International Institute of
A Cybernetic/Systemic Notion of Design Thinking in Business
Kang, Sukjin; Lee, Seungryul; Lee, Dongmyong (South Korea)
ABSTRACT:
This paper seeks to define design thinking in business through the ethics and semantics of cybernetics. Design thinking is the cognitive and practical processes in which problems are newly found and solved cybernetically with ethics. In business, design thinking means maintaining the balance between exploitation and exploration. The exploration of a new business opportunity requires observation in the natural context without ignoring the significance of the act of observing. This second-order cybernetic feature can also be found in sketching in the circular form of conversation between seeing as and seeing that. Business requires an integrative mindset in which novelty arises out of a circular interactive system. In this recurrent interconnected system, the delight stemming from creation and collaboration in business can be restored.
A Novel Approach to Modeling Career Decision-Making
Morgan, Jr., Michael J.; Langford, Zachary D.; Osborn, Debra A. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
The Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) theory of career development is the best framework to adapt to computational modeling and computer simulation. CIP has a framework with an explicit cognitive architecture and proposed process of career decision-making. This paper offers an attempt at translating the framework of CIP into a computational model that could be adapted to computer simulation. The proposed model could potentially fill the gap in career decision-making simulation based on factors internal to the decider. If this model is valid, it could allow further exploration of implementation of meta-cognition and affect in an ambiguous decision-making paradigm that lacks complete information. This model could contribute a powerful tool for theory validation in vocational psychology.
Assistive Technologies: Companion or Controller? Appropriation Instead of Instruction (Invited Paper)
Haase, Tina; Termath, Wilhelm; Berndt, Dirk; Dick, Michael (Germany)
ABSTRACT:
Assistive digital technologies support employees in coping with complex activities by providing the necessary information directly related to the work task and according to the individual requirements. On the one hand, they have the potential to relieve people at work, for example by supporting physical assistance systems in physically demanding activities. Cognitive assistance systems can achieve relief by preparing complex data in a way that is comprehensible to the employee and supporting him in carrying out his work and in making decisions. On the other hand, assistance systems can lead to expropriation and alienation by depriving employees of autonomy and room for maneuver. This happens especially when the distribution of roles between the working person and the assistance system only provides the executive role for the human being and all decisions are determined by a technical system that supposedly has the greater stock of knowledge and intelligence.
The question arises as to how a digital cognitive assistance system can help people to experience themselves as self-effective in their work and to develop further.
Automation of Manual Tasks to Reduce Musculoskeletal Problems and Absenteeism in a Cork Company
Silva, Alfredo; Ramos, Ana Luísa; Brito, Marlene; Ramos, António (Portugal)
ABSTRACT:
Although there has been an improvement in working conditions over time, as well as incentive policies, absenteeism due to occupational diseases is still one of the main issues companies have to deal with, mainly in intensive hand work labor.
This study was conducted at a Portuguese cork stoppers company, faced with a situation of high absenteeism which results in an annual loss of 1,200,000€. It aims to evaluate the company’s workstations with greater absenteeism related to musculoskeletal diseases and suggests adequate ergonomic working conditions for those workplaces. Measures such as the automation of a process are also implemented. This automation, however, results in some problems related to decreases in quality and relocation of employees.
Although the automation of the manual tasks avoids many issues related to musculoskeletal diseases, it raises other problems for companies which are difficult to manage, such as the relocation of workers and the resistance to change and new knowledge acquisition by older and more experienced workers. This work reinforces the strategic role of ergonomics in the context of absenteeism in intensive hand work labor industry.
Business Process Knowledge Management: Literature Review
Kokins, Gundars; Straujuma, Anita (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
Business process knowledge management has become a popular topic thanks to an increase in digitalization projects, technology and IT system optimization and implementation initiatives, as well as an increase in knowledge generated, that requires organizations to review how process and knowledge management should be handled. This review aims to create an understanding on how knowledge management is applied within business process management. This includes identifying, analyzing, comparing and discussing the various application methods described in the literature sources, to create a thorough overview on the topic. The study was conducted as a systematic literature review, using qualitative content analysis method for the interpretation of the literature. Searches in Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct identified 21 studies included in the review. The papers were analyzed with respect to business process knowledge management approaches. Across the reviewed literature, business process management processes are analyzed in relation to knowledge management processes looking for intersections of process components. Focus is on tacit knowledge that is one of main challenges in management aspect. The review contributes a needed common basis for future business process knowledge management research and practice by proposing the SECI model by Nonaka and Takeuchi (Socialization, Externalization, Internalization, Combination) to classify business process knowledge research, as well as suggesting a new structure of categorizing the various approaches of integrating the two concepts. Lastly, a future research agenda is proposed.
