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1 – 10 of over 3000Asif R. Khan and N. Lakshmi Thilagam
The Covid-19 crisis has inflicted a disruptive impact on the conventional institutional format of architecture studio pedagogy. As a result, there is a critical suddenness for an…
Abstract
Purpose
The Covid-19 crisis has inflicted a disruptive impact on the conventional institutional format of architecture studio pedagogy. As a result, there is a critical suddenness for an alternative approach to ensure continuity. The research pursues is to pursue a multidisciplinary study with a focus on the following domains: architecture, the science of learning and e-learning architecture. Inference from the study would become the basis for a theoretical proposition for improvement of the existing pedagogical framework. Moreover, the literature would add valuable insights to the knowledge base.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory research approach is used for this study. The inquiry-based approach enlightens on the role of the architect in society. Also, the nature of architectural design education that existed prior to the Covid-19 outbreak is examined. Further, the paper explores the impact of the paradigm shift from institutional mode to e-learning mode overnight. Purposefully multi-disciplinary studies are pursued to develop a broad understanding of the associated domains. This could effectively contribute to developing an effective pedagogical framework. This would facilitate the conduct of architecture studio discourse in a structured manner during the current scenario.
Findings
The confluence approach – a theoretical proposition for effective structuring of architecture studio pedagogy has evolved as part of the research. Further, the proposed virtual learning pyramid enlightens on the drive to continue on with augmentation of students existing creative acumen. Which is one of the universally sought-after goals of studio pedagogy even during times of uncertainties.
Research limitations/implications
Pedagogues would find the study very meaningful for the conduct of architecture design studio in e-learning mode. They would also acquire a broad understanding of factors to be considered. The research would pave way for future studies in this area from a multi-disciplinary perspective.
Social implications
The current Covid-19 crisis deters architecture studio discourse from being conducted in an accustomed institutional format. Therefore, it becomes important for institutions to ensure continuity of architectural education with the help of new measures. In concurrence, the research envisions an alternative approach: virtual design studio using e-learning mode. This would ensure continuity of architectural education even when the instructor and students are separated in either time or place.
Originality/value
The study presents a unique contribution to the limited literature available on architecture studio pedagogy during the e-learning scenario.
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Vasanthi Suresh and Lata Dyaram
Despite increased attention towards workplace disability in global and local development agenda, mainstream inclusion of persons with disability continues to be a challenge for…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite increased attention towards workplace disability in global and local development agenda, mainstream inclusion of persons with disability continues to be a challenge for most organizations. This paper aims to explore how organizations can be facilitated for adapting to the need and responsibility for change, towards evolving into disability inclusive workplaces.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses an inter-domain approach by linking organization change and development models to Indian indigenous disability management literature.
Findings
This review indicates that in comparison with the other dimensions of diversity, disability brings unique challenges that need a differentiated management approach. Further, it finds a strong base for organizations to approach disability management as a strategic and transformative change initiative, aligning with some of the proven change and organization development (OD) interventions.
Research limitations/implications
This paper draws implications for disability management and highlights the need for a practice perspective towards disability management and OD.
Originality/value
This paper provides an integrated view of critical factors influencing workplace disability management and OD.
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The study aims to learn how a small private university dedicated to Judaic studies successfully merged with a large public university? Our study investigates how Baltimore Hebrew…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to learn how a small private university dedicated to Judaic studies successfully merged with a large public university? Our study investigates how Baltimore Hebrew University (BHU) successfully integrated into the much larger Towson University (TU), while maintaining its unique Jewish identity.
Design/methodology/approach
How did leadership facilitate a successful merging of a small private university with a large public university? Our case study investigates how BHU successfully integrated into the much larger TU. Given that past research has focused primarily on the financial aspects, the purpose of the present study is to analyze how leaders successfully navigated the complex processes of integrating the two institutions through envisioning, communicating and planning effectively. This research uniquely investigates the role of leadership as the driving force in moving the merger forward and facilitating the process. The authors analyzed the circumstances that facilitated the merger and discovered that leadership pushed this merger forward, particularly the confluence of three approaches—visionary, transformational and servant leadership. This research has implications for guiding future mergers of smaller colleges with larger universities. This case study is particularly timely, during this uncertain age of COVID-19, when many universities are considering creative solutions, including potential mergers with other institutions, in the face of increasing financial difficulties.
Findings
Implications of this research can help illuminate future mergers of smaller colleges with larger universities in cases where the smaller institution desires to retain its strong cultural or historical identity. The authors found that the “right leadership on the ground” is a crucial component needed for a successful merger, particularly in a higher education setting.
