Work Practice Research Articles

Implications of Construction 4.0 technologies to enhancing well-being: a fuzzy TOPSIS evaluation

Purpose Amid rapid technological progress, the construction industry is embracing Construction 4.0, redefining work practices through emerging technologies. However, the implications of Construction 4.0 technologies to enhancing well-being are still poorly understood. Particularly, the challenge lies in selecting technologies that critically contribute to well-being enhancement. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the implications of Construction 4.0 technologies to enhancing well-being. Design/methodology/approach A list of Construction 4.0 technologies was identified from a national strategic plan on Construction 4.0, using Malaysia as a case study. Fourteen construction industry experts were selected to evaluate the implications of Construction 4.0 technologies on well-being using fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The expert judgment was measured using linguistic variables that were transformed into fuzzy values. Then, the collected data was analyzed using the following analyses: fuzzy TOPSIS, Pareto, normalization, sensitivity, ranking performance and correlation. Findings Six Construction 4.0 technologies are critical to enhancing well-being: cloud & real-time collaboration, big data & predictive analytics, Internet of Things, building information modeling, autonomous construction and augmented reality & virtualization. In addition, artificial intelligence and advanced building materials are recommended to be implemented simultaneously as a very strong correlation exists between them. Originality/value The novelty of this study lies in a comprehensive understanding of the implications of Construction 4.0 technologies to enhancing well-being. The findings can assist researchers, industry practitioners and policymakers in making well-informed decisions to select Construction 4.0 technologies when targeting the enhancement of the overall well-being of the local construction industry.

Telework and new work practices: The role of managers

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, academic research has primarily focused on the challenges posed by flexible working arrangements. However, there has been a lack of exploration into managers’ intentions to either promote or reject remote work. This paper utilizes a TAM analysis to examine managers’ attitudes and motivations towards implementing telework in a sample of European companies. Our findings reveal that this intention is largely influenced by their perception of its usefulness. Additionally, telework is more likely to be accepted when managerial teams believe that those who hold significance to them also support the implementation of flexible work practices in their companies. Our research contributes to the existing literature by considering the impact of job performance, quality of output, and digital skills on telework adoption. The results confirm that skills related to communication and team building are crucial competencies for successfully implementing telework. The ability of leaders to effectively build, motivate, recognize, and hold accountable teams in virtual environments can make all the difference.

A Brief Introduction into Scriptural Grounding of Contemporary Social Work

Social work, as a model of welfare practice in contemporary society, is based on the mutual aid principle of those in need or in a situation of vulnerability. Its historical foundations can be identified from the ancient writings, including the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments. This paper brings to the attention of the students from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, the Social Work specialization, but also of those concerned with a deep social-theological knowledge, the perspective of a theoretical analysis, but also that of a good practice model for contemporary social work based on the examples existing in Holy Scripture. Also, the focus is on developing, through study, professional skills that provide for the projection and elaboration of a discourse based on sacred texts (verbal and written exposure), but also the correct statement of the doctrine of the Church and the means transmitted by it for the perfecting of the person and of the world in the context of a constantly changing society. Thus, through this comprehensive analysis, the paper highlights the relevance and sustainable impact of the teachings and practices of social work in the Old and New Testaments on contemporary issues solvable through social justice, christian love, solidarity and community responsibility.

