Making overall assessment comments in the "Findings and Analysis" chapter in applied business research report

Making overall assessment comments in the "Findings and Analysis" chapter in applied business research report: 2 groups of suggestions

Most students have no difficulties to make findings statements based on individual research method used; however, to come up with some assessment comments based on a synthesis of all the research methods findings and based on the theoretical framework (as produced via the agile literature review approach) is easier said than done. Here are my suggestions on how to do so:

Group 1: factors and linkages analysis
1. Identify (i) the most critical factor(s) and linkage(s) from all the research findings and (ii) the relatedness of these critical items (i.e., critical factors and linkages) as a kind of "critical path".

2. Identify a set of critical factors with linkages and comment on the combined effect of it (the set of critical factors) on other domains of your theoretical framework (e.g., the outcome domain of your theoretical framework).

Group 2: emergent properties analysis
By considering all the research findings together, you form an overall impression on the problem-situation and make some evaluative comments on emergent properties of the system(s) under review, notably the company studied. These emergent properties can be associated to the following management topics:

1. Strategic drift 1/ strategic drift 2
2. Strategic misalignment (especially with I. Ansoff's rating forms)
3. Strategic leadership
4. Obstacles to change and learning
5. Organizational types of H. Mintzberg
6. Types of management theories (R.E, Miles)
7. Existence of certain wicked problems, that cannot be addressed / solved with piecemeal approaches

Housing imaginations assignment 2 - some guidelines

Housing imaginations assignment 2 - some guidelines

1. Critically discuss the assertion by Doreen Massey (1992) that homes, like all ‘places’, are open to, and created by, the social relations which extend beyond them.

2. To what extent does the concept of ‘place’ provide a useful; basis for understanding the dynamics and conflicts surrounding home-places?

3. In what ways is the housing imagination gendered an d classed?

Essay structure:

Part 1: explain (i) the main viewpoint of the statement (e.g. the intended analytical usage of it), (ii) the underlying Housing Imaginations concepts involved and (iii) how these concepts are related to each other as suggested by the statement.

Part 2: Discuss the statement in the following sequence:

2.1. An elaboration with the supportive standpoint (e.g. sociological perspective (s) on the statement would be as follows, with the following examples for illustration

2.2. An elaboration with the opposing standpoint on the statement would be as follows, with the following examples for illustration.

2.3. A discussion on possible blind spots on the standpoint as endorsed by the assignment statement.

Part 3: Concluding remarks

3.1. Explore any room for coping with the tension involved in the debate (i.e., between 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3).

3.2. Reflect on the discussion and offer your personal viewpoint on the topic.

3.3. Based on 3.3., suggest some recommendations that can be made.

*** pls ensure that you make use of some relevant HI concepts in your discussion.

Chapter structure on Conclusions and recommendations with the agile literature review approach (ALRA):

Chapter structure on Conclusions and recommendations with the agile literature review approach (ALRA):

Dissertation project title
Executive summary
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
List of figures and tables

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Literature review

Chapter 3: Research methods
Chapter 4: Findings and analysis

Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations

5.1. Chapter introduction

5.2. An evaluation of the actionable value of the main research findings: some concluding comments

5.3. Recommendations
5.3.1. Recommendations at the strategic level
5.3.2. Recommendations at the tactical level
5.3.3. Recommendations at the operational level

5.4. An evaluation of the academic value of the dissertation project work

5.5. Concluding remarks on the extent of achieving the research objectives

5.6. Some reflexivity-related comments on the dissertation project practice performed.


Chapter 6: Personal development

References

Appendix

Chapter structure on Introduction with the agile literature review approach (ALRA)

Chapter structure on Introduction with the agile literature review approach (ALRA):

Dissertation project title
Executive summary
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
List of figures and tables

Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1. Basic information on the nature and scope of this dissertation report
1.2. Background of the company studied and its management concern(s), especially of its organizational unit of analysis under investigation (plus a few ones from its containing unit)
**** The management-concerns diagram is shown in this section.
1.3. On the dissertation project background, the researcher's relationship with the client organization (especially with its organizational unit of analysis under investigation, project objectives, project scope, academic literature review scope and its contextualization, major research methods used and the intended values of this applied business research project
1.4. An overall view of the dissertation report structure

