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Analysis framework for the interactions between building information modelling (BIM) and lean construction on construction mega-projects
No full textPurpose: - The construction industry encounters substantial challenges in its evolution towards sustainable development and to the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology and Lean Construction (LC) practices on construction mega-projects. This research aims to present critical challenges and to investigate the interactions of BIM and LC on construction mega-projects encountered by key stakeholders in their efforts to integrate BIM and LC.Design/Methodology/Approach: - A qualitative research approach is adopted to introduce and validate LC principles and BIM functionalities resulting from a detailed analysis of extant literature, followed by a conceptual analysis of the interactions between BIM and LC on construction mega-projects. A quantitative questionnaire survey is then utilised. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests are used for data analysis; analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests elaborate and validate results.Findings: - The research yielded ten BIM functionalities and ten LC principles, that are categorised in four principles areas and four BIM functionality groups. A research framework for analysis of the interaction between BIM and LC is then compiled.Originality/value: - Research findings and the proposed framework will enhance the adoption of BIM and LC practices on construction mega-projects and allow project key stakeholders to place emphasis on tackling crucial challenges and barriers identified in this research. The framework will guide and stimulate research; and as such, the approach adopted up to this point is constructive. The identified interactions between BIM and LC on construction mega-projects show positive synergies between the two
Light at the end of the bottle: flourishing in people recovering from alcohol problems
No full textBackground: The field of positive psychology is fast growing and ultimately aims to increase flourishing.As yet, these concepts have had very limited impact in the field of alcohol dependence. The aim of this study is to compare flourishing levels in people recovering from alcohol problems with two comparison groups.Methods: An online survey was conducted with people recovering from alcohol problems (n = 107), a community sample of gym attenders (n = 185) and people with mental health problems (n = 130). They completed the PERMA Scale, as well as answering questions about their drinking.Results: People recovering from alcohol problems scored significantly better than the mentally ill sample on every aspect of the PERMA Scale. In contrast, they scored significantly worse on every subscale in comparison with the community gym attenders’ group. Responses to open-ended questions highlighted the costs of alcohol problems, especially in terms of losses experienced through drinking, along with an unhealthy tendency to focus on the past.Conclusions: The abstinence model may reinforce a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness in those battling alcohol problems and may inhibit flourishing. There is a need to develop positive psychology interventions that may help individuals recovering from alcohol problems to flourish
Addiction recovery stories: Jerome Carson in conversation with Lisa Ogilvie
No full textPurpose.The purpose of this paper is to explore the accomplishments of those who realise addiction recovery. It is the first in a series of recovery stories, where candid accounts of addiction and recovery are examined. In doing so, shared components of recovery are considered, along with the change and growth necessary to facilitate it.Study design/methodology.The CHIME framework comprises five elements important to recovery (Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment). It provides a standard to qualitatively study mental health recovery, having also been applied to addiction recovery. In this paper an additional element for Growth has been introduced to the model (G-CHIME), to consider both recovery, and sustained recovery. A first-hand account of addiction recovery is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. This is structured on the G-CHIME model.Findings.This paper shows that successful and sustained recovery from alcohol addiction can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. Each element was well represented in the described process of reaching recovery
Investigation of the torsional deformation of the complete upper denture: A pilot study
No full textThe aim of this research is to clarify whether the midline axis of the complete upper denture (CUD) is the axis of its torsion during loading, apart from the known bending deflection. Furthermore the present study is intended to estimate the influence of the anterior notches on the torsional deformation of the CUD. Using commercial edentulous molds and standardized procedures, six identical CUDs were fabricated with an initial fraenal notch of 5 mm. Two additional notch conditions were produced by deepening the notch to a total depth of 9 mm and by creating an incisal diastema of 7 mm. Five biaxial (also known as “fish bone”) strain gauges were cemented onto the palatal section of the dentures so that their middle axis coincided with the midline axis of the outer surface of the denture. For the denture specimen used in this study, the specific point of torsion was detected 2 cm from the point of contact of the two artificial central incisors. The presence of a deep fraenal notch and the combination of the deep fraenal notch with the presence of an incisal diastema increased the torsion of the CUD to a significant level (P = 0.006 and P = 0.05, respectively). It was shown that the midline can be the CUD’s axis of torsion. Biaxial strain gauges could be a reliable method of measuring the torsional deformation of the CUD
Coaches, parents, or peers: Who has the greatest influence on sports participants’ life skills development?
