Journal of Educational Research and Reviews, Jun 4, 2021
The gap between the skills of students with special educational needs (SEN) and learning requirem... more The gap between the skills of students with special educational needs (SEN) and learning requirements is widening as they move from primary to secondary education. The purpose of this research is to implement and evaluate the pedagogical tool "Targeted, Individual, Structured, and Integrated Program for Students with Special Educational Needs" (TISIPfSENs), through which a special teaching methodology is proposed for the reading support of students with SEN. The methodology applied was mixed and lasted 5 years in 5 general Greek secondary schools. The study sample consisted of students with neurodevelopmental disorders (N = 10) and adults (N = 130) who encountered them learning, therapeutically, and socially. The qualitative data were collected in the context of the action research with the utilization of observation and intervention tools, while the quantitative data were collected from an unbalanced questionnaire. The results showed that "TISIPfSENs" supports students with neurodevelopmental disorders in reading skills during their transition to secondary education. The findings showed that students can actively participate in the general learning process, provided that the intervention is governed by certain principles, such as individualization of teaching, structuring of teaching methodology in certain phases, informal pedagogical assessment, and differentiation activities for the cultivation of neurodevelopmental areas.
Journal of Architecture, Planning and Construction Management, 2012
The choice of a proper contractor increases the chance of successful completion of the constructi... more The choice of a proper contractor increases the chance of successful completion of the construction project which fulfills the client’s goals of keeping the schedule of the cost, time and quality thereby enhancing satisfaction. This research seeks to determine the areas of satisfaction expected by public clients from local and foreign contractors in Nigeria. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaire to the government parastatals and ministries in Lagos state. The data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed using frequency tables, Mean Item Score and Mann-Whitney (U-test) test. The study revealed that public clients derive more satisfaction from foreign contractors than their local counterpart in the areas of quality performance and standard of workmanship while more satisfaction is derived from local contractors than their foreign counterparts in the areas of time and cost performance. The study also concluded that the considerations by public client in choosing the contractors determine the satisfaction derived from the project. The research suggests that local contractors should embark on measures that will improve their quality performance and standard of workmanship in order to stop the preference given to foreign contractors.
Journal of the Construction Division and Management, Feb 1, 2015
The construction industry is a stressful working environment. Tasks that are simultaneously high ... more The construction industry is a stressful working environment. Tasks that are simultaneously high in job demand while low in job control and job support generally cause the most stress. This paper examines and compares the stress levels and the job demand, control, and support experienced by construction professionals (CPs) in South Africa (SA) and Hong Kong (HK). The construction industries of both regions are similar in terms of their practices and procedures, given their colonial roots. Using regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), a job-stress model for CPs in both regions is developed. The results of t-tests show that CPs from SA reported greater job demands, higher levels of job control, and less job support and stress than their HK counterparts. Job control and job demand predicted the stress levels of CPs in both countries in the regression and SEM analyses. However, job support was a significant predictor of stress for only the HK and not the SA CPs. Practical recommendations are provided for managers and organizations in both countries to address the problems of stress among CPs, including organizing social gatherings, job reallocation, and the implementation of fair compensation policies. The current study investigated the difference in the stressors and stress of CPs in two geographically disparate regions with similarity in their construction practices, enhancing our understanding of stress management in the construction industry. In addition, several practical recommendations have been proposed for the management of stress for CPs in the two regions.
The poor performance of projects is a recurring event in the construction sector. Information gle... more The poor performance of projects is a recurring event in the construction sector. Information gleaned from literature shows that uncertainty in project cost is one of the significant causes of this problem. Reliable forecast of construction cost is useful in mitigating the adverse effect of its fluctuation, however the availability of data for the development of multivariate models for construction cost forecasting remains a challenge. The study seeks to investigate the reliability of using univariate models for tender price index forecasting. Box-Jenkins and neural network are the modelling techniques applied in this study. The results show that the neural network model outperforms the Box-Jenkins model, in terms of accuracy. In addition, the neural network model provides a reliable forecast of tender price index over a period of 12 quarters ahead. The limitations of using the univariate models are elaborated. The developed neural network model can be used by stakeholders as a tool for predicting the movements in tender price index. In addition, the univariate models developed in the present study are particularly useful in countries where limited data reduces the possibility of applying multivariate models.
