Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual cost estimation (CCE) model for building project by using a pragmatic approach, which is a mix of tools drawn from multiple regression analysis (MRA) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), to improve the accuracy of cost estimation at an early stage. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a set of MRA and integrating MRA with ANFIS or MRANFIS. A simultaneous regression analysis was developed to determine the main cost factors from 12 variables as input variables in the ANFIS model. Cost data from 78 projects of state building in West Sumatra, Indonesia were used to indicate the advantages of the proposed model. Findings The result shows that the proposed model, MRANFIS, has successfully improved the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) by 2.8 percent from MRA of 10.7–7.9 percent for closeness of fit to the model data and by 3.1 percent from MRA of 9.8–6.7 percent for prediction performance to the new data. Research limitations/implications Because the significant variables are different for each building type, the model may be not appropriate for other buildings depending on the characteristics of building. The models can be used and analyzed based on the own historical project data for each case so that the model can be applied. Originality/value The study thus provides better accuracy of CCE at an early stage for state building projects in West Sumatra, Indonesia by using the integrated model of MRA and ANFIS. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-07-11T11:45:33Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-11-2017-0111
Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss policy-relevant findings regarding strategies for mainstreaming gender in achieving sustainable post-disaster reconstruction (PDR). Design/methodology/approach An exploratory case study was used to explore the implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies and the link to sustainable PDR. The Bantul and Sleman regencies of Yogyakarta province provide a unique site for researching PDR as they are located in a region that is more strongly affected by earthquakes than nearly any other in Indonesia. Data were collected through interviews with 17 key stakeholders and 26 beneficiaries who were involved during and after the earthquake. To support the interview findings, surveys involving 50 policy makers and 150 beneficiaries were conducted. Content analysis and t-statistics were used in analyzing the data. Findings Gender mainstreaming strategies within sustainable reconstruction should incorporate strategies for protecting against gender vulnerabilities and for promoting gender capacities. Both are fundamental to the achievement of sustainable PDR. Originality/value The paper establishes comprehensive strategies for mainstreaming gender under three pillars (i.e. economic, social and environmental) of sustainable development. The findings benefit relevant policy makers by improving the policy performance of gender mainstreaming in the affected communities in enhancing sustainable PDR. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-06-22T08:08:11Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-10-2017-0086
Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to build upon the extensive application of risk registries in the construction literature and establish a systematic methodology to develop risk registries. Risk registries channel judgment of experts as a basis for risk analysis and should be tailored for each project to be more effective. Given their prevalence, there is a need for systematic integration of tacit and explicit knowledge to develop practical risk registries. Design/methodology/approach A combined approach is proposed using the systematic literature review (SLR) technique to integrate explicit knowledge and Delphi technique to integrate tacit knowledge in the development of risk registries. This two-step approach further increases the robustness of the registries by validating them through integrating and contrasting multiple forms of knowledge for a tailored risk registry. Findings The application of the proposed approach indicates that the use of multiple forms of knowledge can increase the robustness and practicality of risk registries. It also showcased its potential in the development of risk registries for complex projects. Examples include modification of risk factors obtained from the explicit sources of knowledge based on contextual tacit knowledge. Originality/value The proposed approach is an imperative step to standardize the development of risk registries. With its inherent validation process through integrating and contrasting tacit and explicit knowledge, practitioners can use this approach to develop practical risk registries for different categories of projects. Integrating different forms of knowledge can increase the impact of registries beyond risk assessment and in contexts such as decision making and performance assessment. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-05-24T06:57:39Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-08-2017-0051
Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose A section of project management literature attributes overruns to estimators’ deceit and delusion. An example of this is Flyvbjerg’s theorisation of strategic misrepresentation and optimism bias. To show that such a notion is not true entirely, the study elicits evidence relating to how costs of projects often fluctuate erratically as prices of construction materials change throughout contract cycle times. The purpose of this paper is to examine the causal relationships between persistent changes in prices of construction materials and project’s outturn costs. Design/methodology/approach The authors obtained and analysed price data of construction materials published in a Nigerian national daily in the 16 years between 2000 and 2015. Additional data were obtained from a quantity surveying firm to validate the archival data on material prices, and to compare the firm’s robust database of project estimates and the corresponding outturn costs of specific building elements (detailed in the study). The goal of the analysis is to explore spontaneity and causal impact in the relationship between changes in prices of construction materials and project costs. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Anderson-Darling tests were used to obtain the probability distributions of the causal relationships. Findings Findings show disproportionate positive correlations between changes in material prices and outturn costs in Nigeria. An important dimension to this, however, is that although fluctuations in material costs often trigger variations to project costs, outturn price only accounts for about one-third of actual cost variability. Recovery of costs, not least profit making, under these conditions is a complex process. Originality/value This paper concludes that dynamism in cost attributes is neither a deceit nor a delusion; understanding and tolerating them is not a systemic weakness, rather an essential key to project success and stakeholder satisfaction. Findings from the study also bring measured certainties to the transformation of variable costs into fixed price outcomes, an important consideration that will help contract estimators and project managers to understand the likelihood of fluctuation in material costs and how these might trigger variability in project costs. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-05-23T08:13:12Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-12-2017-0119
