Construction Market Research Articles

РАЗВИТИЕ РЫНКА ИНДИВИДУАЛЬНОГО ЖИЛИЩНОГО СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВА: РОССИЙСКИЕ И МИРОВЫЕ ТРЕНДЫ

The article considers modern trends in the development of the market of individual housing construction in Russia and foreign countries. It is shown that the development of private homeownership is based on the tendency to individualization of personal space, which is a bright attribute of the national mentality of the inhabitants of countries with the lowest density of settlement. Besides, having one's own house will stimulate people to create a family and increase the number of children. The features of the Soviet period in the sphere of construction and spatial development are analyzed. The then existing emphasis on the development of mass apartment construction and high degree of urbanization led to the degradation of rural areas due to the mass outflow of population to the cities. Today it is necessary to change the existing model of spatial development, using foreign experience of suburbanization as a progressive direction of low-rise housing development. The authors emphasize that government support and IT technologies can act as drivers in the development of the Russian housing market.

Benefits and risks of application of non-metallic composites as an alternative to steel reinforcement in concrete elements

The paper presents an overview of possible alternative reinforcement solutions to the most popular steel reinforcement currently used for concrete elements. Particular emphasis was placed on the use of composite reinforcement, taking into account the types of components concerned, possible applications and presenting an analysis of the risks and opportunities facing the construction industry related to the use of this type of reinforcement. In addition, an analysis of the material parameters taking into account the division of composite reinforcement due to the different types of fibers used in their production is presented. The paper also presents a comparative analysis of the parameters of steel and composite reinforcement, among others: tensile strength, susceptibility to corrosion, compressive and bending strength, fire resistance. It also analysed the needs of the construction market in the search for alternative concrete reinforcement in reinforced concrete structures, particularly in the context of recent events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and armed conflicts, which disrupt the supply chain and force the search for alternative materials that can replace reinforced steel. The availability of standards and instructions for the design of concrete elements and the related responsibilities of structural designers were analysed, identifying the research directions necessary to popularize and ensure the safety of the design of concrete elements with the use of alternative material solutions – in particular composite reinforcement in concrete slabs.

Информационно-аналитический базис показателей строительного комплекса донецкой народной республики: важнейший этап формирования системы управления

The article is devoted to the analysis of indicators of the construction complex of the Donetsk People’s Republic for subsequent planning of an effective management system. The study of issues related to the analysis of data from the construction complex is extremely important to-day for several reasons, since construction is one of the main sectors of the economy, which en-sures the development of infrastructure, creates jobs, and influences the formation of the tax base. It is important to understand that data from the construction sector provides insight into the state of the economy as a whole, the dynamics of investment and consumer demand. And finally, studying the indicators of the construction complex allows us to identify promising areas for the development of other areas, assess the efficiency of resource allocation and develop the most op-timal strategies. This is what determined the relevance and purpose of this study. The author examines the main indicators characterizing the state of the construction complex, identifies themost significant indicators, and emphasizes the importance of each of the elements of the con-struction complex: metallurgy and metalworking, mechanical engineering, chemical industry, pro-duction of building materials and non-metallic minerals, construction. The work examined the leading manufacturers of all segments of the construction market in order to determine the scale of activity of enterprises in the Donetsk People's Republic. An expert assessment tool - SWOT analysis - was used to determine the strategic direction of development of the construction com-plex based on studying the information and analytical basis of indicators. As a result of the study, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as threats and opportunities for the construction complex of the Donetsk People's Republic were identified. The results obtained will have important manage-rial consequences and are the basis for the development of further mechanisms for improving the activities of construction enterprises at all levels of management.

