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Innovation by Local Government for Housing Supply
No full textThis report focuses on the innovative ways in which local government can support housing delivery. Specifically, it addresses how local governments can intervene to improve housing production and supply, while also improving the sustainability and quality of housing within their jurisdictions. To do so, it evaluates Australian and international case studies, supported by a review of relevant academic and grey literature, and provides policy insights for local government interventions for improving housing outcomes.</p
Discrete Choice Experiments: Constructions and Properties
No full textThis thesis explores the construction, optimisation, and evaluation of discrete choice experiments (DCEs), a powerful method for understanding individual decision-making across various fields such as healthcare, marketing, transportation, and policy-making. By closely replicating real-world scenarios, DCEs provide critical insights into preferences, allowing researchers, manufacturers, and policymakers to make informed decisions about the features of products and services based on perceived utility. The purpose of this study is to enhance the efficiency and practicality of DCEs by addressing the gaps in their design and proposing novel methodologies that reduce complexity while maintaining robust statistical properties.
The research is guided by four key questions: (1) evaluate current approaches for constructing efficient DCEs, (2) improve existing designs to enhance efficiency, (3) propose novel construction methods, and (4) compare the performance of new and existing designs under various criteria.
The first research question examines optimal (orthogonal) methods for constructing DCEs. These approaches are assessed for their ability to minimise the number of choice sets while preserving essential design properties such as orthogonality and level balance. A detailed review, as published in Heliyon (Alamri, Georgiou, & Stylianou, 2023), highlights the relative strengths and limitations of these methods, offering a practical reference for researchers. This work provides insights into sample sizes needed for reliable experimentation and identifies techniques that achieve high efficiency under specific experimental conditions.
The second research question focuses on improving D-optimal paired choice designs, particularly for main effects models. This work, published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (Alamri, Georgiou, & Stylianou, 2023), introduces a novel approach to address cases where the number of attributes equals the number of runs, as well as scenarios that involve attributes with varying levels. The proposed designs achieve up to a 37.5% reduction in the number of choice pairs at the cost of a maximum 10% loss in D-efficiency relative to an optimal design. These methodologies are further extended to accommodate higher-level attributes (), showcasing their versatility and practical applicability. Simulation studies confirm the robustness of the proposed designs, emphasising their potential to improve experimental precision while reducing respondent burden. By significantly reducing the complexity of experiments without compromising efficiency, these contributions provide practitioners with robust and scalable solutions.
The third research question explores the development of novel three-level choice designs using the Box-Behnken approach. This methodology is applied to estimate both main effects and partial second-order interactions under the utility-neutral multinomial logit model. The introduction of this design offers a significant reduction in the size of the choice sets required, preserving the precision of the experimental results. These designs address a critical gap in the literature by providing compact yet highly efficient frameworks for multi-level attribute studies. Simulation studies confirm the robustness of the proposed designs, emphasising their potential to improve experimental precision while reducing respondent burden.
This thesis advances the field of discrete choice experiments by proposing innovative methods that address long-standing challenges in design efficiency, scalability, and practicality. The contributions offer a systematic framework for researchers to construct efficient and accessible experiments across a wide range of applications. By integrating theoretical insights with practical solutions, this work establishes a robust foundation for future research, enabling the continued evolution of DCE methodologies to meet the demands of modern experimental research.</p
Offsite Construction in the Australian Low-rise Residential Buildings: Application Levels and Procurement Options
No full textPrefabricated housing has become a booming industry across the world. However, the uptake of offsite construction (OSC) approaches in Australian low-rise residential buildings is rather low compared to high-rise buildings in Australia and other countries. This study aims to investigate and analyse the adoption of different levels of OSC approaches and the selection of different procurement options in Australian low-rise residential buildings. The research objectives were pursued through the explanatory mixed research method. A comprehensive literature review is conducted using journal articles, conference papers, books, industry and technical reports and recognised websites to identify barriers of applying OSC in Australian low-rise residential buildings, different OSC approaches and different procurement options. The study identified 34 OSC barriers from the literature review under the 6 categories of (1) cost, (2) design, quality and process, (3) regulatory, (4) industry and market culture, (5) skills and knowledge, and (6) supply chain and logistics.
