Per Granath, Stefan Alariksson and Sverker Axelsson
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is in the process of transition from paper‐based to electronic administration. This process includes the…
Abstract
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is in the process of transition from paper‐based to electronic administration. This process includes the introduction of new methods that are based on routines and functions for electronic document management. The electronic administration is adapted to the legal requirements of the Swedish public sector and also includes the agency’s register of incoming and outgoing mail and archives. In the article the authors present the operational concept behind the major process of change being implemented by Sida and its anticipated effects together with the consequences of the change for archives work. Finally, an explanation of the Swedish principle of public access to official records and other legal aspects that affect Sida’s project for an electronic administration is provided.
Details
Keywords
DURING the past twelve years there have been six investigations of the spectral transmission of light through fog, mist, or liaze carried out in the United States. The conditions…
Abstract
DURING the past twelve years there have been six investigations of the spectral transmission of light through fog, mist, or liaze carried out in the United States. The conditions of the tests have been varied. Three of the researches were made with fog chambers; three with natural fogs. One was made with a path of only 1·9 m. (6·2 ft.); the longest path was 1,200 m. (3,900 ft.). One of the fogs was so light that a 1,000,000 candle‐power airway beacon could be seen 13 km. (8 miles); the densest would permit such a beacon to be seen only 0·03 km. (0·02 mile). One investigator scarcely covered the entire visible spectrum. Two included the infra‐red as far as 3·0 microns and 2·5 microns respectively, and the latter of these extended his work as far as 0·324 micron in the ultra‐violet. It is not surprising that curves based on data taken under such diverse conditions should show little resemblance to one another.
Making a workplace entails two essential factors: the physical action of designing, and the design of the work space itself. This paper illustrates how building stock can be used…
Abstract
Making a workplace entails two essential factors: the physical action of designing, and the design of the work space itself. This paper illustrates how building stock can be used as a vehicle to create new, small and medum‐sized enterprises in which a participatory and learning process gives users control of their costs and stimulates creative channels between tenants. Workplace making can be the source of new understanding and communication between disciplines that do not usually cooperate in innovative situations ‐ demonstrated by the Volvo case study, which resulted in a totally new production system for the final assembly plants. In conclusion, it is paramount that the company itself leads the design process. To outsource workplace making is to outsource the knowledge and ability to use space as a long‐term production resource, which can restrict space productivity. To ensure the best use of future production space it is vital that a company listens not only to the architects but to its own employees.
Details
Keywords
Christian Stoy and Susanne Kytzia
Nowadays, the so‐called management by objectives (MBO) is used as a management instrument of corporate real estate management (CREM), using cost targets as the yardstick of CREM…
Abstract
Nowadays, the so‐called management by objectives (MBO) is used as a management instrument of corporate real estate management (CREM), using cost targets as the yardstick of CREM success. In Switzerland, CREM success is increasingly linked to cost reductions, with the cross‐company corporate strategy often requiring CREM to deliver a significant reduction in the level of cost. The cost concept used is material for the agreement or stipulation of cost targets. As the presented analysis shows, CREM has, for the most part, only very limited potential impact on costs. In particular, the use of the occupancy cost concept (sum of all imputed costs as well as costs recognised in the profit and loss account) poses a problem. This comprehensive cost type is determined by the following factors, which are in many cases outside the control of CREM: Book value as per balance sheet; Depreciation period of the basic shell structure; Main objective of the owner; Maintenance strategies; Degree of outsourcing of infrastructure management. Therefore, where the corporate strategy centres around cost reduction, CREM must be given the opportunity to control these drivers. This would require the inclusion of CREM in the development of the cross‐company corporate strategy, as otherwise the cost targets would have to be restricted to individual cost types (costs recognised in the profit and loss account). This is the only way to utilise a management instrument, such as MBO, within CREM.
Details
Keywords
Christian Stoy and Susanne Kytzia
As corporate real estate is increasingly being recognised as an important cost and production factor, senior management now pays considerable attention to this asset group. These…
Abstract
Purpose
As corporate real estate is increasingly being recognised as an important cost and production factor, senior management now pays considerable attention to this asset group. These assets are managed, inter alia, by using benchmarks. In addition to monetary benchmarks, building efficiency (e.g. m2 of usable floor area per m2 of gross external floor area) and capacity benchmarks in particular (e.g. m2 of usable floor area per existing workplace) must be highlighted. Previously, specific values and their drivers for the assessment of buildings or portfolios were not available.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on a survey carried out in Switzerland, involving the collection of floor data (in accordance with DIN 277) of 116 owner‐operated office buildings. In addition, their drivers were ascertained using regression analyses.
Findings
The building efficiency may be assessed on the basis of the share of usable floor area or the share of office space in the gross external floor area. The main drivers are the shares of vehicle parking space, areas for residential and recreational purposes and areas for storage, distribution and retail. These drivers must be taken into consideration when assessing the building efficiency. It became apparent that capacity benchmarks are determined primarily by factors such as the space use management strategies, and only to a lesser degree by the building itself.
Originality/value
The study provides space benchmarks and their drivers. The results therefore permit an objective evaluation of office buildings. However, further work transcending the influence of the building itself will be required with regard to the capacity benchmarks.