Analyzing `Language Features of Construction Contracts from The Multi-Dimensional Perspective

In recent years, China’s active participation in the international construction market has led to a greater demand for the comprehensive demystification of construction contracts from the language perspective. Nevertheless, scarcity can be felt concerning that perspective. This study aims to explore language features via the multi-dimensional approach proposed by Biber. A corpus-driven method was adopted on the basis of five real construction contracts. The salient language features were uncovered statistically by adopting the Multi-dimensional Analysis Tagger (MAT), and a series of visualized results displaying lexico-grammatical features and general genre features of construction contracts from different dimensions were also output. The results revealed that nouns and normalization were densely employed in construction contracts. Meanwhile, language variables like phrasal coordination, predicative modals, passive voice, and suasive verbs were excessively employed. The results also uncovered that adverbs and be as the main verb were counted as underused. As to the general genre features, the results suggested that the contracts were written documents with informational, non-narrative, context-independent, self-assertive, and abstract features. Those features stem from the communicative purposes of construction contracts, rendering construction contracts the formal style, explicit communicative purposes, objective stance, and authoritative position. Though with limited language features, we can still obtain an insight into the interpretation and teaching of construction contracts.

СОЦІАЛЬНІ ПЕРЕДУМОВИ РОЗВИТКУ ІНШОМОВНОЇ ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ МАЙБУТНІХ ІНЖЕНЕРІВ-БУДІВЕЛЬНИКІВ В УКРАЇНІ

This article is devoted to the study of the social preconditions for the development of foreign language professional competence by future civil engineers in the contemporary Ukrainian context. It examines the social factors influencing the need for foreign language learning, particularly English, among students of construction specialties in Ukrainian higher education institutions. The author analyzes the impact of globalization, international integration, technological development, and the current situation in the Ukrainian construction industry, driven by russian aggression, on the preparation of modern civil engineers. This study addresses the role of the English language in professional activities, focusing on accessing new technologies and materials, as well as effective communication with international partners and clients within the context of Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. The article also explores the benefits of having high levels of foreign language professional competence, including increased competitiveness through access to foreign literature, international conferences, and seminars, allowing professionals to enhance their self-education and skills, thereby creating greater opportunities for career growth. The author analyzes the current state of professional training for future specialists in the construction industry and highlights the significance of foreign language proficiency for future civil engineers in the face of globalization and integration of the national construction market into the global context. Additionally, possible ways to increase the level of foreign language professional competence among students are discussed, along with recommendations for further development of this aspect within the Ukrainian education system. The findings of the research underscore the importance of integrating foreign language training into the curricula for civil engineers to ensure their readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of contemporary Ukrainian and global markets.

The role of sales planning in the management system of a construction and manufacturing enterprise

The successful operation of construction and manufacturing companies requires the implementation of such a management function as sales planning, which allows, through certain mechanisms of goal setting and careful monitoring of their implementation, to achieve the desired development results for both individual organisations and the country's economy. The problem of improving the efficiency of planning the proper operation of construction enterprises is especially important for developing countries, which undoubtedly include Ukraine. Therefore, in order to improve their performance, our enterprises need to learn how to improve the work planning system, improve strategic and tactical development planning, and learn how to objectively assess the implementation of the measures taken. This paper develops a methodology for planning sales at a construction and manufacturing enterprise. Priority is given to identifying and thoroughly analysing the main indicators that affect the achievement of improvement of the sales planning system for an objective assessment. In the framework of this research, some selective target standards of the organisation's development were analysed in order to obtain all the necessary data for improving the overall development strategy of the enterprise. An active sales strategy was developed, which included certain changes in the structure and operation of the sales department, the introduction of the latest developments and the setting of certain tasks for the organisation's employees. The planned and actual expenses of the sales department were optimised. Particular attention is paid to motivating the work of commercial employees, which should combine the most effective methods of moral and material incentives. The article presents planned indicators of annual distribution of sales by managers, based on the analysis of sales of previous years and the specifics of the construction market. The indicator of total expenses of the sales department in relation to the planned indicator was introduced to enable a thorough control of performance results. The results of the presented study can be used to establish a sales planning system at construction and manufacturing enterprises.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ УРОВНЯ ЗАЩИЩЕННОСТИ БРЕНДА ЗАСТРОЙЩИКА

