Thermal Comfort in Semi-Outdoor Studying Spaces: A case study of Universiti Sains Malaysia

The paper presents an assessment of thermal conditions within semi-outdoor spaces used for the activity of studying. It aims to observe the potential of this type of spaces for human activities as a replacement or complementary to air-conditioned indoor spaces in order to reduce the energy consumption. The field work research, consisting of meteorological measurements alongside a questionnaire survey, was conducted in three studying areas at Universiti Sains Malaysia. The results demonstrate that under certain conditions, thermal comfort is achievable in studying semi-outdoor spaces. Further, the significance of objective and subjective factors in shaping users' thermal comfort perception is discussed

Complexity Factors In Mega Projects: A Literature Review

Evaluation of complexity is of considerable importance for project managers in mega projects. Project managers faced with complexities that have not worked so far and are new to their kind. While as for the complexity of project, there is still a lack of complete understanding of the complexity concept among practitioners in the industry as well as in project management body of knowledge. In this regard, the traditional project management principles and practices are not capable of controlling emerging complexities in mega projects. Undoubtedly one of the key factors for success in mega projects is knowledge of project managers about overall complexities and contributing factors on complexities. As the main approach of this paper is overview the factors of complexity in mega projects, a systematic literature review analysis on complexity features in mega projects achieved by examining over one hundred and fifty published research papers during the period of 2012–2019. As a result of this exploration, the research highlighted three (3) dimensions (Environmental, Technological, and Organizational) and over seventy-three factors of complexity in mega projects from the extent literature. The research findings help scholars and practitioners in the project management field developing the perception of complexities in managing mega projects effectively

Challenges for project management in the 21st century

Challenges could be observed as opportunities for success. The growth of project management body of knowledge and the advancement of project managers’ capabilities in dealing with resources are crucial to the successful delivery of projects. This paper builds on vast review of literature that took place over a series of publications under Project Management topic. The management of uncertainty and dealing with different challenges are seen as necessary conditions for effective project management. Sources of challenges are wide ranging and have fundamental effects on projects and project management body of knowledge. These challenges are not limited to specific industry, and include scope management, information technology, team dynamics, customers’ satisfaction, lean management, communication, innovation and quality. Common project management body of knowledge does not address many of the listed sources of challenges, particularly in ‘soft’ project management skills where flexibility and tolerance of PMs are necessary. More advanced efforts to figure out and handle important sources of challenges are needed. Such attempts need to entail project managers’ capabilities as well as the organization maturities including some aspects of organisation culture and learning

Leaders, conflict, and team coordination: A relational leadership approach in temporary organisations

This study explores how the level of relational leadership of team leaders influences team members’ conflict-handling style and team coordination in temporary organisations (TOs). Leaning upon Socio-Psychological and relational leadership theories, the research also evaluates how the cultural background of leaders moderates the nature of the association between relational leadership and project team performance. This contribution is unique by engaging with three moderating cultural groups while drawing on data from 126 teams in TOs using PLS path modelling. The results explain that relational leadership influences team members’ cooperative and conflict-avoiding styles, which are, in turn, positively associated with team coordination and team performance. The judicious and considered use of conflict-avoiding should be recognised as a thoughtful style in multicultural team contexts and as a consequence of relational leadership. Team coordination and performance, however, are related more to relational leadership with the sample of leaders from a specific within-nationality cultural background

Strategic mapping of eco-innovations and human factors: Business projects’ success revisited

The ongoing discussion on the firm’s competitiveness requires to focus on environmental improvements. Thus, the development of eco-innovation projects has been recognized as an essential response of the firms to the pressure to diminish the impact on nature and society. The study aims to develop an approach to evaluate human-related factors affecting success of eco-innovation projects. The application of a multi-criteria decision-making and in particular the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method lets to disclose the main human-related factors. Meanwhile, an interval type 2 fuzzy DEMATEL revealed the cause and effect relations among the human-related factors. The results demonstrate that trust is the most important phenomenon among the human-related factors linked to the success of eco-innovation projects. On the other hand, the importance of leadership is relatively weak. Thus, the results suggest that eco-innovations increase the complexity of decisions and the traditional approaches to project management appear to be irrelevant. Moreover, the study revealed that communication and trust affect other human-related factors. These results are in particular relevant for managers responsible for eco-innovation projects. Moreover, the policymakers responsible for eco-innovation programs should focus on these aspects in developing training programs