Details
Keywords
Tomas Engström, Dan Jonsson and Lars Medbo
Argues that the design of the Volvo Uddevalla plant may be described as a process with an “internal logic” in which design options were eliminated through irreversible design…
Abstract
Argues that the design of the Volvo Uddevalla plant may be described as a process with an “internal logic” in which design options were eliminated through irreversible design decisions until only one alternative remained ‐ an unorthodox alternative comprising, for example, long cycle time work never used before for full‐scale production of automobiles. Contends that the most innovative features of the Uddevalla plant ‐ i.e. the detailed layout in the assembly workshops and the corresponding unorthodox production principles used ‐ were in many respects an unanticipated outcome of the design process. Pre‐existing gross layout of the plant as well as the interaction between the materials feeding techniques adopted and the operation of the automated guided vehicle system. When this was perceived by the Volvo managers, the design process had passed the point of no return, i.e. the investments made and lack of time prevented regression to more traditional layouts and production principles.
Details
Keywords
Ulrika Lundh Snis, Anna Karin Olsson and Iréne Bernhard
Within the ongoing digitalization of society and dimensions of integration, equality, citizen needs, sustainability and quality of life are of increasing importance as driving…
Abstract
Purpose
Within the ongoing digitalization of society and dimensions of integration, equality, citizen needs, sustainability and quality of life are of increasing importance as driving forces for cities to become smart. The purpose of this paper is to examine participatory management challenges in becoming a smart old town in the context of cultural heritage.
Design/methodology/approach
An explorative approach was applied on a qualitative single case study including in-depth interviews with 21 stakeholders representing local entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, the municipality, politicians, tourism organization and residents of an old town district in a Norwegian city. Additionally, participatory observations and document studies were performed. Findings were continuously validated with the respondents.
Findings
The present study contributes with stakeholder views on challenges arising from the development of a smart old town and suggests possible innovative solutions for participatory management. The transformation of a city with cultural heritage into a smart city require efforts that go beyond smart ICT implementations into issues of social sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
The study brings forward the opportunities that lie in the dynamics of interaction between the spirit of cultural heritage and the body of participatory management. It con-tributes by responding to calls for further research to deepen the insights into stakeholder inclusion in cultural heritage-based city transformation. This explorative study has its limitations as it is based on one qualitative single case.
Practical implications
Participatory management insights and recommendations for smart city transformation are provided.
Social implications
The study addresses socially sustainable outcomes to create democratic conditions that promote inclusion and community building by understanding what people need and expect from the place where they live and work.
Originality/value
This study is positioned as unique in terms of its complex nature of transforming an old town to become a smart old town based on cultural heritage and an open and coordinated inclusion of stakeholders. Smartness in context of city transformation is revealed in many dimensions ranging from technology-driven to more participant-driven.
Details
Keywords
Joakim Sturup and Shilan Caman
Although homicide-suicide (H-S) offences are rare, they have remarkably tragic consequences. The purposes of this paper are to: examine the background characteristics of H-S…
Abstract
Purpose
Although homicide-suicide (H-S) offences are rare, they have remarkably tragic consequences. The purposes of this paper are to: examine the background characteristics of H-S offenders (including previous offending history and psychiatric elements); describe the crime-scene behavior and examine the motivational aspects of the offences; and to establish the reliability in the outlined typologies.
Design/methodology/approach
The study consists of case series of all H-S offenders in Sweden, January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009 (n=13), and data was collected from medico-legal autopsy reports, police investigations and three national databases.
Findings
Of all Swedish homicides, 5.5 percent consisted of H-S cases, and the rate of H-S was 0.05 per 100,000 inhabitants. Seven of the offenders had had previous contact with a psychiatric service, however, the average time between the last contact and the offence was slightly more than four years. Three of the offenders had previously been convicted of a violent crime and nine of the 13 offenders were involved in serious marital conflicts during the time of the offence. In conclusion, the study supports the notion that cases of H-S are mainly associated with intimate partner homicides, rather than suicide or other homicides. However, the offences were not always directly aimed toward the (former) spouse, but instead carried out through a proxy (such as a common child).
Originality/value
The study adds in-depth knowledge by using a qualitative approach in an otherwise scarce area of research.
Details
Keywords
Vahid Moghimi and Mahmud Bin Mohd Jusan
The purpose of this paper is to unveil how Johor Bahru resident’s conceptions are affected by various structural housing attributes. The determination of an appropriate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to unveil how Johor Bahru resident’s conceptions are affected by various structural housing attributes. The determination of an appropriate combination of housing preferences requires a great deal of involvement to balance a complex interplay of factors. This is attributable to this fact that housing preferences involve multiple-criteria decision-making, as each element has its own perceived relative importance. Accordingly, this study examines the resident housing preferences of Johor Bahru located in southern Malaysia with specific emphasis on the priority of structural attributes of housing preferences.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data collected through the theoretical and conceptual framework of non-structural fuzzy decision support system (NSFDSS) applied to facilitate the priority setting process.
Findings
Priority lists of preferences for structural housing attributes showing the contribution of each factor within their respective level and not the contribution of that factor toward the overall housing preferences were established.
Practical implications
By providing primary information about how potential buyers of a new house prioritize the different elements of a house design, the obtained results can make a useful contribution to the knowledge of individuals engaged in the housing development industry.
Originality/value
While in examining consumers’ housing choice and preferences, most studies use the hedonic price framework studying the issue from several aspects, this is first study dedicated to establish a priority of housing attribute using NSFDSS.