| 1. |
- Beemsterboer, Sjouke, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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A human touch: Examining the roles of middle managers for innovation in contractors
- 2017
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Ingår i: 33rd Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management Conference, ARCOM 2017; Fitzwilliam CollegeCambridge; United Kingdom; 4 September 2017 through 6 September 2017. - 9780995546318 ; , s. 430-439
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Innovation in construction is becoming increasingly important. Many studies on construction innovation focus either on the project level or on top management. In doing so, the in between group of midlevel managers risks to be neglected. If studied, middle managers are often narrowly defined to fit the mechanistic implementation of top management ideas. This does injustice to the importance of middle managers and the variety of their roles in innovation. In this paper, we address the different roles that middle managers may adopt in relation to innovation. A literature review and a case study were conducted at a regional housing division of a large Swedish contractor. In 10 semi-structured interviews and a vision seminar the middle managers were asked to voice their perceptions about innovation in the division and about their own role. Systematisation of working practices, employee development, and health, safety and sustainability measures were perceived to be the most important innovations. Four different roles of the middle manager have been examined: implementer of change, networker, sensemaker and enabler. Most middle managers identified with different mixtures of these ideal types. On this background, we discuss how middle managers may advance these roles to contribute to innovation in housing construction.
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| 2. |
- Beemsterboer, Sjouke, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Bridging the gap between assessment and action: recommendations for the effective use of LCA in the building process
- 2020
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Ingår i: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. - : IOP Publishing. - 1755-1307 .- 1755-1315. ; 588:2
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) witnesses increasing popularity in the built environment. LCA stimulates among others an efficient use of natural resources and a reduction of carbon emissions through quantification of material and energy inputs and emissions in the building life cycle. Thereby, LCA aspires to contribute to SDG12 on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. Despite high ambitions, the actual influence of LCA in construction projects is often modest. The mere application of LCA methodology in a building project is insufficient to produce a more environmentally friendly building. To better understand the practical conditions under which an LCA may induce change in a building project, we propose to analyse the use of LCA from a processual perspective. This paper presents a case study of a building product development project in which a processual perspective is applied on LCA. Using a longitudinal ethnographic methodology, key actors are followed through environmentally relevant episodes as the building project matures. A progressive LCA quantifies the potential environmental impact of the project as it progresses through different stages of the building process. Based on the learnings from this study, recommendations are presented to support the effective use of LCA in sustainable building practices, and contribute to SDG12 on sustainable consumption and production patterns.
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| 3. |
- Beemsterboer, Sjouke, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Building information standards: Big data technologies prevented from becoming big in building
- 2016
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 32nd Annual ARCOM Conference, ARCOM 2016. ; , s. 83-92
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The increased use of BIM in the building sector have led certain actors to commence riding on the big data hype. Big data techniques allow the use of unstructured data alongside structured data to an extent that was previously impossible. Science and technology studies (STS) approaches are used to examine information standards as a technology to organise big data applications in building. Crucially, opportunities are strongly guided by the data that is collected about buildings, and thus by the understanding of what a building is. Building information standards are viewed as performative and their becoming as a process of power, understanding and emerging interests. The empirical material stems from a study on the shaping of a Danish classification standard and its implementation in a Danish hospital project. The analysis shows several performative aspects and particular ways in which a building can be understood: First, there is a focus on the internal structure of a building as a product and less on the process that leads to making a product. Second, a systems theory approach to building structure understands building components as having functions in a way that aligns well with the installation part of the building. Third, delimitations within which information standards propose to collect data implies a focus on building components as material over components being economical entities. Performativity struggles during the shaping of the standard are expected to continue also during its implementation phase in an environment where multiple standards co-exist. On this background we discuss whether the building information standard, meant to be a big data technology enabler, might become a barrier for big data.