The residential real estate construction market is increasing in volume but remains the most risky industry in terms of investment due to the long lead time for product creation and realization. Brand can play an important role in reducing the risk of real estate developers. There is a relationship between the concepts of image, reputation, brand and goodwill. Hence, a real estate developer's goodwill is affected by its image and reputation. Research Objective. It is necessary to identify approaches for assessing the reputation of developers in regional residential real estate markets in order to maintain their brand and, consequently, competitiveness at the required level. Materials and Methods. By analogy with the method of solving the problem of choosing a shopping center by a client, we propose a method for assessing the level of protection of the developer's brand, which is understood as the reputation of the developer in relation to the regional market. Initial data for assessing the level of protection of the developer's brand are consumer reviews in the Internet. It should take into account the Ganning Nebula Index of reviews about the developer, the average volume of words in reviews about the developer, the number of negative reviews about the developer, the total number of reviews about the developer and the degree of competitiveness of the residential real estate market in the region. Results. As a demonstration example of using the proposed method of assessing the level of protection of the developer's brand, a conditional market represented by 9 conditional developers was modeled. For each developer conditional individual parameters were selected and on their basis the level of the developer's brand protection was calculated. A comparative analysis of parameters and the level of brand protection of real estate developers was carried out. In particular, it is shown which parameters and their combinations positively or negatively affect the level of brand protection of the developer. Conclusion. Based on the results of the given demonstration example, it can be stated that the proposed approach to determining the level of protection of the developer's brand in the Internet, at least, does not contradict common sense, and, at most, is a relevant and useful tool for an objective assessment of the developer's business reputation.

Thermal insulation revolution in buildings between past and present: an updated review

Eco-design, sustainability and energy efficiency are emerging concepts that reflect the need to design new building solutions that are environmentally friendly and reduce material and energy consumption. Indeed, the probability of a massive climate change, capable of threatening the planet’s stability, is high if the current trend continues. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the main thermal insulation materials dominating the current market as well as their origins, strengths, and weaknesses. Additionally, the study identifies the criteria that make an insulator ideal and may be competitive in the near future as well as the direction of research in order to develop advanced materials. The results of the consulted studies reveal that there is no agreement on an ideal insulator that gather all the thermal insulation requirements. Each of the categories has its own weaknesses that should be addressed in the future to overcome. As well, super-insulators remain one of the most promising materials in this market, but they require more research in order to overcome some of the weaknesses that limit their insertion and production on a large scale. Ecological materials produced from natural fibers are currently far from being the candidates that can compete with super-insulators. Thus, considerable efforts are required to make these natural fibers able to dominate the construction market. Similarly, the comparison of the thermal conductivity of the four categories confirms that super-insulators are the most effective in reducing heat transfer through walls and through thinner layers as well. Finally, in addition to the ecological aspect, the thermo-physical and mechanical properties, and so on, the insulating materials must guarantee certain percentages of acoustic insulation.

Теоретико-методичні аспекти формування стратегії розвитку підприємств будівельної галузі України в умовах воєнного стану

The article summarizes the theoretical and methodological aspects of the formation of the strategy for the development of enterprises in the construction industry under martial law. It is noted that the consequences of the war were felt globally by all participants in the construction market of Ukraine and European countries. The situation, which has developed primarily due to the military aggression of the russian federation, holds back investors and forces them to reduce funding for projects at different stages of their implementation or abandon them at the pre-investment stage. In addition, many construction companies face problems related to the loss of financial stability, which requires the formation of appropriate financial strategies that must take into account the availability and proper distribution of external and internal resources. It is determined that the main problem for enterprises of the construction industry is the creation of a favorable investment climate in Ukraine and real financial and credit mechanisms to stimulate industrial and residential construction in order to increase the competitiveness of the industry. It is noted that there are many factors that determine the development strategy of a construction enterprise. To determine the strategic directions of development of enterprises in the construction industry, a SWOT analysis and a PEST analysis of the functioning of enterprises in the construction industry were carried out. Within the framework of the formation and implementation of the strategy for the development of enterprises in the construction industry, strategic goals are defined. It is determined that the formation of a strategy for the development of enterprises in the construction industry of Ukraine under martial law requires the integrated use of effective organizational, financial and economic tools to solve problems that have arisen over the years and intensified during the war. An algorithm for forming a strategy for the development of enterprises in the construction industry is developed. It is concluded that the formation of a strategy for the development of enterprises in the construction industry under martial law is based on the use of all available production resources, the formation of an appropriate system of State regulation of investment processes in construction, the use of effective organizational, legal, financial and economic tools for the implementation of strategic goals for the development of economic entities.

