Contextual and Ethical Issues with Predictive Process Monitoring

This thesis addresses contextual and ethical issues in the predictive process monitoring framework and several related issues. Regarding contextual issues, even though the importance of case, process, social and external contextual factors in the predictive business process monitoring framework has been acknowledged, few studies have incorporated these into the framework or measured their impact. Regarding ethical issues, we examine how human agents make decisions with the assistance of process monitoring tools and provide recommendation to facilitate the design of tools which enables a user to recognise the presence of algorithmic discrimination in the predictions provided. First, a systematic literature review is undertaken to identify existing studies which adopt a clustering-based remaining-time predictive process monitoring approach, and a comparative analysis is performed to compare and benchmark the output of the identified studies using 5 real-life event logs. This curates the studies which have adopted this important family of predictive process monitoring approaches but also facilitates comparison as the various studies utilised different datasets, parameters, and evaluation measures. Subsequently, the next two chapter investigate the impact of social and spatial contextual factors in the predictive process monitoring framework. Social factors encompass the way humans and automated agents interact within a particular organisation to execute process-related activities. The impact of social contextual features in the predictive process monitoring framework is investigated utilising a survival analysis approach. The proposed approach is benchmarked against existing approaches using five real-life event logs and outperforms these approaches. Spatial context (a type of external context) is also shown to improve the predictive power of business process monitoring models. The penultimate chapter examines the nature of the relationship between workload (a process contextual factor) and stress (a social contextual factor) by utilising a simulation-based approach to investigate the diffusion of workload-induced stress in the workplace. In conclusion, the thesis examines how users utilise predictive process monitoring (and AI) tools to make decisions. Whilst these tools have delivered real benefits in terms of improved service quality and reduction in processing time, among others, they have also raised issues which have real-world ethical implications such as recommending different credit outcomes for individuals who have an identical financial profile but different characteristics (e.g., gender, race). This chapter amalgamates the literature in the fields of ethical decision making and explainable AI and proposes, but does not attempt to validate empirically, propositions and belief statements based on the synthesis of the existing literature, observation, logic, and empirical analogy

Construction Innovation: The Implementation of Lean Construction towards Sustainable Innovation

The prevalent theory of construction has been seen as a hindrance to construction innovation. The concept of lean construction is concerned with the application of lean thinking to the construction industry. However, in lean construction there are many arguments supporting the view that ‘the prevalent theory of production (or specifically, theory of construction) is counterproductive, and leads to added costs and reduced overall performance through the deficient production control principles based on the theory’. Presently, the construction industry and all other organisations face various problems as a result of the uncertainties of the global economic climate; including labour redundancies, delayed projects and zero margin contract bids. The construction industry is seen as one of the worst performing industry as regards innovation. This calls for concern about the poor state of construction innovation. The emergence of lean construction is to bring significant reform to the construction industry to achieve the objectives of sustainability within the built environment in the critical social, economic and environmental aspects. Increasingly, lean construction offers new techniques of constructing sustainable projects. It is about reducing costs by cutting waste, innovating by engaging people and organising the work-place to be more efficient. Hence, the aim of this paper is to highlight the cost and benefits of the potential contribution of lean construction to the attainment of sustainable innovation in construction. An exploratory method of investigation is adopted in achieving the aim of this paper by critically reviewing, exploring, and synthesising literature and industry case studies related to the subject matter. Evidence from the literature reveals that innovation through lean improvement in construction processes has provided proof of sustainability outcomes in terms of reduced waste, effort and time. Hence, lean construction impacts significantly on innovation by enhancing competitiveness, innovativeness, and resource efficiency within the construction industry. Keywords: Construction industry, Construction innovation, Lean construction, Sustainabilit

