Jonas Rundquist, Stephen Emmitt, Fawzi Halila, Bengt Hjort and Bengt Larsson
The construction sector is often accused of being inefficient, conservative and non-innovative, although some commentators have suggested that the construction sector is not…
Abstract
The construction sector is often accused of being inefficient, conservative and non-innovative, although some commentators have suggested that the construction sector is not backward, it is merely different to other industries. One of these differences is the uniqueness of construction projects, which are determined by the characteristics of the site, interaction of project participants (also partly site specific) and the relationship between contractors and building product producers (which changes from one project to another). These factors are known to colour construction innovation. Previous research into the Swedish construction sector has identified a significant gap between the building product producers who are ‘product focused’ and the contractors who are ‘project focused’, with concerns expressed about effectiveness of communication between two. The findings of previous research imply, both implicitly and explicitly, that this gap may be hindering innovation within the construction sector. This appears to have implications for those concerned with construction, the building users and society as a whole. In this paper the authors provide an extensive review of the literature and research findings from which a number of unique insights are offered. The reasons for the gap between producers and contractors are discussed and a number of innovative measures are proposed that may help to bridge the gap, and hence improve innovation systems. The paper concludes with some practical findings for producers and contractors as well as some thoughts on where future research should be targeted.
In 2016, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced new standards for human resource management (HRM). The purpose of this paper is to describe and…
Abstract
Purpose
In 2016, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced new standards for human resource management (HRM). The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain the significance that human resource (HR) professionals attribute to global HRM standards, what outcomes they envisage for the profession and organizations, and what influences engagement in the standardization project.
Design/methodology/approach
The analyses interpret the relationship between standards, professions, and organizations by combining theories of professions with concepts from institutional theory. The study is ethnographic and consists of observations of meetings and interviews with eight participants from the Swedish committee participating in the ISO project.
Findings
HR professionals consider HRM standards positive for the profession’s legitimacy, status, and development, which are also considered beneficial for organizations. However, difficulties in recruiting participants and organizations to the standardization project may prevent positive exchanges for the profession, and point to a weak interest in HRM issues from the HR professionals themselves.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of the results is somewhat limited due to the small sample size. Nevertheless, the study provides insights into how HR professionals reason about their profession and professionalization.
Practical implications
Gaining insights into the forthcoming global standards for HRM is important for HR professionals. These standards may be implemented in organizations worldwide and affect how HRM is conducted, and therefore also have a profound effect on the profession.
Originality/value
The ISO’s targeting of a specific occupation is unique. The paper contributes with the knowledge on how professionals relates to standardization of the given field.
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Keywords
Aida Alvinius, Bodil Wilde Larsson and Gerry Larsson
Swedish healthcare has undergone continuous development over several decades. Today, legal responsibility is shared on the local and regional levels, i.e. between municipalities…
Abstract
Swedish healthcare has undergone continuous development over several decades. Today, legal responsibility is shared on the local and regional levels, i.e. between municipalities and county councils. The purpose of the present study is to gain a deeper understanding of boundary spanning roles and strategies involved in municipal and county council collaboration. A grounded theory approach was used. Fifteen informants from several Swedish health care authorities were interviewed. A tension exists between preserving boundary strategies that stifle collaboration and boundary spanning strategies that facilitate it. The way boundary spanners manage their role is assumed to influence the centre of gravity for this tension and thus the combination of favourable boundary spanning strategies and favourable boundary spanning roles is one way of getting the current form of collaboration to work.
Bengt Sundén, Rongguang Jia and Andreas Abdon
Impingement and forced convection are preferable methods for cooling gas turbine components. However, influences of various design parameters like crossflow and surface…
Abstract
Impingement and forced convection are preferable methods for cooling gas turbine components. However, influences of various design parameters like crossflow and surface enlargements (like ribs) are not well understood. Thus there is a request for reliable and cost‐effective computational prediction methods, due to the experimental difficulties. Such methods could be based on the numerical solution of the Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes equations, the energy equation and models for the turbulence field. This paper describes some recent advances and efforts to develop and validate computational methods for simulation of impingement and forced convection cooling in generic geometries of relevance in gas turbine cooling. Single unconfined round air jets, confined jets with crossflow, and three‐dimensional ribbed ducts are considered. The numerical approach is based on the finite volume method and uses a co‐located computational grid. The considered turbulence models are all the so‐called low Reynolds number models. Our recent investigations show that linear and non‐linear two‐equation turbulence models can be used for impinging jet heat transfer predictions with reasonable success. However, the computational results also suggest that an application of a realizability constraint is necessary to avoid over‐prediction of the stagnation point heat transfer coefficients. For situations with combined forced convection and impingement cooling it was revealed that as the crossflow is squeezed under the jet, the heat transfer coefficient is reduced. In addition, inline V‐shaped 45° ribs pointing upstream performed superior compared to those pointing downstream and transverse ribs.
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Ian Morrison and Stephen M. Clift
The purpose of this research is to report on an evaluation of a programme of supported education in a Further Education context for students with long‐term mental health problems…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to report on an evaluation of a programme of supported education in a Further Education context for students with long‐term mental health problems, based on Antonovsky's Salutogenic model of health. The students are referred by the Community Mental Health Team.
Design/methodology/approach
Three consecutive cohorts of students (n=148, 93 male, 55 female; average age 39.5 years) undertaking the programme, completed Antonovsky's Short‐form Sense of Coherence scale (the SOC13) on entry to the programme, and when exiting from it. Qualitative feedback from the second cohort of students was examined to establish the processes at work in the programme. This identified a number of themes relating to the processes at work in the programme and its outcomes (Peer Support, Learning Support, Learning Effects, Symptom Reduction and Positive Affect) and provided a basis for designing short questionnaires, which were completed by the second cohort. Data from these questionnaires and the SOC13 were used to build a causal model of the processes at work in the programme.
