Understanding Knowledge Sharing in the Jordanian Construction Industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a model to understand and facilitate more knowledge sharing (KS) among construction companies in Jordan. Sixteen cultural variables that affect KS were identified through self-administered questionnaires. Design/methodology/approach – Factor analysis was used to find possible relationships between the cultural variables for grouping purposes and to eliminate the cultural variables that do not affect KS. The results of factor analysis were further refined using a brainstorming session and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to prioritise the factors obtained through the factor analysis. Findings – Trust, management and communication were identified as the three most important factors, whilst communication was acknowledged as the least important factor. Originality/value – This research uses factor analysis and AHP to study the influence of cultural factors on KS. It develops a hierarchy of factors that affect effective KS within the Jordanian context. The paper investigated KS in-depth and highlighted the components that constitute KS in an organisation. Based on extensive literature review, this study found the relative importance of different factors that affect KS. The emphasis on trust was found to be more critical than the presence of a computer-based system. In addition, this is the first paper of this type to look at KS in the context of the Jordanian construction industry

A critical discourse analysis of the 'GM Nation?' public debate

PhD ThesisThe increasing application of science and technology, while having reduced uncertainties and threats to mankind (like impacts of natural disasters), has also created new uncertainties in terms of risks and ethics. Environmental risks from new technological innovations and ethical questions raised by developments in genetics are the defining uncertainties associated with technology in our risk society. Also the current socio-economic order is a knowledge-driven one. This ‘knowledge-based’ society also implies that it is a discourse driven order, with language playing a more critical role in contemporary socio-economic changes than it has in the past. Policy makers around the world, in response to these new challenges to technological innovations thrown up by this risk society, have started moving away from expert-based governance of science and technology and towards governance based on transparency, public dialogue and democratic engagement. It is within this context that this research analyses, using a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) perspective, the largest ever public engagement exercise conducted in the UK – the 2003 ‘GM Nation?’ public debate on the possible commercialisation of genetically modified crops in the UK. The primary aim of conducting this piece of research is to have a better and deeper understanding of the process of engaging the public in policy-making on technological issues. This includes analysing the aspiration to normative democratic ideals of public-engagement exercises and the role of the public in technological transition. The aspect of relations of power and domination between participants in public engagement exercises has been largely neglected in the empirical literature and this research aims at exploring these aspects in detail through the use of CDA as a research method. The findings of this research point to the ideological influence of the discourse of the market or, more generally, the neoliberal discourse in the contemporary socio-economic environment in the UK. This research concludes that the agriculture regime in the UK continues to operate under the selection pressure of the economic discourse despite the emergence of niche counter discourses of sustainability in recent years

Image thresholding and feature extraction techniques.

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1982 .J354. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-07, page: . Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1982

Advancing lean implementation within a construction supply chain

This investigation leads to critical recommendations for advancing the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for lean implementation within a Construction Supply Chain (CSC). The findings suggest that implementing Lean within a CSC requires a similar effort at different levels (Organisational and Process) of Supply Chain. This study presents essential recommendations that would ensure smooth flow of Lean implementation at all levels of a CSC. This paper draws upon relevant literature, sixty-three surveys and interviews with four professionals working on the frontlines and emphasises on the issues that hinder the SMEs engagement and contribution to Lean within Construction Supply Chain. Moreover, this involved respondents from Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 of a CSC that includes clients, executives, consultants, and other managers, who are directly involved in the Lean implementation in construction projects. This paper adds value to the existing knowledge of Lean implementation in a CSC and SMEs. This study is original in terms of establishing the recommendation to lean implementation in a CSC

Artificial neural network analysis of teachers��� performance against thermal comfort

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald in International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation on 17/04/2020, available online at: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-11-2019-0098 The accepted manuscript may differ from the final published version.Purpose: The impact of thermal comfort in educational buildings continues to be of major importance in both the design and construction phases. Given this, it is also equally important to understand and appreciate the impact of design decisions on post-occupancy performance, particularly on staff and students. This study aims to present the effect of IEQ on teachers��� performance. This study would provide thermal environment requirements to BIM-led school refurbishment projects. Design: This paper presents a detailed investigation into the direct impact of thermal parameters (temperature, relative humidity and ventilation rates) on teacher performance. In doing so, the research methodological approach combines explicit mixed-methods using questionnaire surveys and physical measurements of thermal parameters to identify correlation and inference. It was conducted through a single case study using a technical college based in Saudi Arabia. Findings: Findings from this work were used to develop a model using an Artificial Neural Network to establish causal relationships. Research findings indicate an optimal temperature range between 23��C and 25��C, with a 65% relative humidity and 0.4m/s ventilation rate. This ratio delivered optimum results for both comfort and performance

