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Article
Publication date: 19 July 2022

Andrew Ebekozien, Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan, Clinton Aigbavboa and Andrew I. Awo-Osagie

The cost of residential building maintenance can harmfully affect low-income earners' expenditure if not checked. A customised maintenance concept via a framework will ensure…

Abstract

Purpose

The cost of residential building maintenance can harmfully affect low-income earners' expenditure if not checked. A customised maintenance concept via a framework will ensure efficient and proper building maintenance operations. The outcome may keep the life cycle cost down. Studies concerning the low-cost housing (LCH) maintenance concept through a framework are scarce in Malaysia. Thus, the study aims to investigate the state of LCH and develop a framework to improve LCH maintenance practices in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a soft system methodology (SSM) to comprehend Malaysia's LCH building maintenance practices. The SSM allowed an alternative approach to improve LCH maintenance practices via a developed framework. Virtual interviews were conducted with experts, and findings were presented. It was in line with the SSM seven steps.

Findings

The findings show that apart from the poor state of LCH maintenance, there is the absence of a framework to improve maintenance practices, especially in LCH across Malaysia's cities. The findings developed a framework that would reposition the joint management body and management corporation in collaboration with the proposed maintenance agency for better service delivery via substantive, technical and administrative aspects.

Research limitations/implications

This study's data collection is restricted to Pulau Pinang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor through a qualitative research design approach. Future research is needed to consider more extensive coverage and validate the developed framework from this study via a quantitative research design.

Practical implications

Apart from the conceptual model that was developed, the suggested framework can be employed by Malaysia's maintenance practitioners and policymakers as a guideline to improve LCH building maintenance practices across the cities.

Originality/value

This study examined Malaysia's LCH maintenance practices via SSM to identify the state of the houses, identify the information required and propose a suitable framework to improve Malaysia's LCH maintenance practices.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2024

Peter Papadakos

The intent of this Practice Briefing is to provide clarity on drivers of property pricing in a changing economic environment. The principal basis of this analysis is to…

Abstract

Purpose

The intent of this Practice Briefing is to provide clarity on drivers of property pricing in a changing economic environment. The principal basis of this analysis is to investigate how properties have been priced relative to interest rates over the long haul. Such an insight may help investors navigate the world of property investment in a post zero interest-rate policy (ZIRP) world.

Design/methodology/approach

This practice briefing is an overview of the role of economic drivers in pricing property in different economic eras pre- and post-ZIRP. It looks at returns over time relative to risk criteria and growth.

Findings

This briefing is a review of property pricing and its relationship to economic drivers and discusses the concept of return premiums as a market indicator to spot under/over-priced property assets in the market.

Practical implications

This briefing considers the implications of identifying salient and pertinent market indicators over time as bellweathers for property pricing. Good property investment is grounded in understanding when assets are under and overpriced relative to investors’ expectations of growth and returns going forward. An understanding of markets and the current indicators thereof can provide investors with insights into those criteria.

Originality/value

This provides guidance on how to interpret markets and get an understanding of property pricing over time.

Details

Journal of Property Investment & Finance, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-578X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 March 2023

Flora Bougiatioti, Eleni Alexandrou and Miltiadis Katsaros

Residential buildings in Greece constitute an important portion of the existing building stock. Furthermore, most of these buildings were built prior to the first Thermal…

Abstract

Purpose

Residential buildings in Greece constitute an important portion of the existing building stock. Furthermore, most of these buildings were built prior to the first Thermal Insulation Code of 1981. The article focuses on existing, typical residences built after 1920, which are found mostly in suburban areas and settlements all around Greece. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effect of simple bioclimatic interventions focused on the improvement of their diurnal, inter-seasonal and annual thermal performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The applied strategies include application of thermal insulation in the building shell and openings, passive solar systems for the heating period and shading and natural ventilation for the summer period. The effect of the strategies is analysed with the use of building energy analysis. The simulation method was selected because it provides the possibility of parametric analysis and comparisons for different proposals in different orientations.

