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1 – 10 of 121Tianyao Ping, Wei Pan and Zhiqian Zhang
Modular construction is an innovative method that enhances the performance of building construction projects. However, the performance of steel modular construction has not been…
Abstract
Purpose
Modular construction is an innovative method that enhances the performance of building construction projects. However, the performance of steel modular construction has not been systematically understood, and the existing measurement methods exhibit limitations in effectively addressing the features of steel modular building construction. Therefore, this study aims to develop a new performance measurement framework for systematically examining the performance of steel modular construction in building projects.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted through a mixed-method research design that combines a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art practices of construction performance measurement and a case study with a 17-story steel modular apartment building project in Hong Kong. The case project was measured with data collected from the project teams and other reliable channels, and the measurement practices and findings were referenced to establish a systematic performance measurement framework for steel modular construction.
Findings
Considering steel modular construction as a complex socio-technical system, a systematic performance measurement framework was developed, which considers the features of steel modular construction, focuses on the construction stage, incorporates the views of various stakeholders, integrates generic and specific key performance indicators and provides a benchmarking process. Multifaceted benefits of adopting steel modular construction were demonstrated with case study, including improved economic efficiency (e.g. nearly 10% cost savings), improved environmental friendliness (e.g. approximately 90% waste reduction) and enhanced social welfare (e.g. over 60% delivery trips reduction).
Originality/value
This paper extends the existing performance measurement methods with a new framework proposed and offers experience for future steel modular construction. The measured performance of the case project also contributes in-depth understanding on steel modular construction with benefits demonstrated. The study is expected to accelerate an effective uptake of steel modular construction in building projects.
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Saima Shaikh, Andre Brown and Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma
Rural building practices, especially in developing communities, are often plagued by inadequate local construction knowledge and a limited understanding of the best building…
Abstract
Purpose
Rural building practices, especially in developing communities, are often plagued by inadequate local construction knowledge and a limited understanding of the best building practice guidelines. This has contributed significantly to compounding the effect of significant catastrophic events. The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential impact of disaster knowledge management (DKM) on improving housing resilience and makes particular reference to the 2005 earthquake in rural Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
Our research uses a comprehensive literature review that involves a qualitative approach to research aimed at understanding the 2005 earthquakes, their impacts, reconstruction challenges and DKM. Conventional published journals, articles, previous case studies and books were included. But importantly, to take in relevant local information, the review also took in published government reports, disaster mitigation policy documents, national and international NGOs publications, conference proceedings and news articles. More than 80 research papers and conference proceedings over 21 years, from 2001 to 2021, were analyzed in eight major online databases. These include Google Scholar, Science Direct, Research Gate, Scopus, Jstor, Springer, Emerald and Semantic Scholar.
Findings
The investigation identified that DKM has an important role to play in capacity building and technical knowledge transmission relating to seismic guidelines aimed at improving housing resilience. Consequently, a theoretical framework was developed, focused primarily on the post-2005 rural reconstruction mechanism and the identification of key challenges to disseminating seismic guidelines effectively in relation to rural construction practices.
Originality/value
This paper makes an original contribution by developing a DKM framework via the identification of key challenges that need to be addressed, in relation to rural construction practices, generally, but particularly in the Pakistan context.
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Jinwei Wang, Qimin He, Lili Qian and Guoquan Wang
This study aims to reveal the empirical linkage between tourists’ perspectives and attitudes towards disaster ruins and dark tourism by attesting influence relationships between…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to reveal the empirical linkage between tourists’ perspectives and attitudes towards disaster ruins and dark tourism by attesting influence relationships between disaster memorials perception, dark tourism evaluation, as well as heritage protection and tourism development intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Partial least squares structural equation modeling analysis was used on a sample of 413 valid visitor questionnaires collected at the 5·12 Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial Museum, Sichuan Province, China.
Findings
Disaster memorials perception positively influences positive evaluation of dark tourism, heritage protection intention and tourism development intention, while negatively influencing negative evaluation of dark tourism. Furthermore, positive evaluation of dark tourism and heritage protection intention positively affect tourism development intention. In addition, prior knowledge is a significant moderator in the research model.
