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Article
Publication date: 1 April 1985

Peter Evans and Craig Plumb

‘Retailing, one of the most important sectors of the economy, has undergone a massive transformation over the past 10 years. Changing patterns of lifestyle and consumer demands…

57

Abstract

‘Retailing, one of the most important sectors of the economy, has undergone a massive transformation over the past 10 years. Changing patterns of lifestyle and consumer demands, the impact of technology and the influence of economic conditions have all combined to bring about a number of fundamental changes in the patterns of retailing, the size, format and locations of stores.’

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Property Management, vol. 3 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

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Article
Publication date: 24 August 2020

Nigel Craig, Nick Pilcher, Rebecca MacKenzie and Chris Boothman

The UK private housebuilding sector is the key supplier of new-build homes for customers, constituting a fifth of the entire UK construction industry. Yet, despite the high…

354

Abstract

Purpose

The UK private housebuilding sector is the key supplier of new-build homes for customers, constituting a fifth of the entire UK construction industry. Yet, despite the high average cost of houses, and official reports advocating improvement, the sector remains blighted by criticism and a negative image of its quality. However, social media now offers customers new sources of advice and information. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to analyse social media forum posts from new-build homebuyers to reveal perceptions of the industry and illustrate the value of such data for others.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents and thematically analyses 147 comment posts from nine online Facebook forums under the themes of safety; standards; quality; workmanship; customer service; finance and money; advice; National House Building Council; ombudsman; and page closures.

Findings

Customers express frustration, anger, feelings of neglect and of an abdication of responsibility by the sector. Fundamentally, change is suggested at a systemic level, and it is urged this occurs through powerful and independent bodies.

Originality/value

To date, social media data has not been analysed in the context of the housebuilding sector. Yet, such data is key not only for its open and wide-reaching nature but also because it can be incorporated into government reports. It is hoped such data will be used by the new home ombudsman the UK Government hopes to establish in 2020 and help rectify many of the performance issues experienced and protect homebuyers.

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International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

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Article
Publication date: 8 February 2013

Niamh M. Brennan and John P. Conroy

Can personality traits of chief executive officers (CEOs) be detected at a distance? Following newspaper speculation that the banking crisis of 2008 was partly caused by CEO…

4415

Abstract

Purpose

Can personality traits of chief executive officers (CEOs) be detected at a distance? Following newspaper speculation that the banking crisis of 2008 was partly caused by CEO hubris, this paper seeks to analyse the CEO letters to shareholders of a single bank over ten years for evidence of CEO personality traits, including narcissism (a contributor to hubris), hubris, overconfidence and CEO‐attribution. Following predictions that hubris increases the longer individuals occupy positions of power, the research aims to examine whether hubristic characteristics intensify over time.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes concepts of hubris from the clinical psychology literature and applies them to discourses in CEO letters to shareholders in annual reports. The research comprises a longitudinal study of the discretionary narrative disclosures in the CEO letters to shareholders in eight annual reports, benchmarked against disclosures in the CEO letters to shareholders of the previous and subsequent CEOs of the same organisation.

Findings

The results point to evidence of narcissism and hubris in the personality of the bank CEO. Over half the sentences analysed were found to contain narcissistic‐speak. In 45 per cent of narcissistic‐speak sentences, there were three of more symptoms of hubris – what Owen and Davison describe as extreme hubristic behaviour. In relation to CEO overconfidence, only seven sentences (2 per cent) contained bad news. More than half of the good news was attributed to the CEO and all the bad news was attributed externally. The research thus finds evidence of hubris in the CEO letters to shareholders, which became more pronounced the longer the CEO served.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of CEO discourse is highly subjective, and difficult to replicate.

Originality/value

The primary contribution of this research is the adaptation of the 14 clinical symptoms of hubris from clinical psychology to the analysis of narratives in CEO letters to shareholders in annual reports to reveal signs of CEO hubris.

