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Article
Publication date: 11 July 2016

Che Keung Cheung, Shuang Geng, Kong Bieng Chuah, Yiu Chung Chau and Kar Fai Kwong

This paper aims to present the result of the pilot run of a research project which aims at evaluating the applicability of project-based action learning (PAL) to shop floor…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the result of the pilot run of a research project which aims at evaluating the applicability of project-based action learning (PAL) to shop floor organizational learning (OL) component in a manufacturing company in Dongguan, China. How the PAL framework was introduced and implemented is described. The factors that influence PAL implementation are examined in this pilot implementation. The implications and effectiveness are discussed. The findings shed light on the modifications needed in the PAL framework for shop floor implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a longitudinal case research which is conducted in a case company (APT) located in Dongguan, China. PAL framework was introduced and implemented in APT. A wave-like approach was used to repeat launching PAL projects in cycles. Data of learning and work performances were collected for review during each phase and each cycle of the project. The result presented here is from the early round of the pilot PAL implementation.

Findings

Result indicated that the PAL framework is applicable in the shop floor level OL. Learning and performance have been found to have improved in all the PAL groups participating in the pilot run. Result also shows that the PAL implementation framework needs some fine tuning to meet the needs of the unique shop floor environment particularly with regard to performance measure and evaluation.

Originality/value

No such case study has been conducted in shop floor level before. The research study will be valuable experience and example for other organizations to implement OL in shop floor level.

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Graeme Newell, Chau Kwong Wing and Wong Siu Kei

Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic property markets in the world, and now provides the economic gateway to China. Using style analysis, the level of direct property in Hong Kong…

2605

Abstract

Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic property markets in the world, and now provides the economic gateway to China. Using style analysis, the level of direct property in Hong Kong property company performance is shown to be approximately 15 per cent over 1984‐2000, with the level of direct property increasing to approximately 25 per cent in recent years. The level of direct property in Hong Kong property company performance is significantly below that seen for the USA, Europe and Australia. This highlights a number of key strategic property investment issues over 1984‐2000, relating to the level of direct property in Hong Kong property company performance. Also assesses the level of direct property at the individual property company level, as well as the property company sector level, further emphasising the strategic role of Hong Kong property companies in an investment portfolio. This research complements the previous research by Brown and Chau on excess returns in the Hong Kong property market, as well as highlighting the issues and role of both direct and indirect property for inclusion in diversified investment portfolios; these being key areas of Gerald Brown's extensive property research agenda.

Details

Journal of Property Investment & Finance, vol. 22 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-578X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1999

ANTHONY WALKER and CHAU KWONG WING

The process of managing the design and construction of a project on behalf of a client may be analysed using project management theory based on a contingency approach. The…

1753

Abstract

The process of managing the design and construction of a project on behalf of a client may be analysed using project management theory based on a contingency approach. The analysis provided by this approach, whilst useful for understanding the interaction of the parts of the system, the functions of project management and the effectiveness of the organization structure, may be limited by not incorporating an economic explanation of how a project organization structure is chosen. The transaction cost approach to the study of economic organization may provide a theoretical basis for such an explanation. This approach holds that an understanding of transaction cost economizing is central to the study of organizations as it determines whether functions are provided by the market or by hierarchy. This paper seeks to explore the relationship between these two powerful approaches in explaining the structuring and management of project organizations on behalf of clients and to explain the benefits of combining these approaches in furthering construction project management theory.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 6 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2008

Yung Yau, Kwong Wing Chau, Daniel Chi Wing Ho and Siu Kei Wong

The paper's objective is to empirically study the effects of building refurbishment on the prices of the dwelling units in a contiguous housing estate in Hong Kong.

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper's objective is to empirically study the effects of building refurbishment on the prices of the dwelling units in a contiguous housing estate in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

In a congested living environment like Hong Kong, it is difficult, if not impossible, to have a view unobstructed by buildings. As such, the quality of views is dependent on the aesthetic quality of surrounding buildings. It is likely that poorly maintained buildings will impose negative visual effects on their immediate surroundings. Refurbishing these poor buildings should, therefore, reduce or even counter this negative externality. To study the positive externality brought about by building refurbishment, a hedonic price analysis was conducted on a set of panel data consisting of property transactions in a large housing estate located in Pokfulam. This estate was chosen because its adjoining buildings underwent refurbishment in 1998.

