On-site Project Research Articles

Prefab: New Technologies and Prospects of the Construction Industry

Statement of the problem. The main factors in the construction industry are: the cost of the project, its duration and uniqueness. Their achievement is facilitated by the currently developing pre-fabrication, the essence of which is reduced to the factory or factory manufacture of parts with their subsequent assembly into structural elements, modules and objects in general. At the same time, technologies, organization of construction and management of prefab processes have not been worked out to date. Results. A systematic review of the implementation of buildings using prefab technology with high factory readiness is proposed. An overview of modules that can be integrated into on-site projects with less waste and higher quality control compared to projects that use a traditional type of construction is provided. The difference between the prefab method and the modular assembly of a construction object is emphasized. An overview of the prefab products currently on the market is given. Conclusions. The article substantiates the directions of improving the quality of manufactured buildings inherent in prefab technologies, as well as the environmental friendliness and energy efficiency of this technology. A fragment of a BIM model with a calendar and construction schedule for the construction of a prefab house, prefab technologies used in Russia and in particular in Novosibirsk, is presented.

Improving Supervisory Consultant Performance in Construction Projects: Assessments in the LKPP's SIKaP Application for Enhanced Efficiency

This article focuses on enhancing the performance of supervisory consultants in construction projects through assessments conducted in the LKPP's SIKaP application. Supervision plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of construction activities and addressing potential obstacles. The quality and safety of construction operations have become increasingly important, necessitating effective supervision. The article highlights the importance of conducting assessments to measure the success of supervisory consultants in meeting project objectives and adhering to established standards. It emphasizes the evaluation of various performance criteria, including human resources, equipment, materials, costs, time, and quality. The assessment process enables the identification of strengths and weaknesses, facilitating corrective measures and improving future performance. The article also emphasizes the interconnectedness of construction supervision and project management, with project management playing a pivotal role in achieving project goals. Communication management is highlighted as a crucial aspect for effective project execution. The regulatory framework governing technical supervision activities in construction projects is discussed, along with the roles and responsibilities of construction management and construction supervision service providers. The article emphasizes the importance of on-site inspections, project administration, progress monitoring, and quality management in construction supervision. Lastly, the article discusses the evaluation of providers' performance in goods/services procurement, emphasizing the importance of quality, cost efficiency, and adherence to standards. The implementation of the SIKaP application is seen as a means to enhance transparency, accountability, and project quality in the construction industry, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and industry benchmarking.

Efficiency and Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Manual and Intelligent Venous Blood Sampling in Outpatient Area of Hospital.

To evaluate the efficiency and cost-benefit of the manual and intelligent venous blood sampling in outpatient area. The hospital selected had two branches with the outpatient area in Branch A using manual venous blood sampling as the control group and the outpatient area in Branch B using intelligent venous blood sampling as the experimental group. Analyze the differences between the two groups in operation time, cost-benefit, and service efficiency through on-site investigation and project cost methods. Compared with manual venous blood sampling, intelligent venous blood sampling project is more optimized with shorter operation time and higher nursing service efficiency. But both groups have negative returns. The intelligent venous blood sampling process is more optimized, combined with dynamic job implementation, resulting in lower labor costs and higher job service efficiency compared to manual venous blood sampling.

Augmented Reality Framework for Retrieving Information of Moving Objects on Construction Sites

The construction industry is undergoing a digital transformation, with the digital twin serving as a core system for project information. This digital twin provides an opportunity to utilize AR technology for real-time verification of on-site project information. Although many AR developments for construction sites have been attempted, they have been limited to accessing information on stationary components via Building Information Models. There have been no attempts to access information on dynamically changing resources, such as personnel and equipment. This paper addresses this gap by presenting an AR framework that enables site managers to verify real-time information on specific personnel or equipment. It introduces a matching algorithm for retrieving the necessary information from the digital twin. This algorithm is pivotal in identifying and retrieving the specific information needed from the vast dataset within the digital twin. The matching process integrates object detection and tracking algorithms applied to video frames from AR devices, along with GPS and IMU sensor data. Experimental results demonstrate the potential of this matching algorithm to streamline on-site management and reduce the effort required to interact with digital twin information. This paper highlights the transformative potential of AR and digital twin technologies in revolutionizing construction site operations.