Challenges in Conversational Search: Improving the System Capabilities and Guiding the Search Process
Sa, Ning; Yuan, Xiaojun (United States)
ABSTRACT:
This paper addresses the challenges of system design and implementation and the search process in conversational information retrieval (IR) systems. Acknowledging that conversational searches may be conducted in mixed channels of both voice and text instead of one single channel, it is expected that users of conversational IR systems should be able to easily switch the primary communication channel. Using the existing search engine as a reference, a set of basic functions and the corresponding interaction capabilities of a conversational search system are provided. In addition, a generalized conversational search process is proposed. This search process is derived from examples of an earlier completed user-centered lab experiment and can be applied into both voice- and text-based interactions so that the user can shift between the two channels seamlessly. The design implications of a conversational information retrieval system are discussed at the end.
Commercialization Potential for Deep Machine Learning Technology Using Line Scan Camera
Šatrevičs, Vladimirs; Kuļikovskis, Gundars; Ošs, Oskars (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
In the paper, it is proposed to transfer a food industry`s machine learning knowledge to wood or construction industry. The universal machine vision system has great potential for the scalability. In modern industrial processes, fast and efficient detection of defects plays a crucial role in quality control. In most industrial processes, the defect detection process still relies on the visual inspection of trained workers with low detection efficiency and precision. Wood or metal defect detection increases the automation of the industry, making it less labour intensive, less costly and with improved efficiency. During the project, we proved that quality control inspection system with Machine Learning technology developed for the industry can be scaled up and using the same technology stack moved to the wood and construction industry. The main difference is the size, form and speed of conveyors. During the project, the inspection system achieved the necessary functionality and precision. A further scalability opportunity of the system using Machine Learning is obvious, requiring less time and labour than conventional quality control methods.
Competences 4.0 – How Technological Progress Influenced the Demand for Competences on the Verge of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Poszytek, Paweł; Jeżowski, Mateusz (Poland)
ABSTRACT:
The article discusses the implications of the fourth industrial revolution for education and skills development. It aims at discussing what competences students and workers should acquire to be able to work effectively in the era of digitalization and automatization. It also proposes how these competences could be taught.
Creating an Interdisciplinary Program to Foster Innovation – The Case of the Baltic IT Leadership Program
Rivera, Claudio A.; Bancroft, Justin (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
Interdisciplinary education continues to be a topic of continued research and attention. This paper provides a short case study of an interdisciplinary bachelor’s program in information technologies leadership, developed jointly in 2019 by Riga Technical University, and the University of Latvia, in Riga, Latvia. The authors summarize the approach used to develop the program and highlight challenges in governance, staffing and funding, as well as factors to be considered when integrating traditional coursework into interdisciplinary curricula.
Cybernetics Applied to Plato's Theory of Forms: An Experiment
Bettoni, Marco (Switzerland)
ABSTRACT:
A short but essential part of Plato’s dialogue Phaedo, where Socrates introduces his “second voyage”, is used in this article for a textual experiment in which a few original concepts are substituted with the cybernetic term “operation”. The aim is to create an argumentation supporting and enriching Radical Constructivism as well as obtaining a source of inspiration for further developing it. After a short overview of the background to the experiment (research problem), we present the two foundations on which it is based: Kant’s Copernican Revolution and Silvio Ceccato’s Operational Methodology. We then introduce the method of the experiment and show its application to Plato’s text (= modified dialogue). Finally, we present our findings, discuss their meaning and implications and suggest future directions for this research.