An empirical questionnaire survey was carried out with 35 professionals in the Australian building and construction industry to investigate the occurrence and significance of the identified barriers, explore the suitability of different OSC approaches for low-rise residential construction and different procurement options for each OSC approach. The findings of questionnaire survey demonstrated 19 critical barriers to OSC uptake, 5 OSC approaches suitable for low-rise residential construction and 3 main procurement options for each OSC approach. These results were further analysed via semi-structured interviews with 20 interviewees. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to (1) carry out an in-depth discussion about the identified barriers based on the professional opinions, knowledge and experiences, (2) collect stakeholder perceptions on applying different procurement options for each OSC approach and (3) carry out an in-depth discussion on identifying suitable business models based on the identified procurement options. The findings of semi-structured interviews proposed 8 business models under the 3 previously identified procurement options. These 8 business models were further evaluated via an expert review to identify the most applicable and suitable business model for the Australian low-rise residential building industry considering the current technical, economic, social, and regulatory conditions.
The findings of this study revealed that the most suitable OSC level for Australian low-rise buildings is components-based prefabrication. The study also showed that the best option of procuring prefabricated products is from Australian manufacturers, followed by Australian suppliers/dealers and overseas manufacturers. Panelised prefabrication and components-based prefabrication are ranked as the most suitable OSC approaches for Australian manufacturers. Modular prefabrication is regarded as the most suitable for the overseas manufacturer, while components-based prefabrication is the most suitable for Australian suppliers/dealers. Nevertheless, from the expert review, it was identified that local manufacturing is unrealistic due to the high cost and lack of resources; therefore, supplier/ dealer models are the most suitable procurement option. Dealer model D3 was identified as the most suitable business arrangement for Australian low-rise residential building sector. The selection of various OSC approaches and different procurement options in the low-rise residential buildings are scarcely explored topic. The outcome of this research proposes most applicable and practical way of adopting OSC methods in Australian low-rise residential construction sector.</p
Sustainable energy experiments and demonstrations: Reviewing research, market and societal trends
No full textResearch into the impact of innovative sustainable energy experiments and demonstrations is crucial to diversifying, scaling up, and accelerating the sustainable energy transition. Although there is vast research into sustainable energy experiments and demonstrations, research literature offers a fragmented collection of findings. A coherent overview of themes and insights regarding the transformative impact of innovative sustainable energy experiments and demonstrations on sustainable energy systems from the past, present, and near future is lacking and necessary to increase experiments and demonstrations' impact on the sustainable energy transition. The research in this study fills this knowledge gap by providing such an overview and yields novel insights into the organized function and impact of experiments and demonstrations. It spans a broad spectrum of sustainable energy technologies, the empirical domains where these are invented, developed and applied, and the stakeholders involved. The overview is the outcome of a Delphi study in which the insights of 47 international scientific research experts in sustainable energy experiments and demonstrations are bundled and explained. This study presents a thematic overview of the significant insights regarding past and current sustainable energy experiments and demonstrations and outlines a research agenda for the future. Policymakers, practitioners, and scientists can leverage this to inform their sustainable energy policies, business strategies, and research programs.</p
How the Tourism Industry Can Help Resolve Mongolia’s Environmental Problems
No full textIn this paper, we use a theoretical model to show that the development of the tourism industry is very likely to significantly reduce environmental problems in Mongolia. Among other issues, Mongolia suffers from an excessively large livestock population, which causes considerable environmental damage. In particular, the excessive livestock population leads to the desertification of the Mongolian steppe, and the emissions of methane and nitrogen dioxide caused by the livestock contribute significantly to Mongolia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Our approach essentially relies on creating jobs in the growing tourism industry for those employed in agriculture, using appropriate economic tools. The consequences of such a change include decreasing environmental damages. Particularly, we analyze three policy measures, environmental taxes, lump-sum contributions of hotels to finance advertising, and a tax on profits, to finance advertising expenditures. To support our theoretical results, we show, using available data that it is very plausible to conclude that the GHG emissions caused by additional tourism are far less than the GHG emissions likely to be saved by our economic policy recommendations. This paper shall help economists and interested policymakers to understand how the development of tourism can reduce environmental damages.</p