Influence of Community Participation in Decision-Making on the Administration of Public Secondary Schools in Benue State, Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of community participation in decision-making on the administration of public secondary schools in Benue State One research question and null hypothesis guided the study The study used the survey research design The population of the study was 4 536 while the sample was 368 respondents Multi-stage sampling technique was used to determine the sample size of 368 respondents The instrument for data collection was selfstructured questionnaire titled Influence of Community Participation in Decision-making on the Administration of Public Secondary Schools Questionnaire ICPDAPSSQ Five experts validated the instrument used for the study three in Educational Administration and Planning and two from Measurement and Evaluation all from the Department of Educational Foundations and General Studies University of Agriculture Makurdi The instrument was trial tested on 30 respondents in Buruku L G A of Benue state The data collected were analyzed using Cronbach Alpha to compute the reliability estimate and the overall reliability coefficient of 0 77 was obtained Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions that guided the study while Analysis of Variance ANOVA was used to test the null hypotheses formulated for the study at 0 05 level of significanc

Investigating the Diffusion of Workload-Induced Stress—A Simulation Approach

Work-induced stress is widely acknowledged as harming physical and psychosocial health and has been linked with adverse outcomes such as a decrease in productivity. Recently, workplace stressors have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to contribute to the literature base in a couple of areas. First, it extends the current knowledge base by utilising generative additive modelling (GAMs) to uncover the nature of the relationship between workload (a key workplace stressor) and productivity based on real-world event logs. Additionally, it uses recursive partitioning modelling to shed light on the factors that drive the relationship between these variables. Secondly, it utilises a simulation-based approach to investigate the diffusion of workload-induced stress in the workplace. Simulation is a valuable tool for exploring the effect of changes in a risk-free manner as it provides the ability to run multiple scenarios in a safe and virtual environment with a view to making recommendations to stakeholders. However, there are several recognised issues with traditional simulation approaches, such as inadequate resource modelling and the limited use of simulations for operational decision making. In this study, we propose an approach which extracts the required parameters from an event log and subsequently utilises them to initialise a workload-induced stress diffusion simulation model accurately. We also explore the effects of varying the parameters to control the spread of workload-induced stress within the network. With suitable amendments, this approach can be extended to model the spread of disease (e.g., COVID-19), diffusion of ideas, among other things, in the workplace

Critical evaluation of the impact of multi- stakeholders’ practices on food waste management in the Garki districts of Abuja, Nigeria– a qualitative study

This research focuses on the main causes of food waste and strategic approaches that can be applied in reducing food service sector waste in the context of the Garki district of Abuja, Nigeria. Food waste (FW) is a global concern which is intricately linked to food safety, food security, and food sustainability. This research applies key theoretical tenets from the perspective of stakeholder theory and practice approach to identify and understand key elements (meaning, competencies, and materiality) of multi-stakeholder practices in engaging with and mitigating food waste in the food service sector. This research study aims to critically evaluate the strategies adopted by multi-stakeholders who are engaged in the provision of food services to manage and address the growing challenges of food waste (FW) in an emerging economy such as Nigeria.The empirical data were collected using qualitative methods including participant observation in multi-stakeholder focus groups and semi-structured interviews with 32 stakeholders in the food service sector, as well as secondary sources. The intention is to investigate the fundamental causes of waste created in food services, the consequences of food waste in food services, potential techniques for the reduction of food waste, and recommendations for food service sustainability through waste reduction.The study’s findings demonstrate the significance of collaboration between core and supportive stakeholders of food services, viz. firms (owners, managers, and staff), suppliers, government agencies at both national and local level, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), research organisations, academics, customers, and local residents in the identification of the root causes of waste and its mitigation. In this thesis, the stakeholders and practises are studied. The theoretical contribution of this thesis lies in the distinct insights it provides from a single actor’s perspective to a multi-stakeholder view on FW mitigation, as the majority of the academic work previously carried out focuses on the role of an individual within an organisation to tackle the issue. The study’s practice contribution stems from the understanding that the work provides information both on best practices pertaining to FW management from the perspective of multiple stakeholders in the Garki province and the challenges embedded in internal management practices which arise as a result of external actors’ practices and influence. Overall, this study fills a significant gap by providing a framework which addresses multi-stakeholder interactions within the food service sector in Nigeria