Cybernetics as Art (Invited Paper)
Kang, Sukjin (South Korea)
ABSTRACT:
This paper explores cybernetics as art as well as science. Aesthetics of cybernetics are found in harmony and joyfulness with increasing choice and creativity. Cybernetics is based upon rhythm, change, mutual respect and love, all of which can be found in artistic masterpieces. Reflective and reflexive wisdom generate delight and joy in learning and practices. A cybernetic relationship can be expanded to the cosmic scales of harmony with aesthetical and ethical manifestations of art in a higher order.
Does Multidisciplinary Learning Help Global Problem: Covid-19 by Biomedical Engineering? (Invited Paper)
Hashimoto, Shigehiro (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The academic field has been divided into each specialized field. Many problems in the global society (including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)) cannot be solved by the single disciplinarian. They are waiting for the multi-disciplinarian. For students, it is not easy to find the way how to learn multidisciplinary field: the curriculum, the textbook, the learning team, and the teacher(the adviser). "Biomedical Engineering" is one of the multidisciplinary fields, which have many related fields: biology, medicine, informatics, and engineering. The topic includes case studies (education for the undergraduate, and the graduate courses) based on author’s experiences. Finding related subjects to the case study is effective to motivate students to learn on the multidisciplinary field. Multidisciplinary conferences give students opportunities to improve their communication ability. Inter-disciplinarians are necessary to make bridges over the barrier between global problems.
Educating for the Future – Cultivating Practical Wisdom in Education (Invited Paper)
Jakubik, Maria (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Education is unimaginable without human virtues such as wisdom (prudence), courage (fortitude), moderation (temperance), and justice (liberty). Wisdom as a leading virtue aims to achieve human excellence and the common good, not only for individuals but for all of humanity. In this paper, I seek to answer the question: “How can education cultivate practical wisdom in thinking, feelings, and in the actions of future generations?” With the practice ecosystem framework, I will present two models: one that incorporates the key features of practical wisdom, and another one that shows how they could manifest themselves in education. The paper calls for the increased responsibility of educators and educational institutions in enhancing future generations’ capacity for actions guided by practical wisdom. It calls for integrating moral values, ethical decisions, and altruism into education in order to make practical wisdom present in the everyday practices of future generations.
Employability Skills: The Needs of Tourism Industry versus the Performance of Graduates
Donina, Agita; Lapina, Inga (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
Higher education institutions (HEI) are facing new challenges due to the substantial shift of higher education towards employability. Employability is a broad term which is understood as the ability to find and keep employment. Ability depends on several aspects, where the competency acquired stands as one of the most important characteristics. Conversely, skills, particularly employability skills, represent one of competency forming facets, the importance of which is growing steadily, not least in tourism. Despite the growth in importance, there still are skills which potential employees lack. Self-organizing capacity and problem-solving are the skills which are named most often in this context.
The research has been developed in Latvia by conducting two surveys – a survey of tourism industry company managers and a survey of HEI tourism field graduates. The assessment of skills was performed for 67 employability skills divided into 8 groups. The theoretical background is based on the literature review.
The comparison of survey results indicates a significant discrepancy between the expectations of tourism industry companies from their employees and the skills developed by graduates during their study process. In 64% of cases, the employability skills required by the industry superseded the actual performance of graduates.
From Creative Destruction to Creative Disruption: Lessons for Selected and Strategic Industries
Segers, Jean-Pierre *; Gaile-Sarkane, Elina ** (* Belgium, ** Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
In March 2020, the world was hit by a perfect storm: the COVID-19 pandemic. Already in 1994, Laurie Garrett made a case for “newly emerging diseases in a world out of balance”, expressing concern about the appearance of new infectious diseases. More recently, many other thoughts and warnings were expressed on this topic, for example by Bill Gates in his 2015 TED Talk. And now it is happening, shaking the very foundations of our society and economy. The outbreak of the Wuhan Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease has transformed the world as we know it into a new normal – a kind of a brave new world 2.0 – disrupting the business models of civil society, (higher) education, world economy, business, governments, policies. It is clear – we are on the eve of a paradigm shift, and it is up to us whether we will influence it or simply allow it to happen, not only in science-knowledge but also in human interactions and behavior, basically all aspects of our up-to-now comfortable life.
Disruption came in a different shape and form. This article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a number of selected and strategic industries.
