Seyi S. Stephen, Ayodeji E. Oke, Clinton O. Aigbavboa, Opeoluwa I. Akinradewo, Pelumi E. Adetoro and Matthew Ikuabe
This chapter explored health and safety considerations in stealth construction, emphasising the integration of advanced technologies and innovative practices. It commences with a…
Abstract
This chapter explored health and safety considerations in stealth construction, emphasising the integration of advanced technologies and innovative practices. It commences with a general introduction, followed by a historical overview of safety practices in the construction industry, highlighting the evolution of a safety culture. The chapter examined various health and safety management techniques, including policy formulation, safety training programs, and job safety analysis. Additionally, it discussed current trends such as wearable technology, IoT, VR/AR, and predictive analytics. The unique requirements of stealth construction are addressed, focusing on building cross-section design, visibility, application of radio frequency emission and countermeasures. Finally, it presents a comprehensive approach to achieving stealth construction, emphasising environmental protection, safety, speed, economy, and aesthetics, and provides practical examples to illustrate these concepts.
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W. Waldman, M. Heller, R. Kaye and F. Rose
In recent years, a novel method for computing loadflow orientations and loadpaths, which is based on iterative solutions of non‐linear equations and finite element results, has…
Abstract
In recent years, a novel method for computing loadflow orientations and loadpaths, which is based on iterative solutions of non‐linear equations and finite element results, has emerged in the literature. In the present investigation, the prior formulation and approach has been enhanced by deriving explicit expressions for computing loadflow orientations. The new equations produce more accurate loadflow orientations and improve the fidelity of calculated loadpaths. In particular, for a typical loaded plate containing a hole, the density of loadflow lines is also shown to provide accurate values of stress concentration factor. Subsequently, loadflow visualisation for biaxially loaded plates containing non‐optimal and optimal holes is undertaken to identify key features of the stress distributions. It is found that regions of “recirculation” are apparent for non‐optimal hole shapes, whereas no recirculation zones are present for optimal shapes. In general, it is considered that loadflow visualisation is a simple but powerful tool for use by structural designers and analysts.
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Rachelle Kaye, Theodoros N. Arvanitis, Sarah N. Lim Choi Keung, Dipak Kalra and Dolores Verdoy Berastegi
The European funded project ADLIFE focuses on the application of digitally enabled integrated care for people with advanced chronic diseases. The implementation of the ADLIFE…
Abstract
Purpose
The European funded project ADLIFE focuses on the application of digitally enabled integrated care for people with advanced chronic diseases. The implementation of the ADLIFE intervention required a robust practical tool that would be common to all pilot sites while allowing flexibility for local variations as well as the ability to adapt to unanticipated changes and problems.
Design/methodology/approach
The ADLIFE project combined the concepts of implementation research and formative evaluation with the standardized operating procedures (SOP) methodology. The ADLIFE project significantly modified the SOP approach and used it as a means to not only to define and organize the tasks that needed to be performed in preparing and implementing the ADLIFE intervention but also to create a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced in each site, as well as a method for achieving a consensus.
Findings
The ADLIFE SOPs were developed by a dedicated working group, and they encompassed the preparatory phase leading up to implementation of the intervention. The SOP was also the basis for monitoring the implementation, and this created a structure for the dynamic ongoing tactical and even strategic changes necessitated by local diversity as well as many unanticipated changes.
Originality/value
The SOP methodology was useful in supporting the development of the ADLIFE SOP, which was a consensus-based approach to guide for managing the implementation process, both at project and local levels. It has supported continuous improvement and learning throughout the project. Both the process and the SOP produced by the process can be readily adapted and used in other similar projects.
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Changes in teaching and learning in higher education, combined with rapid developments in electronic communications and resources, point to a new role for the information…
Abstract
Changes in teaching and learning in higher education, combined with rapid developments in electronic communications and resources, point to a new role for the information intermediary. This can be identified as a new professional practice which is termed ‘networked learner support’ by the authors of the paper and which is closely associated with the support of learning through computer‐mediated communication. The paper examines the background to this emergent practice, and offers a preliminary model for its development. The model involves practitioners' participation in collaborative networked learning, as a means of exploring and developing relevant resource knowledge and support strategies. Fundamental to the model is the view that the new practice needs to be defined from within the profession, and must be capable of taking into account and responding to the specific demands of local circumstances.
Wenping Xu, Jitao Xu, David Proverbs and Yuwan Zhang
In modern urban governance, rescue materials storage points (RMSP) are a vital role to be considered in responding to public emergencies and improving a city's emergency…
Abstract
Purpose
In modern urban governance, rescue materials storage points (RMSP) are a vital role to be considered in responding to public emergencies and improving a city's emergency management. This study analyzes the siting of community-centered relief supply facilities.
Design/methodology/approach
Combining grey relational analysis, complex network and relative entropy, a new multi criteria method is proposed. It pays more attention to the needs of the community, taking into account the use of community hospitals, fire centers and neighborhood offices to establish small RMSP.
Findings
The research results firstly found suitable areas for RMSP site selection, including Hanyang, Qiaokou, Jiangan and Wuchang. The top 10 nodes in each region are found as the location of emergency facilities, and the network parameters are higher than ordinary nodes in traffic networks. The proposed method was applied in Wuhan, China and the method was verified by us-ing a complex network model combined with multi-criteria decision-making for emergency facility location.
Practical implications
This method solves the problem of how to choose the optimal solution and reduces the difficulty for decision makers. This method will help emergency managers to locate and plan RMSP more simply, especially in improving emergency siting modeling techniques and additionally in providing a reference for future research.
