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Organization, Technology and Management in Construction
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ISSN (Print) 1847-5450 - ISSN (Online) 1847-6228
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A new framework for ranking Critical Success Factors for International
Construction Projects
- Abstract: Due to the wide range of opportunities, collaborations, and challenges offered by the international construction sector, interest in international construction is on the rise. Construction companies must be able to carry out international construction projects (ICPs) more effectively and efficiently. However, executing ICPs is more challenging than executing domestic construction projects. Considering the peculiarities of the construction industry and the associated complexity of construction projects, construction companies should decide on international capability and the selection of an ICP through a careful evaluation of their critical success factors (CSFs). Most of the previous research deals with the concept of CSFs in the context of project management in general, but few studies have identified CSFs for ICPs. To fill that gap in current research, the main objective of this study was to identify and group CSFs for ICPs. A total of 37 CSFs were identified after conducting a detailed literature review and a pre-pilot study. A new framework of CSFs for ICPs was proposed following primary research, which was conducted through in-depth interviews with leading experts in international projects. Although the constructability/complexity factor of the project received the highest rating in terms of importance to the success of the ICP, the next most critical factors were found to be external factors, such as local contractor/subcontractor, investor, and presence of a foreign partner. The results of this research may help participants involved in ICPs to improve their understanding of the international construction environment and deliver more successful ICPs.
  PubDate: Sun, 07 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Analyzing and modeling thermal complaints in a commercial building in
France
- Abstract: Buildings are interactive environments in which their operations and occupants are linked. Although buildings are operated according to the standards, occupant complaints may arise when there is a mismatch between indoor environmental conditions and actual user needs. Therefore, the accuracy of thermal comfort prediction models suggested by the standards and alternative prediction models need to be investigated. This study aims at assessing the performance of the predicted mean vote (PMV) model suggested by the ISO 7730 Standard to detect occupant thermal dissatisfaction. In addition, a multivariate logistic regression model was developed to predict thermal complaints with respect to “too warm” and “too cold.” This case study was conducted in a commercial building located in Paris, France, between January 2017 and May 2018. Indoor environmental conditions were monitored via sensors and an online tool was used to collect occupant thermal complaints. A total of 53 thermal complaints were analyzed. The results showed that all the operative temperature measurements in both the heating and cooling seasons were within the thresholds suggested by the standards. The PMV method suggested that only 4% of the occupants were dissatisfied with the indoor environment whereas the actual dissatisfaction ratio was 100% under these indoor environmental conditions. In addition, the multivariate logistic regression model showed that operative temperature and season have a significant effect on thermal complaints. Furthermore, the accuracy of the developed model was 90.6%.
  PubDate: Sat, 31 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT
A framework for achieving sustainability by overcoming the challenges of
the construction supply chain during the design process
- Abstract: This paper aims to develop a framework to achieve sustainability by overcoming the challenges of the construction supply chain (CCSC) during the design process. To achieve this, two approaches, namely theoretical and practical, were used to accomplish four objectives. For the theoretical approach, based on literature review and case studies, the objective used was to identify, classify and validate the challenges that the construction supply chain (CSC) encounter. For the practical approach, a survey questionnaire was employed to quantify the CCSC and investigate the perception of architectural design firms (ADFs) in Egypt towards achieving sustainability by overcoming the CCSC during the design process. Based on the results, the research developed a framework to overcome the CCSC as an approach towards achieving sustainability in construction projects during the design process. The research identified and validated 20 challenges that the CSC encounter towards achieving sustainability during the design process. These challenges were classified under four categories, namely (1) design and technical process; (2) coordination, information flow and accuracy; (3) material specification, technology, supplier rework and whole life cycle cost; and (4) skills gap of the qualified architects and design managers and non-compliance to building codes, regulations, laws and standards. In addition, a survey questionnaire was employed to rank these challenges according to their importance on 1–5 Likert scale using the measure of central tendency and dispersion and relative importance index (RII).