Identification and Creation of Business Opportunities as the Characteristic of the Entrepreneurial Mindset
Vaivode, Irena; Sceulovs, Deniss (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
The entrepreneurial mindset is defined as a specific state of mind which orientates human conduct towards entrepreneurial activities and outcomes. Identification and creation of business opportunities is characteristic of the entrepreneurial mindset. Harmonious passion, self-efficacy, risk-perception are the factors presence or absence of which determine why individuals approach differently to searching of business opportunities. This statement is confirmed by the research hypothesis.
Information Security at Schools: A Practical Game-Based Application with Sustained Impact
Scholl, Margit; Schuktomow, Regina (Germany)
ABSTRACT:
The process of sensitizing people should be seen as an important factor in enhancing knowledge of information security issues and developing appropriate behavior in response to them. In the project described here, this is carried out by means of awareness training with the help of experience-oriented learning scenarios and coaching and mentoring concepts. These have been partially modified or newly developed on the basis of previous projects, drawing on concrete everyday school situations, using appropriate language, and applying three different levels of difficulty. A total of about 600 pupils from five pilot schools in Berlin and Brandenburg are participating in this research project. In the classes involved, information events, online surveys, trainings, and creative workshops were offered. Attempts are also being made to train teachers and provide parents with information to encourage and contribute to a sustainable, ongoing impact in schools.
After all the trainings and experience-oriented measures that have been carried out, it is clear that teachers have developed and implemented new teaching ideas and that the important topic of information security has been made more understandable for pupils.
Interventions to Improve Cognitive Presence and Student Performance in the Age of COVID-19 (Invited Paper)
Banerjee, Madhumita; Wolf, Joy; Chalasani, Suresh (United States)
ABSTRACT:
With universities offering predominantly online versions of courses in response to the global impacts of COVID-19, this fundamentally altered educational landscape calls for stronger emphasis on improvement of student learning in virtual environments. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework is a well-known model that includes three dimensions which influence teaching and learning effectiveness in the online classroom: social presence, teaching presence and cognitive presence. In this paper, strategies to implement and improve cognitive presence are discussed. Quantitative assessments of student performance are presented prior to, and post implementation of strategies intended to enhance cognitive presence. Additionally, implementations of qualitative strategies aimed at developing cognitive presence in the online classroom are presented. Examples of instructional techniques used to help students achieve learning objectives from courses in business, physical science, and social science are examined. The objective of this paper is to present simple yet effective strategies that may be used to promote student engagement and facilitate learning of complex concepts in virtual environments.
Legal Accountability Issues Related to the Utilisation of Life-Logs
Shimpo, Fumio (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
In the future, autonomous robots equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) will become more widespread in our society. These emerging technologies are driving the consideration of not only improvements in the development of their industrial use, but also further research into the ethical and legal issues. For example, robot acquisition of data in the form of 'life-logs' may lead to data confidentiality issues which we are not able to solve by focusing solely on AI data acquisition issues. A life-log is a comprehensive archive of personal, everyday life which is collected by computing technologies. This information is sometimes used for business purposes, such as online behavioural advertising. However, the meaning of the term life-log is vague. Similarly, the distinction between Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Non-Personally Identifiable Information (non-PII) is not clear. In this paper, I detail and explain the current and complete range of legal accountability issues related to the collection of data for constructing a life-log. I propose a method for managing legal responsibility when life-logs are created and then used by others, whether they are individuals or organisations. Finally,, I indicate the need to both clarify and streamline any future regulations related to life-logs.
Models of Conflict Management for Business Process Improvement in Organizations
Citskovskis, Ugis (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
It is possible to develop models for identification of problems and conflicts in the processes or teams and company managers can try to prevent them in early stages though creating more supportive environment and better company culture. By looking at conflict types for processes it is necessary to develop mechanisms/tools and techniques for precautionary conflict identification and prevention. The paper is devoted to classification of conflicts for managerial purposes. The research is based on systematic literature overview, application of induction and deduction to the analysis of the literature review results.
