Servicescapes seen by visually impaired travellers : Time-geography approach to servicescape research

Knowledge gaps remain in the study of servicescapes, since existing research on servicescapes tends to ignore major advances in the understanding of space and time as social phenomena. One aspect that particularly requires further study is how emerging constraints influence customers’ interactions with organized service places. The time-geography approach was therefore applied to the current servicescape research to help to identify various constraints that blind and visually disabled persons (VIPs) experienced in a certain service place and time. A complementary usage of the concept of tactics illustrated how constrained customers responded to the constraints. The overall research question - How do blind and visually impaired persons act and move in hospitality servicescapes? – was explored empirically through individual and focus group interviews and go-along observations of 56 blind and VIPs during 3.5 years. The study population was composed of residents of Sweden, Kazakhstan, and Germany. The analysis was organized into two themes – Competition of space-time projects and Tactical behavior: evaluating, mapping, and networking. This was followed by a discussion of the analysis under the two headings A scarcity of resources and A struggle for resources. This book concluded that emerging constraints are not only “created by” the organization of servicescapes, but are also due to the customers’ insufficient capabilities. The outcome of an individual’s action in service place depends on customer’s capability to overcome unexpected constraints and available resources, such as time and an access to service offerings. Some of the key findings that emerged were that blind and VIPs were not passive recipients of services but rather developed tactical strategies to navigate within poorly organized servicescapes. In so concluding the book suggests that servicescape is a place of dynamic interplay between emerging constraints and the tactical behaviors of the constrained customers

Co-creating Change

The open, flexible workplace modeled after best practices from Silicon Valley is hailed for promoting better communication, collaboration, and increased productivity. IT is known as a university change agent, but at IU Bloomington the future move into the new Cyberinfrastructure Building meant change on a radical scale, in every aspect of the workplace: physical space, business practices, and social and cultural environment. Many IT staff anticipated loss of privacy, personal space, and individuality. The challenge facing the executive project lead was to help staff begin to embrace the new culture while still occupying their old offices, a challenge not amenable to executive mandate or the change management process customary in IT. The solution was an experiment. Teams of staff led their co-workers in an organic process of articulating and addressing the issues, believing that socializing the change would encourage buy-in and investment and restore some sense of control. The experiment broke many models: Self-governing teams lead the initiative; teams crossed hierarchies and divisional boundaries. Team leads were sometimes junior staff. The book discusses the experiment and the many small and large decisions and strategies that helped make it a success: The process of creating teams, language and communication, situational leadership, the role of humor, team strategies for engaging staff, and team interactions with architects and planners. Teamwork was challenging — the organic process provided no steps to follow — but the team experience provided another benefit beyond socializing change: that of building leadership in the trenches. This experience involves a building, but the principles of change it confirms can apply to any kind of change, from altering the structure of a business to changing a culture. The discussion may be of interest to those in human resources, industrial psychology, sociology, business, academe, and architectur

Students from India at a Major Research University in the United States: A Phenomenological Study of Transition, Adjustment, and Transformation

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the phenomena of transition, adjustment, and transformation among adult graduate students from India, who made the transition to Nurture University in the southwestern part of the United States. According to Open Doors 2008, since 2001, a majority of the international students in U.S. higher education has been from India. Because of the significant cultural gap between India and the United States, Indian students encounter adjustment difficulties in the host country. To overcome such difficulties, students apply several coping strategies, which in turn lead to a transformational change among them. The transitional adjustment literature on the experiences of the students from India has been very limited. This lack of attention to Indian students, despite the fact that their percentage has been increasing in the U.S. higher education, is an issue of concern and, therefore, calls for research. To achieve this goal, a phenomenological data analysis process presented by Moustakas's modified version of Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen's method was utilized. Data analysis generated the following themes: individual experiences, situational experiences, coping strategies/suggestions, and personal transformation. Under individual experiences, the participants described their experiences in the United States, and differences between their expectations and experiences in relation to Nurture University and general living. Under the situational experiences, study participants described the differences between being a student in the United States versus in India, and the differences between the academic systems of United States and that of India. Further, the application of imaginative variation in step 7 of the data analysis led to the identification of two sub-themes under the theme individual experiences: individual factors that helped in adjustment and individual factors that hindered adjustment in the United States. Sub-themes identified under situational experiences were situational factors that helped in adjustment and situational factors that hindered adjustment in the United States. This study has implications for the home country, host country, adult education, higher education, policy, theory and future research. To ensure the trustworthiness of the data, qualitative procedures such as Epoche, thick descriptions of the phenomenon of transition and member checks, were employed

Information Needs of Korean Immigrants in the United States: Selection and Use of Social Media

