Context Of Construction Industry Research Articles

Effect of information quality on supply chain performance through information sharing: Evidence from construction industry in Indonesia

The construction industry is an economic sector that requires strong collaboration between various parties in the supply chain. This study aims to analyze the effect of information quality on supply chain performance through information sharing in the construction industry. This study uses a quantitative approach by collecting data through surveys of developers, consultants, contractors and suppliers involved in the process of building office and apartment buildings in Jakarta. The collected data was analyzed by using Structural Equation Modeling – Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS 4.0). Out of 100 respondents, 22% were developers, 19% were consultants, 35% were contractors, and 24% were suppliers. The findings show that there is a positive effect of information quality on information sharing. In addition, information sharing practices are also proven to mediate the effect of information quality on supply chain performance. These findings emphasize the importance of information quality in improving supply chain performance through information sharing. These findings can also contribute to the literature on supply chain management, with a particular focus on the construction industry context. The practical implication of this research is that with quality information quality and effective information sharing, companies can carry out better planning and scheduling, reduce uncertainty, and increase operational efficiency.

Technologies for Monitoring Fatigue in Workers: A Human-Centered Approach in the Construction Industry Context

Technologies for Monitoring Fatigue in Workers: A Human-Centered Approach in the Construction Industry Context

Whole Life Costing Awareness and Implementation Challenges in the Sri Lankan Construction Industry

Construction industry is highly demanding, especially with regard to the project cost as a significant aspect. However, more informed cost advice can be produced considering the project’s life cycle that begins with the conception and ends with its disposal instead of using a conventional initial capital cost basis. Thus, Whole Life Costing (WLC) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) concepts are essential. Though many LCC research studies exist, WLC studies are minimal in the Sri Lankan construction industry context. Therefore, this study aims to explore WLC awareness and implementation challenges in the Sri Lankan construction industry. A literature review was conducted to search for the concepts. Empirical data were gathered using questionnaires by implementing a quantitative survey strategy. Findings depict that the awareness of WLC in the Sri Lankan construction industry is poor, preventing its benefits. Moreover, this research identified difficulty in identifying includes and excludes for calculating WLC, lack of details at early stages, lack of awareness of WLC benefits, lack of understanding of WLC tools, lack of reliable data and lack of expertise/knowledge on WLC as the primary challenges in implementing WLC in the Sri Lankan construction industry. Therefore, these challenges must be mitigated for the beneficial WLC implementation in the Sri Lankan construction industry while enhancing awareness and knowledge of the WLC concept among professionals, especially quantity surveyors, to facilitate responsible initiation of WLC practices in the Sri Lankan construction industry. KEYWORDS: Awareness, Benefits, Challenges, Construction industry, Life Cycle Costing, Sri Lanka, Whole Life Costing

Optimizing Construction Project Team Management: Identifying Team Development Strategies and Techniques

This qualitative research investigation explores the intersection of team development with team management, specifically within the construction industry context. Qualitative data was meticulously gathered through in-depth interviews with nine highly experienced construction project managers and team members. Employing a qualitative approach, we rigorously applied content analysis to scrutinize the amassed data, centering on the core inquiry: 'What precise strategies and techniques of team development are indispensable for effectively overseeing construction teams?' The principal objectives were dual-fold: firstly, to elucidate the nuanced interplay between team development and team management, and secondly, to outline and underscore the critical strategies essential for fostering effective team development within construction projects. Subsequently, the research unearthed three foundational factors pivotal in facilitating and optimizing effective team development, each underscored by its corresponding techniques. These factors encompass the empowerment of team members, strategic delegation coupled with robust support mechanisms, fostering an environment conducive to building effective teamwork and collaboration and fostering continuous personal development within the team context.This comprehensive study delivers invaluable insights into the intrinsic correlation between team development and successful management of construction teams, identifying pivotal strategies and techniques to augment overall productivity, team cohesion, and operational efficiency within construction team dynamics. These findings present a valuable guide for enhancing the efficacy of construction team management practices, thereby contributing significantly to the field.Keywords: coaching, content analysis, debriefing, qualitative study, skills development, team development, team intervention, team management, teamwork, training.

