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Article
Publication date: 9 January 2024

Niloofar Solhjoo, Maja Krtalić and Anne Goulding

While exploring the information experience within multispecies families, the subjective nature of humans and non-human entities, living beings and non-living objects becomes…

Abstract

Purpose

While exploring the information experience within multispecies families, the subjective nature of humans and non-human entities, living beings and non-living objects becomes evident. This paper aims to reveal the underlying significance of information within socio-physical living environments shared among humans, cats and dogs as companions.

Design/methodology/approach

Gaining inspiration from the information experience approach and posthumanism, this is a phenomenological paper. Empirical material related to lived experiences of participating families were gathered through multispecies ethnography methods, followed by phenomenological reflections. The paper has been written based on excerpt-commentary-units and the inclusion of videos and images as an approach to convey the richness of the lived experiences and multiple perspectives.

Findings

Findings are organised into three main sections, each capturing lived experiences of information and its utilization from various frames. The paper shows how living beings, both human and animal, use their physical, sensual and moving bodies to acquire and convey information to and from each other. Moving beyond the living beings, the study discusses how non-living objects in the physical environment of a multispecies family also shape information. Material objects, spatial locations and even plants became sources of information for the family members. Lastly, the paper delves into the social environment of the family, where all members, human and animal, are actively shaped by information within their social interactions and companionship.

Originality/value

Considering information distributed across species and material objects in a shared, more-than-human environment, the article suggests implications for an information experience approach. It emphasizes how information shapes the in-between humans, animals and their environment, highlighting their reliance on each other for understanding and living a good shared life. There is a need for future research to explore the information experience within the internal subjective minds of members of multispecies families, bridging the gap in the understanding of these external information and their internal information processes.

Article
Publication date: 18 June 2024

Shi Yin Chee

As climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, ensuring thermal comfort for older adults is magnified in tropical senior living environments. This study…

Abstract

Purpose

As climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, ensuring thermal comfort for older adults is magnified in tropical senior living environments. This study explores the lived experiences of older adults' thermal comfort in senior living facilities in a tropical climate and how these experiences impact their overall well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing Moustakas' transcendental phenomenology and the Modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method, this study investigated older adults' thermal experiences through semi-structured interviews with 28 participants in six urban senior living facilities in Malaysia.

Findings

Four primary themes emerged: fabric and function; atmospheric conditions and living dynamics; thermal dynamics and environmental comfort; temperature tensions of stress, sound, and sensitivity. Our findings underscore the importance of considering the multisensory and multi-faceted nature of thermal comfort for older adults, considering sensory aspects, early life experiences, cultural practices, and personal preferences, particularly in tropical climates.

Originality/value

As one of the first to explore the thermal comfort of older adults in senior-friendly accommodations in a tropical climate, the findings provide a comprehensive understanding of older adults' diverse thermal comfort needs and offer practical recommendations for environments that support healthy aging. By integrating insights from hospitality, gerontology, and environmental studies, this research contributes to the promotion of public health and aligns with global objectives to improve the well-being of the aging population.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 18 November 2020

Ivan Nio

This chapter examines the similarities and differences in ways of life and experiences of residents in Milton Keynes and Cergy-Pontoise. Both New Towns resulted from efforts to…

Abstract

This chapter examines the similarities and differences in ways of life and experiences of residents in Milton Keynes and Cergy-Pontoise. Both New Towns resulted from efforts to create a form of urbanity that combines the attractions of urban and suburban life. In the tension between urbanity and suburbanity, many planners emphasised urbanity. To many new residents, their New Town was attractive precisely because of its suburban character. Using empirical material drawn from interviews with middle-class residents, this chapter looks at socio-spatial practices and experiences in the private domain of the home, in neighbourhoods and in public spaces and in the wider urban region. It is suggested that ways of living are conditioned by the structure and design of a city’s spaces, but people do not automatically conform to them. Their practices deviate from the city as planned and designed because residents will add meanings of their own to it. The chapter also reveals that there are differences in ‘suburban urbanity’ between both New Towns. The planning concepts and the daily lives of residents reflect cultural values attributed to suburbanity and urbanity in England and France. If the suburban middle class’s practices in the two cities reveal similar patterns, there are differences as well. In Milton Keynes, the emphasis is more on the private domain, and this causes residents to utilise and experience this city in a strikingly natural fashion. In Cergy-Pontoise, residents have a strong involvement with both the public domain and their own home.