Greening airports: A methodological framework for site assessment and assessing solar PV potential

Due to energy intensiveness and carbon emissions, the aviation sector is under continuous environmental pressure. In this regard, airports have shown keen interest in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to decarbonize their energy consumption. Implementing onsite solar projects in the airport is challenging due to various technical and safety aspects. Improper siting of solar PV arrays may adversely affect the safety of the passengers. This paper aims to develop a methodological framework for site assessment and potential estimation of PV projects in airport locations. The developed methodology is applied as a case study to seven Indian airports: Madurai, Goa, Raipur, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Amritsar, and Dehradun. It was understood that the suitable area for solar PV projects on airport land depends on airspace restrictions, built area, and glare occurrence. On average, 30–40 % of the airport land is observed to be built area; hence, it is unavailable for land-based solar PV systems. Among the studied airports, the highest value of technical potential is observed for Raipur airport (21 MW). These conservative estimates provide baseline information for airport planning and development projects. This study is expected to be a reference material for energy specialists, airport stakeholders, and policymakers.

Substance Evaluation Study of Construction Safety Plan Implementation and It's Implementation

Padang State University has experienced rapid student enrollment growth, driving the need for new infrastructure. Most of the buildings have more than 3 floors, and one of the ongoing projects reaches a height of 32.05 meters with 6 floors, contributing to higher construction risks. This research was conducted to evaluate the implementation of Construction Safety Plans (CSP) on projects over the past two years in accordance with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing Regulation No. 10 of 2021 and the Circular Letter of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing No. 10 of 2022. Data collection methods for this study involved two approaches: compliance audits and performance audits. Compliance audits involved document-based inspections of CSP, while performance audits included on-site observations and project work evaluations. The research results revealed that the construction of the central information and library building achieved the highest CSP implementation rate, with compliance rates of 93.33% in compliance audits and 91.42% in performance audits. In contrast, the rehabilitation project for the Faculty of Sports Sciences and the Dean's office showed lower compliance rates, scoring 37.14% in compliance audits and 35.34% in performance audits. The study also found that project contract values correlated with CSP compliance levels. Higher contract values were associated with higher CSP compliance. Contractor qualifications also played a crucial role in ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Based on these findings, it is recommended that UNP exercise greater selectivity in contractor selection processes. This study highlights the importance of construction safety in construction projects.

The evolution law of deviatoric stress and asymmetric control technology in roadways during panel mining through overlying residual coal pillars

Close-distance coal seams (CDCS) are widely distributed, and the layout of the upper and lower panels can be divided into “=” type and “+” type. The “+” superposition of upper and lower coal pillars in CDCS caused strong mine pressure, but there are few studies on the panel crossing residual coal pillars (RCP) when the upper and lower coal seams are “+” type layout. In view of the special spatial position (“+” type layout), this paper takes the typical panel 4-301 of a particular mine as the project indagation background and studies mining and crossing the overlying coal pillars by dint of field measurement, numerical simulation, indoor test, and engineering application. Compared with vertical stress or horizontal stress alone, the indexes of deviatoric stress and plastic zone can reflect the failure evolution of surrounding rock more comprehensively. Hence, this paper analyzes the expansion form of the plastic zone and the variation law of deviatoric stress before and after mining influence in the underlying mining roadway. The research results show that: (1) There is a sub-peak zone of deviatoric stress under the RCP. The deviatoric stress is bimodal in the range of 9 m below. After the peak value decays to 7.4 MPa, it changes to a single peak located in the area directly below the middle of the RCP. (2) The maximum plastic zones of the roof and two ribs of the roadway below the RCP are 3.4 m and 5 m, respectively. The crest value of deviatoric stress reaches 10 MPa. As the distance between the panel and the RCP decreases, the shape of the high deviatoric stress area presents the evolution law from the “ellipse” of the roof → the “crescent” of two ribs → the “cochlea” of the tips of the ribs. (3) When the mining of the underlying panel is 10 m, 0 m, or − 10 m away from the RCP (without passing through the RCP). The crest value of deviatoric stress within 5–10 m in advance of the roadway increases in turn. However, the peak value is significantly reduced when it is − 20 m away from the RCP (through the RCP). The crest value of deviatoric stress of two ribs decreases in turn along the panel rib → section coal pillar rib → solid coal rib. Based on this, the underlying 45 m of the RCP is divided into area I (10 m), area II (overlapping area 20 m), and area III (15 m) based on the degree of disturbance. And propose the technical scheme of asymmetric combined control in different zones by using asymmetric channel steel truss anchor cable for the top-ribs of areas I and III, and top-ribs asymmetric channel steel truss anchor cable + door-type support in area II. On-site project practice shows that the partitioned control technology successfully resisted the roadway instability and failure caused by the dynamic-static superimposed stress disturbance under the RCP and realized the primary support of the sectional coal roadway. The conclusion provides technical support and scheme design for the partitioning support of roadways under similar “+” type cross‐panels.