Quality Control Inspection Opportunities Using Deep Machine Learning Technology
Šatrevičs, Vladimirs; Kuļikovskis, Gundars; Ošs, Oskars (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
Consistent compliance with quality requirements of the product becomes the key to the sustainable competitiveness for food producers competing in domestic and export markets. More and more markets become so quality sensitive that even a small number of defective product packages might lead to recalls of the whole batch and damaged relationship with clients. It is especially true for Japanese and South Korea markets. While the source of non-compliance might be any production process, including all upstream processes before packaging, improved quality inspection systems at the end of the production line to eliminate non-compliant packaging becomes extremely important. In this paper, a machine vision system was developed for quality inspection of the packaging to visually identify contamination and quality of sealing and label by the smart camera to detect the visual non-compliance. The vision system consists of an inspection camera for capturing the image of the package and an image analysis software with Machine Learning capabilities to identify misplaced, missing and damaged labels or sealing problems.
The inspection system achieved necessary functionality and precision - only 0.5% of contaminated end sealing packages with particles longer than 1 mm were allowed, speed of inspection - up to 100 packages per minute, time to reject - the time from bypassing the scanner to the rejection - max. 400 milliseconds.
Further development of system accuracy and speed using Machine Learning reached 120pcs/minute and continues to increase while requiring less time and labour than existing inspection methods.
Quo Vadis Educatio? Emergence of a New Educational Paradigm
Jakubik, Maria (United States)
ABSTRACT:
I seek to answer the question: What is a new emerging educational paradigm that can answer the challenges of the 21st century? After exploring a selected range of literature about schools, universities as institutions, education, learning, and teaching, I propose a new educational paradigm. I argue that educational institutions should become more innovative organizations, learning opportunities should be available anytime and anyplace, and learning needs to be made fun and enjoyable. Moreover, I express the needs for an extended epistemology, a synthesis of working and learning, focusing on practitioners as learners, applying a variety of pedagogical approaches, and the need for focusing on values and ethics in educational praxes.
Second-Order Management – How Second-Order Concepts Contribute to Solutions within Complex Environments
Belcredi, Philipp; Stingl de Vasconcelos Guedes, Tilia (Austria)
ABSTRACT:
In our daily practice as management consultants we observe disorientation, misconceptions, and open questions about the suitability, limitations, and/or benefits of novel management approaches. Certainly, there is a strong demand for up-to-date management practices, though at the same time there exist the dangers of misuse and misleading expectations, not necessarily from malice but rather, according to our experience, from lack of self-observation. In this context, second-order concepts are revealed to be useful and solution-oriented.
Even though in literature we can find approaches to distinguish first-order cybernetics (FOC) from second-order cybernetics (SOC), none of those focus on organizations as social living systems or the organization’s basic operation: decision making.
Consequently, in this paper we discuss the essential ideas of SOC-based management methods and tools, focusing on the dissimilarities of posture and potential performance of these concepts. To contrast them, we compare Design Thinking with Comparative Systemic (CS) Management, two concepts that use SOC ideas, with two well-known FOC management approaches: the Plan-Do-Check-Act-Cycle (PDCA Cycle) and Systems Dynamics.
Finally, we present the fundamental differences between FOC and SOC based decision making in management. Basically, we differentiate between concepts based on FOC or SOC by means of three modes of action: how they propose to coordinate (temporal dimension), structure (factual dimension), or legitimate (social dimension) decisions.
Systematic Literature Overview: Gaps, Inconsistencies, Contradictions and Future Research Directions Within Customer Experience Management
Kokins, Gundars; Straujuma, Anita (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
The topic of Customer Experience Management has been actively debated over the last 25 years, however, marketing practitioners and theorists still don’t seem to agree on the dimensions, definitions and nature of the construct. New emerging technologies such as wearable gadgets, IoT and natural language processing constantly offer new frontiers in both practical and theoretical research. The purpose of this literature overview is to identify the various research topics, issues and criticism within previous research and further research directions suggested, to identify reoccurring topics and points of issue, gaps within the theory or empirical proof, and be able to determine whether those points are addressed in later research. A model to classify the various topics, as well as a research agenda is proposed, with the aim allow future research to work on standardizing, unifying and building on existing research to prevent further silos and fractional research.
Taxonomy of Value Development – How to Classify Values for Application in Business?