Employing Algorithms in Cosmetic Facial Surgery

The aim is to evaluate the scientific literature on the creation and application of algorithms in clinical settings, with a focus on their efficacy. Material and methods. The literature search was performed using the databases Scopus, Medline (PubMed), eLibrary (in total: 32 scientific papers). Results. The acquisition of data pertaining to the principles of algorithm development was accomplished, and the notion that algorithms will increasingly be adopted across a range of plastic surgery specialties was validated. Conclusions. Based on scientific research data, it can be inferred that the development and implementation of algorithms play a significant role in an aesthetic surgeon’s work in surgical practice. All authors unanimously support the effectiveness of integrating algorithms into clinical practice, some of which were developed by them for the first time. When planning and executing surgical procedures, it is emphasized to base on individual patient data, as well as the relevance of such developments in improving the achievement of better surgical correction outcomes. In some instances, the implementation of algorithms in clinical practice has led to a significant improvement in patients' quality of life after the interventions. Each correction method has its unique effectiveness. The positive results of the work on the development and implementation of algorithms in clinical practice suggest that the development of this type for aesthetic interventions on the lower third of the face would allow for: 1) improved aesthetic outcomes, 2) enhanced intervention quality, 3) a reduction in the number of interventions necessary to achieve a positive and long-lasting effect, 4) a decrease in the likelihood of short-term and long-term postoperative complications, and 5) lower treatment costs and shorter treatment duration.

Introduction to Special Section on Child Welfare: Current Realities and Future Possibilities in Clinical Social Work Practice

Introduction to Special Section on Child Welfare: Current Realities and Future Possibilities in Clinical Social Work Practice

Talk to the Tablet: Technology’s Impact on Medical Social Work Practice during COVID-19

Medical social workers (MedSWs) responded quickly to the call for virtual health care delivery driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employed the social presence theory to investigate how technology impacted MedSW interactions during COVID-19. Qualitative thematic analysis on MedSW interviews (N = 54) revealed three themes: shifting social presence, adapting to virtual social work practice, and confronting equity and ethics. The findings suggest how technology-mediated practice contributed to feelings of professional dissonance from the discrepancy between MedSW professional values and the virtual delivery of job tasks. Education and research on virtual best MedSW practice is warranted to protect against professional dissonance.

Radical social work in South Africa: a rapid systematic review

The social work profession defines itself as one that promotes social change and the liberation of people. In social work practice, there is often a controversy between solving problems and engaging social issues within political, economic and historical realities. The aim of this article is to determine the current landscape of radical social work within the South African context. Findings indicate that radical efforts and responses towards decolonial social work focus on locating social work in social movements, responding to the status quo and confronting neoliberal policies. A radical stance on various issues of gross human rights violations in current affairs must be considered as a critical component of reimagining social work identity in South Africa.

Immaterial intimacy: The neoliberal entanglement of digital technologies in social movement volunteer work

Outside of visible moments of mass mobilization, ongoing latent work, such as direct service and mutual aid, is a long-standing tradition in social movements. Yet, like all labor, personal digital devices have changed the norms and practices of direct service social movement work. In this article, as situated in the technology–media–movement complex (TMMC), I analyze qualitative interview data ( N = 26) with volunteers from a yearlong ethnographic project at an abortion fund hotline in the reproductive justice movement in the US South. To name hotline volunteers’ digital care labor, I offer the term immaterial intimacy to describe its ubiquitous, ephemeral, and intimate nature. I argue immaterial intimate labor enabled the organization to provide a responsive service, but relied on individualized digital volunteer work, existing within gendered and neoliberal norms. I discuss and question the use of personal digital technologies for direct service volunteer work in contemporary social movements.

Analysis of The Influence of Technology, Latest Working Equipment Usage, and Industrial Relations Strategies Towards Business Sustainability

This research aims to contribute to modern business, new work systems, and industrial relations. This research is a longitudinal study involving manufacturing companies. Researchers collected data at two different periods. Researchers surveyed by sending a questionnaire to the company's human resources managers. Research findings show a reasonably strong relationship between implementing new work practices and better company results. However, according to the dominant theory, this result does not always occur in every case. These results indicate a greater focus on small businesses, which play a significant role in the fabric industry. The third result shows the durability or sustainability of individual practices. These new practices have proven effective in improving company performance, which may be why groups are more confident implementing them. Discriminant analysis reveals that firms' structural and market characteristics account for most of the variability in their orientation toward organizational innovation. The intensity of relationships with other companies positively correlates with using new work practices, mainly if the company operates internationally. The competition level in the company's market is also related to the use of new work practices and intense, innovative activities, especially those related to technology and the coordination of activities within the organization, such as information technology.

