scholarly journals Engineering consultant-client relationship: Transactional versus collaborative approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
David Osuna Contreras
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Collaborative Approach ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Collaborative Relationships ◽  
Engineering Consulting ◽  
Client Relationship

<p>The main focus of this study was the transactional and collaborative nature of the engineering consultant – client relationship. The aim of the study was to determine the extent to which each one of these approaches describes real life business relationships in the engineering consulting context.  The study revealed that, in New Zealand, relationships between engineering consultants and their clients were mostly of a collaborative nature. However, collaborative trust-based relationships were held between individuals, not between companies. Even though clients and consultants also engage in transactional relationships, the extent of this type of relationship was significantly low.   It was also found that confrontational relationships do not constitute a third framework to in understanding client-consultant relationships. This type of relationship corresponds to a circumstantial context that is more common in transactional scenarios than in collaborative ones.   The decision on whether a relationship evolves depended on the client’s and consultant’s interests. Regardless of how a relationship started, whether it is a transactional or collaborative beginning, its evolution was determined by the levels of trust that were built up over time.   The challenge for consulting companies lies in taking the personal relationship between consultants and their clients to a state in which the individual expertise sought by clients was transferred to the company brand.  A collaborative approach had direct implications on other elements of the consulting business model such as value proposition, customers, costs and revenue. Similarly, collaborative relationships were the essence of the “key partners” element of a client’s business model.   Due to the highly tailored nature of engineering consulting businesses in New Zealand, it is considered to be a type of business which is very difficult to scale. Only transactional relationships offer the option to take advantage of economies of scale as these are easier to fit into standardised procedures. It is therefore considered that collaborative relationships will not fit a business model based on economies of scale.  The following recommendations are provided should either party want to nurture a collaborative relationship:  • Both clients and consultants should see each other as equally powerful while working together, as power imbalances of any kind can have negative consequences for the results of consulting projects. It is also suggested to establish a clear division of roles and responsibilities as this is a critical success factor in consulting projects.    • It is important that both client and consultant have as much shared input as possible during the scope of work definition. If there are any modifications to the scope of work during the project, these should be discussed with the stakeholders in order to ensure that the revised scope of work meets the expectations of both parties.   • The interaction between parties during the problem solving process should be kept as open as possible to maximise the two-way flow of ideas. For clients, it is suggested to allocate as much time as possible to the technical discussion with the consultant.   • If there are contracting teams involved in the negotiation process, it is important to differentiate their role from any existing relationship between individuals.  • An idea is a network. Building up collaborative networks with people from different backgrounds creates the right environment for the formation of innovative ideas. It is highly recommended to use collaborative interaction as the start of a client-consultant dynamic to foster the creation of new ideas and solutions.</p>

scholarly journals Engineering consultant-client relationship: Transactional versus collaborative approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
David Osuna Contreras
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Collaborative Approach ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Collaborative Relationships ◽  
Engineering Consulting ◽  
Client Relationship

<p>The main focus of this study was the transactional and collaborative nature of the engineering consultant – client relationship. The aim of the study was to determine the extent to which each one of these approaches describes real life business relationships in the engineering consulting context.  The study revealed that, in New Zealand, relationships between engineering consultants and their clients were mostly of a collaborative nature. However, collaborative trust-based relationships were held between individuals, not between companies. Even though clients and consultants also engage in transactional relationships, the extent of this type of relationship was significantly low.   It was also found that confrontational relationships do not constitute a third framework to in understanding client-consultant relationships. This type of relationship corresponds to a circumstantial context that is more common in transactional scenarios than in collaborative ones.   The decision on whether a relationship evolves depended on the client’s and consultant’s interests. Regardless of how a relationship started, whether it is a transactional or collaborative beginning, its evolution was determined by the levels of trust that were built up over time.   The challenge for consulting companies lies in taking the personal relationship between consultants and their clients to a state in which the individual expertise sought by clients was transferred to the company brand.  A collaborative approach had direct implications on other elements of the consulting business model such as value proposition, customers, costs and revenue. Similarly, collaborative relationships were the essence of the “key partners” element of a client’s business model.   Due to the highly tailored nature of engineering consulting businesses in New Zealand, it is considered to be a type of business which is very difficult to scale. Only transactional relationships offer the option to take advantage of economies of scale as these are easier to fit into standardised procedures. It is therefore considered that collaborative relationships will not fit a business model based on economies of scale.  The following recommendations are provided should either party want to nurture a collaborative relationship:  • Both clients and consultants should see each other as equally powerful while working together, as power imbalances of any kind can have negative consequences for the results of consulting projects. It is also suggested to establish a clear division of roles and responsibilities as this is a critical success factor in consulting projects.    • It is important that both client and consultant have as much shared input as possible during the scope of work definition. If there are any modifications to the scope of work during the project, these should be discussed with the stakeholders in order to ensure that the revised scope of work meets the expectations of both parties.   • The interaction between parties during the problem solving process should be kept as open as possible to maximise the two-way flow of ideas. For clients, it is suggested to allocate as much time as possible to the technical discussion with the consultant.   • If there are contracting teams involved in the negotiation process, it is important to differentiate their role from any existing relationship between individuals.  • An idea is a network. Building up collaborative networks with people from different backgrounds creates the right environment for the formation of innovative ideas. It is highly recommended to use collaborative interaction as the start of a client-consultant dynamic to foster the creation of new ideas and solutions.</p>