Findings

The results show that the increased thermal mass of the construction is the most decisive parameter of the thermal behaviour throughout the year.

Research limitations/implications

The typical residences under investigation are often found in urban and/or suburban surroundings. These mostly refer to free-standing buildings situated, which, in many cases, do not have the disadvantages and limitations that the geometrical characteristics of densely built urban locations impose on incident solar radiation (e.g. overshadowing during the winter) and air circulation (e.g. reduce natural ventilation during the summer). Nevertheless, even in these cases, the surrounding built environment may also have relevant negative effects, which were not taken under consideration and could be included in further, future research that will include the effect of various orientations, as well as of neighbouring buildings.

Practical implications

Existing residences built prior to the first Thermal Insulation Code (1981) form an important part of the building stock. Consequently their energy upgrade could contribute to significant conventional energy savings for heating and cooling, along with the inter-seasonal improvement of interior thermal comfort conditions.

Social implications

The proposed interventions can improve thermal comfort conditions and lead to a reduction of energy consumption for heating and cooling, which is an important step against energy poverty and the on-going energy crisis.

Originality/value

The proposed interventions only involve the building envelope and are simple with relatively low cost.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 September 2023

Ellie Norris, Shawgat Kutubi, Steven Greenland and Ruth Wallace

This study explores citizen activism in the articulation of a politicised counter-account of Aboriginal rights. It aims to uncover the enabling factors for a successful challenge…

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores citizen activism in the articulation of a politicised counter-account of Aboriginal rights. It aims to uncover the enabling factors for a successful challenge to established political norms and the obstacles to the fullest expression of a radical imagining.

Design/methodology/approach

Laclau and Mouffe's theory of hegemony and discourse is used to frame the movement's success in challenging the prevailing system of urbanised healthcare delivery. Empirical materials were collected through extensive ethnographic fieldwork.

Findings

The findings from this longitudinal study identify the factors that predominantly influence the transformational success of an Yaṉangu social movement, such as the institutionalisation of group identity, articulation of a discourse connected to Aboriginal rights to self-determination, demonstration of an alternative imaginary and creation of strong external alliances.

Originality/value

This study offers a rich empirical analysis of counter-accounting in action, drawing on Aboriginal governance traditions of non-confrontational discourse and collective accountability to conceptualise agonistic engagement. These findings contribute to the practical and theoretical construction of democratic accounting and successful citizen activism.

Details

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3574

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2024

Anna Young-Ferris, Arunima Malik, Victoria Calderbank and Jubin Jacob-John

Avoided emissions refer to greenhouse gas emission reductions that are a result of using a product or are emission removals due to a decision or an action. Although there is no…

Abstract

Purpose

Avoided emissions refer to greenhouse gas emission reductions that are a result of using a product or are emission removals due to a decision or an action. Although there is no uniform standard for calculating avoided emissions, market actors have started referring to avoided emissions as “Scope 4” emissions. By default, making a claim about Scope 4 emissions gives an appearance that this Scope of emissions is a natural extension of the existing and accepted Scope-based emissions accounting framework. The purpose of this study is to explore the implications of this assumed legitimacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Via a desktop review and interviews, we analyse extant Scope 4 company reporting, associated accounting methodologies and the practical implications of Scope 4 claims.

Findings

Upon examination of Scope 4 emissions and their relationship with Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions, we highlight a dynamic and interdependent relationship between quantification, commensuration and standardization in emissions accounting. We find that extant Scope 4 assessments do not fit the established framework for Scope-based emissions accounting. In line with literature on the territorializing nature of accounting, we call for caution about Scope 4 claims that are a distraction from the critical work of reducing absolute emissions.

Originality/value

We examine the implications of assumed alignment and borrowed legitimacy of Scope 4 with Scope-based accounting because Scope 4 is not an actual Scope, but a claim to a Scope. This is as an act of accounting territorialization.

