Developing affordable and sustainable housing through energy, transport, and building utility integration

Housing affordability and sustainable development are not polarised ideologies as both are necessary with increasing urbanisation. We must bridge the gap between current median house pricing and target affordable house pricing whilst pursuing sustainability. This paper examines the potential of initial construction cost and ongoing utilities and transport cost reduction through the integration of sustainable housing design and transit oriented development principles in a Commuter Energy and Building Utilities System (CEBUS). It also introduces current research on the development of a Dynamic Simulation Model for CEBUS applications in the Australian property development and construction industry.

Informal caring networks for people at end of life: Building social capital in Australian communities

The care of a person living at home near the end of their life is predominantly provided by family carers with the support of health services such as palliative care. In addition, informal caring networks also contribute at times to the support to the dying person and their carer. In this way, these networks can promote social capital in the communities from which they are drawn. This social approach to end of life care enhances community capacity to provide support to those dying at home and their carers. This article examines relevant published literature to explore the conceptual foundations of informal caring networks, examining the place of social capital and community development in the provision of end of life care at home, particularly in the Australian context.

Challenges facing the application of sustainability to housing in Saudi Arabia

Modern Saudi housing supply is neither sustainable nor efficient in meeting the conservative Islamic culture of the community and the local environmental conditions. This thesis develops a model for successful development of sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia by incorporating multi stakeholder inputs on key barriers, critical success factors and best practice case studies. The model will help create public awareness and education tools for both private and public sectors on sustainable housing. It provides a framework that includes cultural and environmental needs of the conservative Saudi neighbourhood. It may assist the Saudi government to regulate new building codes and regulations.

Challenging the myths about flexible work in the ADF

In May 2011, the Minister for Defence requested a review into the treatment of women in the ADF following allegations of inappropriate conduct at the Australian Defence Force Academy. The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) initiated the review under the leadership of the Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, who challenged the ADF to improve its culture and build a more inclusive environment for its members. The need for flexible work arrangements (FWAs) emerged as a central issue in the review, not least as a mechanism for improving the recruitment and retention of women in the ADF. The review, and its subsequent audit report, concluded that flexibility would strengthen the ADF but that there were cultural and structural obstacles. This article addresses the uptake of formal and informal FWAs in the ADF. The study is part of an Australian Research Council funded project, led by Queensland University of Technology, which addresses how the timing, location and tasks of work are negotiated in exchanges between managers and employees.

A study of the informal interactions between audit committees and internal auditors in Australia

This paper finds evidence for the growing importance of informal interactions between the internal audit function and the audit committee (AC) in Australia – a relatively unexplored topic in the literature – using a survey of Chief Audit Executives (CAEs). It also describes the nature of these informal interactions. The most innovative elements of this paper are the findings that certain personal characteristics of CAEs, the specific knowledge and expertise of the AC chair, as well as some of the AC chair’s personal characteristics are associated with the existence (and increase) of informal interactions.

Sustainable innovation for Queensland’s housing design : a case study

This research provides an assessment tool that assists the selection process of sustainability in detached suburban housing. It investigates the implications of using different design and construction methods including architecturally designed houses, developer housing and prefabricated houses. The study simulates one example of the three types of houses that have been chosen to fulfil a real client brief on a real site on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia. Criteria for sustainability assessment are formulated based on literature reviews, exemplar designs and similar research projects for which the houses can be adequately evaluated. This criterion covers aspects including energy use, materials and thermal performance. The data is collected using computer models and sustainability assessment software to compare and draw conclusions on the success of each house. Our study indicates that architecturally designed housing with prefabricated building techniques are a better alternative to generic developer style housing. Our research provides an insight into the implications of three key elements of sustainability including energy use, materials and thermal performance. Designers, builders, developers and home-buyers are given an insight into some options currently available on the housing market and how the choices made during early design stages can provide a more positive environmental impact.