Originality/value
This study applied the stimulus-organism-response framework and social exchange theory to predict tourists’ behavioral intention toward disaster memorials, providing valuable insights to dark tourism research. It illuminates tourists’ psychological and behavioral characteristics at natural disaster sites and deepens research on the human–nature relationship from the disaster perspective.
研究目的
本研究试图通过验证自然灾难遗址地游客感知、旅游评价、遗产保护意愿与旅游开发意愿之间的影响关系, 以揭示游客对灾难遗址和黑色旅游的感知及态度之间的隐秘逻辑。
研究设计/方法论/研究方法
采用偏最小二乘法结构方程模型, 对在中国四川省5·12汶川特大地震纪念馆收集的413份有效游客问卷进行分析。
研究发现
灾难遗址感知正向影响黑色旅游积极评价、遗产保护意愿和旅游开发意愿, 而负向影响黑色旅游消极评价。同时, 黑色旅游积极评价和遗产保护意愿均显著正向影响旅游开发意愿。此外, 游客的先验知识在研究模型中起着重要的调节作用。
独创性/价值
本研究运用“刺激-机体-反应”研究框架预测了旅游者对自然灾难遗址地的行为意向, 深化了黑色旅游研究, 拓宽了S-O-R理论的适用范围。
Propósito
Este estudio revela el vínculo empírico entre las perspectivas y las actitudes de los turistas hacia las ruinas de catástrofes y el Turismo oscuro, mostrando las relaciones de influencia entre la percepción de los monumentos conmemorativos de catástrofes, la evaluación del turismo oscuro, así como la protección del patrimonio y la intención de desarrollo turístico.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Se empleó un análisis de modelización de ecuaciones estructurales por mínimos cuadrados parciales en una muestra de 413 cuestionarios válidos de visitantes recogidos en el 5·12 Museo Conmemorativo del Terremoto de Wenchuan, Sichuan, China.
Hallazgos
La percepción de los monumentos conmemorativos de las catástrofes influye positivamente en las evaluaciones positivas del turismo oscuro, la intención de protección del patrimonio y la intención de desarrollo turístico, mientras que influye negativamente en las evaluaciones negativas del turismo oscuro. Además, las evaluaciones positivas del turismo oscuro y la intención de protección del patrimonio influyen positivamente en la intención de desarrollo turístico. Además, el conocimiento previo moderadora significativamente el modelo de investigación.
Originalidad/valor
Este estudio aplica el marco teórico estímulo-organismo-respuesta (E-O-R) y la teoría del intercambio social para predecir las intenciones de comportamiento de los turistas hacia los monumentos conmemorativos de catástrofes, proporcionando valiosas ideas para el estudio del turismo oscuro. Clarifica las características psicológicas y conductuales de los turistas en los lugares de catástrofes naturales y profundiza en el estudio de la relación entre el ser humano y la naturaleza desde la perspectiva de las catástrofes.
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Youssef Taibi, Mohamed Chadli and Mahfoud Ziane
This study aims to determine the maximum extent of damage in the threat zones, the result of a catastrophic failure in one liquefied petroleum gas storage sphere, located in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the maximum extent of damage in the threat zones, the result of a catastrophic failure in one liquefied petroleum gas storage sphere, located in storage and transfer center in Hassi R’Mel city, Algeria.
Design/methodology/approach
To reach the desired results, we relied on ALOHA® v. 5.4.7 software (Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres) for accidents simulation, and on Google Earth as an output tool to show results on the city map.
Findings
The results prove that the city of Hassi R’Mel is almost completely threatened by thermal effects resulting from a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion phenomenon, which can reach a distance of 3.9 km.
Originality/value
Determining the extent to which the damages resulting from an industrial accident may reach is of great importance in preventing industrial hazards, as well as in decision-making in the field of urbanization.