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Sep 27, 2022
PurposeConstruction professionals (CPs) are often exposed to various challenges and pressures at ... more PurposeConstruction professionals (CPs) are often exposed to various challenges and pressures at work including urgent deadlines, high demands, uncertainty in tasks, and complex problems, which may induce stress and affect performance directly. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training has been used for several years to reduce stress among various types of people, such as nurses, teachers, and family caregivers, but its application to CPs with highly dynamic environment remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the impact of MBSR training on the performance of CPs via an intervention study involving two groups (MBSR and control).Design/methodology/approachParticipants in both groups were assessed using a questionnaire survey and a semi-structured interview at the pre- and post-intervention stage. Multiple research methods were used to derive quantitative and qualitative analyses, including factor analysis, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and contextual analysis.FindingsThe findings overall confirm that MBSR has a direct effect on CPs, improving their mindfulness characteristics and enhancing performance by reducing their stress.Practical implicationsA number of practical recommendations are made such as (1) arranging standard eight-week MBSR training for CPs; (2) giving special leave for attending the full mindfulness training; (3) establishing a suitable environment in the office for meditation;(4) allowing CPs an opportunity to pause at difficult moments to create space to respond instead of simply reacting; and (5) expressing love and kindness through gratitude, recognition, and regular feedback.Originality/valueThis research can be considered as valid evidence to convince construction organizations conducting MBSR to the CPs, which is indeed not too remote to enhance their performance as well as the holistic construction performance.
The construction industry business in Nigeria like in other countries cannot be tackled effective... more The construction industry business in Nigeria like in other countries cannot be tackled effectively without harnessing the construction health and safety regulations to safeguard the health of the workers and the entire community. This paper seeks to assess quantity surveyors' perception of construction health and safety regulations in Nigeria. Data was collected using the questionnaire survey distributed among Nigerian quantity surveyors and statistical tools employed include percentages and mean score ranking. The study revealed that construction health and safety is still perceived to be more important than the traditional project parameters in the form of cost and quality. Improved quality is discovered to have the greatest impact of construction health and safety on project parameter. The study recommends that health and safety should be included as a project parameter and that related practice notes and guidelines should be evolved for all project stakeholders.
Abstract Older people with dementia normally suffer from declined cognitive functional ability (C... more Abstract Older people with dementia normally suffer from declined cognitive functional ability (CFA), including impaired cognition, deteriorated self-care abilities, and limited mobility. Although some games and exercises have been adopted to mitigate the harmful effects of dementia, an appropriate indoor built environment (IBE) in care and attention (CA 2) finishes and signage had a negative impact on the disorientation of older residents with dementia; 3) dissatisfaction with finishes induced confusion in older residents with dementia; and 4) only one building services factor (temperature) positively influenced the self-care and mobility of older residents with dementia. Several practical recommendations are proposed accordingly.
Journal of Educational Research and Review, Mar 10, 2021
Senior year students of BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) are... more Senior year students of BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) are trained to be future environmental and safety practitioners. However, they usually show relatively weak English ability when proceeding with their study in articulation degree programmes. Their ability to communicate fluently in English is pivotal to the advancement of their career, particularly for numerous international opportunities. All the EOSH students are Chinese and are expected to communicate in English at work, which indicates the importance of English proficiency. Therefore, a trial course perfectly tailored to meet the professional needs of senior year students with job-related examples was developed to improve their confidence level in communication, particularly the syntax, semantics and lexis of English language. The intended objectives were assessed by reviewing students' performance and feedback. A pre-test and a post-test were conducted to ascertain the English language proficiencies of the students before and after the English bridging course respectively. Further, a pre-designed questionnaire survey was distributed to the senior year students before and after the English bridging course to collect information about their confidence level with four identified areas, including overall language proficiency, specific writing skills, specific listening skills and specific speaking skills. The results showed that the confidence level of senior year students was low before the English bridging course, while the confidence level was moderate after the English bridging course. There was also significant improvement in their confidence level after the English course for all the identified areas. The results suggest that an English bridging course should be conducted in English by native speakers and supplemented with Cantonese from non-native speakers to enhance the understanding and confidence level of the senior year students.
