ACT-UK simulation centre: opportunities and challenges for research

Advanced Construction Technology Simulation Centre (ACT-UK) has recently been established at Coventry University, to provide an innovative facility for training future construction managers, enabled by semi-immersive virtual reality model of construction sites. In a typical training session, the trainees will face one snap-shot of construction site situation, called 'scenario' with the presence of various actors who will introduce site problems. By referring to information presented to them and interacting with the actors, the trainees will need to make decisions, and will receive feedback once the session ends. This innovative training presents important research challenges, especially due to many less well understood factors of the formation of skills afforded by this approach and the impact on performance in the workplace. The focus on 'soft' skills (rather than 'hard' technical skills) further heightens the complexity of understanding and 'measuring' the efficacy of this training. Within this context, the paper aims to propose a research framework, via a critical synthesis of key literature in related domains. The conceptual framework stands on three key sequential stages of pre-, on- and post-training, with one or more research themes in each stage. The framework integrates several research themes for harnessing the utility and realizing efficacy of this innovative learning approach. The research activities emanating from the framework will help to widen opportunities for the use of the ACT-UK in the future

Integrating uncertainty management in strategic planning practice

Despite competing in highly turbulent and competitive industry, evidence suggests that construction firms have not put sufficient emphasis on strategic planning. Further, the practice of strategic planning in construction is dominated by informal nd sporadic approaches/processes, which rely heavily on the subjective judgement of top management and tacit knowledge of individuals involved. Literature indicates that the identification of possible risks and opportunities is the most critical in this process, but little guidance is available with regards to the most effective approaches in dealing with the inherent characteristics of strategic planning. A review of underlying aspects (including decision theory, cognitive and behavioural psychology) is presented with a view of developing a framework for improving this process in a construction firm. The framework attempts to engage stakeholders and capture both explicit and tacit knowledge in the strategic thinking for organisational learning. The framework is viewed as a better alternative to the top-down approach of strategic decision making in the construction industry. Benefits from adopting such anapproach and future direction of research in this area are then discussed. Copyright ASCE 2009

Flooding in the built environment: the roles of social responsibility and risk perception in extreme event decision making

The inextricable link between people, their built environment and its relationship with flooding has been demonstrated within the academic literature which indicates that human activity is having a large, detrimental effect upon the environment, increasing climate change and thereby increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events, such as severe flooding. Despite well-documented evidence of the potential physical impacts of flooding, the research has so far neglected to fully investigate the manner by which decision making at community level could influence the extent of damage and the resilience to flooding. This paper attempts to investigate this gap in knowledge by exploring ways in which a better understanding of the concepts of social responsibility and risk perception could potentially increase community resilience. There is particular emphasis upon the interrelationships between the social responsibility, risk perception and the decision making process. These relationships may affect people’s attitudes and behaviour towards the issues of climate change and extreme weather events. This paper also provides an argument for future research approaches to better understand resilience at the level of the community by exploring the individual and interconnected decision making of householders, small businesses and policy makers. The arguments presented here will be of interest to community leaders and provide considerations for built environment professionals embarking on the development of resilience measures, with considerations suggested for future research within this field

Enhancing community resilience to flooding through social responsibility

Climate change has increased the threat of flooding to communities and presented the need for greater understanding of barriers and drivers to community resilience. This presents a significant research challenge due to complex interdependencies between the built environment, flooding, and the decisions of individuals within the community. The decisions of individuals that make up key community groups are of vital importance to this area because these decisions affect their perceptions, behaviour and cumulative resilience at community level. The decision making of community groups could be positive, resulting in resilience-enhancing actions, or negative, resulting in resilience-reducing perceptions and behaviour. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence the decision making process will help to overcome barriers and promote drivers for community resilience. This paper explores the literature in one of the main areas that has been highlighted as having the potential to affect decision making at community level, that is perceptions of social responsibility. Differences between social responsibility and corporate social responsibility and public relation models are explored. Examples from recent flooding events suggest the important role of social responsibility in influencing community resilience. Main considerations for future research are described, including the need for establishing a common framework for measuring and monitoring social responsibility within the community. Such a framework would provide a platform for integration and joined-up thinking between key community groups

The use of ACT-UK virtual reality simulation centre to enhance the learning experience of undergraduate building students

The National Centre for Advanced Construction Technology (ACT-UK), based at Coventry University, is a newly established construction management simulation centre. The aim of this research is to investigate the possible role of ACT-UK in the undergraduate Building degree curriculum at Coventry University. Case study methods are adopted and include questionnaire surveys and interviews of construction employers, students and academics to develop a proposal for the possible use of the new simulation centre. The analysis indicates a high degree of enthusiasm for the use of the new simulation centre, but also raises issues regarding its cost and the ease with which it can be embedded into the current curriculum. Following on from the analysis, an outline of a programme that meets the needs of all parties is presented. The case study offers a lesson for the adoption of an innovative new learning technology to enhance the student learning experience within a higher education context

An approach for capturing project information for the development of virtual reality training scenarios

