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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2002

M. Alshawi and I. Faraj

There have been major efforts to develop the technology for integrated construction environments and the mechanisms needed to improve the collaboration between construction…

1274

Abstract

There have been major efforts to develop the technology for integrated construction environments and the mechanisms needed to improve the collaboration between construction professionals. Evidently, the development and usage of such an environment is a complicated task. The two issues that can be among the main contributors to this are: the development of the technology and its effective implementation. These two issues are addressed separately in this paper. The paper first explains the approaches of sharing project information, followed by a review of a recent project in this area, the result of which is a distributed integrated construction environment based on the industry foundation class (IFC), capable of supporting a number of construction applications. This environment is capable of supporting a construction team to work collaboratively over the internet. It then discusses the difficulties facing the successful implementation of such environments in construction organisations. This is addressed within the context of two management models for effective implementation of IT: the resource‐based model and the Nolan model.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2001

Ihsan Faraj

In features based design systems that are underpinned by solid models, buildings are designed by applying features to the design domain. A feature may be translated and/or rotated…

265

Abstract

In features based design systems that are underpinned by solid models, buildings are designed by applying features to the design domain. A feature may be translated and/or rotated in order to position it in the desired place. Contradiction between the applied features and resulting features may occur due to the features interaction, wrong positioning, or inadequate parameters supplied by the user during the product definition. Moreover, the application of other features may cause some features to degenerate to further features. Therefore, verification of the resulting features must be performed against the applied features to establish whether the resulting features conform to the underlying geometry. Current feature‐based design systems employ a mechanism of tagging feature labels onto geometry. This approach does not guarantee the geometric correctness of the resultant feature and knowledge of the topology of the resulting feature and a geometric analysis is necessary to correctly identify the validity of the resultant feature. The research reported in this paper proposes an alternative approach which uses a product model that permits all geometrical and technological information associated with the design and construction stages to be represented. Individual features can be extracted from the product model and analysed to determine their accessibility. Methods which use the product description and other construction data to determine feature validity, accessibility and machinability are used. Each volumetric feature corresponds to a solid that can be added by one or more construction process or removed by one or more machining operations; as a consequence of applying volumetric features, surface features are generated. These surface features provide enough information to enable the accessibility, and machinability of the individual features to be determined and establish the possible routes in which the feature can be accessed if any.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2002

RICHARD WATSON, STEPHEN R. LOCKLEY and SAMEH SHAABAN

Small architectural firms (those that employ less than six people) account for an estimated 4525 or 74% of the total number of practices in the UK (RIBA, 2000), and market…

210

Abstract

Small architectural firms (those that employ less than six people) account for an estimated 4525 or 74% of the total number of practices in the UK (RIBA, 2000), and market research has shown that there is a poor uptake of existing project specification information technologies in this sector. We present the results of an analysis of the ways that small practices currently create, manage and communicate project specification information and an overview of our research into new models to support these processes. The research has focused on the creation and population of appropriate, re‐usable information models and we describe these in the context of other modelling initiatives in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. The research has resulted in the definition of a large pool of domain specific data objects, which have the potential to provide a generic information resource for the industry. The Architectural Informatics Group, in conjunction with the National Building Specification (NBS), have implemented the results of this research through the development of a new commercial software tool for use in small design practices in the UK.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2003

Ihsan Faraj

This paper discusses an approach for constructing product models in terms of features. In particular, the work focused on features verification and their accessibility using the…

405

Abstract

This paper discusses an approach for constructing product models in terms of features. In particular, the work focused on features verification and their accessibility using the solid model representation of the design. The research was motivated by the inadequacy of the current geometric modellers to perform verification and accessibility analyses, resulting in possible contradictions between the intended and the resultant features. Consequently, the wrong data are passed to the applications that use the data. The paper describes an alternative approach that considers the geometry, topology of the design and other construction and engineering information of the product rather than the simplistic approach, which is implemented in many geometric modellers; and is based on tagging feature labels on geometry. Individual features are extracted from the product model, where all the information about the product is held, for analyses. Each volumetric feature corresponds to a solid. As a consequence of applying volumetric features to the design model, surface features are generated. These surface features provide enough information to enable the validity and accessibility of the individual features to be determined and establish the possible routes in which the feature can be accessed, if any. The algorithms that are used to determine the validity and accessibility of features will be discussed.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2000

JASON UNDERWOOD, MUSTAFA A. ALSHAWI, GHASSAN AOUAD, TERRY CHILD and IHSAN Z. FARAJ

The AIC Research Group at the University of Salford has been involved in a government‐funded project that has resulted in the development of an integrated multi‐user distributed…

138

Abstract

The AIC Research Group at the University of Salford has been involved in a government‐funded project that has resulted in the development of an integrated multi‐user distributed construction project database through the implementation of next‐generation Internet technology together with Product Data Technology ‐ WISPER. The objective of the project was to develop a working system capable of demonstrating the future direction of information integration with the project partners' businesses. This paper presents the development of the specification application that aims to demonstrate the potential for such technologies to enhance the specification process, enabling design elements to be specified directly from a building product database Web site.

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Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 10 October 2016

Mohammadbashir Sedighi, Sander van Splunter, Frances Brazier, Cees van Beers and Stephan Lukosch

This paper aims to explore participants’ perceived benefits and costs that influence the quantity and the quality of voluntary participation in knowledge networks in a…

2475

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore participants’ perceived benefits and costs that influence the quantity and the quality of voluntary participation in knowledge networks in a resources-constrained economy.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model of perceived benefits and costs of knowledge sharing is designed on the basis of literature. The influence of perceived benefit and cost on perceived quantity and quality of knowledge sharing are assessed on the basis of a survey with 283 participants in a business context within a resource-restrained economy.

