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Temperature variations in UK heated homes
No full textThe domestic sector accounted for 30.5% of the 2010 final UK energy consumption, of which around 66% was used towards space heating. The energy consumption within domestic buildings can be influenced by various factors ranging from the household characteristics such as occupancy levels and patterns, living standards and cultural habits to differences in build type, energy use behaviours and general energy efficiency within the domestic sector. Modelling the domestic building stock allows for energy consumption to be calculated meaning that predictions can be made for future energy trends and the potential impacts and savings of implementing various energy efficiency improvement measures. Current UK housing stock models make crude assumptions about internal temperatures due to limited knowledge on actual winter-time temperatures and a lack of understanding on room by room temperature variations. Many models simply use one average temperature for the whole model (based on spot readings or heat balance methods) or some use the UK Government standard of 21 ºC for the main living space and 18 ºC for the rest of the dwelling. Using crude temperature assumptions can result in either an overestimation or underestimation of energy used to heat a dwelling to that temperature, based on the model inputs relating to the thermal and energy performance of a dwelling. This study investigates the inter-room variation in temperature within a selection of UK homes to develop a better understanding of the extent to which temperatures vary room by room relating to the household characteristics, the house type, the energy system or a combination of these factors. Resulting in a better appreciation into the appropriateness of common assumptions made within UK building stock models about average household temperatures and the level of temperature variation represented. Whereas many energy models have adapted an approach of two main zones of different temperatures to calculate energy consumption, this study has shown that many UK homes now seem to have adapted a more uniform temperature distribution indicating a preference of one zone to represent the whole dwelling. This study also highlights the variation exhibited in occupant‟s perceptions of comfortable temperatures within their homes
Modelling the training strategies for reskilling UK construction workers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era: a structural equation model approach
Full text linkPurposeThe United Kingdom (UK) construction industry is experiencing a significant skills shortage due to the advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), leading to a high demand for reskilling. However, there is a lack of effective training frameworks for this purpose. This study aims to develop a framework to serve as a training strategy for reskilling construction professionals in the 4IR era, addressing the existing skills gap in the industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts random sampling in collecting data from stakeholders in the UK construction industry through the aid of a close-ended questionnaire. The data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) using SPVSS V24 and confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS Graphics V28 software. The PCA was used to group the training strategies extracted from literature into meaningful constructs, which helped inform the development of the conceptual framework. Covariance-based structural equation modelling was then used to validate the framework, with model validation carried out using fit indices such as discriminant validity, standardized root mean square residual, comparative fit index, normed fit index and others.FindingsThe model revealed that the key training strategies for reskilling construction workers in the 4IR era are immersive training, experiential learning, and collaborative workforce development. The findings indicate that immersive training, particularly through technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, plays a critical role in equipping workers with both the technical and soft skills required for the future of construction. The study recommends that 4IR-driven technologies should also be used as reskilling tools for construction workers, as this approach would allow them to learn while working.Originality/valueMany studies have advocated for the reskilling of construction workers. However, there is a notable gap in research on the training strategies for effective reskilling of construction workers in the 4IR era. This paper provides a framework for stakeholders to implement effective reskilling strategies, thereby enhancing the industry’s capability to thrive in the 4IR era
A critical evaluation of the factors that influence visitor engagement with UK slavery heritage museums: a blended passive symbolic netnographic study
Full text linkThere is a substantial body of literature in slavery heritage tourism research that is mainly supply-driven and has focused on the management, presentation, and interpretation of slavery heritage for tourism purposes. However, the demand side in slavery heritage tourism research is under-researched and ripe for further contributions. Publications concentrated on the demand side have researched visitor motivations and experiences at slavery heritage attractions, particularly at plantation museums in the USA and slave castles in Ghana. Yet, to date, the factors that influence visitors to engage with slavery heritage attractions remain unexplored within the extant body of literature. Therefore, this thesis critically evaluates the factors that influence visitor engagement with UK slavery heritage museums. The thesis employed a blended passive symbolic netnographic methodology, combining online semi-structured interviews with content analysis of TripAdvisor reviews. Data was collected through unobtrusive internet-mediated observations of TripAdvisor reviews and online semi-structured interviews with thirteen managers and curators from eight UK slavery heritage museums, which were selected through purposive sampling. Through thematic analysis, the findings revealed that visitor engagement with UK slavery heritage museums varies and is subjective. It has been found that prior knowledge, multiple motivations, cultural capital, social capital, and the management of the visitor attraction influence visitor engagement with UK slavery heritage museums and are not mutually exclusive. Thus, this subjectivity and overlapping of factors present a challenge for museum professionals in designing these attractions for visitor consumption. These findings are unique to dark tourism research, particularly slavery heritage tourism, as this study is the first to have researched and documented the factors that influence visitor engagement with UK slavery heritage museums. The thesis contributes to an understanding of visitor engagement with UK slavery heritage museums through the development of a conceptual framework. The findings of the thesis provide insights into the factors that influence visitor engagement with UK slavery heritage museums to managers, curators, and decision-makers responsible for designing and managing these attractions. Therefore, the thesis findings enable museum professionals to develop strategies to better manage visitor engagement with slavery heritage museums