First page: 239 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the complex interdependence of the factors in driving or hindering construction productivity at the industry, project and activity levels in a systemic manner. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods design, which combines a critical literature review, an interview-based survey with 32 industry experts and five focus group meetings participated in by 109 representatives of a wide range of industry stakeholder groups, was employed to identify the drivers for and constraints on construction productivity enhancement in Hong Kong and explore the interrelated insights into the drivers and constraints. Findings The study conceptualised and validated a systemic framework for examining construction industry productivity, and developed three causal loop diagrams (CLDs) for illustrating the dynamic structures that underpin the complex systems of the drivers and constraints. Research limitations/implications Although the scope of the study was limited to Hong Kong, the results could be interpreted for critical learning in other urban contexts. Practical implications The systemic perspective of construction productivity and the CLDs of the drivers and constraints support the systems thinking of industry stakeholders in the formulation of holistic strategies for long-term construction industry productivity enhancement. Originality/value The study conceptualises construction productivity from a systemic perspective and provides empirically supported CLDs to facilitate future investigations into the complex system of construction productivity. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-05-11T10:10:53Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-10-2017-0099
First page: 253 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The construction industry is a significant driver of economic activity in many countries. However, there has been a lack of growth in productivity within the Australian construction sector over recent years. The purpose of this paper is to gain an in-depth understanding of the causes for declining productivity within the Australian mid-rise residential construction network. Design/methodology/approach Two in-depth case studies have been conducted with a builder and developer, both significant entities of the Australian mid-rise residential construction network. Case study data collection comprised a five-stage process including semi-structured interviews and archival information review. Findings Drivers for declining construction productivity were identified under the categories of: industry-, firm- and project-level productivity. The drivers include: incomplete documentation, design changes, inefficient project management, supply chain fragmentation, among others. Originality/value The contribution of this study is the identification and categorisation of major issues impacting sector productivity along the mid-rise residential construction supply chain. The research identified that the substructure and superstructure are the construction phases during which most productivity losses occur. Mitigations are discussed in terms of systemic sector productivity increases at an industry, firm and project levels. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-06-15T11:26:52Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-10-2017-0097
First page: 267 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how on-site blockwork craft gangs’ learning impacts productivity within the production environment on-site to optimise their productivity. Design/methodology/approach The research is adopting a quantitative method with the observation of seven craft gangs’ blockwork with an average of five members in each gang, using the learning curve model application in a 17-storey tri-tower construction project in Nigeria. The linear regression method was employed in the analysis stage of this study using labour-recorded productivity time input as the dependent variables. Findings The paper provides empirical insights about the significance of on-site craft gangs’ learning. The overall blockwork craft gangs learning observed at the site level shows an average learning rate of 94.21 per cent resulting in 5.79 per cent improvement gains. Research limitations/implications Due to the nature of the study and the research question, the observations in this research study were limited to FCDA construction project in Nigeria. The limitation of this scenario is that the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, there is the need for further study on the learning rate. Practical implications This research study includes the implications for the development of on-site blockwork craft gangs learning; the significant impact of learning rate of 94.21 per cent resulting in 5.79 per cent improvement gain can be used in the planning and to fast track the productivity of craft gangs’ construction. Originality/value This paper identified the need to improve construction productivity through craft gangs’ on-site learning with the application of the learning curve theory. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-05-10T11:06:32Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-09-2017-0067
First page: 281 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of public projects in Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney to uncover which areas project managers should focus on when managing public projects in different countries. Design/methodology/approach Based on the literature review, a structured questionnaire was designed to collect data of completed public projects. In total, 244 sets of data of completed public projects were collected. Findings Significant cost and schedule overruns are found in all four cities. Hong Kong’s public projects have the highest cost and schedule overruns. Singapore’s public projects have the lowest cost overrun and Beijing’s projects have the lowest schedule overrun. Public projects in all four cities recorded significantly good project quality. Research limitations/implications The findings are not easily generalizable due to the relatively small sample size in Sydney, low response rate and data being collected from only four cities. The research implication is that the plethora of project management strategies does not seem effective in preventing cost and schedule overruns in public projects. Practical implications This study found that across the four cities, there are significant cost and schedule overruns. Projects in Hong Kong perform the worst in terms of cost and schedule, when compared to Beijing, Singapore and Sydney. The implication is that more attention should be paid to managing cost and schedule, especially in Hong Kong. Originality/value The originality is that the study discovered which areas project managers should focus on when managing public projects in different countries. In laissez-faire or free market economies, more attention should be paid to managing project cost and schedule. When a country has lower transparency index, more attention should be paid to controlling project quality. Project team members should focus on delivering public projects to the highest level of quality in developed countries. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-04-13T09:49:53Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-08-2017-0059