  PubDate: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Impact of management practices on construction productivity in Indian
building construction projects: an empirical study
- Abstract: The objective of this study is to analyse the impact of management practices on the productivity of building construction projects in India. The methodology adopted for this study is to identify and analyse the management practice attributes from the literature review and expert focus group interviews. The identified attributes were analysed and priorities using relative weight were given by the respondents. The collected data were further analysed using SPSS 21 software. The quantitative research methodology was adopted to analyse the collected data and the following tools and techniques were applied to the data: reliability analysis to check the consistency of data collected for this study and relative importance index (RII) to prioritise and rank the attributes based on the weighted average score given by the respondents. The findings of this study concluded that coordination between all stakeholders, ability to handle the crisis by the project managers, social skills of key team managers, timely payment of completed works and design capability and frequent design changes are the most significant attributes of management practice, affecting construction productivity and having a rating on the RII of 0.91, 0.90, 0.88, 0.87 and 0.87.
  PubDate: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Assessing the role and significance of project selection by the
contractors in the Saudi construction industry
- Abstract: IntroductionConstruction companies hold great significance in Saudi Arabia due to new developments taking place in the region. A project automatically turns out better if it has been selected based on the level of expertise and resources available to the construction company and vice versa.PurposeThe study aims to investigate the importance of project selection by the contractors within the Saudi construction industry.MethodologyThe study has employed a quantitative research design to conduct a survey through the administration of questionnaire. A total of 46 employees from construction companies were selected. A questionnaire was distributed among maintenance contractors, contractors, and construction contractors.FindingsThe findings have shown that mostly organizations were unclassified or classified under the fifth category (projects valuing AED10,000,000 or lesser) (34.8%). Most of the respondents (94.4%) agreed that consideration of the project selection is important. Moreover, there is a positive correlation between the level of importance given to the project selection and the organizational size of the respondents. Success factors play an important role in the project selection phase.Practical implicationsCareful project selection is the first step toward the success of the construction company, so it needs to be carried out carefully.
  PubDate: Tue, 18 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Drivers of cost and time overruns: A client and contractor perspective
- Abstract: Large infrastructure investments are expected to be of sustained value to society for a long time. Such investment projects include, for instance, hospitals, tunnels, sport arenas, power plants, roads, railways, and bridges. They involve a complex organization of contracts and agreements. The client is expected to plan, procure, and determine the critical steps of a project, while the contractor should solve issues raised by the client. Many of these agreements are path-dependent and reflect past routines, experiences, and contacts. As such, many investments tend to return to similar sources instead of replacing routines and collaborations that did not work. This can cause change orders that furthermore reflect consequences such as cost and time overruns. While much is known about these effects in construction projects, this paper sheds light on the drivers of change orders. We build upon a sample of 234 observations responding to a survey on investment planning. The results show that project assumptions are often wrong and inadequate in large investments. Such wrong assumptions are caused by interpersonal and leadership issues, poor planning, or sometimes even intentional profit-seeking. Our results show that clients and contractors have different perceptions and enter contractual obligations differently. The implication is, therefore, that better routines of documentation, more frequent feedback, and more accurate or precise standards may close the gap between planning and what is actually achieved. More precise contractual agreements may also create a better process to procure, manage projects, and allocate resources.
  PubDate: Tue, 18 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT
A study of project managers’ choice on key methods, tools and techniques
in managing engineering projects
- Abstract: There is no doubt that each project manager uses different methodologies, methods, tools and techniques (MMTTs) while dealing with constant pressure to deliver results in a complex and changing environment, where complexity and stakeholders’ expectations are continually growing. This article presents results from the study about project managers’ choice on artefacts that they frequently use in their regular work. This study was conducted within the context of selected environment (one country and one sector of engineering projects), but designed methodology and results might also be significant for a wider audience. The results were based on the feedback that were received from 31 project management (PM) professionals gathered in the form of a structured questionnaire, followed by an interview with three PM experts for validation. The results confirmed a variety of PM artefacts in use and provided their ranking by perceived usefulness. The additional results indicated correlation between PM success and usage of MMTTs, as perceived by project managers. This study also resulted in several interesting findings, such as popularity and usefulness of artefacts, rigidity of PM processes, and maturity of PM organizations, about the topic. Despite of rather small sample taken from one country's environment, the results could serve as a solid information for moving ahead, while considering the significance of PM artefacts, as well as for their further development. The key findings are also messages to PM professionals to consider whether they use available and appropriate PM artefacts and is there a room for more efficient and effective usage.