Journal of construction project management and innovation, Dec 1, 2012
One acceptable way to extend company presence into a new market is through strategic alliances an... more One acceptable way to extend company presence into a new market is through strategic alliances and joint ventures. These methods are being used with increasing frequency by engineering companies with mixed results. This research seeks to assess the key performance indicators for the performance of partners in joint ventures projects in Nigeria. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaire to partners and consultants who have engaged in joint venture construction project in partnership with the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation. The data obtained were analyzed using Mean Item Score, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (U-test) test and Kruskal-Wallis (H-test) test and factor analysis. The study revealed that all the performance indicators identified were significant to joint venture construction projects with time performance, client satisfaction, cost performance and sharing resources ranked as the most important performance indicators for joint venture construction projects in Nigeria. A KMO value of 0.774 was gotten indicating the suitability of the data for factor analysis. The research would assist in deciding key performance indicators for joint venture construction projects for inclusion in the drafting of joint venture agreements. The three groupings from factor analysis and their relationship will help in developing a framework for joint venture construction projects. The factors extracted help to identify the high prioritized performance indicators which could be used as an assessment tool to evaluate the performance of partners and thus help to identify areas for improvement.
In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, diagnosis and management of defects in the e... more In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, diagnosis and management of defects in the educational facility are paramount. The preliminary results of the ongoing research reported here seek to identify defects associated with educational buildings and their effects on the health of polytechnic students and staff in Nigeria. A questionnaire survey, including 34 defects based on a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) was used to establish relationships with the health of polytechnic students and staff. Two hundred (200) respondents were randomly selected based on their schools (faculty) within Lagos State Polytechnic. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis of the collected data. The results of the study indicate that defects such as plumbing and dampness problems, cobwebs and dust, are prominent in the institution. Also the relationship between building conditions (defects) and health problems was established, with the predictors of the health problems. Based on the findings, it is important for designers and managers of facilities within tertiary institutions to develop and implement design and maintenance policies targeted at minimizing the likelihood of plumbing, dampness, electrical, cobweb and dust problems in educational buildings due to the health risks induced by the defects. It is evident that effective maintenance schedules and policies should be put in place to ensure that facilities are not left to decay before replacement.
Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Dec 27, 2022
Purpose Although the overall impacts of innovation and innovative practices have been emphasized ... more Purpose Although the overall impacts of innovation and innovative practices have been emphasized in recent years, the effect on the growth of firms in Nigeria have not been proven. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of innovative practices on the growth of quantity surveying firms (QSFs) in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted the quantitative correlational research design in which a well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from QSFs in South-West, Nigeria. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to investigate the effect of innovative practices on the growth of QSFs. Findings The study reveals that there is a significant increase in the growth indices used for assessing QSFs, while all the innovation variables were found to be reliable. Based on the result of multiple regression analysis, the relationships were identified as follows: quantity surveying (QS) software influenced the size growth of QSFs; QS software and services affected client growth and profit growth; and all innovation practices impacted asset growth of QSFs. Practical implications Although the use of software tools has been found to negatively affect the size of QSFs and other growth indices, there is need for them to embrace innovative software applications for more quality service delivery. In addition, QSFs should formulate strategic objectives that will guide them in taking informed decisions for diversification. Originality/value The outcome of this study provides information and direction for innovation practices required to bring about the growth of QSFs.
Purpose: Quality of life (QoL) for elderly residents of care and attention (C&A) homes has become... more Purpose: Quality of life (QoL) for elderly residents of care and attention (C&A) homes has become an important consideration given the increasingly aging population. Due to the number of hours such residents spend indoors, the quality of the facilities can contribute to their day to day QoL. This study investigates the effect of facilities management (FM) on the QoL of Chinese elderly people living in C&A homes. Design/Methodology/Approach: A survey of perceived satisfaction with the components of FM and QoL was carried out with a sample of residents. A total of 18 FM components and five QoL domains, including physical health, independence, psychological health, social relationships and living environment, as well as overall QoL were identified. Findings: The findings show that; (1) physical health is influenced by accessibility, doors and windows and signage; (2) independence can be improved by enhancing accessibility, water supply, lighting and ventilation; (3) accessibility, water supply, distance and doors and windows all predict psychological health; (4) social relationships are improved by lighting and ventilation; (5) distance impacts positively on living environment and (6) overall QoL is predicted by lighting, ventilation, accessibility, doors and windows, handrails, recreation and signage. Originality/Value: The study recommends that designers and facilities managers review the micro-climate settings to harness available natural lighting and ventilation, introduce bimetallic strips to the heating systems to maintain a suitable water temperature and install large, easy to understand and graphic signage for straightforward wayfinding in C&A homes.
