Holistic Value Research Articles

A Study on Bipolarity in the Architecture of Leandro V. Locsin

To date, Philippine architectural research has been limited to the study of history, social factors, constructional data, and decorative characteristics. Although these are unquestionably useful, they are ineffectual in communicating the holistic value of architecture. Architecture is an integration of numerous factors through forms; thus, it becomes necessary for the initial visual analysis to be done on the basis of forms. This paper involves a formal analysis of the work of Philippine architect Leandro V. Locsin and how he utilized the concept of bipolarity in the dynamic formation of his architectural forms and spaces. The first three sections explain the significance of bipolarity as an element of Philippine culture and architecture by illustrating the phases of development of Philippine architecture and of Locsin. The fourth section deals with the data and analysis. 70 projects were subjected to a visual analysis of spatial form and object form, from which bipolarity emerged as a recurring concept; these manifestations were noted, classified, and further analyzed. From these, 4 major manifestations of bipolarity emerged: (1) Floating effect, (2) Grounded flight, (3) Enclosed Openness, and (4) Alternation of opposite spatial characters.

Finding form: elite sports and the business of change

PurposeTo explain how an organization has been able to use seismic changes in its wider external environment to transform its performance without the need for radical internal restructuring or coercive forms of leadership.Design/methodology/approachThis paper utilises a three year case study from elite sport, an under‐represented sector in the management literature but one that offers a fascinating view of change.FindingsWhilst the change management literature typically emphasises dramatic and rapid coercive restructuring accompanying open‐ended environment change, this study found that known routines and historical ways of working existed alongside innovation, risk‐taking and learning; the paradoxical foundation upon which performance flourished.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the dangers of single cases are noted, difficulties regarding access and comparability with other similar organizations prevented a similar degree of focus on multiple cases. Future research either within elite sports teams or other organizations facing similar environmental change is needed to extend and enhance the asset maximization model presented here.Practical implicationsThis analysis and the development of an asset maximisation approach questions the traditional processual or design‐based approaches towards managing change and argues for the capture and incorporation of business and strategic decision making within such accounts.Originality/valueThe paper is a rare account of change within elite sports. The asset maximisation approach developed within this case study illustrates how holistic value creation in turbulent times is achieved. As such, its conclusions will have much to offer organizations as well as academics interested in the management of change.

Structuring organizational value statements

PurposeThe purpose is to propose a structure for corporate value statements, which is useful as an underlying organizing principle that makes them more comprehensible, and at the same time identifies values that can serve as criteria for strategic decision‐making.Design/methodology/approachThe main approach is theoretical development of value categories. It is followed up by an empirical investigation of value statements on corporate web pages to see if the proposed principles are applicable.FindingsThe paper proposes a comprehensive value system that consists of three main value categories juxtaposed on the same level: Core values prescribe the attitude and character of the organization. They are often found in sections on code of conduct, values statement, or credo. Protected values are protected through rules, standards and certificates. They are mostly found in sections concerning health, environment and safety. Created values are the values that stakeholders, including the shareholders, expect in return for their contributions to the firm. They are often found in sections on objectives and always in the annual report.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical research is limited to companies listed on two stock exchanges. Further research should include other types of organizations.Practical implicationsIt is hoped that the proposed value system can contribute to making corporate value statements more comprehensible and useful for strategic decision‐making.Originality/valueIt is believed to be a new idea to propose a holistic value system for value communication that can incorporate all values.

Service Encounters in Value Networks: Dimensions for Pure Service Offerings

This discussion forum addresses the concept of service encounters for pure services over the Web, when businesses are organized along a value network. For these types of pure service offerings, the se.vice encounter is positioned in a holistic value network framework, leading towards the identification of particular service encounter dimensions. First, possible bullwhip or upstream amplification effects may be reduced/avoided by ensuring high process quality to avoid rework of customer requests and service fulfilment. Bottlenecks may be overcome by designing excess capacity within the information system network. Second, a number of particular factors related to web-interface development, are discussed. This leads to a further discussion of issues in relation to customer targeting, information communication technology, and web-related financial metrics. Finally, strategic positioning and strategic alignment issues are discussed in a value network, using Porter's five forces model applied to the Internet, as well as an adaptation of Kaplan and Norton's balanced scorecard.

