Gideon Kwame Otchere, Rebecca Leshinsky, Dulani Halvitigala, Judith Callanan and Sarah Sinclair
Cladding has been used to improve the quality of buildings over the years. However, flammable cladding materials have presented safety risks and problems in some properties. About…
Abstract
Purpose
Cladding has been used to improve the quality of buildings over the years. However, flammable cladding materials have presented safety risks and problems in some properties. About 800 multi-owned buildings in Victoria have been identified as having flammable cladding. The purpose of this paper is to explore managing flammable cladding risk in multi-owned residential buildings in Melbourne.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopts a qualitative approach through focus groups of property stakeholders. Narratives from owners’ corporations, strata property managers, building committee members and lot owners were collected to elicit first-hand experiences in managing/living in problematic residential multi-owned properties.
Findings
This study suggests stakeholders experience an asymmetry in information access and availability regarding cladding risk information. Property managers indicated that cladding risk information is available, while other stakeholders, such as committee members, reported a lack of risk information to support informed decision-making for rectification. It was also identified that a lack of a transparent data register of cladding properties is problematic.
Practical implications
A targeted housing policy that effectively monitors occupant health and safety to guarantee building safety compliance would ensure current and future residential housing is fit for purpose. Also, this study recommends that local governments work with multi-owned developments to construct a live database of flammable cladding properties, categorizing properties with a risk rating to aid emergency services.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature on flammable cladding used in multi-owned properties.
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This study examines whether digital streaming and observation technologies can serve as an alternative approach for collecting inventory audit evidence, the challenges faced in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines whether digital streaming and observation technologies can serve as an alternative approach for collecting inventory audit evidence, the challenges faced in their adoption and the factors contributing to their non-adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a two-stage, mixed-method approach, beginning with pilot study interviews that informed the comprehensive survey with qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, while qualitative data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Findings
Our findings revealed a positive perspective concerning the effectiveness and reliability of these technologies for inventory audits and the efficiency of internal controls within them, despite challenges such as obtaining a holistic view of the warehouse, observing obsolescence, ensuring inventory completeness and general reliability concerns. Additionally, preferences for physical inventory audits and skepticism about these technologies’ potential to enhance audit quality were identified as factors contributing to their non-adoption.
Research limitations/implications
These findings have important implications for cost-conscious firms because they reveal that carefully adopting intermediate technologies can enhance the audit process. Our findings are relevant to audit regulators and firms interested in determining whether such technologies enhance audit efficiency and quality. This study highlights the need for updated auditing standards and directives and technologies that meet auditing requirements.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by uncovering whether less advanced technologies can be used as an alternative approach to collect audit evidence. Consequently, the finding adds to the growing body of literature underscoring the potential of technologies, even less sophisticated ones, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of audits, despite their challenges. Additionally, it underscores the need for clear regulatory standards, suggests that auditors embrace emerging technologies and acquire relevant skills and offers insights for technology developers on audit firms’ concerns regarding digital technologies.
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Buddhi Rajini Munasinghe, Abdul Ali, Farooq Habib and Murtaza Farooq Khan
This study aims to investigate how the supply chain (SC) experts from the UK manufacturing organisations (MO) interpret the drivers and barriers to adopting Industry 4.0…
Abstract
Purpose/Aim
This study aims to investigate how the supply chain (SC) experts from the UK manufacturing organisations (MO) interpret the drivers and barriers to adopting Industry 4.0 technologies from a technological, organisational and environmental (TOE) point of view. Furthermore, this study evaluates how adoption drivers and barriers influence innovative practices that support Industry 4.0 adoption.
Methodology
A qualitative narrative inquiry strategy, involving nine semi-structured interviews with leading SC experts including group executives, global directors and vice presidents was adopted.
Key Findings
The people factor across the SC is found critical for successful Industry 4.0 adoption. It was also found that the firm size is an insignificant factor; rather, Industry 4.0 readiness in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is driven by flexibility and agility, while larger organisations are driven by resource availability and scalability. Evidently, the culture and attitude of the MO tend to facilitate or hinder the Industry 4.0 adoption, therefore, innovative practices in building an expert team, establishing a systematic change management process, actively involving suppliers in the adoption process and continuously monitoring the adoption process were introduced.
Novelty
By addressing the relationships between the drivers, barriers and innovative practices from a business perspective, a detailed Industry 4.0 adoption framework for the UK Manufacturing Supply Chains (MSC) was developed as a unique theoretical and practical contribution. This study also highlights the lessons learnt from applying Industry 4.0 in the UK context. The findings can also be informed in applying Industry 4.0 technologies in emerging market contexts.
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Jean-Louis Ermine, Denise Bedford and Alexeis Garcia-Perez
This chapter focuses on designing and constructing a history model. The authors explain why the historical perspective is essential and what we learn from it. The authors explain…
Abstract
Chapter Summary
This chapter focuses on designing and constructing a history model. The authors explain why the historical perspective is essential and what we learn from it. The authors explain the history model in relation to common everyday forms, including project and historical timelines, process timelines, and event and life cycle timelines. The formats of timelines are also referenced. The common reference points are useful for designing and presenting the history model to Knowledge Book users. A step-by-step methodology for constructing a history model is included.