Vendor Selection Criteria and Construction Project Performance in Rivers Nigeria.

The study focused on Vendor Selection Criteria and Construction Project Performance in Rivers Nigeria. It adopted a survey approach; utilized structured questionnaire to collect data from 71 on-site construction project managers and engineers; data obtained were ranked according to their priority using Relative Importance Index (RII), and Chi-Square Analysis. Linear regression coefficients were drawn as estimates of construction project performance. The results showed that 22 criteria, grouped into four supplier selection dimensions: capability, quality, costs and sustainability. These indicators showed significant interaction with construction project performance. However, supplier flexibility did not yield significant outcome on construction project performance. The results suggest that supplier capability, supplier quality, supplier costs, and supplier sustainability selection variables are important sources of enhanced performance for construction project management. Keywords: Construction management; Vendor selection; Project performance; Relative importance index; Sustainable supplier selection.

Wi-Fi and the Wisdom Exchange: The Role of Lived Experience in the Age of AI

The ubiquitousness of Artificial intelligence (AI) now grows faster than a weed in a garden patch. This momentum frequently raises questions about how to implement inclusivity and ethical research standards. It also suggests the need to integrate lived experience rather than taking only the shortcut to AI's information highway. We wonder, Does the nature of technology present geographic bias? As we speed up the process of "knowing," do we lose a bank of knowledge based on natural observations and shared intentions? This paper examines the nature of AI's Socratic conversations compared with the communications invoked by global grassroots research study, to evaluate how each can contribute unique pathways linking science to social science. Pivoting around AI's summary of four water-conservation practices, survey questions were sent to seven locations in Sub-Saharan Africa where direct onsite farm research projects emphasized relationships between nature's processes and local quality of life. The results shed new perspectives on the value of supplementing formal online data with communications derived from grassroots sources – and the resulting implications for global knowledge and the sustainability of human systems.

Experimental and numerical investigation of tensile-loaded staggered bolted and hybrid pultruded composite double lap joints

On-site construction projects typically employ staggered fastener patterns. This article describes the application of Hollo Bolts (HB). It also highlights the effectiveness of using flexible epoxy adhesive to increase the load-carrying capacity of staggered connections fastened with HB. The distribution of loads between connecting elements largely determines joint performance. Pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (PGFRP), bolted (B), and hybrid bolted/bonded (BB) double lap joints were subjected to a typical pulling load and numerically validated in this investigation. To simulate delamination effects, a Cohesive Zone Model with a 3D progressive damage analysis was developed. In addition, a parametric study capturing the influence of various geometrical variables such as e/d, overlap length, bolt size, adherend thickness, and the number of bolts was used to compare both categories of joints in detail. The results indicate that for staggered connections fastened with HB, an efficient load transfer can be obtained in conjunction with flexible epoxy adhesive. It is anticipated that this interaction will be even more effective as the overlap length, adherend thickness, and fastener diameter increase. The present study proves that BB connections are 43.56% stronger than B connections.