  PubDate: Sun, 21 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Estimation of the excavator actual productivity at the construction site
using video analysis
- Abstract: Current estimates of the actual productivity of heavy construction machinery at a construction site are not supported by an appropriate and widely used methodology. Recently, for the purpose of estimating the actual productivity of heavy construction machinery, vision-based technologies are used. This paper emphasizes the importance of estimating actual productivity and presents a way (i.e. a research framework) to achieve it. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to propose a simple research framework (SRF) for quick and practical estimates of excavator actual productivity and cycle time at a construction site. The excavator actual productivity refers to the maximum possible productivity in real construction site conditions. The SRF includes the use of a video camera and the analysis of recorded videos using an advanced computer program. In cases of continuous application of SRF, a clear and transparent base for monitoring and control of earthworks can be obtained at an observed construction site.
  PubDate: Sun, 21 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMT
On-site factories to support lean principles and industrialized
construction
- Abstract: PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the use of on-site factories that combine the strengths of both prefabrication techniques and a traditional work environment to support lean principles and promote industrialized construction for on-site operations.Design/methodology/approachBased on the principles of lean construction and design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), discrete-event simulation is used to evaluate different arrangements and configurations of an on-site factory for the prefabrication of structural insulated panels (SIPs).FindingsThe proposed on-site factory provided a feasible way to promote lean and industrialized construction principles. Also, these types of factories are particularly relevant for projects in remote areas that do not have sufficient infrastructure. Further, it is also a good solution for strengthening the local economy by using local labor and suppliers, hence assisting in the creation of a socially responsible framework.Originality/valueThis study presents the design of an on-site factory for the prefabrication of SIPs. This type of on-site assembly supports not only lean principles but also promotes social responsibility by capitalizing on local labor. This approach could be particularly interesting for construction companies in developing countries or working in a project with limited infrastructure.
  PubDate: Sun, 21 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Method for Base Estimation of Construction Time for Linear Projects in
Front-end Project Phases
- Abstract: Even though horizontally linear projects have low complexity schedules, they are still not successful in meeting planned time. The deadlines are mostly based on estimations done in front-end project development when limited data are available. Early time estimation models in literature rely on few variables and, almost in all cases, one of them is the estimated cost. Early cost estimations can significantly deviate from actual costs and thus lead to unreliable time estimation. Time estimation models based on neural network and other alternative methods require databases and software, which complicates the process of time estimation. The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap of scarce time estimation models and unreliable time estimates by developing a new method for time estimation. This research has been done on one large sewer system project. The case study shows how to extract several continuous activities for a pipeline project chosen from a sewer system. Moreover, a new algorithm for the calculation of project duration is devised based on the existing equation related to the linear scheduling method, and this algorithm works with continuous activities. The new method for construction time estimation is based on the extraction of linear continuous activities, usage of the algorithm for identification of minimal buffer between activities, and calculation of the project duration. To verify the algorithm, this method is used on another pipeline project from a sewer system. The limitation is that this method can be used only for base estimation. Further research needs to be done to include uncertainties and risks in the method.
