Irish Construction Research Articles

The role of interpersonal conflict as a cause of work-related stress in construction managers in Ireland

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide evidence to support an emerging theory that interpersonal conflict is the primary cause of workplace stress among a self-selected sample of Irish construction managers. Design/methodology/approach Eighteen construction managers working in Ireland were recruited for this study. Using semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis as the research methodology, the causes of their workplace stress were investigated. Findings Participants reported that the principal cause of their workplace stress was high levels of interpersonal conflict between colleagues. The effects of this interpersonal conflict included avoidance behaviour, ill health, absences from the workplace and loss of productivity issues. Deadlines, penalty clauses, lack of appreciation, cliques, costs, communication, temporary contracts and delays were also reported stressors. Research limitations/implications A limitation of the study is the small sample of 18 construction managers and the limited geographical area. Social implications The social implications of this study could be to clearly identify that interpersonal conflict may be under reported in the construction industry, and there is a possibility that it is being misclassified as other workplace behaviours such as bullying, harassment and workplace violence. If this is so, this could aid future researchers in addressing this challenging workplace behaviour. Originality/value The current consensus in the literature is that the three main causes of workplace stress are bullying, harassment and violence. However, the role and importance of interpersonal conflict as reported in this study, with the exception of North America and China, is not reflected in the wider health and safety research literature. In addition, interpersonal conflict and its reluctance to be reported is largely absent from construction safety research. The findings of this study may be explained if the workplace stress research community is currently misclassifying interpersonal conflict as a manifestation of bullying, harassment or violence. If this is the case, interpersonal conflict needs further research. This is to establish if this cause of construction-related workplace stress needs to be reconsidered as a standalone phenomenon in the wider family of challenging workplace behaviours.

Sun-related knowledge and practices in Irish construction and agricultural workers.

Agricultural and construction workers spend much of their work time outdoors and have higher risks of developing skin cancer when compared to indoor workers. However, there is limited research on ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure knowledge, sun safety practices and constraints within these occupational groups in Ireland. This study aimed to examine self-reported time spent outdoors in a sample of Irish agricultural and construction workers; to describe and compare UVR exposure knowledge, safety practices and perceived constraints in both occupational groups, and to assess the association of demographic, personal and occupational factors with sun-related knowledge, practices and perceived constraints. Agricultural workers (n = 154) and construction workers (n = 467) completed a questionnaire, which measured solar UVR exposure knowledge, safety practices, and perceived constraints to sun personal protective equipment and sunscreen use in addition to demographic, personal, and workplace characteristics. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to examine differences in knowledge, practices and perceived constraints by these characteristics. Both groups spend a significant proportion of their working week outdoors (25 hours per week on average). Although participation in sun safety training was high for both groups, UVR exposure knowledge and sunscreen use were low, and annual rates of reported sunburn were high. Knowledge, practices and perceived constraints also differed significantly according to demographic, personal, occupational and workplace characteristics. In addition to training by employers and advisory groups, interventions are required to address perceived barriers that impede the uptake and usage of control measures that can lower risk.

Analysis of integrated project delivery in the Irish Construction industry

The construction industry is complex and suffers from considerable challenges related to Project Delivery Systems (PDS) most notably cost overruns and delays. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) has gained traction in recent years and is lauded to be an effective mechanism to overcome many of these challenges. However, implementing IPD in practice is not an easy endeavor, and there is a need to understand the motivation to adopt it as well as to understand the key challenges and critical success factors for its effective implementation. This exploratory study aims to address this deficit. We capture real-world data from professionals in the Irish construction industry to understand current practices and analyze the perceived challenges and critical success factors for the successful implementation of IPD. Our findings reveal a significant lack of awareness among participants regarding IPD and very low levels of implementation. Issues such as lack of trust, fear of litigation and reluctance to change are the major barriers to implementation. Critical success factors for successful implementation center on establishing integrated systems such as BIM and ensuring that information, process knowledge and organizational teams are integrated.

How Can the Irish Construction Industry Become Less Fragmented and More Productive?