The role of blockchain in enabling inter-organisational supply chain alignment for value co-creation in the construction industry

In the construction industry context, misalignments in the supply chain pose significant challenges, hindering successful project delivery. To address these issues, blockchain technology emerges as a promising IT-based solution for achieving supply chain alignment. A conceptual model is developed based on the service-dominant logic theory that explores the impact of blockchain on supply chain alignment and co-created value outcomes within the Business-to-Business (B2B) construction context. Through a questionnaire-based approach, data were collected from 324 respondents in the global construction industry, which was then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings demonstrate the positive impact of implementing blockchain technology on competency, behavioural, process, and expectations alignment among supply chain partners. These improvements in alignment collectively contribute to the realization of supply chain value outcomes. These results emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach combining technology with alignment efforts to realize blockchain-enabled value co-creation in construction supply chain management.

Evaluating the impact of organizational learning on organizational performance through organizational innovation as a mediating variable: evidence from Iranian construction companies

Construction companies are bedevilled with several profound challenges that hamper the efficient performance and operation of the organizations. Extant studies have reported on organizational learning as an effective strategy for improving organizational performance. However, there is a dearth of studies in the construction industry context, especially from the perspective of developing countries where construction companies are on the disadvantaged side of the digital and economic divide. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the impact of organizational learning on organizational performance through the mediating variable of organizational innovation in construction companies based in Iran. Data was collected via a mixed approach, which involved an empirical questionnaire survey and a Delphi survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis, and a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) model was proposed for execution. The study revealed that organizational learning has an impact on organizational performance, organizational innovation affects organizational performance, and organizational learning directly affects organizational performance in the study context. It presents an empirical model to demonstrate that the right innovations and their appropriate applications can improve the organizational performance and operational efficiency of organizations, which would be of profound benefit to various key stakeholders engaged in the construction industry.

Developing a project performance assessment model for benchmarking the project success of Indian construction projects

PurposeIn recent times, there has been a lot of research focused on performance measurement (PM) in project-based sectors. However, there are very few studies that were reported on the significance of PM in the construction sector. Keeping track of an organization in achieving organizations goals and objectives seems an important way. One of the major challenges faced by the industry is unavailable of an appropriate PM system for assessing organizational performance. Most of the PM approaches consider the traditional project triangle assessment of project success. Based on the limitations identified in existing PM models, the purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive PM model, i.e. Modified Project Quarter Back Rating (MPQR) applicable for construction projects.Design/methodology/approachA detailed list of performance areas as a method for PM is analyzed in the construction industry context. Also, industry-specific professionals conducted semi-structured interviews to assess whether these performance areas are sufficient to measure and understand the PM systems.FindingsThe research finding focuses on developing the MPQR model that considers both financial and non-financial areas for performance assessment to provide a holistic assessment of project performance.Practical implicationsMPQR model provides an opportunity to set the benchmark for overall performance for construction organizations.Originality/valueThe findings of the study are expected to provide guidelines to construction professionals for implementing the performance model that will improve performance in the construction industry.

Influence of digitalisation adoption level on construction project delivery in Nigeria

PurposeThe rate of project failure across the globe seems to reinforce poor performance as a norm. However, engagement with construction digitalisation (CD) represents a departure point for improving project performance. Amidst researchers' recent empirical engagement with CD, the knowledge of the relationship model between CD and project delivery (PD) is abysmal. As a result, developing a business case for CD in developing countries has been slow due to the dearth of empirical evidence. This paper aims to investigate the influence of digitalisation on project performance.Design/methodology/approachAnchored on cross-sectional survey research design using a questionnaire survey in which a total of 183 copies of structured questionnaires were randomly distributed to medium- and large-sized construction firms operating in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital. A total of 126 valid responses were received giving an overall response rate of 68.8%. The responses were analysed using mean item score, principal component analysis and multiple linear regression.FindingsFindings from the regression analysis reveal that digitalisation has varying levels of impact on PP measured using quality, time and cost. The relationship model with time performance is weak (r = 0.526, r2 = 0.277); on cost performance, the significant model is also weak (r = 0.502, r2 = 0.252) and moderate on quality (r = 0.663, r2 = 0.439). CD influences project cost, time and quality performance despite the weak relationship model. The results indicate that the most effective benchmark of CD is quality performance.Originality/valueThis study established the relationship between digitalisation and construction PD within the construction industry context, an area lacking research attention in emerging economies. This study is the first study in emerging economies that established the influence of digitalisation on construction PD statistically.