Research limitations/implications
Our research provides a concrete example that can be used help campus administrators assess whether they have the leadership structure in place to successfully navigate a merger as a path forward.
Originality/value
This case study is particularly timely, during this uncertain age of COVID-19, when many universities are considering creative solutions, including potential mergers with other institutions, in the face of increasing financial difficulties.
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Purpose: The insurance business is confronted with coordination difficulties that necessitate a high level of mobility, flexibility, and the capacity to analyse heterogeneous…
Abstract
Purpose: The insurance business is confronted with coordination difficulties that necessitate a high level of mobility, flexibility, and the capacity to analyse heterogeneous, location-dependent data from different sources and qualities. Recent innovations in emerging technologies have given the insurance industry new organisational options. When coupled with data analytics, crowdsourcing in the insurance industry facilitates solving complex issues with the wisdom of crowds. The notion of incorporating crowdsourcing and big data into the mainstream activities of insurance management is developed in this article, as are the ramifications and gains of collective intelligence achieved by Crowdsourcing and the added value of crowdsourcing insurance activities.
Design/methodology/approach: This chapter is a conceptual work that builds on relevant literature.
Findings: This chapter analyses what insurance industry managers should consider when coordinating crowdsourced activities and how they may benefit from collective intelligence combined with data analytics in terms of efficient and real-time response management for the insurance industry. Furthermore, it is demonstrated how they may use crowdsourcing to exploit information and benefit from invoking additional resources and eliminating the institutional voids present in the industry.
Practical implications: Exemplary applications that take advantage of crowdsourcing and data analytics would help the insurance sector respond flexibly, efficiently, and effectively in real time.
Originality/value: This chapter offers new collaborative ways to enhance the decision-making of insurance industry managers. The relevance of overcoming institutional voids is expanded, and repercussions from the given framework are suggested using data analytics.
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Mariana Namen Jotabá, Cristina I. Fernandes, Marjaana Gunkel and Sascha Kraus
This study aims to map scientific publications, intellectual structure and research trends in the development of human resource management (HRM) by adopting innovative practices…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to map scientific publications, intellectual structure and research trends in the development of human resource management (HRM) by adopting innovative practices. Specifically, it aims to (1) identify the fundamental contributions of research and to (2) determine the lines of research that constitute the most prominent intellectual structure to contribute to defining a future research agenda.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs bibliometric, bibliographic coupling and cluster analysis techniques. To evaluate any potential patterns among the articles, it is analyzed how those were jointly cited. Hierarchical cluster analysis was also applied to those subject to bibliographic coupling analysis within the scope of grouping the interrelated articles into distinct sets.
Findings
The results enabled the identification and classification of various theoretical perspectives on human resources development through the adoption of innovative practices into four main approaches: (1) organizational factors of success, (2) strategic HRM, (3) human behavior and (4) learning management.
Originality/value
This study identifies, explores, analyzes and summarizes the main themes contributing to deepening the literature by identifying the priority areas concerning HRM through the adoption of innovative practices that can guarantee international standards of excellence.
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Yusuf Berkay Metinal and Gulden Gumusburun Ayalp
The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on architectural education (AE) was investigated, and a framework was proposed to reduce the impacts' negative…
Abstract
Purpose
The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on architectural education (AE) was investigated, and a framework was proposed to reduce the impacts' negative consequences.
Design/methodology/approach
Systematic literature review, bibliometric and content analyses were combined to gain an in-depth understanding of the effects of the pandemic on AE and projections for its future. Relevant documents were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database. Bibliometric connections in the context of AE and COVID-19 pandemic were explored using text-mining and content analysis was performed.
Findings
The challenges, development tendencies and collaboration networks in AE during the pandemic were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The most influential articles, journals, authors and countries/regions were highlighted using a bibliometric analysis. The analysis of keyword tendencies and clusters indicates that new concepts have emerged in AE research during the pandemic involving online, in-person and hybrid education. Using content analysis of 57 subtopics, 39 (18) were categorized as having negative (positive) effects. A comprehensive mitigation framework was designed to reduce the impact of the pandemic on AE.
Research limitations/implications
The study findings can enable practitioners to construct effective solutions to COVID-19- and other disaster-related problems regarding AE. The implications, obstacles and mitigation framework presented can help identify gaps in the literature and guide further research.
Originality/value
This paper presents the first bibliometric and content analysis of AE and COVID-19 pandemic-related studies published from January 2020 to June 2022 to highlight several research directions and academic development within the field.
