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The purpose of this paper is to develop a delivery model for embedding Functional Skills in a prison environment, i.e. HMP Oakwood, to promote Functional Skills (FS) on vocational courses, i.e. Maths and Plumbing at Level 1, establish a research culture in a brand new organisation and raise standards in teaching, learning and outcomes.

The design/methodology of this research included the implementation of a qualitative approach based on classroom research, a focus group with seven students on the Level 1 Plumbing course, joint Practice Development meetings with FS and vocational staff, the development of key principles for creating an embedded model for vocational courses, the creation of lesson plan/bespoke resource developments, lesson observations of the new model followed by teacher and learner evaluation, a practical task (fitting a bathroom suite) undertaken by learners, initial maths exercises drawn from practical task which were vocationally relevant, associations made with real jobs and work, use of IT/video for added interest, highlighting of transferable skills and users undertook dedicated functional maths exercises.

A delivery model/logical sequence was agreed that worked for the teacher and learners – practical task/contextualised maths/transferable skills focus/situated maths. Targeted questions generated interest – will a litre of bath water hold if you use four in joists? The study allowed learners to reflect on maths elements from the practical task. The delivery model is implemented by vocational, not FS tutors. IT/video was used to introduce further maths for transferability to other related plumbing areas, i.e. fitting an outside garage tap. Constant links with use of maths for real job activity need to be made/reinforce relevance. Good tutor subject knowledge in maths is strongly recommended. Learners are ready to do dedicated/situated maths once they have built up their confidence.

This delivery model can be used across all other vocational courses at HMP Oakwood, i.e. bricklaying, multi-skills, painting and decorating, site carpentry, horticulture, industrial cleaning, catering, horticulture, etc. A framework/pedagogical guide can be developed for vocational tutors to implement this delivery model in their own subject areas as a basis for continued research. Bespoke CPD sessions for vocational staff can be run to share good practice in session plans and resources relevant to the delivery model. Peer observations can be arranged across the vocational department and the impact of the model on lesson observation grades and success rates can be analysed.

Practical implications can include the development of a two-year Learning and Skills Research Strategy with a focus on embedded pedagogy. A senior team leader in FS can become the research lead for the Education Department, and an extensive embedded learning audit across 35 courses can be undertaken by July 2013.

Further pedagogical research into embedded learning across the whole department including employability/PSD/IT/business courses can be conducted.

This study offers a simple, practical and ready to use delivery model which will help particularly non-specialist FS maths and English tutors working in vocational areas (i.e. construction, catering, etc.) to embed the teaching of maths and English in their subject areas.

Extreme hot environments are prevalent in many occupational settings, and facilities management workers are no exception. Wearing suitable cooling garment is a useful means to alleviate heat strain and improving performance at heat exposure. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of the cooling vest across four selected fields (i.e. construction, outdoor cleaning and horticulture, kitchen work and work involved manual handling at the airport) and identify the shortcomings of the cooling vest used by the participating workers.

This study adopted a two-phase design: a quantitative questionnaire survey followed by qualitative in-depth interviews.

A remarkable physical strain alleviation (PSA) of 21.1 per cent (14.8 per cent in construction, 18.8 per cent in horticulture and cleaning, 27.4 per cent in kitchen and catering and 26.5 per cent in airport apron service) is achieved by the use of cooling vest in four industries. Despite the success of PSA, several shortcomings of the cooling vest were identified: easily stained color, heavy weight, short cooling time, inflexibility that presents a hazard around moving equipment, lack of industry-specific design, nondurable and thick fabric with poor permeability.

The findings of the current study do not only confirm the effectiveness of the cooling vest in alleviating heat strain and physical strain but also identify the major shortcomings upon which further improvements can be made.

To investigate the impact of current mode of operation on service firms’ sales performance in international markets, and to examine the role of managerial control as a mediator of the mode of operation‐sales performance relationship.

A conceptual framework and a set of hypotheses were developed to posit that managerial control on marketing activities act as a process variable between the level of vertical integration of the mode of operation and firm success in international markets. The proposed hypotheses were tested using regression analysis with data from a sample of tour operators from Turkey.

The choice of mode of operation is a critical decision that impacts the performance of service firms in international markets, such that firms which use more vertically integrated modes of operation obtain higher sales performance as a result of their high levels of control on marketing activities.

Although the present findings can be generalized to other soft service industries such as consulting, accommodation services, and health care, they provide limited insights for hard service industries (i.e. construction, insurance, banking and financial services).