Innovative design : developing strategies to improve developer attitudes to sustainable housing

The literature advocates more widespread adoption of a particular type of house – a manufactured high performance green house and/or house components (MHPGH) and this is the focus of the research proposal outlined in this conceptual paper. The aim of the current paper is to outline a robust program of work to improve adoption of MHPGH. The contribution of houses to climate change is investigated, the conservatism of the construction industry is documented, a conceptual framework through which to understand the problem is presented; a program of research to bring about change is outlined; and the benefits of doing so are summarised. The contribution of the paper is the presentation of novel theory and methods to address sustainability problems in the construction industry. Future work will involve execution of the proposal. A limitation of the paper is that the effectiveness of the proposed theory and methods are yet to be tested.

Work and life balance practices in Bhutan

This research examined formal and informal human resource policies and practices that support work life balance (WLB) in Bhutanese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Developing countries like Bhutan where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make up the majority of all enterprises are less likely to encompass formal comprehensive WLB policies that more privileged societies like the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK where the concept of WLB began. Interviews were conducted with 20 employees and 10 employers from 10 SMEs in Bhutan. Results showed that informal practices were the predominant mechanism for employees to manage the multiple roles in their lives. Strong norms of trust between employers and employees supported these informal practices.

Reshaping housing : the role of prefabricated systems

Prefabricated housing innovations have the potential to reduce the environmental impact of construction through improving efficiency and quality. The current paper systematically summarises the published evidence since 1990 that describes the barriers and drivers affecting the uptake of prefabricated housing innovations. These are discussed in relation to a ‘Project-Based Product Framework’ which considers multiple stakeholders including builders and other intermediaries, suppliers, end-users, the broader policy context and technical issues. The framework facilitated identification of central issues such as the prevalent business and cultural resistance associated with process changes; the potential for efficiency and quality improvements and cost savings; the simultaneous risks and benefits of close supplier-builder relationships, and negative user perceptions towards prefabricated houses. Though there is a lack of evidence regarding the effects of regulations and government policies on prefabrication uptake, there are indications of the positive potential of financial and social incentives. Directions for further research include understanding how to: manage the industry’s transition to prefabricated houses; appropriately compare prefabricated housing to traditional housing on cost, efficiency and quality measures; reconcile the differing perspectives of various stakeholders; quantify and identify the perspectives of the potential end-user population, and manage the interface between the emerging industry and information technology improvements.

Profiling the nature and context of the Australian prefabricated housing industry

The current state of the prefabricated housing market in Australia is systematically profiled, guided by a theoretical systems model. Particular focus is given to two original data collections. The first identifies manufacturers and builders using prefabrication innovations, and the second compares the context for prefabricated housing in Australia with that of key international jurisdictions. The results indicate a small but growing market for prefabricated housing in Australia, often building upon expertise developed through non-residential building applications. The international comparison highlighted the complexity of the interactions between macro policy decisions and historical influences and the uptake of prefabricated housing. The data suggest factors such as the small scale of the Australian market, and a lack of investment in research, development and training have not encouraged prefabrication. A lack of clear regulatory policy surrounding prefabricated housing is common both in Australia and internationally, with local effects in regards to home warranties and housing finance highlighted. Future research should target the continuing lack of consideration of prefabrication from within the housing construction industry, and build upon the research reported in this paper to further quantify the potential end user market and the continuing development of the industry.

What’s driving the uptake of prefabricated housing in Australia?

Prefabrication has been promoted as a means to improve the efficiency of the Australian house building industry. Issues affecting the uptake of prefabrication were identified through interviews with small and medium sized building companies. Prefabrication’s specific impact on housing construction and smaller organisations has not been frequently investigated. Similar past research has been conducted without the use of a clear theoretical grounding guiding the identification of relevant issues. The current study is guided by a combination of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This allowed the identification of a broad range of issues across attitudinal, normative, behavioural control and technology adaptation domains. Results revealed improved quality was often offset against practical cost implications. While a high quality of prefabricated products was reported, key technical challenges included coordinating the transporting of modules, and balancing standardisation and product flexibility. Resistance from traditional industry stakeholders regarding build methods, financing, and openness to encouraging prefabrication was commonly reported. The key role of government decision making in facilitating greater demand and competitiveness of prefabricated businesses in the consumer marketplace was also highlighted. Further research is currently being undertaken by the authors, which builds on the exploratory results of the current study through confirmatory, quantitative surveying.