Details

Lessons from British and French New Towns: Paradise Lost?
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83909-430-9

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 December 2023

Sheau-Ting Low, Li-Ting Neo, Weng-Wai Choong, Razlin Mansor, Siaw-Chui Wee and Jing-Ying Woon

The world population over the age of 60 is expected to increase from 900 million in 2015 to two billion by 2050. Retirement homes have emerged as a prominent housing alternative…

Abstract

Purpose

The world population over the age of 60 is expected to increase from 900 million in 2015 to two billion by 2050. Retirement homes have emerged as a prominent housing alternative and become a trend for the older adults; however, older population in Malaysia could have a negative view of retirement homes. Different generations could have different perceptions of the value of retirement homes. This study aims to explore the value of retirement homes across diverse age cohorts in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach is adopted for this study. Thematic analysis is used to analyse the interview transcripts obtained from semi-structured interviews.

Findings

The results indicated that baby boomers tend to have more negative values towards retirement homes, whereas Generations X and Y demonstrated more favourable and positive values for retirement homes.

Originality/value

This study serves as a useful reference for housing developers, policymakers and the management of retirement homes to better understand how different age cohorts value retirement homes, thereby encouraging relevant housing strategies to enhance the quality and support systems of retirement homes in society.

Details

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2018

Mei-yung Leung, Ibukun Oluwadara Famakin and Khursheed Ahmed

Personal characteristics, such as age, marital status, education level and gender, vary among elderly residents in residential apartments. These characteristics may influence the…

Abstract

Purpose

Personal characteristics, such as age, marital status, education level and gender, vary among elderly residents in residential apartments. These characteristics may influence the elderly residents’ satisfaction with the facilities provided in their residential apartments. To ensure appropriate facilities management (FM) items are provided for the different categories of elderly people, it is necessary to understand their basic needs. Therefore, this paper aims to compare the satisfaction with FM items among elderly people with different personal characteristics in private domestic (PD) buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted among elderly people with different personal characteristics in PD buildings to collect information about their levels of satisfaction with FM items. A total of 41 FM items and four characteristics of the elderly, namely, age, gender, marital status and education, were identified in this study.

Findings

The result shows that satisfaction with natural daylight was significantly different among elderly people of different genders, while the one-way between-groups ANOVA indicate that satisfaction with the size of bedrooms, turning spaces at doors, temperature in bathrooms and/or toilets, colour, accessibility and ease of closing or opening the doors were significantly different among elderly people belonging to different age groups and of different marital status and education level.

Originality/value

Designers and private developers are therefore recommended to increase the sizes of bedrooms, install windows on opposite sides of walls in the flats and ensure there is an adequate light reflection ratio for wall and floor colours, to accommodate elderly people’s special characteristics.

Book part
Publication date: 2 February 2023

Emily C. Bouck, Holly Long and Larissa Jakubow

Assistive technology can support and enhance the learning, independence, and daily living skills of students with disabilities, including students with intellectual disability…

Abstract

Assistive technology can support and enhance the learning, independence, and daily living skills of students with disabilities, including students with intellectual disability (ID). Assistive technology is not generally disability dependent; however, for students with ID we decided to focus on assistive technology across two areas: instructional aids – with a focus on reading, writing, and mathematics – and transition and independence. Throughout our focus on these two categories of assistive technology, we discuss low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech options to support students with ID.

Details

Using Technology to Enhance Special Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-651-3

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 25 November 2003

James W Grimm, Zachary W Brewster and D.Clayton Smith

Community household survey data tested the intervening role (between education and reported health outcomes) of adaptations of Antonovsky’s (1987) tripartite sense of coherence…

Abstract

Community household survey data tested the intervening role (between education and reported health outcomes) of adaptations of Antonovsky’s (1987) tripartite sense of coherence (SOC). Comprehensibility was indexed by clarity and responsiveness of insurance representatives, manageability was measured by problems reported with physician office visits, and meaningfulness was assessed with household members’ community health activities. SOC measures did not link education to either impairments or to health lifestyle scores. Comprehensibility and manageability linked education with self-reported well-being. Education and manageability each reduced impairments, while education, manageability, and meaningfulness increased lifestyle totals. Results help elucidate the influence of education on health.

