Construction Organizations Research Articles

Analyzing the added value of common data environments for organizational and project performance of BIM-based projects

Using common data environments (CDEs) adds value to BIM-based construction projects' organizational and project performance. However, CDEs are used very limitedly in the construction industry. One of the reasons for the limited implementation of CDEs can be associated with the need for construction companies' knowledge about the positive impacts of CDEs on performance management. A well-structured CDE can provide countless benefits and promote long-term improvements in construction projects and organizations, increasing their business success. Despite the acknowledged importance of CDEs, research needs to investigate the impacts of CDEs on project and organizational performance considering the construction KPIs. This study aims to reveal (1) how the CDEs facilitate performance measurement in the construction phase of BIM-based projects and (2) how the CDEs positively affect the project and organizational performance in the construction phase of BIM-based projects. This scope uses seven construction KPIs: time, cost, quality, safety, productivity, organizational sustainability, and client satisfaction. This study conducts a systematic literature review, semi-structured interviews with five subject-matter experts, and the two-rounded Delphi method to fulfill the research objective. The results show that implementing the CDEs in the construction phase of BIM-based projects positively affects productivity, quality, and time KPIs, followed by organizational sustainability, cost, client satisfaction, and safety, respectively. This research contributes to collating and uncovering the added value of CDEs for the organizational and performance management of BIM-based projects. Accordingly, this study would increase the awareness of construction companies about ‘how they can benefit from the data located in the CDEs from project management through knowledge management in the best way'.

Safety awareness and adaptation strategies of Nigerian construction workers in extreme heat conditions

The nature of most construction activities exposes workers to health and safety risks associated with extreme hot weather conditions especially within developing countries in the global south. Considering the magnitude of health and safety risks associated with extreme heat exposure and the prevailing safety culture, and attitude among workers that impede adaptation to safe work practices under extreme heat conditions, it is imperative that serious attention is given to workplace climate change impact on construction workers. The current study provides empirical evidence on safety awareness and practices among Nigerian construction workers, those often exposed to extreme hot weather conditions. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from 576 respondents using random sampling technique and the data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. As part of the study outcome, 57.3% of the respondents raised concerns regarding the non-availability of potable water source on sites, which directly impacts their level of fluid intake while working in extreme heat conditions. To improve safety and enhance productivity, construction organisations need to prioritise workers’ safety through the implementation of sustainable adaptive strategies that include the development of early warning systems related to heat stress at work, development of tailored intervention and adaptive measures and enhancement of heat stress awareness among workers. The study provides evidence on the impact of heat stress among construction workers and the need to improve safety awareness and mitigation against climate change driven extreme heat conditions especially among workers in tropical countries.

Functioning of the internal control system in construction organizations based on the business processes regulation

Subject. This article deals with the issues of regulation of business processes of the internal control system in the organizations of the construction complex of Russia. Objectives. The article aims to formulate the main methodological approaches to the arrangement of the internal control system based on the regulation of business processes. Methods. For the study, we used statistical, case, computational and constructive research methods, as well as analytical and substantive procedures. Results. The article finds that business processes need regulation, which helps systematize actions that are interrelated, which also helps implement strategic, tactical and operational plans of an economic entity. The article identifies the main reasons that hinder the development of building companies, and presents the regulations of the business process Apartment Sale in the form of a clear sequence of actions, which made it possible to develop a methodology for internal control with the involvement of almost all structural divisions of an economic entity. Conclusions and Relevance. Regulation of business processes is an important tool for improving the effectiveness of the internal control system, it contributes to the establishment of clear procedures and rules, standardization, business transparency and the efficiency of the business entity. The results of the study can be used as methodological recommendations for the creation of an internal control system based on the regulation of business processes.