  PubDate: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Improving competences of engineers and workers in the AEC industry for
delivering NZEBs
- Abstract: The energy performance of buildings directive requires from the European Union Member States to ensure that by 31 December 2020 all new buildings are nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs) and after 31 December 2018, new buildings occupied/owned by the public authorities should also have the NZEB performance. The large-scale deployment of NZEBs represents a challenge for all the stakeholders involved in the construction sector, where the lack of adequate competences is identified as one of the main obstacles. This article aims to provide a solution to overcome the deficient competences related to NZEB to increase them by using roadmaps derived from Horizon projects – Fit-to-NZEB and Net-UBIEP. Fit-to-NZEB aims to increase the knowledge of architecture, engineering and construction engineers and workers in deep energy retrofit through the education in European qualifications framework levels 3–7, while Net-UBIEP seeks to develop the schemes for using building information modelling (BIM) throughout the whole building life cycle to increase energy performance. The results from both projects show that it is inevitable to act soon to make the energy efficiency targets possible to fulfil. The integrated design process and strengthen control on the construction site should be carried out perfectly as they are the most critical parts in delivering NZEBs and all this managed by BIM to minimise information loss and to improve the design of details. To achieve this, professional competences of all the stakeholders in delivering NZEBs must be improved which could be done by implementing the knowledge from these projects.
  PubDate: Thu, 10 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT
Construction labor and skill shortages in Croatia: causes and response
strategies
- Abstract: The construction labor is crucial to the construction industry, which is known globally for its creation of jobs at different skill and professional levels. The world's construction industry is currently experiencing a rapid recovery after the 2008 global crisis. This positive growth is also noticeable in Croatia. Nevertheless, the industry is experiencing a considerable shortage of skilled labor. First, this paper investigates the main causes of the current condition of the labor market through an extensive literature review and construction market analysis. Second, the case study of the Croatian construction labor market is presented. The longitudinal study of official statistical data shows that the total number of workers employed over the last 10 years has decreased significantly. There has been an increase in the number of unskilled workers and a decrease in the number of all other types of workers between 2016 and 2017. Following the literature review and market analysis, the response strategies for the problem of labor shortage in Croatian construction are provided and discussed.
  PubDate: Mon, 22 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT
Organisational culture of construction companies in Lagos State, Nigeria
- Abstract: The study investigated the cultural features of construction companies in Lagos state and determined the organisational culture profile of the construction companies in the study area, with a view to providing information that could enhance the organisational performance of Nigeria construction firms. Primary data were sourced through the administration of 196 structured questionnaires to 98 construction companies (i.e., two questionnaires per company) represented by their construction professionals and administrative staff. The information elicited from the returned 140 questionnaires (71% return rate) included features of organisational culture and dominant characteristic element of organisational culture profile of the construction companies. Data collected for this study were analysed using percentages, factor analysis and mean score (MS). The result showed a dominant organisational cultural feature of strategic direction explaining 17.73% variance in respondent’s perception. However, communication (9.66%), adaptability (8.43%) and employee involvement (6.88%) were also relevant. The organisational culture profile showed a predominant market culture (MC) with focus on production and goal accomplishment (MS = 3.62), a hierarchy culture (HC) of a coordinator, organiser and efficiency expert (MS = 3.60) and an ad hoc culture with strategic emphasis on dynamics and readiness (MS = 3.56). The family type of culture is undermined within the companies (MS = 3.47). The study concluded that strategic direction being a MC feature corroborates a predominant MC revealed by assessing organisational culture of construction companies in Lagos state, Nigeria.
  PubDate: Mon, 22 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT
An automated nD model creation on BIM models
- Abstract: The construction technology (CONTEC) method was originally developed for automated CONTEC planning and project management based on the data in the form of a budget or bill of quantities. This article outlines a new approach in an automated creation of the discrete nD building information modeling (BIM) models by using data from the BIM model and their processing by existing CONTEC method through the CONTEC software. This article outlines the discrete modeling approach on BIM models as one of the applicable approaches for nD modeling. It also defines the methodology of interlinking BIM model data and CONTEC software through the classification of items. The interlink enables automation in the production of discrete nD BIM model data, such as schedule (4D) including work distribution end resource planning, budget (5D)—based on integrated pricing system, but also nD data such as health and safety risks (6D) plans (H&S Risk register), quality plans, and quality assurance checklists (7D) including their monitoring and environmental plans (8D). The methodology of the direct application of the selected classification system, as well as means of data transfer and conditions of data transferability, is described. The method was tested on the case study of an office building project, and acquired data were compared to actual construction time and costs. The case study proves the application of the CONTEC method as a usable method in the BIM model environment, enabling the creation of not only 4D, 5D models but also nD discrete models up to 8D models in the perception of the construction management process. In comparison with the existing BIM classification systems, further development of the method will enable full automated discrete nD model creation in the BIM model environment.