Bots2ReC – Analysis of Key Findings for the Application Development of Semi-Autonomous Asbestos Removal

The removal of asbestos from existing buildings is a socially important and challenging renovation process due to the handling of hazardous materials. The EU project Robots to ReConstruction (Bots2ReC) has developed a robotic system for semi-autonomous asbestos removal for apartment buildings. The removal of plaster and tiles and the associated tile adhesive is implemented as a semi-autonomous construction task by mobile manipulators and integrated into the existing construction process. The development is based on a test-driven approach in order to obtain information about the achievable performance and the acceptance of the human operators as early as possible. The identification of the control variables for the respective tools and the embedding in the on-site process flow are named as the main reasons for the test-driven approach. The analysis of selected key findings of the project shows for the developed semantic mapping via mobile robot that a minimal, application-specific data format favours an efficient overall process control via task planning up to execution. In the development of mobile bases for the application, it can be shown that a holonomic drive is preferable to a differential drive due to the partly narrow and angled parts of the building. To carry out the intended processes and to guide the automated power tools, the in-house development of serial manipulators is necessary, since the combination of the required working space with the occurring weight and process forces cannot be solved within the requirements by an industrial manipulator. Finally, the main benefit of this papers contribution is seen in the transferable outcomes to other on-site automation projects.

Understanding community capacity-building at a local level for sustainable tourism in World Heritage Site: the case of Wulingyuan in China

ABSTRACT This paper is concerned with the concept and practice of rural community capacity-building (CCB) within the context of sustainable tourism. Issues are discussed with specific reference to a Chinese village located in the Wulingyuan World Heritage Site (WHS). The results of the CCB initiative conducted with residents, enterprises, and communities reveal a strong interest and necessity for sustainable tourism within WHS. The study takes place within the framework of the WH + ST programme established by UNESCO aligns with an understanding of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). The purpose of the research is to explore the understanding of CCB at the destination community level. By introducing experiences of a CCB on-site demonstration project targeting critical stakeholders of the destination community, the study aims to enhance knowledge and practice of the implementation of CCB in a part of the global discussion.

Multi-Source Monitoring Data Fusion Comprehensive Evaluation Method for the Safety Status of Deep Foundation Pit

Construction of the deep foundation pit (DFP) in subway stations is fraught with significant uncertainties, which may cause project delays due to discrepancies between single-indicator monitoring warning information and actual conditions at the site. Therefore, this article proposes a safety assessment method for DFP based on the Game-Cloud Model. An entirely quantitative assessment index system is established with on-site monitoring projects according to the design safety classification of DFP. Considering the one-sidedness of using a single method to determine the weights of assessment indices, game theory is introduced to calibrate the subjective and objective weights determined by the grey decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (GDEMATEL) and the entropy method, respectively. Next, we use the forward cloud generator of the cloud model (CM) to generate the safety level membership function of the evaluation indicators. Finally, we quantitatively calculate the synthetic safety level of DFP using the comprehensive evaluation approach. A 19-day dynamic assessment was conducted on the actual engineering project by the proposed method. The results indicated that the synthetic safety level of the assessed area ranged between grades Ⅰ and Ⅱ, corresponding to Negligible and Acceptable in the acceptance criteria. Compared with the single-indicator monitoring warning results, it was more in line with on-site observation, which verified its reliability and practicality.

Energy Saving and Emission Reduction Potential Evaluation of a Coal Mine Based on Fuzzy Hierarchical Analysis

Due to the non-renewability of coal resources and the effect of excessive resource loss on the economic development of enterprises forming a constraint, breakthroughs in high energy consumption to achieve energy saving and emission reduction in coal mines represent an important way to promote the development of coal enterprises. This paper takes the energy-saving work of the Wuyang coal mine, which is very representative of China’s Shanxi Province, as an example, and uses hierarchical analysis to establish an assessment system for energy conservation and emission reduction in coal mines. We adopted on-site research, expert scoring, and project guidance to divide the factors affecting energy conservation and emission reduction in the Wuyang coal mine into 24 categories, and we then used fuzzy mathematical calculations to assess potential, which is of better practicability. The study shows that the grade of energy saving and emission reduction in the Wuyang coal mine is of a medium level, and the potential of energy saving and emission reduction is large. The main influencing factors are improving the recovery rate of refined coal, renovating pressurized filters, eliminating high-energy-consuming equipment, optimizing the parking process, replacing the flotation machine, and ensuring the intelligent management of power metering. According to the relevant factors derived from the energy-saving and emission reduction work at the Wuyang coal mine for implementing the relevant measures, we provide a reference for the work of energy saving and emission reduction in mines in order to promote the sustainable development of the coal mining industry.