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Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3574

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Article
Publication date: 31 July 2018

Ruoyu Jin, Tong Yang, Poorang Piroozfar, Byung-Gyoo Kang, Dariusz Wanatowski, Craig Matthew Hancock and Llewellyn Tang

The purpose of this paper is to present a pedagogical practice in the project-based assessment of architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) students’ interdisciplinary…

2245

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a pedagogical practice in the project-based assessment of architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) students’ interdisciplinary building design work adopting BIM. This pedagogical practice emphasizes the impacts of BIM, as the digital collaboration platform, on the cross-disciplinary teamwork design through information sharing. This study also focuses on collecting students’ perceptions of building information modeling (BIM) effects in integrated project design. Challenges in BIM adoption from AEC students’ perspective were identified and discussed, and could spark further research needs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a thorough review of previous pedagogical practices of applying BIM in multiple AEC disciplines, this study adopted a case study of the Solar Decathlon (SD) residential building design as the group project for AEC students to deliver the design work and construction planning. In total 13 different teams within the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, each group consisting of final year undergraduate students with backgrounds in architecture, civil engineering, and architectural environmental engineering, worked to deliver the detailed design of the solar-powered residential house meeting pre-specified project objectives in terms of architectural esthetics, structural integrity, energy efficiency, prefabrication construction techniques and other issues such as budget and scheduling. Each team presented the cross-disciplinary design plan with cost estimate and construction scheduling together within group reports. This pedagogical study collected students’ reflective thinking on how BIM affected their design work, and compared their feedback on BIM to that from AEC industry professionals in previous studies.

Findings

The case study of the SD building project showed the capacity of BIM in enabling interdisciplinary collaboration through information exchange and in enhancing communication across different AEC fields. More sustainable design options were considered in the early architectural design stages through the cross-disciplinary cooperation between architecture and building services engineering. BIM motivated AEC student teams to have a more comprehensive design and construction plan by considering multiple criteria including energy efficiency, budget, and construction activities. Students’ reflections indicated both positive effects of BIM (e.g. facilitating information sharing) as well as challenges for further BIM implementation, for example, such as some architecture students’ resistance to BIM, and the lack of existing family types in the BIM library, etc.

Research limitations/implications

Some limitations of the current BIM pedagogy were identified through the student group work. For example, students revealed the problem of interoperability between BIM (i.e. Autodesk Revit) and building energy simulation tools. To further integrate the university education and AEC industry practice, future BIM pedagogical work could recruit professionals and project stakeholders in the adopted case studies, for the purpose of providing professional advice on improving the constructability of the BIM-based design from student work.

Practical implications

To further integrate the university education and AEC industry practice, future BIM pedagogical work could recruit professionals and project stakeholders in the adopted case study, for the purpose of providing professional advice in improving the constructability of the BIM-based design from student work.

Originality/value

This work provides insights into the information technology applied in the AEC interdisciplinary pedagogy. Students gained the experience of a project-based collaboration and were equipped with BIM capabilities for future employment within the AEC job market. The integrated design approach was embedded throughout the team project process. Overall, this BIM pedagogical practice emphasized the link between academic activities and real-world industrial practice. The pedagogical experience gained in this BIM course could be expanded to future BIM education and research in other themes such as interoperability of building information exchange among different digital tools.

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Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 25 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 6 April 2021

AbdulLateef Olanrewaju, Yien Yen Tan and See Ning Soh

The successive Malaysian government aims to provide housing to households earning the median income and below. However, there has been continuous criticism and complaints from the…

1195

Abstract

Purpose

The successive Malaysian government aims to provide housing to households earning the median income and below. However, there has been continuous criticism and complaints from the media and literature on the magnitude of the defects in affordable housing. Therefore, this research has investigated the defects in affordable housing for the users’/occupants' perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

With a response rate of 69%, the research developed a questionnaire instrument that included twenty-one defects in buildings based on literature and observation. These were scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from very common to least common. Twelve causes of defects measured on a five-point scale were included in the survey. Thirteen additional items that had to do with remedial actions to reduce defects were included. These were scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to least agree. The survey forms were administered to all the 152 home occupants in a Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) housing estate through hand delivery in a northern state in Malaysia.

Findings

The data revealed that broken doors, damaged roofs, damp walls and broken tiles in rooms were the most common defects in the housing development. It was found that defects in the buildings were caused by poor workmanship, defective materials, poor designs and bad weather. Additionally, to rectify the defects, adequate supervision is required during maintenance, the repairs must be conducted on time and there is a need to have competent maintenance organisations. Through factor analysis, the 21 defects were structured into six factors, the 12 causes were grouped into 5 factors and the 13 remedial actions were grouped into 6 factors.

Practical implications

The information on the nature, degree and kinds of defects from the users' perspectives will dictate when repair work is to be undertaken and allow future work to be programmed and financed as part of a maintenance rolling programme.

Originality/value

This research focused specifically on “Program Perumahan Rakyat” housing development. Furthermore, none of the previous research on defects conducted attempted to categorise the defects in the buildings. The categorisation is very important for systemic decision-making because there are continuous interactions amongst the defects, causes and remedial actions.