Findings

The results showed that the refurbishment increased significantly the prices of those properties which faced refurbished buildings, keeping other things constant. The increments, on average, amounted 6.6 per cent of the prices of the properties.

Research limitations/implications

Building refurbishment can have various scopes and scales but this study did not consider how the characteristics of the building refurbishment affected the prices of neighbourhood properties.

Practical implications

Given the problems of aging buildings in most urban areas, the results presented significant practical implications for building refurbishment and urban renewal as a whole. Developers or property owners may be lured to invest in the refurbishment of adjacent dilapidated properties with a view to enhancing the values of their own properties.

Originality/value

Although previous studies analytically suggested that building refurbishment created positive externality, this study is the first attempt to explore this connection.

Details

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 March 2015

Shuk Man Chiu, Kwong Wing Chau and Yung Yau

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the response of transaction volume in Hong Kong’s housing market to public land auctions.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the response of transaction volume in Hong Kong’s housing market to public land auctions.

Design/methodology/approach

An event study approach with the use of regression analyses was adopted for the empirical study.

Findings

Fewer pre-event transactions in the secondary housing spot market come with greater dispersion in the pre-event forecasts of land auction outcomes. Unexpected auction outcomes were also found to minify the post-event transaction volume in the secondary housing spot market, with negative unexpected outcomes exerting a stronger downward force.

Research limitations/implications

These findings are contrary to the empirical evidence commonly found in most financial literature on stock transaction volume around corporate earnings announcements with an assumption of negligible transaction costs. Imperfect market structure, differences in sellers’ and buyers’ characteristics and short-sale restriction may explain the disparity.

Practical implications

Price in the secondary housing market is more sensitive to negative unexpected land auction outcomes. The analysis results of the current study attest that the impact exerted by the negative unexpected auction outcomes on transaction volume in the housing spot market is stronger than that of positive unexpected auction outcomes.

Originality/value

Unlike price and return, transaction volume has not received substantial academic attention in property research. In particular, within the existing small body of transaction volume research, the impact of information events on trading activities has been largely ignored.

Details

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2009

Yung Yau, Daniel Chi‐wing Ho, Kwong‐wing Chau and Wai‐yip Lau

For the sake of public health and safety, a territory‐wide evaluation of the quality of buildings in Hong Kong is crucial. However, it is a lengthy process to assess the…

Abstract

Purpose

For the sake of public health and safety, a territory‐wide evaluation of the quality of buildings in Hong Kong is crucial. However, it is a lengthy process to assess the performance of the whole stock of buildings in the city. To get around this predicament, this paper aims to propose a statistical approach for a fast and reliable building evaluation algorithm using the Building Quality Index (BQI) developed by The University of Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the BQI assessment framework, the condition of 133 and 160 private apartment buildings in Yau Tsim Mong and the Eastern District respectively are assessed and rated. The data of the Yau Tsim Mong buildings are used to estimate a regression model associating the relationships between building performance, measured by the BQI, and other exogenous factors. The resulting model is then employed to predict the performance of the surveyed buildings in the Eastern District.

Findings

The regression analyses on the Yau Tsim Mong data indicate that building age, development scale and building management mode are significant determinants of the existing condition of the sampled buildings, echoing the findings of previous studies. BQI scores of buildings in the Eastern District are estimated using the resulting regression model, and there is a highly positive relationship between the predicted BQI and in‐situ BQI scores.

Originality/value

The study is the first in the literature to provide an algorithm for estimating building condition in a densely developed high‐rise urban area.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 27 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2002

Graeme Newell, Peter Acheampong, Roger Juchau, Chau Kwong Wing and James R. Webb

The leading real estate journals in the USA, UK, Asia and Australia are analysed over 1991‐2000 to assess the impact of international real estate research in these journals. It is…

2027

Abstract

The leading real estate journals in the USA, UK, Asia and Australia are analysed over 1991‐2000 to assess the impact of international real estate research in these journals. It is found that the focus on international real estate has expanded considerably in recent years, with this focus more evident in the leading UK real estate journals rather than the leading USA real estate journals. Reasons for this difference between the USA and UK real estate journals are identified. Issues relating to international authorship are assessed, with the leading international authors and universities identified.

