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21 – 30 of 246Phuoc Luong Le, Thien-My Dao and Amin Chaabane
This paper aims to propose an innovative building information modelling (BIM)-based framework for multi-objective and dynamic temporary construction site layout design (SLD)…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose an innovative building information modelling (BIM)-based framework for multi-objective and dynamic temporary construction site layout design (SLD), which uses a hybrid approach of systematic layout planning (SLP) and mathematical modelling.
Design/methodology/approach
The hybrid approach, which follows a step-by-step process for site layout planning, is designed to facilitate both qualitative and quantitative data collection and processing. BIM platform is usedto facilitate the determination of the required quantitative data, while the qualitative data are generated through knowledge-based rules.
Findings
The multi-objective layout model represents two important aspects: layout cost and adjacency score. The result shows that the model meets construction managers’ requirements in not only saving cost but also assuring the preferences of temporary facility relationships. This implies that the integration of SLP and mathematical layout modelling is an appropriate approach to deliver practical multi-objective SLD solutions.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed framework is expected to serve as a solution, for practical application, which takes the advantage of technologies in data collection and processing. Besides, this paper demonstrates, by using numerical experimentation and applying Microsoft Excel Solver for site layout optimisation, how to reduce the complexity in mathematical programming for construction managers.
Originality/value
The original contribution of this paper is the attempt of developing a framework in which all data used for the site layout modelling are collected and processed using a systematic approach, instead of being predetermined, as in many previous studies.
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Anna Sung, Kelvin Leong, Paolo Sironi, Tim O’Reilly and Alison McMillan
The purpose of this paper is to explore two identified knowledge gaps: first, the identification and analysis of online searching trends for Financial Technology (FinTech)-related…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore two identified knowledge gaps: first, the identification and analysis of online searching trends for Financial Technology (FinTech)-related jobs and education information in UK, and second to assess the current strength of the FinTech-related job distribution in terms of job titles and locations in UK, job market in UK and what is required to help it to grow.
Design/methodology/approach
Two sets of data were used in this study in order to fill the two identified knowledge gaps. First, six years’ worth of data, for the period from September 2012 to August 2018 was collected from Google Trends. This was in the form of search term keyword text. The hypothesis was designed correspondingly, and the results were reviewed and evaluated using a relevant statistical tool. Second, relevant data were extracted from the “Indeed” website (www.indeed.co.uk) by means of a simple VBA programme written in Excel. In total, the textual data for 500 job advertisements, including the keyword “FinTech”, were downloaded from that website.
Findings
The authors found that there was a continuously increasing trend in the use of the keyword “fintech” under the category “Jobs and Education” in online searching from September 2012 to August 2018. The authors demonstrated that this trend was statistically significant. In contrast, the trends for searches using both “finance” and “accounting” were slightly decreased over the same period. Furthermore, the authors identified the geographic distribution of the fintech-related jobs in the UK. In regard to job titles, the authors discovered that “manager” was the most frequently searched term, followed by “developer” and “engineer”.
Research limitations/implications
Educators could use this research as a reference in the development of the portfolio of their courses. In addition, the findings from this study could also enable potential participators to reflect on their career development. It is worth noting that the motivations for carrying out an internet search are complex, and each of these needs to be understood. There are many factors that would affect how an information seeker would behave with the obtained information. More work is still needed in order to encourage more people to enter to the FinTech sector.
Originality/value
In the planning stage prior to launching a new course educators often need to justify the market need: this analysis could provide a supporting rationale and enable a new course to launch more quickly. Consequently, the pipeline of talent supply to the sector would also be benefitted. The authors believe this is the first time that a study like this had been conducted to explore specifically the availability and opportunities for FinTech education and retraining in UK. The authors anticipate that this study will become the primary reference for researchers, educators and policy makers engaged in future research or practical applications on related topics.
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It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article Mustafa, A. and Hatemi-J, A. (2020), “A VBA module simulation for finding optimal lag order in time series models…
Abstract
It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article Mustafa, A. and Hatemi-J, A. (2020), “A VBA module simulation for finding optimal lag order in time series models and its use on teaching financial data computation”, published in Applied Computing and Informatics, https://doi.org/10.1016/ACI-j.aci.2019.04.003 was published twice due to a production error while onboarding the journal. The original article can be seen here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aci.2019.04.003
M. Al‐Hussein, J. Kumar, V. Sharma and D. Mah
The residential construction industry has a major share in Canada's GDP. In spite of huge spending and technical advances in the residential construction sector, the current…
Abstract
Purpose
The residential construction industry has a major share in Canada's GDP. In spite of huge spending and technical advances in the residential construction sector, the current permit approval process still adheres to traditional manual permit approval process. Consequently, this has contributed to project delays and increased monetary costs to the stakeholders associated with the process. The research presented in this paper seeks to explore key issues related to the current housing development permit approval process.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes a proposed methodology for the automation of the residential construction development permit approval process. The proposed methodology has been incorporated into a computer system that integrates a knowledge‐based expert system (KBES), database management system (DBMS), and computer‐aided design (CAD). Various concepts related to the database structures, system architecture, process flow and user interfaces are introduced and described in the context of the development permit approval process.