Lean Construction in the UAE: Implementation of Last Planner System®

Question: Is there a possibility of applying the Last Planner System® in the UAE construction environment? Purpose: Investigating the success and failure factors of implementing the Last Planner System® (LPS®) in UAE construction projects. Research Methodology: The research was conducted through exploratory interviews with construction professionals and an explanatory case study in the UAE. Findings: LPS® implementation is applicable within the UAE construction market. The challenges on the level of operation can be addressed by using the concept of gradual change operations. Limitations: limited interview sample; use of a single case study; the implementation is newer in UAE. Implications: The procedure used within the case study will conform to the LPS® as a tool until it becomes an accepted concept. Value for authors: Enriches the efforts of studying the implementation of the LPS® within the Gulf area and the Middle East in general due to minimal research covering the LPS®. In addition, the approach used for implementing the LPS® is unique to the context studied. Keywords: Lean, Construction, Lean Construction, Last Planner®, Last Planner System® Planning, Project Management Paper type: Case Study

ЖИЛИЩНОЕ СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВО КАК ДРАЙВЕР РАЗВИТИЯ СЕЛЬСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ

Rural territories are a strategic resource of the Russian Federation. Their development is significantly influenced by the level and quality of life of the rural population. The low quality of life of the rural population, limited employment opportunities, low income levels, as well as poorly developed infrastructure lead to an outflow of labor to cities and the disappearance of entire settlements. Activating housing construction in rural areas will ensure their sustainable development. Government support measures in the field of rural development have an impact on improving the living conditions of the rural population. Preferential rural mortgages are the main mechanism stimulating supply and demand in the rural housing construction market. At the end of 2022 Volga Federal District took a leading position in the demand for preferential rural mortgages. The study was conducted to identify the most attractive and promising federal districts for the development of rural housing construction in the Russian Federation. The Southern, North Caucasian, Volga and Central regions are characterized by unique opportunities that make it possible, through the development of housing construction, to indirectly develop agriculture as a whole. Less attractive for the development of rural housing construction are the Northwestern, Ural, Siberian and Far Eastern federal districts. The results of the authors' research will be useful to various authorities to improve methods for stimulating housing construction in rural areas.

ПІСЛЯВОЄННЕ ВІДНОВЛЕННЯ ТА ЗРОСТАННЯ ОБСЯГІВ БУДІВНИЦТВА АВТОМОБІЛЬНИХ ДОРІГ

The socio-economic development of a country and its integration into the global community largely depend on the level of road maintenance. The issue of road maintenance has become especially relevant and important during the period of martial law, since, for obvious reasons, roads are critical infrastructure facilities. Of course, the treatment of such facilities should be appropriate to their purpose. All of this requires research, assessment of the effects of the war on the condition of roads due to their destruction, and development of measures to improve the state of road construction. An important role is assigned to the resource base of road construction - first of all, the availability of bitumen and mineral fillers.
 The length of public roads in Ukraine is analyzed in comparison with the leading countries of the world. Positive trends in the market of road construction and repair related to the reform of the road sector are identified. The quality of roads and their saturation in comparison with other countries of the world is assessed.
 The problematic issues of domestic production and imports of bitumen are investigated. The article shows Ukraine's import dependence and lack of organic binder, as well as the practical absence of concrete road construction. The author analyzes the development and improvement of the regulatory framework for the design and construction of roads.
 Prospects for the implementation of the public-private partnership mechanism are shown, taking into account international experience The necessity of implementing the public-private partnership mechanism, in particular, through the concession mechanism, is substantiated. The regulatory framework needs to be updated to meet EU requirements and implement international standards. The implementation of these measures will help to increase the level of validity of operational and strategic management decisions to ensure the effective functioning and development of Ukrainian road sector enterprises.