Details

Journal of Property Investment & Finance, vol. 20 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-578X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1996

Graeme Newell and Kwong Wing Chau

Assesses the relationship between Hong Kong property company and commercial property market performance over 1984‐94. Finds that property companies provide a useful source of…

14191

Abstract

Assesses the relationship between Hong Kong property company and commercial property market performance over 1984‐94. Finds that property companies provide a useful source of transaction‐based information about changing property market fundamentals. The unique property market characteristics in Hong Kong mean that information is impounded into direct property series quickly, within one quarter of being impounded into indirect property company stock prices. Finds a common “pure” property element that influences both property company and property market returns. This results in investors capturing some portion of Hong Kong property market returns by investing in property companies, as well as achieving liquidity and portfolio diversification.

Details

Journal of Property Finance, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0958-868X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Daniel Chi‐wing Ho, Yung Yau, Siu‐kei Wong, Alex King‐chung Cheung, Kwong‐wing Chau and Hing‐fung Leung

There has been a growing public concern over the importance of building management in apartment buildings. However, people's views toward the effects of building management on…

2043

Abstract

Purpose

There has been a growing public concern over the importance of building management in apartment buildings. However, people's views toward the effects of building management on building performance have long been divergent due to a lack of empirical study. This study aims to empirically test the relationship between building management regimes and the conditions of private apartment buildings in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

An assessment scheme was developed to assess the health and safety conditions of 134 apartment buildings. Multiple regression models were then applied to analyze the effect of building management regimes on building conditions. The optimal functional form of the regression models was selected using Box‐Cox transformation.

Findings

The empirical results suggested that the presence of incorporated owners and property management agents (PMA) are significant factors in enhancing building conditions.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was confined to single block buildings located in one particular district in Hong Kong. Further research is needed to validate the findings in estate‐type developments as well as those in other districts.

Practical implications

The empirical results assisted building owners in determining which management regimes to adopt should they want better building conditions. The government may also consider giving more support to owners by incorporating them and employing PMAs to create a pleasant living environment for society.

Originality/value

Our study is the first in the literature to provide an empirical test reconciling the divergent views toward the effects of building management with the conditions of buildings.

Details

Property Management, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 July 2012

Rui Cao, Kong Bieng Chuah, Yiu Chung Chau, Kar Fai Kwong and Mo Yin Law

This paper addresses the importance of a more proactive role of organizational learning (OL) facilitators, learning motivation reinforcer, through a two‐part longitudinal study in…

1176

Abstract

Purpose

This paper addresses the importance of a more proactive role of organizational learning (OL) facilitators, learning motivation reinforcer, through a two‐part longitudinal study in a case company. The first part of this study aims to investigate and analyze some unexpected challenges in the project action learning‐driven (PAL) OL implementation in the case company, and the second part seeks to discuss an enhanced role of OL facilitators to cope with the new challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal case study supplemented with a series of carefully choreographed field research activities, e.g. interviews, on‐site observations, survey tests, was conducted to achieve the research purpose. In the first part of this study, the feedbacks regarding PAL implementation were collected from different PAL stakeholders to identify the problems and barriers that undermined the effectiveness of PAL implementation. In its second part, the proposed facilitator's interventions were introduced in the case company. The results were examined through a controlled group experiment conducted with an on‐going round of PAL implementation.

Findings

The study found that adverse changes in business circumstances and organizational restructurings could dampen staff's motivation toward organization's OL initiatives which would further reduce the OL effectiveness. To redress the situation, a set of facilitator's interventions was developed to reinforce OL members' learning motivation. Study results indicate that the proposed interventions can positively influence the learning motivation of the PAL members in the case company.

Practical implications

This paper describes the difficulties encountered in a real life OL journey and the role OL facilitators could take on to help overcome them. It provides empirical evidence of how the learning motivation and commitment of OL members can be positively influenced by OL facilitation.

Originality/value

The authors believe such longitudinal case based OL research is rare and valuable to OL theorists and practitioners.

Details

The Learning Organization, vol. 19 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-6474

Keywords

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