  PubDate: Mon, 22 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT
Application of time series models for heating degree day forecasting
- Abstract: This study aims at constructing short-term forecast models by analyzing the patterns of the heating degree day (HDD). In this context, two different time series analyses, namely the decomposition and Box–Jenkins methods, were conducted. The monthly HDD data in France between 1974 and 2017 were used for analyses. The multiplicative model and 79 SARIMA models were constructed by the decomposition and Box–Jenkins method, respectively. The performance of the SARIMA models was assessed by the adjusted R2 value, residual sum of squares, the Akaike Information Criteria, the Schwarz Information Criteria, and the analysis of the residuals. Moreover, the mean absolute percentage error, mean absolute deviation, and mean squared deviation values were calculated to evaluate the performance of both methods. The results show that the decomposition method yields more acceptable forecasts than the Box–Jenkins method for supporting short-term forecasting of the HDD.
  PubDate: Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT
Industrialization of construction: Implications on standards, business
models and project orientation
- Abstract: Digitalization has the potential to radically change the way buildings are designed, produced, and operated. In this digital transformation, the establishment of information standards play an important role. However, despite substantial efforts in the development of both technology and standards, these are not yet fully adopted in construction. This study aims to review the adoption of standards and to examine whether suppliers of prefabricated concrete elements have transformed their business models. The purpose is to strengthen the understanding of the interplay between the adoption of standards and business model renewal. Driving forces for the adoption of standards are identified and coupled with suppliers’ arguments for business model protection and renewal, explained in terms of a market and a hierarchy approach. The market approach embraces the adoption of open standards for improved competition and information exchange along with the further adoption of industrialized construction. This study identifies that common standards for precast elements are lacking, which leads to waste in terms of structural re-design and liability uncertainties. On the other hand, a market situation with open standards is challenging for suppliers to utilize and benefit from their existing operational platforms. Suppliers of precast elements strive for a hierarchy approach, that is, the adoption of the whole value chain, to protect their market position and continue offering structural frameworks and services. This concurs with arguments for industrialized construction, which emphasize the benefits of continuous improvements. This study contributes to the understanding of drivers and impediments for the uptake of standards versus business model renewal in construction.
  PubDate: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT
Potentials of artificial intelligence in construction management
- Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) approaches have been developed since the upcoming of Information Technologies beginning in the 1950s. With rising computing power, the discussion of AI usefulness has been refuelled by new powerful algorithms and, in particular, the availability of the internet as a vast resource of unstructured data.This gives hope to construction management in particular, since construction projects are recently becoming larger and more complex, i.e. encompassing more and more participants focusing on diverging interests while the given frames of time and budget are getting tighter. Finally, construction management is used to establish an efficient organisation of all these issues and able to predict the result with a high degree of precision and certainty.This could be accomplished by the human mind when projects were smaller, but with the recent development human mind is clearly pushed to its limits. On this background, the possible support of AI to organisational tasks needs to be investigated on a theoretical level prior to developing tools. This paper is the extended version of the article ‘Artificial Intelligence in Construction Management – a Perspective’, presented at the Creative Construction Conference 2019 where the algorithmic and entropic scope of AI is investigated in the context of construction management. However, efficient organisation is about restructuring systems into a set of well-separated subsystems, where human intelligence is required to bring in mainly two higher principles which AI fails to provide: the ability to prioritise and creativity allowing for new approaches not derived from given data.This paper additionally focuses on the aspect of in-situ coordination. This service is an aspect of organisation which is not separable and can therefore only be treated as self-determined subsystem, located outside of hierarchical control. At this point algorithms of AI need to be investigated not so much as to substitute human mind but to provide significant support.