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Behzad Abbasnejad, Sahar Soltani and Peter Wong
Most educational institutions worldwide have shifted to online teaching and learning approaches to mitigate risks imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This causes several issues…
Abstract
Purpose
Most educational institutions worldwide have shifted to online teaching and learning approaches to mitigate risks imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This causes several issues, particularly in delivering the construction management (CM) courses which require site visits, interpreting technical drawings and developing 3D building models. This paper aims to identify the key strategies for online learning and teaching adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate the implications for construction management education.
Design/methodology/approach
The research approach is twofold. First, the study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) through a synthesis of the existing literature to identify the key strategies and lessons learned about online education during the COVID-19 pandemic in tertiary programs. It also discusses their implications in the context of the construction management (CM) sector in particular. Secondly, the authors shared their hands-on experience as construction management course facilitators – using the autoethnography approach – during the COVID-19 crisis.
Findings
In addition to identifying the key strategies such as online course delivery and assessments, the paper critically discusses the barriers to online learning and teaching, including (1) the technological and infrastructure barriers; (2) required online teaching skills and competencies; (3) issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing; (4) lack of consistency in the online delivery of various courses in a given program (5) difficulties around students' engagement and (6) the course characteristics and requirements.
Originality/value
The study offers some implications and recommendations not only for educational institutions and staff but also for vendors of online course delivery software. To prepare educational institutions for future online course delivery, the paper proposes several strategies. These include developing a set of guidelines for online course delivery, incorporating online teaching training modules into the recruitment process for academic staff, applying agile and resilience teaching and learning methods, wellbeing and mental health support and continuously improving course features to adapt to the online environment.
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The paper aims to understand and assess architecture students' experiences of online teaching during the initial lockdown caused by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to understand and assess architecture students' experiences of online teaching during the initial lockdown caused by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic between March–June 2020. The exploratory study was conducted across two architectural engineering departments of two separate campuses of the same not-for-profit, non-governmental higher education institution in Cairo, Egypt, focusing on two course streams within their architectural curriculum; design-studio-based courses (DC) and technology courses (TC).
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach was used, where a questionnaire-based survey was developed to gather qualitative and quantitative data based on perceptions of a sample of 245 students. The survey quantitatively queried five dimensions related to students' learning experiences and qualitatively sought to evaluate both the positive experiences and challenges the students experienced.
Findings
Findings outline that students' experiences were neutral but veered toward the positive end of the scale. Three factors appear to have affected students' learning experiences; students' reliance on educational technologies, the stage of architectural education students were enrolled in when they went into lockdown, and finally, quality and timing of feedback received. While challenges were faced during transition to the digital realm, these may have compelled students to take ownership of the students' own knowledge construction.
Originality/value
Results provide a nuanced understanding of how students dealt with this critical transformation in architectural pedagogy at a unique moment in history, highlighting merits that could have an everlasting impact on design education during and after times of pandemic.
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The purpose of this paper is to show that collaboration is a vital cog in the “wheel” of knowledge management. The exchange of knowledge between individuals and enterprises is…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show that collaboration is a vital cog in the “wheel” of knowledge management. The exchange of knowledge between individuals and enterprises is accomplished by knowledge sharing technology, enabling tools that provide communication and knowledge capture in the form of wikis, blogs, online repositories, and instant messaging applications. In order to keep pace with the demands of the ever‐changing knowledge economy, organizations must be aware of the knowledge sharing tools that are in use today, customizing the technology to help them maintain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. This article introduces knowledge sharing products that are readily available in the commercial market. Products distributed by SalesForce.com, BMC Software, DCASoft, and Atlassian are highlighted. An evaluation of Atlassian's Confluence collaboration product is provided.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper lists the capabilities of product offerings by several companies, and provides an in‐depth product review of a web and database‐enabled collaboration application that is fully‐installed on a web server.
Findings
There have been several success stories in which government, commercial, and academic institutions have improved performance by using knowledge sharing technology. However, organizations must be prepared to identify technical staff and/or hire consultants who can integrate and customize knowledge sharing applications to suit the needs of their environments. These system integrators should have extensive internet development skills using the eXtensible Markup Language (XML), Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), Really Simple Syndication (RSS), database connectivity, portals, and web programming languages such as Java and Perl.
Originality/value
Enterprises can achieve a significant return on investment (ROI) by integrating collaborative technology into their daily operations. Benefits would be measured in terms of increased productivity, improved performance, and profitability.
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