The Methodology Used by Fact-Checkers. An In-Depth Analysis of Commonly Used Strategies

ABSTRACT This research analyses the common features of the methodology used by fact-checkers of the #CoronaVirusFacts alliance. By using a mixed approach together with content analysis, this study offers an in-depth exploration and census of all fact-checkers worldwide regarding the methodology they use to carry out their task, in addition to the following proposed work phases: a) identification and selection of information –criteria and technique used; b) research and verification; c) drafting and publication of fact-checked information; and d) transparency process and correction policy. The conclusion reached is that the pandemic has intensified the activity and interaction among the platforms that comprise the #CoronaVirusFacts alliance, which has established this network as a professional association that fully complies with standard codes of ethics. Transparent funding and a strong commitment to impartiality are the qualities embodied by these micro-media verifiers, who are mostly independent. Moreover, they use a variety of sources to cross-check information. This research is part of the R&D&I project on disinformation (Impact of disinformation on journalism: content, professional routines and audiences (DESINFOPER) PID2019-108956RB-I00), which highlights the need to study the inner workings of verification processes worldwide in order to build public trust in these fact-checkers, and to transfer their work and best practices to similar platforms.

Making Order in Household Accounting - Digital Invoices as Domestic Work Artifacts

AbstractThe digitization of financial activities in consumers' lives is increasing, and the digitalization of invoicing processes is expected to play a significant role, although this area is not well understood regarding the private sector. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) research have a long history of analyzing the socio-material and temporal aspects of work practices that are relevant for the domestic domain. The socio-material structuring of invoicing work and the working styles of consumers must be considered when designing effective consumer support systems. In this ethnomethodologically-informed, design-oriented interview study, we followed 17 consumers in their daily practices of dealing with invoices to make the invisible administrative work involved in this process visible. We identified and described the meaningful artifacts that were used in a spatial-temporal process within various storage locations such as input, reminding, intermediate (for postponing cases) buffers, and archive systems. Furthermore, we identified three different working styles that consumers exhibited: direct completion, at the next opportunity, and postpone as far as possible. This study contributes to our understanding of household economics and domestic workplace studies in the tradition of CSCW and has implications for the design of electronic invoicing systems.

Body mapping as a site to negotiate eating struggles and food insecurity for street-involved and homeless youth

Inspired by critical trauma and embodiment theories, this study aims to illustrate how an arts-based approach such as body mapping assists in exploring the lived experiences of youth, potentially serving as a trauma-informed approach. This qualitative study collaborated with street-involved and homeless youth (SIHY) who have eating struggles while living in situations of food insecurity and other forms of oppression. Eleven participants partook in three individual face-to-face interview sessions and one arts-based body map activity, respectively, at a local SIHY resource centre in a metropolitan city in Canada. Guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Approach (IPA), our findings illustrated how body mapping (1) enabled a deepened understanding of SIHY’s eating struggles as both a form of suffering and an embodied means of coping with food insecurity and other systemic and relational trauma(s); (2) provided a transformative experience leading to greater self-compassion and healing; and (3) served as a trauma-informed method that fostered choice and validation. We attest that, as a creative and supportive clinical and research tool, body mapping taps into the unspoken, expressive, embodied, and somatic aspects of eating struggles, food insecurity, poverty, and other forms of oppression deepening knowledge and informing social work research and practice.