This mixed-method study investigates the information needs of Korean immigrants on social media and their selection and use of social media for finding information in the United States. The study was designed to answer six research questions: 1) What are the top types of information needs on social media that Korean immigrants fulfill during their everyday lives in the United States?; 2) What types of social media do Korean immigrants most frequently use during their everyday lives in the United States for different types of information needs?; 3) Are there any relationships between the types of social media Korean immigrants select and demographic factors, Information Communication Technology (ICT) experience level, cultural factors, and information needs?; 4) What factors influence the selection of types of social media among Korean immigrants?; 5) How do Korean immigrants use social media for finding information during their everyday lives in the United States?; 6) What factors influence Korean immigrants’ social media use for information seeking in their everyday lives in the United States? Data collection involved questionnaires, diaries, and interviews with 111 Korean immigrant participants completing questionnaires and 16 selected for diaries and interviews. Quantitative and qualitative methods, including descriptive statistic, Chi-square test of independence, and open coding, were used for analysis. In particular, descriptive analysis was utilized to identify education as the top information need on social media in RQ1. In RQ2, it was observed that Social Network Services (SNS) were most commonly used, while YouTube was popular for education, monitoring, and health information. The researcher investigated the relationship between social media types, demographic factors, ICT experience level, cultural factors, and information needs in RQ3 and revealed that there was a relationship between them by Chi-square test. In RQ4, the researcher identified factors influencing social media selection, such as social network influence, cultural preference, information needs, information quantity, and information format, using open coding. In RQ5, it was found that Korean immigrants primarily employed searching a keyword within a social media or clicking or subscribing to feeds/notifications to gather information. In RQ6, factors affecting social media use, such as algorithms, features, relevance of search results, and speed of information delivery, were identified. The study uncovered information needs among Korean immigrants and shed light on their predominant needs on social media. Moreover, the study presented a theoretical model for Korean immigrants\u27 selection and use of social media platforms. It offered practical recommendations to cater to the information needs of Korean immigrants, such as algorithm optimization, improved search functionality, and language support. The study\u27s limitations were acknowledged, and recommendations for future research were provided

A Tutorial on Event Detection using Social Media Data Analysis: Applications, Challenges, and Open Problems

In recent years, social media has become one of the most popular platforms for communication. These platforms allow users to report real-world incidents that might swiftly and widely circulate throughout the whole social network. A social event is a real-world incident that is documented on social media. Social gatherings could contain vital documentation of crisis scenarios. Monitoring and analyzing this rich content can produce information that is extraordinarily valuable and help people and organizations learn how to take action. In this paper, a survey on the potential benefits and applications of event detection with social media data analysis will be presented. Moreover, the critical challenges and the fundamental tradeoffs in event detection will be methodically investigated by monitoring social media stream. Then, fundamental open questions and possible research directions will be introduced

Accessible Autonomy: Exploring Inclusive Autonomous Vehicle Design and Interaction for People who are Blind and Visually Impaired

Autonomous vehicles are poised to revolutionize independent travel for millions of people experiencing transportation-limiting visual impairments worldwide. However, the current trajectory of automotive technology is rife with roadblocks to accessible interaction and inclusion for this demographic. Inaccessible (visually dependent) interfaces and lack of information access throughout the trip are surmountable, yet nevertheless critical barriers to this potentially lifechanging technology. To address these challenges, the programmatic dissertation research presented here includes ten studies, three published papers, and three submitted papers in high impact outlets that together address accessibility across the complete trip of transportation. The first paper began with a thorough review of the fully autonomous vehicle (FAV) and blind and visually impaired (BVI) literature, as well as the underlying policy landscape. Results guided prejourney ridesharing needs among BVI users, which were addressed in paper two via a survey with (n=90) transit service drivers, interviews with (n=12) BVI users, and prototype design evaluations with (n=6) users, all contributing to the Autonomous Vehicle Assistant: an award-winning and accessible ridesharing app. A subsequent study with (n=12) users, presented in paper three, focused on prejourney mapping to provide critical information access in future FAVs. Accessible in-vehicle interactions were explored in the fourth paper through a survey with (n=187) BVI users. Results prioritized nonvisual information about the trip and indicated the importance of situational awareness. This effort informed the design and evaluation of an ultrasonic haptic HMI intended to promote situational awareness with (n=14) participants (paper five), leading to a novel gestural-audio interface with (n=23) users (paper six). Strong support from users across these studies suggested positive outcomes in pursuit of actionable situational awareness and control. Cumulative results from this dissertation research program represent, to our knowledge, the single most comprehensive approach to FAV BVI accessibility to date. By considering both pre-journey and in-vehicle accessibility, results pave the way for autonomous driving experiences that enable meaningful interaction for BVI users across the complete trip of transportation. This new mode of accessible travel is predicted to transform independent travel for millions of people with visual impairment, leading to increased independence, mobility, and quality of life

Assessment of recreation space along the Hudson river waterfront in Jersey City, NJ