Corrigendum to: Issue Identification of Overseas Construction Markets from News Articles Based on BERTopic

Corrigendum to: Issue Identification of Overseas Construction Markets from News Articles Based on BERTopic

Integrating creating shared value into competitive strategies: case studies of Chinese international construction companies

The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been considered as the key to tackle the dilemmas between business and society in the international construction market. However, CSR is too often placed at the peripheral rather than at the core of business. CSR has been evolved to the concept of creating shared value (CSV) with the consideration of its role to the companies’ value chain. This research aims to investigate how to integrate CSV into competitive strategies and develop CSV strategies for construction companies when operating in the international market. Chinese international construction companies are selected as the cases for this study. By using case studies with the assist of archival study, four general types of CSV strategies with regards to CSV issues are found: (1) products, (2) safety, health, and sustainable workforce, (3) local development, and (4) environmental protection. Construction companies are suggested to smartly select social and environmental issues and carefully exercise their CSV strategies to create shared value in the international market. The research gives views to international construction companies to develop CSV strategies from a strategic management perspective. It also provides valuable references to those companies which are facing similar dilemmas in the construction industry.

Project management in the construction industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan: maturity level analysis

If we consider the construction market as a type of economic activity, the market provides for the creation of objects, measures for their restoration. The project has goals, prerequisites for implementation and takes into account the individual characteristics of both the project and the construction site. The basis for effective and high-quality project implementation is an effective project management system. Currently, in the organizations of the construction industry, the most widespread project-oriented management approach. More and more construction organizations, in order to quickly and timely respond to emerging changes, come to the realization of the need to standardize project management processes. The purpose of the study is to analyze the level of maturity of construction companies in the Republic of Kazakhstan. For this, an adapted Berkeley model was used to assess the maturity of project management in construction companies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on the basis of which the intensity of the use of project management processes in construction projects was analyzed. In the article, depending on the tasks to be solved, methods of scientific abstraction, system analysis, comparative analysis, models of the project management maturity level, a quantitative survey method, etc. are used. The novelty and result of the study is the adapted Berkeley project management maturity model, combined with the processes of the PMBOK international project management standard, to assess the maturity of project management in the construction sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

SELECTION OF THE LOCATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

The aim of the study was to use a multi-criteria decisionmaking method to make a rational choice for a new location for the distribution centre of agricultural products in the northeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically in five populated areas. The required criteria were selected based on experiences from previous research in this field, and decision-makers involved in the selection were engineers and technologists from the company in question. The results indicate that the criteria of construction cost and market connectivity gained the greatest importance, and Brčko was chosen as the location for the future distribution centre among the five populated areas. Additionally, the successful application of the used multi-criteria decision-making method, in this case, the CoCoSo method, was demonstrated. This could lead to improvements in making future business decisions within this economic sector.

Formation of the Russian Housing Construction Market Based on the Principles of Sustainable Development in Conditions of Deglobalization

In the modern world, the concept of sustainable development is being adapted to the changed global conjuncture in the conditions of deglobalization and transformation of the world economic system. Currently, sustainable development issues are increasingly being considered in a broader context due to the risks of global uncertainty. The analysis of modern economic scientific literature indicates the absence of a unified approach to the concept of sustainability in the light of global changes. The article examines the evolution of approaches to the concept of sustainability: from traditional theories of sustainability (theory of organization and economic sustainability) to modern concepts of sustainable development and resilience. In the course of the research, the article identifies and formulates global challenges that face the implementation of the concept of sustainable development in the domestic economy. The main directions of adaptation of the «green agenda» concept of sustainable development for the Russian housing construction market in modern conditions of uncertainty are formulated.