The rate at which the population is ageing increases the magnitude of the challenge of providing ... more The rate at which the population is ageing increases the magnitude of the challenge of providing private domestic buildings with facilities meeting those needs of the elderly occupants that arise from their changing health condition. This study aims to examine the relationships between indoor facilities management (FM) components and the quality of life (QoL) of elderly people residing in private domestic buildings. A questionnaire based on an extensive literature review was distributed among elderly respondents in order to assess their level of satisfaction with 13 indoor FM components and five QoL domains e namely overall QoL, physical health, psychological health, social relationships and their living environment. In all, 348 questionnaires were completed by elderly respondents drawn from the 18 political districts of Hong Kong; the data were analyzed using reliability tests, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results reveal that (1) the respondents' overall QoL was significantly affected by ventilation and space; (2) their physical health was predicted by space, doors and windows, and temperature; (3) their psychological health was affected by furniture and fixtures, lighting, acoustics, and doors and windows; (4) their social relationships were influenced by furniture and fixtures and space; and (5) their level of satisfaction with the living environment was affected by space, lighting, furniture and fixtures and acoustics. It is recommended that architects, interior designers, building services engineers and facilities managers include adequate turning spaces in the design of flats for the elderly; and that they pay attention to the brightness and hue of lighting, consider the micro-climate in the orientation of new buildings, incorporate sound insulation materials in walls, install on doors and windows lever handles that require minimal force and increase the width of doors in flats for elderly residents.
The growing numbers of older adults in China, combined with 4: 2: 1 family structure (4 grandpare... more The growing numbers of older adults in China, combined with 4: 2: 1 family structure (4 grandparents, 2 parents, 1 child) resulting from China's one-child policy, has prompted growth in residential care options for Chinese elders, including continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Given the scale of Chinese CCRCs as well as the influence of Chinese values and beliefs, differences in the social dynamics and lived experiences of residents and staff compared to their U.S. counterparts would seem inevitable. A team of U.S. gerontologists was invited to develop the operations and management systems for a newly built CCRC in Changzhou, China that was designed to eventually house 7,000 residents. Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted during the threemonth development period immediately prior to the opening of the first stage (independent living) of the CCRC. This presentation describes the physical environment of the community, social groupings and interactions among staff members already in place, and interactions with potential residents and their family members. The influence of cultural context was clearly reflected in the CCRC's environmental design, staff backgrounds and interactions, and attitudes of potential residents toward residential care, requiring modifications to this Western model of housing and support services for older adults.
Private domestic (PD) buildings in Hong Kong involve mass housing estates provided by developers;... more Private domestic (PD) buildings in Hong Kong involve mass housing estates provided by developers; these estates feature clusters of high-rise buildings. Although building regulations are followed by the construction professionals in the industry, there are no specific guidelines relating to space management (SM) for elderly people living in PD buildings in Hong Kong. Elderly people may need extra space for their daily life, due to their physical disabilities. This directly affects their affordability for renting and/or purchasing an apartment that meets their needs. To understand the potential cost of housing for the elderly, this study aimed to identify the importance of key SM items in PD buildings for elderly people belonging to different age groups. A questionnaire survey was conducted among elderly people, of different age groups, living in PD buildings; data from a total of 89 respondents were purposively collected. This study identified 11 SM items, including distances between rooms, the size of various rooms, the width of doors, turning spaces at doors, and indoor barrier-free access. The results of the statistical analysis indicated a significant difference among the different age groups with respect to the respondents’ satisfaction with the distances between rooms in their PD buildings; there was no significant difference among the different age groups with respect to their satisfaction with the size of their rooms. This may be because the energy needed for walking declines in later life. In addition, the satisfaction of the different age groups with the size of their rooms and the indoor barrier-free designs of their unit flats was lower than their satisfaction with the distances between their rooms. Therefore, construction professionals are urged to seriously consider the distances between rooms inside the unit flats for elderly people, in order to reduce the housing costs of the occupants.