Globally the Construction Industry is in a fragmented state and the Irish Construction Industry (ICI) is no exception. The ICI has a history of delivering National infrastructure projects over time and over budget. Irish Government publications have identified that low productivity within the ICI is a prevalent issue. Lean construction (LC) is proposed in this research as an antidote to assist the ICI in becoming less fragmented and more productive. Research indicates that successful incorporation of lean methodologies can cut completion times by 30% and costs by 15%. Further research demonstrates that Construction Industries (CI) are lacking the education required to implement lean methodologies. There is a lack of awareness within the ICI regarding the principles and benefits of lean. Lean Construction Ireland (LCI) membership numbers are increasing at a glacial pace. Traditional project management techniques that are autocratic in nature and focus on critical path items and milestones are extensively used in the ICI. These techniques prioritize measuring metrics such as commercial performance which means measuring other performance related metrics such as workflows slip down the order of seniority. This approach conflicts with the principles of lean and limits the opportunity for continual improvement. There is therefore a requirement for government, management, leaders and all project stakeholders to change their way of thinking regarding their project management techniques and embrace change. Aligning these stakeholders will strengthen the entire Irish Construction Supply Chain and only then will the benefits of lean be fully realized. Building Information Modelling (BIM), whilst not technically a lean tool shares multiple characteristics of lean and is further vehicle that can assist in this transition. The results suggest that with enhanced education in lean, alignment of project stakeholders, an overhaul of traditional project management techniques and heavier incorporation of BIM that a shift towards lean and higher productivity is possible for the ICI.

The development of a lean six sigma and BIM framework for enhancing off-site manufacturing

PurposeThis study aims to improve a construction company's overall project delivery by utilising lean six sigma (LSS) methods combined with building information modelling (BIM) to design, modularise and manufacture various building elements in a controlled factory environment off-site.Design/methodology/approachA case study in a construction company utilised lean six sigma (LSS) methodology and BIM to identify non-value add waste in the construction process and improve sustainability.FindingsAn Irish-based construction company manufacturing modular pipe racks for the pharmaceutical industry utilised LSS to optimise and standardise their off-site manufacturing (OSM) partners process and leverage BIM to design skids which could be manufactured offsite and transported easily with minimal on-site installation and rework required. Productivity was improved, waste was reduced, less energy was consumed, defects were reduced and the project schedule for completion was reduced.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study was carried out on one construction company and one construction product type. Further case studies would ensure more generalisability. However, the implementation was tested on a modular construction company, and the methods used indicate that the generic framework could be applied and customized to any offsite company.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies on implementing offsite manufacturing (OSM) utilising LSS and BIM in an Irish construction company. The detailed quantitative benefits and cost savings calculations presented as well as the use of the LSM methods and BIM in designing an OSM process can be leveraged by other construction organisations to understand the benefits of OSM. This study can help demonstrate how LSS and BIM can aid the construction industry to be more environmentally friendly.

Factors Inhibiting Higher Education Institutions from addressing Industry driven change in Irish Construction Management Programs

ABSTRACT With Construction Management being a relatively new discipline, the relationship between academia and industry is underdeveloped. Studies have identified the gap between academia and industry, with recommendations made as to how this gap may be closed. However, little research is done into what is restricting Higher Education Institutions from acting on these findings. The aim of this paper is to address this. Five key themes emerge in the literature: Human, Resources, Organizational Structure, External Influences, and Administrative Factors. To complement this, semi-structured interviews are undertaken with 12 Construction Management representatives from each of the 11 Higher Education Institutions offering a Construction Management program in the Republic of Ireland. Using the five themes that emerged in the literature, each of the interviews is thematically coded. The results indicate key factors inhibiting the change implementation processes within construction management departments. These include difficulties in the number of boards and committees involved in change, a lack of incentive for lecturing staff undertaking what is considered additional work, disparity in the definition of a “successful program” within the Higher Education Institutions, extensive amounts of reports required for change proposal, lecturing staff being largely overworked, and organizational structures that do not facilitate collaboration between departments.

