scholarly journals IMPACT OF POOR QUANTITY SURVEYING PRACTICES ON SMALL SCALE CONTRACTORS IN SRI LANKA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. WEERAKOON ◽  
◽  
K.T. WITHANAGE ◽  
V. DISARATNE ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cost Overruns ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Flow Problems ◽  
The World

Construction industry is one of the devoting force of any country's economy. Around the world, Small Scale Contractors (SSC) has been found to play a significant role in creating jobs, infiltrating new markets and growing the economy in an inspired and inventive way. However, performance of SSCs in developing and minor developed countries is still not in adequate level due to various factors. Poor QS practices is one of the significant factor which affect to the current performance of the SSCs. Hence, this research aims to implement better QS practices to mitigate adverse impact to the small scale contractors due to plenty of poor QS practices. Particularly qualitative research approach was used for this study and accordingly data was collected from semi- structured interviews and analyzed using manual content analysis. Project delays, cost overruns of projects, cash flow problems, unable to win tenders, poor construction quality, delays in payments and contractual disputes were identified as major issues caused by the poor QS practices. This research suggests government to impose laws and regulations, offer tax relieves to contractors and impose legal requirements to participate in CPD sessions to minimize poor QS practices. Further clients and consultants can make timely payments to contractors and key suggestions to contractors are hire experienced and qualified professionals, provide well-coordinated training, adopt new technologies, keep clear and completed drawings and specifications, use cost and time controlling techniques and maintain good record keeping system.

scholarly journals Smart Retailing in COVID-19 World: Insights from Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Ismail Kotb ◽  
Riham Adel
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Financial Investments ◽  
The World ◽  
Smart Technologies

COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on business in general and the retail sector in particular which was hardly hit as sales fell by 20 percent during this period. The main challenges that face retailers nowadays during COVID-19 outbreak include: balance in supply and demand; safety of employees; trust between retailer and consumer; distribution - transportation capability; shortage of manpower and consumer behavior (Fernandes, 2020; Kumar et al., 2020; Pantano et al., 2020). Yet, retailers around the world started to understand the benefits and new opportunities offered by smart technologies (Inman and Nikolova, 2017; Renko and Druzijanic, 2014). New technologies like internet of things (IoT) can play a significant role in controlling the pandemic situation in the retail sector and are expected to bring substantial benefits such as lower labor costs, increased efficiency, attraction of new shoppers and the generation of new revenue channels (Roy et al., 2017; Vaishya et al., 2020; Wünderlich et al., 2013). However, only a limited number of retailers has adopted IoT due to the huge financial investments required and uncertainty of customers' acceptance (Alkemade and Suurs, 2012; Evans, 2011; Pantano et al., 2013). It is, thus, expected to see smart retailers taking a series of actions over the short to medium term to conserve cash and structure of their company for post-COVID-19 operations. This research aims to explore the retailers' perceptions towards the adoption of smart retail technologies in Egyptian retailing context throughout conducting a series of semi-structured interviews with mid-to-top level management in different retail organisations and discuss the advantages and challenges expected from smart retail technologies adoption. Moreover, the research explains how smart retail can help overcoming uncertainities and is considered a well managed response strategy by retailers to COVID-19.

scholarly journals Virtual and Space Tourism as New Trends in Travelling at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 628
Author(s):  
Michał Roman ◽  
Robert Kosiński ◽  
Kumar Bhatta ◽  
Arkadiusz Niedziółka ◽  
Andrzej Krasnodębski
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Alternative Form ◽  
Original Form ◽  
Space Tourism ◽  
The World