This article offers guidance in the internationalization process of service firms by highlighting the importance of managerial control on marketing activities as a factor that should be considered in reviewing and evaluating alternative modes of operation in foreign markets.

This study contributes to the extant research by testing one of the basic assumptions of the mode of entry literature: the relationship between vertical integration and managerial control. Also, the findings reveal that the level of vertical integration of the mode of operation is positively related to performance because vertical integration provides service firms with managerial control.

This study aims to explore the gender differences in working from home (WFH) experiences during the pandemic from the Australia’s construction workforce perspective. Specifically, it explores gender differences in terms of: (1) the respondents’ family responsibilities during the pandemic; (2) their WFH experiences prior to and during the pandemic; and (3) their perceptions of the impacts of challenges associated with WFH on their work activities and performance along with their self-reported work performance when WFH, overall satisfaction with WFH and preference for WFH post-COVID.

This study adopted a survey design to reach the targeted sample population, i.e. construction workforce in the Australian construction industry who has had experienced WFH during the pandemic. Data was collected using an online anonymous questionnaire survey.

The results show notable gender differences in various aspects including family responsibilities, workplace arrangements and perceptions of the impacts of the challenges associated with WFH on work activities and performance. Also, statistically significant associations are detected between gender and the respondents’ self-reported work performance when WFH, overall satisfaction with WFH and preference for WFH post-COVID.

Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about WFH experiences among construction workforce due to the low prevalence of regular and planned remote working in the industry. This is the first study sheds light on construction workforce WFH experiences using gender lenses. The findings have implications for construction-related firms continuing with WFH arrangement post the pandemic, which may include the formulation of policy responses to re-optimize their present WFH practices.

The purpose of this paper was to elaborate the performance model of the remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) which was destined for simulations of the construction characteristics, airspeeds and trajectory of flight in the controlled, non-segregated airspace according to the standard instrument departure and arrival procedures (SIDs and STARs).

This study used systems engineering approach: decomposition of RPAS performance model into components, relations and its connection with components of controlled the airspace system. Fast-time simulations (FTS) method, which included investigation of many scenarios of the system work, minimizing the number of input variables and low computing power demand, is also used.

Performance envelope of many fixed-wing RPAS was not published. The representative RPAS geometry configuration was feasible to implement. Power unit model and aerodynamic model needed to be accommodated to RPAS category. The range of aircraft minimum drag coefficient differed in the investigated range of take-off mass and wing loading.

Fixed-wing RPAS of small and medium categories cover take-off mass (25–450 kg), wing loading (40–900 N/m²) and power loading (8–40 W/N).

This is a research on integration of the RPAS in the controlled, non-segregated airspace. The results of the work may be used in broadening the knowledge of the RPAS characteristics from the perspective of operators, designers and air traffic services.

The elaborated performance model of the RPAS used the minimum number of three input variables (take-off mass, wing loading and power loading) in identification of the complete RPAS characteristics, i.e. construction features (aerodynamic, propulsion and loads) and flight parameters (airspeeds and flight trajectory).

The issue of low productivity has remained a very stern and chronic problem in construction projects. Previous studies have found poor communication as one of the leading causes of low-construction productivity. Recent advances in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) have the potential to enhance communication and access to information in construction projects. However, the implications of the use of mobile ICT on construction productivity have not been investigated in sufficient depth, especially from the perspectives of its users, i.e. construction management (CM) professionals. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

A focus group session involving ten experienced CM professionals from different organisations of the South Australian construction industry was moderated by a group of four researchers to gather data on mobile ICT usage and its implications for construction productivity.

Lack of training and guidelines on effective applications of these technologies to construction projects is a major bottleneck. Results indicate that despite noticeable advances in mobile ICT, differences in usage style and user attitude have limited their overall impact on productivity.

This paper is based on data gathered from CM professionals working in the South Australian construction industry.

The study highlights the importance of strategising the use of mobile ICT to achieve the desired productivity rates through policy, training, work-life balance, and deeper and wider understanding of these technologies.

The study examines the perceptions of CM professionals on the usefulness of mobile ICT in construction projects and its implications for construction productivity.

The construction industry is reluctant to utilize construction logistics centres (CLC). To understand why, the purpose of the study is to increase the understanding of drivers and challenges of CLC utilization.

Adopting an activity-based cost methodology, nine construction projects' CLC utilization in a Swedish urban development project is analyzed for a time period of three years (2013–2016).

There is a difference between drivers and challenges for implementing and utilizing CLCs, which are often implemented to reduce third-party disturbances. The drivers to utilize a CLC, however, stem from achieving efficient logistics. The authors identify two different utilization strategies; the CLC is used either for just-in-time (JIT) deliveries or as a consolidation point.