Integrating sustainability practices into the Irish construction supply chain: main contractors' perspective

PurposeThe low level of sustainable practices in the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) sector continues to increase. In driving sustainability practice adoption and implementation, construction-contracting firms have introduced sustainability practices to their supply chain network. This study examines the strategies adopted by large construction-contracting firms in Ireland to integrate sustainability practices into their supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts the mixed-method approach using questionnaires and interviews to collect data. The relative importance index (RII) was used to analyse the data collected through the questionnaire survey. In terms of theoretical underpinning, the study was positioned in the resourced-based view (RBV) theory, which focusses on the link between a firm's internal characteristics and performance.FindingsThe results revealed that, in building a long-term relationship, trust, knowledge of the construction process, commitment, a common goal and mutual support were the key factors considered. While in developing their supply chain, suppliers' assessment and promoting competition in the supply chain were ranked high amongst the mechanisms utilised. Additional findings revealed that long-term relationships with a supply chain organisation have little impact on the project sustainability performance; instead, close collaboration and trust amongst the project team influenced the project sustainability performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focusses only on the main contractor's organisation. Further study will require exploring the supply chain organisations to provide a deeper understanding.Practical implicationsThe research demonstrates that for construction-contracting firms to contribute positively to sustainability objectives, they will have to collaborate closely with their supply chain.Originality/valueThe study provided practical and empirical evidence to guide construction-contracting firms to develop strategies to drive and implement sustainable construction practices.

Building control (amendment) regulations 2014: integration and compliance in large Irish construction organisations

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the factors relating to the integration and compliance of Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (BC(A)R 2014) in large Irish construction organisations.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the aim, a mixed method approach is adopted, initially, providing a critique of the literature review, followed by a combination of 7 semi-structured interviews and 30 questionnaires from industry practitioners.FindingsFindings demonstrate that BC(A)R has had a significant positive effect on the industry, eliminating previous bad practice, by increasing the accountability for professionals signing-off on new buildings, and highlights the emphasis on certification in successfully achieving practical completion on projects.Practical implicationsThe findings provide further justification on the need for compliance, and integration, of BC(A)R in the Irish construction sector, offering further evidence, where needed, on the benefit of its adoption.Originality/valueThe originality and value of this research lies in the limited number of studies in the area, particularly in the context of large Irish construction projects, which this study aims to fulfil.

Construction safety knowledge sharing on Twitter: A social network analysis

Many studies show that unsafe behavior is the main cause of construction accidents. Safety education and training are effective means to minimise people’s unsafe behaviors. Apart from traditional face-to-face construction knowledge sharing, social media is a good tool because it is convenient, efficient, and widely used. We applied both social network analysis and sentiment analysis to investigate knowledge sharing on Twitter. Our study is a novel attempt to understand social structure of “construction safety”- related twitter networks and the opinion leaders. We selected and analyzed 6561 tweets of three users’ networks on Twitter – “construction safety”, “construction health” and “construction accident”. We found that three networks had low density and many isolated vertices, which showed that users did not actively interact with each other. The opinion leaders in this study were mostly organizations or government agencies. The top one is “cif_ireland”, the Irish construction industry’s representative body, the Construction Industry Federation. 3200 Tweets of the top opinion leader were analyzed through graph metrics calculation, cluster analysis, sentiment analysis, and correlation analysis. The opinion leader used Twitter as a medium to disseminate the latest safety news. Thus, we may use Twitter to stimulate people's interest on construction safety topics, share construction safety knowledge, opinions and ideas. Besides, our results showed that sentiment valence had no correlation with number of favorites or retweets. Nevertheless, there was a positive correlation between favorites and retweets.

Irish construction cross border trade and Brexit: Practitioner perceptions on the periphery of Europe

The United Kingdom (UK) Brexit vote of June 2016 has created unprecedented uncertainty in the construction industry in Ireland but little research to date has been undertaken on existing construction trading patterns and the potential effects of regulatory divergence and other non-tariff barriers in Ireland in this context. In response, this study uses mixed methods to fill this gap in knowledge. The experience of nine construction industry interviewees is probed – five based in Northern Ireland (in the UK) and four from Ireland, which will remain in the EU after the UK leaves. The researchers’ analysis of the qualitative data generated themes which were tested through investigation of the 101 eligible responses gathered through an online questionnaire. Our findings demonstrate that the construction trade in Ireland is highly mobile, currently trading extensively North – South and East – West. The physical barrier of the Irish Sea is less of a hindrance to trade than the regulatory barrier of the Irish border. Trade from peripheral areas is drawn to economic centres in Dublin and GB. In the view of the respondents, Brexit will impose further non-tariff barriers, although it is difficult to predict and plan for these barriers.

