The creativity of monuments: the case of bistable Belarusian identity

During the last decades, Belarus has experienced a wave of monument construction, i.e., the monuments as creative practices through which certain historical, cultural and political meanings are constructed and articulated. The process confirms some scientists’ insights that the Belarusian identity is actively created today. However, the scientists who are interested in its construction on a practical level have not paid attention to the process of monument creation in Belarus as it also creates and articulates state identity. The analysis of the monument-making process has revealed that three identity narratives co-exist in Belarus: national-cultural and two political-historical ones, i.e., commonality with Russia and political independence from Russia. The potential contradiction of these political-historical narratives shows that the Belarusian identity is in a dichotomous and uncertain state. Although the spread of the political independence from Russia narrative allows us to talk about the existence of an independent national identity of Belarus (one of the most prominent manifestations was the mass protests in 2020, unpredicted by many scientists) in parallel with the existence of a strong historical-political narrative of commonality with Russia, the identity of Belarus remains in a bistable condition. For this reason, the further development of the Belarusian identity remains uncertain in the long-term perspective

Exploring BIM technology development using patent citation analysis: USA case study

Broadening the perspective on technology and stakeholders within the construction sector, this study aims to uncover the trajectories of BIM’s technological progression, alongside the interconnected industries and knowledge networks. Information in Derwent Innovation’s patent database originates from the United States Patent Database (USPTO). Initially, 1,062 patents related to BIM were gathered to form a patent citation network. The subsequent stage of expanding patent citations involved accumulating a total of 9,755 patents. The main path is composed of three streams: Stream I is used for the construction and application of 3D models, Stream II is used for the presentation of 3D images, and Stream III is used for the automatic analysis of architectural information. This study also uses edge-betweenness clustering for cluster analysis and conducts a more in-depth main path study of the specific patent clusters on the main path. These findings are: (1) Energy consumption management control, (2) 3D building modeling for design and construction, (3) Asset tracking, monitoring, and security monitoring. The development of BIM should be directed towards the integration and application of transformative information and communication technologies. Integration with innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, and 5G is an important trend. First published online 20 December 202

Factors of visual organization effective on the protection of vernacular landscapes in the foothill villages

As the cultural heritage of a country, the texture of vernacular villages is the main factor that forms the vernacular landscape. These textures provide visual values that play a determinant role in presence and residence continuity in rural areas. However, many vernacular landscapes of foothill villages in Iran have become problematic due to interferences and a lack of proper management mechanisms. It is essential to formulate a theoretical framework for parameters affecting the vernacular landscape protection to handle the development process and preserve this precious heritage. This is an exploratory study in terms of nature and is descriptive-survey research in terms of data collecting method. The statistical population comprises 31 experts in architectural and rural fields who were interviewed through a non-random network method. The techniques used in this study include content analysis, Delphi, and correlation, and the collected data are analyzed using SPSS software through Q factor analysis, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. The results show that 9 factors can be extracted based on the priorities and mental patterns of the experts for visual organization: adaptability, coordination and orderliness, visibility, comfort, permeability, compatibility, legibility, attractiveness, and landscape. Among the mentioned factors, the higher explained variance percentage (14.097%) belongs to adaptability. According to the obtained results, 99.4% of variations in the vernacular landscape have been explained by these 9 factors among which, visual attractiveness and visibility have the highest effect on vernacular landscape protection in foothill villages with impact coefficients of 0.318 and 0.279, respectively at the significance level of 99%

Bibliometric analysis of digital financial reporting: a comprehensive review of research trends and emerging topics