Journal of Educational Research and Reviews, Jun 4, 2021
The gap between the skills of students with special educational needs (SEN) and learning requirem... more The gap between the skills of students with special educational needs (SEN) and learning requirements is widening as they move from primary to secondary education. The purpose of this research is to implement and evaluate the pedagogical tool "Targeted, Individual, Structured, and Integrated Program for Students with Special Educational Needs" (TISIPfSENs), through which a special teaching methodology is proposed for the reading support of students with SEN. The methodology applied was mixed and lasted 5 years in 5 general Greek secondary schools. The study sample consisted of students with neurodevelopmental disorders (N = 10) and adults (N = 130) who encountered them learning, therapeutically, and socially. The qualitative data were collected in the context of the action research with the utilization of observation and intervention tools, while the quantitative data were collected from an unbalanced questionnaire. The results showed that "TISIPfSENs" supports students with neurodevelopmental disorders in reading skills during their transition to secondary education. The findings showed that students can actively participate in the general learning process, provided that the intervention is governed by certain principles, such as individualization of teaching, structuring of teaching methodology in certain phases, informal pedagogical assessment, and differentiation activities for the cultivation of neurodevelopmental areas.
Journal of Architecture, Planning and Construction Management, 2012
The choice of a proper contractor increases the chance of successful completion of the constructi... more The choice of a proper contractor increases the chance of successful completion of the construction project which fulfills the client’s goals of keeping the schedule of the cost, time and quality thereby enhancing satisfaction. This research seeks to determine the areas of satisfaction expected by public clients from local and foreign contractors in Nigeria. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaire to the government parastatals and ministries in Lagos state. The data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed using frequency tables, Mean Item Score and Mann-Whitney (U-test) test. The study revealed that public clients derive more satisfaction from foreign contractors than their local counterpart in the areas of quality performance and standard of workmanship while more satisfaction is derived from local contractors than their foreign counterparts in the areas of time and cost performance. The study also concluded that the considerations by public client in choosing the contractors determine the satisfaction derived from the project. The research suggests that local contractors should embark on measures that will improve their quality performance and standard of workmanship in order to stop the preference given to foreign contractors.
Journal of the Construction Division and Management, Feb 1, 2015
The construction industry is a stressful working environment. Tasks that are simultaneously high ... more The construction industry is a stressful working environment. Tasks that are simultaneously high in job demand while low in job control and job support generally cause the most stress. This paper examines and compares the stress levels and the job demand, control, and support experienced by construction professionals (CPs) in South Africa (SA) and Hong Kong (HK). The construction industries of both regions are similar in terms of their practices and procedures, given their colonial roots. Using regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), a job-stress model for CPs in both regions is developed. The results of t-tests show that CPs from SA reported greater job demands, higher levels of job control, and less job support and stress than their HK counterparts. Job control and job demand predicted the stress levels of CPs in both countries in the regression and SEM analyses. However, job support was a significant predictor of stress for only the HK and not the SA CPs. Practical recommendations are provided for managers and organizations in both countries to address the problems of stress among CPs, including organizing social gatherings, job reallocation, and the implementation of fair compensation policies. The current study investigated the difference in the stressors and stress of CPs in two geographically disparate regions with similarity in their construction practices, enhancing our understanding of stress management in the construction industry. In addition, several practical recommendations have been proposed for the management of stress for CPs in the two regions.
The poor performance of projects is a recurring event in the construction sector. Information gle... more The poor performance of projects is a recurring event in the construction sector. Information gleaned from literature shows that uncertainty in project cost is one of the significant causes of this problem. Reliable forecast of construction cost is useful in mitigating the adverse effect of its fluctuation, however the availability of data for the development of multivariate models for construction cost forecasting remains a challenge. The study seeks to investigate the reliability of using univariate models for tender price index forecasting. Box-Jenkins and neural network are the modelling techniques applied in this study. The results show that the neural network model outperforms the Box-Jenkins model, in terms of accuracy. In addition, the neural network model provides a reliable forecast of tender price index over a period of 12 quarters ahead. The limitations of using the univariate models are elaborated. The developed neural network model can be used by stakeholders as a tool for predicting the movements in tender price index. In addition, the univariate models developed in the present study are particularly useful in countries where limited data reduces the possibility of applying multivariate models.