BIM Macro Adoption Study

Since 2016, the BIM Innovation Capability Programme (BICP) has captured the capability of the Irish construction industry and the higher education institutes response to the increased requirement for BIM on construction and engineering projects. One of the primary responsibilities of the BICP research team was to collate data to assist the National BIM Council of Ireland in the formulation of a National BIM Roadmap. To assist the council with this task, the BICP research team applied five macro BIM maturity conceptual models to assess Ireland's BIM maturity. The application of the models has helped identify the key policies' outputs and the macro maturity components that were used to identify deliverables within the now-published Irish roadmap. The results from the models were further utilised to develop a managing-complex-change matrix. The matrix has helped identify the necessary ingredients for a successful digital transformation programme for Ireland's construction industry for the period 2018-2021. The results from both studies have provided crucial information in highlighting areas that will need to be addressed if Ireland is to continue its current momentum in promoting the use of BIM within the Irish construction industry.

Laboratory foundation model with pyrite-bearing mudstone fill

Damage to domestic dwellings in the greater Dublin area of Ireland engendered by the expansion of the underfloor fill material containing pyrite has become a high-profile national problem in recent years. In this paper, a novel physical model is described in which the profile of underfloor materials representative of Irish construction practice is modelled; the relevant vertical dimensions are at full scale. The study has enabled the rate of pyritiferous expansion to be ascertained over a period of 830 d at laboratory temperatures; rates of 0·0021 and 0·0008 (mm/mm)/year were observed with no loading and a pressure of 3·4 kPa on the concrete slab, respectively. The rates of expansion are broadly consistent with those obtained from reference pipe experiments. These data are an important frame of reference for anticipating the time required to generate a specific amount of floor movement in domestic dwellings. Pressures generated within the fill are low and consistent with the occurrence of significant expansion.

Creating opportunities in the face of an environmental jolt: exploring turnaround strategizing practices within large Irish construction contractors

Firms that face organizational decline choreographed from an environmental jolt must seek new ways of creating opportunities in order to successfully turnaround. As such, the identification of pertinent turnaround strategies becomes increasingly important for senior management. Within the strategy-as-practice scholarly, there have been recent calls to move beyond empirical “isolationism” and to connect with other larger social phenomena; while across the turnaround literature there have been calls to explore the process and micro-structure of turnaround strategies in cyclical environments. To address this research gap, the purpose of the study is to adopt a tall ontology by blending the strategy-as-practice lens with the organizational decline and turnaround lens. By drawing on five exploratory case studies of large Irish construction contractors, the central objective is thus to explore firms’ turnaround strategizing practices during an environmental jolt. In order to advance our tall ontology, we developed a turnaround strategizing process model (and propositions) that integrates our findings, and which offers the fundamental building blocks of a new blended theory. We find that successful turnaround attempts entail the simultaneous interaction of non-aggressive cost retrenchment actions and non-extensive internationalization. The case studies further suggest that during a prolonged environmental jolt, cost retrenchment is more often a long-term strategy. Lastly, the findings provide valuable support for practitioners in developing a successful turnaround response, and in aiding the selection and timing of operational and strategic actions.