Strategies for the development of mental toughness of construction professionals: the case of Ghana

Purpose The construction sector is recognized for subjecting its workers to various psychological pressures and mental stressors. As a result, it is crucial to explore and discover effective strategies to support these workers in managing and enduring these demanding circumstances. Mental toughness is a concept that has been advocated to aid individuals in coping and adapting to pressures and challenges. Therefore, it is imperative to explore strategies critical to developing mental toughness among construction professionals. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify critical strategies for the development of mental toughness among construction professionals. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect and PubMed databases to identify the strategies for the development of mental toughness. These identified strategies were used to develop a structured closed-ended questionnaire to aid in data collection. Of the 317 questionnaires distributed, 207 were collected and used for data analysis. The data were analysed using mean score ranking and one sample t-test. Findings The study highlighted 12 critical strategies for the development of mental toughness among construction professionals. These include recognizing and rewarding achievements, taking time for self-care, organizing mental training programs, using positive self-talk, embracing a growth mindset, providing social support/developing a strong support network, creating a challenging training environment, engaging in regular physical exercise, fostering a mastery motivational climate, setting clear but challenging goals, practicing mental imagery and practicing reflection on setbacks and failures. The analysis results indicated that all of the strategies, except one (which involves practicing reflection on setbacks and failures), displayed significance. By incorporating these strategies, construction firms and the industry as a whole can empower their workforce to cope and/or overcome the various demands and stressors that work and life places on them. Research limitations/implications The study highlights the significance of recognizing and rewarding achievements, fostering a growth mindset and implementing mental training programs to cultivate mental toughness among construction professionals. Moreover, promoting self-care practices and offering social support are essential strategies for enhancing mental resilience in the construction industry. By adopting these evidence-based approaches, construction organizations can create a mentally tough workforce capable of handling the challenges and demands of the industry effectively. Originality/value This study contributes significantly to the general body of knowledge in mental health management among employees in the construction industry. It does set the pace for the development of the general well-being of construction professionals in the achievement of mental toughness goals.

ORGANIZATIONAL ATTRACTIVENESS: A THEORETICAL REVIEW OF THE MOST RELEVANT EMPIRICAL RESEARCH FROM AN INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE

Purpose: This research aims to analyze and deepen the study of the Organizational Attractiveness construct, identify the main gaps in the field, and propose possible future research in this regard. Theoretical Framework: The shortage of talent in companies, the growing competition, and the new normality have made attracting talent a strategic but critical element for companies. In this sense, Organizational Attractiveness is recognized by various authors as a relevant construct to understand the attraction. In addition, these authors highlight some academic and empirical problems in this field of study. Design/Methodology/Approach: The literature review of more than 300 articles from the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases allowed us to analyze the content and identify 12 articles that discuss the measurement of Organizational Attractiveness under the conceptual models and theoretical framework identified. Findings: This theoretical research process has allowed us to identify four main gaps in this field of study. The gaps found are based on the comprehensive view of the dimensions of Organizational Attractiveness, the approaches to the study of Organizational Attractiveness, the methodology applied, and the sample studied. Research, Practical & Social Implications: Future research is proposed to resolve the gaps. Originality/Value: Although attraction and Organizational Attractiveness have proven strategic and critical, there is little research in the literature that acknowledges the gaps in the field of study. Identifying and closing these gaps could help companies better attract talent.

Enhancing Safety Management in UAE Construction Sites through Site Manager Performance Evaluation

The construction industry is one of the most high-risk domains, having the highest number of occupational accidents compared to other industries globally. One of the main reasons for worker injuries and deaths is the site managers’ unsafe behaviour on the construction sites, which creates an environment that normalizes further unsafe acts and leads to the personnel's inability to recognize and identify various hazards within the construction site. This research aims to investigate and evaluate the site manager's contribution towards safety through specific indicators that include their safety-oriented performance, provision of safety equipment, and conduction of safety training. Data was collected from the workers and managers on construction sites through a comprehensive survey that constituted the three main mentioned indicators. The surveyed sample included 174 participants from different construction organizations across the UAE. The data was then analyzed using the 3-way ANOVA technique to study the relationship between the named three variables. Monte Carlo Simulation was used to study the uncertainty and variability of the interactions of the three factors in the construction site. The obtained results showed that the three factors were all statistically significant, indicating that the three independent variables had a positive effect on the safety score of the site manager. The interaction effect between the safety-oriented performance & provision of safety equipment was significant indicating that there was a combined effect between them on the safety score. A set of recommendations are provided to ensure more safety methods are implemented across the entire UAE construction sector.

Structure and assembly of the α-carboxysome in the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus.