'The more things change, the more they remain the same': An exploration of a legacy of change failure impact in a higher education institution in Jamaica
Full text linkAccess to higher education has always been a priority area for the Government of Jamaica. There are concerns from the Government of Jamaica that the country’s education sector continues to be plagued by access challenges and has chronic failures that need to be addressed before the country can be propelled forward. Some of the contributing factors highlighted are socio-economic and geographical challenges. Considering this concern, recommendations have been made to the Government of Jamaica to strengthen reforms aimed at creating greater equitable access to higher education and the need for higher education institutions to have a facilitating environment for these changes. The purpose of this study is to explore the issues involving change leadership and readiness in a higher education institution in Jamaica from the perspectives of staff at the institution. A social constructionist approach guided the study, as the research seeks to understand the views of employees at the emerging university. Twenty-nine employees from multiple units at the university were interviewed over the course of a month using semi-structured interviews. The major finding of the research indicates that issues relating to the legacy of organisational change efforts at the university have psychologically affected employees' readiness for additional change; employees utilised varying coping strategies to manage the impact of the change. It, therefore, became clear that for access change initiatives to be successfully implemented at the university, employees must be ready to embrace the change. For this to happen, leadership will be critical in acknowledging the legacy issues and actively engaging with staff in resolving the issues and clearing the baggage of the past so that employees can be psychologically and behaviourally ready for change. Based on the research findings, contributions are made to knowledge and practice
The lived experiences of ethnic minority Indian women entrepreneurs in Singapore: Motivation, barriers, challenges and support system
Full text linkWomen entrepreneurs have grown significantly and they play a vital role and contribute significantly to the development and growth of the economy. With globalisation, there have been movements of people across countries. This has led to immigration and the growth of ethnic populations in societies and ethnic businesses in countries. Singapore has a multi-racial and multi-cultural population of Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians. Many of the ethnic Indian women entrepreneurs have started and are running their own successful business.This phenomenology study was conducted with a purposive sample of fourteen ethnic minority Indian women entrepreneurs from the service industry in Singapore. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured protocol. The objective of the study was to explore the motivation of ethnic minority Indian women entrepreneurs for starting their businesses, the barriers and challenges that they face, and the support system which sustains and grows their business. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and the findings revealed that the participants were pulled towards entrepreneurship by their passion, the autonomy, and the flexibility to spend more time with their family. The participants overcame barriers of stereotyping, lack of capital, self-doubt, and fear of failure before starting their business. However, when running their businesses, they faced challenges of work-family conflict, lack of finance to run the business, lack of business knowledge, accounting, information technology, and lack of mentors to guide them. Nevertheless, the participants were resilient and persevered to sustain and grow their businesses due to the strong support from their families, the community, their network of friends, and a good base of customers and suppliers.This study contributes to the body of knowledge on ethnic women entrepreneurship. Findings show that the ethnic minority Indian women entrepreneurs’ motivation changed due to past history, their physiological state and the environment. Education, role models, and the knowledge of business skills were found to be vital for the development and growth of business. Targeted policies and programs are required to grow and enhance the business of ethnic minority Indian women entrepreneurs in Singapore. Banks and Finance Companies could provide microfinancing and short-term loans and associations are encouraged to conduct networking sessions, workshops and training programs in digitalisation, accounting and business for the ethnic minority Indian women entrepreneurs
Employment Destinations and Professional Registration of Dual-Qualified Nurses and Social Workers in England
No full textPurpose This study explores the employment destinations and professional registration of dual-qualified nurses and social workers in England.Design/methodology/approach An exploratory cross-sectional survey design was used. An online survey was conducted between July and August 2024 with graduates of integrated Nursing and Social Work programmes in England. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings Eighty-two participants completed the survey. Most participants (85.4%) had never held a role explicitly requiring a dual-qualification, yet 79.3% reported applying their dual-qualification skills in practice. Dual-qualified nurses and social workers were employed in roles across multiple sectors, particularly within integrated care contexts such as learning disability, mental health, and integrated discharge services. Most current roles required Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) professional registration (52.4%), with fewer requiring both (25.6%) or Social Work England (SWE) only (18.3%). Practical implications The findings suggest that dual-qualified nurses and social workers contribute valuable skills across the health and social care workforce, even when not in formally recognised roles. Findings highlight the need for greater recognition of dual-qualified roles within health and social care organisations, and the development of integrated roles that fully utilise the combined skill set of these professionals. Originality/value This study offers the first empirical insight into the employment destinations and professional registration of dual-qualified nurses and social workers in England. It strongly supports the case for explicitly recognising and promoting dual-qualification pathways as a strategic component of integrated care workforce development
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