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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2000

David R. Moore

A discouraging problem regarding the use of robots within production processes is the perception by designers of single, unique products (such as buildings) that a manufacturing…

292

Abstract

A discouraging problem regarding the use of robots within production processes is the perception by designers of single, unique products (such as buildings) that a manufacturing approach, reliant upon high levels of standardisation, constrains design creativity. An alternative approach, based upon the production philosophy of true simplification, is proposed. This suggests that robots be provided with an ability to reason founded in Task Path modelling theory, enabling them to autonomously carry out task planning within the context of the production problem, and path planning within the production environment. These actions are combined as the basis of task path theory. Task path theory does not infer that robots attempt to emulate human operatives in their physical actions with regard to the production process.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2000

David R. Moore

Examines experimental data that forms part of an ongoing research programme focused on the issue of assessing task difficulty within construction industry processes. In this…

388

Abstract

Examines experimental data that forms part of an ongoing research programme focused on the issue of assessing task difficulty within construction industry processes. In this instance, the process is the task of bricklaying. The data is compared to previous data resulting from an earlier experiment, and the differences between the data sets are used to further develop task path general theory (previously referred to as tolerance requirement general theory). A forecasting equation for placing time is proposed on the basis of it “explaining” approximately 70 per cent of the factors contributing to the operative’s assessment of difficulty in completing a task. Further research is proposed in order to develop task path theory further.

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Work Study, vol. 49 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2001

David R. Moore

The paper examines the main theories of visual perception in the context of their possible relevance to the communication of construction industry concepts related to the process…

2212

Abstract

The paper examines the main theories of visual perception in the context of their possible relevance to the communication of construction industry concepts related to the process of production. This context is suggested as being primarily concerned with stationary, as opposed to mobile, visual stimuli. It is therefore concluded that the ecological theory of perception is of little relevance to this work. The theories of physiological and psychological perception present areas worthy of further research.

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Work Study, vol. 50 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 1998

David R. Moore

The paper considers the development process for experimental work intended as a pilot study of the role of tolerance requirement general theory. This theory is proposed as a…

1242

Abstract

The paper considers the development process for experimental work intended as a pilot study of the role of tolerance requirement general theory. This theory is proposed as a factor in the automated assessment of task difficulty in construction industry activities. Task difficulty, structured within a generic task hierarchy, is taken as a possible indicator of the level of buildability inherent in the on‐site production of construction artefacts. The proposed nature of general tolerance requirement theory is introduced. This initial research proposes six individual tolerance requirements, each with a different function within the general theory, which an operative responds to either explicitly or implicitly in carrying out construction tasks. These tolerance requirements are not defined in terms of plus or minus values. The paper concentrates on a discussion of factors relevant to the design of a suitable experiment as a pilot study of the suggestion that tolerance requirements may allow quantitative analysis of task difficulty.

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Work Study, vol. 47 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1999

David R. Moore

The paper concentrates on the analysis of data from the first of two experiments designed to examine aspects of tolerance requirement general theory. Both experiments were…

403

Abstract

The paper concentrates on the analysis of data from the first of two experiments designed to examine aspects of tolerance requirement general theory. Both experiments were designed to constitute a pilot study into a possible relationship between difficulty of a task and time taken to carry it out. The objectives were to identify and eliminate any spurious relationships within the data, and to establish the form, if any, of a robust mathematical relationship between one aspect of the work activity and time taken. The aspect focused on is that of tolerance requirements, which are not seen in the context of this research as being optimum plus‐or‐minus values for tolerance sizes. Data analysis results in a re‐examination of the proposed nature of tolerance requirements. This leads to further development of tolerance requirement general theory, particularly with regard to the calculation of tolerance requirement values.

Details

Work Study, vol. 48 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

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Article
Publication date: 26 July 2021

Obinna Iheukwumere, David Moore and Temitope Omotayo

The challenges facing the productivity of Nigeria's refineries have generated much academic discourse. This study was carried out to develop a causal loop model showing the…

332

Abstract

Purpose

The challenges facing the productivity of Nigeria's refineries have generated much academic discourse. This study was carried out to develop a causal loop model showing the interrelationships of the multiple factors driving the poor performance of the refineries. Using a framework of political, economic, social and technical (PEST) factors, the developed model helped identify leverage points for policy intervention in the system.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method approach was adopted to collect quantitative data from 118 refinery workers and qualitative data from 14 participants polled from the various Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) subsidiaries. The quantitative data were analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM) to prioritise the more significant factors, while the qualitative data were analysed by content analysis to further validate the questionnaire findings and provide clearer contexts for the operationalisation of the factors.

Findings

The structural equation model identified several PEST factors such as government interference, political indecision, funding issues, spare parts costs, pipeline vandalism, oil theft, maintenance issues as some of the significant factors affecting the performance of the refineries. The interviews validated these findings and provided richer contexts on how these factors operate within system. A causal loop model was developed based on these findings to identify key leverage points upon which policy intervention through best practice, management autonomy and stakeholder satisfaction was proposed to address these challenges.

Research limitations/implications

The study uncovers that the factors which affect the performance of the refineries have significant multiple interrelationships, the understanding of which is crucial for developing effective solutions by policymakers.

Practical implications

The findings of this study lay important foundations for a deeper understanding of how PEST factors interact to drive suboptimal performance across NNPC refineries.

