Karen Arzate Quintanilla, Gehan Selim and Pam Birtill
This study explores how physical factors foster a supportive and welcoming atmosphere conducive to learning and personal development. The research highlights the relevance of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores how physical factors foster a supportive and welcoming atmosphere conducive to learning and personal development. The research highlights the relevance of “spatial belonging” as a novel concept associated with the materiality of buildings in higher education institutions, explaining how the physicality of architectural space directly impacts students’ success and learning experience.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methods included the use of cartographies created by undergraduate students, which provided a platform for them to articulate their perspectives on the educational spaces within their school.
Findings
The findings show a relationship between well-designed educational spaces and students’ heightened sense of belonging. Implications for educational policy and campus design are included as areas for future research, emphasizing the need for architects, educators and policymakers to collaborate in creating spaces that meet functional academic requirements.
Research limitations/implications
Spatial belonging has been studied through the architectural student perspective, however, there should be a different approach toward materiality from students of different disciplines. The study could be replicated in different institutions and multiple career paths.
Practical implications
Spatial design for higher education has been a matter of importance especially after COVID-19, since the sudden change of educational learning migrating to online platforms, the meaning and value of space should be revisited. HEIs should be prepared for multiple events that our society and environment may experience in the foreseeable future. Guidelines of spatial design for belonging and well-being should be at hand of educators and stakeholders.
Social implications
Spatial design is involved with psychological processes where emotions are being experienced in different places. A physical space should provide students with what they need in order to fulfill their needs as human beings who are experiencing multiple changes in their academic and personal life. Moreover, as seen in previous research, through the pandemic many students presented anxiety and depression which was related to isolation. Therefore, their life in campus is important not only for their academic development but for personal reasons.
Originality/value
The concept of sense of belonging has been studied through the perspective of psychology, geography, education and multiple disciplines. However, there is a lack of research that relates sense of belonging with materiality and architecture. The relationship physical spaces, has not been considered as essential for the development of basic tasks. Who designs the spaces we inhabit? Why are they designed in that particular way? Why are people not involved in the design of the spaces they work and live? Space is essential for social relationships to be developed, and at the same time social relations create different spaces, therefore, architecture supports the way we experience these spaces and promotes different relationships where there are no hierarchical levels but every aspect rather spatial or social have the same level of importance.
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Guillermo Guerrero-Vacas, Jaime Gómez-Castillo and Oscar Rodríguez-Alabanda
Polyurethane (PUR) foam parts are traditionally manufactured using metallic molds, an unsuitable approach for prototyping purposes. Thus, rapid tooling of disposable molds using…
Abstract
Purpose
Polyurethane (PUR) foam parts are traditionally manufactured using metallic molds, an unsuitable approach for prototyping purposes. Thus, rapid tooling of disposable molds using fused filament fabrication (FFF) with polylactic acid (PLA) and glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) is proposed as an economical, simpler and faster solution compared to traditional metallic molds or three-dimensional (3D) printing with other difficult-to-print thermoplastics, which are prone to shrinkage and delamination (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polypropilene-PP) or high-cost due to both material and printing equipment expenses (PEEK, polyamides or polycarbonate-PC). The purpose of this study has been to evaluate the ease of release of PUR foam on these materials in combination with release agents to facilitate the mulding/demoulding process.
Design/methodology/approach
PETG, PLA and hardenable polylactic acid (PLA 3D870) have been evaluated as mold materials in combination with aqueous and solvent-based release agents within a full design of experiments by three consecutive molding/demolding cycles.
Findings
PLA 3D870 has shown the best demoldability. A mold expressly designed to manufacture a foam cushion has been printed and the prototyping has been successfully achieved. The demolding of the part has been easier using a solvent-based release agent, meanwhile the quality has been better when using a water-based one.
Originality/value
The combination of PLA 3D870 and FFF, along with solvent-free water-based release agents, presents a compelling low-cost and eco-friendly alternative to traditional metallic molds and other 3D printing thermoplastics. This innovative approach serves as a viable option for rapid tooling in PUR foam molding.