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Sara Shishani, Jeong-Won Choi, Min-Ho Ha and Young-Joon Seo
The global economy and air transport business have been negatively affected owing to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. As countries tighten restrictions on international movements…
Abstract
Purpose
The global economy and air transport business have been negatively affected owing to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. As countries tighten restrictions on international movements, the growing emphasis on air cargo places pressure on airports to maintain and upgrade their cargo policies, facilities and operations. Hence, ensuring the competitiveness of cargo airports is pivotal for their survival under volatile global demand. This study aims to evaluate the importance of competitiveness factors for cargo airports and identify areas for further improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to assess the cargo airports' competitiveness factors.
Findings
The results identified “Transport Capacity” as the most significant competitiveness factor, implying that airport connectivity is crucial in promoting cargo transportation at hub airports. This result was followed by “Airport Operations' and Facilities' Capacity” and “Economic Growth.”. Additionally, the results identified Hong Kong International Airport as the best-performing cargo airport, followed by Aéroport de Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Incheon International Airport, respectively. Furthermore, both selected European airports are the most competitive airports in terms of “Financial Performance” and appear to be aware of the significance of their brand value.
Originality/value
This study forms a reference framework for evaluating cargo airports’ competitive positions, which may help identify airports’ relative strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, this framework can also serve as a tool to facilitate the strategic design of airports that can accommodate air cargo demand flexibly under demand uncertainty.
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This paper explores the challenges faced by the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism industry in building capabilities toward being resilient in the wake of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores the challenges faced by the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism industry in building capabilities toward being resilient in the wake of crises through a stakeholder perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
This study identifies the barriers to building resilience through detailed literature review and expert interviews. A total of 13 barriers were identified and were classified into into three main categories, namely economic barriers, organizational barriers, and stakeholder barriers. Subsequently, primary data were collected to emperically validate the nature and strength of interactions between these barriers and to quantitatively identify their impact.
Findings
The study identifies that in long run, stakeholder barriers are the most significant in building capabilities toward being resilient in the wake of crisis. However, for initial recovery, economic barriers need to be focused. Subsequently, organizational capabilities needs to be developed through stakeholder support.
Practical implications
The study provides actionable insights to help MSMEs in the tourism industry to recover economically and to help them build lasting capabilities through organizational capability development and stakeholder support.
Originality/value
This study is novel on two aspects. First, the study investigates role of MSMEs in the tourism industry and how MSMEs are pivotal in helping the industry recover from a crisis by being resilient. Second, the role of stakeholders in the MSMEs sector in tourism is underexplored area and this study adds value to this nascent literature.
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Udari Gunarathna, Chaminda Senarathna Bandara, Ranjith Dissanayake and Harsha Munasinghe
The lessons learned from the 2004 tsunami phenomenon fueled the government and other local authorities to strengthen the legitimate background to mitigate such devastation in…
Abstract
Purpose
The lessons learned from the 2004 tsunami phenomenon fueled the government and other local authorities to strengthen the legitimate background to mitigate such devastation in future events. This study aims to propose a standardized tsunami-resilient construction guideline for Sri Lanka by integrating existing local and international standards.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive literature survey was carried out to undertake the study, with a wide-ranging content and thematic analysis of existing tsunami-resilient construction aspects in Sri Lanka. Integrating all existing guidelines with international standards, finally, a consolidated guideline with significant tsunami-resilient building aspects was proposed for stakeholders involved with the resilient built environment in tsunami-prone areas, particularly during the building construction in the coastal belt.
Findings
The existing tsunami-resilient guidelines in Sri Lanka follow similar aspects but in different dimensions. Compared to the international standards, few significant aspects create a gap in local guidelines. Thus, the findings demonstrated that the existing local guidelines must be modified and strengthened by mainstreaming into international practices.
Research limitations/implications
Existing guidelines are more concerned with structural aspects. Nevertheless, proper integration of local and international guidelines would be more favorable to minimizing existing local guidelines’ gaps. Further, a standardized tsunami-resilient building guideline would be a referring document for all stakeholders in tsunami-resilient constructions.
Practical implications
By aligning local guidelines with international standards, the reliability of the guidelines will be increased and direct the built environment to quality disaster-resilient constructions.
Social implications
Through a standardized guideline, the community can rely on tsunami-resilient construction in coastal cities.
Originality/value
The consolidated guideline further contains the essentials of city resilience in tsunamis and would be an excellent reference for relevant stakeholders than aligning with several guidelines.