The Challenge of Strength Grading UK Hardwoods

Recent research in Europe is bringing a wider range of wood species to the construction market as structural timber and glue laminated products. This option would also open markets for currently underused UK species, foremost hardwoods, but testing efforts when developing strength grading assignments for any minor UK species are prohibitive, as the resource is small and scattered. Grading approaches that require less material for destructive testing could be employed to open routes to market for structural hardwood products. In addition, the European hardwood research has revealed some gaps and uncertainties in grading standards. In particular, data are lacking to support adjustment equations for size, moisture content, and testing arrangement for hardwoods. This paper outlines a new PhD project that will focus on these problems and aims to develop an easier route for strength grading hardwoods.

Identification and classification of interested parties of the construction enterprise.

According to theorists and practitioners, the main factor in the emergence of problems in relations with stakeholders is a lack of understanding of stakeholder management processes. In other words, it is a lack of management of stakeholders' expectations. First of all, this is due to the fact that, more often than not, there is a lack of understanding about which stakeholders surround the enterprise, what they want (their circle of interests), and what influence they can exert to achieve their own goals.
 Identification and classification of interested parties is one of the foundations of the enterprise's management activities, aimed at minimizing the occurrence of conflict situations with individual stakeholders, as well as at protecting relations between partners, taking the desired place on the construction market, and obtaining a positive reputation. In turn, the idea of interested parties introduced into the enterprise's system of life creates certain values and features both for the enterprise and for the stakeholders themselves.
 In the article, based on the study and analysis of literary sources, the concept of "interested parties" is defined, the main groups of stakeholders are formed, and the circles of interested parties specific to the construction industry are highlighted. Having identified these groups of interested parties in the future, there is an opportunity to understand their direct interests, expectations and influence on the enterprise, which will provide an opportunity to choose the development vector of the construction organization.
 The theory of interested parties is considered, in which, according to the research of scientists, it is proposed to divide stakeholders into categories both according to their functional characteristics and to classify them depending on the interests and power they possess. A number of different criteria for the identification of stakeholders developed by Ukrainian and foreign experts, as well as those criteria based on the AA 1000 SES standard of interaction with interested parties, are proposed. The importance of identification and classification of stakeholders of the construction enterprise in order to take into account their characteristics and expectations is characterized and substantiated.

Consciousness and Prospects of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks for Wall Construction: Comparative Study Nigeria and South Africa

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Block (AACB) is a viable, sustainable walling material for building projects but has not been given the attention it deserves in developing countries. To increase the usage of AACB on building projects, this study examines the consciousness and prospects for its use in Nigeria and South Africa. The objectives are (i) to evaluate the degree of knowledge about AACB, (ii) the variants in Nigeria and South Africa, and to assess the likelihood of adopting AACB in Nigeria—the study centres on Lagos and five provinces in South Africa. Lagos was chosen in Nigeria because the State is the only place in Nigeria where AAC blocks have been used. A total of 145 questionnaires were administered to professionals who had been involved in AAC projects. In contrast, 17 South African respondents familiar with AACB in construction projects were polled online using Google Forms. Convenience and snowball sampling procedures were used for construction professionals in both countries. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Statistics such as percentages and mean scores were explored using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Mann-Whitney U test. Findings indicate that construction professionals in Nigeria know very little about 19 of the 20 documented AACBs. However, the South African professionals are very knowledgeable about AACB grade 42.5 OPC and AACB of AP/RHA and fully aware of AACB with grade 52.5 OPC, though they know nothing about the Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLA) AACB. This means that Nigerian professionals have a moderate stance on using AACB. The study concludes that South African Builders are more aware of AACB and its variants than Nigeria. This implies that AACB manufacturing in Nigeria would not thrive in the construction market due to poor patronage since patronage is directly related to product awareness. The study, therefore, suggests that building construction professionals should increase their understanding of AACB through continuous development training, workshops, and seminars on environmentally friendly building materials. Another suggestion is for consultants, clients, developers, contractors, governments, and research institutions to continuously conduct research and embrace findings on the AACB and new building construction materials regarding usage, wear, tears and durability.