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| 4. |
- Beemsterboer, Sjouke, 1984
(författare)
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Simplifying LCA use in the life cycle of residential buildings in Sweden
- 2019
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis discusses the use of environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) in the building life cycle. While the life cycle of a residential building is an important source of environmental concern, knowledge about LCA remains scarce and sporadic in most construction companies. In anticipation of a regulatory requirement for LCA-based climate declarations, construction companies in Sweden are expressing increasing interest in applying LCA to residential buildings. However, despite this interest, many companies experience difficulties making effective use of the potential that LCA may have to shape environmental action in the building process. The aim of this licentiate is to clarify the conditions that hinder a more effective use of LCA. It addresses whether LCA is too complex to be used effectively, and whether there are other conditions that may require attention. In addition, it examines whether simplification of LCA may be a meaningful way to stimulate LCA use in the building life cycle. A literature-based exploration of LCA use in the building context was conducted. The results of this exploration identify central problems with LCA use for residential buildings and focus specifically on the complexity of building LCA. In addition, this licentiate provides an empirically informed account of the experiences and perceived problems with residential building LCA in Swedish construction companies. Perceptions of LCA analysts and environmental managers were explored in an interview-based study. In addition, nine LCA studies were conducted on multifamily residential buildings using data from these construction companies. The findings in this licentiate indicate that while complexity should not be discounted, it cannot explain the ineffective use of LCA in the building life cycle. Even if LCA may be difficult to understand, the types of complexity involved are not essentially different from those tackled successfully elsewhere in the building process. In addition, there are several other reasons that explain why LCA is considered difficult to use. Problems with demand, resources, data availability, and competence all contribute to an environment in which performing LCA is more difficult than necessary. A review of available LCA simplification strategies is presented to tackle complexity in building LCA. A systematic search and review was conducted using the simplification literature. The results suggest a wide variety of established simplification techniques, following five central simplifying logics: exclusion, data-substitution, expert judgement, standardisation, and automation. These simplification strategies can be used to more easily apply LCA in a building context. In 2022, the use of LCA-based climate declarations will become a state requirement in the Swedish building sector. In order to make more effective use of LCA in the building life cycle, it is not enough to merely apply LCA to calculate the greenhouse gas emission of a finished building design. If the ambition is to make use of the full potential of LCA for industry and ecology, it is necessary to more actively integrate LCA in the planning, design, and construction of residential buildings.
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| 5. |
- Beemsterboer, Sjouke, 1984
(författare)
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Sustainability contributions to the energy system: more than one problem to address
- 2016
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Ingår i: Sustainable Development Research at ICIS: Taking stock and looking ahead. - 9789461596475 ; , s. 97-105
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Current debates about a more sustainable energy system strongly emphasise the role of CO2 emissions and climate change. Without denying the urgency of reducing CO2 emissions, it is important to recognise that this is only one of several categories of requirements for creating a more sustainable energy system. This chapter discusses three of these categories: (1) access and security, (2) climate change and environmental impact,(3) economic and social development. The problem of dealing with three different perspectives is illustrated with reference to the development of concentrated solar power. It is clear that a more sustainable energy system cannot be achieved using the simple creed that renewables reduce CO2 emissions and are therefore good. Understanding the different issues that need addressing may not in itself resolve disagreement, but will at least create a common understanding of what is involved.
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| 6. |
- Beemsterboer, Sjouke, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Too complex to standardise? A case study of a socially loaded pier inspection process at the port of Gothenburg
- 2017
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Ingår i: 9th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organization 13-14 June, 2017 at Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SWEDEN.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents a micro-level study of an organisation considering to standardise a facility management process. Standards serve an instrumental purpose in the built environment reducing complexity by promoting similarity across time and space. However, differences in practices and perceptions of involved actors can make standardisation a complex endeavour itself, limiting its effectiveness as a mode of governance. Science and technology studies (STS) approaches are used to study standards in the inspection process. Standardisation is understood in this study as performative and a process of power, understanding, and emerging interests. The empirical material stems from a case study of a pier facility management process at the port of Gothenburg. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with actors involved in the inspection process – asset managers, structural engineers, inspectors and a document controller. Additional observations made during pier inspections and project meetings at the port were used to develop the context of the study. The analysis shows the multiple demands and interpretations present among involved actors prior to an attempt to standardise the pier inspection process. Asset managers and structural engineers voice a preference for guidelines that support ideal ways of working implemented using a checklist. Alternatively, inspectors wish to receive a common terminology. More strategically, the symbolic value of an ISO type standard matches a perceived need by the port management for credibility to satisfy customer demands. Simultaneously, a standard is expected to give clear directives to hired consultants, make the process more cost efficient and ensure a stable quality. The variety of interpretations and demands observed in this study underlines the social character of asset and facility management and the uses of standards. It is suggested to reflect on socio-technical conditions in standard design.