A Structured Template for Social Work Psychosocial Assessments and Formulations in Healthcare

ABSTRACT Previously, substantial inconsistencies existed in relation to social work documentation in medical records across Queensland Health. A structured, adaptable social work psychosocial assessment template, developed for use across Queensland Health, is introduced in this article. This template comprises six title headings and encompasses nine psychosocial domains. Importantly, a “Care Needs and Choice” domain encouraged promotion of the “patient voice”, while a Clinical Formulation section and matrix encouraged analysis and assessment of the presenting situation as conceptualised through the social work lens. We propose that, together with AASW guidelines and resources (e.g., AASW Practice Standards, 2023), utilisation of this template can help social workers articulate their professional identity and demonstrate their unique contributions to holistic, person-centred psychosocial healthcare. IMPLICATIONS A structured adaptable template can assist social workers to document psychosocial assessments in the medical record. Use of this template can help demonstrate the professional scope of social work practice and social workers’ unique contributions to person-centred care. The template promotes consideration and documentation of the “patient voice”, and the Formulation matrix encourages critical thinking and analysis to inform social work interventions.

Research on User Expectations for Future Community Coworking Spaces

Driven by the rapid advancement of Intelligent technology, work practices and scenarios have undergone structural transformations, making community coworking a new urban office model. This study conducted an exploratory future research experiment using the 'setting the stage' method to uncover users' future expectations. The findings revealed dimensions of future expectations for community coworking spaces across overall, office, and non-office areas. It summarized design strategies for creating a smart ecological community coworking landscape, building a flexible shared office-life complex, and fostering interpersonal and community connections, offering references for designing future community workplaces.

A Black American Nutrition Scholar and Advocate: My Journey.

I started my journey as a nutrition scholar in 1974 when I began PhD studies at Cornell University. My journey has been rich with opportunity. I engaged in research on diet-related risks for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, partly motivated by my strong commitment to addressing health disparities affecting Black Americans. Obesity became my major focus and would eventually involve both US and global lenses. This focus was also linked to other dietary intake issues and health disparities and drew on knowledge I had gained in my prior study and practice of social work. I positioned myself as a bridge builder across nutrition, epidemiology, and public health, advocating for certain new ways of thinking and acting in these spheres and in the academy itself. Life skills honed during my formative years living within racially segregated contexts have been critical to any successes I have achieved.

Reflections from members of a collaborative social work practitioner–academic research team investigating the career progression experiences of black social workers

This article shares the reflections of members of a collaborative practitioner–academic research team in social work. The team investigated the career progression experiences of black social workers working in statutory social work services in South-East London. Our intention in this article is to share our experience of researching a subject that holds emotional and political resonance. We do so by offering individual perspectives from different team members on how their project involvement affected them both personally and professionally. We also discuss some of the general themes identified in our reflections. These include practitioners growing in research confidence, the need to create a safe emotional space for stories of researcher discomfort and uncertainty to be heard, the effects of undertaking research on professional social work identity, and curiosity about whether our research endeavours can change social work career progression policies and practices for black social work colleagues. We caution that a safe emotional container is required when researching personally and professionally sensitive, subjects such as racism and discrimination in social work. We hope that our article inspires social work practitioners to become involved in research activities.

COVID-19 outcomes: exploring the footprints of the pandemic on the office sector in Johannesburg, South Africa

Purpose This paper aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on office space in Johannesburg. This study further explores the role of changing work practices in the office sector in South Africa because of the pandemic and its impact on future office space use planning and management. Design/methodology/approach To understand the footprints that the COVID-19 pandemic has left on the office space market in Johannesburg, this study uses semi-structured interviews, which were administered to corporate office users, and a thematic analysis was adopted to understand the views, perspectives and expectations of office users. Findings The study showed that space users perceive COVID-19-induced remote working as having benefits, opportunities and challenges. A notable shift in office space utilization has emerged, with employees increasingly opting for roles that permit remote work. This newfound flexibility, accommodating both on-site and remote work, often makes working from home more appealing than traditional office environments that may no longer align with users’ preferences for office spaces. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to Johannesburg, South Africa, and may not apply to other African markets. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted, and analysis and results were deduced; this may be considered a limitation of this study. Practical implications The pandemic’s impact has brought about irreversible changes, compelling policymakers and business leaders to strategize and prepare. This proactive stance aims to prevent avoidable challenges for employees and companies during future pandemics. A thoughtful approach to the post-pandemic world can usher positive changes in the office and property sector. This includes the coexistence of both remote work and on-site working models. Originality/value This paper provides valuable insight into some of the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa that are essential for future office space use planning and management. The insights from this study extend the literature and provide novel knowledge based on an office sector in the “global south.”