Benefits and limitations of using low-code development to support digitalization in the construction industry

Low-code development is a technology enabling people with no advanced computing or coding skills to develop custom-made applications and digital solutions to address specific operational needs. Low-code has gained significant momentum in the last years and some studies have already reported the use of this technology to digitalize workflows and processes in a variety of business scenarios. Nevertheless, to-date there is no research evaluating the implications of this technology to support digitalization in construction industry. Based on a hybrid research approach combining literature review, case study, and surveys, this paper addresses this gap by evaluating the benefits and limitations of using low-code in the construction industry context. The study reveals that low-code productive application development practices have the potential to enable different degrees of digitalization and innovation in specific construction processes. The study also recognizes the relevance of adopting a strategic approach to fully leverage low-code at an organizational construction firm level and identifies several areas for further research. This includes leveraging synergies with industry-relevant subjects such as lean construction, Building Information Modelling, the Internet of Things, and Industry 4.0, among others.

Waste Elimination based on Lean Construction and Building Information Modelling: A Systematic Literature Review

Construction waste (CW) is an abstract, high-level concept and difficult to measure systematically. The conventional management methods have failed to translate the reality in the construction industry context. The integrated Lean Construction (LC) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) streamline several proactive and collaborative solutions to address CW at its source across the whole asset lifecycle. This paper adopts the systematic literature review method to (i) understand ‘waste’ and ‘waste elimination’ concepts through LC perspectives and (ii) to review factors of LC-BIM for waste elimination. Based on thematic analysis applied to 54 relevant documents in the Scopus and IGLC databases, some literature was approached. According to thematic analysis applied to the existing LC-BIM approaches, despite the potential of LC-BIM for CW elimination, the current literature lacks the concept of waste elimination in the number and content of publications. The paper highlights some generic recommendations for future theoretical and empirical developments.

Boosting employee performance through gamification: a study of the awareness and usage of game elements among construction professionals

PurposeThis study examines the level of awareness and usage of game elements among construction professionals with a view to promoting the usage of gamification tools for the effective and efficient delivery of construction projects.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from construction professionals including architects, builders, engineers and quantity surveyors. Retrieved data were analyzed using several statistical tools such as percentages, frequencies, mean item scores and exploratory factor analyses.FindingsThe analysis revealed that progress bars, certificates and bonuses are the significant game elements adopted by professionals, but there is a low awareness of elements such as avatars and badges.Practical implicationsThere is a salient need for construction stakeholders' awareness of the importance of gamification and game elements as a key digital tool for the delivery of construction projects. The findings of this study make a case for stakeholders, professional bodies and government agencies to embrace and implement gamification practices in the construction sector.Originality/valueThis study is the first conducted in Nigeria to examine the level of awareness and usage of game elements among construction professionals. The findings of this study will provide a reference point for researchers who will undertake studies relating to the concept of gamification in the construction industry context.