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Sep 27, 2022
PurposeConstruction professionals (CPs) are often exposed to various challenges and pressures at ... more PurposeConstruction professionals (CPs) are often exposed to various challenges and pressures at work including urgent deadlines, high demands, uncertainty in tasks, and complex problems, which may induce stress and affect performance directly. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training has been used for several years to reduce stress among various types of people, such as nurses, teachers, and family caregivers, but its application to CPs with highly dynamic environment remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the impact of MBSR training on the performance of CPs via an intervention study involving two groups (MBSR and control).Design/methodology/approachParticipants in both groups were assessed using a questionnaire survey and a semi-structured interview at the pre- and post-intervention stage. Multiple research methods were used to derive quantitative and qualitative analyses, including factor analysis, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and contextual analysis.FindingsThe findings overall confirm that MBSR has a direct effect on CPs, improving their mindfulness characteristics and enhancing performance by reducing their stress.Practical implicationsA number of practical recommendations are made such as (1) arranging standard eight-week MBSR training for CPs; (2) giving special leave for attending the full mindfulness training; (3) establishing a suitable environment in the office for meditation;(4) allowing CPs an opportunity to pause at difficult moments to create space to respond instead of simply reacting; and (5) expressing love and kindness through gratitude, recognition, and regular feedback.Originality/valueThis research can be considered as valid evidence to convince construction organizations conducting MBSR to the CPs, which is indeed not too remote to enhance their performance as well as the holistic construction performance.
The construction industry business in Nigeria like in other countries cannot be tackled effective... more The construction industry business in Nigeria like in other countries cannot be tackled effectively without harnessing the construction health and safety regulations to safeguard the health of the workers and the entire community. This paper seeks to assess quantity surveyors' perception of construction health and safety regulations in Nigeria. Data was collected using the questionnaire survey distributed among Nigerian quantity surveyors and statistical tools employed include percentages and mean score ranking. The study revealed that construction health and safety is still perceived to be more important than the traditional project parameters in the form of cost and quality. Improved quality is discovered to have the greatest impact of construction health and safety on project parameter. The study recommends that health and safety should be included as a project parameter and that related practice notes and guidelines should be evolved for all project stakeholders.
Abstract Older people with dementia normally suffer from declined cognitive functional ability (C... more Abstract Older people with dementia normally suffer from declined cognitive functional ability (CFA), including impaired cognition, deteriorated self-care abilities, and limited mobility. Although some games and exercises have been adopted to mitigate the harmful effects of dementia, an appropriate indoor built environment (IBE) in care and attention (CA 2) finishes and signage had a negative impact on the disorientation of older residents with dementia; 3) dissatisfaction with finishes induced confusion in older residents with dementia; and 4) only one building services factor (temperature) positively influenced the self-care and mobility of older residents with dementia. Several practical recommendations are proposed accordingly.
Journal of Educational Research and Review, Mar 10, 2021
Senior year students of BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) are... more Senior year students of BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) are trained to be future environmental and safety practitioners. However, they usually show relatively weak English ability when proceeding with their study in articulation degree programmes. Their ability to communicate fluently in English is pivotal to the advancement of their career, particularly for numerous international opportunities. All the EOSH students are Chinese and are expected to communicate in English at work, which indicates the importance of English proficiency. Therefore, a trial course perfectly tailored to meet the professional needs of senior year students with job-related examples was developed to improve their confidence level in communication, particularly the syntax, semantics and lexis of English language. The intended objectives were assessed by reviewing students' performance and feedback. A pre-test and a post-test were conducted to ascertain the English language proficiencies of the students before and after the English bridging course respectively. Further, a pre-designed questionnaire survey was distributed to the senior year students before and after the English bridging course to collect information about their confidence level with four identified areas, including overall language proficiency, specific writing skills, specific listening skills and specific speaking skills. The results showed that the confidence level of senior year students was low before the English bridging course, while the confidence level was moderate after the English bridging course. There was also significant improvement in their confidence level after the English course for all the identified areas. The results suggest that an English bridging course should be conducted in English by native speakers and supplemented with Cantonese from non-native speakers to enhance the understanding and confidence level of the senior year students.