Findings
This paper presents a knowledge‐based prototype for the development permit approval process that can be customized as per the needs of various cities. A case study is also presented in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and to illustrate the implementation of the research.
Research limitations/implications
The prototype is application‐independent and may be implemented anywhere in the AutoCAD environment. The research paves the way for the setting of drafting standards for the residential industry.
Originality/value
Prototype provides significant gains in productivity and accuracy over the current practices by minimizing the redundancies involved in the development permit approval process.
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William D. Brink and M. Dale Stoel
The purpose of this study is to identify the specific skills and abilities within the broad category of data analytics that current business professionals believe are most…
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to identify the specific skills and abilities within the broad category of data analytics that current business professionals believe are most important for accounting graduates. Data analytics knowledge is clearly important, but this category is broad. Therefore, this study identifies the specific skills and abilities that are most important for accounting graduates so that faculty can create classroom materials most beneficial for the future accounting graduates. In 2013, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business developed new standards for accounting programs, including standard A7, related to information technology and analytics. The intent of the standard clearly focuses on increasing the level of technology and analytics studied within the accounting curriculum. However, the specific details and methods for achieving the intent of A7 remain an open question. This chapter uses prior research focused on business analytics education to identify potential analytic skills, tools, techniques, and management issues of concern within the accounting profession. A survey of 342 accounting professionals identifies suggested areas of analytic competencies for accounting graduates. Specifically, the authors find preferences for skills related to data interpretation and communication over any individual technical skills or statistical knowledge. These skills suggest a role for accountants as intermediaries who may need to translate analytic activities into business language. Post hoc, the authors examine the survey results for differences based on respondent characteristics. Interestingly, female respondents report lower beliefs about the importance of analytic skills. The authors also find some differences when examining different demographics within the respondents.
Nicolas La Roche-Carrier, Guyh Dituba Ngoma, Yasar Kocaefe and Fouad Erchiqui
Reliability plays an important role in the execution of the maintenance improvement and the understanding of its concepts is essential to predict the type of maintenance according…
Abstract
Purpose
Reliability plays an important role in the execution of the maintenance improvement and the understanding of its concepts is essential to predict the type of maintenance according to the equipment state. Thereby, a computational tool was developed and programming with VBA in Excel® for reliability and failure analysis in a mining context. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The developed approach use the modeling of stochastic processes, such as the renewal process, the non-homogeneous Poisson process and less conventional method as the Bayesian approach, by considering Jeffreys non-informative prior. The resolution gives the best associated model, the parameters estimation, the mean time between failure and the reliability estimate. This approach is validated with the reliability analysis of inter-failure times from underground rock bolters subsystems, over a two-year period.
Findings
Results show that Weibull and lognormal probability distribution fit to the most subsystems inter-failure times. The study revealed that the bolting head, the rock drill, the screen handler, the electric/electronic system, the hydraulic system, the drilling feeder and the structural consume the most repair frequency. The hydraulic and electric/electronic subsystems represent the lowest reliability after 50 operation hours.
Originality/value
For the first time, this case study defines practical failures and reliability information for rock bolter subsystems based on real operation data. This paper is useful to the comparative evaluation of rock bolter by detecting the weakest elements and understanding failure patterns in the individual observation subsystems on the overall machine performance.
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Olga Mironova, Irina Amitan, Jelena Vendelin, Jüri Vilipõld and Merike Saar
This paper aims to present a teaching approach to achieve the most personal support for students with different backgrounds and preferences in studying an Informatics course.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a teaching approach to achieve the most personal support for students with different backgrounds and preferences in studying an Informatics course.
Design/methodology/approach
The presented methodology is based on the main principles of flexible and blended learning. The authors considered three main aspects: student’s background, the level of knowledge and the most suitable style of learning. At the beginning of the course, students were randomly divided into reference and test group. The test group students were continuously supported by different tools within an e-learning environment. The learning process for the reference group students was held in a traditional form.
Findings
The success of the experiment presented in this paper is demonstrated by comparing the results of the test group who were taught using the new strategy with the reference group who were taught in a common way. The statistical analysis shows that the test group students had better achievements compared to the reference group.
Research Limitations/implications
This presented study was carried out with non-IT first-year university students from social sciences, economics and technical faculties. Each year the number of students varied from 150 to 300.
Originality/value
Based on developed methodology, the model of individualization of the educational process in an e-environment was created and implemented in the course of Informatics in Tallinn University of Technology.
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