Low prevalence of current and past SARS-CoV-2 infections among visitors and staff members of homelessness services in Amsterdam at the end of the second wave of infections in the Netherlands.

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) may be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19. The Dutch government established emergency shelters and introduced preventive measures for homelessness services. There were no major SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks noticed among PEH during the first two waves of infections. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of current and past infections among PEH and staff by conducting an on-site COVID-19 screening project at homelessness services in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We assessed the proportion of visitors and staff members of four homelessness services at two locations in Amsterdam with positive SARS-CoV-2 qPCR and antibody results (IgG/IgM Rapid Test/Biozek) in May 2021. We also assessed sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics, compliance with basic prevention measures and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 among PEH and staff. A total of 138 visitors and 53 staff members filled out a questionnaire and were tested. Among PEH, the SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was 0% (0/133;95%CI = 0-1.9) and the antibody positivity rate was 1.6% (2/131;95%CI = 0.8-7.5) among those without prior COVID-19 vaccination. Among staff, these percentages were 3% (1/32;95%CI = 0.1-16.2) and 11% (5/53;95%CI = 3.6-23.6), respectively. Most participants were often compliant with the basic preventive measures 'not shaking hands', 'wearing a face mask' and 'washing hands', but not with 'physical distancing'. High vaccination intent was more common among staff members (55%) than among visitors (42%), while high trust in the governmental COVID-19 policies was more common among visitors (41%) than among staff (30%). We observed a low prevalence of past and current SARS-CoV-2 infections among PEH, which may be explained by instated shelter policies, limited daily activities of PEH and compliance with prevention measures. Vaccine hesitancy and mistrust among visitors and staff could hinder vaccination uptake, suggesting that interventions towards homelessness services are needed.

Comparison of construction cost of residential buildings in Sri Lanka: offsite vs onsite

Offsite construction (OSC) entails the planning, designing, manufacturing, transportation, and assembly of prefabricated building components at the construction site. As recommended in previous studies, the offsite construction technique can be considered a high-quality and cost-effective construction method that consumes less time and labour while delivering higher productivity. Consequently, it is recognized as a sustainable solution compared to existing onsite structures in countries like Sri Lanka, given the restriction on the availability of resources and high constructional cost. However, this technique is underutilized in the Sri Lankan construction industry, creating a significant void that must be addressed with sufficient cost data and broader access to knowledge regarding the positive impacts of the technique. This research seeks to evaluate current OSC practices together with a comparison of the cost of two similar-natured onsite and offsite residential projects to determine the economic feasibility of OSC in Sri Lanka. The required cost data were extracted through semi-structured interviews with the professionals who engaged in building projects and document reviews. The comparative analysis indicated that beams, columns, masonry walls, and wall finishes (plastering) are contributing to 100% cost-saving in offsite projects compared to onsite projects due to the offsite concrete wall. Further, concrete walls, stairs and ramps, roofs, and floor slab shows 25%, 16%, 12%, and 8% cost saving for the off-site project compared to an onsite project, respectively. Hence, the adoption of off-site elements would enable construction clients and investors to achieve substantial savings in the construction cost of buildings.

An Implementation Framework for On-Site Shield Spoil Utilization—A Case Study of a Metro Project

A majority of metro projects have been constructed to reduce urban traffic congestion and to improve the convenience of public transportation, but these projects also produced a significant amount of engineering slag and mud. The shield construction method could improve the efficiency and safety; this technique has been frequently used in tunnel excavation projects. However, the spoil produced during the shield construction is challenging to deal with. In literature, though there has been an increasing number of studies on the technologies of utilizing shield spoil, the on-site utilization of shield spoil is still a subject of little research. This study introduced an implementation framework for the on-site utilization of shield spoil based on successful case experiences. It aims to assist project managers in efficiently implementing on-site resource utilization projects and to address the gaps in the relevant field. A case study was conducted in the Shenzhen Metro Line 13 North Extension Project; this study collected data through six semi-structured interviews and field research, analyzed the data, and constructed a framework using thematic analysis and focus group discussions. The three components of the implementation framework are project planning, project construction, and project closing, and each section describes what must be accomplished during that phase. Additionally, three recommendations—(1) combining intelligent technology to optimize the existing equipment, (2) utilizing lean technology in project execution, (3) establishing strategic partnerships with construction waste recycling enterprises—are also made for the development of the shield spoil utilization project. This study uses the Shenzhen Metro Line 13 North Extension Project as a model to theoretically underpin future research on shielding spoil on-site during resource utilization projects and to achieve the repeatable promotion of shield spoil utilization technology in Shenzhen.