Findings

The results indicate that reputation, reciprocity and altruism are perceived to benefit quantity of participation, whereas reciprocity, altruism and knowledge self-efficacy are perceived to benefit the quality of participation in knowledge networks. Effort and time have a negative impact on both quantity and quality of participation in knowledge sharing.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides insights into the factors that influence acceptance and use of knowledge networks and can thus influence business policies.

Originality/value

This exploratory study explores both perceived benefits and costs of participation in knowledge sharing in a resource-constrained economy.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 20 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

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Article
Publication date: 31 May 2018

Mohammadbashir Sedighi, Stephan Lukosch, Frances Brazier, Mohsen Hamedi and Cees van Beers

This paper aims to explore the relationships between participants’ perceived benefits of sharing knowledge privately, within a group or with the general public within an…

2014

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationships between participants’ perceived benefits of sharing knowledge privately, within a group or with the general public within an organisational knowledge network. The quality and quantity of knowledge shared are explored in relation to the level of knowledge sharing visibility (both content and participants’ profiles).

Design/methodology/approach

A research framework of perceived benefits of knowledge sharing is designed; survey and content analysis are used to explore influences of perceived benefits on the quantity and quality of knowledge shared by participants for each level of knowledge sharing within an organisation. The research model is empirically tested using a questionnaire survey with 205 participants and content analysis of their contributions in a high-tech corporate group. This study uses the partial least squares path-modelling method to explore relationships between constructs of the research model.

Findings

The current research results show that intrinsic benefits are more influential than extrinsic benefits for private knowledge sharing, while extrinsic rewards play an important role at the public knowledge sharing within organisations. In addition, results indicate that both the quality and quantity of knowledge sharing at the group-level knowledge sharing are significantly higher than at the private and the public levels.

Practical implications

Contemporary knowledge management systems are developed by integrating communication channels in different visibility levels of knowledge exchange. Managers of knowledge management systems are advised to use the research outcome for developing incentive strategies in different levels.

Originality/value

In contrast to previous studies that focus on only one level of knowledge sharing, this paper explores relationships between perceived benefits of knowledge sharing with the quantity and quality of shared knowledge for three distinct levels of knowledge sharing.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 22 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 August 2021

Chenglong Li, Hongxiu Li, Reima Suomi and Yong Liu

Although knowledge sharing in online communities has been studied for many years, little is known about the determinants for individuals' knowledge sharing in online health…

2807

Abstract

Purpose

Although knowledge sharing in online communities has been studied for many years, little is known about the determinants for individuals' knowledge sharing in online health communities (OHCs) surrounding smoking cessation. Examining the determinants of knowledge sharing in such OHCs from the social capital perspective may prove particularly enlightening.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based online user survey of two smoking cessation OHCs, one based in Finland and one based in China, was performed. Performing data analysis with partial least squares (SmartPLS 3.0), the authors developed a model conceptualizing the structural, cognitive and relational dimensions of social capital as drivers for knowledge sharing in smoking cessation OHCs, with users' stage in giving up smoking as a moderator.

Findings

The results show that structural capital (social ties) and relational capital (reciprocity) are important motivators behind knowledge sharing in smoking cessation OHCs, and the authors found a moderating effect of the stage in quitting on the antecedents' relationship with knowledge sharing in these OHCs.

Originality/value

The study enriches understanding of knowledge sharing in smoking cessation OHCs, contributing to theory and identifying practical implications for such groups' administration.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 32 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 September 2002

Ghassan Aouad, Ming Sun and Ishan Faraj

This paper presents an argument for automating data representations within the construction sector. It questions whether full automation and integration is feasible and achievable…

318

Abstract

This paper presents an argument for automating data representations within the construction sector. It questions whether full automation and integration is feasible and achievable considering the complexity of the industry and supply chain problems. The paper starts by reviewing the research in the area of information automation, modelling and integration. A research prototype, GALLICON, is used as an example to demonstrate the levels of integration and automation that may be achieved with the current generation of technology.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 2 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 31 March 2022

Gabriele Baima, Gabriele Santoro, Anna Claudia Pellicelli and Maciej Mitręga

The increasing adoption of digital technologies such as social media have changed the way consumers share knowledge about products and services among each other. The aim of this…

1056

Abstract

Purpose

The increasing adoption of digital technologies such as social media have changed the way consumers share knowledge about products and services among each other. The aim of this paper is to test what factors drive customers to share knowledge about products and services on social media pages.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey design was employed for this study. Empirical data were drawn from 358 consumers in Italy, using a purposive sampling technique. The hypothesised relationships were tested using ordinary least squares regression modelling.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that the usage frequency of online reviews (UFORs), social bonds (SBs), subjective happiness (SH) and reciprocity positively impact on customer knowledge sharing (CKS). By contrast, the perceived usefulness of online reviews (PUORs), helping others, customer susceptibility to interpersonal influence (CSII) and informational (INFO) do not impact CKS.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is amongst the first to empirically test the antecedents of knowledge-sharing behaviours about products and services on online social media. The present work offers relevant implications for theory. First, the work enriches the customer knowledge management (CKM) theory by providing empirical evidence on factors leading to the higher sharing of knowledge amongst customers. Second, the work adds to the literature on social media, demonstrating the individual determinants on knowledge-sharing behaviours about products and services in online communities. Practically speaking, this paper identifies some key elements driving CKS in social media conversations. Thus, building upon the findings of this study, the authors provide some guidelines for social media managers and retailers for promoting CKS on social media pages.

Details

International Marketing Review, vol. 39 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-1335

Keywords

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