Industry 4.0: key findings and analysis from the literature arena

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2514-2542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rejikumar G. ◽  
Raja Sreedharan V. ◽  
Arunprasad P. ◽  
Jinil Persis ◽  
Sreeraj K.M.
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Model Potential ◽  
Generic Model ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Real Time Application ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose In recent years, a new transformation known as Industry 4.0 has drawn much attention throughout the world, and numerous investigations have fundamentally looked into the uprising concept. However, few have concentrated on the literature review. Taking this as motivation, the authors endeavored to assess the different attributes of Industry 4.0. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This review concentrated on linking the articles from different database and distinguishing the attributes of Industry 4.0. The authors assessed 85 articles from scholarly database and peer-reviewed journals on Industry 4.0 through the selection of the Mayring (2004) procedure. The examination included a four-advance process, in particular, material gathering, engaging investigation, classification of the choice and material assessment. Findings The study backs experts and readers to comprehend the spread of Industry 4.0 in various ventures. For academicians, this gives an extensive rundown of Industry 4.0 attributes. Besides, the writing review gives a chance to comprehend the idea of Industry 4.0 in detail. Further, the outcome aggregates the success factor, failure factor, business model, potential and difficulties in the context of Industry 4.0. Research limitations/implications Many areas such as supply chain, circular economy and healthcare have started exploring Industry 4.0. However, few specific cases have reported about it, and no generic model is found for real-time application. Practical implications The study serves as reference material for researchers and practitioners to understand the spread of Industry 4.0 and utilize the concept of Industry 4.0 for real-life application. Originality/value The study focuses on reporting the potential, challenges, business model and pre-requites of Industry 4.0.

scholarly journals SciNow: Multimodal Educational Resources

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Brontë Ammundsen
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Secondary Science ◽  
Economic Prosperity ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Charitable Trust