The first European COVID-19 infection was recorded in February 2020, and Poland followed in mid-March. Restrictions were imposed on traveling between states and using public space. These movement restrictions forced a search for new, often innovative, forms of tourism. Google Earth virtual reality (VR), Google Street View, and the Chernobyl VR Project are just some of the selected opportunities to create virtual tours. Different activities using VR mean that people can experience the illusion of travelling in time and space, outside of their everyday surroundings, in a digitally constructed three-dimensional (3D) environment, for cognition or entertainment. Therefore, this study aimed to present virtual and space tourism as new traveling trends during various crise,s such as health, economic, etc. A diagnostic survey with a developed questionnaire was conducted in June and July 2021 in Poland. A total of 564 fully answered responses were collected from randomly selected respondents. We found that around 82% of Polish people were aware of VR technology, and 70% believed that new technologies determine VR tourism development. VR presents the possibility of travelling to places that no longer exist in their original form, but have been reconstructed only in VR. Around 75% of the respondents agreed that VR tourism plays an essential role in tourism promotion in Poland and throughout the world. Moreover, VR and augmented tourism lets us visit fictitious and dangerous, politically restricted, and geographically as well as economically difficult destinations. For example, our results revealed that many people want to experience North Korea, the USA, Antarctica, Syria, etc. At the same time, people recommended the NASA space station as a visiting destination using VR and augmented reality. VR offers an alternative form of tourism during crises and pandemics such as COVID-19. We found over 26% of the respondents were satisfied with contemporary tourists’ cognitional needs during VR sightseeing. More than 87% of the respondents believed that VR tourism cannot substitute real-world tourism in the long run. However, VR tourism will be more beneficial for developing countries facing difficulties in economic aspects, and easier than attaining visas to enter developed countries. Furthermore, virtual sightseeing may also constitute an alternative for people who are disabled or sick, and who cannot undertake the effort of active tourism and explore tourist resources of the world on their own.

Offsite construction in the Australian low-rise residential buildings application levels and procurement options

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong Lin ◽  
Sainan Lyu ◽  
Rebecca Jing Yang ◽  
Linda Tivendale
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Rise ◽  
The World ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Selection Of

PurposePrefabricated housing has become a boom industry across the world; however, the uptake of offsite construction (OSC) approaches in Australian low-rise buildings is rather low compared with high-rise buildings in other countries. This study aims to investigate and analyse the adoption of different levels of OSC approaches and the selection of different procurement options in Australian low-rise residential buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe research objectives were pursued through a mixed research method. An empirical questionnaire survey was carried out with 35 professionals in the Australian building and construction industry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 interviewees and analysed using thematic analysis method in NVivo software.FindingsThe research results found that the most suitable OSC level for Australian low-rise buildings is components-based prefabrication and identified the barriers to OSC uptake for each OSC level. The study also showed that the best option of procuring prefabricated products is from Australian manufacturers, followed by Australian suppliers/dealers and overseas manufacturers. Panelised prefabrication and components-based prefabrication are ranked as the most suitable OSC approaches for Australian manufacturers. Modular prefabrication is regarded as the most suitable for overseas manufacturer, while components-based prefabrication is the most suitable for Australian suppliers/dealers.Originality/valueThe selection of various OSC approaches and different procurement options in the low-rise residential buildings are scarcely explored topic, and thus, this study provides knowledge of interest for both researchers and practitioners.

scholarly journals A Phenomenographic Research Study of Students’ Conceptions of Mobile Learning: An Example From Higher Education

SAGE Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824401986145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Shahadat Hossain Khan ◽  
Benadjih Oiriddine Abdou ◽  
Jaana Kettunen ◽  
Sue Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Effective Learning ◽  
The World ◽  
New Ideas

This article aims to identify different ways of using mobile devices in students’ learning in higher education. This qualitative research presents the findings from a phenomenographic research of students’ conceptions of mobile learning (m-learning) in higher education. A cohort of 16 students from four universities of Bangladesh took part in semi-structured interviews to explore their in-depth understandings and experiences of m-learning. The findings indicate that university students perceived five qualitatively different ways of using mobile devices in their learning: a medium for communication; a medium for management of learning materials; a tool for effective learning; a means for collaborative learning; and a means for development of new ideas. The findings of this research demonstrate students’ pedagogical understanding of using mobile devices in higher education. The outcomes of this research could play a crucial role in informing students on how they can use their mobile devices for learning purposes and providing educators with empirical evidence on students’ pedagogical practices of using mobile devices in other developing and more developed countries in the world.

scholarly journals SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE PROCESSES IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR: FOREIGN ASPECT

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Technical Progress ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Consumer Demand ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Economic Mechanism ◽  
Foreign Experience ◽  
The World ◽  
The Developed Countries

Regulation of scientific and technical progress is the most important block of an economic mechanism in the developed countries now. In article organizational and economic bases of innovative processes in agriculture of the leading economies of the world are formulated. The main directions in development of scientific and technical progress are allocated. The conclusion is drawn that as shows studying of foreign experience, improvement of the innovative mechanism at a separate stage not necessarily increases effectiveness of process in general. If the valuable funda-mental ideas aren't used for development of new technological processes, and new technologies don't turn into goods of social demand or find only very narrow application in local spheres, then the capacity of the NTP this direction is practically not implemented for consumer demand.