Transforming higher education libraries with data analytics, business intelligence, and business analytics: A review
No full textThis pioneering literature review represents a seminal moment in the field, providing the first exhaustive and systematic exploration of the contemporary conceptualisations of data analytics (DA), business analytics (BA), and business intelligence (BI), thereby laying the foundation for a deeper understanding of these complex and interconnected phenomena. By providing a thorough and authoritative overview of these concepts, this review empowers library professionals with a lucid understanding of the data analytics phenomenon, enabling them to navigate this complex landscape with confidence and clarity. Despite the growing importance of data-driven decision-making in university libraries, research on data analytics in this context is scarce. By investigating these aspects, this review provides comprehensive insights for library professionals to effectively navigate the trend and inform data-driven decision-making in academic librarianship. A systematic search of databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify relevant literature. This review reveals a significant knowledge gap in understanding the specific obstacles that hinder the effective application of data analytics in transforming decision-making processes. Moreover, this review reveals a notable absence of comprehensive guidance on leveraging analytics for informed decision-making, highlighting the need for in-depth recommendations to support successful implementation. This review contributes to the existing literature by identifying gaps in current research and provides a foundation for further investigation into analytics adoption in Australian university libraries. This literature review meaningfully extends the current body of knowledge on the subject by shedding light on a previously unaddressed gap, thereby paving the way for future research and exploration.</p
A Review of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Literature and Policy Relating to P-12 Education Facilities
No full textThe Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) recognise the importance of environental issues and their potential impact on the Department's operations, infrastructure and educational facilities. This report undertakes a literature review that explores national and international standards and design guidelines on thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation for P-12 educational facilities and examines the relationship between educational outcomes for the P-12 group and thermal environment and IAQ
Sustainable fashion: Insights into Australian millennials’ purchasing decisions
No full textThis empirical study investigates the factors influencing Australian millennial consumers’ attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors towards sustainable apparel. The study deploys a qualitative research method exploring millennials traits such as purchasing habits, social and sustainable knowledge, and perception of labels within the Australian context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 Australian millennial participants. Key factors identified include product likeability, price, sustainable preferences, sustainability knowledge, and trust in the brand. The findings reveal that while millennials prioritize fashion and comfort, a significant sub-group is motivated by ethical concerns and sustainability knowledge. However, the study also highlights the pervasive skepticism towards brand claims, driven by fears of greenwashing, and the critical role of education in fostering sustainable practices. Despite a growing awareness of environmental and social impacts, practical considerations such as price and quality often dominate purchasing decisions. The study underscores the importance of transparency and detailed communication from brands, as well as the need for government initiatives to educate consumers and regulate sustainability claims. These insights are crucial for developing effective marketing strategies and fostering a genuine commitment to sustainability in the fashion industry.</p
How Urbanization Drives Socio-Spatial Conflicts in Coastal Land Reclamation
No full textIn many cities, coastal land reclamation (CLR) is viewed as essential due to the impacts of urbanisation and to address the challenges of land scarcity. However, these approaches often involve complex environmental concerns, technological challenges, and community conflict. This study aims to explore socio-spatial conflicts that occur across different levels of cities in Indonesia, considering their unique characteristics and differences in geography, population (homogeneous, mesogeneous, and heterogeneous), and city status (megapolitan and metropolitan). This research focuses on three cities in Indonesia that have proposed CLR solutions to urbanisation: Jakarta, Makassar, and Denpasar. Data were gathered through observations and a desktop literature review. These data were then qualitatively analyzed using the directed content analysis method with ATLAS.Ti software. The study underscores that political interests significantly influence discussions on land reclamation in heterogeneous cities. In contrast, mesogeneous cities are driven by economic and legal factors, while traditional customs and practices dominate homogeneous areas. Comprehending the issues surrounding reclamation will inform the priorities of government policies based on the area's context.</p