Search results

1 – 10 of over 13000
Open Access
Book part
Publication date: 1 May 2019

Oluseun Olubajo, Will Hughes and Libby Schweber

The purpose of the study is to explore the dominant ideas in research on the management of time in construction. The focus of research has been to improve techniques for…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore the dominant ideas in research on the management of time in construction. The focus of research has been to improve techniques for optimising the timing and sequence of activities.

Design/Methodology/Approach

A critical review of research on construction time management, challenging the typical focus. We examine the assumptions different authors make, underline the limitations of the dominant research approaches and examine the prospects for developing a new approach to researching these issues.

Findings

The dominant approach in literature focuses on unique activity traits in construction planning and measurable patterns between time-related variables. This assumes that time in construction can be managed by changing the way activities are calculated. These approaches have not been correlated with improvement in performance. Social practice theory may help to explain how programmes figure as one of many objects used during construction.

Research Limitations/Implications

The focus is on reviewing indicative literature from key journals in construction management. The implication is that research is needed about how such documents are used in practice, which goes further than optimising plans in theory.

Practical Implications

Future research could focus on understanding the context of construction planning practice and shift the debate from a focus on optimisation to practice.

Originality/Value

An interpretivist approach with a focus on how tools such as planning documents are used on site. Social practice theory may provide a clearer explanation of the place of construction planning within the practice of construction management. This could provide solutions that deal effectively with stakeholder expectations around timely completion of construction projects.

Details

10th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organization
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-051-1

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 29 August 2021

Bert de Groot, Wim Leendertse and Jos Arts

Learning across teams and organisational levels enables organisations to deal with challenges that arise from changing contexts. Project-oriented organisations increasingly use…

2371

Abstract

Purpose

Learning across teams and organisational levels enables organisations to deal with challenges that arise from changing contexts. Project-oriented organisations increasingly use programme management to cope with such challenges and improve performance. This paper aims to find out how different programme configurations affect learning across project teams and between project teams and their parent organisation in project-oriented organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of a project-oriented organisation involved in five infrastructure programmes was performed.

Findings

The studied programmes linked learning processes at group and organisational levels by creating relationships across project teams and their parent organisation and acting as a knowledge centre. Team learning benefits from the learning culture and stable environment that programmes create for project teams. This study indicates that a programme’s features and focus strongly determines whether a programme predominantly enhances learning across project teams or learning between project teams and their parent organisation.

Originality/value

Although programme management is increasingly used by project-oriented organisations, there are few studies relating to learning in programmes. This study provides new insights into learning across teams through programmes.

Details

The Learning Organization, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-6474

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 11 April 2023

Alethea Cassandra de Villiers and Robert Gillmer

The aim of the article is to develop a framework for assessment for contemporary commercial music (CCM) in a music department that is still organised in a traditional way…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the article is to develop a framework for assessment for contemporary commercial music (CCM) in a music department that is still organised in a traditional way. Assessment of CCM in tertiary institutions and external graded music exams were described and analysed, followed by the presentation of an assessment framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This research design is a content analysis. Data was collected through purposive sampling of primary sources of CCM syllabi. These syllabi are used descriptively and analytically for comparison.

Findings

The major findings from the content analysis are presented as an assessment framework for CCM. The assessment framework has implications for teaching and learning vocal CCM at both undergraduate and postgraduate in higher education.

Practical implications

The study focused on the development of assessment criteria for CCM, in a music department where no degree specialisation for CCM exists, and CCM is manifested in the principal instrument only. The framework for assessment may be useful to practitioners and academics who are attempting to introduce CCM in classically oriented music departments and where external constraints prohibit the introduction of a degree specialising in CCM.

Originality/value

This article presents an authentic assessment framework for CCM, that considers its style and performance practices.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 4 September 2007

84

Abstract

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 17 July 2023

Abhishek Vashishth, Bart Alex Lameijer, Ayon Chakraborty, Jiju Antony and Jürgen Moormann

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the limited body of empirical knowledge on the impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) program implementations on organizational performance

1966

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the limited body of empirical knowledge on the impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) program implementations on organizational performance in financial services by investigating how antecedents of Lean Six Sigma program success (motivations, selected LSS methods and challenges) affect organizational performance enhancement via LSS program performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 198 LSS professionals from 7 countries are surveyed. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is performed to test the questioned relations.

Findings

This study’s findings comprise: (1) LSS program performance partially mediates the relationship between motivations for LSS implementation and organizational performance, (2) selected LSS method applications has a fully (mediated) indirect impact on organizational performance, (3) LSS implementation challenges also have an indirect (mediated) impact on organizational performance and (4) LSS program performance has a positive impact on organizational performance.

