Measuring knowledge sharing processes through social network analysis within construction organisations

The construction industry is a knowledge intensive and information dependent industry. Organisations risk losing valuable knowledge, when the employees leave them. Therefore, construction organisations need to nurture opportunities to disseminate knowledge through strengthening knowledge-sharing networks. This study aimed at evaluating the formal and informal knowledge sharing methods in social networks within Australian construction organisations and identifying how knowledge sharing could be improved. Data were collected from two estimating teams in two case studies. The collected data through semi-structured interviews were analysed using UCINET, a Social Network Analysis (SNA) tool, and SNA measures. The findings revealed that one case study consisted of influencers, while the other demonstrated an optimal knowledge sharing structure in both formal and informal knowledge sharing methods. Social networks could vary based on the organisation as well as the individuals’ behaviour. Identifying networks with specific issues and taking steps to strengthen networks will enable to achieve optimum knowledge sharing processes. This research offers knowledge sharing good practices for construction organisations to optimise their knowledge sharing processes

The 45th Australasian Universities Building Education Association Conference: Global Challenges in a Disrupted World: Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Approaches in the Built Environment, Conference Proceedings, 23 - 25 November 2022, Western Sydney University, Kingswood Campus, Sydney, Australia

This is the proceedings of the 45th Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA) conference which will be hosted by Western Sydney University in November 2022. The conference is organised by the School of Engineering, Design, and Built Environment in collaboration with the Centre for Smart Modern Construction, Western Sydney University. This year’s conference theme is “Global Challenges in a Disrupted World: Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Approaches in the Built Environment”, and expects to publish over a hundred double-blind peer review papers under the proceedings

Geocaching: tracing geotagged social media research using mixed methods

This thesis explores the development of academic research with geotagged social media data (geosocial research) - an emerging computational, digital social research field - using 19 semi-structured interviews with scholars from diverse disciplines, participant observation at a geosocial research summer school and scientometrics. It asks: 'how can we study the development of geosocial research approaches through combining STS and scientometrics?' for five main reasons: to explore the diversity of computational social research; reflect on the ESRC's (2013) call to 'close the gap' between quantitative and qualitative human geography; contribute to methodological discussions in academic literature which call for combining STS and scientometrics; co-compose knowledge with distinct ways of knowing through mixing methods; and inform research methods curriculum development in the social sciences. Using new forms of digital data (like social media posts) is core to contemporary social science. Scholars from diverse disciplines conduct geosocial research. It thus provides rich opportunities to study how diverse approaches to computational social research develop. I combine STS and diverse scientometric methods as part of a single case study iteratively to explore how they can co-compose knowledge. The thesis contributes to literature which explores the STS - scientometrics interface. Most existing studies either reflect on diverse mixed methods approaches from theoretical or methodological perspectives, or provide worked examples using specific mixed methods designs. Conceptually, this thesis contributes by highlighting the need to develop and evaluate the affordances of computational methods for STS in light of the interpretative context - including research questions, characteristics of the studied research practice, theories and prior findings. I developed computational methods iteratively, in light of my theoretical and empirical knowledge about geosocial research. Empirically, the thesis first contributes by showing how diverse combinations of STS and scientometrics – including statistical and visual network analyses as well as descriptive statistics - can inform a single case study. Second, it offers three ways STS and scientometrics can co-compose knowledge by aligning their units of analyses, reflecting on how calculation acts inform qualitative analysis even when analytical units are not aligned, and using each method inductively. I combined STS and scientometrics to study practices through which geosocial research approaches develop - including collaboration, developing (sub)-disciplinary communities and methods' mediation of geosocial research. I also identified geosocial research approaches and compared them using mixed methods. Finally, I combined insights from STS and scientometrics to highlight the construction of my own analyses. Using mixed methods, the thesis argues that geosocial research is a collection of approaches rather than a coordinated community. I highlight fourteen practices that enable scholars to develop their approaches, including interdisciplinary collaboration; setting up distinct geosocial laboratories to experiment with geosocial data; reflecting on the data analysis process; and using local knowledge about spaces. I differentiate `social', `technical' and 'geographic' approaches, which differ in terms of the methods they use and spatial units they study. Finally, I illustrate approaches' heterogeneity - including their diverse computational approaches - and similarities, such as their urban studies focus