The study shows that construction logistics is to some extent repeating some mistakes of its big brother, city logistics. The study hypothesizes that there are differences between CLC implementation and utilization drivers and challenges that are often overlooked, which can explain the lack of CLC utilization.

The study shows that it is crucial for construction projects to develop and formulate a logistics strategy for how to utilize the setup, i.e. deciding whether to use the setup as a consolidation point leading to fewer deliveries and more materials on-site, or as JIT, leading to more deliveries but fewer materials on-site.

CLCs can reduce environmental impact and third-party disturbances. However, to make this come true, acceptance among the users is needed. The study provides understanding of drivers and barriers for CLC implementation and utilization that can increase acceptance among users (i.e. construction projects).

The current study is one of the first studies to analyze CLC utilization.

Lean has been adopted in various industries (i.e. construction, health care and service) over the years; the level of lean adoption in facility management is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study is to analyze the 14 lean management principles (LMPs) and seek to develop an understanding as to whether LMPs, which are most commonly used by the manufacturing companies, are relevant to the facility personnel’s scope of work. The research scope focuses on international schools located in Singapore.

For the purpose of this study, a conceptual framework that focuses on connecting the 14 lean production principles to facility management has been developed. Questionnaire survey and interviews were used. A total of 30 facilities professionals from eight international schools participated in the survey. Six interviews were followed up to gain deeper insights into the extent of lean importance and implementation in the work of facility personnel in a school environment.

The survey findings revealed that P8 “use of reliable technology”, P9 and P10 relating to leadership and people development, P12 “go and see for yourself” and P14 “continuous improvement” are generally perceived more important than the other LMPs and are also well implemented. On the contrary, P3 “use the ‘pull’ system” is considered the least important principle. The interview findings also offer insights into modifications of some LMPs for the facilities management (FM) sector.

There are several limitations affecting this study. First, the research sample size was small. Only 30 respondents participated in this study. Second, as this study is one of the first to explore the applicability of lean in FM, there is no consensus on how to define lean, which means that the LMPs could be interpreted in many ways.

The adoption of lean in FM can potentially optimize the value of the school organization. It is recommended that more research be conducted, resulting in a more holistic and representative study of the applicability of lean FM.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model which is aimed at assisting end‐users, i.e. construction practitioners who are without a proper legal background for effective administration of construction contracts, to enable them to make correct interpretations and decisions in dealing with vast amount of legal information.

This study proposes the application of data warehouse technology in the contract administration process of the construction industry. Upon identification of a comprehensive list of problems associated with construction contracts based on the feedback from 12 reputed experts in the construction industry, a conceptual model is developed using data flow diagram.

The results show that data warehouse technology is feasible and practical to the construction practitioners in the contract administration process.

This research focuses only on the development of a conceptual model and thus the practicability aspect of the model is a major concern. As such, the resulting practical implications are limited and are constrained only to the construction industry in Malaysia, raising the question of generalizability of the proposed model, as well as across different industries and countries.

It is posited that the proposed conceptual model, when implemented, would enable construction practitioners to administer construction contracts with better clarity and accuracy, so that interpretation errors and disputes can be mitigated. This will facilitate the development of harmonious working relationships.

The application of data warehouse technology in contract administration is rather new in the construction industry. The conceptual model thus offers a more effective and proactive approach in construction contract administration towards dispute resolution and/or prevention.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice and research regarding construction contractors are comparatively limited. The purpose of this research is to identify a series of CSR issues that reflect the major components of CSR, and to determine the perceived importance of these factors in the context of construction contractors.

A CSR indicator framework was developed based on stakeholder theory. CSR stakeholders and their corresponding CSR performance issues in construction contractors are classified into two levels, i.e. project level and organizational level. This is followed by a questionnaire survey to investigate the perceptions on relative importance of CSR issues of four key stakeholders in typical construction projects in China, i.e. construction contractors, clients, design and engineering consultancy and supervision firms.

The study highlighted a number of factors, e.g. “quality and safety of construction”, “occupational health and safety” and “supplier/partner relationship” were highly regarded; however, their relative importance varied according to the type of responding organization.

The findings indicated the major concerns of the different parties in construction projects, thereby providing a pathway for construction contractors to improve their CSR practice.

The priorities of various stakeholders described in this paper provide a useful reference for construction contractors in the selection and adoption of criteria for CSR performance. A better understanding of perceived priorities of CSR factors from different participating parties also serves useful inputs to construction contractors in their stakeholder management process.