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David Gomez-Schwartz, Mauricio Castillo-Vergara, Oscar Contreras González and Cesar Espíndola Arellano
The prolonged drought in Chile’s Coquimbo region has created a permanent state of emergency, forcing the state to spend millions each year distributing drinking water to rural…
Abstract
Purpose
The prolonged drought in Chile’s Coquimbo region has created a permanent state of emergency, forcing the state to spend millions each year distributing drinking water to rural communities. The purpose of this article is to detail a study focused on optimizing the supply of drinking water through trucks in the 15 communes of the region and how the problem was faced in a context of a slowonset disaster.
Design/methodology/approach
A geo-referenced census and optimization analysis of the 5.541 households that receive drinking water was conducted to determine the feasibility of removing trucks from the system. To generate a greater reduction in distribution costs, it was suggested to incorporate water distribution infrastructure projects, changing the concept of ‘expenses’ to ‘investment’.
Findings
The study was born out of the concern for the increased demand for drinking water from rural areas. The proposed and implemented framework allowed an additional 20% reduction in the initial transportation costs; this confirmed the assumption that the proposed optimization model alone would not offer a robust solution and was complemented and integrated with this type of alternative, forming an “integrated model”.
Research limitations/implications
The paper has implications for the resilience of territories affected by climate change.
Practical implications
The methodology can be replicated in other areas where similar interactions occur.
Social implications
Families impacted by drought can improve their quality of life and reduce distress in the face of the constant emergency.
Originality/value
This research aims to contribute knowledge from the perspective of a slow-onset disaster where water resources are scarce. It presents a framework where two disciplines converge, resulting in an “integrated model” that, through its implementation, reduces the costs of resource delivery while simultaneously improving the sanitary conditions of the beneficiary families.
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Oscar Espinoza, Catalina Miranda, Noel McGinn, Bruno Corradi, Luis Sandoval and Luis González
This study seeks to assess the impact of three factors related to graduates’ situation in the labor market on their satisfaction with university education. The dimensions are: (1…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to assess the impact of three factors related to graduates’ situation in the labor market on their satisfaction with university education. The dimensions are: (1) the gender of the graduates; (2) the institutional features of the institution attended, such as the selectivity of the university, and (3) the work experiences of young graduates once employed.
Design/methodology/approach
Responses from a sample of 718 graduates from 11 Chilean universities surveyed in 2021 were used to estimate the association between sociodemographic and institutional characteristics and satisfaction. The data analysis was carried out in two steps. First, nonlinear principal component analysis (PCA) assessed the variance shared by the three ordinal variables measuring satisfaction. In the second step, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis assessed the relative contribution of the independent variables to scores on the satisfaction variable.
Findings
The main results emphasize the relevance of two main influences on satisfaction with their university education. These were the selectivity of the university and the graduates’ experiences in the labor market. Graduates from the most selective universities tend to show a higher level of satisfaction with their university education. Satisfaction is also highest among those graduates who rapidly entered the workforce and secured employment closely aligned with their degree.
Originality/value
This is the first study in Chile on the satisfaction of graduates conducted in a representative number of universities.
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Oscar Miranda-Hospinal, Julián Villodre, David Valle-Cruz and Kesber Angulo-Sánchez
This study aims to examine the perception of public works experts on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to potentially increase the rationality and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the perception of public works experts on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to potentially increase the rationality and transparency of public works.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on an exploratory quantitative design. It uses an original survey on the use of AI in public works, targeting public works experts from Peru. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings
Findings reveal public works experts’ interest in AI, highlighting its potential to improve transparency and efficiency, although labor changes are anticipated. AI monitoring could impact economic and quality control areas, vital in the fight against corruption. Infrastructure, government policies and financial resources emerge as fundamental enablers.