Emergence of the business models in the building and construction literature

PhD studyBusiness models play a key role on successful businesses since they describe how an organisation creates and delivers value for its customers and subsequently captures value. A good business model can separate a company from its rivals by creating a competitive edge. However, there is limited research on business models in the building and construction field. This paper aims to contribute to this limited literature by exploring how the business model concept is understood and conceived by the building and construction literature to shed some light on the concept and its associated benefits, establish a common language, and help position future enquiries. Yet, it becomes vital to cover the literature in the business and management field where business models originated. This approach helps gaining thorough understanding and seeing the big picture of business models. The findings suggest that there is a growing interest in the use of business models concept in the building and construction disciplines but most articles refer to business models without explicit definition which can lead to uncertainty on using the concept. Furthermore, recent studies provide explicit definition of business models and seek to develop an understanding of the concept with reference to the construction context. As suggested by the literature, business models concept can be relevant for sustainability studies since it helps companies converting their abstract environmental strategies into viable business concepts thus creating value for customers and capturing this value. Moreover, concentration on the business model can facilitate better evaluation of current construction companies’ business models and assess their future suitability of sustainability aspects and competitiveness. To benefit from business models in the building and construction context, they need to be considered and developed at the level of field of operation with clear explanation on what they mean

Sustainable Construction Capabilities: A Local Authority Perspective

PhD studyThe emerging trend of climate change adaptation in the construction industry has raised the need to identify the sustainability requirements of the construction industry. Considering sustainability has the potential to enhance company profiles and improve relationships with stakeholders particularly clients. This paper presents a case study of a Local Authority and sheds light on some major issues, drivers, benefits, and organisational changes associated with sustainable construction. In addition, it identifies the critical factors for successful sustainable practices. The findings reveal that the implementation of sustainable practices often demands significant organisational and management capabilities such as closer collaboration and joint work between internal units, sustainability experts, sustainability targets as well as collaboration between demand and supply sides. It is found that clients awareness and education are vital for successful sustainable construction

Green business models and organisational changes: Lessons from the UK construction sector

PhD studyGreen business models (GBMs) can support green growth because they are based on green value creation and capture with emphasis on clients role. However, GBMs require substantial investment and strong change capabilities. This paper maps organisational changes associated with GBMs transformation. For this purpose, 19 semi-structured interviews are conducted with a heterogeneous sample of academics and managers from the UK construction sector. The interviews then are analysed by a means of thematic analysis with aim to capture any common changes and to form similar patterns of changes which occurred within the sample. Surprisingly, there are a lot of similarities that can be grouped broadly into three major themes: green profile development; structure; and operations. In addition, the change starts from the strategic level (policy) to the operational level but it may be triggered by the people at the operational level. Furthermore, GBMs not only change product/service and process but also catalyse broader systems change of the green value chain. Therefore, construction organisations have to accept that transition to GBMs will bring significant changes to the way they work if these models are to flourish

Business model reconfiguration in green construction: A theoretical perspective

PhD studyBusiness models describe the business logic of a particular company and green business model is when a company changes part(s) of its business model and thereby both captures economic value and reduces the ecological footprint in a life-cycle perspective. In this paper, business model literature is reviewed with the intention of promoting learning to understand the economic complexity of environmental sustainability in the construction context. Although the green construction literature does not explicitly deal with the changes of construction companies business model, there is a considerable research that implicitly investigates features and elements of the business models of green construction. Key features from this literature are: green value propositions should always be related to customer/stakeholder issues. Going green will improve relationships among stakeholders and with particular customers since key activities are performed in a greener manner. Knowledge and partnership are the most important resources needed to go green and moreover green branding is an important resource and can be a source of competitive advantage. To unlock green value proposition opportunities, cost structure and revenue models should be considered from a long-term perspective

Difficulties face by foreign students in learning arbic language programs for non-native speakers (Evaluation Study).

This study aimed to identify at the difficulties faced by foreign students in the programs learn Arabic to non-native speakers, to identify learning difficulties and social and psychological, through Mahmoah of research and studies on programs teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, and has used researcher descriptive analytical method , through analysis and classification (30) study and research, and have the researcher to the following results: difficulties related to writing and to identify the various versions of the letters, and the difficulty of learning some sounds like sounds ring (Hamza, distraction, eye, Elgin, ha, etc., and g system written starts from right to left and this system is not uncommon in other languages, convergence forms characters and similarity where there are a range of characters similar in the general framework and the difference between them process punctuation such as (c, h, x), and the different structure of Arabic sentence for the sentence structure in many of the world's languages, g focus on reading and writing, and the neglect of my skills to talk and listen, and books follow traditional methods to display and provide information, and the problem of coping with the Arab community in terms of customs and traditions, the learner will face difficulty in coping with customs and traditions of Arab problem to identify the civilization of Arab society, and the problem of cultural conflict and this one of the most problems because the learner is exposed to a new culture and this culture carries a new language. recommends researcher: the need to modernize teaching Arabic language and employment of modern technologies in it. keyword: arbic languge programs for non-native speakers, foreign students, difficulties