Journal of construction project management and innovation, Dec 1, 2012
One acceptable way to extend company presence into a new market is through strategic alliances an... more One acceptable way to extend company presence into a new market is through strategic alliances and joint ventures. These methods are being used with increasing frequency by engineering companies with mixed results. This research seeks to assess the key performance indicators for the performance of partners in joint ventures projects in Nigeria. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaire to partners and consultants who have engaged in joint venture construction project in partnership with the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation. The data obtained were analyzed using Mean Item Score, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (U-test) test and Kruskal-Wallis (H-test) test and factor analysis. The study revealed that all the performance indicators identified were significant to joint venture construction projects with time performance, client satisfaction, cost performance and sharing resources ranked as the most important performance indicators for joint venture construction projects in Nigeria. A KMO value of 0.774 was gotten indicating the suitability of the data for factor analysis. The research would assist in deciding key performance indicators for joint venture construction projects for inclusion in the drafting of joint venture agreements. The three groupings from factor analysis and their relationship will help in developing a framework for joint venture construction projects. The factors extracted help to identify the high prioritized performance indicators which could be used as an assessment tool to evaluate the performance of partners and thus help to identify areas for improvement.
In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, diagnosis and management of defects in the e... more In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, diagnosis and management of defects in the educational facility are paramount. The preliminary results of the ongoing research reported here seek to identify defects associated with educational buildings and their effects on the health of polytechnic students and staff in Nigeria. A questionnaire survey, including 34 defects based on a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) was used to establish relationships with the health of polytechnic students and staff. Two hundred (200) respondents were randomly selected based on their schools (faculty) within Lagos State Polytechnic. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis of the collected data. The results of the study indicate that defects such as plumbing and dampness problems, cobwebs and dust, are prominent in the institution. Also the relationship between building conditions (defects) and health problems was established, with the predictors of the health problems. Based on the findings, it is important for designers and managers of facilities within tertiary institutions to develop and implement design and maintenance policies targeted at minimizing the likelihood of plumbing, dampness, electrical, cobweb and dust problems in educational buildings due to the health risks induced by the defects. It is evident that effective maintenance schedules and policies should be put in place to ensure that facilities are not left to decay before replacement.
Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Dec 27, 2022
Purpose Although the overall impacts of innovation and innovative practices have been emphasized ... more Purpose Although the overall impacts of innovation and innovative practices have been emphasized in recent years, the effect on the growth of firms in Nigeria have not been proven. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of innovative practices on the growth of quantity surveying firms (QSFs) in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted the quantitative correlational research design in which a well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from QSFs in South-West, Nigeria. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to investigate the effect of innovative practices on the growth of QSFs. Findings The study reveals that there is a significant increase in the growth indices used for assessing QSFs, while all the innovation variables were found to be reliable. Based on the result of multiple regression analysis, the relationships were identified as follows: quantity surveying (QS) software influenced the size growth of QSFs; QS software and services affected client growth and profit growth; and all innovation practices impacted asset growth of QSFs. Practical implications Although the use of software tools has been found to negatively affect the size of QSFs and other growth indices, there is need for them to embrace innovative software applications for more quality service delivery. In addition, QSFs should formulate strategic objectives that will guide them in taking informed decisions for diversification. Originality/value The outcome of this study provides information and direction for innovation practices required to bring about the growth of QSFs.
Purpose: Quality of life (QoL) for elderly residents of care and attention (C&A) homes has become... more Purpose: Quality of life (QoL) for elderly residents of care and attention (C&A) homes has become an important consideration given the increasingly aging population. Due to the number of hours such residents spend indoors, the quality of the facilities can contribute to their day to day QoL. This study investigates the effect of facilities management (FM) on the QoL of Chinese elderly people living in C&A homes. Design/Methodology/Approach: A survey of perceived satisfaction with the components of FM and QoL was carried out with a sample of residents. A total of 18 FM components and five QoL domains, including physical health, independence, psychological health, social relationships and living environment, as well as overall QoL were identified. Findings: The findings show that; (1) physical health is influenced by accessibility, doors and windows and signage; (2) independence can be improved by enhancing accessibility, water supply, lighting and ventilation; (3) accessibility, water supply, distance and doors and windows all predict psychological health; (4) social relationships are improved by lighting and ventilation; (5) distance impacts positively on living environment and (6) overall QoL is predicted by lighting, ventilation, accessibility, doors and windows, handrails, recreation and signage. Originality/Value: The study recommends that designers and facilities managers review the micro-climate settings to harness available natural lighting and ventilation, introduce bimetallic strips to the heating systems to maintain a suitable water temperature and install large, easy to understand and graphic signage for straightforward wayfinding in C&A homes.