Digital Financial Reporting (DFR) has gained significant research attention amid the digital transformation. This study comprehensively reviews DFR research, identifies trends, and highlights emerging topics. Key trends include advancements in sustainability reporting and improved financial reporting quality while emerging topics like XBRL and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) reflect evolving research interests. Utilizing bibliometric methods, the study quantitatively analyzes DFR literature from Scopus, Emerald, Google Scholar, OpenAlex, Crossref, and SAGE. The research involved data sourcing, screening, eligibility selection, and bibliometric analysis. Findings show a dynamic increase in annual publications in DFR, with noticeable peaks and shifts in research focus over time. A notable rise post-2016 culminated in a peak in 2023, indicating sustained scholarly interest and field evolution. This study contributed into how digitalization enhances financial reporting quality, addressing gaps from previous bibliometric analyses. It emphasizes systematic trend analysis, identifying research gaps, and exploring factors driving the digital transformation of financial reporting. These insights guide researchers in developing new variables and strategies to advance DFR solutions, enhancing the accuracy, transparency, and accessibility of financial information through digital innovation

The role of networking competencies in social enterprise performance

Purpose – The goal of this research was to identify the need for networking competencies in social enterprises rated by the managerial personnel of social enterprises and academic staff of universities in Latvia. Research methodology – A survey among representatives of Latvian social enterprises and academic staff of Latvian higher education institutions (HEIs) was conducted. The data was processed by means of average ranking, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and one-way-ANOVA test. Findings – The analysis of the results of Latvian survey revealed that: 1) social enterprise per- sonnel and university academic staff rated the role of networking competencies in social enterprise performance differently; 2) social enterprises rated cooperation with local governments higher and with industry associations as less important than the group of university academic staff. Research limitations – The research is limited to the analysis of only networking competencies. Practical implications – The research results contribute to the institutional framework for the social entrepreneurship ecosystem through recommendations to universities in creating training programmes of social entrepreneurship competencies. Originality/Value – The conducted empirical study is the first study of its kind in the Latvian social enterprise ecosystem, and it offers unique data that can be used for planning the development of networking competencies

Impacts of human resources management strategies and practices on workers performance in construction industry: a review

Human resource management (HRM) plays a vital role in the growth and sustainability of companies and in achieving company objectives, as HRM relates to the workers’ practices and their functional roles. The main objective of this paper is to identify the HRM strategies, practices and their impact on worker’s performance in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry. The method which was used in this study was based on three stages. After the completion of the database and web engine search, the total number of sources found were 149. Next, the sources’ titles and abstracts were reviewed and those marked as relevant to the review were chosen to be retrieved and thoroughly reviewed. The sources were chosen based on the following inclusion criteria: (a) the sources implied in HRM strategies in the AEC industry, (b) the sources released between 2010 and 2023, (c) the online sources, and (d) the English-language sources. Also, the selected sources are reviewed to extract the factors using the content analysis method which is a thorough and systematic study of the contents of a specific body of material. In addition, content analysis is carried out to extract practices of HRM strategies and their impact on worker performance. This can be followed up and observed through the figures and tables that come later. As a final result, which concludes the outputs of the previous stages which results in a first-round total of 31 HRM strategies practice but in the second-round result of reaching 39 different sources from 149 related sources. After that, discussing the most popular between them based on the appearance of it in the sources which reviewed beside that, the impact of it on worker’s performance were viewed in the AEC industry. Based on that, it was found the following 5 categories of strategies: (1) Human Resources Planning; (2) Polarization and Recruitment; (3) Training and Development; (4) Human Resources Following-up; (5) Career Planning. At the same time the most popular practices are based on appearance in sources: In terms of Human Resources Planning Strategy, “The company’s management analyses the functions accurately”. In Polarization and Recruitment Strategy, “The company’s internal resources are the best to provide its human resource needs” and “Selection and recruitment policies are in line with the company’s current and future needs”. In Training and Development of Human Resources Strategy, “The company evaluates the results of development and training programs to achieve the purpose of feedback”. In Human Resources Following-up Strategy, “There is a fair incentive system in the company”. In Career Planning Strategy, “There is a clear description of the relationship of workers to each other”. Finally, human resource management strategies and practices are one of the major players in the AEC industry, which is evidenced by its impact on the performance of workers. First published online 22 October 202