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International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 40 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

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Article
Publication date: 30 October 2009

Zeinab Nikniaz, Reza Mahdavi, Maryam Rafraf and Abolghasem Jouyban

The antioxidant characteristics of fruits can be attributed to their contents of polyphenols and vitamins. Because of the interest in the role of antioxidants in human health, the…

725

Abstract

Purpose

The antioxidant characteristics of fruits can be attributed to their contents of polyphenols and vitamins. Because of the interest in the role of antioxidants in human health, the purpose of this paper is to examine the major compounds associated with antioxidant activity, namely total phenolic and vitamin C contents, of some regularly cultivated and consumed fruits in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 66 fruits from 22 families were chosen for this study. Terbium sensitized fluorescence assay and spectrophotometric method were used to determine total polyphenol and vitamin C contents respectively. The ANOVA with Tukey post‐hoc test was used for statistical analyses.

Findings

The total mean polyphenol content of fruits was 4.93 ± 2.86 mg QE/100 g that were ranging from 0.8 ± 0.05 to 11.94 ± 0.02 mg QE/100 g with the lowest amount obtained for pear and the highest amount detected in black grape. The polyphenol contents of black grape, sourcherry and pomegranate were significantly higher than those of other fruits (p < 0.001). The total mean vitamin C content of fresh fruits was 18.34 ± 9.77 mg/100 g that were ranging from 57.38 ± 0.02 (strawberry) to 11.44 ± 0.02 (melon) mg/100 g. The vitamin C contents of strawberry was significantly higher than all other fruits (p < 0.001). Despite the differences in the polyphenol and vitamin C contents of various fruits, as a good source of nutritious compounds and functional foods, they can be effective in enhancing health status.

Originality/value

This paper is believed to be the only one which provides information about the polyphenol and vitamin C contents of Iranian fruits. Also, the polyphenol content was measured by using a newly‐developed method.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 39 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

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Article
Publication date: 26 January 2010

Suhail Abboushi

The purpose of this paper is to identify the issues in the US‐Canada trade dispute over lumber trade, to analyze the US and Canada's claims and positions in this dispute, and make…

1049

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the issues in the US‐Canada trade dispute over lumber trade, to analyze the US and Canada's claims and positions in this dispute, and make projections of future possibilities regarding this dispute.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method is to review published studies dealing with this dispute and gather public and private data pertaining to issues involved in this dispute.

Findings

The paper finds that the US lumber industry's claims of unfair trade by Canada's lumber industry are not supported. Canada is in compliance with World Trade Organization policies and North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)'s agreement. US antidumping and countervailing tariffs on imported Canadian lumber violate NAFTA's rules. Past and current resolutions to this dispute are temporary.

Originality/value

This paper explores the real reasons behind the dispute and evaluates the merits of the interim solutions.

Details

Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 4 November 2021

Craig Henry

829

Abstract

Details

Strategy & Leadership, vol. 49 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1087-8572

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Article
Publication date: 5 February 2018

Mohammad A. Hassanain, Babatunde Adewale, Abdul-Mohsen Al-Hammad and Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire

The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the factors affecting building services’ coordination during the design development and review stages of building projects.

911

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the factors affecting building services’ coordination during the design development and review stages of building projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and interviews were conducted to identify the factors affecting building services’ coordination. In total, 36 factors were identified under six categories: planning phase of the project; design of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems; construction of MEP systems; operation and maintenance of MEP systems; owner; and design team and tools used. This formed the basis of a questionnaire survey designed utilizing a 5-point Likert scale of importance. The survey was assessed by practitioners in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Findings

The top five factors include the scale and complexity of the project, the level of experience of the design team, the quality of the preliminary/conceptual design of the building project, the clarity of the requirements and objectives provided by the owner, the allotted budget for the project and communication skills of the design team members. A high level of agreement between A/E professionals and contractors, and between contractors and facility managers was noted. The research provides the ranking of the identified factors for prioritization.

Practical implications

The paper provides stakeholders in the building services industry with the ranks of the factors that affect building services’ coordination.

Originality/value

The study provided a significant contribution to research and industry, especially in the regional context, where few studies have been conducted. The findings of the study will help in the reduction of construction wastes, delays and cost over-runs.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 March 2013

Craig Henry

302

Abstract

Details

Strategy & Leadership, vol. 41 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1087-8572

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