<p>The necessity for this project was identified as a response to declining levels of science engagement, academic success and literacy observed in New Zealand secondary science education (OECD, 2016). As international advancements in sciences and technology create shifts in the current economic landscape, increasing importance is being placed on knowledge-intensive industries. This changed weighting of industry contributions to economic prosperity creates a simultaneous change in future workforce skill requirements (Gilbert & Bull, 2013). With the importance of education in long-term social and economic prosperity being long acknowledged, the changing economic climate intensifies the urgent need to address New Zealand’s declining science engagement and academic success.  While the most significant facets of educational operations lie in education pedagogy and policy, the wide range of factors involved in educational outcomes yield expansive opportunities for potential innovations and commercialisation in the education sector. The opportunity for this project was derived from identifying the elements that contribute to these challenges, and isolating a gap in the market of science education resources. The purpose of this project was to research this potential market gap, as well as identifying how to appeal to it. This led to the proposal for the SciNow multimodal resource database, a resource database designed to provide engaging lesson and study materials to science students and teachers with an emphasis on real-life application of content. Through utilising the concept of multimodality, the database design proposes offering materials through ranging modes of communication to increase appeal to varying student learning preferences (Jewitt, 2008). The overall intention for the SciNow database is to raise attractiveness of science education by making it more interesting and relevant to students, thereby positively affecting educational outcomes and in turn leading to economic benefits in the form of a more ideally skilled workforce.  While initial investigation focused on creating a business model for commercialising the SciNow resource database, this intention was adjusted in response to literature reviews revealing the significant performance gap between high and low achievers in science education (Education Review, 2016). In addition to New Zealand exhibiting one of the largest performance gaps in the OECD, concerns are exacerbated by the lowest performing population’s overrepresentation of Maori and Pasifika students and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds (OECD, 2015). In response to the level of inequality in science education, the SciNow proposal was adjusted to be provided to all students and teachers nationwide for free.  The methodology implemented in this project was of a qualitative nature (Morgan, 1997). Interviews were conducted with secondary science teachers and students in which questioning focused on experiences with science education, including education resource availability and provision. Further focus groups were held with university students from wide-ranging backgrounds to gather reflective insight into experiences with science in school and in subsequent life.  The key findings indicated a desire for improved resource availability and quality, responding favourably to the proposition of the SciNow resource database. Further findings validated the proposed use of multimodality for engagement and focus on real-life content application.  Considering research findings, literature reviews, and the decision to provide the service freely, a flexible business model and case for investment is proposed and outlined in a strategic assessment business case. This business case proposes a three-phase process of development and implementation, influenced by the lean start-up business model. This three-phased plan begins with further research and subsequent development of a prototype as a minimum viable product. Following development, the prototype will then undergo testing and enhancement through feedback analysis, followed finally by expansion of the prototype to encompass the full database spectrum. The initial governing body will be composed of a core working group. Upon formation of a charitable trust, this core working group will evolve into an advisory board to act alongside the more commercially focused charitable trust board.  Key implications derived from this project are dual. In part, the project research emphasises the necessity for the education sector to consider more deep-rooted changes in the New Zealand education system (Bull, Gilbert, Barwick, Hipkins, & Baker, 2010). Significant changes are needed to truly optimise New Zealand science education, and provision of a resource database can only accommodate educational challenges, not fix them. However, the research and business case demonstrate that execution of the SciNow proposal is feasible, with the intended research and development crucial in maximising potential benefit of the service. Upon completion of this project, further work is intended to bring the SciNow concept to fruition.</p>

scholarly journals SciNow: Multimodal Educational Resources

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Brontë Ammundsen
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Secondary Science ◽  
Economic Prosperity ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Charitable Trust

<p>The necessity for this project was identified as a response to declining levels of science engagement, academic success and literacy observed in New Zealand secondary science education (OECD, 2016). As international advancements in sciences and technology create shifts in the current economic landscape, increasing importance is being placed on knowledge-intensive industries. This changed weighting of industry contributions to economic prosperity creates a simultaneous change in future workforce skill requirements (Gilbert & Bull, 2013). With the importance of education in long-term social and economic prosperity being long acknowledged, the changing economic climate intensifies the urgent need to address New Zealand’s declining science engagement and academic success.  While the most significant facets of educational operations lie in education pedagogy and policy, the wide range of factors involved in educational outcomes yield expansive opportunities for potential innovations and commercialisation in the education sector. The opportunity for this project was derived from identifying the elements that contribute to these challenges, and isolating a gap in the market of science education resources. The purpose of this project was to research this potential market gap, as well as identifying how to appeal to it. This led to the proposal for the SciNow multimodal resource database, a resource database designed to provide engaging lesson and study materials to science students and teachers with an emphasis on real-life application of content. Through utilising the concept of multimodality, the database design proposes offering materials through ranging modes of communication to increase appeal to varying student learning preferences (Jewitt, 2008). The overall intention for the SciNow database is to raise attractiveness of science education by making it more interesting and relevant to students, thereby positively affecting educational outcomes and in turn leading to economic benefits in the form of a more ideally skilled workforce.  While initial investigation focused on creating a business model for commercialising the SciNow resource database, this intention was adjusted in response to literature reviews revealing the significant performance gap between high and low achievers in science education (Education Review, 2016). In addition to New Zealand exhibiting one of the largest performance gaps in the OECD, concerns are exacerbated by the lowest performing population’s overrepresentation of Maori and Pasifika students and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds (OECD, 2015). In response to the level of inequality in science education, the SciNow proposal was adjusted to be provided to all students and teachers nationwide for free.  The methodology implemented in this project was of a qualitative nature (Morgan, 1997). Interviews were conducted with secondary science teachers and students in which questioning focused on experiences with science education, including education resource availability and provision. Further focus groups were held with university students from wide-ranging backgrounds to gather reflective insight into experiences with science in school and in subsequent life.  The key findings indicated a desire for improved resource availability and quality, responding favourably to the proposition of the SciNow resource database. Further findings validated the proposed use of multimodality for engagement and focus on real-life content application.  Considering research findings, literature reviews, and the decision to provide the service freely, a flexible business model and case for investment is proposed and outlined in a strategic assessment business case. This business case proposes a three-phase process of development and implementation, influenced by the lean start-up business model. This three-phased plan begins with further research and subsequent development of a prototype as a minimum viable product. Following development, the prototype will then undergo testing and enhancement through feedback analysis, followed finally by expansion of the prototype to encompass the full database spectrum. The initial governing body will be composed of a core working group. Upon formation of a charitable trust, this core working group will evolve into an advisory board to act alongside the more commercially focused charitable trust board.  Key implications derived from this project are dual. In part, the project research emphasises the necessity for the education sector to consider more deep-rooted changes in the New Zealand education system (Bull, Gilbert, Barwick, Hipkins, & Baker, 2010). Significant changes are needed to truly optimise New Zealand science education, and provision of a resource database can only accommodate educational challenges, not fix them. However, the research and business case demonstrate that execution of the SciNow proposal is feasible, with the intended research and development crucial in maximising potential benefit of the service. Upon completion of this project, further work is intended to bring the SciNow concept to fruition.</p>

