Thesis and Research Data Repository Leeds Beckett University
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“Girls Capitalism”: Dissecting Consumerism and Fan Culture in K-Pop
No full textThe origins of modern K-pop, like many double-edged and superficial pop phenomena, began with the arrival of Western culture. After gaining independence from Japan in 1945, South Korean popular music steadily became influenced by American genres like Jazz, Blues and Rock & Roll, as U.S. troops remained in the country. Radio stations were set up and music auditions were held for Koreans to perform at U.S. army clubs, which enabled the country’s economy to blossom after its impoverished, post-war condition, and which lead to an import of American pop culture (Kim, 2011). Fast forward to the 1990s, where the world of Rap and Hip-Hop opened up to the youth of South Korea, and shortly after, entertainment companies began incorporating the ‘idol’ business model into their musical groups, an idea pinched from Japanese pop culture (Shim, 2006), consequently developing what we now know as K-pop idols.</p
The impact of cognitive bias on project success
No full textThe construction industry is a dynamic environment characterised by uncertainties and complexities. This challenging nature of construction projects makes project managers' decision processes susceptible to cognitive biases that adversely impact project success. The devastating impact of failed construction projects has massive financial implications for project stakeholders and the UK economy. Hence, this study investigates the effects of cognitive bias on the decision-making processes in construction projects in the United Kingdom. The research adopted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative surveys and focus group discussions to explore the prevalence of cognitive biases among project managers and how these biases impact project outcomes sub-optimally. The study focused on optimism bias, availability error and loss aversion as the predominant biases in construction projects. The quantitative findings identified the latent factors for the emergence of cognitive bias as project management practices, team dynamics, professional regression, and external influences. These factors significantly influence decision-making across the different construction project phases. Remarkably, the study identified similar parallel levels of biases within the three decision-making phases examined; the initiation and planning phases exhibit comparable levels of bias as the execution and closing phases. In addition, the study identifies a high perceived effectiveness and usage of debiasing techniques among project managers. The qualitative insights support the quantitative findings, highlighting the widespread recognition of cognitive biases and the unanimous endorsement of debiasing strategies within the construction industry. The study developed a cognitive debiasing protocol to mitigate biases and enhance rational decision-making in construction projects. The practical implications for the research findings are that project managers can understand the underlying factors for the emergence of cognitive bias and adopt proactive measures for the challenges presented by cognitive bias at the different project phases. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and industry-specific debiasing strategies. The study provides a foundation for future research to explore individual differences and cross-cultural influences in bias mitigation and the integration of artificial intelligence in mitigating cognitive biases within construction projects.</p
Psychosocial Factors Influencing Injury Risk in Competitive Athletes: A Systematic Review
No full textSport injury prevalence ranges from 20-30 million per year within the UK and US impeding sports participation greatly. As well as the personal detriment for the players, this also results in significant financial cost., For example, sports injuries cost the English Premier League approximately 45 million per year between 2012/13 and 2016/17, and for European clubs an average of 500,000 euros per month which suggests a comprehensive understanding is important from both a health, and financial perspective. Electronic database searching, forward and backward citation searching and bibliography searching was completed on 08/03/23. Studies that included competitive athletes and psychosocial risk factors influencing injury risk were included. 52 studies evaluated 10,994 athletes, 13 coaches and 5 physiotherapists. Three core themes were identified, namely: Injury-related Cognitions such as Athletic Identity; Injury-related Emotions such as stress and anxiety and Injury-related Behaviours such as autonomy support. Psychosocial stress is the most widely reported risk factor for sports injuries, and in agreement with The Model of Stress and Athletic injury research commonly suggests that effective coping strategies can help to reduce this risk.</p
Enhancing the Electronic Service Quality Model by Incorporating Digital Touchpoints: a Comparative Study of Two Telecom Companies in Ghana
No full textService quality (SQ) and customer experience (CX) have become critical indicators of the success of a business in today’s competitive environment. The rapid advancement of technology has fundamentally transformed customer interactions, particularly within the telecommunications sector. Service quality impacts customer experience, especially in digital service interactions and service delivery. High-quality service in digital environments leads to positive customer perceptions, satisfaction and loyalty and is the foundation of a good customer experience in digital touchpoints. The more seamless, reliable, efficient, and personalised the service, the better the customer experience
Purpose - This research examines the impact of digital touchpoints on electronic service quality (ESQ) and customer experience (CX) within Ghana's telecommunications sector. With service quality and digital interactions becoming critical determinants of customer satisfaction and loyalty, the study explores the limitations of the traditional SERVQUAL model in capturing the nuances of digital service encounters. The aim is to enhance the SERVQUAL model by integrating digital touchpoints and digital-specific constructs, such as trust and perceived value, which reflect the realities of modern service delivery.
The objectives of this research are threefold: (1) to examine the effectiveness of digital touchpoints such as websites, mobile applications, and social media in delivering quality service experiences; (2) to assess customer and provider perspectives on digital service delivery using SERVQUAL dimensions refined for digital contexts; and (3) to compare the service offerings and performance of the two leading telecom providers, MTN Ghana and Vodafone Ghana, in managing digital customer interactions.
Methodology - A mixed-methods research strategy underpins this study, guided by a pragmatic paradigm. Qualitative data were collected through six semi-structured interviews, three from each company, comprising CX experts and digital service staff. Quantitative data were obtained from 400 customer responses to an online survey distributed across the two companies. NVivo was used for thematic analysis of qualitative data, while Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS was applied to test the measurement and structural models from the quantitative data.
Findings - The findings reveal that digital touchpoints significantly influence customer perceptions of service quality, particularly in areas such as responsiveness, reliability, personalisation, and ease of use. Trust and perceived value also emerged as strong predictors of customer satisfaction and loyalty in digital environments. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for an integrated omnichannel strategy that blends traditional and digital service quality dimensions to optimise the overall customer journey.
Originality - This research not only refines the SERVQUAL model for digital applications but also provides practical recommendations for MTN and Vodafone Ghana. It contributes to the empirical literature on ESQ, digital touchpoints, and omnichannel customer experience, offering strategic insights into how telecom providers can enhance service quality, customer engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.</p
Exploring the Mediating Role of Green Spaces in Mitigating the Negative Effects of Air Pollution on Residents' Happiness
No full textThis study investigates the mediating role of green spaces in mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution on residents’ happiness in Delhi, a rapidly urbanizing and industrializing megacity facing severe environmental challenges. Employing a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale, data were collected from 160 residents across neighborhoods with varying levels of air pollution and green space availability. The survey measured perceptions of air quality, access to and use of green spaces, subjective happiness, and demographic factors. Reliability analysis confirmed strong internal consistency across the survey constructs. Using structural equation modeling, the study found that green space access and utilization significantly mediate the relationship between perceived air pollution and subjective happiness. Specifically, while perceived air pollution negatively influences happiness, this effect is largely offset when residents have greater access to and make frequent use of green spaces. The findings highlight the crucial role of urban green spaces in supporting well-being and life satisfaction, even in environments with high pollution levels. These results provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers, emphasizing the need to prioritize the development and maintenance of accessible, high-quality green spaces as a strategy to enhance the quality of life in polluted urban settings like New Delhi.</p
Sustainable Infrastructure Development: The Critical Role of Contract Auditing in Government-Funded Construction
No full textGovernment-funded construction projects in Nigeria are frequently undermined by cost overruns, delivery delays, and substandard outcomes, which hinder effective infrastructure governance. This study evaluates the perceived impacts of the non-adoption of contract auditing on such failures, with a specific focus on project governance, transparency, and institutional accountability. Sustainable infrastructure here refers to long-term public value, institutional trust, and economic efficiency beyond environmental indicators. While governance challenges have been broadly discussed in literature, the empirical implications of auditing gaps in construction remain underexplored, particularly in the Nigerian context. Focusing on Abuja, the federal capital territory, this study uses a post-positivist survey approach involving 304 construction professionals. Perceptions were analysed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) to identify and rank governance-related inefficiencies. The study reveals that perceived consequences include unmitigated contract violations (RII = 0.79), financial exposure, unemployment, and diminished public trust (RII = 0.41). Findings underscore that contract auditing, though not a panacea, is regarded as a vital governance tool for mitigating project risks, enhancing accountability, and supporting sustainable infrastructure delivery. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for institutionalising auditing practices in Nigeria’s public procurement systems.</p
Strategies for contractor's capacity building in sustainable construction: An Important- performance Map Analysis
No full textCapacity building is a crucial component of sustainable development, enabling organisations and governments to implement effective sustainability strategies. However, challenges hinder the adoption of strategies for effective sustainable construction practices. The study aims to assess the relative importance and effectiveness of various capacity-building strategies in sustainable development. A quantitative approach was employed using survey data from sustainability professionals. Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) was used to assess the significance and effectiveness of the capacity-building strategies. The results indicate that regulatory and certification influence is the most critical factor, followed by leadership commitment, financial and policy support, and knowledge and training programs. While financial support is essential, its performance impact is relatively lower, highlighting a gap in implementation. Leadership commitment plays a decisive role in driving sustainable initiatives, emphasising the need for strong governance. This study provides empirical evidence on capacity-building strategies using IPMA, offering a data-driven perspective on sustainability enhancement. The findings suggest that strengthening regulatory frameworks and leadership development should be prioritised. Aligning financial policies with practical implementation and investing in targeted training programs can further improve sustainability efforts. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers and organisations aiming to enhance sustainable development initiatives.</p
ADOPTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND MACHINE LEARNING (ML) IN PREDICTING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OUTCOMES
No full textProblems with the mismanagement of resources, shortage of workers, productivity limitations, and frequent overruns relative to schedule and cost plague the construction industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are emerging technologies that can forecast and optimize project outcomes thus offering enormous benefits to owners, contractors, and project managers. Construction firms are acknowledging the potential of AI and ML to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve project outcomes. This paper analyses the adoption of AI and ML in the Nigerian construction industry for the prediction and improvement of project outcomes. It also discusses important issues, possible solutions, and the revolutionary potential of these technologies to boost project management and productivity. A comprehensive literature analysis was conducted to determine the applicability of AI and ML in the construction sector. A survey of professionals in the built environment revealed that integrating AI and ML into building processes presents several obstacles to broad adoption, such as a lack of technical know-how, expensive upfront costs, and restricted data availability and quality. integration complexity, algorithmic bias, building sites' unpredictability, and legal and regulatory obstacles. The study offers specific solutions, such as enhancing data integration skills, creating industry-wide training initiatives to increase AI/ML proficiency, creating standardized data formats and processes to expedite AI integration, and encouraging cooperation amongst technology suppliers. The results show how AI and ML have the potential to completely transform the construction industry, but addressing these issues should be approached with coordination among different stakeholders. Adoption at a fast rate will facilitate tremendous gains not only in terms of productivity and sustainability but also in project outcomes.</p
Financial Capacity Needs of Built Professionals in Delivering Environmentally Sustainable Buildings (ESBs) in Ghana
No full textThis study addresses critical financial barriers hindering the adoption of Environmentally Sustainable Buildings (ESBs) in Ghana's construction sector. While technical aspects of sustainable construction have been extensively studied, financial capacity gaps among built environment professionals remain a significant but under-researched obstacle. Through a quantitative investigation of 100 construction professionals across Ghana's primary construction hubs (Greater Accra and Ashanti regions), we identify key financial capacity needs using factor analysis (KMO=0.842) and descriptive statistics. Our findings reveal that 72.28% of financial capacity variance stems from four dimensions: (1) State support mechanisms (43.94% variance), particularly government funding (loading=0.857) and tax incentives (0.742); (2) Industry financing solutions (11.63%) including green loans (0.811); (3) Organizational financial capabilities (9.06%); and (4) Market-based instruments (7.65%). Notably, 78% of professionals cited limited access to green financing as the primary constraint, while 85% emphasized needing specialized training in sustainable project economics. The study makes three key contributions: empirical evidence of financial capacity gaps at multiple levels (state, industry, organizational), a validated framework for developing targeted financial interventions, including policy recommendations for national green financing programs, and practical strategies for construction firms to enhance the financial management of ESB projects. These findings have immediate implications for policymakers developing Ghana's green building incentives, financial institutions designing construction-sector products, and professional associations planning capacity-building initiatives. The research also provides transferable insights for other developing nations facing similar sustainable construction financing challenges. By addressing these financial capacity needs, Ghana can accelerate its transition to environmentally sustainable construction practices while maintaining economic growth.</p
Shining a Light on Productivity: How Internal and External Factors Shape Performance
No full textProductivity is a key factor in both business success and employee well-being, making it crucial to understand when designing effective work environments. The ability to evaluate and prioritise the right factors is key to creating spaces that enhance focus, efficiency, and overall job satisfaction.This research paper explores the influence of external environmental factors, such as natural light, glare and sustainability. In comparison to internal comfort factors, such as temperature, money and social interaction on workplace productivity. It examines the effectiveness of these elements in enhancing perceptive work performance and addresses existing research gaps in the field. Additionally, the study considers the role of natural light in sustainable design, analysing its interaction with temperature regulation, solar gain, and the integration of smart technologies. The research is particularly focused on desk-based work environments, architectural settings, and university students, investigating the differences in productivity between office and home-based workspaces.A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is used with long and short form questions conducted mostly within the architecture and design sector. This approach will assess how exposure to natural light affects employee productivity compared to other factors and whether individual preferences aligns with research literature. Megan R. Nollman (2013), highlights the impact of light manipulation on indoor environmental quality. There remains a gap in understanding how these factors interact with other workplace elements, such as temperature and social dynamics, to influence overall performance.The objective of this study is to determine the key influential factors in perceived productivity and whether personal opinions align with data on light manipulation and thermal comfort. While adopting a pragmatic research approach, real-world applications of these findings will be analysed, alongside post-positivist insights, acknowledging the variability of individual experiences. The study also evaluates the trade-offs between maximising natural light for well-being and managing energy efficiency in workplace design.This research is significant for shaping future workplace environments by identifying the most valuable comfort factors for employees and informing sustainable building practices. The findings aim to guide policy decisions in office and home workspace design, ensuring optimal productivity while maintaining environmental responsibility.</p