First page: 293 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a motivation framework that will enhance labour productivity for Iskandar Malaysia (IM) construction projects. The vision of IM development corridor is to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s most developed region by the year 2025. IM cannot realise this foresight without effective labour productivity. Previous studies have reported that the labour productivity of IM construction projects was six times lower than the labour productivity of Singapore construction projects, due to lack of motivation among IM labourers, and a shortage of local skilled labour. Therefore, there is a need to study how to motivate IM construction labourers, so as to increase their productivity. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research method was used to collect data from IM construction skilled labourers and construction professionals, using two sets of questionnaire. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 40 skilled labourers and 50 construction professionals responded to the questionnaire survey, and the data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science software (version 22). Findings The analysis revealed the major factors that motivate labourers participating in IM construction projects. The factors were ranked hierarchically using Relative Importance Index (RII) and the outcome of the ranking indicated that effective management, viable construction practices, financial incentives, continuous training and development, and safe working environment were the most significant motivation strategies that positively influence IM construction labourers. Originality/value The study developed and validated a framework that can be used to boost the morale of IM construction labourers, so that their productivity can be increased. Implementation of the established motivation framework will also lead to career progression of IM construction labourers, based on the training elements in the framework. This career prospect will attract local skilled labourers to participate in IM construction projects. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-05-24T07:03:21Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-09-2017-0070
First page: 305 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for value management (VM) implementation by establishing the effect of critical success factors on current construction practices. This will aid stakeholders to improve productivity of construction practices in the Nigerian construction industry. The study established the requirements that ought to be satisfied for VM to successfully enhance productivity of construction activities. Design/methodology/approach Data collection was based on self-administered questionnaires from 344 registered construction professionals in Nigeria. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 and structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data for both descriptive and inferential analyses. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy revealed that the internal consistency of the developed research instrument was appropriate, while the confirmatory factor analysis indicated satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices among acknowledged determinants of the structural model. Findings A framework that established the requirements for the successful implementation of VM construction practices in the Nigerian construction industry. Originality/value A structural model validated the requirements of applying VM on current construction practices. The established requirements (environment, people, government and information/methodology) can be used by decision makers and stakeholders to improve productivity of the current construction practices in the Nigerian construction environment. A framework was developed and validated by construction experts to confirm its suitability, usefulness and acceptance. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-06-14T07:49:27Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-09-2017-0078
First page: 320 Abstract: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Ahead of Print. Purpose The issue of low productivity has remained a very stern and chronic problem in construction projects. Previous studies have found poor communication as one of the leading causes of low-construction productivity. Recent advances in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) have the potential to enhance communication and access to information in construction projects. However, the implications of the use of mobile ICT on construction productivity have not been investigated in sufficient depth, especially from the perspectives of its users, i.e. construction management (CM) professionals. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A focus group session involving ten experienced CM professionals from different organisations of the South Australian construction industry was moderated by a group of four researchers to gather data on mobile ICT usage and its implications for construction productivity. Findings Lack of training and guidelines on effective applications of these technologies to construction projects is a major bottleneck. Results indicate that despite noticeable advances in mobile ICT, differences in usage style and user attitude have limited their overall impact on productivity. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on data gathered from CM professionals working in the South Australian construction industry. Practical implications The study highlights the importance of strategising the use of mobile ICT to achieve the desired productivity rates through policy, training, work-life balance, and deeper and wider understanding of these technologies. Originality/value The study examines the perceptions of CM professionals on the usefulness of mobile ICT in construction projects and its implications for construction productivity. Citation: Built Environment Project and Asset Management PubDate: 2018-05-29T10:47:44Z DOI: 10.1108/BEPAM-10-2017-0080
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