Airbnb and the paradox of the body: The biopolitical management of hosts in four tourist towns in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
pp. 144078332110001
Author(s):  
Stella Pennell
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Individual Freedom ◽  
Time Work ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Part Time Work ◽  
Low Wages

Airbnb is emblematic of a set of business practices commonly known as ‘the sharing economy’. It is a disruptive business model of homestay accommodation that has exploited conditions of growing precarity of work since 2008. Work precarity is particularly evident in regional tourist areas in New Zealand, which historically experience seasonal, part-time work and low wages. Airbnb draws specifically on the rhetoric of micro-entrepreneurism, with focus on individual freedom and choice: appealing concepts for those experiencing precarity. This article challenges the rhetoric of Airbnb and investigates notions of home, authenticity and hospitality that are reconceptualized under a specific regime of digital biopolitics. Drawing on research conducted in four regional tourist towns in New Zealand this article analyses the biopolitical interpellations that impact hosts’ subjectivities as entities in motion and considers the ways that the rationalities of Airbnb’s algorithms modulate the embodied behaviours of its hosts.

FEATURES OF THE RUSSIAN SMALL BUSINESS MODEL AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
pp. 71-85
Author(s):  
Natal’ya E. Egorova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Bank Lending ◽  
Structural Instability ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Development Levels ◽  
The Impact

The article analyzes the quantitative and structural stability of Russian small business and identifies the model features of its functioning. It investigates the dynamics of development of Russian small business is investigated and notes a downward trend in the number of small and medium-sized enterprises over the past two years. A conclusion is drawn that the quantitative indicators reflecting its functioning are highly sensitive to the negative effects of the macroeconomic environment. The author introduces a concept of the small business heterogeneity and brings up its structural characteristics, represented by various categories of small and medium-sized firms. Comparative analysis of the Russian small business model with foreign small business confirms its quantitative and structural instability. That makes the considered sector of the national economy vulnerable to shocks (externalities), including the COVID-19 pandemic. It is assumed that the negative consequences of the pandemic will affect Russian small businesses more than foreign ones, and the gap in their development levels will widen. An assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Russian small business and a forecast of its development are made in the context of limited government support and the absence of active bank lending.

scholarly journals News, renewed: Towards a sustainable business model for online journalism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alexander Colin Clark
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Business Model ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Consumer Preference ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Online Journalism ◽  
News Websites ◽  
Conversion Rates ◽  
The Usa

<p>The News, Renewed project was established to pursue the following core objectives: 1) To identify the most promising business model for funding online journalism, through academic research. 2) To enable implementation of the most promising monetisation strategy, through the development of a technology enterprise.  From March to April 2014, Alex Clark conducted an online survey completed by 416 consumers, assessing willingness to pay for ten online monetisation strategies.  Strategies assessed include: payment-per-article, a payment-to-remove advertising, crowdfunding, donations, a mobile application, a ‘freemium’ model (charging only for premium content), a standalone subscription to a single news website, a national package of all news websites in New Zealand, a global package of all news websites in the world, as well as a multimedia package containing news, music, television and movies.  Survey data revealed that strategies embracing global bundling were most popular with respondents. While only one respondent (0.24%) said they would ‘definitely’ pay for a standalone subscription at $10 per month (NZD), 23 respondents (5.4%) said they’d definitely pay for a global news package, and 46 (10.8%) said they’d definitely pay for a news and multimedia package. Consumer preference for global bundling remained strong when viewing survey data through other analytical lenses, such as an aggregate of ‘probably’ and ‘definitely’ responses, as well as estimated conversion rates calculated using Predicted Purchase Intent values.  Upon completion of the survey, Alex worked with two developers to create PressPass, a platform focused on enabling the implementation of a bundling strategy by the journalism community. Once a prototype had been developed, Alex met with leading news organisations within New Zealand and the USA to share his findings and seek feedback about his proposed solution. In New Zealand, he met with NZME, TVNZ and MediaWorks. In the USA, he met with the New York Times, The Economist and National Geographic.  The News, Renewed thesis analyses the qualitative and quantitative findings from Alex’s consumer survey, while also providing qualitative insights from his interviews with industry leaders. The thesis has been submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Advanced Technology Enterprise at Victoria University of Wellington.</p>