Plant Nutrition and Sustainable Crop Production in Nigeria

The aim of this study is to examine the determining factors of plant nutrition and sustainable crop production in Nigeria. The study applied an in-depth review of literature and observed that different biotic and abiotic factors interact together to determine the outcome of plant nutrition and sustainable crop production in Nigeria. These factors include; types of fertilizers applied, atmospheric emissions, level of technological development, infrastructural facilities, climatic conditions, irrigation method, and level of skilled labour force. The study recommended that there should be increased and equal access to credit facilities, social protection incentives, and more innovation and technological involvement in the agricultural sector in order to increase productivity and efficiency

A skin colour code for the Nigerian (Negroid) population

Some researchers have codified various people of different racial and pigment backgrounds into skin types. The West African native population generally falls into type VI –least likely to burn. There is a need for skin colour code in a multiethnic country like Nigeria especially for the purpose of health matters. The human eye is still the most accurate instrument for the measurement of colour; its interpretation however is subjective. An objective form of documentation is needed that will be simple, quick and inexpensive. To meet the challenge for the development of a skin colour code for Nigerians, a study was conducted at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria. The study aimed at visually identifying possible skin colours and to reproduce this on the computer. 40 colour chips were identified and found relevant for the Negroid skin in Nigeria including the Nigerian albino. The chart can be laminated using thin transparent plastic film to prevent transmission of infection from skin to skin in different people. A skin colour code can be useful for clinical evaluation of disease conditions like vitiligo as well as for epidemiological studies. Its diagnostic potential is yet to be assessed. African Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 13 (1-2) 2008: pp. 96-10

Citizenship Education for Liberation in Nigeria

Across the globe, nations face a problem of low levels of civic consciousness and prevalence of harmful stereotypes like ethno-religious intolerance, prejudice and crises. In many parts of the world, these have degenerated into political crises, youth hooliganisms, prostitution, examinations malpractices, rape victimisation, terrorism and national insecurity. In the Nigerian context, these vices truncate the practical and transparent democratic governance while threatening the country’s federalism and cohesion. Since the purpose of any functional education is to enlighten and liberate the beneficiaries, ensuring that they live a sustainable life while contributing meaningfully to the upkeep of their immediate community, this paper takes a look at citizenship liberation using qualitative civic education. It examines, inter alia, the aims and objectives of qualitative citizenship education and how the principles of civic education can be instilled in the citizens for liberation and peaceful co-existence. The paper further discusses how the spirit of patriotism, unity, love and oneness can be installed in the minds of Nigerians and how they can serve as a lubricant to the wheel of socio-political and economic progress of the nation through adequate citizenship education.Keywords: Higher education for development; Sustainability; Lifelong learning

Comparative analysis of clustering-based remaining-time predictive process monitoring approaches

Predictive process monitoring aims to accurately predict a variable of interest (e.g. remaining time) or the future state of the process instance (e.g. outcome or next step). Various studies have been explored to develop models with greater predictive power. However, comparing the various studies is difficult as different datasets, parameters and evaluation measures have been used. This paper seeks to address this problem with a focus on studies that adopt a clustering-based approach to predict the remaining time to the end of the process instance. A systematic literature review is undertaken to identify existing studies that adopt a clustering-based remaining-time predictive process monitoring approach and performs a comparative analysis to compare and benchmark the output of the identified studies using five real-life event logs

Investigating Social Contextual Factors in Remaining-Time Predictive Process Monitoring—A Survival Analysis Approach

Predictive process monitoring aims to accurately predict a variable of interest (e.g., remaining time) or the future state of the process instance (e.g., outcome or next step). The quest for models with higher predictive power has led to the development of a variety of novel approaches. However, though social contextual factors are widely acknowledged to impact the way cases are handled, as yet there have been no studies which have investigated the impact of social contextual features in the predictive process monitoring framework. These factors encompass the way humans and automated agents interact within a particular organisation to execute process-related activities. This paper seeks to address this problem by investigating the impact of social contextual features in the predictive process monitoring framework utilising a survival analysis approach. We propose an approach to censor an event log and build a survival function utilising the Weibull model, which enables us to explore the impact of social contextual factors as covariates. Moreover, we propose an approach to predict the remaining time of an in-flight process instance by using the survival function to estimate the throughput time for each trace, which is then used with the elapsed time to predict the remaining time for the trace. The proposed approach is benchmarked against existing approaches using five real-life event logs and it outperforms these approaches