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Shawn Hezron Charles, Alice Chang-Richards and Tak Wing Yiu
The purpose of this paper is to elicit the expectations for resilient post-disaster rebuilds from Caribbean project end-users. In anticipation of future climatological…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to elicit the expectations for resilient post-disaster rebuilds from Caribbean project end-users. In anticipation of future climatological, meteorological, hydrological or geophysical disasters disaster, key stakeholders can articulate and incorporate strategies for resilience development, thus leading to improved end-users’ satisfaction and confidence.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper engages the results of a systematic literature review that identified 24 empirical resilience factors for post-disaster reconstruction projects. These factors informed a semi-structured questionnaire to elicit the perspectives of Caribbean end-users on a seven-point Likert scale. The quantitative analysis of both factor ranking and principal component analysis was performed to identify correlations and provides further interpretations on the desires of the end-users for resilient rebuilds.
Findings
The results presented in this paper highlight the collective perspectives on the Caribbean end-users on what they perceived to be aiding more resilient reconstruction projects. They identified reconstruction designs mindful of future hazards, policies that aid climate change mitigation, active assessment of key structures, readily available funding sources and ensuring stakeholder’s unbiased interest as the top-most empirical factors. Factor analysis suggested collaborations with inclusive training and multi-stakeholder engagement, critical infrastructure indexing and effective governance as the critical resilience development factors.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is first of its kind to explore the perspective of the Caribbean people regarding disaster reconstruction projects. It addresses developmental avenues for measurement indicators towards resilience monitoring and improvement. Additionally, the perspectives can provide construction industry professionals with tools for improved operational resilience objective-setting guidance, for Caribbean construction.
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Muhammad Asif and Hesham Fazel
Disasters can affect the important sector of tourism across the world. This study aims to combine qualitative findings from 13 publications to enhance disaster management plans…
Abstract
Purpose
Disasters can affect the important sector of tourism across the world. This study aims to combine qualitative findings from 13 publications to enhance disaster management plans for the security and resilience of the tourist industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used Noblit and Hare’s seven-step meta-ethnography method, identifying 13 qualitative studies on tourism disaster management through extensive searches in key databases (WoS, Scopus and Google Scholar), meeting inclusion criteria. NVivo 12 aided in coding, translation and comprehension of related ideas.
Findings
Five interrelated and third-ordered conceptual categories were identified: extreme natural and malevolent events, lack of risk management and emerg+ency response, sustainable tourism, tourism resilience factors, disaster awareness and preparedness. Effective strategies demand collaboration, resource allocation and local engagement.
Originality/value
This study offers a novel synthesis of qualitative research in tourism disaster management, enhancing understanding of resilience in the industry. It provides unique insights on cross-cultural dynamics, stakeholder engagement and integrated strategies while showcasing the utility of meta-ethnography in business and management research.
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This study aims to raise awareness of the importance of the sociological aspects of therapeutic community work, including clarity about the nature of the task, the power of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to raise awareness of the importance of the sociological aspects of therapeutic community work, including clarity about the nature of the task, the power of informal interactions between participants and the relevance of leadership.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying insights from historical research to present-day practice.
Findings
The Northfield experiments offer a number of insights into present-day practice of therapeutic communities and enabling environments. These include clarity about the task, the relevance of participant interactions outside of specifically therapeutic work and the importance of leadership.
Social implications
The therapeutic community/enabling environments approach has relevance to a wider sector of society than solely the therapeutic. More attention needs to be paid to leadership issues in the therapeutic community movement, as well as the therapeutic power of the mutual support networks amongst those receiving care.
Originality/value
Through the lens of the Northfield experiments, this paper offers a broadening of the sociological nature of therapeutic community practice, arguing that the purpose is to enable greater social adaptability, thereby enhancing relationships and deepening our awareness of ourselves. Implicit in this perspective is the recognition of the power of non-formal interrelationships in the service as well as the importance of leadership. It is also suggested that our experience in this way of working has a value in other organisations such as work places or schools. However, to achieve this, we need to adapt our language appropriately.
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