scholarly journals Spaces of Wellbeing; A Framework for Tertiary Environments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Tessa Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Real Problem ◽  
Architectural Theory ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Maori Health

<p>Generally, one in five New Zealanders experience mental illness. Majority of lifelong mental illnesses begin before the age of 25, presenting a real problem for youth. In 2018, young people of New Zealand called for more help as they rallied outside parliament. The government responded by allocating more money towards student mental health. Yet, employing more counsellors, which is necessary, is not the only way to contribute to an urgent need for a new approach towards supporting mental health and wellbeing.   This research portfolio responded to this complex situation by developing ‘a guide’ for the design of tertiary spaces supportive of wellbeing. One of the most important goals of this work was to align the research closely with user needs and views, therefore research methods involved including students views in more than one phase of development. The work draws on evidence based design, geography, health and architectural theory and the existing wellbeing knowledge. Engagement with the users, observation, experiments and real life interventions were critical in refining a conceptual framework which kept the users at the centre of the process. The outcome of this research was a resource to guide the design of tertiary space for wellbeing, using five intervention points, which could have a positive effect on the student wellbeing if implemented as a system.  New Zealand must shift the current model of mental health care towards more holistic understandings of health, which better incorporates Māori health and wellbeing. Despite New Zealand’s bicultural values, Māori experience significantly higher rates of mental illness. This prompted to design with the same understandings of hauora (health). As a result, the conceptual framework presented a multi-dimensional, interconnected understanding of wellbeing through an integrated framework exploring physical, cultural, social, learning and spiritual environments.   While it is acknowledged that environments can affect our mental health, this is an under researched field requiring motivation to stimulate discussion and change. This research advocates wellbeing as a central focus in the design of our built environments and explores the opportunity for architecture to facilitate our student and national wellbeing goals.</p>

scholarly journals Residential Mobility and Changes in Deprivation Levels For 0 – 4 Year Olds in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Robertson ◽  
Kim Nathan ◽  
Philippa Howden-Chapman ◽  
Michael Baker ◽  
Polly Atatoa Carr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Residential Mobility ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Data Infrastructure ◽  
High Deprivation ◽  
Residential Moves ◽  
Government Data ◽  
Deprived Areas

IntroductionHigh residential mobility has been shown to have a negative impact on young children, with long-term consequences for their physical and mental health, and social outcomes. Understanding the broad trends in moves and differentiating between moves to neighbourhoods which are likely to have ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ consequences is an important question in the residential mobility literature, with important implications for public policy and children’s health. Objectives and ApproachThe aims of this study are to describe the level and changes in neighbourhood deprivation that occur during residential moves involving children aged 0–4 years of age in New Zealand, and to assess whether these changes differ for children of different ethnicities. Our cohort is 565,689 children born in New Zealand from 2004 to 2018. The dataset of residential moves is created using the full address notification table from the Integrated Data Infrastructure, a set of government data tables that have been linked and anonymised by Statistics New Zealand. ResultsWhile there is a reasonable amount of mobility in terms of the deprivation of the area in which a child lives, the most likely outcome of a move is that it will be to an area with the same level of deprivation. This is especially true for the most and least deprived areas. Areas of high deprivation have the highest levels of churn and residential mobility. Māori and Pasifika children have lower levels of socioeconomic mobility and are more likely to move into and to stay in, areas of high deprivation. Conclusion / ImplicationsChildren living in highly deprived areas are likely to stay in high deprivation areas. Children living in these areas also move more frequently than the general population. Māori and Pasifika children are overrepresented in high deprivation areas, and on average they move more frequently than the group of all children aged 0 – 4.

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