The rate at which the population is ageing increases the magnitude of the challenge of providing ... more The rate at which the population is ageing increases the magnitude of the challenge of providing private domestic buildings with facilities meeting those needs of the elderly occupants that arise from their changing health condition. This study aims to examine the relationships between indoor facilities management (FM) components and the quality of life (QoL) of elderly people residing in private domestic buildings. A questionnaire based on an extensive literature review was distributed among elderly respondents in order to assess their level of satisfaction with 13 indoor FM components and five QoL domains e namely overall QoL, physical health, psychological health, social relationships and their living environment. In all, 348 questionnaires were completed by elderly respondents drawn from the 18 political districts of Hong Kong; the data were analyzed using reliability tests, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results reveal that (1) the respondents' overall QoL was significantly affected by ventilation and space; (2) their physical health was predicted by space, doors and windows, and temperature; (3) their psychological health was affected by furniture and fixtures, lighting, acoustics, and doors and windows; (4) their social relationships were influenced by furniture and fixtures and space; and (5) their level of satisfaction with the living environment was affected by space, lighting, furniture and fixtures and acoustics. It is recommended that architects, interior designers, building services engineers and facilities managers include adequate turning spaces in the design of flats for the elderly; and that they pay attention to the brightness and hue of lighting, consider the micro-climate in the orientation of new buildings, incorporate sound insulation materials in walls, install on doors and windows lever handles that require minimal force and increase the width of doors in flats for elderly residents.
The growing numbers of older adults in China, combined with 4: 2: 1 family structure (4 grandpare... more The growing numbers of older adults in China, combined with 4: 2: 1 family structure (4 grandparents, 2 parents, 1 child) resulting from China's one-child policy, has prompted growth in residential care options for Chinese elders, including continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Given the scale of Chinese CCRCs as well as the influence of Chinese values and beliefs, differences in the social dynamics and lived experiences of residents and staff compared to their U.S. counterparts would seem inevitable. A team of U.S. gerontologists was invited to develop the operations and management systems for a newly built CCRC in Changzhou, China that was designed to eventually house 7,000 residents. Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted during the threemonth development period immediately prior to the opening of the first stage (independent living) of the CCRC. This presentation describes the physical environment of the community, social groupings and interactions among staff members already in place, and interactions with potential residents and their family members. The influence of cultural context was clearly reflected in the CCRC's environmental design, staff backgrounds and interactions, and attitudes of potential residents toward residential care, requiring modifications to this Western model of housing and support services for older adults.
Private domestic (PD) buildings in Hong Kong involve mass housing estates provided by developers;... more Private domestic (PD) buildings in Hong Kong involve mass housing estates provided by developers; these estates feature clusters of high-rise buildings. Although building regulations are followed by the construction professionals in the industry, there are no specific guidelines relating to space management (SM) for elderly people living in PD buildings in Hong Kong. Elderly people may need extra space for their daily life, due to their physical disabilities. This directly affects their affordability for renting and/or purchasing an apartment that meets their needs. To understand the potential cost of housing for the elderly, this study aimed to identify the importance of key SM items in PD buildings for elderly people belonging to different age groups. A questionnaire survey was conducted among elderly people, of different age groups, living in PD buildings; data from a total of 89 respondents were purposively collected. This study identified 11 SM items, including distances between rooms, the size of various rooms, the width of doors, turning spaces at doors, and indoor barrier-free access. The results of the statistical analysis indicated a significant difference among the different age groups with respect to the respondents’ satisfaction with the distances between rooms in their PD buildings; there was no significant difference among the different age groups with respect to their satisfaction with the size of their rooms. This may be because the energy needed for walking declines in later life. In addition, the satisfaction of the different age groups with the size of their rooms and the indoor barrier-free designs of their unit flats was lower than their satisfaction with the distances between their rooms. Therefore, construction professionals are urged to seriously consider the distances between rooms inside the unit flats for elderly people, in order to reduce the housing costs of the occupants.
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