Co-worker unprofessional behaviour and patient safety risks: an analysis of co-worker reports across eight Australian hospitals.

A key component of professional accountability programmes is online reporting tools that allow hospital staff to report co-worker unprofessional behaviour. Few studies have analysed data from these systems to further understand the nature or impact of unprofessional behaviour amongst staff. Ethos is a whole-of-hospital professional accountability programme that includes an online messaging system. Ethos has now been implemented across multiple Australian hospitals. This study examined reported unprofessional behaviour that staff indicated created a risk to patient safety. This study included 1310 Ethos submissions reporting co-worker unprofessional behaviour between 2017 and 2020 across eight Australian hospitals. Submissions that indicated the behaviour increased the risk to patient safety were identified. Descriptive summary statistics were presented for reporters and subjects of submissions about unprofessional behaviour. Logistic regression was applied to examine the association between each unprofessional behaviour (of the six most frequently reported in the Ethos submissions) and patient safety risk reported in the submissions. The descriptions in the reports were reviewed and the patient safety risks were coded using a framework aligned with the World Health Organization's International Classification for Patient Safety. Of 1310 submissions about unprofessional behaviour, 395 (30.2%) indicated that there was a risk to patient safety. Nurses made the highest number of submissions that included a patient safety risk [3.47 submissions per 100 nursing staff, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.09-3.9] compared to other professional groups. Medical professionals had the highest rate as subjects of submissions for unprofessional behaviour with a patient safety risk (5.19 submissions per 100 medical staff, 95% CI: 4.44-6.05). 'Opinions being ignored' (odds ratio: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.23-2.22; P < .001) and 'someone withholding information which affects work performance' were behaviours strongly associated with patient safety risk in the submissions (odds ratio: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.73-3.62; P < .001) compared to submissions without a patient safety risk. The two main types of risks to patient safety described were related to clinical process/procedure and clinical administration. Commonly reported events included staff not following policy or protocol; doctors refusing to review a patient; and interruptions and inadequate information during handover. Our findings indicate that unprofessional behaviour was associated with risks to patient safety. Co-worker reports about unprofessional behaviour have significant value as they can be used by organizations to better understand how unprofessional behaviour can disrupt work practices and lead to risks to patient safety.

Solidarity is not a dirty word: exploring and locating solidarity as a theory and model for a radical community social work practice

Within this article we highlight that social work is both a political as well as a professional practice. Despite years of technical specialisation and a policy context that has focused social work on risk management and resource allocation, there remains a deep commitment to care, compassion, and solidarity within contemporary social work practice. The article and its analysis make the case for a more politically informed social work practice, one that is based on solidarity; in opposition to a system that isolates individuals and internalises complex social problems. We posit that the application of solidarity within social work delivers a practice that promotes social inclusion and is based on the provision of practical social support. It is from this perspective that we will present evidence from ethnographic research, drawn from community social work practice, to highlight the importance of social solidarity and provide an insight into different ways of working.

Lessons Learned: Musings on Teaching Technology in Library and Information Science

Information professionals integrate a variety of technologies and tools into their work practices and are often introduced to these while they are students in library and information science programs. This commentary examines recent trends, barriers, and potential approaches in teaching technology for LIS graduate students. Here we draw on our expertise teaching several technology topics, including an introductory technology survey course for graduate students, programming and database management, and intersectionality and technology. Rooted in a reflection on our perspectives as technology educators, our analysis focuses on this central question: How can library and information science instructors foster the confidence, curiosity, and comfort that students need to continually engage with an ever-changing technological landscape throughout the course of their careers?