Geocaching: tracing geotagged social media research using mixed methods

This thesis explores the development of academic research with geotagged social media data (geosocial research) - an emerging computational, digital social research field - using 19 semi-structured interviews with scholars from diverse disciplines, participant observation at a geosocial research summer school and scientometrics. It asks: 'how can we study the development of geosocial research approaches through combining STS and scientometrics?' for five main reasons: to explore the diversity of computational social research; reflect on the ESRC's (2013) call to 'close the gap' between quantitative and qualitative human geography; contribute to methodological discussions in academic literature which call for combining STS and scientometrics; co-compose knowledge with distinct ways of knowing through mixing methods; and inform research methods curriculum development in the social sciences. Using new forms of digital data (like social media posts) is core to contemporary social science. Scholars from diverse disciplines conduct geosocial research. It thus provides rich opportunities to study how diverse approaches to computational social research develop. I combine STS and diverse scientometric methods as part of a single case study iteratively to explore how they can co-compose knowledge. The thesis contributes to literature which explores the STS - scientometrics interface. Most existing studies either reflect on diverse mixed methods approaches from theoretical or methodological perspectives, or provide worked examples using specific mixed methods designs. Conceptually, this thesis contributes by highlighting the need to develop and evaluate the affordances of computational methods for STS in light of the interpretative context - including research questions, characteristics of the studied research practice, theories and prior findings. I developed computational methods iteratively, in light of my theoretical and empirical knowledge about geosocial research. Empirically, the thesis first contributes by showing how diverse combinations of STS and scientometrics – including statistical and visual network analyses as well as descriptive statistics - can inform a single case study. Second, it offers three ways STS and scientometrics can co-compose knowledge by aligning their units of analyses, reflecting on how calculation acts inform qualitative analysis even when analytical units are not aligned, and using each method inductively. I combined STS and scientometrics to study practices through which geosocial research approaches develop - including collaboration, developing (sub)-disciplinary communities and methods' mediation of geosocial research. I also identified geosocial research approaches and compared them using mixed methods. Finally, I combined insights from STS and scientometrics to highlight the construction of my own analyses. Using mixed methods, the thesis argues that geosocial research is a collection of approaches rather than a coordinated community. I highlight fourteen practices that enable scholars to develop their approaches, including interdisciplinary collaboration; setting up distinct geosocial laboratories to experiment with geosocial data; reflecting on the data analysis process; and using local knowledge about spaces. I differentiate `social', `technical' and 'geographic' approaches, which differ in terms of the methods they use and spatial units they study. Finally, I illustrate approaches' heterogeneity - including their diverse computational approaches - and similarities, such as their urban studies focus

TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN WATER USE. OPERATIONALIZATION OF A RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE BASED IN RESPONSIBLE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION (ANTICIPATION AND INCLUSIVENESS)

The management of sustainability in water resources has underscored the critical importance of determining appropriate decision-making processes and establishing effective governance structures. Gaining comprehensive insights into the decision-making mechanisms and actors involved is pivotal for tackling present as well as prospective issues related to water efficiently. This research evaluates the interplay among water scarcity, responsible technologies for water use, and systems of governance for sustainability amid swift technological progress. Furthermore, it delves into the congruity of said endeavors with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), other sustainability water frameworks and the social and political ecosystem. In this context, the active engagement and participation of societal actors, and not only stakeholders, assume a pivotal role as it significantly impacts the decision-making processes and molds the results of sustainability initiatives. An innovative approach to the concepts of responsibility and sustainability is predicated on the quality of the relationship between the network of societal actors as a key point. This work underscores the importance of establishing strong and comprehensive relationships to address the challenges concerning water management and promote the adoption of sustainable approaches, in co-creation, not only of knowledge but the epistemic subject in the process. This work sheds light on the interrelated domains of water management, sustainability, and regulation. A novel proposal is presented via a simulation exercise and use the socio-technical framework for the purpose of fostering responsible water use. The comprehension and use of responsible technology and innovation in the realm of water u management will be enhanced through the technique of operationalizing open anticipatory governance and executing a simulated experiment. By using a digital deliberation space and establishing a systematic approach towards technology assessment and sustainability, using the relational quality of the network of actors as the key element for co-production of knowledge, science and technology, the present study has produced and materialized an innovative framework.Na sustentabilidade da gestão da água reveste-se de especial importância determinar processos de tomada de decisão adequados e estabelecer estruturas de governação eficazes. Obter uma visão abrangente sobre os mecanismos de tomada de decisão e os atores envolvidos é fundamental para abordar questões presentes e futuras relacionadas ao uso eficiente da água. Este trabalho procura conhecer a interação entre gestão de água, tecnologias responsáveis pelo uso da água e sistemas de governança para a sustentabilidade. Adicionalmente, pretende conhecer a relação com os Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), outros programas de sustentabilidade, bem como com o ecossistema social e político. Neste contexto, o envolvimento e a participação ativa dos atores sociais, e não apenas de stakeholders, assume um papel fundamental, uma vez que, não só, impactam significativamente os processos de tomada de decisão, mas, também, moldam os resultados das iniciativas de sustentabilidade. Nesta nova aproximação ao conceito de responsabilidade e sustentabilidade encontra-se a qualidade da relação entre a rede de atores sociais como ponto-chave. Sublinha-se a importância de estabelecer uma qualidade relacional enriquecida e abrangente para enfrentar de forma mais estruturada os desafios relativos à gestão da água de forma eficiente e promover a adoção de abordagens sustentáveis. Com este trabalho, procura-se aprofundar os domínios inter-relacionados da gestão da água, sustentabilidade e regulamentação. É elaborada uma proposta de simulação, utilizando uma perspetiva sociotécnica com o objetivo de capacitar a co-constituição como sujeitos e a compreensão e utilização de tecnologia responsável e inovação no âmbito da gestão do uso da água utilizando operacionalização da governação antecipatória aberta. O presente estudo materializa seu carácter de inovação ao utilizar um espaço de deliberação digital e ao estabelecer uma abordagem sistemática para a avaliação da tecnologia e sustentabilidade, usando a qualidade relacional da rede de atores como elemento-chave para a coprodução de conhecimento, ciência e tecnologia e co-constituição do próprio sujeito no processo de deliberação