Findings
The overall change between the entry and exit SOC13 scores was not significant. However, students with SOC13 scores below 52 (total n=81, 52 male, 29 female; average age 42.8 years) made statistically significant positive gains. In this initially low scoring group, 70 per cent improved their exit SOC13 score, 2 per cent remained constant, and 28 per cent reported lower exit SOC13 scores. The causal model from the whole of the second cohort of students suggests that peer support is the initial factor contributing to the success of the programme by positively influencing learning effects of the programme and the uptake of learning support. In turn, learning effects reduced symptoms and this had the effect of raising positive affect. Raised positive affect reduced the need for learning support and was positively linked to entry and exit SOC13 scores.
Practical implications
This research has implications for budget holders, health promotion staff and allied professionals in the collaborative use of resources to help people recovering from or managing mental health difficulties move forward in their lives.
Originality/value
This study highlights the need for community collaborative social initiatives to be properly funded and validated. Approaches to evaluation could usefully be formulated on the basis of Antonovsky's model. Professionals need to consider investing in creating peer support and positive affect when working with people with mental health needs.
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Simon Siggelsten and Bengt Hansson
The purpose of this paper is to look more closely at incentives for a landlord to use individual metering and charging of heat and water. This paper also aims to look at the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to look more closely at incentives for a landlord to use individual metering and charging of heat and water. This paper also aims to look at the possible reasons for the differences in use of individual metering and charging between Sweden and Germany.
Design/methodology/approach
The research in this paper is based on a questionnaire and interviews with landlords, in Sweden, using individual metering and charging.
Findings
The two main incentives for the landlords in the survey to use individual metering are the possibility to save energy and the possibility to create a fair allocation of heating cost between tenants. Sweden has a long history of heat and water included in the rent leading to a possibly tougher transition to individual metering.
Originality/value
To see the overall picture and understand the purpose of individual metering is important to avoid conflicts between landlords and tenants. The paper aids this process.
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Karin Schön, Bjarne Bergquist and Bengt Klefsjö
The purpose of this paper is to present a study of how Six Sigma influences job satisfaction among employees at three large companies with manufacturing units in Sweden that have…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a study of how Six Sigma influences job satisfaction among employees at three large companies with manufacturing units in Sweden that have used different implementation strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was performed using a survey distributed to those affected by the implementation at the three company sites, including those not directly involved in any Six Sigma activities.
Findings
Employees participating in Six Sigma feel positive changes in many aspects of job satisfaction. The Black Belts (BBs) felt, on the average, positive changes in almost all the tested areas. The largest changes are related to personal and new skill development, influence on work duties and enjoying the work. BBs also feel more recognition from management. Employees not involved in the Six Sigma projects do, on average, also feel positively influenced by Six Sigma, but the tendency is not as clear.
Research limitations/implications
The results constitute a platform for further studies on the relation between Six Sigma applications and job satisfaction due to the different approaches used in the three studied plants.
Practical implications
The positive results should help alleviate concerns of job satisfaction due to implementation of Six Sigma.
Originality/value
The paper fills a knowledge gap concerning the effect of Six Sigma on employees' well being and job satisfaction.
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Dates: 23–24 March 1994 Venue: Palais des Congrès, Porte Maillot, Paris The Fifth Microelectronics Salon (Hybrids, SMT, ASICs, Packaging) will take place on the above dates. This…
Abstract
Dates: 23–24 March 1994 Venue: Palais des Congrès, Porte Maillot, Paris The Fifth Microelectronics Salon (Hybrids, SMT, ASICs, Packaging) will take place on the above dates. This showcase for manufacturers, suppliers of products and equipment, and sub‐contractors to all sectors of these industries will be accompanied by a series of conferences.
Tord af Klintberg and Folke Björk
The purpose of this paper is to report on a study which has been carried out on a timber floor construction above a ground‐supported concrete slab, which was used in small…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on a study which has been carried out on a timber floor construction above a ground‐supported concrete slab, which was used in small detached houses built in Sweden during the period 1960‐1990. This method of building has turned out to be a risky construction nowadays, but there are 800,000 houses built this way in Sweden.
Design/methodology/approach
By using the patented Air Gap Method inside building constructions, harmful water can be dried out. The method ventilates air gaps inside walls and floors with an air flow driven by thermal buoyancy caused by a heating cable in the vertical air gaps. The drying out process has been studied both by measuring the moisture level in the slab and also by measuring the humidity transport and comparing this with air flow measurements.
Findings
The paper shows that the Air Gap Method manages to dry out water from both the slab and the overlaying wooden construction. The study shows also that the relative humidity (RH) levels in the air space below the floor are reduced in a significant way, thus minimizing mould growth. It is also shown that a thin layer of concrete upon floor beams prevents mould to grow even in a humid situation.
Research limitations/implications
The research reported in this paper is only concerned with timber‐framed small detached houses. Similar studies of apartment buildings are ongoing.
Practical implications
The Air Gap Method can thus be useful in the context of renovating a water damaged house of this type built during this 30‐year period. The method provides a possibility of drying out such damage without a separate drying period. The inhabitants could therefore be able to use a renovated water‐damaged kitchen six/eight weeks earlier compared to ordinary building methods.
Originality/value
The paper is useful because it provides better understanding of the mechanism of RH inside a building construction and how this parameter could be lowered. The paper is also useful in the context of renovating water‐damaged small detached houses built by the risky method of construction used in the last decades of the twentieth century.