An overdue catalyst: Limitations imposed by COVID-19 improved capacity building in community-led environmental education in Madagascar.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus brought many primatology research programs and conservation efforts to a halt. After Madagascar closed its borders during March 2020, many on-site international project leaders and researchers returned to their home countries when their programs were delayed or canceled. Madagascar remained closed to travelers until November 2021, when it reopened to international flights. The 20-month absence of international researchers allowed many local Malagasy program staff, wildlife professionals, and community leaders to step into new leadership roles and responsibilities. Many programs that already had strong Malagasy leadership and meaningful collaborations with local communities flourished, while others either swiftly strengthened these attributes or faced challenges from pandemic-related travel restrictions. Here, we describe how the coronavirus pandemic events of 2020-2021 initiated long-overdue shifts in outdated models of internationally led primate research and education projects in communities living alongside primates at risk of extinction. We discuss the benefits and challenges of pandemic-induced changes within five primatological outreach projects, as well as how we can use these experiences to improve community-led environmental education and conservation awareness in the future.

Actor Roles and Networks in Implementing Urban Water Innovation: A Study of Onsite Water Reuse in the San Francisco Bay Area.

As climate change and rapid urbanization stress our aging water infrastructure, cities are under increasing pressure to develop more flexible, resilient, and modular water management systems. In response, onsite water reuse practices have been adopted by several cities globally. In addition to technological innovation, these novel water treatment systems also require new stakeholder collaborations, relationships, and processes to support them. There are, however, few models for stakeholder arrangements that support and encourage the adoption and success of such infrastructure. In this paper, we use interviews with stakeholders involved in onsite water reuse projects in the San Francisco Bay Area to create a social network map that describes the interactions between stakeholders at large and during specific phases of project implementation. Using qualitative content analysis of expert interviews and social network analysis, we identify four actor roles that are key to the functioning of this novel water infrastructure paradigm─specialists, continuity providers, program champions, and conveners─and discuss the importance of each role through the course of project implementation. These findings can be helpful for policy interventions and outreach efforts by other cities and communities looking to implement onsite water systems.

The concept of integration in an IPD context: a grounded theory review

PurposeRecent construction literature has been focusing more on integrative contracting approaches such as integrated project delivery (IPD). However, conceptual studies on integration in IPD literature are scattered and fragmented, that is, most of the studies only focused on the segmented dimension of integration. A systemic understanding of the concepts of integration in IPD project-based context is still lacking. To fill this gap, this paper analyzes two aspects of integration (dimensions and directions) in IPD literature and explores their extent in construction projects.Design/methodology/approachGrounded theory review and focus group discussion approaches were employed to perform a thorough conceptual review of the literature, frame the research into the theory and increase the fundamental understanding of the concept of integration in IPD literature.FindingsIn this study, IPD integrating techniques were identified and their integration dimensions and directions were discussed. Results show that integration in the project-based environment of IPD is a multidimensional construct. Based on organizational, contractual and operational characteristics of IPD projects, twenty-four integration mechanisms were identified and framed into seven clusters. The integration directions over project life-cycle were demonstrated in three contexts: (1) an on-site construction project, delivered traditionally, (2) an on-site construction project, delivered with IPD and (3) an off-site construction project, delivered with IPD.Originality/valueThis paper gathers the segments of integration into a comprehensive overview, which can help researchers and practitioners explore elements of IPD project success more precisely. A theoretical framework of integration clusters is developed, based on IPD literature. The impact of IPD on on-site versus off-site construction is illustrated from an integration direction perspective. Finally, future areas of studies for researchers and practitioners about the concept of integration in an IPD context are discussed. This paper provides a point of departure for future theoretical and empirical explorations.