Coda (2023), Gray et al. (2016), and Lin et al. (2020) recognized that queer teachers have historically been victimized and marginalized in society because of their identity and…
Abstract
Coda (2023), Gray et al. (2016), and Lin et al. (2020) recognized that queer teachers have historically been victimized and marginalized in society because of their identity and sexuality. As a result, “the lived experiences of many queer-identified teachers in schools remain problematic, uncomfortable, and tension-filled” (Mayo, 2020, p. 32). Although there has been a substantial increase in research focused on queer studies in the context of higher education, more discussion and studies that center on the lives of queer teachers, especially in the context of language teaching, should be considered, particularly when it comes to their identity and agency. This chapter provides an introduction to and definition of essential terms that are utilized throughout the book. These include queer pedagogy, teacher agency, and social justice. These terms are absolutely important when it comes to understanding the dynamics that are at play in the classrooms of queer language teachers. While teacher agency is the ability of the teachers to make decisions in their classroom, social justice is the principle of fairness and equality in resource allocation and societal integration, addressing inequity in systems that prioritize certain social groups based on their position (Bell, 2007). It recognizes and dismantles societal disadvantages like racism, classism, sexism, ableism, and heteronormativity (Dyches & Boyd, 2017). In education, social justice aims to help individuals understand oppression and socialization within oppressive systems, appreciating unique qualities and preferences and challenging hierarchies (Bell, 2007; Dyches & Boyd, 2017).
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Modar Abdullatif, Rami Alzebdieh and Saeed Ballour
This paper aims to explore the potential effect of key audit matters (KAM) on the audit report lag (ARL). In particular, it aims to discover whether the number of KAMs reported by…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the potential effect of key audit matters (KAM) on the audit report lag (ARL). In particular, it aims to discover whether the number of KAMs reported by an audit firm in Jordan is related to the length of its ARL.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors analysed data from the first three years of KAM reporting in Jordan (2017–2019) for 194 public listed Jordanian companies to examine the relation between the number of KAMs and the ARL, taking into account several control variables related to the Jordanian context.
Findings
This study found that there is no statistically significant relation between the number of KAMs reported by Jordanian audit firms and their ARLs, suggesting that the KAM reporting in Jordan is somewhat superficial, with the selection of what is actually reported as a KAM not directly related to the efforts needed to deal with its concerns. However, this study also found statistically significant positive relations between the ARL and each of audit fees, audit firm size, the issuance of a qualified audit opinion and company leverage and a statistically significant negative relation between the ARL and company profitability.
Originality/value
This is one of the very few studies to cover the potential relation between KAM reporting and the ARL. In a developing country context characterised by limited demand for an external audit of high quality, this study finds that auditors may decouple on their reporting of KAMs by not actually making significant efforts to deal with them.
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Mary Brigit Carroll, Kasey Garrison, Simon Wakeling, Kay Oddone and Susan Reynolds
This paper reviews the corpus contained in the Knowledge Bank of Australian and New Zealand School Libraries (KBANZSL) to explore the under-researched history of Australian school…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper reviews the corpus contained in the Knowledge Bank of Australian and New Zealand School Libraries (KBANZSL) to explore the under-researched history of Australian school libraries and teacher librarianship. Through the analysis of publications in the knowledge bank, new insights into the history of school libraries and teacher librarians in Australia are gained and the intersecting relationship between school libraries and wider library and educational agendas are explored.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a critical, and historical, bibliometric approach to provide new insights into the history of Australian school libraries. It examines the records of the Knowledge Bank of Australian and New Zealand School Libraries (KBANZSL) for trends and insights these records may provide.
Findings
The publications and collective memory captured within the Knowledge Bank of Australian and New Zealand School Libraries (KBANZSL) provide new insights into the rich history of the evolution of school libraries and teacher librarianship and, more particularly, the close links between formal and informal education, schools and libraries in Australia.
Research limitations/implications
The research was limited to Australia and did not include New Zealand.
Social implications
This research highlights the social value invested by the community in free access to knowledge through libraries over time and how this has impacted the provision of such access to children.
Originality/value
This paper takes an original approach to the exploration of school libraries in Australia through the use of historical bibliometrics. It uses this approach to analyse the published record and reflects on what this record can tell us about the inter-relationship between formal and informal education and library development in Australia. The findings provide new and valuable insights into the place of libraries in wider educational agendas and how political and community engagement with libraries influences the provision of library services to Australian children.
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Noluxolo Gcaza and Kerry-Lynn Thomson
Given the increasing importance of digital literacy and safety for young children, identifying key factors that contribute to effective education in this area is essential. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the increasing importance of digital literacy and safety for young children, identifying key factors that contribute to effective education in this area is essential. The purpose of this paper is to establish the criteria for ensuring the effectiveness of cyber safety education for children in the foundation phase, focusing on the factors and conditions necessary to achieve desired outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a systematic literature review. The research question addressed is: What are the key factors and criteria necessary for developing effective cyber safety education programmes for children in the foundation phase?
Findings
The systematic review identified 15 themes: interactive delivery, developmental needs, individual needs, content specificity, impact, positive language, contextualisation, assessment and feedback, continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement, participant buy-in, research-based content, legal alignment, pedagogy and resources. These were synthesised into six main categories.
Originality/value
This study is original in its focus on establishing specific criteria tailored to young children. By systematically reviewing existing literature, it uniquely addresses the need for age-appropriate, engaging, and contextual educational strategies. The findings will provide guidelines for the development of targeted cyber safety programmes, filling a critical gap in early childhood digital literacy.