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Article
Publication date: 7 September 2018

Kenneth Mølbjerg Jørgensen

The purpose of the paper is to provide a framework for reflecting on how different ways of configuring spaces in higher education (HE) condition the possibilities of learning…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide a framework for reflecting on how different ways of configuring spaces in higher education (HE) condition the possibilities of learning. Second, the purpose is to construct a storytelling approach for the configuration of such spaces.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper’s conceptual purpose is achieved through a theoretical discussion of three concepts: performance, politics and storytelling.

Findings

Learning in HE needs reconsideration in terms of what kinds of learning are made possible through the discursive and material configuration of the spaces of research and teaching. In particular, the focus to some extent should move away from the management and control of learning toward what enables learning.

Practical implications

The literature on organizational learning and the learning organization comprise concepts, methods and tools that play different roles with regard to controlling, shaping and enabling learning. When the focus is on learning in HE, it is important to be aware of the tracks of learning these technologies enable.

Social implications

The interest in managing and controlling learning is often problematic in relation to the potential of HE to produce new and innovative forms of learning.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the term “spaces of performance,” which directs attention toward the material, discursive and relational conditions for learning. It also introduces a space of storytelling as a new principle for learning in HE.

Details

The Learning Organization, vol. 25 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-6474

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 3 October 2017

Tristan Gerrish, Kirti Ruikar, Malcolm Cook, Mark Johnson and Mark Phillip

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of historical building performance data to identify potential issues with the build quality and operation of a building, as a means…

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of historical building performance data to identify potential issues with the build quality and operation of a building, as a means of narrowing the scope of in-depth further review.

Design/methodology/approach

The response of a room to the difference between internal and external temperatures is used to demonstrate patterns in thermal response across monitored rooms in a single building, to clearly show where rooms are under-performing in terms of their ability to retain heat during unconditioned hours. This procedure is applied to three buildings of different types, identifying the scope and limitation of this method and indicating areas of building performance deficiency.

Findings

The response of a single space to changing internal and external temperatures can be used to determine whether it responds differently to other monitored buildings. Spaces where thermal bridging and changes in use from design were encountered exhibit noticeably different responses.

Research limitations/implications

Application of this methodology is limited to buildings where temperature monitoring is undertaken both internally for a variety of spaces, and externally, and where knowledge of the uses of monitored spaces is available. Naturally ventilated buildings would be more suitable for analysis using this method.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the understanding of building energy performance from a data-driven perspective, to the knowledge on the disparity between building design intent and reality, and to the use of basic commonly recorded performance metrics for analysis of potentially detrimental building performance issues.

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2007

Ceri Watkins

The aim of this paper is to consider managers' and society's approaches to organisational performance.

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to consider managers' and society's approaches to organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes an approach informed by Lefebvre's theory of space, and presents a Lefebvrian analysis of organisational performance.

Findings

The analysis in this paper identifies a number of problematic issues within current considerations of organisational performance. The paper makes transparent the domination of the abstract representations of performance, while facilitating an engagement with the aspects of performance this domination neglects. It suggests that through neglecting the everyday lived aspects of performance, in their obsession with abstract “representations of performance”, managers make decisions without a sufficiently clear concept of the effect of those decisions on the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

As an introduction in this paper, to Lefebvrian spatial analysis in the field of organisational performance, the depth of the analysis is rather constrained.

Practical implications

In highlighting the relative neglect of the role of evolved social conventions of tolerable behaviour, or the physical lived experience of the everyday interactions of the workforce in considerations of organisational performance, the paper suggests managers run the risk of their decisions being ineffective. In light of this suggestion, a number of potential areas where Lefebvre's theory may be beneficial in the study and management of organisations are identified.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a Lefebvrian spatial analysis to the field of organisational performance and provides readers with an alternative approach to the study and management of performance in organisations.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 56 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2019

Abiodun Olatunji Abisuga, Cynthia Changxin Wang and Riza Yosia Sunindijo

This paper aims to identify user-centred facilities performance attributes of higher education buildings and how they can be used to evaluate individual learning spaces. These…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify user-centred facilities performance attributes of higher education buildings and how they can be used to evaluate individual learning spaces. These attributes are then consolidated for developing a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) framework in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the literature on the POE of higher education buildings is conducted.