  PubDate: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT
Motivation of civil engineers and architects in Turkey
- Abstract: Motivation is one of the key factors that stimulate individuals to improve their productivity. Therefore, motivation of construction workers has been debated with considerable interest by participants in the construction industry. However, motivating only construction workers, but ignoring the motivation of construction professionals, viz., architects and civil engineers, may not be enough to successfully complete a construction project. Although motivation of construction professionals may also enhance the performance of a construction project, this topic is mostly ignored in the motivation literature. This study attempts to fill this gap by (1) identifying the motivators that are of importance to architects and civil engineers and (2) exploring the statistical difference between architects’ and civil engineers’ motivators. For this purpose, a questionnaire survey was administered to Turkish architects and civil engineers to collect data on their perceptions of the importance of different motivators. The case of Turkey is investigated because several of the larger Turkish contractors undertake construction projects outside their home country. Statistical analysis was performed on the collected data to verify whether there are statistically significant differences in the perception of some motivators by architects and civil engineers. The study demonstrates the existence of a statistically significant difference between architects’ and civil engineers’ motivators. Identifying the architects’ and civil engineers’ motivators may help construction companies in motivating their architects and civil engineers more effectively, thus developing a quality workforce.
  PubDate: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT
On-site inspections: the shift from forms to digital capture
- Abstract: The building, construction, and real estate industry is undergoing a major transition with traditional ways of working being replaced by novel three-dimensional modeling technologies. Such transitions take place incrementally as more and more actors see the advantages. While new systems (e.g., building information modeling) have become increasingly diffused in the industry, many practices have been left intact. On-site inspections using the old method of filling out forms for the registration of errors and omissions are eventually replaced by defect management systems, where an app on a mobile device is used to take a photo, note position, and write notes, which are directly sent to the responsible people involved. A case study was conducted in a large residential project under completion by a contractor. Project managers and skilled workers were introduced to a specific app and given the opportunity to try it out. Data were subsequently collected based on a series of qualitative interviews conducted with the on-site personnel. This was analyzed according to the technology acceptance model, a theory of user acceptance of new information technologies. Our contribution is that we compare the technology acceptance of new and existing defect management methods and unearth their relative advantages, while registering how users’ perceptions of new technology affect their intention to use as well as their actual continued use of the technology. This work is important for managers planning development of their on-site management tools, enabling them to run their projects more efficiently.
  PubDate: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT
Detecting unbalanced bids via an improved grading-based model
- Abstract: Unbalanced bidding, also known as skewed bidding, is the process of increasing and/or decreasing the prices of various bid items without altering the total offered bid price. Bids can be unbalanced either mathematically (front-end loading) or materially (quantity error exploitation). Owners should be very careful when evaluating the tenders as awarding a contract to an unbalanced bid may result in severe cost overruns because the prices of those items do not reflect their true costs and markup allocations. Unbalanced bidding is still a contentious issue in the construction industry. While some researchers consider it as a legal bidding strategy in such a fierce competitive business environment, others view it as an unethical practice and claim that unbalanced bids should be disqualified. Studies regarding unbalanced bidding can be categorized into two groups: (1) the ones focusing on detecting or preventing this practice to help owners; and 2) the ones focusing on optimizing unbalanced bidding to help contractors. This study aims to develop a model, which consists of eight grading systems, to assist owners in detecting materially unbalanced bids. The proposed model is the improved version of the previous model, which was composed of five grading systems. In order to demonstrate how this grading-based model can be used by owners, an illustrative example is presented. It was found that owners can easily and successfully detect unbalanced bids via the proposed model.
  PubDate: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT