think Aloud Protocol. It found that coaches engage strategies to overcome difficulties caused by their environment. However, the findings suggest that as coaching becomes more time-dependent, the influence and strength of wider contextual factors diminishes and therefore, coaches are unable to contextualise and reason whilst practising in complex environmental conditions. Study 3 engaged with the findings from the previous studies and drew upon the ERE model (North, 2017) to inform an ethnographic approach, which identified and examined situated cognitions in a researcher-embedded setting. As part of this study, the socio-cultural layers and stakeholder goals were explicitly captured in order to offer a refined and more sophisticated perspective of situated cognitions.
The findings reveal that cognition is highly dependent upon, and influenced by, practical constraints and the social context in which it manifests. Themes such as goals, stakeholders and history help academics and coaches to understand better the challenging and intricately-balanced setting in which coaches mentally operate and practice. Consequently, this body of work recommends that future in situ research should explicitly consider the broader context, domain, and coaching purpose as ‘cornerstones’ upon which to explore cognitions.</p
Neoliberal and Postfeminist Intensification of Gynaeoptic Surveillance on Beauty Standards and the Gendered Female Gaze
No full textThis contribution explores how neoliberal and postfeminist values have caused surveillance to intensify into a gendered female gaze where women watch other women and face pressure to compete with themselves and one another to achieve societal beauty standards. Due to advances in technology and the wider use of social media sites, women are constantly exposed to one another meaning the competition to reach beauty ideals is ever-growing. Gill (2007: 163) argues that postfeminist and neoliberal values can be seen to interchange as ‘an autonomous, calculating, self-regulating subject of neoliberalism bears a strong resemblance to the active, freely choosing, self-reinventing subject of postfeminism’. Against this context, this critical reflection will also examine the negative consequences of the constant surveillance and expectations for women to strive to become better versions of themselves by drawing on Walker et al. (2019) that it often leads to issues surrounding body image, body dysmorphia and cosmetic surgery, thus leaving us to question how much free choice women really have in modern society.</p
SHEIN: The Perfectionists of Manipulation and Exploitation
No full textThe fast fashion industry possesses a complex structure, and SHEIN in particular, adopts both Fordist and Post-Fordist methods of production and marketing. This overlap creates a complex issue concerning power, surveillance, and control. This contribution hopes to reveal these issues and express the consequences for customers and workers in a contemporary information society.</p
Reducing Paper Waste within the Construction Industry using the Internet of Things
No full textSustainable construction is pushing for the reduction of waste throughout the industry. One such waste is paper use, with the construction industry remaining largely manual and paper-based, despite the advancement of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things. This research aimed to investigate paper use within the construction industry and how the Internet of Things can be applied to reduce that usage. The literature review showed the construction sector lagged behind other sectors, such as healthcare, when it came to reducing paper use through the Internet of Things, costing construction companies annually in printing and managing paperwork. This research used a mixed-method approach, relying on a short survey of over 30 management professionals, and interviews with six people in high-level management positions in the province of Munster, Republic of Ireland. Results confirmed the overuse of paper on all sites that survey and interview respondents worked on, with 56% of survey respondents preferring hard copies of construction documentation over digital copies. Approximately, 57% of survey respondents had strategies in place (e.g., print policies, paperless meetings) to reduce that usage, with only 34% of all respondents believing those strategies were effective. All of those interviewed believed the use of quick response codes as part of an overall management strategy involving the Internet of Things can effectively reduce paper use on site. This is because quick response codes are easy to generate, can be linked to digital files and easily used to modify those files. Future research should focus on investigating the effect of each of these technologies and management strategies on paper use in construction.</p
Identifying the Challenges and Barriers Associated with the Adoption of Energy Efficient Innovative Technology in Warehousing Facilities in South Africa
No full textThis research aims to identify the Challenges and Barriers Associated with the Adoption of Energy Efficient Innovative Technology in Warehousing Facilities in South Africa. Pandemic had a significant impact on the rapid increase in e-commerce activities which led to the need for many companies in South Africa to develop larger and more sophisticated warehousing facilities. However, due to the current condition of South Africa’s energy supply, the warehousing industry faces many challenges as regular load-shedding interrupts operations. Furthermore, energy?efficient innovative technologies used to reduce energy consumption in warehousing facilities is not widely adopted in South Africa. It was discovered that energy costs contribute a high amount to warehouses operating budgets; therefore, the need for energy efficiencies in warehouses is essential. Certain technologies are readily available to be incorporated into South African warehouses to address the reduction of energy consumption. However, when implementing such innovative technologies, many challenges and barriers will be faced. This research attempted to identify the challenges and barriers through a constructivist paradigm. The research was conducted using interviews with professionals in the industry who had vast knowledge and experience in the warehousing industry. The data collection took the form of semi-structured interviews, where a qualitative data approach was adopted. Nvivo was used to generate underlying emerging themes. It was found that only a select few energy-efficient innovative technologies are adopted in South African warehouses and that implementing energy-efficient innovative technologies provided numerous advantages and disadvantages. Most importantly, the findings revealed a significant number of challenges and barriers to the implementation of such technologies.</p
Exploring Architectural Drivers, Barriers and Solutions for Urban Agriculture and Planting Interventions in the Interior Environment: a New Zealand case study
No full textThis paper explores the integration of indoor green walls as a union of the built and natural which offers potential for improvements in urban food supply, air purification and contributions to occupant health. The aim is to identify areas which show potential of greatest contribution through further development. This paper considers the possibilities to transform urban building typologies and encourage resilience and shifts in how occupants inhabit urban spaces when combined with nature. Existing research indicates that the benefits from plants in the interiors could be extensive and research in this area is still developing. It is known that most indoor plants lead to an improved indoor air quality, which is especially relevant at the time of increased reliance on artificial ventilation which unavoidably requires ongoing operational energy consumption and often is built using materials high in embodied energy. This research discusses a range of possible innovative approaches using contemporary technologies, and focusing on the context of one local market, which is not especially large nor central globally: New Zealand. Rethinking the urban environment for a future of reduced carbon emissions and improved food sovereignty should include an active consideration of the beneficial role interiors and indoor environments can play. For urban buildings, improvements to housing through indoor urban agriculture interventions creates autonomy and security for a resilient future of the built environment.</p
An Investigation and Evaluation of Pre-employment Discriminatory Practices in Lagos State Private Sector
No full textThis study adopts a pragmatic and socio-legal perspective in ascertaining and analysing the occurrence of discrimination in recruitment and selection practices in the Lagos State private sector, primarily from the perspectives of job seekers. It explores whether job seekers in Lagos State find the primary recruitment and selection methods, job advertisements, and job interviews discriminatory during their job application processes. Fundamental to this investigation is identifying the different discriminatory requirements present in job advertisements and job interviews that negatively impact and limit job seekers' employment opportunities.
The study augments and builds on existing limited empirically informed research on Human Resources Management issues in Nigeria and explores how recruitments and selections are being practised in Lagos State. This thesis also investigates how culture plays a significant factor in influencing discrimination and what specific discriminatory requirements in job advertisements and job interviews are formed and shaped by the culture in Nigeria.
Alongside this, a central focus is the recognition and exploration of section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended 2011), which is the apex law prohibiting discrimination in Nigeria. It evaluates the various challenges of section 42 and assesses the section's effectiveness in protecting job seekers from discrimination when exercising their right to seek adequate employment.
The study concludes that for as long as discrimination takes precedence over merit and remains the basis for employment in Lagos State, competitive advantage, a fundamental objective of why organisations are established, will continue to elude the private sector. Taking account of this context, this thesis makes recommendations to mitigate the occurrence of discrimination in pre-employment practices in the private sector of Lagos State, Nigeria.</p