No full textOptimising project controls for construction using BIM and Big Data Analytics
No full textConstruction projects are the main contributors to economies and the wealth of nations. The industry is perceived to lead to developments and prosperity in countries. Projects in the construction industry often have high investment during the construction stage. Advancements in science and development of human needs lead to more complex designs in response to new demands by end-users. Sophisticated designs make projects more difficult to manage and consequently increased the rate of budget and time overruns. A plethora of studies has been conducted to investigate the causes of delays in construction projects. A considerable proportion of these studies have reported poor planning, scheduling, and controls as top contributors to delays.Previous literature exploring project success factors were focused primarily on the cost, time and quality. The rise of technology has led to an exponential increase in the amount of data produced by the industry due to using systems for digital engineering, finance, and scheduling or using new technology that collates data and stores them in a central repository. The increase of data opens the potential for new horizons to use this data for informed decision-making. However, data within the industry is fragmented, inconsistent, and hard to link due to different segmentation and structuring objectives for data creators' objectives.This research aim is to formulate optimised integrated project controls to improve the success of projects. The first objective was to explore the factors affecting the success of projects beyond the traditionally studied cost, time and quality. The association between the efficiency of project controls and the success of projects was the main focus of objective three. The third objective was to investigate the relationship between project controls' efficiency and its three pillars: people, processes, and technology. The research's final objective is to test the impact of new technologies as BIM and big data analytics on the efficiency of project controls.The research methodology followed in this study is a sequential mixed method. In the first phase, literature was reviewed and gaps in knowledge were identified to justify the research. Job advertisements of project controls roles were analysed to determine the skills and knowledge required. These analyses were followed by a quantitative questionnaire that was developed to measure and test the hypothesis. The questionnaire was piloted to 25 participants and feedback incorporated in the final version. The questionnaire was administered online, and 610 participants completed the survey. Responses were analysed using statistical tools to validate the hypotheses of the studies. The results of the analysis were used to inform the design of semi-structured interviews.The research was concluded by conducting four interviews to understand the trends revealed in the survey.The correlation between project controls efficiency and projects' success was a modest positive correlation of value 0.63. The third objective analysis found a high correlation of people, processes, and systems to project controls' efficiency to be 0.864, 0.860, and 0.804, respectively.The analysis and results showed a modest correlation between efficient project controls and project success of value 0.63. The third objective investigated the association of the three pillars of project controls. Results indicate high correlations between people, processes, and systems and efficiency of project controls with values of 0.864, 0.860, and 0.804, respectively. The interviews analysis led to an integrated controls system that uses building information modelling (BIM) to integrate data and store it in a central repository. This data was then used to apply analytics concepts for enhancing decision-making. The system implemented under this study demonstrated a proof of concept on big data analytics and BIM integrations and how it improves accessibility to data in models.This study used the findings to drive theoretical and practical implementation. BIM and data analytics were mentioned as drivers for the efficiency of project controls. A conceptual framework was developed to integrate project controls function with BIM models. The framework was implemented by integrating BIM into business intelligence as part of the data analytics. A classification model for BIM elements was developed with high accuracy. The model results showing a high level of accuracy was implemented as part of this study. The design of semi-structured interview questionnaire. The research was concluded by conducting four interviews to gain in-depth understanding of trends revealed in survey.The analysis and results showed a high level of correlation between efficient project controls and project success. The second objective investigated the importance of the three pillars of project controls, and results indicate importance between people, systems and processes and efficiency of project controls. The interviews analysis led to design of an integrated controls system that uses building information modelling (BIM) to integrate data and store it in a central repository. This data was then used to apply analytics concepts for enhancing decision-making. The system implemented under this study is a proof of concept on how big data analytics and BIM can help improve project delivery
Constraints and opportunities for increasing the adoption of technologies for reducing postharvest maize losses in Sub-Saharan Africa : a case study of Zambia