scholarly journals DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD ECONOMY

2018 ◽  
pp. 7-15
Author(s):  
Olga Mikhailovna Markova ◽  
Elena Borisovna Starodubtseva
Keyword(s):  
World Economy ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Financial Behavior ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
The World ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
Start Ups

In modern conditions the role of digitalization which is becoming the main factor of the development of the world economy, is growing significantly, as the competitiveness of individual countries is determined by the level of implementation of innovative banking technologies as a tool for creating digital financial ecosystems. At the same time, there are considered key indicators of bank customers activities related to Internet access and infrastructure development opportunities, the consumer demand for digital technologies, the specific application of legislative norms in this area, the development of innovations in individual countries based on additional investment in the latest technologies and digital start-ups. There is given the definition of the concept of digital economy, analysis of the development of digitalization in terms of its use in various areas: financial, production, trade, social. Within the framework of the national approach, digitization, for which a cyclical character is typical, is considered in detail. So, initially new technologies actively developed in the USA, Germany, Japan and other developed countries, but now these countries reduce the pace of growth of technological implementations, and the less developed countries, where the rates of digitalization are more significant. The article presents dividing countries in four categories, according to the growth of digitalization of the economy. In the world economy, the key to stability and high competitiveness in the long term should be the policy of continuous innovations, which requires from banks and other market participants to make quick and radical decisions that often affect their financial behavior and strategic line of development. Thus, the indicators of the involvement of countries in digital banking indicate that this type of banking activity is gaining momentum, and digitalization is currently the main vector of world development.

scholarly journals MIGRATIONS AS A RESULT OF THE GLOBALISATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-19
Author(s):  
Marián Mesároš ◽  
Josef Reitšpís
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Capital ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Cheap Labour ◽  
The World ◽  
The Usa

The globalisation of the world economy is a driving force of the development of the individual countries in the world. Mineral resources in some countries are very important for the development of such countries, however they also attract world economies that offer new technologies and new possibilities in the development of the infrastructure. The technological progress of less developed countries also brings undesirable accompanying phenomena, namely the dependence on spare parts, the inability of such countries to carry out an independent research development, and an inconspicuous lifestyle change of the population. Cheap labour force lures foreign capital and later, as a result of the change of political regimes, begins to have enhanced demands, including various trade union demands. This is the moment when the particular government starts being influenced, the population is dissatisfied and the dissatisfaction results in social riots. However, the foreign capital has meanwhile achieved its business interests and that is why it leaves the particular country. Subsequently, this results in internal problems and many times in migrations of the dissatisfied population. Research tools used to write this article was analysis, analysis, synthesis of available information, reports, scientific articles on the subject and subsequent deduction to identify conclusions. Following the latest findings, it takes at least ten years for migrants to start accepting laws and habitual practice of a particular foreign country. The same holds true for migrants from South America who decide to leave their home country to live in the USA. That is why the assimilation problem has to be solved very carefully and, if it is possible, to solve the problems of potential migrants on the territory of their home country.

Auckland libraries as a multicultural bridge in New Zealand

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 581-600
Author(s):  
Wei Xia Lin ◽  
Eric Boamah
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Cultural Groups ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Literary Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Staff Members

Purpose The purpose of this research is to explore how immigrant library users view Auckland Libraries as a multicultural bridge in New Zealand. The research explored the various factors keeping different cultures apart in the New Zealand socio cultural systems and to find out the gaps in the provision of multicultural services in Auckland public libraries. The study also discusses the specific roles Auckland public libraries play in the development of multiculturalism in New Zealand from the perspective of immigrant users. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative research approach. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 participants including five library staff members and ten users of the Auckland library. Thematic analysis (qualitative data analysis, where data is grouped into themes) was used for data analysis. Findings Participants perceive that the Auckland Library had an advantage over other citizen service institutions in the development and services of multiculturalism in New Zealand. The participants understand that language, cultural background, beliefs and values are some of the causes of gaps between different ethnic groups, and only by learning from each other can groups enhance mutual understanding between them. The services and programs Auckland Library offer to immigrant enable various interactions among different cultural groups and enhance learning from one another to facilitate their integration into the New Zealand society. The findings show that Auckland public libraries have some gaps in multicultural services. In particular, there are more than 200 different ethnicities in Auckland, but the Auckland library's website does not have the function of a multilingual search tab service, lacks a multicultural book collection and some of the existing collections of books are of low quality, low literary value and so on. The study suggests that these issues need to be improved. Research limitations/implications This was small-scale research involving the perspectives of only 15 participants. Nevertheless, the findings provide constructive insight into the development of multicultural services in Auckland libraries that can serve as a useful basis for a broader exploration of more immigrant groups in Auckland and New Zealand as a whole. Practical implications The results of this research will provide valuable information for the Auckland libraries to have a better plan for multicultural services in the future. The findings will also serve as a reference for improving multicultural services in the Auckland libraries. Originality/value Although other studies have looked at immigrants’ behavior and perception on various issues in New Zealand, this study is the first to look at how different immigrant groups percept Auckland libraries as a multicultural bridge to help integrate them.