Findings

This study identifies 36 facility performance attributes in higher education buildings, which can be categorised into four dimensions: ambient; spatial; technology; and building support and services requirements. These facility performance attributes need to meet user requirements to achieve satisfactory feedback. It is also important to note that user requirements differ from one learning space to another; thus, it is essential to consider the characteristics of individual learning spaces.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed evaluation framework is context-based and may not be suitable to evaluate other types of buildings. It may be further extended and enhanced to meet other facility management evaluation needs.

Practical implications

The POE framework developed in this research can be used to generate facilities management analytic to inform future design and improve existing higher education facilities.

Originality/value

This research has developed a holistic POE framework tool to meet user requirements in higher education buildings.

Article
Publication date: 28 September 2020

Ayse Gul Gemci and Bahar Ferah

This paper aims to discuss the spatial interactions of street music in public spaces. It proposes to clarify why relationship between street music and people in public spaces is…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the spatial interactions of street music in public spaces. It proposes to clarify why relationship between street music and people in public spaces is important and how street music evokes an external stimulus on people.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework of this paper is based on the triangulation process of Whyte and the qualities of public spaces, forming a relationship between space and people produced from the seminal literature of the paper. Accordingly, a case study based on the qualitative research method was conducted in Istiklal Avenue, where street music performances can be observed for long term. During the field work which spans a period of 12 months, 10 spots of street music performances have been observed and photo–video documentation was collected.

Findings

This paper provides empirical insights on how the triangulation process reflects social interactions in public spaces. This also suggests the triangulated position of street music as an external stimulus relating with the people as actors of daily urban flux.

Research limitations/implications

Regarding to the chosen research approach which is based on deeper understanding, this paper interrelates the interactions of street music and people in public space.

Social implications

This paper includes qualitative research steps of data collection and disaggregates findings with a “Cross Matrix Table” proposed at the end of the study.

Originality/value

The proposed disaggregating “Cross Matrix Table” and case study fulfil an architectural need to research how everyday street art activity can reflect the qualities of public space.

Article
Publication date: 11 August 2023

Kyung-Tae Lee, Jin-Bin Im, Sang-Jun Park and Ju-Hyung Kim

Though daycare centres are built to facilitate children's social and physical growth, divergent stakeholder perceptions yield conflicts while managing risks for each space due to…

152

Abstract

Purpose

Though daycare centres are built to facilitate children's social and physical growth, divergent stakeholder perceptions yield conflicts while managing risks for each space due to the minimal guidelines in the Republic of Korea. Due to the unclearly defined knowledge and experience gap between representative stakeholders, teachers have difficulties in operating it with high satisfaction. This study therefore was conducted to systematically identify which parts of performance should be increased to preferentially increase end-user satisfaction in limited resources.

Design/methodology/approach

This research conducted quantitative analysis gradually. Importance–performance analysis (IPA) grasped the perceptions of construction practitioners and end-users after identifying space composition and representative risks of daycare centres. Based on the factors influencing perception differences, principal component analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) were conducted to determine which space improves the performance preferentially to increase overall end-user satisfaction.

Findings

As the utilisation of indoor spaces increases after COVID-19, improvement of indoor spaces except for indoor playroom is necessary, especially, advancement of the quality of teachers' rooms.

Practical implications

Outputs by reflecting the end-user experiences support to understand which spaces are managed from the limited resources.

Originality/value

Theoretical framework for daycare centre was established in Korea where guidelines were insufficient, and differences in perception of each risk of stakeholders were identified. Moreover, gradual statistical analysis was set to construct end-user-focused centres by extracting where the performance of space should be improved in prior.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 16 August 2021

Teresa Cutler-Broyles

Much scholarly examination of BDSM and kink attempts to make meaningful various specific practices as cultural “texts,” and analyzes them for what they might signify within a…

Abstract

Much scholarly examination of BDSM and kink attempts to make meaningful various specific practices as cultural “texts,” and analyzes them for what they might signify within a particular culture or subculture. This approach has often focused on interpreting specific acts in relation to human sexuality or psychology – specifically deviance – or on critiquing them from a feminist perspective. I propose to approach an examination of (a particular) BDSM (event) itself as (a) performance, and I argue that it is not only performance but that it is performative, creating a liminal space within the already liminal space of the fetish club in which it occurs. This “kink-space” then becomes the place within which the embodiment, and the dissolution, of binaries occurs, creating possibilities for the audience and upending the structures upon which identity is based. Ultimately, BDSM as performance is an avenue for the understanding of the concepts of liminality and power and how they function to create and contain selves.

