Advantages And Disadvantages Of Prefabrication As Construction Method Construction Essay

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Prefabrication As Construction Method Construction Essay The aim of this research is to establish whether an increased use of off-site manufacture will produce a more energy efficient housing stock, as the UK gets closer to its carbon reduction deadline. The objectives of this study are; To identify the key advantages and disadvantages of prefabrication as a construction method, and to establish how these are achievable compared to traditional methods. To identify the current requirements for energy efficiency in new build houses. To identify the requirements of the Climate Change Act 2008 and how this will affect the construction industry. To establish the current use and opinion of prefabrication/off-site manufacture in the construction industry The UK is legally bound to cut its green house gas emissions under the Climate Change Act 2008. These cuts are a 34% reduction by 2022 and an overall 80% reduction by 2050, compared to the baseline emission value from 1990. This is not a scientific quantitative study of the actually energy effic iencies of the construction method, but more of an in-depth qualitative study of the features of prefabrication. This will be done by reviewing existing literature on the topic and comparing this to actual opinions and use in the construction industry. These opinions and the level of implementation of prefabrication within the construction industry will be established using questionnaires. From this analysis it is hoped that there are environmental benefits to using off-site manufacture/prefabrication. This should then be shown in the construction industry by it’s increasingly use. With the UK’s housing stock producing approximately 30% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, it is a sector where huge environmental gains can be made (House of Commons 2005). Although the Climate Change Act 2008 is not specifically aimed at the construction industry, the Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change, David Kennedy has called for action in â€Å"four key areasâ⠂¬ ; the method by which electricity is produced, increasing the use of electric transport, reducing the carbon footprint of farms in the UK and an increase in the construction of energy efficient homes (Adam 2010). Many reports, especially from prefabrication manufacturers themselves state the benefits of off-site construction over traditional methods. These include an increased speed of construction, better health and safety conditions on-site, better quality of final product and a lesser total cost when economies of scale apply. However when observing construction sites; off-site construction seems to not be included and traditional methods of construction seem to dominate. This study aims to find out the actual use of prefabricated, off-site components within the industry, and the reasons professionals have for either using, or not using this construction method. The hypothesis for this study states that the current use of off-site manufactured components will have a positive c orrelation to the perceived benefits from using them. For example if the perceived benefits of the using off-site manufactured components are great, then it is predicted that their use will be common within construction. Conversely if the features of prefabrication are not greatly beneficial compared to traditional methods, it is predicted that the use of off-site manufacture in the construction industry will be low. These assumptions have been made due to common reasoning, being that; if something is more beneficial than another, it will be chosen more often.

Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness Assignment - 5

Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness - Assignment Example Walmart’s international operations began in 1991 when the retailer entered into a joint venture with Cifra, a Mexican retail company. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, the retailer recorded net sales of $274 billion from its U.S. operations. During the same period, Walmart garnered net sales of $135 billion from its international operations. Technological changes including advancements in information and communication technology have played a monumental role in Walmart’s success. Walmart has been a pioneer in embracing technology. In 1987, the company installed the largest private satellite communication system in the United States (Walmart, 2014). The system enabled the retailer to link its business operations through voice, data as well as video communication. The company uses robots in its warehouses to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The retailer is also introducing convertible cash registers at its stores to enable self-checkout by customers. Walmart relies heavily on information technology in its back office support functions. Walmart recognizes the importance of the rapidly expanding e-commerce market and has invested heavily to build strong capabilities in online and mobile infrastructure. A strong web presence is likely to enable Walmart offer a wide assortment of products to its customers anytime, anywhere. An upgraded search engine for walmart.com has already led to increased online sales for the retailer. The various macro environmental dimensions like political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors affect the working of Walmart. The ideology of the government determines whether it is pro or anti business. Since Walmart is present in numerous countries, it faces diverse political circumstances. Political instability in any country has the potency to adversely affect the operations and revenues of Walmart. The retailer has to ensure

Chinese media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Chinese media - Essay Example The same could be said of China, a country in which activism is viewed as illegal and an act against the values shared by the government. However, the presence and availability of media activism has increased the country’s ability to take part in activism. With a massive population, media activism in China has provided a platform for communication for many people gagged from taking part in conventional activism processes (Wallis 410). Specifically, people in China have been cited as one of the greatest consumers of media activism in a country where freedom is not viewed as a democratic right. Media activism in China may be defined from two contrasting perspectives. There is the government and society definition of media activism. For the Chinese government, media activism is only legal where the users use the available technologies in communication to cite the positive features of the government. For instance, media houses in China are licensed to provide information as specified by the government. This form of media activism does not allow for criticism of highlighting of the errors by the governing body. The definition also covers providing information on the acts of the government depicting change, control, superiority and just (Yang 54). The social definition of media activism in China is the completely opposite of the stated definition. The definition mainly focuses on highlighting the need of change. Considering that the conventional media in China has no power to provide voice to the citizens, other media sources are relied upon to voice the frustrations on the government. Media activism from the people is defined as act by which the society is provided with an opportunity to challenge the existing non-democratic rule of law. China is highly defined by a rule of law inconsiderate of the rights of people. Problems in the nation can only be headlined