Maimunah Sapri

Ubiquitous Positioning: A Taxonomy for Location Determination on Mobile Navigation System

The location determination in obstructed area can be very challenging especially if Global Positioning System are blocked. Users will find it difficult to navigate directly on-site in such condition, especially indoor car park lot or obstructed environment. Sometimes, it needs to combine with other sensors and positioning methods in order to determine the location with more intelligent, reliable and ubiquity. By using ubiquitous positioning in mobile navigation system, it is a promising ubiquitous location technique in a mobile phone since as it is a familiar personal electronic device for many people. However, there is an increasing need for better development of proposed ubiquitous positioning systems. System developers are also lacking of good frameworks for understanding different options during building ubiquitous positioning systems. This paper proposes taxonomy to address both of these problems. The proposed taxonomy has been constructed from a literature study of papers and articles on positioning estimation that can be used to determine location everywhere on mobile navigation system. For researchers the taxonomy can also be used as an aid for scoping out future research in the area of ubiquitous positioning.

Ubiquitous positioning: integrated GPS/Wireless LAN positioning for wheelchair navigation system

The location determination in obstructed area can be very challenging especially when the Global Positioning System is blocked. Disable users will find it difficult to navigate directly on-site in such condition, particularly in obstructed environment. Sometimes, it needs to integrate with other sensors and positioning methods in order to determine the location with more intelligent, reliable and ubiquity. By using ubiquitous positioning, it provides the location technique inside the wheelchair navigation system that needed for disable people. In this paper, we utilizes the integration of wireless local area network and the Global Positioning System which receive signal strength from access point and at the same time, it retrieve Global Navigation System Satellite signal. This positioning information will be switched based on type of environment in order to ensure the ubiquity of wheelchair navigation system. Finally, we present our results by illustrating the performance of the system for an indoor/ outdoor environment set-up.

The effect of green envelope components on green building value

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify green envelope building components of residential buildings applicable under hot and humid climates and to analyze the effect of these components on building value. Design/methodology/approach The authors place an emphasis on green envelope components that influence building value and which are derived based on their integration into a building envelope structure that is applicable under hot and humid climates. This is performed through identification of green benefits of each green envelope component based on literature reviews and in relation to green criteria listed by the Malaysia Green Building Index (GBI). Consequently, a quantitative analysis has been conducted to determine the effect of these green envelope components on building value by means of a questionnaire distribution among 550 property valuation practitioners in Malaysia. However, in order to certify respondents’ credibility, the authors analyzed questionnaires answered by property valuation practitioners with experience in green valuation. Findings The findings show that there are ten green envelope components currently certified under GBI Malaysia and applicable for hot and humid climates. There are three green envelope components that can increase property values, specifically: solar photovoltaic, green living wall and green roof. However, eight of the green envelope components have no effect on building value. Research limitations/implications Due to the relative immaturity of the green building market in Malaysia, the authors were unable to analyze the actual percentage of increment on building value as conveyed by each green envelope component. Originality/value This paper aims to provide understanding of the effect of individual green envelope components on building value rather than merely the value of green buildings in general. It proves that green building envelope components do in fact contribute to an increase in green building values. As the green building market in Malaysia is still in its infancy, this study is significant in that it prepares the Malaysian green building market to attain a new level by providing valuation practitioners with awareness of green building values and new knowledge concerning the effect of individual green components on building values. Hence, it is anticipated that this study can assist property valuation practitioners in conducting valuations of green buildings in the future.

An assessment model of FM organisational performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the existing model developed by Hsu and Sabherwal (2012) by developing a new dimension of the relationships between a group of constructs (knowledge elements, mediating constructs and facility management [FM] organisational performance) in the model of FM organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the theoretical studies empirically to all of the knowledge elements (learning culture, intellectual capital and knowledge management) literature, mediating constructs (customer performance, efficiency, innovation and dynamic capabilities) and the organisational performance that relates to FM. Findings The paper identifies the relationships between the knowledge elements, mediating constructs and the FM organisational performance. Subsequently, a proposal of relationships was made to develop the FM organisational performance model. Research limitations/implications The model provides a possible explanation of relationships between the knowledge elements, mediating constructs and the FM organisational performance. Thus, the understanding of the identified relationships will provide a new direction in improving the FM organisational performance. Originality/value Addressing lack of research in identifying the importance of relationships between knowledge and the FM organisational performance, the paper conceptualises the potential relationships into a proposed model. The proposed model integrates with a new mediating construct into the existing research model, which is customer performance. Moreover, knowing that the nature of FM organisation is more towards the non-financial aspects, the paper investigates the nature of the efficiency and organisational performance that is not based on the financial performance, but rather the ability to optimise organisational resources, to achieve organisational goals and customer needs.

Identifying Critical Attributes Using an Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis (IPMA): The Case of Stratified Residential Property Management in Malaysia

Stratified residential property management, one of the sub-sectors of the real estate industry in Malaysia, has been facing the pressures as the awareness amongst buildings occupiers of effective management has increased. In line with recent literature on the increasing awareness of residents and the critically needs of effective property management, efforts are required to identify and clarify the critical activities and its attributes in managing the stratified residential properties that could effects the property management service delivery. This study used the partial least squares (PLS) and structural equation modeling (SEM) and followed by Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis (IPMA) to examine the 11 activities and their attributes. There were 11 activities and each of them consists of attributes that played as measurement variables that were believed could affect the property management. The IPMA results indicated that maintenance and financial is the key activities that critically affect the stratified residential property management service delivery. Interestingly, it is also found that tenancy & marketing negatively affect the property management service as tenancy and marketing services are not major services for the residential property. It is believed that an identification of the critical attributes for stratified residential property management will lead to more effective and efficient in service delivery

Students Waste Reduction Intentions for Greener Hostel Buildings in Universities

This study predicts the reduction behavioral intention of students residing in universities hostel buildings, by examining the effect of socio-demographic background, using theory of planned behavior. A total sample of 234 (49.8%) students from Bayero University Kano and 236 (50.2%) from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria have completed the questionnaires that consist of measures related to their self-reported waste reduction behavioral intentions (RBI), attitudes, subjective norms and their behavioral control towards the waste reduction practice. Structural Equation Modeling (SME) were used, which predicts that subjective norms have strongest influence towards reduce behavioral practice, while perceived behaviour control is the second, finally attitude have a negative influence on RBI. In accordance this variables may likely improve the predictive validity of the existing conceptual models of waste reduction behavioral intentions for a green hostel buildings.

Approach to calibrated simulation tool for improved building performance

Simulation tools represent continuous, stochastic processes in buildings by discrete time-step, deterministic model estimations. All models make assumptions when representing real buildings. Detailed models more closely represent the operation of the real building and allow Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) to be investigated at finer resolution, using fewer assumptions. This paper presents a systematic, evidence-based approach to calibrated simulation. This approach yields a calibrated model that is based solely on referenced sources of information about the building. The proposed methodology builds on some of the best techniques from the reviewed literature and combines these with an evidence-based approach that uses version control software to track the calibration process.Although the process produces a single, deterministic model for an inherently stochastic process (building operation), such an approach can produce meaningful conclusions where sub-utilities hourly measured data and significant resources for further investigation and measurement are available.