Details

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3574

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2024

Shukuan Zhao, Xueyuan Fan, Dong Shao and Shuang Wang

This study aims to investigate the impact of supply chain concentration (SCC) on corporate research and development (R&D) investment and determine the moderating roles of industry…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of supply chain concentration (SCC) on corporate research and development (R&D) investment and determine the moderating roles of industry concentration and financing constraints on the relationship between SCC and R&D investment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected data from Chinese listed companies, used the fixed effects model to test the research hypotheses and further used the two-stage Heckman test and propensity score matching (PSM) to address potential endogeneity issues.

Findings

The result reveals a negative impact of SCC on corporate R&D investment. In addition, industry concentration mitigates the negative impact of SCC on corporate R&D investment, but financing constraints strengthen the negative impact.

Originality/value

This study introduces the concept of SCC and empirically tests its effect on R&D investment, further explaining the lack of corporate innovation. This study inspires companies to strengthen SC management and weigh the level of SCC with environmental factors.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2024

Yaru Yang, Yingming Zhu and Jiazhen Du

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on company innovation, specifically centering on the quantity and quality of innovation. The paper…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on company innovation, specifically centering on the quantity and quality of innovation. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of whether the epidemic inhibits innovation and the role of digital transformation in mitigating this negative impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a quasi-experimental study of the COVID-19 pandemic and constructs a differential model to analyze the relationship between the epidemic and firm innovation in three dimensions: total, quantity and quality. The paper also uses a difference-in-difference-in-differences model to test whether digital transformation of firms mitigates the negative impact of the epidemic and its mechanism of action.

Findings

The results show that COVID-19 significantly reduced the overall level of firm innovation, primarily in terms of quantity rather than quality. Furthermore, this study finds that digital transformation plays a pivotal role in mitigating the pandemic’s adverse impact on innovation. By addressing financing constraints and countering demand insufficiency, digital transformation acts as a catalyst for preserving and fostering innovation during and after the pandemic.

Originality/value

This study extends the current research on the pandemic’s impact on firm innovation at the micro level. It offers valuable insights into strategies for fostering digital transformation among Chinese enterprises in the post-pandemic era.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 April 2024

Latifah Falah Alharbi, Umair Khan, Aurang Zaib and Anuar Ishak

A novel type of heat transfer fluid known as hybrid nanofluids is used to improve the efficiency of heat exchangers. It is observed from literature evidence that hybrid nanofluids…

Abstract

Purpose

A novel type of heat transfer fluid known as hybrid nanofluids is used to improve the efficiency of heat exchangers. It is observed from literature evidence that hybrid nanofluids outperform single nanofluids in terms of thermal performance. This study aims to address the stagnation point flow induced by Williamson hybrid nanofluids across a vertical plate. This fluid is drenched under the influence of mixed convection in a Darcy–Forchheimer porous medium with heat source/sink and entropy generation.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying the proper similarity transformation, the partial differential equations that represent the leading model of the flow problem are reduced to ordinary differential equations. For the boundary value problem of the fourth-order code (bvp4c), a built-in MATLAB finite difference code is used to tackle the flow problem and carry out the dual numerical solutions.

Findings

The shear stress decreases, but the rate of heat transfer increases because of their greater influence on the permeability parameter and Weissenberg number for both solutions. The ability of hybrid nanofluids to strengthen heat transfer with the incorporation of a porous medium is demonstrated in this study.

Practical implications

The findings may be highly beneficial in raising the energy efficiency of thermal systems.