Details

Reorganizing Health Care Delivery Systems: Problems of Managed
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-247-4

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2019

Mei-yung Leung, Ibukun Oluwadara Famakin and Chendi Wang

The growth rate of the aging population raises the demand for and challenges of public and subsidized (P&S) housing for the elderly. The decline in elderly ability increases their…

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Abstract

Purpose

The growth rate of the aging population raises the demand for and challenges of public and subsidized (P&S) housing for the elderly. The decline in elderly ability increases their dependence on the quality of facilities provided by their residential apartment. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated indoor built environment–quality of life model for the elderly in P&S housing estates.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey, including scales for 4 quality of life (QoL) domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and overall QoL), and 13 indoor built environment (BE) components were identified. In total, 365 survey data were collected from the elderly in 18 political districts of Hong Kong, while reliability analysis, multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling were adopted in the data analysis.

Findings

Based on the congruence of results of these statistical analyses, it was revealed that: furniture and fixtures predict all the four QoL domains of the elderly; lighting and color induce social relationships; and overall QoL is predicted by distance and handrails.

Originality/value

Several recommendations were made in accordance with the research results, such as review minimum spacing requirements to provide walking distance for elderly physical activity, investigate the micro-climate for appropriate building orientation, consider the changing body size of the elderly for supply of furniture, use warm colors with high levels of illumination, and so on.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 26 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 August 2013

Kara Chan and Hao‐Chieh Chang

Hong Kong youth's general attitudes toward government publicity were studied and their responses to two public service advertisements promoting green lifestyles were measured. The…

2195

Abstract

Purpose

Hong Kong youth's general attitudes toward government publicity were studied and their responses to two public service advertisements promoting green lifestyles were measured. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty‐four Chinese youths in Hong Kong aged 17 to 22 were questioned about their understanding of and attitudes toward public service advertising in face‐to‐face interviews. Their opinions of two government television ads promoting “green living” were then solicited.

Findings

The interviewees described government publicity in general as credible and practical. Some liked the green living ads for their creativity but others disliked them as boring, unrealistic, irrelevant and uninformative. Recommendations are presented for designing public service campaigns that target youth.

Research limitations/implications

The results were based on a small convenience sample. More than one interviewer participated, so the results were subject to differences in interviewing techniques.

Practical implications

The study developed useful information for those organizing public service ad campaigns, especially campaigns aimed at Chinese youth.

Originality/value

This has been the first study to measure youth's attitudes toward public service ad campaigns in the Hong Kong context.

Details

Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-2752

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2009

Adnan Kisa, Fikriye Yilmaz, Mustafa Z. Younis, Sahin Kavuncubasi, Korkut Ersoy and Patrick A. Rivers

Poor people often experience a delay in meeting their healthcare needs due to their economic situation. As a result, delayed diagnoses and treatment may increase disease severity…

403

Abstract

Purpose

Poor people often experience a delay in meeting their healthcare needs due to their economic situation. As a result, delayed diagnoses and treatment may increase disease severity, increase the risk of death, and enhance disease transmission in the community. The purpose of this paper is to provide important information about health service delays among the poorest people in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

A field study is conducted among the 92 poorest households in the Etimesgut region of Ankara in order to ascertain any delays in health services among the poor, as well as the factors related to those delays.

Findings

The results of the study show that 87 percent of the households lived on a daily income of US$2.15, and that household member's delay seeking healthcare services an average of 4.66±1.17 times in the past year. Reasons for delaying or not seeking healthcare services included the following: participants thought they would get better without doing anything (7.6 percent), by using traditional herbs (12.7 percent), by using pharmaceuticals already on hand (11.4 percent), the health facility was too far away (5.1 percent), and inability to pay (63.3 percent). Significant associations are found between the delaying behaviors, socioeconomic characteristics of households, and health status.

Practical implications

At the end of the study, policy suggestions are provided for improving medical care seeking behaviors and treatment compliance among the poor.

Originality/value

Poverty is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that consists of income insufficiency, lack of education, malnutrition, and poor health. The relationship between poverty and poor health impacts those who live in poverty as well as communities, organizations and entire countries. Reducing health disparities and decreasing delays and difficulties in access to health care among poor households are important goals.

Details

Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues, vol. 2 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-7983

Keywords

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