Ence, Enno; Gaile-Sarkane, Elina; Štrausa, Evita (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
Values as a tool for the development of a company have always been used – in a deliberate or less deliberate way. In recent decades, values have been purposefully identified and used in a company’s strategy development, marketing, personnel management and other company development processes, as the company interacts with the stakeholders – consumers, employees and partners. The article reflects the historical development of values, and the authors also review the formation of company values within companies. Analyzing company values, the authors of the article reflect the company’s value formation model, distinguishing three types of values: core values, espoused values un active values. Methodology: In order to achieve the objective of the study, literature study and systematic literature analysis were applied. In-depth expert interviews were conducted to verify the results, identify the actuality of the object of the article – whether values are important in business development and the active values and actions of employees are determined by their subjective values, which can be managed by developing employees’ understanding of the company’s values.
Scientific aim of the research is to determine the company value model and to group (classify) values for their use in business on the basis of value development studies (taxonomy).
Findings: Company values are values defined by the company within the framework of espoused values, and they determine how the company plans to act in order to achieve its goal. However, active values, actions of the company and the team, do not always correlate with them. Employees’ human values and understanding of company values form active values in the company through action.
Conclusions: Values can be grouped by creating a classification of values (Figures 2 and 3). According to the literature research and the classification of values performed within the study, different dimensions of values can be distinguished. By grouping values and determining their relationships, it is possible to determine which dimension they refer to, for example, the of, in, with value dimensions – see Figure 2, and how to use value correlation in the company when working with employees or customers.
Further research is intended to continue exploring values in the context of the of, on and with dimensions, distinguishing between the use of values in business and the real areas of value impact.
The Assessment of the Impact of Coaching Interactions on a Company's Performance
Roša (Rosha), Angelina; Lace, Natalja; Oganisjana, Karine (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
This article presents the methodology for assessing the impact of coaching interactions on a company’s performance and provides the results of testing the methodology in the company engaged in the wholesale trade in the field of construction industry. The methodology developed in the course of the research gives both theoretical insight into the possibility of assessing the outcomes of coaching interactions, on the one hand, and provide a practical tool which enables companies to track return on coaching, on the other hand.
The Humanistic Transfer as a Novel Approach for a Multidisciplinary Convergence (Invited Paper)
Serra, Luigi (Italy)
ABSTRACT:
In this plenary keynote address we will talk about the transversal role of Informatics in the Human Sciences field, where there are many challenges to face, to keep an intersection and relationships between hard and soft sciences. I propose here a vision based on my life experience, as IT Engineer in the context of the History Institute, where I actually work, giving some food for thought on what I called, coining a neologism, a “Humanistic Transfer” using analogical thinking based on “Technological Transfer”. It could be interesting and potentially important to start a dialog (including Dialectics) on this topic with participants in the conference. I will give an overview, as an example, of my peer reviewed paper presented at the 18th EISTA 2020© in the context of 14th IMSCI 2020©, on an ancient Sardinian and Mediterranean traditional hand game, as a case study oriented to a practical application of the role of technicians into Humanities. I will report on some other contributions I devised on the enhancement of cultural heritage with innovative technological solutions, presented in other international conferences, and other memorable experiences.
Three Perspectives on Catholic Social Teaching and Implications for Technology
Anderson, Justin; Laracy, Fr. Joseph R.; Marlowe, Thomas (United States)
ABSTRACT:
In this article we view Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in the larger context of history, culture, philosophy and theology, and social services, and consider three perspectives on its modern instantiation: social science and economics, modal and nonmonotonic logics, and second-order cybernetics. We then apply those perspectives to consider questions of interest in the fields of artificial intelligence & robotics, ethics in knowledge-based industries including software engineering, and issues of security & intellectual property. In each of these, there are potential conflicts between the rights and dignity of differing individuals and groups.
Trends in Media Branding: Case of Latvia – The Younger Audience in Focus
Saulite, Linda; Janusevska, Guna; Andersone, Ieva; Sceulovs, Deniss (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
The research paper presents the significance of new value chains in local media branding. The brand non-product related attributes - user imagery, usage imagery and secondary brand associations - are significant media brand equity builders to meet the needs of younger audiences, to strengthen local media brands and to grow the future audience for local media brands in Latvia.
The study is based on primary and secondary information sources, first, in-depth interviews with media managers, second, focus groups and finally, quantitative experimental research.
The study focuses on local online media brands and local print media brands with online extensions.
