The purposes of this paper are to present the conceptualization upon which a particular task was modelled; to detail the way in which the theoretical framework was translated into…
Abstract
The purposes of this paper are to present the conceptualization upon which a particular task was modelled; to detail the way in which the theoretical framework was translated into practice; to report briefly on the methodology employed; and to demonstrate the success of the analytic tool adopted. The study set out to analyze a Department of Education, taking manpower utilization as its focal emphasis. It included both recording the present deployment of all employees and describing functional alternatives open to policy makers in their deliberations over the Department's future growth and direction. Systems theory provided the conceptual model selected as the framework for the study. Interviews were used to gather much of the data, though the literature also contributed a fund of ideas on possible future developments and concomitant manpower requirements. It was inevitable that certain alternative structural arrangements should come under consideration. The final section of this paper offers a few examples of the sorts of outcome which resulted from the investigation. They have been selected in order to show that a systems analysis is likely to bring to light wide‐ranging implications for manpower utilization, whether at the level of sub‐system operations and relations, or at the level of total system management.
Abdullah Alzahrani, Halim Boussabaine and Khalid Almarri
The different scenarios of climate change, such as floods, temperature change and storms, are considered the main drivers influencing the building sector. Understanding how and…
Abstract
Purpose
The different scenarios of climate change, such as floods, temperature change and storms, are considered the main drivers influencing the building sector. Understanding how and when these climatic risks will emerge, specifically financial risks, is pivotal in dealing with these risks and applying the adaptation and mitigation strategies so as to minimise the effects and damages. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to discover the financial risks emerging from climate change impact on the building sector and determine the timescale of occurrence for such risks.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology formulated in this study is founded on a systematic literature review and statistical analysis. Built on this, the potential financial risks emerging from climate change scenarios (CCS) were identified and designed as a questionnaire to collect data from UK expert professionals. Statistical methods were used to rank and compare the outcomes of the survey.
Findings
The research observed that around 40 per cent of the participants in this study indicated that one-third of the total identified financial risks (23 factors) would emerge within 5-10 years. The most important factors are increased insurance excess and additional expense in insuring buildings in flood risk zones, whilst the least important financial risks are inability to repay debts and un-insurability because of climate change.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to the UK, and regional implications are not covered. However, it is a starting point.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this research project is establishing and developing clusters of the potential risks emerging from CCS, which can assist professionals in the building sector in the management and development of strategies to cope with these emerging risks.