An Analysis of the Benefits of Adopting Modular Construction: A Nigerian Construction Industry Context

On site and off site are the main construction methods used in the construction industry with the former being majorly adopted. Off-site construction offers significant opportunity to improve project performance. However, there is little awareness of its benefits in the Nigerian construction industry. This study aims to assess the benefits of adopting modular integrated construction in Nigeria to improve the level of understanding, usage for stakeholders and enhance productivity. Purposive and snowballing technique were used to select the prefab construction experts. Professionals that were involved in the study are engineers, architects and quantity surveyors in the study area. The most rated benefits are enhanced teamwork and collaboration, improved productivity, simplicity and ease in the construction, enhances sustainable building and improved quality of work. Five variables have significant difference between the respondents while the others do not. The study concludes that modular construction is at its nascent stage and could be developed and be more implemented if the government takes the lead. It is therefore recommended that stakeholders must be ready and willing to use modern method for better collaboration and teamwork. Also, more awareness and training programmes should be conducted to the stakeholders who could implement its usage in the Nigerian construction industry. The government should also provide financial support to encourage private clients and other people who are keen to execute the construction projects with prefabs.

Incentivisation of digital technology takers in the construction industry

PurposeStudies showed that digital technology applications in the construction industry are low, especially in many developing nations. Construction incentivisation (CI) is one of the long-standing principles adopted to enhance project performance. There is a paucity of studies concerning CI to improve digital technology applications. Thus, this research investigated the relevance and perceived hindrances that may hinder the implementation of CI from promoting digital technologies and proffer ways to improve digital technology applications in the construction sector.Design/methodology/approachIn Nigeria’s context, this research is exploratory. Twenty-four semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, with knowledgeable participants that indicated interest and were interviewed. The engaged interviewees were drawn from government agencies, academicians in construction consultancy, Internet and communication technology experts, construction contracting firms and construction consulting firms. The collected data were coded and analysed through a thematic method.FindingsDigitalisation of the industry via CI may face some hindrances. The perceived issues that may hinder CI implementation were classified into most severe, severe and fairly severe in Nigeria’s construction industry context. Findings proffer feasible policy solutions that can mitigate these issues and improve digital technology applications in the industry via the CI.Research limitations/implicationsThis study covered the relevance and perceived issues that may hinder the implementation of the CI to improve digital technology applications in the industry. Also, the study proffers policy solutions to enhance digital technology applications in the industry via the CI concept.Practical implicationsFindings from this research will support and offer a valuable understanding of the relevance of the “incentivisation concept” to improve digital technology applications in the Nigerian-built environment. Other developing countries with low applications of digital technology in construction may consider the suggested policy solutions from this research. Also, this study will stir policymakers and construction practitioners to support policies tailored towards improving digital technology applications in construction.Originality/valueThis research contributes by exploring the effectiveness of the CI concept and informing construction practitioners and policymakers on how to improve digital technology applications in the Nigerian construction industry.

Deferential Tailoring: a grounded theory of how women respond and adapt to social conditions and gender-related challenges in the New Zealand construction industry

In this article we utilize grounded theory to explore women’s experiences in the unique construction industry context that followed the 2010 Canterbury (New Zealand) earthquakes. Data were obtained from 36 semi-structured interviews conducted with women working in a variety of occupations in the construction industry. We identify three inter-related categories: capitalizing on opportunity, demonstrating capability and surface tolerance, which together represent a response process that we label “deferential tailoring”. The deferential tailoring process explains how women intentionally shape their response to industry conditions through self-regulating behaviours that enables them to successfully seize opportunities and manage gender-related challenges in the working environment. Our findings challenge existing research which suggests that women adopt submissive coping strategies to conform to androcentric norms in the construction industry. Instead, we argue that the process of deferential tailoring can empower women to build positive workplace relationships, enhance career development, and help shift perceptions of the value of their work in the industry.