Attitudes and approaches of Irish retrofit industry professionals towards achieving nearly zero-energy buildings

PurposeThere is profound demand for higher skills and expertise in retrofitting the existing building stock of Europe. The delivery of low- or nearly zero-energy retrofits is highly dependent on technical expertise, adoption of new materials, methods of construction and innovative technologies. Future Irish national building regulations will adopt the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive vision of retrofitting existing buildings to higher energy efficiency standards. Construction industry stakeholders are key for the achievement of energy performance targets. Specifically, the purpose of this paper is to assess the attitudes, approaches and experiences of Irish construction professionals regarding energy efficient buildings, particularly nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs).Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a series of quantitative and qualitative methods, including a survey, a workshop and detailed interviews with professionals in the retrofit industry. The structure of this approach was informed by preliminary data and information available on the Irish construction sector.FindingsThere is a substantial amount of ambiguity and reluctance among the professionals in reaching the Irish nZEB targets. The growing retrofit industry demonstrates low-quality auditing and pre/post-retrofit analysis. Basic services and depth of retrofits are compromised by project budgets and marginal profits. Unaligned value supply chain, poor interaction among nZEB professionals and fragmented services are deterrents to industry standardisation.Practical implicationsThis study will enable construction industry stakeholders to make provisions for overcoming the barriers, gaps and challenges identified in the practices of the retrofit projects. It will also inform the formulation of policies that drive retrofit uptake.Social implicationsThis study has implications for understanding the social barriers existing in retrofit projects. Support from clients/owners has a diverse impact on energy performance and retrofit decisions. Community-based initiatives are key to unlock the promotion of nZEBs.Originality/valueThis paper provides an overview of current activities of retrofit professionals and analyses the barriers, gaps and challenges in the industry.

Construction disputes in small to medium enterprise’s in Ireland during recession

Purpose This paper aims to identify the critical factors causing construction disputes in small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland during the recent recession period from 2007 to 2013. Design/methodology/approach This study used a mixed-method approach incorporating a literature review, case studies and questionnaire survey, with results analysed using exploratory (data reduction) factor analysis. Findings The results indicate seven core critical factors which result in construction disputes in SMEs in Ireland during a recession: payment and extras; physical work conditions; poor financial/legal practise; changes to the agreed scope of works; time overrun; defects; and requests for increase in speed of project and long-term defects. Research Limitations/implications With Ireland emerging from the current economic recession and the prevalence of SMEs in the construction sector, it is essential to document the core critical factors of construction disputes which emerge within this particular segment of the built environment. Practical Implications To address the adversarial nature of the construction sector and the prevalence of SMEs, it is essential to identify and document the critical factors of construction disputes within this remit. It is envisaged that the results of this research will be acknowledged, and the recommendations adopted, by construction SMEs, particularly within Ireland, as they emerge from the economic recession. Originality/value This paper fulfils a gap in knowledge with the emergence of the economic recession and the identification of critical factors of construction dispute within SMEs in the Irish construction industry.

Geotechnical Field and Laboratory Investigation Procedures Pertinent to the Development of Commercial On-Shore Wind Farms in Ireland

In the last decade, both the Irish landscape and construction industry has seen a dramatic increase in the number of commercial on-shore wind farm developments. Geotechnical field and laboratory based testing procedures play a critical role in the development, design and construction of wind farms. A comprehensive knowledge of the ground conditions and soil parameters prevailing across the development footprint are necessary to facilitate a site specific infrastructure and turbine foundation design; therefore, reducing associated construction risks and ensuring that an economic construction programme can be premeditated. This paper presents some geotechnical field and laboratory based procedures pertinent to both the development and design of commercial on-shore wind farms in Ireland. The various procedures are compared in terms of suitability of the test procedure for the soil type encountered and geotechnical design soil parameters derived. Although each geotechnical site investigation scheme is both an iterative and unique process, a phased approach relating to a rough peat moor land typically encountered across wind farm sites in Ireland is presented. Keywords: Renewable Energy, Geotechnical, Site Investigation.

Linking response strategies adopted by construction firms during the 2007 economic recession to Porter’s generic strategies

The time period bridging the years 2007 to 2012 will be remembered as one characterized by dramatic changes in the Irish and UK construction industries. Construction companies witnessed unprecedented changes in the environment, namely the coincidence of a sharp economic downturn, the significant decline of public works, a reduction in lending, increased competition, and structural changes in the marketplace. Nevertheless, little has been documented on what response strategies construction companies adopt as a result of an economic recession. Based on four exploratory case studies, a taxonomy framework of the response strategies adopted by Irish and UK construction companies during the 2007 economic recession was developed relative to Porter’s generic strategies of cost leadership, differentiation, and focus. Porter’s model is a well-known theoretical framework among business strategists and industrial economists worldwide. The analysis provides strong support for the adoption of cost leadership strategies as a means to surviving the 2007 economic recession. The case studies further suggest that cost control initiatives are one of the most important attributes in companies’ responses to the 2007 recession. The findings provide valuable assistance for construction contractors in developing effective strategies and thus reducing business failures during recessionary periods.