For the past decade Jersey City, New Jersey has worked to redevelop its waterfront. The once highly industrialized waterfront is now the location of residential and commercial uses and more projects are slated for the future. Although many improvements to the physical and built environment occurred along the waterfront, many question whether enough emphasis was placed on outdoor recreation. Site assessments, field observations, and surveys of waterfront users in Jersey City, NJ were conducted to determine what uses are possible, and in the greatest demand on the waterfront. A total of (950) field observations were made of waterfront users. This information was supplemented with data from (35) structured interviews conducted with waterfront users. The results identify recreational opportunities, public perceptions, and waterfront use levels. Waterfront users participate primarily in non-water related activities. There is a high demand for, and participation in, active recreational activities on the waterfront. Waterfront sites offering an unobstructed view of New York City, convenient location, and a high level of safety were the most popular. Waterfront users expressed demand for more activities such as waterfront dining, and shopping. The results provide important baseline data that has value to waterfront planners when evaluating waterfront development proposals

Settlement Workers Supporting Older Immigrant Women in a Smaller Urban Setting

Canada relies on immigration to support economic, population and cultural growth. Immigrants face unique challenges related to settlement and integration into Canadian society. Settlement services can offer opportunities to mitigate challenges related to immigration for older immigrant women. However, there is a scarcity of literature exploring the experiences of settlement workers and the needs of older immigrant women in a small urban area. This study addressed gaps in the literature by answering the following question: How do settlement workers support older immigrant women in a smaller urban region setting? A constructivist lens coupled with a qualitative description approach was used. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with settlement workers. Participants were asked about resources available to them, gaps in the services they provide, utilization of services, barriers to access, and needs of older immigrant women. Data was thematically analyzed. Four major themes emerged from the data: older immigrant women described from the perspective of settlement workers, potential barriers older immigrant women face in accessing services, the know-how of being a settlement worker, and the art of being a settlement worker. In the experiences of settlement workers, older immigrant women have more needs than other immigrant groups, such as younger and male immigrants; they also believe older immigrant women feel comfortable in seeking support from them. In the smaller urban setting, this support becomes crucial as there is usually less informal support available to them. The results of this study improved the understanding of the challenges encountered by settlement workers while working with older adult immigrant women in small urban region areas. Settlement workers identified the need for additional funding to support older immigrant women

Housing Adjustment Behaviors of Korean Elderly Immigrants Residing in Affordable Housing: The Cultural Aspects of Residential Experiences

The present study is an explorative study that employs mixed methods for examining the daily life patterns and housing adjustment behaviors of low-income elderly Korean immigrants residing in public housing in the Chicago metropolitan area. It particularly focuses on identifying the cultural practices of research participants and the influence of those cultural practices on using residential features, evaluating them, and developing coping responses to satisfy dwelling needs. The study develops upon Canter’s theories of place (1977; 1991; 1997) and Weisman’s model of place (2001), and integrates Rapoport’s concepts of culture (1980; 2008) for exploring the residential experiences of elderly Korean immigrants from a practical standpoint. The housing adjustment behaviors are developed from Morris and Winter’s housing adjustment and adaptation model (1978). It is modified considering the characteristics of research participants and their living conditions. In this study, housing adjustment behaviors are categorized into five modes: residential mobility, structural adaptation, normative adaptation, behavioral adaptation, and residential alteration. Two focus group meetings with elderly Korean neighborhood representatives were conducted for developing and refining the questionnaire and interview protocol. Two-hour in-depth interviews with open-ended questions were conducted with 138 participants from 15 affordable housing complexes. The collected information includes demographic information, cultural orientation, relocation experiences, daily activity patterns, residential evaluation, and housing adjustment behaviors. Interviews were audio-taped upon participants’ approval, and photographs of individual dwellings were taken after each interview. Data were analyzed using quantitative, qualitative, and photographic analysis. Various statistical tests were performed to identify the characteristics, trends, and patterns of the collected data sets, and interpretive analysis was performed with interview transcripts as well as the photographs of individual dwellings. The study results indicate that many research participants maintained their cultural practices of daily living accumulated from their past experiences but also made adjustments as they complied with their aging body and new living conditions. The former group includes sleeping, dining individually or in small groups, cooking, and doing laundry, while the latter group relates to participants’ dietary habits, washing of self, cleaning residential floors, and participating in social activities. Participants considered more of their cultural context when they evaluated the social environment rather than the physical setting of their dwelling. All five modes of housing adjustment behaviors were observed with research participants within their residential settings. More importantly, normative and behavioral adaptations along with residential alterations occurred more simultaneously rather than sequentially when the respondents perceived discrepancy between their needs and their dwelling environment. The research findings identify that elderly immigrants’ cultural needs are not limited to the use of language and ethnic goods, but are also embedded deeply in their daily life patterns and influence their use of their dwellings in a broader sense. The findings also provide more insights of understanding the participants’ residential life and experiences, which will be useful for housing authority and administrators in creating culturally rich contexts for elderly immigrants. The housing adjustment behaviors are useful for architects, designers, and builders with respect to developing the design guidelines and details of creating culturally sensitive housing. For future studies, the study framework should be expanded to include other ethnic elderly immigrants residing in public housing or to elderly Korean immigrants residing in private housing. This will be effective for identifying and understanding the role of culture on their dwelling lifestyles as well as residential experiences