Originality/value
The method proposed in this study is beneficial to improve the decision-making ability of urban emergency departments. Using complex networks and comprehensive evaluation techniques, RMSP is incorporated into the urban community emergency network as a critical rescue force. More importantly, the findings highlight a new direction for further research on urban emergency facilities site selection based on a combination of sound theoretical basis as well as empirical evidence gained from real life case-based analysis.
Highlights:
Material reserve points are incorporated into the emergency supply network to maintain the advantage of quantity.
Build emergency site selection facilities centered on urban communities.
Use a complex network model to select the location of emergency supplies storage sites.
Material reserve points are incorporated into the emergency supply network to maintain the advantage of quantity.
Build emergency site selection facilities centered on urban communities.
Use a complex network model to select the location of emergency supplies storage sites.
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Magid Igbaria and Kranti Toraskar
Formulates and tests an integrated model of the determinants of enduser computing (EUC) success. Assesses their effects on job satisfactionand the quality of work life. Tests the…
Abstract
Formulates and tests an integrated model of the determinants of end user computing (EUC) success. Assesses their effects on job satisfaction and the quality of work life. Tests the model using multiple regression analysis based on a sample of 177 (in the USA!). Claims a symbiotic relationship between EUC and the worker. Demonstrates that EUC success is influenced by the users′ computer experience, training and organizational level.
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Hartaty Hartaty and Wiwiek Dianawati
This study aims to determine the influence of the role of hospital leaders, the COVID-19 budget and health service facilities at regional general hospitals (RSUDs) to Indonesia on…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the influence of the role of hospital leaders, the COVID-19 budget and health service facilities at regional general hospitals (RSUDs) to Indonesia on hospital responses in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, moderated by hospital class level.
Design/methodology/approach
This research was designed as quantitative research using partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test hypotheses.
Findings
Using a sample of 185 RSUDs, it was found that the role of hospital leaders, the COVID-19 budget and health service facilities in RSUDs had a positive and significant effect on the hospital's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show that the role of hospital leaders, in this case, the RSUD director, is essential in improving health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 budget and health service facilities at RSUD can run effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic if the RSUD director issues appropriate policies during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
Originality/value
This study is the first to determine the influence of hospital leaders, the health budget for COVID-19 and hospital health service facilities simultaneously on the hospital's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also provides empirical evidence regarding the idea of stewardship theory, which suggests the role of leaders in supervising organizations to achieve organizational goals effectively in times of crisis.
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Renato Araujo, June Marques Fernandes, Luciana Paula Reis and Martin Beaulieu
This study aims to identify supply chain (SC) management practices applied to purchasing capable of improving the resilience of the health-care SC and mitigating the effects of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify supply chain (SC) management practices applied to purchasing capable of improving the resilience of the health-care SC and mitigating the effects of material and service disruption during pandemics.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach adopted is qualitative and is based on a systematic literature review from the ScienceDirect, Emerald, Wiley and Web of Science databases. After selecting 705 documents, filters are applied, and 52 articles present problems faced by purchasing the health-care SC during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Findings
This article suggests five propositions of resilient practices that can increase purchasing resilience in the face of pandemics such as COVID-19. The proposed practices are collaboration, flexibility, visibility, agility and information sharing, which suggest a sequence for the adoption of management practices based on the number of occurrences and importance found in the analysed studies.
Research limitations/implications
This study does not find robust empirical evidence that could categorically state that the results can be replicated in organisations in general. Thus, as a continuation of research, more studies should use an empirical methodology and case analysis to organise different branches. As the human factor was decisive for the results observed in the literature, future research should dedicate part of the studies to the psychological area of professionals. Actions to combat the pandemic were implemented, impacting positively and negatively on the results obtained. Future research on combat actions could indicate which ones should be avoided.
Practical implications
As a result, disruptions are expected to be reduced, and consequently, the resilience of the SC will increase. Accordingly, purchasing processes and procedures can be redefined to positively influence the resilience of the health-care SC. Resilience is related to maintaining the flow of supply, as well as systems and actions aimed at mitigating the effects of disruptions in the hospital’s core business.
Social implications
Health systems need to respond to society’s needs even in the face of global crises, such as the one faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The overload in hospitals and the exponential demand for specific medicines and services in the fight against the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic require enormous coordination in procurement by the purchasing sector. This planning aims to ensure that the care provided by health services maintains the flow of value that serves hospitalised patients.
Originality/value
This study introduces a new approach to the recurrent problem of disruption of the health-care SC during a pandemic using a combination of five important management practices. This proves useful for mitigating disruptions and their effects on the health-care SC.
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In the first part of this article models for productivity and the quality of working life are developed that show that there are a number of common elements, particularly those…
Abstract
In the first part of this article models for productivity and the quality of working life are developed that show that there are a number of common elements, particularly those related to motivation. On the basis of a review of the published literature of case histories, as well as those cases with which we are familiar from our own experience, it seems clear that job satisfaction is the most significant sociological factor in enhancing productivity, and the quality of working life, especially for professional and management workers. In addition, it seems clear that a sense of autonomy and achievement are probably the most significant elements of job satisfaction and that, at least for this category of workers, productivity and the quality of working life are complementary objectives whose realisation may best be achieved together. We support this theme by analysing a number of case histories on the basis of the job satisfaction model. Finally, we suggest that careful attention should be paid, in the earliest stages of setting objectives, and later in planning for office automation, to identifying the types and levels of job satisfaction needs that are important for the staff to be supported with technology. It is important that management's objectives in this respect should be explicitly stated so that the technology may be specified and designed in such a way that the desired objectives are met.