Public/Private BIM

The current economic difficulties have affected most practitioners within the industry and, as a result, many firms and contractors are bidding for fewer projects, resulting in below-cost tenders. It is clear that, many firms and contractors are now operating on thin margins; which makes it increasingly difficult for them to commit to the introduction of new software applications and system upgrades. The transition to Building Information Modelling (BIM) from traditional 2D CAD by Irish firms and contractors has been a relatively slow process compared with the international colleagues. There are many reasons for this, including lack of resources, lack of awareness, ignorance, misunderstanding and adversity. The lack of BIM promotion and BIM training opportunities within the industry has meant that very few people possess the basic requirement to successfully embrace BIM at a level which would be considered efficient. BIM is the new way of operating and it is gaining momentum; the industry simply cannot turn a blind eye to the technology or it will be left behind. The industry must therefore adapt and change current working practices in order to compete with other established and recognized BIM nations. This paper will evaluate BIM in the international context and, investigate if these methodologies can be transferred to the Irish construction industry. This paper will also aim to identify obstacles and drivers for Irish firms, contractors and Government Departments with regard to BIM adoption, as well as the behavioral and cultural elements which are preventing BIM adoption in Ireland. It is hoped that the research findings will demonstrate a business case for the implementation of BIM, for both public and private sector organizations.

The influence of technology on the development of partnership relationships in the Irish construction industry

This paper investigates the potential for improvement in the construction supply chain management (SCM) given the current crisis in the Irish construction industry. The research was undertaken because of the need to improve productivity and tackle historical problems between main subcontractors and specialist subcontractors in the construction industry. The goal of the research is to present and analyse a case study of the fit-out of Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport, Ireland. It seeks to establish if specialist subcontractors are active participants in construction collaborative technologies (CCTs); contribute to the design process; are fully integrated into the supply chain and have longer-term strategic partnership as opposed to project partnership as an objective. The research found that subcontractor involvement in design development using CCT was crucial to the success of the project and that investment in collaboration technology would be a determining factor in the future success of the industry.

Review: Open House Dublin

Open House Dublin . Irish Architecture Foundation. 7–9 October 2011 Henrietta Street, 8 October 2011. We are in theatrical surroundings: a short, sloped cul-de-sac in an unloved part of Dublin’s northern inner city, lined with thirteen enormous, stark Georgian houses of which a few have been restored, while the others are intact but tottering. There is a crowd of people, nervous and excited as befits the drama of the place, and jostling to be among the first to have access to number 10. Probably built in the late 1720s, this was the townhouse of Luke Gardiner, the developer who created some of the most important urban set pieces of Dublin, including this one, the city’s grandest residential street from the early eighteenth century (Figure 1). Groups of ten at a time are admitted for tours all afternoon, and are lucky to be guided by an architect who knows the much-remodeled house intimately and is from the firm that recently carried out conservation and restoration work on it. Now a Catholic convent, on any other day of the year 10 Henrietta Street is only accessible to its resident nuns and their guests. But this is Open House weekend, when buildings all over the city and suburbs of Dublin can be visited by anyone interested in architecture, and, in many cases, willing to wait in line. This year’s program involves 130 events including building visits, walking tours, exhibitions and symposia. Figure 1 10 Henrietta Street, 1720s, Dublin (Irish Architecture Foundation) The first Open House was held in London almost twenty years ago, and the idea has spread around the world. While the Open House Worldwide network has twelve official members including Open House Tel Aviv, openhousenewyork and Open House Melbourne; related events include “Doors Open” weekends in many American cities. Dublin’s Open House is distinctive in being directed by an organization with a specific …