Evaluating impacts of ICT development on wages of workers

At the provincial level, there is a research gap in discussing the causality and internal mechanism between ICT development and wages of workers. The study utilizes the province-level balanced panel data over the period 2006–2021 in China, clarifies the impact and internal mechanism of ICT development on wages of workers, and uses the DID method to identify the causality between the two. This study found that there is a positive correlation between ICT development and workers’ wages, and skill level is a mediate transmission channel. Moreover, ICT development has a positive impact on workers’ wages in the central and western regions. Besides, compared to low-wage workers, high-wage workers gain more information dividends. The findings of this study have reference significance for policymakers. First, for the central and western provinces in China, it is necessary to actively develop the ICT industry, cultivate high-tech enterprises, and improve local ICT development levels. Second, we should improve the skill level of workers and enhance their competitive advantage in employment. Third, each province should continue to expand the enrollment scale of higher education institutions, and improve the quality of labor force. First published online 09 September 202

GIS based ground water assessment of Nilakkottai Taluk, Tamil Nadu, India: hydrogeochemistry and statistical perspective

Water quality is imperative for drinking and agriculture purposes in order to meet the increasing requirements for water. The systematic assessment of groundwater quality in Nilakkottai Taluk, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, was performed. In order to ascertain the quality of the study area’s groundwater, various water quality indices, spatial distribution maps, multivariate statistical analysis, and hydrofacies diagrams have been contemplated. 40 samples were collected and analysed for 20 water quality parameters, using the standard techniques. The quality results of the irrigation analysis showed that the groundwater samples were satisfactory for agricultural use. The deduction of four principal components denotes that hydrogeochemical processes and anthropogenic inputs were the main controlling factors. The durov plot demonstrated the dominance of Ca-HCO3 type groundwater, indicating a weathering process through fresh water recharge. This study insisted that majority of the samples satisfactory for crop yield and need to be protected from further contamination

Do actors’ incentives obstruct sector-wide long-term productivity in the design and production of bridges in Sweden?

An increase in productivity is necessary to reduce economic costs in bridge projects. Previous research indicates that construction productivity has decreased since the 1960s. A quantitative study was performed to find out how the incentives of the three major actors (client, contractor, and design engineer) could be obstacles to long-term productivity in the Swedish bridge construction industry. The study was performed as a self-completed questionnaire and received 151 responses. The results show that the contractors’ employees find profit in a single project more important than the company’s profit over time. Thus, the project´s incentives obstruct innovation and standardization, which could benefit future projects and thereby increase long-term productivity and the company’s profit over time. In contrast to contractors, design engineers and clients value company profit more than profit in a single project, and they value the quality of delivered products as the most important factor for increased long-term productivity. First published online 10 December 202

How does the collaborative innovation network in construction industry evolve? Evidence from China

Technology innovation in the construction industry involves collaboration among multiple innovation organizations which formed an intricate collaborative innovation network (CIN). To understand the evolution characteristics of structural characteristics of CIN in China’s construction industry and to clarify the collaborative patterns among innovation organizations, the CIN were analyzed in terms of overall network characteristics and local collaborative patterns by using the social network analysis (SNA) and network motif analysis (NMA), respectively based on the data of projects winning the China’s Science and Technology Award in Construction (CSTAC) in 2004–2021. The results indicate that the CIN became larger but less connected and exhibited scale-free and small-world characteristics during the study period. There is a giant component in the CIN, which is gradually increasing in size and becoming more cohesive. China Academy of Building Research which had the highest degree centrality and closeness centrality and Tongji University which had the largest betweenness centrality had an important position in CIN. The main collaborative innovation mode in China’s construction industry is collaboration between enterprises, followed by collaboration between enterprise-university, which has an increasing share. The results help organizations clarify their position in the CIN and inform their development of co-innovation partners