scholarly journals Real-world flash glucose monitoring in Brazil: can sensors make a difference in diabetes management in developing countries?

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Eduardo P. Calliari ◽  
Marcio Krakauer ◽  
Andre Gustavo Daher Vianna ◽  
Yashesvini Ram ◽  
Douglas Eugenio Barbieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Computer Data ◽  
Freestyle Libre ◽  
The World ◽  
Glycemic Markers

Abstract Background New technologies are changing diabetes treatment and contributing better outcomes in developed countries. To our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the comparative effect of sensor-based monitoring on glycemic markers in developing countries like Brazil. The present study aims to evaluate the use of intermittent Continuous Glucose Measurements (iCGM) in a developing country, Brazil, regarding (i) frequency of glucose scans, (ii) its association with glycemic markers and (iii) comparison with these findings to those observed in global population data. Methods Glucose results were de-identified and uploaded to a dedicated database when Freestyle Libre™ readers were connected to an internet-ready computer. Data between September 2014 and Dec 2018, comprising 688,640 readers and 7,329,052 sensors worldwide, were analysed (including 17,691 readers and 147,166 sensors from Brazil). Scan rate per reader was determined and each reader was sorted into 20 equally-sized rank ordered groups, categorised by scan frequency. Glucose parameters were calculated for each group, including estimated A1c, time above, below and within range identified as 70–180 mg/dL. Results In Brazil, reader users performed an average of 14 scans per day, while around the world, reader users performed an average of 12 scans per day (p < 0.01). In Brazil dataset, those in the lowest and in the highest groups scanned on average 3.6 and 43.1 times per day had an estimated A1c of 7.56% (59 mmol/mol) and 6.71% (50 mmol/mol), respectively (p < 0.01). Worldwide, the lowest group and the highest groups scanned 3.4 times/day and 37.8 times/day and had an eA1c of 8.14% (65 mmol/mol) and 6.70% (50 mmol/mol), respectively (p < 0.01). For the scan groups in both populations, the time spent above 180 mg/dL decreased as the scan frequency increased. In both Brazil and around the world, as scan frequency increased, time in range (TIR) increased. In Brazil, TIR increased from 14.15 to 16.62 h/day (p < 0.01). Worldwide, TIR increased from 12.06 to 16.97 h/day (p < 0.01). Conclusions We conclude that Brazilian users have a high frequency of scans, more frequent than global data. Similarly to the world findings, increased scan frequency is associated with better glycemic control.

scholarly journals Awareness and effectiveness of quality function deployment (QFD) in design and build projects in Nigeria

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romeo John ◽  
Andrew Smith ◽  
Sarich Chotipanich ◽  
Michael Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Quality Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Control Technique

Purpose – Quality function deployment (QFD) is a method for structured product planning and development that enables a development team to specify clearly the wants and needs of customers. This method has been successfully employed in the construction industry in developed countries. However, the benefits of QFD have not been practically realised in developing countries such as Nigeria. Hence, this research aims to investigate the awareness and effectiveness of QFD as a quality control technique that enhances the satisfaction of clients in terms of quality, cost and project delivery time in design and build projects. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative and quantitative research approach in the form of in-depth telephone interviews and questionnaires was used to obtain the views of construction professionals such as civil engineers, architects, project managers, chief executive officers and trades people involved in design and build projects in the Nigerian construction industry, as well as 50 clients to ascertain the level of satisfaction derived from these design and build projects. Findings – The results of this research are derived from statistical analysis and show that there is currently little awareness of QFD within the Nigerian construction industry or its potential effectiveness in design and build projects. Originality/value – There has been little previous research into the use of QFD in the Nigerian construction industry, hence this paper provides insight but also highlights the need for further research.

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