The new Advanced Construction Technologies (ACT-UK) centre in Coventry uses state of the art, innovative, virtual reality training in a simulated environment to train students and employees from the construction industry. However, before the training facility could become operational, it was necessary to collect as much information as possible from a specified construction project to help create scenarios to be used in the virtual reality training. Therefore, the approach used to capture the project information needed to be appropriate. It was the ‘project monitors’ role to obtain the necessary information by monitoring a construction project on a weekly basis. Data was collated in the form of photographs of the building during its construction and documentation from the site office was also collected so that trainees within the training centre could use it. In addition, the project-monitoring provided written descriptions of the activities that occurred during the construction of the building. The production of these activity sheets, which were used to help produce the virtual reality training scenarios, is outlined along with the data collection methodology. The success of the methodology undertaken is reviewed so that if the approach was to be replicated, for new virtual reality construction training scenarios, then the issues that the ‘project monitor’ encountered could be minimised

Enhancing community resilience through social responsibility: a case of preparedness to flooding

It is recognised that elements of modern society are closely inter-connected, and the issues of security and resilience are becoming more important. It is argued that one way to enhance resilience is through greater understanding and the promotion of social responsibility in the community. This paper describes an on-going research project to investigate how the concept of social responsibility is being perceived and enacted amongst three community groups (householders, small businesses and policy makers) in relation to their preparedness to flooding as a threat to the well-being of a community. This research explores ways in which a better understanding of the expectations associated with social responsibility could potentially increase community resilience. There is particular emphasis upon the interrelationships between social responsibility and the decision making process. This paper sets the context for this investigation and proposes a methodology that attempts to not only understand how key community groups perceive their own levels of social responsibility to the community, but also what level of social responsibility they believe the other groups should have. It is argued that community groups may not even be aware that they are failing to meet their expected level of social responsibility. Therefore, the gaps discovered by this methodology between a group’s own perception and how they are perceived by others would highlight barriers to community resilience. An argument for research to better understand resilience at the level of the community by exploring the individual and interconnected decision making of householders, small businesses and policy makers, is further elaborated. The arguments presented here will be of interest to community leaders and provide considerations for built environment professionals embarking on the development of resilience measures, with considerations suggested for future research within this field. The applicability of the concept of social responsibility for different threats and contexts is also emphasised

Is the ACT-UK really a case for research?

Advanced Construction Technology Simulation Centre (ACT-UK) was established at Coventry University, to provide an innovative facility for training future construction managers, enabled by semi-immersive virtual reality model of construction sites. In a typical training session, the trainees will face one snap-shot of construction site situation, called ‘scenario’ with the presence of various actors who will introduce site problems. By referring to information presented to them and interacting with the actors, the trainees will need to make decisions, and will receive feedback once the session ends. This innovative training presents a significant case for research, especially due to many less well understood factors of the formation of skills afforded by this approach and the impact on performance in the workplace. The focus on ‘soft’ skills (rather than ‘hard’ technical skills) further heightens the complexity of understanding and ‘measuring’ the efficacy of this training. To support the case for research, the paper presents a critical synthesis of key literature in related domains. A conceptual framework for enhancing a greater understanding of the emerging research issues has been developed and presented. The framework integrates several research themes for harnessing the utility and realising efficacy of this innovative learning approach. It provides a reference and platform to develop relevant research activities which will help to widen opportunities for the use of the ACT-UK in the future

Intelligent models for predicting levels of client satisfaction

Presents the development of artificial neural network models for predicting client satisfaction levels arising from the performance of contractors, based on data from a UK wide questionnaire survey of clients. Important independent variables identified by the models indicate that long-term relationships may encourage higher satisfaction levels. Moreover, the performance of contractors was found to only partly contribute to determining levels of client satisfaction. Attributes of the assessor (i.e. client) were also found to be of importance, confirming that subjectivity is to some extent prevalent in performance assessment. The models demonstrate accurate and consistent predictive performance for ‘unseen’ independent data. It is recommended that the models be used as a platform to develop an expert system aimed at advising project coalition (PC) participants on how to improve performance and enhance satisfaction levels. The use of this tool will ultimately help to create a performance-enhancing environment, leading to harmonious working relationships between PC participants

Ethnic differences in perceptions of social responsibility: informing risk communication strategies for enhancing community resilience to flooding

Purpose: This research investigated ethnic differences in perceptions of social responsibility, in relation to flooding, for householders, local businesses and policy makers. Design/methodology/approach: The data were obtained via a questionnaire survey of three communities in Birmingham and one community in South East London, UK. A total of 481 responses were received and used in the statistical analysis. The interpretation of the findings was aided by cognitive mapping to synthesise the data transcripts from 174 responses to the open-ended questions. Comparisons were made between communities in different locations and with different experience of flooding. Findings: Ethnic differences consistently exist within the perceptions of householder and business groups within communities (in different locations) which have recent experience of flooding, but not in the policy maker group or in a community without recent flood experience. The finding also suggests three different levels of resilience and their association with different ethnic groups. Research limitations/implications: Future research should conduct further analysis with equal ethnic representation throughout each community group so that more ethnic groups can be investigated and compared. For a more comprehensive understanding, further investigation should be conducted across different communities in different countries with different environmental hazards. Practical implications: The findings contribute to the understanding of the influence of demographic factors in disaster management field, and can provide useful knowledge for targeted and tailored strategies of communication of flood information. Originality/value: The research represents the first attempt to investigate ethnic differences in perceptions of social responsibility of householders, small businesses and policy makers for the community resilience to flooding