Academic Writing Workshops: Impact of Attendance on Performance

The purpose of this study is to explore if academic writing workshops contribute to students’ learning and performance in assessment. Academic writing workshops provide an opportunity to discuss specific learning areas and promote student engagement. The results of an assessed essay for a group of 65 first-year Mathematics students at Aston University, UK show that academic writing workshops have an association with students’ academic performance. An Independent Samples T-test was conducted to compare the mean performance of the students based on their attendance of academic writing workshops. The analyses reveal that students who attended 2-5 academic writing workhops had a far much better performance (mean: 58.60%) in comparison to students who attended 0-1 workshop (mean: 46.37%). In addition, the analyses show a statistically significant difference in the mean performance of students who attended and of students who did not attend an academic workshop specifically relating to the assessment

A qualitative study on the experiences and challenges of MBA students’ engagement with a business research methods module

© 2021 The Author. Published by Emerald. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1108/JWAM-08-2020-0040Undertaking research as part of a business degree qualification undoubtedly enables students to develop practical and life-long skills. Nevertheless, students seem to find it challenging undertaking a research project. This study set out to explore the experiences of a group of MBA students who recently undertook their business and management research projects as part of their MBA degree program. The study was carried out in a UK Higher Education Institution and is based on an MBA Business and Management Research Module. The purpose of the module is to enable learners to develop advancedlevel independent research and critical problem-solving skills within a business context. The study adopted a qualitative approach to capture a broad mix of students’ experiences and perceptions on the Module. The sample includes previous MBA students on different cohorts, and different nationalities. Outcomes of the study show that though students are stretched in the business and management project process, they develop a diversity of skills required in the workplace while conducting their projects. The study findings also show that the practical implications of the students’ projects and progressive support from their Project Supervisors contribute to the successful completion of their projects and subsequent attainment of their MBA degree. Outcomes of this study further reveal that undertaking business and management projects creates a rewarding learning experience for learners/students, develops confident graduates, as well as enables effective applications of theory into practice

Improving clients' satisfaction in construction projects: the case of Saudi Arabia

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald in Built Environment Project and Asset Management on 11/08/2020, available online: https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-12-2019-0140 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Abstract Purpose Clients’ satisfaction is often associated with performance in the construction industry. Organisations that achieve very high ratings of clients’ satisfaction improve their positions in the marketplace. Many clients are often dissatisfied with their project outcomes. Hence, a research study was carried out to examine the ways project managers and/or contractors perceive the subject of clients’ satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The study applied qualitative research methods and followed the interpretivist paradigm and inductive research approach. A total of 30 interviews were conducted with construction project managers and evaluated by a thematic analysis. Findings The study identified five prominent factors which the project managers perceived to impact on clients’ satisfaction, which are as follows: effective financial management; use of skilled workers; use of advanced technology; customer relation and time management. Other contributors to clients’ satisfaction include effective team leadership, project monitoring, communication and adequate knowledge and skills. Research limitations/implications Data collection was limited to Saudi Arabia, but the general methodology used and some of the findings may be applicable beyond this country. Practical implications The findings provide a more informed basis of attaining greater clients’ satisfaction by contractors, especially within and possibly beyond Saudi Arabia. Also, contractors can directly enquire from clients about their satisfaction following project completion. Originality/value A project manager's perspective and Saudi Arabian orientation of clients’ satisfaction are presented. Also, insight into the multifaceted nature of the factors influencing clients’ satisfaction is provided.This paper is based on the first author's PhD study, which was funded by a studentship that was granted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The research which informed this paper was funded as a Ph.D. studentship, which was granted to the first author by the Government of Saudi Arabia

