Action learning as an enabler for successful technology transfer with construction SMEs

There is an increasing demand for construction companies to adopt and use new technologies. At the same time universities are increasingly being called upon to assist with ‘technology transfer’ through positive engagement with industry. However, there is little literature investigating technology transfer from the perspective of small construction companies which make up the overwhelming majority of firms in the sector. This paper contributes to this developing area by providing a literature review of technology transfer and proposing a holistic system required for success. Building upon this review it assesses the potential use of action learning as a means of providing this holistic solution and, in so doing, promoting technology transfer and improving the links between higher education institutions (HEIs) and the construction industry. The assessment is made through a literature review of action learning in construction and an analysis of results from the national Construction Knowledge Exchange (CKE) initiative which uses an action learning methodology to assist HEIs in supporting local construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The initial results show that this innovative approach, has been successful in creating synergies between academic and business worlds, helping HEIs to communicate more effectively with businesses and vice versa. However, the results indicate that innovations which small construction companies tend to more successfully adopt are those which can contribute to the business in a quick, tangible fashion, and which can be dovetailed into existing rganisational capabilities. This is found to be in marked contrast to the relevant literature which depict large companies operating in more complex networks, drawing upon them for new tacit and explicit technologies which support more long term, formal technology strategies, and which often complement some form of specialised internal research and development capability. The implication for policy is that any technology transfer initiatives need to appreciate and actively manage the different motivations and capabilities of small and large construction companies to absorb and use new technology

Hysteresis modeling of magnetic devices using dipole distribution

Author name used in this publication: Ka Wai Eric ChengAuthor name used in this publication: S. L. Ho2004-2005 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Quasi current mode control for the phase-shifted series resonant converter

Power Electronics Research Center, Department of Electrical EngineeringAuthor name used in this publication: K. W. Eric ChengAuthor name used in this publication: S. L. Ho2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Examination of H-bridge resonant converter using passivity-based control

Author name used in this publication: K. W. E. ChengAuthor name used in this publication: S. L. HoAuthor name used in this publication: J. F. PanPower Electronics Research Centre, Department of Electrical EngineeringRefereed conference paper2004-2005 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

Geographic variation in life-history traits : growth season affects age structure, egg size and clutch size in Andrew’s toad (Bufo andrewsi)

Background: Environmental variation associated with season length is likely to promote differentiation in lifehistory traits, but has been little studied in natural populations of ectotherms. We investigated patterns of variation in egg size, clutch size, age at sexual maturity, maximum age, mean age, growth rate and adult body size in relation to growth season length among 17 populations of Andrew’s toad (Bufo andrewsi) at different latitudes and altitudes in the Hengduan Mountains, western China. Results: We found that egg size, age at sexual maturity, and mean age increased with decreasing length of the growth season, whereas clutch size showed a converse cline. Body size did not increase with decreasing length of the growth season, but was tightly linked to lifetime activity (i.e. the estimated number of active days during lifetime). Males and females differed in their patterns of geographic variation in growth rates, which may be the result of forces shaping the trade-off between growth and reproduction in different environments. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that growth season plays an important role in shaping variation in life-history traits in B. andrewsi across geographical gradients

A theory of innovation in small knowledge-intensive professional service firms

Performance improvement in the construction industry is significantly influenced bythe innovation performance of small construction knowledge-intensive professionalservice firms (SCKIPSFs). There is thus an urgent need to better understand thenature and process of innovation in such firms. The prevailing innovation literatureis generally not appropriate for SCKIPSFs, as it tends to focus on large,manufacturing-based firms operating in 'non-project based' environments; ratherthan small, service-based firms operating in multiple, fluid 'project based'environments. A knowledge-based innovation model was developed from a reviewand synthesis of the relevant literature. This model is presented as a holistic,system-orientated framework to better investigate how SCKIPSFs create, manageand exploit innovation. The five variables in the conceptual model are: interactionenvironment; relationship capital; structure capital; human capital; and, knowledgecapital.The conceptual model formed a gap analysis framework to interrogate the metahypothesis and six sub-hypotheses. The model was investigated and developedthrough a longitudinal twenty-two month case study which consisted of anexploratory phase and an action research phase. Semi-structured interviews,company documentation and company workshop data collection techniques, andcontent analysis and cognitive mapping data analysis techniques, were used.The unit of analysis for this research was taken as the 'innovation activity.' In theexploratory phase of the case study, seven innovations were investigated, and keyvariables for successful and unsuccessful innovation identified. In the actionresearch phase of the case study, an interim project review process innovation wasdeveloped and, in so doing, the interactions between the key variables identified inthe exploratory phase were investigated.The empirical testing of hypotheses revealed two principal factors that stimulate successful knowledge-based innovation in SCKIPSFs: client requirements(synonymous with the market-based view of innovation) and the competences ofknowledge workers (synonymous with the resource-based view of innovation). Indeveloping and testing the conceptual model, the research contributed to innovationtheory by: affirming that the prevailing innovation theory is not appropriate forSCKIPSFs; and, conceptualising and empirically validating two forms ofknowledge-based innovation: exploitative innovation and explorative innovation,along with their generic variables and their distinctive variables to success andfailure, within a SCKTPSF context.The results emphasised the need, in practice, for appropriate: senior managementeducation and training in innovation management; and, mechanisms for knowledgesharing between staff which are not solely driven by immediate project needs

A transformer with adjustable leakage inductance

Author name used in this publication: Y. LuAuthor name used in this publication: S. L. HoAuthor name used in this publication: J. F. PanAuthor name used in this publication: X. D. XueAuthor name used in this publication: K. W. E. ChengRefereed conference paper2005-2006 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

A plasmonic nanosensor with inverse sensitivity for circulating cell-free DNA quantification

A plasmonic nanosensor (using gold nanorods) with inverse sensitivity is presented for circulating cell-free DNA quantification. The inverse sensitivity (i.e. the lower the analyte concentration, the higher the response intensity) is achieved by the unusual DNA concentration-dependent gold nanorod aggregation. This assay method can adjust the dynamic range by controlling the concentration of nanoparticles in solution. Graphical abstract: A plasmonic nanosensor with inverse sensitivity for circulating cell-free DNA quantificatio