Perception of IEQ factors on workplace satisfaction using kano satisfaction model : a case study of malls in hot-humid climate

This study reveals retailers’ perception of and their preference to some selected IEQ factors in relation to their workplace. Retailers of two types of malls (mixed-mode ventilated and Air conditioned malls) were studied under the following objectives: 1) To determine the retailers’ perception of some IEQ factors in each mall, and 2) To develop a pattern of the impact of retailers’ perception of some IEQ factors on their overall workplace satisfaction using the Kano satisfaction model. A subjective IEQ measurement was carried out and descriptive analysis was done on retailers’ responses to reveal their level of satisfaction after which a regression analysis was carried out on their perception of some IEQ factors. The results revealed that the air-conditioned ventilated mall recorded the highest mean satisfaction votes. Results also indicated that retailers in the mixed-mode ventilated malls considered air movement within their workplace as a necessity as the negative influence has a greater impact (regression coefficient 3.35*, -4.29*) on overall satisfaction. However, the absolute magnitude of the impact between satisfied and dissatisfied groups is not significantly different, thus, ‘air movement’ in the mixed-mode ventilated malls is categorized as proportional factor. Whereas, retailers in the AC mall responded to satisfactory air movement as something not expected (regression coefficient 3.27**, -2.19NS). On the other hand, retailers in the AC mall expected a controlled environment like theirs to thermally satisfy its occupants. Findings from this study will provide a better understanding of workers’ expectations and concerns with regard to their indoor environmental conditions

Perception of IEQ factors on workplace satisfaction using Kano satisfaction model: a case study of malls in hot-humid climate

This study reveals retailers’ perception of and their preference to some selected IEQ factors in relation to their workplace. Retailers of two types of malls (mixed-mode ventilated and Air conditioned malls) were studied under the following objectives: 1) To determine the retailers’ perception of some IEQ factors in each mall, and 2) To develop a pattern of the impact of retailers’ perception of some IEQ factors on their overall workplace satisfaction using the Kano satisfaction model. A subjective IEQ measurement was carried out and descriptive analysis was done on retailers’ responses to reveal their level of satisfaction after which a regression analysis was carried out on their perception of some IEQ factors. The results revealed that the air-conditioned ventilated mall recorded the highest mean satisfaction votes. Results also indicated that retailers in the mixed-mode ventilated malls considered air movement within their workplace as a necessity as the negative influence has a greater impact (regression coefficient 3.35*, -4.29*) on overall satisfaction. However, the absolute magnitude of the impact between satisfied and dissatisfied groups is not significantly different, thus, ‘air movement’ in the mixed-mode ventilated malls is categorized as proportional factor. Whereas, retailers in the AC mall responded to satisfactory air movement as something not expected (regression coefficient 3.27**, -2.19NS). On the other hand, retailers in the AC mall expected a controlled environment like theirs to thermally satisfy its occupants. Findings from this study will provide a better understanding of workers’ expectations and concerns with regard to their indoor environmental conditions

Radiation grafted poly(vinylidene fluoride)-graftpolystyrene sulfonic acid membranes for fuel cells: Structure-property relationships

Structure-property relationships for poly(vinylidene fluoride)-graft-polystyrene sulfonic acid (PVDF-g-PSSA) fuel cell membranes prepared by a single step method involving radiation-induced grafting of sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) onto electron beam (EB) irradiated poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films were established. The physico-chemical properties of the membranes such as ion exchange capacity, water swelling and proton conductivity were correlated with the degree of grafting (G, %) and the structural changes taking place in the membrane matrix during the preparation procedure. The variation in the crystallinity and the thermal stability of membranes was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The membranes were found to undergo substantial structural changes in forms of ionic sites increase, hydrophilicity enhancement, hydrophobicity reduction and crystallinity decrease with the variation in G (%) and the preparation method. The structural and thermal properties of the obtained membranes were also compared with their counterparts prepared by a conventional two-steps method i.e. radiation induced grafting of styrene onto EB irradiated PVDF films followed by sulfonation. The PVDF-g-PSSA membranes obtained by a single-step method were found to have superior properties compared to those obtained by the conventional two-steps method