Details

Kink and Everyday Life
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83982-919-2

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2005

Mary Lou Downie

Higher education (HE) in the UK has recently suffered financial pressure due to reduced central funding, and the requirement to widen student access. The estate is typically the…

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Abstract

Purpose

Higher education (HE) in the UK has recently suffered financial pressure due to reduced central funding, and the requirement to widen student access. The estate is typically the second highest revenue expense and is an obvious target for efficiency gains. Sector‐wide statistics show there are opportunities for improving efficiency and many influential bodies have advocated space charging as a way of achieving them. This paper aims to investigate space performance indicators for evidence that space charging improves space use efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach used is a statistical analysis of space performance indicators for space charging and other higher education institution (HEIs).

Findings

Approximately one‐quarter of HEIs in the UK operated space charging in 2000‐2001 but only ten out of 31 space‐related performance indicators for the period 1998‐2001 suggest that increased efficiency results. Scrutiny of the background data shows they predominantly reflect differences in institutional wealth and activities, rather than space use management. Efficiency measures relating space to use provide no evidence of efficiency gains, suggesting that the application of charging as a space management tool is ineffective.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology does not reveal the reasons for the disparity between theory and results of space charging. Qualitative research into the application of charging systems is required to provide an explanation.

Practical implications

The conclusions are important for HE managers who are considering implementing expensive systems to improve space efficiency. The results also shed light on the usefulness of space performance indicators for HE estates.

Originality/value

Although there have been many assertions that space charging will improve space use efficiency in the HE sector, this research provides evidence to the contrary.

Details

Property Management, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2014

Chrissie Harrington

The purpose of this paper is to explore the inter-relationship between choreography and pedagogy. It refers specifically to a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project that…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the inter-relationship between choreography and pedagogy. It refers specifically to a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project that dealt with investigations into performance making and the design of a teaching and learning model. Shifts from making performance from a pre-determined starting point to a participatory and interactive process are traced to reveal a “choreographic pedagogy” informed and transformed by the experience of its actors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes a brief explanation of the terms and shared features of choreography and pedagogy, and how PAR facilitated a cyclic generation of new findings that drove the research forward. The research question is tackled through concepts, practices and tasks within the four cycles of research, each year with new participants, questions and expanding contexts.

Findings

The experience of the research participants reveals unexpected and “unfolding phenomena” that open up spaces for imagining, creating and interpreting, as a “choreographic pedagogy” in action.

Research limitations/implications

The research might appear to be limited to the areas of performance and teaching and learning, although it could provide a model for other subjects, especially for those that engage with creative processes.

Practical implications

The research is a “practice as research” model and has implications for research in education as a practice of knowledge exploration and generation.

Originality/value

It is original and has the potential to inform the ways in which educators explore and expand their disciplines through teaching and learning investigations.

Details

International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-8253

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2016

Aradhana Gandhi and Ravi Shankar

The purpose of this paper is to use strategic resource management (SRM) model and data envelopment analysis (DEA) for benchmarking Indian retailers. The study ascertains, how a…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use strategic resource management (SRM) model and data envelopment analysis (DEA) for benchmarking Indian retailers. The study ascertains, how a retailer can benchmark its performance at company level, global level, store level and finally at merchandise category level using diverse strategies for inventory, space and people.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper aims to use SRM model, for evaluating and comparing the performance of two generalized retailers Shoppers Stop and Trent. These two generalized retailers are benchmarked with another best-in-class retailer, Wal-Mart using the SRM model. The benchmarking exercise brings out improvement directions for the Indian retailers. In the next part of the study, economic efficiencies of 11 generalized retailers are ascertained using DEA model. Finally, a study is conducted to understand, how SRM model can be used as a planning tool for deciding alternative inventory, space and people strategies at store level as well as at merchandise category level.

Findings

Based on the data for the year 2011-2012, Trent’s performance is comparatively better than Shoppers Stop. The paper offers suggestion to improve its performance. Next, it was found that the performance of Wal-Mart is superior to the two Indian retailers. The study offers direction to the two retailers to devise appropriate strategies to improve their performance. The study further ascertains the relative efficiencies of 11 generalized retailers in the country. Finally, an illustration of how a retailer can use the SRM model as a tool for planning alternative strategy for inventory, space and people in a particular merchandise category is offered using data from a retail firm. The study has used “Jeans” and “Toys” as two categories to demonstrate this concept.

Practical implications

The examples considered in this paper can be used by practicing retailers to plan and benchmark their performance.

Originality/value

The study proposes a method, by which retailers can examine ways to plan and improve their operations and profitability by using the SRM and DEA model. The study is therefore relevant to practicing retailers as well as academicians.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

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