Originality/value
The advent of advanced AI systems has raised promises to help fight corruption through new monitoring capabilities that enhance transparency and rationality. However, few studies have assessed the impact of AI on public works. This paper contributes to this gap by testing a framework that explores how public works experts perceive the use of AI, considering their perceptions, expectations, perceived challenges and opportunities over public works’ rationality and transparency.
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This article explores the use of Lady Gaga’s life as a tool in leadership courses to teach the five practices of exemplary leadership. It exemplifies how popular culture artifacts…
Abstract
Purpose
This article explores the use of Lady Gaga’s life as a tool in leadership courses to teach the five practices of exemplary leadership. It exemplifies how popular culture artifacts can enhance student understanding of leadership concepts.
Design/methodology/approach
A discussion post assignment was conducted in an online organizational leadership program course at a Midwest university in the USA. The students analyzed Lady Gaga’s life and leadership through the lens of the five practices model.
Findings
Assessment results and student feedback indicate that using Lady Gaga’s life as an example helped students grasp the five practices model.
Originality/value
While Lady Gaga has been the subject of numerous scholarly works, her leadership style has received little academic attention. To the best of my knowledge, this article is the first to explicitly connect Lady Gaga’s life and leadership with the five practices model.
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Mahesh Babu Purushothaman, Funmilayo Ebun Rotimi, Samadhi Samarasekara and Ali GhaffarianHoseini
This paper aims to highlight the factors affecting health and safety (H&S) and the SMART Technologies (ST) used to mitigate them in the construction industry through a range of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to highlight the factors affecting health and safety (H&S) and the SMART Technologies (ST) used to mitigate them in the construction industry through a range of selected papers to encourage readers and potential audiences to consider the need for intelligent technologies to minimize the risks of injuries, illnesses and severe harm in the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a double systematic literature review (SLR) to analyse studies investigating the factors affecting H&S and the ST in the construction industry using databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct and Emerald Insight publication.
Findings
The SLR identified “fatal or focus five factors” that include objects Fall from heights (FFH) and trapped between objects; Falls, Trips and slips (FTS); Machinery/Equipment Malfunction and Moving Equipment; Pollutants: Chemicals, Airborne Dust, Asbestos; and Electrocution. The ST includes Safety Boots/SMART Glasses/SMART Helmet/SMART Vests/SMART PPE/SMART Watch, Mobile Apps, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Wearable Technology/Mobile Sensors help mitigate the risk posed by “Fatal five”. However, other factors within the scope of ST, such as Weather Conditions, Vibrations, Violence, Disease and illness, Fire and Explosion and Over Exertion, are yet to be adopted in the field.
Research limitations/implications
SLR methodology limitations of not obtaining the most updated field knowledge are critical and are offset by choosing 72% of H&S and 92% of SM review literature post-2017. Limitations to capturing articles because of the restriction of database access: only English language search and journals that are not a part of the databases selected are acknowledged. However, key database search that recognizes rigorous peer-reviewed articles offset these limitations. The researcher’s Bias is acknowledged.
Practical implications
This paper unravels the construction H&S factors and their interlinks with ST, which would aid industry understanding and focus on mitigating associated risks. The paper highlights the Fatal five and trivial 15, which would help better understand the causes of the H&S risks. Further, the paper discusses ST’s connectivity, which would aid the organization’s overall H&S management. The practical and theoretical implications include a better understanding of all factors that affect H&S and ST available to help mitigate concerns. The operating managers could use the ST to reduce H&S risks at every construction process stage. This paper on H&S and ST and relationships can theorize that the construction industry is more likely to identify clear root causes of H&S and ST usage than previously. The theoretical implications include enhanced understanding for academics on H&S factors, ST and gaps in ST concerning H&S, which can be expanded to provide new insights into existing knowledge.
Originality/value
This paper highlights all factors affecting H&S and ST that help mitigate associated risks and identifies the “Fatal five” factors. The paper is the first to highlight the factors affecting H&S combined with ST in use and their interactions. The paper also identified factors within the ST scope that are yet to be explored.