Lean Integrated Project Delivery for Construction Procurement: The Case of Sri Lanka

The choice of proper procurement methods has an impact on the overall productivity and sustainability of construction projects. The current procurement methods have alerted the construction industry (CI) due to the exacerbating fragmentation among parties and the resulting low level of productivity. Therefore, introducing a new procurement system to eliminate the above challenges is imperative to the CI. Therefore, this research investigated the applicability of lean integrated project delivery (LIPD) as a construction procurement system and developed a framework for its successful implementation. A qualitative exploratory approach was adopted, informing an interpretivism stance. Accordingly, semi-structured interviews with 15 Sri Lankan (SL) CI experts were conducted to determine the applicability of the LIPD concept in a real-life CI context. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the collected data. This research identified the significance of LIPD compared to existing procurement methods, which may contribute to the long-term planning and management practices in the CI. However, the findings elicited several barriers that could hinder successful LIPD implementation. As a result, some of the strategies discovered include providing LIPD training and awareness, obtaining expert support, and encouraging professionals. This is the first study of its kind to reveal a LIPD framework in a developing country like SL without restricting itself to a specific construction type. Therefore, this study is expected to impact the global CI by paving the way for LIPD as a new procurement system to improve the performances of similar CIs in developing countries across the world.

ADOPTION OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING IN THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LIFE CYCLE: BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS

Introduction: Building Information Modeling (BIM) is characterized by potential benefits at many phases of the construction project life cycle. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted to evaluate the benefits of BIM adoption and implementation for project stakeholders in the Vietnamese construction industry context. Methods: This study aimed to identify and evaluate the benefits of BIM adoption and implementation in construction projects based on the perception of project stakeholders through data collection from 159 valid construction practitioners. The reliability and validity tests were performed to analyze collected data by SPSS 22 software. Results: The results demonstrated that four primary clusters of the project stakeholders received benefits when BIM was adopted in construction projects: architectural and structural design units (10 benefits), facility management units (8 benefits), contractors (6 benefits), and owners (6 benefits). These clusters accounted for 58.954%, 5.975%, 4.682%, and 3.736%, respectively, of the variance that characterized the benefits of BIM adoption. The findings indicated that ‘improve the quality of design drawings’, and ‘minimize conflicts/changes’ were the most significant BIM benefits for architectural and structural design units, whereas ‘convenient for managing project data’ and ‘easy planning and resource mobilization’ were the top benefits for facility management units. For contractors, ‘minimize construction errors’ and ‘construction cost saving’ were the most prominent benefits. Besides, BIM brought owners such striking benefits as ‘maximize project performance’ and ‘easier to choose investment options’.

Effects of Motivation Parameters on Employee Performance in a Saudi Construction Company

Saudi Arabia is one of the major leading economies in middle east, especially in the construction field. Enhanced extrinsic and intrinsic employee motivation has been widely attached with better employee performance in construction industry. Presently, a trend of demotivation among Saudi construction professionals is markedly noted. However, the matter of employee motivation with relation to employee performance has not been studied in the construction industry context of Saudi Arabia. The primary aim of this research is to determine the effects of motivation parameters on employee performance in the Saudi construction company of Nesma, Madinah branch. The research adopted a mixed research method, where interviews with four of the company’s managers were conducted to identify adopted motivation parameters in the company, and questionnaire surveys were distributed among the sixty-one professional employees of the company to evaluate the effects of different motivators on their levels of work motivation and performance. The data collected was analysed with SPSS v25 by means of descriptive statistics, relative importance index (RII), Multiple Linear Regression and Pearson Correlation to determine the relationship between different extrinsic and intrinsic motivators with employee motivation and employee performance. Data analysis revealed the most effective extrinsic and intrinsic motivators of the company’s employees. Along with a significant and positive relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivators with employee performance of (0.484) and (0.385) respectively, and a significant effect of intrinsic motivation on employee performance of (0.554). Backed with the detailed analyses, an employee motivation framework was developed then validated by the company’s experts, indicating its applicability and usefulness for improving their employee motivation and performance. The importance of this study is its uniqueness and novelty to be the first to discuss the issue of employee motivation in Saudi construction industry, in conjunction with its output framework which will help the company’s management to formulate effective policies to increase their employee’s motivation and level of performance, and eventually assist the progress of construction industry in Saudi Arabia.