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| 7. |
- Beemsterboer, Sjouke, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Ways to get work done: a review and systematisation of simplification practices in the LCA literature
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1614-7502 .- 0948-3349. ; 25:11, s. 2154-2168
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose Within the field of life cycle assessment (LCA), simplifications are a response to the practical restrictions in the context of a study. In the 1990s, simplifications were part of a debate on streamlining within LCA. Since then, many studies have been published on simplifying LCA but with little attention to systematise the approaches available. Also, despite being pervasive during the making of LCA studies, simplifications remain often invisible in the final results. This paper therefore reviews the literature on simplification in LCA in order to systematise the approaches found today. Methods A review of the LCA simplification literature was conducted. The systematic search and selection process led to a sample of 166 publications. During the review phase, the conceptual contributions to the simplification discourse were evaluated. A dataset of 163 entries was created, listing the conceptual contributions to the simplification debate. An empirically grounded analysis led to the generative development of a systematisation of simplifications according to their underlying simplifying logic. Results and discussion Five simplifying logics were identified: exclusion, inventory data substitution, qualitative expert judgment, standardisation and automation. Together, these simplifying logics inform 13 simplification strategies. The identified logics represent approaches to handle the complexities of product systems and expectations of the users of LCA results with the resources available to the analyst. Each simplification strategy is discussed with regard to its main applications and challenges. Conclusions This paper provides a first systematisation of the different simplification logics frequently applied in LCA since the original streamlining discussion. The presented terminology can help making communication about simplification more explicit and transparent, thus important for the credibility of LCA. Despite the pervasiveness of simplification in LCA, there is a relative lack of research on simplification per se, making further research describing simplification as a practice and analysing simplifications methodologically desirable.
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| 8. |
- Dijk, M., et al.
(författare)
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Sustainability assessment as problem structuring: three typical ways
- 2017
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Ingår i: Sustainability Science. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1862-4057 .- 1862-4065. ; 12:2, s. 305-317
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sustainability assessment (SA) is an increasingly popular term referring to a broad range of approaches to align decision-making with the principles of sustainability. Nevertheless, in public and private sectors sustainability results are still disappointing, and this paper reflects on this problem and proposes a way forward. We argue that, because sustainability issues are generally wicked problems (i.e. a ‘complex of interconnected factors in a pluralistic context’), effective assessments need to be reflexive about the definition of the issue and about the criteria for sustainable solutions. Based on a distinction of policy problems, we characterize SA as a form of problem structuring, and we distinguish three typical ways of problem structuring, corresponding to three different ways of integrating reflexivity in the assessment. We illustrate these routes in three examples. We discuss the way reflexivity is integrated in each example by discussing the mix of methods, SA process and epistemological balance. Rather than merely calling for more st akeholder participation, our aim is to call for more reflexivity integrated into the SA approach, and we conclude by proposing a process map for reflexive sustainability assessment to support this.
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| 9. |
- Koch, Christian, 1958, et al.
(författare)
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Learning how to grow – Management Competences in play at an International Acquisition by a Medium-Sized, Swedish Engineering Company
- 2017
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Ingår i: Buser M., Lindahl G. & Räisänen C. (eds), Proceedings of the 9th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organization. Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg. - 9788750211259
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- It has become increasingly important for also medium-sized building companies to internationalise.Many of these companies are not ready for that development and top level management need to learnhow to carry out steps of internationalisation. The aim of this paper is to create a competency modelfor top management teams of medium-sized, building companies and then second investigate a case ofa Swedish Engineering company, 3000 staff, doing an expansion to Norway. The analysis leads to afurther developed competency model for top management. The framework of understanding consistsof an overarching category, competency, and four further; leadership and teamwork, uncertainty, riskand resistance, international expansion, and cultural issues.Then empirical material, enables insightsand arguments that supports and/or contradicts the theoretical data for each of the identifiedcompetences. Three additional competencesis derived from the case study, leading to a total of tencompetences: learning during change, strategic leadership, dealing with risk and contingencies,embrace and redirect resistance, synergy orientation, managing local responsiveness, culturalmindsetappointing qualified personnel, efficient communication and business mindset.Missingcompetenceswere acquired through external consultants or recruitment. To achieve the desiredsynergies,management uses detailed checklists and processes, and place a person with a very stronginternal network as responsible for the integration project. Additionally, the findings indicate somemanagement focus on organizational culture.Managementassumed that through learning and adaptingto the organisational cultures, one automatically takes the national culture into account.
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| 10. |
- Koch, Christian, 1958, et al.
(författare)
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Making an engine: performativities of building information standards
- 2017
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Ingår i: Building Research and Information. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1466-4321 .- 0961-3218. ; 45:6, s. 596-609
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Digitization of buildings requires the systematic handling of a variety and volumes of data. It is a common vision to aim for coordinated homogenization of data structures, enabled by the classification of information. This paper studies the role of building information standards for classification in digitization of the building life cycle. It draws on science and technology studies of information technology standards, big data and building information modelling (BIM) in building research. The approach is based on performativity of standards for information systems, viewing performativity as potentially non-linear and multiple. The five-year design process of a large hospital in Denmark is examined as episodes of performance of the building information standard, particularly one recent standard, the Cuneco Classification System (CCS). The study shows that despite client demands, several building information standards are active over time: an expansive' design brief process adds user demands and uses room classification. Another process diminishes the design brief more than 50%, with several standards in use. The client's facilities management system, which performs the structuring of data backwards' into the design process, makes architects and engineers (but not contractors) use CCS. This fragmentation of performing standards is denoted multiple performativities' and includes temporal and compartmental performativity.
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| 11. |
- Somanath, Sanjay, 1994, et al.
(författare)
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The relation between social life cycle assessment and green building certification systems
- 2020
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This research investigates methodologies of Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) and Green Building Certification Systems (GBCS) along with the European standard EN 16309 for social performance assessment for buildings. We follow a two-step approach of first reviewing methods used to perform an S-LCA in the literature and then comparing the methods to GBCS and EN 16309 regarding their coverage of S-LCA subcategories. Two fundamental differences lie in the targeted life cycle stages and stakeholders. UNEP/SETAC guidelines for S-LCA tend to be dominant in the “production” stage, whereas, GBCS and EN 16309 focus predominantly on the “use” stage of the lifecycle. GBCS and EN 16309 methodologies focus on the “consumer” (building occupant) and “local community” stakeholders. Extending the scope of the rating systems across more stakeholders and life cycle stages to include S-LCA subcategories could lead to greater awareness and application of the S-LCA concept in the building and construction sector.
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| 12. |
- Verbong, G.P.J., et al.
(författare)
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Smart grids or smart users? Involving users in developing a low carbon electricity economy
- 2013
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Ingår i: Energy Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4215. ; 52, s. 117-125
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article analyses practices and perceptions of stakeholders on including users in smart grids experiments in the Netherlands. In-depth interviews have been conducted and smart grid projects have been analysed, using a Strategic Niche Management framework. The analysis shows that there is a clear trend to pay more attention to users in new smart grid projects. However, too much focus on technology and economic incentives can become a barrier. Some institutional barriers have been identified. New innovative business models should be developed to explore different options to involve users. The many pilot and demonstration projects that are taking shape or are being planned offer an excellent opportunity for such an exploration. Learning on the social dimensions of smart grids, and the international exchange of experiences can prevent a premature lock-in in a particular pathway. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
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