Originality/value

The originality of the research lies in the investigation of the Darcy–Forchheimer stagnation point flow of a Williamson hybrid nanofluid across a vertical plate, considering buoyancy forces, which introduces another layer of complexity to the flow problem. This aspect has not been extensively studied before. The results are verified and offer a very favorable balance with the acknowledged papers.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 February 2024

Ning Qi, Shiping Lu and Hao Jing

In the context of constructing an integrated national strategic system, collaborative innovation among enterprises is the current social focus. Therefore, in order to find the…

Abstract

Purpose

In the context of constructing an integrated national strategic system, collaborative innovation among enterprises is the current social focus. Therefore, in order to find the interest relationship between multiple game subjects, to explore the influencing factors of collaborative innovation of civil-military integration enterprises. This paper constructs a collaborative innovation mechanism for military–civilian integration involving four game subjects (military enterprises, private enterprises, local governments, and science and technology intermediaries). It aims to solve and reveal the evolutionary game relationship among the four parties.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the mechanism of military–civilian collaborative innovation involving four players, this study employs game theory and constructs an evolutionary game model for collaborative innovation with the participation of military enterprises, civilian enterprises, local governments, and technology intermediaries. The model reveals the evolutionary game patterns among these four entities, analyzes the impact of various parameters on the evolutionary process of the game system, and numerical simulation is used to show these changes more specifically.

Findings

The research findings demonstrate that active government subsidies promote cooperation throughout the system. Moreover, increasing the input-output ratio of research and development (R&D), the rate of technological spillovers, and the R&D investment of civilian enterprises all facilitate the tendency toward cooperation within the system. However, when the government chooses to actively provide subsidies, increasing R&D investment in military enterprises may hinder the tendency toward cooperation. Furthermore, central transfer payments, government punishment from the central government, and an increase in the information conversion rate of technology intermediaries may suppress the rate of cooperation within the system.

Originality/value

Most of the previous studies on the collaborative innovation of military–civilian integration have been tripartite game models between military enterprises, private enterprises, and local governments. In contrast, this study adds science and technology intermediaries on this basis, reveals the evolution mechanism of collaborative innovation of civil-military integration enterprises from the perspective of four-party participation, and analyzes the factors influencing the cooperation of the whole system. The conclusion of this study not only enriches the collaborative innovation evolution mechanism of military–civilian integration enterprises from the perspective of multiple agents but also provides practical guidance for the innovation-driven development of military–civilian integration enterprises.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 December 2023

Lakshminarayana Kompella

Organizations use innovations and respond to external pressures, creating a transition to the sociotechnical system. In their transitions, they interact with the environment and…

Abstract

Purpose

Organizations use innovations and respond to external pressures, creating a transition to the sociotechnical system. In their transitions, they interact with the environment and undergo adaptation-selection. The extant literature used a multilevel perspective (MLP) with a structural view and examined dynamics and transitions (phenomena) in a noninterventionistic setting. This study aims to examine the dynamics and phenomena with a microstructural or functional view and expand the MLP; this paper uses neo-institutionalism and human values as part of the functional view. Moreover, when the authors examine the phenomena in an interventionistic setting, they can obtain certain unique dynamics and their influence on the phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors need to examine the phenomena in its setting, so this paper selected a case study, Indian electricity generation. For diverse heuristic and analytic views, it selected two Indian states.

Findings

The findings from the functional view showed that organizations exhibit certain traits of neo-institutionalism and human values, which mediate their responses (behavior) to external pressures. Additionally, due to the interventionist state, their dynamics use shaping instead of selection logic for innovations, which decides the transition pathway selection (technology adoption). It further decided the extent to which innovations cumulate as stable designs. As a result, the responses and the transition provide benefits in the short term while invariably failing in the long term.

Research limitations/implications

By selecting cases with higher investments in renewable energies and combustible fuels, the authors can expand the functional view to include user typologies such as producers, intermediaries and citizen groups and obtain further insights into transitions.

Practical implications

The study highlights the generation dynamics specific to Indian electricity generation and its transition pathways. The study’s outcome provides insights to researchers and practitioners in formulating policy changes and transforming electricity generation.

Originality/value

The study uses a functional view comprising neo-institutionalism and human values and expands the sociotechnical transition theory. In addition, selecting an interventionist setting provided insights into dynamics specific to organizational behavior and associated services. Finally, the obtained insights offer suggestions for technology development to better manage transitions with adaptation-selection.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

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