Emerging technologies in the construction industry: challenges and strategies in Ghana

PurposeThe momentous contribution of innovative technologies has made a significant impact in several sectors globally. However, the construction industry is undoubtedly lagging when it comes to technology usage. Thus, this study aims to explore the various emerging technologies in the construction industry while noticing stakeholders’ challenges and strategies in its use.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a pragmatism research philosophy together with a quantitative research strategy in determining emerging technologies in the construction industry while noticing stakeholder challenges and strategies. Data were obtained from a total of 80 construction stakeholders through a structured questionnaire survey. The analysis was done with descriptive statistics using mean score ranking and a one-sample t-test.FindingsEach emerging technology challenge was analysed and compared to see how pressing the challenges were as well as the aligned strategies. A key indication of this study is that the familiarity of the various emerging technologies was based on how many occasions one had an encounter with the technology.Practical implicationsThe discussion’s findings contribute to a better knowledge to construction stakeholders on the challenges and strategies for rising technology adoption and implementation competencies.Originality/valueThe study reckoned stakeholders’ challenges on the emerging technologies in the construction industry context and recommended strategies to balloon the adoption of these emerging technologies in a developing country setting.

Influences of high-performance work practices on trust in organisation in Jordanian construction firms

It has been shown in the literature on human resources that unsatisfactory levels of trust can lead to deteriorating levels of work performance while increasing transaction costs. The lack of trust between employees and their supervisors reduces productivity, which negatively influences work performance. In an organisation that implements high-performance work practices (HPWPs), employees may presume that employers are highly proficient, dependable, and unbiased. This study aims to assess the effects of HPWPs on trust in organisation (TIO), which is measured by trust in management (TIM) and trust in supervision (TIS) in Jordanian construction firms. To this end, a quantitative methodology has been applied, and PLS-SEM analysis has been employed to analyse data from 274 respondents, including administrative and managerial employees of the grade-one construction firms in Aqaba, Jordan. The results showed that two variables, involving extensive training and reward based on performance have positively influenced TIM and TIS, whereas job security was found to establish a direct relationship with TIM. The results showed that employee involvement in decision-making has an insignificant relationship with TIM and TIS. This paper has forwarded useful theoretical and practical implications regarding human resource management knowledge in the construction industry context in Jordan.

Insidious Safety Threat of Fatigue: Investigating Construction Workers’ Risk of Accident Due to Fatigue

The construction industry is among the most hazardous occupations. Workers are expected to fulfill physically and mentally demanding tasks in construction environments while they are exposed to numerous safety hazards. The dynamic and demanding nature of construction activities makes workers vulnerable to experience levels of fatigue on a daily basis. Fatigue is ubiquitous among construction workers and has been frequently cited as an underlying cause of the accidents. Despite the high rates of accidents in construction, research has shown that most of them can be prevented if workers identify hazards and perceive the associated safety risks. However, the impact of fatigue on the two leading safety indicators (i.e., hazard recognition and safety risk perception) has not been empirically studied before in the construction industry context. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by investigating the impact of fatigue on construction workers’ hazard recognition and safety risk perception. To achieve the research goals, 135 construction workers were recruited to participate in the study. A validated safety instrument and three subjective fatigue assessment scales were used to measure safety performance and fatigue levels of the participants, respectively. The analysis of the data showed statistically significant correlation (p-value<0.001) between fatigue and hazard recognition (rp=−0.58) and fatigue and safety risk perception (rp=−0.51). Linear regressions associated 37% of the variability in hazard recognition and 28% of safety risk perception with elements of fatigue. The findings revealed that among all aspects of fatigue, intershift recovery and acute fatigue have the most profound impacts on the safety performance of workers. A novel model was developed and tested to explain how construction workers’ safety performance (i.e., hazard recognition and safety risk perception) are impacted by elements of fatigue. This study offers practical recommendations for construction professionals and practitioners to control and mitigate the undesirable influences of fatigue on workers. These recommendations are presented as the hierarchy of fatigue interventions in the order of most effective to the least effective including (1) Elimination, (2) Substitution, (3) Engineering Solutions, (4) Administrative Interventions, and (5) Personal Assistive Equipment (PAE).