Chapter 2: Literature review

Chapter 3: Research methods
Chapter 4: Findings and analysis

Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations
Chapter 6: Personal development

References

Appendix

Chapter structure on Findings and analysis with the agile literature review approach (ALRA)

Chapter structure on Findings and analysis with the agile literature review approach (ALRA):

Chapter structure on Findings and analysis with the agile literature review approach (ALRA):

Dissertation project title
Executive summary
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
List of figures and tables

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Literature review

Chapter 3: Research methods

Chapter 4: Findings and analysis

4.1. Chapter introduction: the objectives and approach of the analysis
4.2. Findings and analysis from individual research methods: highlights
4.2.1. Main findings from research method 1
4.2.2. Main findings from research method 2
4.2.3. Main findings from research method 3

4.3 Some observations of research findings in terms of the research methods flowchart 

4.4. Findings in terms of the theoretical framework of the dissertation project

4.5. A synthesis and assessment of the main research findings: some overall comments


Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations
Chapter 6: Personal development

References

Appendix

Chapter structure on Literature Review with the agile literature review approach (ALRA):

Chapter structure on Literature Review with the agile literature review approach (ALRA):

Chapter structure on Literature Review with the agile literature review approach (ALRA):

Dissertation project title
Executive summary
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
List of figures and tables

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Literature review

2.1. Purpose of the chapter

2.2. Purpose, literature search and literature review strategy of the dissertation project

2.3. An overall view and rationale of the theoretical framework of the dissertation project
***** The level 0 and level 1(a & b) theoretical frameworks are shown in this section.

2.4. An examination of the components and linkages of the theoretical framework as a literature review exercise

**** conduct literature review here, component item, one by one, from left to right of the theoretical framework; for core-focus domain items, you need to do a proper literature review exercise on them (e.g. review concepts, knowledge gaps, and implementation techniques); make sure you also justify why your chosen academic ideas are useful to inform your corresponding research tasks [i.e. diagram component items].

2.5. Some comments on the strengths and weaknesses of the theoretical framework for its employment in the dissertation project

Chapter 3: Research methods
Chapter 4: Findings and analysis
Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations
Chapter 6: Personal development

References

Appendix

Chapter structure on Research Methods with the agile literature review approach

Chapter structure on Research Methods with the agile literature review approach (ALRA):

Dissertation project title
Executive summary
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
List of figures and tables

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Literature review

Chapter 3: Research methods

3.1. Purpose of the chapter

3.2. Overall research strategy and research methods used
3.2.1. An overview of the research strategy employed
3.2.2. Specific research methods used
With primary data gathering
3.2.2.1. Research method 1: Individual interview
3.2.2.1.1. Overall research design of research method 1
3.2.2.1.2. Some evaluative comments on research method 1 design
3.2.2.2. Research method 2: Questionnaire survey
3.2.2.2.1. Overall research design of research method 2

3.2.2.2.2. Some evaluative comments on research method 2 design
3.2.2.3. Research method 3: Focus group
3.2.2.3.1. Overall research design of research method 3

3.2.2.3.2. Some evaluative comments on research method 3 design
With secondary data gathering
3.2.2.4. Internet research
3.2.2.4.1. Overall research design of  the Internet research

3.2.2.4.2. Some evaluative comments on the Internet research design
Data analysis exercises
3.2.2.5. Qualitative data analysis with research methods 1, 2 and 3
3.2.2.6. Quantitative data analysis with research method 2
3.2.2.7. Some evaluative comments on the overall data analysis approaches to be employed

*** A summary of research methods' profiles

3.3. The association of research methods with the theoretical framework
***** The level 1 theoretical framework with mapped-on research methods (theoretical framework level 1c) is shown in this section. 

3.4. A flowchart/ gantt view of the research methods employed

3.5. The nature as well as strengths and weaknesses of the overall research design.
3.5.1. The underlying research philosoph(ies) and research approaches of the overall research design
3.5.2. Strengths and weaknesses of the overall research design


Chapter 4: Findings and analysis
Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations
Chapter 6: Personal development
References
Appendix

An example of management concern(s) and theoretical framework: XYZ Ltd.

An example of management concern(s) and theoretical framework: XYZ Ltd.


Diagram 1: On management concerns as related to the business turnaround situation of XYZ Ltd:

Diagram 2: On the theoretical framework to study the business turnaround attempt (entry to the China market) of XYZ Ltd:

The housing imaginations (hi's) statement analysis worksheet (HISAW): a research note

The housing imaginations (hi's) statement analysis worksheet (HISAW): a research note

 JOSEPH KIM-KEUNG HO

Independent Trainer

Hong Kong, China

Dated April 17, 2018

Abstract: The study of shared viewpoints in housing, called housing imaginations (hi's) is  a major analytical approach in the subject of Housing Imaginations (HI). However, quite some HI learners experience difficulties to conduct review on hi's. This paper offers the housing imaginations analysis statements worksheet (HISAW) as an analytical tool to conduct housing imaginations analysis. As such, it contributes to the methodological enhancement on the overall Housing Imaginations approach in the HI literature.

Key words: Housing Imaginations (HI), housing imaginations (hi's), artifact, the housing imaginations statements analysis worksheet (HISAW).

Introduction

The subject of Housing Imaginations (HI) studies viewpoints, chiefly shared one, on housing-related topics, e.g., home ownership, homelessness, housing affordability and public housing (Ho, 2014; 2018). These housing-related viewpoints are known as housing imaginations (hi's) in Housing Imaginations. More specifically, Housing imaginations (hi's) are housing-related viewpoints, mainly shared by a group of people with certain personal profiles and interests, that respond to housing issues/ concerns as well as dynamic situations, solutions, policies and practices. Inevitably, such viewpoints have cultural contents, e.g. perceptions on (i) human nature, (ii) human relation between people, with the society, the external environment, and government, and (iii) problem-solving and planning attitudes. This research note introduces the housing imaginations statements analysis worksheet (HISAW) as an HI tool for HI analyst. The next section discusses how the HISAW fits into the overall approach of HI analysis. Then the HISAW is explained.

The role of the HISAW in the overall approach of HI analysis

Drawing on Ho (2014), an overall approach of Housing Imaginations (HI) analysis comprises the following 5 steps:

Task 1: Select an artifact or a set of related artifacts, e.g. a photo, a newspaper article or a book, etc., that are associated to a specific housing theme to study;

Task 2: formulate some housing imaginations (hi's) that can be associated to the selected artifact;

Task 3: Discuss the chosen artifact set using HI concepts (Ho, 2014; 2018), e.g., place, space and home;

Task 4: Examine a few “socially produced discourses” as related to your discussion in Tasks 2 and 3;

Task 5: Come up with some Housing Studies-related viewpoints and findings that have actionable value for certain stakeholders, e.g., in the form or recommendations on housing policy, out of your study outcomes from Tasks 1 to 4.

From the writer's teaching experience on HI over the last 4 years, he recognizes that many HI students have experienced difficulty to go through these 5 steps of the HI approach. One difficulty encountered by HI students is the formulation of housing imaginations statements associated to the chosen set of HI artifacts (re: Step 1) and, subsequently, to examine and reflect on the HI artifacts (re: Step 3). Heeding this difficulty, the writer construct the housing imaginations statements analysis worksheet (HISAW) as an analytical tool for HI analysts to facilitate them to practise steps1 and 2 of the HI approach. The HISAW is explained in the next section.

The form and usage of the housing imaginations statements analysis worksheet (HISAW)

Housing imagination statements on a specific housing topic are mainly formulated by studying some artifacts perceived, notably some cultural artifacts. Apparently, the HI analyst needs to conduct sufficient literature review and has reasonable grasp of the subject of HI in order to conduct the housing imaginations statements analysis. The preparation to use the housing imaginations statement analysis worksheet (HISAW), in terms of the overall HI approach is to study a set of artifacts on a housing theme. For our illustration, the housing theme the writer examines is on "nano flats in Hong Kong" and the set of artifacts reviewed is a number of the South China Morning Post (SCMP) newspaper articles found via an Internet search. After a quick review of the SCMP articles, the writer produces the following study note (Table 1):

Table 1: a study note on "nano flats in Hong Kong"

Article 1: Sito, P. 2017. "Nano flats sell for HK$3m as property prices predicted to soar 20 per cent in 2018" South China Morning Post December 12 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2124028/tiny-flats-costing-us383000-and-prices-predicted-rise-another) [visited at April 13, 2018]

1.1. "....... “As home prices have risen at such a rapid pace, there aren’t too many flats being sold below HK$3 million,” said Louis Chan Wing-kit, Centaline’s managing director for residential department";

1.2 "....  two property consultants said the city’s housing market – already ranked as the world’s least-affordable urban centre – can expect to be propelled even higher as the booming stock market, record-low unemployment and high economic growth ensure economic sentiment remains high";

Article 2: Zhen, S. 2017. "Parking space-size flat to be the new norm as affordability eludes Hong Kong's first-time buyers" South China Morning Post October 26 (url address; http://www.scmp.com/business/article/2116992/nano-flats-expected-flood-hong-kong-market-first-time-buyers-continue) [visited at April 13, 2018].

2.1 "At least 2,100 nano flats are expected to be completed between now and 2020 in Hong Kong, to lure more young homebuyers into getting their first foot on the property ladder in the world’s most expensive housing market";

2.2 "The majority will be located in the New Territories, well away from the city’s core business districts";

2.3 "“Most first-time buyers can afford property costing under HK$6 million (US$769,000),” said Henry Mok, regional director of capital markets at JLL. “However, that budget would only allow them to buy a sizeable flat in an old housing estate (over 30-years-old) in urban areas, given prices have reached record highs.” They would much rather buy a new nano flats of their own, he added";

2.4 "Some of the smallest projects in the city are set to provide nano flats ranging in size from 128 sq ft upwards, which is smaller than a standard 134 sq ft Hong Kong car parking space";

Article 3: Ye, J. 2017. "8 Hong Kong nano flats that prove small can still be beautiful" South China Morning Post August 12 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/2106471/here-are-8-hong-kong-nano-flats-prove-small-can-still-be) [visited at Apriil 13, 2018].

3.1 "Small flats are here to stay in Hong Kong. Over a quarter of the completed units last year were Class A flats, which measure less than 400 square feet (37 square metres) in size";

3.2 "...just because the stage is small, it doesn’t lack the ability to razzle or dazzle. These tiny flats bring out the best in architects, who use their skills to optimise the use of space";

3.4 "The flat can morph into a bathroom with a Duravit bathtub, a living room with a hammock, a fully equipped kitchen, a walk-in closet, a dining area for five people, a laundry room and more";

3.5 "The 194 sq ft show flat in Tsim Sha Tsui’s Miramall also contains a plethora of transformable elements, with a wine fridge, washing machine and a shoe cabinet that can hold up to 12 pairs of footwear";

3.6 "The 150 sq ft studio flat has a 3.7-metre ceiling and an open-plan living design featuring a loft bedroom, a pantry, a private bathroom and plenty of hidden storage space. The flat also features a bookcase that doubles as a door";

3.7 "Otto Ng Chun-lun, co-founder of LAAB, transformed a tiny flat into a smart home that accommodates a cosy home theatre, a generous kitchen and a dining room";

3.8 "The flat appears to be more spacious than it actually is, thanks to its monochrome colour and an abundance of windows";

3.9 "Sometimes less is more. Glory Tam Chi-kiu, founder of Mister Glory, optimised the sense of space in a 369 sq ft flat in Wan Chai by using materials with only a limited selection of colours - pale-wood laminate floor, pale-wood veneer furniture, smooth white walls and white marble details for a touch of luxury";

Article 4: Cheng, R. 2017. "'Nano' flats on the rise as Hong Kong homes shrink amid high property prices" South China Morning Post April 17 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2088171/nano-flats-rise-hong-kong-homes-shrink-amid-high-property) [visited at April 13, 2018].

4.1 "Hongkongers are feeling the squeeze as new “nano” flats measuring less than 200 sq ft are mushrooming around urban districts such as Wan Chai, Central and Western and Sham Shui Po, according to official figures";

4.2 "The tiny flats are more popular in some districts than others – 10.8 per cent of all homes completed in Wan Chai last year were nano flats, the highest proportion in any district";

4.3 "Ryan Shum, Centaline’s marketing manager for Wan Chai, said nano flats were not a new phenomenon in the district. Some flats completed in the 1980s were also less than 200 sq ft in size, he said";

4.4 "“Wan Chai attracts a lot of young and single executives working in Central and Admiralty who want to live close to their offices,” Shum said";

4.5 "Buggle Lau Kar-fai, chief analyst of Midland Realty, said: “With property prices staying high, buying a small flat with a smaller lump sum is the only way some people can afford to buy property.

4.6 “Another issue is the mortgage. Nano flats often cost less, so buyers without strong financial resources may be able to finance their purchase.”...";

4.7 "Lau warned of risks for buyers of nano flats. “People won’t stay in nano homes forever. Even owner-occupiers will want to move to a bigger flat one day. If the market goes downward, then bigger flats will become more ­affordable. Owners of nano flats may find the demand for such flats can decline.”..";

Article 5: Liu, Y. 2017. "Small doesn't come cheap - Hong Kong's nano flat cost 9 per cent more in square footage" South China Morning Post August 29 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/business/article/2108665/hong-kongs-tiny-flats-9pc-pricier-larger-homes-sq-ft} [visited at April 13, 2018].

5.1 "Hong Kong’s second-hand tiny flats are 9 per cent more expensive than larger ones on a per square foot basis, as record-high home prices and government cooling measures have created a mismatch between supply and demand";

5.2 "The per square foot price of tiny flats is 9.8 per cent higher than that of flats of 400 to 800 sq ft, and 4.1 per cent higher than that of flats larger than 800 sq ft....  This reflects an unintended effect of the government’s cooling measures to rein in the world’s least affordable housing market, which is the distorted demand and supply relation in the secondary market, analysts said";

5.3 "The government raised the stamp duty to 15 per cent for all residential purchases except for first-time buyers in November 2016. In a policy-related tightening, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has rolled out eight rounds of mortgage restrictions since 2014.

5.4 "The ability and motivation of middle-class families to sell their existing homes to buy larger ones declined because of these measures, said Wong Leung-sing, associate director of research at Centaline Property Agency. “The government policies only leave a way out for first-time buyers and buyers of smaller flats.”...";

5.5 "The low interest rate environment also made homeowners less likely to sell their properties due to the lack of profitable investment alternatives, said Lau...";

Via studying the study note (re: Table 1), a number of housing imagination statements (HISs)  are formulated as follows:

HIS 1:  More availability of Nano flats in the Hong Kong property market offers an affordable housing solution to young home-buyers, thus a desirable;

HIS 2: Via good interior design, Nano flats can be made attractive to their residents as well as meet most home function needs reasonably well for young home-buyers;

HIS 3: The demand for nano flats, though not quite a livable housing solution itself, e.g., too spatially squeezed, is a consequence of poor government policy and the prevailing macro-environmental condition;

HIS 4: Nano flats, while not a novel phenomenon in Hong Kong, will become the new normal in the housing market in Hong Kong; thus, it is not right to complain about them as a new type of housing offer in the housing market;

HIS 5: Nano flats are expensive and are risky investments for families in Hong Kong; it is not advisable for young home buyers to consider them;

 HIS 6: Buying nano flats is a compromised flat-purchase decision have flat location closer to major workplaces at the expense of home living space. They are suitable for young home-buyers who are career-minded. Thus, they offer a relevant flat purchase choice to young home-buyers.

With the six HISs formulated as step 2 of the HI approach, an HI analyst can now insert them into a housing imaginations statements analysis worksheet (HISAW) for further review (re: step 3 of the HI approach). The analysis worksheet is shown as follows (Exhibit 1):

Exhibit 1: a housing imaginations statements analysis worksheet (HISAW)

Housing imagination statements with illustrative artefacts	Supporting information and analysis elements
Housing imagination statement 1: Illustrative artefacts: Artefact 1: Artefact 2: Artefact 3:	A. Supporting viewpoints and sources (e.g., newspaper articles) Point 1:   (source: reference xxx) Point 2 (source: reference xxx) B. Likely supported by which stakeholder groups: Stakeholder group 1: Reasons Stakeholder group 2: Reasons C. Space, place and home analysis Space-based analysis ideas (SAI): SAI 1: SAI 2: Place-based analysis ideas (PAI) PAI 1: PAI 2: PAI 3: Home-based analysis ideas (HAI) HA 1: HA 2: HA 3: D: Your own critical and imaginative ideas (OCII) OCII 1: OCII 2: OCII 3:
Housing imagination statement 2: Illustrative artefacts: Artefact 1: Artefact 2: Artefact 3:	A. Supporting viewpoints and sources Point 1:   (source: reference xxx) Point 2 (source: reference xxx) B. Likely supported by which stakeholder groups: Stakeholder group 1: Reasons Stakeholder group 2: Reasons C. Space, place and home analysis Space-based analysis ideas (SAI): SAI 1: SAI 2: Place-based analysis ideas (PAI) PAI 1: PAI 2: PAI 3: Home-based analysis ideas (HAI) HA 1: HA 2: HA 3: D: Your own critical and imaginative ideas (OCII) OCII 1: OCII 2: OCII 3:
Housing imagination statement 3: Illustrative artefacts: Artefact 1: Artefact 2: Artefact 3:	A. Supporting viewpoints and sources Point 1:   (source: reference xxx) Point 2 (source: reference xxx) B. Likely supported by which stakeholder groups: Stakeholder group 1: Reasons Stakeholder group 2: Reasons C. Space, place and home analysis Space-based analysis ideas (SAI): SAI 1: SAI 2: Place-based analysis ideas (PAI) PAI 1: PAI 2: PAI 3: Home-based analysis ideas (HAI) HA 1: HA 2: HA 3: D: Your own critical and imaginative ideas (OCII) OCII 1: OCII 2: OCII 3:
Housing imagination statement 4: Illustrative artefacts: Artefact 1: Artefact 2: Artefact 3:	A. Supporting viewpoints and sources Point 1:   (source: reference xxx) Point 2 (source: reference xxx) B. Likely supported by which stakeholder groups: Stakeholder group 1: Reasons Stakeholder group 2: Reasons C. Space, place and home analysis Space-based analysis ideas (SAI): SAI 1: SAI 2: Place-based analysis ideas (PAI) PAI 1: PAI 2: PAI 3: Home-based analysis ideas (HAI) HAI 1: HAI 2: HAI 3: D: Your own critical and imaginative ideas (OCII) OCII 1: OCII 2: OCII 3:
Overall comments and recommendations on the array of housing imaginations examined by the HI analyst: Comment 1: Comment 2: Comment 3: Recommendation 1: Recommendation 2: Recommendation 3:

Regarding the HISAW (re: Exhibit 1), a number of housing imaginations (hi's) are identified and expressed into written statements. A housing imagination is more often than not expressed in 2 sentences to more succinctly convey its viewpoint. The HISAW encourages the HI analyst to consider an array of housing imaginations by formulating a number of housing imaginations statements on a specific housing theme, e.g., nano flats in Hong Kong. It is vital to also provide a set of supporting materials for each housing imaginations statement. These include: (a) illustrative artifacts, e.g. photos, (b) supporting viewpoints with referencing sources, e.g., newspaper articles[1], (c) Major supportive stakeholder groups and reasons, (d) Space, place and home analysis ideas on the housing imaginations statement, and, lastly, some overall comments and recommendations from the HI analyst. An illustration, though an incomplete one, on how the HISAW can be used is provided in Exhibit 2. This HISAW is used to examine some of the HISs on the theme of "nano flats in Hong Kong" noted above (re: Table 1):

Exhibit 2: Housing imaginations statements analysis worksheet (HISAW)

Housing imagination statements with illustrative artefacts	Supporting information and analysis elements
Housing imagination statement 1: More availability of Nano flats in the Hong Kong property market offers an affordable housing solution to young home-buyers, thus a desirable. Illustrative artefacts: Artefact 1: Artefact 2: Artefact 3:	A. Supporting viewpoints and sources (e.g., newspaper articles) Point 1:   2.3 "“Most first-time buyers can afford property costing under HK$6 million (US$769,000),” said Henry Mok, regional director of capital markets at JLL. “However, that budget would only allow them to buy a sizeable flat in an old housing estate (over 30-years-old) in urban areas, given prices have reached record highs.” They would much rather buy a new nano flats of their own, he added" (Article 2: Zhen, S. 2017. "Parking space-size flat to be the new norm as affordability eludes Hong Kong's first-time buyers" South China Morning Post October 26 (url address; http://www.scmp.com/business/article/2116992/nano-flats-expected-flood-hong-kong-market-first-time-buyers-continue) [visited at April 13, 2018]). Point 2 (source: reference xxx) B. Likely supported by which stakeholder groups: Stakeholder group 1: Young home-buyers Reasons Stakeholder group 2: Property developers Reasons C. Space, place and home analysis Space-based analysis ideas (SAI): SAI 1: SAI 2: Place-based analysis ideas (PAI) PAI 1: PAI 2: PAI 3: Home-based analysis ideas (HAI) HA 1: HA 2: HA 3: D: Your own critical and imaginative ideas (OCII) OCII 1: OCII 2: OCII 3:
Housing imagination statement 2: Via good interior design, Nano flats can be made attractive to their residents as well as meet most home function needs reasonably well for young home-buyers. Illustrative artefacts: Artefact 1: Artefact 2: Artefact 3:	A. Supporting viewpoints and sources Point 1:   3.8 "The flat appears to be more spacious than it actually is, thanks to its monochrome colour and an abundance of windows" (Article 3: Ye, J. 2017. "8 Hong Kong nano flats that prove small can still be beautiful" South China Morning Post August 12 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/2106471/here-are-8-hong-kong-nano-flats-prove-small-can-still-be) [visited at Apriil 13, 2018]. Point 2 (source: reference xxx) B. Likely supported by which stakeholder groups: Stakeholder group 1: Young home-buyers Reasons Stakeholder group 2: Property developers Reasons Stakeholder group 3: Interior designers Reasons C. Space, place and home analysis Space-based analysis ideas (SAI): SAI 1: SAI 2: Place-based analysis ideas (PAI) PAI 1: PAI 2: PAI 3: Home-based analysis ideas (HAI) HA 1: HA 2: HA 3: D: Your own critical and imaginative ideas (OCII) OCII 1: OCII 2: OCII 3:
Housing imagination statement 3: The demand for nano flats, though not quite a livable housing solution itself, e.g., too spatially squeezed, is a consequence of poor government policy and the prevailing macro-environmental condition. Illustrative artefacts: Artefact 1: Artefact 2: Artefact 3:	A. Supporting viewpoints and sources Point 1:   1.2 "....  two property consultants said the city’s housing market – already ranked as the world’s least-affordable urban centre – can expect to be propelled even higher as the booming stock market, record-low unemployment and high economic growth ensure economic sentiment remains high";  (Sito, P. 2017. "Nano flats sell for HK$3m as property prices predicted to soar 20 per cent in 2018" South China Morning Post December 12 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2124028/tiny-flats-costing-us383000-and-prices-predicted-rise-another) [visited at April 13, 2018]) Point 2:  5.2 "The per square foot price of tiny flats is 9.8 per cent higher than that of flats of 400 to 800 sq ft, and 4.1 per cent higher than that of flats larger than 800 sq ft....  This reflects an unintended effect of the government’s cooling measures to rein in the world’s least affordable housing market, which is the distorted demand and supply relation in the secondary market, analysts said" (Article 5: Liu, Y. 2017. "Small doesn't come cheap - Hong Kong's nano flat cost 9 per cent more in square footage" South China Morning Post August 29 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/business/article/2108665/hong-kongs-tiny-flats-9pc-pricier-larger-homes-sq-ft} [visited at April 13, 2018]). B. Likely supported by which stakeholder groups: Stakeholder group 1: Reasons Stakeholder group 2: Reasons C. Space, place and home analysis Space-based analysis ideas (SAI): SAI 1: SAI 2: Place-based analysis ideas (PAI) PAI 1: PAI 2: PAI 3: Home-based analysis ideas (HAI) HA 1: HA 2: HA 3: D: Your own critical and imaginative ideas (OCII) OCII 1: OCII 2: OCII 3:
Housing imagination statement 4: Nano flats, while not a novel phenomenon in Hong Kong, will become the new normal in the housing market in Hong Kong; thus, it is not right to complain about them as a new type of housing offer in the housing market. Illustrative artefacts: Artefact 1: Artefact 2: Artefact 3:	A. Supporting viewpoints and sources Point 1:   4.3 "Ryan Shum, Centaline’s marketing manager for Wan Chai, said nano flats were not a new phenomenon in the district. Some flats completed in the 1980s were also less than 200 sq ft in size, he said" (Article 4: Cheng, R. 2017. "'Nano' flats on the rise as Hong Kong homes shrink amid high property prices" South China Morning Post April 17 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2088171/nano-flats-rise-hong-kong-homes-shrink-amid-high-property) [visited at April 13, 2018]) Point 2:  3.1 "Small flats are here to stay in Hong Kong. Over a quarter of the completed units last year were Class A flats, which measure less than 400 square feet (37 square metres) in size" (Article 3: Ye, J. 2017. "8 Hong Kong nano flats that prove small can still be beautiful" South China Morning Post August 12 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/2106471/here-are-8-hong-kong-nano-flats-prove-small-can-still-be) [visited at Apriil 13, 2018]). B. Likely supported by which stakeholder groups: Stakeholder group 1: Reasons Stakeholder group 2: Reasons C. Space, place and home analysis Space-based analysis ideas (SAI): SAI 1: SAI 2: Place-based analysis ideas (PAI) PAI 1: PAI 2: PAI 3: Home-based analysis ideas (HAI) HAI 1: HAI 2: HAI 3: D: Your own critical and imaginative ideas (OCII) OCII 1: OCII 2: OCII 3:
Overall comments and recommendations on the array of housing imaginations examined by the HI analyst: Comment 1: Comment 2: Comment 3: Recommendation 1: Recommendation 2: Recommendation 3:

Some of the fields in the HISAW are left blank so as to encourage HI students to take up their own analysis efforts that make use of concepts from the HI subject.

Concluding remarks

The HISAW, including the illustrative one on the theme of "nano flats in Hong Kong", is a useful analytical tool to examine housing imaginations in the subject of Housing Imaginations. With more experience in trying out this worksheet, more illustrative examples and further enhancement of the HISAW will be made. This in turn is expected to contribute to the methodological development of the overall HI approach.

References

Cheng, R. 2017. "'Nano' flats on the rise as Hong Kong homes shrink amid high property prices" South China Morning Post April 17 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2088171/nano-flats-rise-hong-kong-homes-shrink-amid-high-property) [visited at April 13, 2018].

Ho, J.K.K. 2014. "An Endeavor to Establish the Subject of Housing Imagination based on Critical Systems Thinking" European Academic Research 2(2) May: 2048-2066.

Ho, J.K.K. 2018. "An updated exposition on the subject of housing imagination(s)" Joseph KK Ho e-resources blog April 10 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2018/04/an-updated-exposition-on-subject-of.html) [visited at April 15, 2018].

Liu, Y. 2017. "Small doesn't come cheap - Hong Kong's nano flat cost 9 per cent more in square footage" South China Morning Post August 29 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/business/article/2108665/hong-kongs-tiny-flats-9pc-pricier-larger-homes-sq-ft} [visited at April 13, 2018].

Sito, P. 2017. "Nano flats sell for HK$3m as property prices predicted to soar 20 per cent in 2018" South China Morning Post December 12 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2124028/tiny-flats-costing-us383000-and-prices-predicted-rise-another) [visited at April 13, 2018].

Ye, J. 2017. "8 Hong Kong nano flats that prove small can still be beautiful" South China Morning Post August 12 (url address: http://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/2106471/here-are-8-hong-kong-nano-flats-prove-small-can-still-be) [visited at Apriil 13, 2018].

Zhen, S. 2017. "Parking space-size flat to be the new norm as affordability eludes Hong Kong's first-time buyers" South China Morning Post October 26 (url address; http://www.scmp.com/business/article/2116992/nano-flats-expected-flood-hong-kong-market-first-time-buyers-continue) [visited at April 13, 2018].

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[1] It is useful to compile a study note on newspaper articles with specific points noted on them as examples of supporting viewpoints (re: Table 1).