Originality/value

The findings of this research predominantly provide nuances and details about LSS implementation antecedents and effects, useful for managers in advising their business leaders about the prerequisites and potential operational and financial benefits of LSS implementation. Furthermore, the paper provides evidence and details about the relationship between important antecedents for LSS implementation identified in existing literature and their impact on organizational performance in services. Thereby, this research is the first in providing empirical, cross-sectional, evidence for the antecedents and effects of LSS program implementations in financial services.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 41 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 April 1999

69

Abstract

Details

Journal of European Industrial Training, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0590

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 April 1999

35

Abstract

Details

Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0019-7858

Keywords

Open Access
Book part
Publication date: 29 November 2023

Virág Zsár and Zsuzsanna Angyal

The emergence of Research Management and Administration (RMA) is a result of the pressure on academics to secure research funding from external sources, the increasing competition…

Abstract

The emergence of Research Management and Administration (RMA) is a result of the pressure on academics to secure research funding from external sources, the increasing competition for these funds, as well as the rising requirements of research funders in terms of reporting and compliance with regulations. This is relevant in the case of the current Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (HEU) funded by the European Union (EU) which requires important level of professionalisation of the research support staff on behalf of the applicant institutions. Data management, open science, research ethics and integrity, achieving impact beyond academia and the valorisation of project results can be regarded as non-research specific criteria which have to be met by applicant organisations to secure the highly competitive funding. Meeting these non-specific criteria is not always possible in countries whose performance is lagging behind compared to the Western European competitors in EU-funded programmes, such as Hungary.

Our findings reveal two things. First, research support in Hungary is in its early stage of maturity, similary to many countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In several cases, Research Managers and Administrators (RMAs) do not possess the knowledge necessary to meet the non-research specific criteria even if the knowledge is present at the institution or with other colleagues. Second, due to the continuously increasing participation in EU-funded framework programmes (FPs), the state of research support in Hungary is constantly evolving. There is also willingness to learn and improve capacities, which needs strategic planning, studying others’ examples and their adaptability. Such processes can support the capacity building and professionalisation of research offices not only in Hungary, but in countries of the Central and Eastern European region with a similar maturity level of RMA.

Details

The Emerald Handbook of Research Management and Administration Around the World
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-701-8

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 November 2021

Younghee Noh

This study surveyed users and librarians who have been transforming libraries into a complex cultural space by reflecting the trends of the times, investigated and analyzed…

3215

Abstract

Purpose

This study surveyed users and librarians who have been transforming libraries into a complex cultural space by reflecting the trends of the times, investigated and analyzed various status of complex cultural spaces, including perceptional differences among different groups and made an attempt to present a direction for the diversification of library's role.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes the difference between the level of importance and the level of satisfaction for the operational style and use of complex cultural spaces, current status and use of programs and services of libraries as well as the perceptual difference between librarians and users. In order to do so, opinions were collected from librarians who operate complex cultural spaces and users who use the spaces.

Findings

First, the study compared to see if there is a difference between the preferred complex cultural space of libraries and the type of complex cultural space actually provided by libraries. Libraries do not only have data spaces but also made education space, performance space, exhibition space, rest space, community space and experience space available for users. Users were found to more frequently use exhibition space, performance space, rest space and education space among other spaces whereas the utilization rate of community space and experience space was identified to be significantly low. Second, this study also compared to see if there is a difference between users' preference for the type of programs operated by library's complex cultural spaces and the actual programs offered. The comparison of perceived differences between librarians who are the operators of the programs and users who participate in the programs is to compare and improve the consistency of supply and demand. As a result, it was found that the supply and demand for educational programs were most consistent, which would lead to higher participation rate and enhanced operational performance and satisfaction with libraries. Lastly, investigations were carried out to see whether there is a difference in the levels of importance and satisfaction for the operation of complex cultural spaces and perceptional difference between libraries and users. Comprehensively analyzing the results, in the first quadrant of “Keep the Good Work,” librarians showed a higher level of perception compared to users. In particular, librarians were found to have a different perception towards programs (contents) compared to users. Based on such results, a systematic program must be considered when planning for library programs in order to increase uses' satisfaction. In addition, in the second quadrant of “Concentrate Here,” with a high importance and low satisfaction, users showed a high level of importance for programs (contents) whereas libraries identified accessibility as a more important factor, indicating a big perceptional difference between users and librarians.

Research limitations/implications

This study examines the differences between the opinions of operators who create complex cultural spaces and operate programs in the spaces and the opinions of users who participate in the spaces and programs, and it was found that no other studies in Korea and overseas have done the same yet. In addition, it carries a significant meaning in that it does not only investigate the perceptions towards importance and satisfaction, but also suggests improvement directions based on the perceptional differences between users and librarians. In other words, librarians who implement policies at actual sites seem to be able to reflect the results of this study and decide the operation direction of the library.

Originality/value

Users also participate in various services and programs that library's complex cultural spaces offer and enjoy their cultural life. It carries a significant meaning in that the study evaluates the importance-satisfaction of factors affecting the use of complex cultural spaces of libraries by examining perceptions of those users who actually have the experience of using library's complex cultural spaces when the number of libraries attempting to transform into a multicultural space increases. The study made an attempt to enrich the knowledge and understanding of users' visit/use of libraries, suggest improvement directions and factors to focus. Continuous efforts and additional studies must be made in order to vitalize library's complex cultural spaces and secure the position of a cultural facility as well as a communication space located at the heart of regional society.

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 31 January 2022

Abstract

Details

The Emerald Handbook of Evidence-Informed Practice in Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-141-6

1 – 10 of over 13000