Satisfaction assessment in construction projects: A conceptual framework

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the development of a system that would facilitate collaboration of different participants or groups in construction project teams, so as to improve productivity and success as well as minimize dissatisfaction in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachIn order to explore the satisfaction relationship between participants of the construction project team and the importance associated with the team's satisfaction attributes, this study develops a framework that logically integrates the different clients and participants, and captures the importance associated with satisfying every participant represented in the project team.FindingsThe framework specifically provides a platform for evaluating satisfaction by carefully considering a number of vital issues: clients/project participants that make up a given construction project, attributes of satisfaction, level of importance given to the attributes, and pre‐ and post‐assessment of participants, in relation to how much they meet the defined satisfaction attributes.Originality/valueThe framework provides a sound and systematic foundation for developing and linking the concepts of satisfaction, satisfaction attributes and satisfaction assessment, with an aim of determining the extent by which the team members meet one another's satisfaction attributes when being assessed.</jats:sec

Is Digital Transformation Vital for Business in Thailand 4.0 Era: An Exploratory Study

Purpose: Digital Transformation has gradually become a significant phenomenon in boosting the economies of many developing countries as well as a trend of businesses in the 21st-century in various aspects. This study explores the importance of pursuing digital transformation for businesses under Thailand 4.0 economic model toward innovation and creativity. Methodology: Using qualitative approach, this study explores the role of digital transformation under Thailand 4.0 era, and the strategies that businesses should pursue for implementing digital transformation. Findings: The findings identify Management/ Executive’s vision, Business Resources, and Business Competencies as the three key factors required for the successful implementation of digital transformation in businesses. Practical implications: There is a need to fully align the perceptions of practitioners who have expertise on different digital technologies for digital business transformation or digital enterprise solutions in Thailand. Originality: The findings provide useful insights on key factors, strategies, and the common practice associated with the adoption and successful implementation of digital transformation

Integrated framework for satisfaction assessment in construction sector

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss assessment of the satisfaction levels of different members of a construction project team as a basis for meeting the needs of the client.Design/methodology/approachAn integrated framework is proposed that enables a collaboration of construction clients and project participants based on the recognition of the satisfaction requirements of every participant represented in the project team. The framework is developed to prioritise the satisfaction attributes of flexible number of construction clients and project participants, and enables the integration of these participants and their satisfaction attributes using mathematical and engineering techniques.FindingsThe framework can be applied at the different phases of the project life cycle. In addition, the satisfaction levels of construction clients and the project participants can be enhanced by focussing on the values of their satisfaction attributes and improving the integration of the project team.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that a collaboration of construction clients and project participants based on the recognition and acknowledgement of each participant and their requirements is essential to improving project satisfaction in the construction sector.Originality/valueThe framework captures and analyzes the level of integrated project team satisfaction. The outcome of the study will improve understanding the satisfaction requirements of every client and participant represented in a given construction project team.</jats:sec

Pursuing alignment of clients’ and contractors’ perceptions of client satisfaction in Saudi Arabian projects

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald on [insert date] available online: [insert link]. The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Purpose: The study explored the disparity between construction clients and contractors on what constitutes ‘client satisfaction’. Such disparity is important because it can lead to different conclusions and thus disagreement on the assessment of project success. Design /methodology/approach: The philosophical stance was interpretivism, thus the qualitative methodology was adopted. Employing purposive sampling, 30 interviews with clients and another 30 interviews with contractors were conducted in Saudi Arabia. The data obtained were evaluated by thematic analysis. Findings: The results indicate differences in the consensus ad idem (meeting of the minds) between clients and contractors in terms of both their perceptions and prioritisation of the attributes that underpin client satisfaction. For example, some contractors thought that using advanced technologies was very important for client satisfaction whereas some clients preferred the contractors to be honest with them. Research limitations/Implications: The data collection was limited to Saudi Arabia and only the views of clients and contractors were studied, thereby limiting the generalisability of the findings. Practical implications: The identification of the differing priorities of clients and contractors on client satisfaction provides an informed basis to make more concerted efforts to satisfy clients and minimise disputes on projects in Saudi Arabia. Originality/value: The study contrasted the views of clients and contractors simultaneously on the subject matter of client satisfaction in relation to project success, and analysed this through the lens of consensus ad idem. The key influences on clients’ satisfaction in Saudi Arabia are also presented