Allergy-Free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping

Review: Allergy-Free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping By Thomas Leo Ogren Reviewed by William Ted Johnson Chandler Public Library, USA Ogren, Thomas Leo. Allergy-free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press, 2000. 267 pp. ISBN 1- 58008-200-9 (cloth); 1-58008-166-5 (paperback). US$32.95 cloth; US$19.95 paperback Ambiguity surrounds any discussion of allergies. While this title represents a significant effort to quantify the allergy potential associated with a variety of plants and the landscapes where they grow, it overstates the case against many species found in home and community gardens across North America. The author's system of allergy classification (OPALS Ogren Plant-Allergy Scale) relies heavily upon the type of associated with a particular species (specific gravity, shape, stickiness), though a number of additional factors are considered, including: odors, flowering period, and skin contact with leaves, stems, sap, roots, bulbs, etc. Plant-insect relationships are even included. For example, the likelihood of encountering aphids on some plants (grapes Vitis) affects its allergy potential. Unfortunately, the manner in which these factors are considered to come up with a single score from 1 to 10 is not explained, leaving one with the impression that the whole system relies more on subjective estimation than scientific objectivity. The text consists of two parts. Part one is an explanation of gardening. Use of the term is somewhat misleading in that the author is talking more about general landscaping than specific types of gardening (e.g. vegetable gardening). He acknowledges the challenge of actually creating an garden, but claims this can be done by planting only female plants. We can select female-only cultivars that do not cause contact allergies and do not present odor challenges. The right female garden would not release a single grain of pollen, ever! Such a garden would be truly allergy-free (p. 11). It would also be free of some of the most widely used and popular plants found in landscapes today. Such a narrow focus in landscape design undermines recent efforts to consider the holistic value of native plantscapes that save water and maintenance costs while attracting local wildlife. Erosion control, aesthetics, and cost should receive as much consideration as a plant's allergy potential. As suggested in the text, individuality is an important factor when it comes to allergies (p. 104 entry for Ficus) . This suggests that an individual's reaction to a plant should be the basis for deciding whether or not to include it in your home landscape. Why avoid mulberry trees on the basis of its allergy potential if the only thing you are allergic to is olive pollen? A number of studies have led to more questions than answers when it comes to the relationship between and allergies. For example, D'Amato (1999) suggests that this issue is more complex than simply removing bearing trees from our urban landscapes. He found that air pollution hitches a ride on and modifies its allergy potential. Driessen and Quanjer (1991) suggest that is unable to induce an immunological response in a person's lower respiratory tract. They state that, pollen asthma probably results from a gradual cumulative effect of deposition of small amounts of allergen in lower airways, and is hence poorly correlated with daily counts. …

Holistic oil field value management: using system dynamics for ‘intermediate level’ and ‘value-based’ modelling in the oil industry

System dynamics has been seen primarily as a strategic tool, most effectively used at the highest level of strategy to identify robust policy interventions under a wide range of scenarios. However, an alternative, complementary and powerful role is emerging. This is at an ‘intermediate level’ in organisations to coordinate and integrate policies across the value chain. It is at this level where business value, as defined by the discounted value of future free cash flow, is both created and destroyed. This paper introduces the need for ‘intermediate-level’ and ‘value-based’ modelling and emphasises the natural role of system dynamics in supporting a methodology to fulfil the need. It describes the development of an approach and its application in the oil industry to coordinate the response of people and tools within operational, financial and commercial functions across the value chain to address a variety of problems and issues.

Holistic Oil Field Value Management: Using System Dynamics for `Intermediate Level' and `Value-Based' Modelling in the Oil Industry

Holistic Oil Field Value Management: Using System Dynamics for `Intermediate Level' and `Value-Based' Modelling in the Oil Industry

Value-laden knowledge and holistic thinking in agricultural research

Critics have challenged agricultural scientists to address concerns for environmental quality, farm size and structure, international justice, and the health and welfare of consumers and farm labor in research planning. The goal of this research was to determine what is and what could be done to consider value-laden knowledge relevant to these concerns in research planning. Descriptions of a state agricultural experiment station and of a hierarchy of inquiry that included applied systems analysis and reductionist approaches to science revealed the goal-seeking and expert-centered nature of agricultural research. Value-laden and value-free knowledge of agricultural scientists and administrators were heavily represented in broad research goals such as increased productivity and efficiency. In addition, these goals were not evaluated at the levels of inquiry typically practiced by agricultural scientists. A soft systems methodology provided a more holistic level of inquiry that could facilitate consideration of value-laden and value-free knowledge of world views more diverse than those of agricultural scientists and administrators. Scientists could function as co-learners with other participants to identify issues and to conceptualize systems that are relevant to improving research planning. Moreover, researching the practice of soft systems offers opportunities for exploring systems ideas and holistic value theory in relation to agricultural research.