No full textThe annual global food wastage of 1.3 billion tons valued at US 4 billion. Reducing food wastage is one approach to increase food availability.The inadequacy of information on postharvest losses makes Zambia suitable for such a study. Despite the availability of technologies for reducing postharvest losses, their adoption remains low among smallholder farmers in Zambia.The study used the interpretive paradigm to investigate and explain the factors responsible for the low technology adoption by farmers. Empirical data was collected using the case study strategy. The study adopted the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology framework. Data collected from 100 respondents was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists and the Grounded Theory approach.The study findings are presented as factors responsible for the low adoption of technologies for reducing postharvest maize losses by farmers in Zambia. These factors include lack of information and knowledge of the available technologies and associated benefits, perceived cost, non-availability and challenges of operating the technologies.With support from literature the study findings have been used in developing the CAD and Cooperative Postharvest Management Models for increasing technology adoption.In terms of contribution to knowledge and practice the study played a role in developing the Food Loss and Waste Accounting and Reporting Standard. Furthermore, it strengthened the food and income security of farmers and grain traders in the region through capacity building. Additionally, it helped to increase the number of farmers using the hermetic storage technology. The study also enriched the database on the prevalence of the larger grain borer in Zambia
A systematic review of social maintenance behavior outcomes of interactive social interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
No full textA large and varied evidence base supporting the efficacy of social therapies to improve the social behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) does not permit a clear understanding of which specific types of social behavior are improved by specific social therapies. Social maintenance behaviors function to form and sustain relationships, which has been associated with a reduction in negative social experiences in children with ASD. The present systematic review investigates the effectiveness of interactive social therapy in increasing these specific behaviors in this population. A systematic search of PsycArticles, Medline, Education Resources Information Centre, Child Development and Adolescent Studies, and Scopus databases identified 18 articles as relevant for inclusion. The extant evidence suggests that interactive social therapies are effective in increasing social maintenance behaviors in children with ASD. Explicit targeting of these behaviors and inclusion of reinforcement are highlighted as potentially active components in this regard
Barriers to integrating lean construction and integrated project delivery (IPD) on construction megaprojects towards the global integrated delivery (GID) in multinational organisations: lean IPD&GID transformative initiatives
No full textPurpose.The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry encounter substantial risks and challenges in its evolution towards sustainable development. International businesses, multinational AEC organisations, technical professionals, project and portfolio management organisations face global connectivity challenges between business units, especially during the outbreak of novel coronavirus pandemic, to manage construction megaprojects (CMPs). That raises the need to manage global connectivity as a main strategic goal of global organisations. This paper aims to investigate barriers to integrating lean construction (LC) practices and integrated project delivery (IPD) on CMPs towards the global integrated delivery (GID) transformative initiatives and develop future of work (FOW) global initiatives in contemporary multinational AEC organisations.Design/methodology/approach.A two-stage quantitative and qualitative research approach is adopted. The qualitative research methodology consists of a literature review to appraise barriers to integrating LeanIPD&GID on CMPs. Barriers are arranged into six-factor clusters (FCs), with a conceptualisation of LeanIPD&GID, GID strategy placements and FOW global initiatives with multiple validations. This analysis also involved semi-structured interviews and focus group techniques. Stage two consisted of an empirical questionnaire survey that shaped the foundation of analysis and findings of 230 respondents from 23 countries with extensive cosmopolitan experience in the construction of megaprojects. The survey examined a set of 28 barriers to integrating LeanIPD&GID on CMPs resulting from a detailed analysis of extant literature after validation. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were exploited for data analysis, percentage scoring analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and eigenvalues were used to elaborate on clustered factors.Findings.The research conceptualised LeanIPD&GID principles and proposed GID strategy placements for LeanIPD&GID transformative initiatives and FOW global initiatives. It concluded that the most significant barriers to integration of LeanIPD&GID on CMPs are “lack of mandatory building information modelling (BIM) and LC industry standards and regulations by governments”, “lack of involvement and support of governments”, “high costs of BIM software licenses”, “resistance of industry to change from traditional working practices” and “high initial investment in staff training costs of BIM”. PCA revealed the most significant FCs are “education and knowledge-related barriers”, “project objectives-related barriers” and “attitude-related barriers”. Awareness of BIM in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is higher than LC and LC awareness is higher than IPD knowledge. Whilst BIM adoption in the MENA region is higher than LC; the second is still taking its first steps, whilst IPD has little implementation. LeanBIM is slightly integrated, whilst LeanIPD integration is almost not present.Originality/value.The research findings, conclusion and recommendation and proposed GID strategy placements for LeanIPD&GID transformative initiatives to integrating LeanIPD&GID on CMPs. This will allow project key stakeholders to place emphasis on tackling LeanIPD&GID barriers identified in this research and commence GID strategies. The study has provided effective practical strategies for enhancing the integration of LeanIPD&GID transformative initiatives on CMPs