The authors present a conceptual framework for local media owners, first, to develop consumer-centric branding strategies, second, to create new value chains for the audience by generating intense content experiences outside media platforms, third, to build local media brands by branding content for the younger audience. The study provides an example model for practical application building media brand attributes for audiences 15-24 years old.
Using Chemical Equilibrium Merlot Learning Object to Enhance E-learning in Wastewater Treatment Technology IV Module Offered by the University of South Africa
Ilunga, Masengo (South Africa)
ABSTRACT:
This study focuses on MERLOT learning object (LO), in particular chemical_equilibrium.xls used as foundation of chemical processes of unit operations to enhance on-line teaching and learning for wastewater treatment technology IV (WWT4701) module. Chemical reactions from the kinetics perspective play a major role in fulfilling the removal of the pollutants in wastewaters. WWT4701 module is part of the curriculum of Bachelor of Technology Civil Engineering (BCVN) degree. The chemical_equilibrium.xls multimedia was evaluated and was found to be acceptable based on the Learning Objects Review Instrument (LORI) methodological tool criteria, i.e. access to the LO, degree of interacting with the LO, goal alignment of the module, the level of adaptation and motivation for students. The preliminary evaluation of the LO was mainly conducted from the author’s insight and further testing of the findings of this study could be carried out with students’ perceptions.
Using Dilution Learning Object for E-learning in Wastewater Treatment Technology IV Module Taught by the University of South Africa
Ilunga, Masengo (South Africa)
ABSTRACT:
The present paper covers preliminarily the basics to calculate the concentration when dilution carried out for wastewater. MERLOT learning object (LO) is used to demonstrate dilution principles to enhance e-learning. Dilution is very important in assessing the impact of a solute (constituent) in wastewater or when wastewater effluents are discharged into a water body. Compared to the influents, final effluents are viewed as diluted wastewater solutions before being disposed of into the ecosystem. Wastewater technology IV (WWT4701) is a module offered at Bachelor of Technology Civil Engineering (BCVN), in water engineering specialization, of the University of South Africa. The syllabus of this module is offered in comprehensive universities and universities of technologies across South Africa. Using Learning Object Review Instruments (LORI) criteria, selected Merlot multi-media applied to the module was evaluated and was revealed to suit distance education. Criteria were among others; accessibility, interactivity, alignment with module learning outcomes, potential learner adaptation and motivation. The author’s preliminary assessment yields to these findings and could be validated by the learners’ experience/perspective.
Value Stream Mapping: Effective Process Improvement Tool in the Certification Process
Kavosa, Maija; Lapina, Inga (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
The potential of the construction industry resides in the knowledge, skills and abilities of its specialists. Certification bodies of construction specialists have become interested in using Lean methodology in order to measure or monitor their services efficiency. The aim of this case study is a practical demonstration of the Value Stream Mapping method or visualization and rationalization of the competence assessment process of construction specialists in order to develop possible solutions for the improvement of the certification process. The main finding is – the professional competence assessment process of construction specialists contains activities which are non-value-added and do not ensure compliance of the professional competence assessment procedure to the requirements laid down in the professional sphere.
Identification of the performance of the competence assessment process of construction specialists was made using Value Stream Mapping in order to visualize the activities creating value, as well as difficulties and challenges in each of the process stages of the competence assessment process in the construction field.
Virtual Reality (VR) an Effective Communication Tool in Daylighting Simulation in Architecture Education
Youssef, Omar *; ElZomor, Mohamed *; Hornby, Rachelle LaRae *; Boulgamh, Nour-Lyna ** (* United States, ** Egypt)
ABSTRACT:
This paper investigates the use of Virtual Reality and computer modeling to evaluate qualitative and quantitative understanding of daylight design strategies. Virtual Reality (VR) supports an enhanced educational experience and communicates light intensity inside spaces during the design stage. Wonders of VR immerse students in the real built environment and utilize different parts of the brain to access visual data, while enhancing STEM based learning. Infusing VR in architectural curricula allows light intensity modules to trigger a responsive educational environment. This unorthodox pedagogical approach not only provides students with a high-quality education experience but also implements a practice-based application of emerging technologies. Integrating between architectural designs and building science, VR leverages a seamless virtual application to complement theories with unlimited innovative pedagogies.
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