Originality/value

The causal loop model developed in this study provides a new approach to viewing and analysing the associated factors affecting the performance of Nigeria's refineries from a non-linear perspective.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 72 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

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Article
Publication date: 10 April 2017

Michael Gerges, Mohammad Mayouf, Peter Rumley and David Moore

The purpose of this paper is to investigate human behaviour under a situation of fire in high-rise residential buildings and identify the factors that motivate people to evacuate.

2611

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate human behaviour under a situation of fire in high-rise residential buildings and identify the factors that motivate people to evacuate.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to identify different factors of human behaviour during a situation of fire and identify challenges during the evacuation. Through a mixed research method approach, the paper identifies human background, experience and knowledge with fire safety. The paper discusses the challenges occupants face during evacuation based on previous evacuation experience and what occupants were doing during the fire alarm.

Findings

The paper has identified the challenges and the factors that affect occupants’ decision during fire emergency in high-rise residential buildings. It is clear from the findings that occupants have limited knowledge and skills on how to deal with fire emergencies. Occupants tend to depend on other evacuation routes. Occupants tend to ignore the fire alarm and usually they investigate if it is true or false.

Originality/value

The paper provides the knowledge and findings of occupants during fire emergency to fire engineers, facility managers, owners, and other professionals to assist during the design phase, and modify designs based on this findings of this research.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

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Article
Publication date: 10 May 2018

Michael Gerges, Sholto Penn, David Moore, Chris Boothman and Champika Liyanage

The purpose of this paper is to investigate human behaviour during fire evacuations in multi-storey residential buildings through a focus on the challenges and obstacles that…

1044

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate human behaviour during fire evacuations in multi-storey residential buildings through a focus on the challenges and obstacles that occupants face. In addition, the paper aims to study all the various behaviours that are relevant to the evacuation strategies/plans in the UK of multi-storey buildings in large cities.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to identify the factors occupants face and also the decision making of occupants regarding the methods of egress. A mixed methods research was adopted using interviews and a questionnaire survey. The findings from the interviews and survey are benchmarked against the information gathered from the literature review.

Findings

The paper identifies various challenges that occupants face when evacuating a multi-storey residential building. In terms of the decision-making process, the research results evidence that occupants could be given more information on the evacuation procedures within their specific building. The paper also finds that occupants remain reluctant to use a lift during evacuation in fire event, irrespective of any signage clearly stating that is appropriate to do so in the context of modern lift technology.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the body of knowledge available on the evacuation of multi-storey buildings located in large cities within the UK, outlining the potential areas for future research, focussed on providing an insight of the behavioural decisions made by the occupants make when evacuating a building in the event of a fire.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 36 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2001

David R. Moore

Examines the factors that may affect, both positively and negatively, the nature of visuospatial cognition. These factors are considered within the context of the level of…

483

Abstract

Examines the factors that may affect, both positively and negatively, the nature of visuospatial cognition. These factors are considered within the context of the level of cognition (which follows on from the act of visual perception) achieved by individual students with regard to concepts concerning construction industry production processes. The key production concept in this paper is that of interdependency. Results in a hypothesis relating to the enhancement of communication of concepts such as interdependency through utilisation of structured entities. This hypothesis will be evaluated in future research.

Details

Work Study, vol. 50 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0043-8022

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Article
Publication date: 19 September 2016

David R.J. Moore and Ken McPhail

The purpose of this paper is to utilize the three abstract-concrete levels of ontology of strong structuration theory (strong ST) to examine how, and to what extent, was the…

1729

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to utilize the three abstract-concrete levels of ontology of strong structuration theory (strong ST) to examine how, and to what extent, was the development of carbon accounting frameworks at the policy, industry, and organizational levels enabled by external structures as conditions of action, that is, what was the nature of active agency within a field of position-practice relations that led to the development of these frameworks.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was undertaken drawing upon interviews that were undertaken between 2008 and 2011 at the industry and organizational levels as well as documentary evidence relating to carbon accounting policy development at the macro, or policy level.

Findings

The parliamentary committee hearings into the development of the carbon price legislation represented fields of position-practice relationships which highlighted the interplay of the internal structures, capabilities and the roles of both power and trust of the agent(s)-in-focus. A meso-level analysis of the Victorian water industry highlighted how it was able to mediate the exercise of power by the macro level through the early adoption of carbon accounting frameworks. At the ontic or micro level of the individual water business, the development of a greenhouse strategy was also the outcome of position-practice relationships which highlighted the interplay of the internal structures and dispositions of the agent(s)-in-focus. The position-practice relationships at both the industry and organizational level were characterized by both soft power and trust.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could investigate how the withdrawal of the carbon pricing mechanism in Australia has affected the development of carbon accounting practices whilst overseas research could examine the extent to which carbon accounting frameworks were the outcome of position-practice relationships.

Practical implications

Given the global significance of carbon accounting, this paper provides an overview as to how the early adoption of voluntary carbon accounting practices resulted in a reduction in carbon emissions within the water industry and therefore limited its liability for the carbon price.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates how the strong ST ontological concept of position-practices can be utilized at the macro, meso, and ontic levels and how these relationships mediated the impact of the carbon price upon both the water industry and the individual water business.

Details

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 29 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3574

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