Carboxysomes are bacterial microcompartments that encapsulate the enzymes RuBisCO and carbonic anhydrase in a proteinaceous shell to enhance the efficiency of photosynthetic carbon fixation. The self-assembly principles of the intact carboxysome remain elusive. Here we purified α-carboxysomes from Prochlorococcus and examined their intact structures using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to solve the basic principles of their shell construction and internal RuBisCO organization. The 4.2 Å icosahedral-like shell structure reveals 24 CsoS1 hexamers on each facet and one CsoS4A pentamer at each vertex. RuBisCOs are organized into three concentric layers within the shell, consisting of 72, 32 and up to 4 RuBisCOs at the outer, middle and inner layers, respectively. We uniquely show how full-length and shorter forms of the scaffolding protein CsoS2 bind to the inner surface of the shell via repetitive motifs in the middle and C-terminal regions. Combined with previous reports, we propose a concomitant 'outside-in' assembly principle of α-carboxysomes: the inner surface of the self-assembled shell is reinforced by the middle and C-terminal motifs of the scaffolding protein, while the free N-terminal motifs cluster to recruit RuBisCO in concentric, three-layered spherical arrangements. These new insights into the coordinated assembly of α-carboxysomes may guide the rational design and repurposing of carboxysome structures for improving plant photosynthetic efficiency.

School as a space for nursing: a review of health literacy

Objective: To understand the role of school nursing in the context of child and adolescent health literacy. Methods: An integrative review using the Web of Science, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scopus, Cinahl, Virtual Health Library databases, and search terms related to child and adolescent health, health literacy, and school nursing. No time or language limits were considered. Results: 419 articles were identified and, after excluding duplicates and applying the eligibility criteria, seven articles made up the final sample, none of them developed in Brazil. Despite being a field of research that is still little studied, the results revealed the positive impact of nursing in the school context in promoting physical and mental health literacy, preventing preventable illnesses, and managing chronic non-communicable diseases. This evidence leads to reflections on the recognition of school nursing in Brazil. Conclusion: Nurses are references in the implementation of health literacy programs and in the construction of health literate organizations. In the Brazilian context, there is an urgent need to expand the training of nurses trained to work in schools.

Research on the Restrictive Factors and Strategies for Improving the Teaching Ability of University Teachers under the Background of Education Digitization

Education digitization deeply integrates modern information technology with education, innovates the traditional teaching mode of universities, and makes higher education glow with new vitality. At present, the digital transformation of higher education has become a research focus of higher education reform. Therefore, the digital teaching ability of university teachers has become an indispensable force. It is not only conducive to the construction of college teachers but also conducive to the improvement of university teaching quality, which is a key factor related to the quality of higher talent training in the new era. Therefore, whether university teachers can adapt to the development of digitalization and how to improve their digitalized teaching ability are worthy of attention. Based on this research background, this paper tries to summarize the new requirements of digital transformation of education for teachers' teaching ability by reading relevant literature of the Ministry of Education and taking TPACK theory as guidance. Then, combined with the existing investigation and research results, using case analysis and comparative research, this paper summarizes and analyzes the constraints that affect the development of teachers' abilities from both internal and external aspects of teachers. Finally, based on the analysis of the constraints, suggestions are put forward from the perspectives of teachers' teaching cognition, teaching behavior, school training organization, evaluation system, and digital construction.

From Bricks to Bytes: Navigating Data Management in Construction Technology

With the advent of technological tools, systems, and mechanisms, the operating system in the construction industry has changed enormously. While technological advancements cover a broad area of software and hardware, those involved in data flow have significant roles in data sustainability. The data flow presupposes various requirements, interactions, consequences, and resource utilization and therefore plays a crucial role in construction organizations’ success. The importance of the data flow subject and the scarcity of pertinent studies provoked the current research, which aimed at the exploration of the data flow in construction companies and the effects of technological advancements on different stages of this flow. The overarching research question was, “what factors or processes generate data that do not add value to the construction organization.” In this context, the added value was considered a tradeoff between all consumed resources, including cost, human resources, hardware and software, and associated challenges on one side and the advantages of data generated on the other side. An extensive literature review was performed to examine the main milestones in the data-generative events in the construction industry, with a special emphasis on recent technological advancements such as BIM, VR, AR, and drones. In addition, a group of construction professionals who were in charge of processes was surveyed to produce empirical data for supplementary analysis. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a clear analysis of the data flow in construction companies which helps decision-makers to design and implement consistent and coherent data generative systems.

Digital Transformation of Construction Production Management

Digital Transformation of Construction Production Management

Drivers of corporate social responsibility initiatives among construction companies in Nigeria

PurposeThis study investigates the drivers of CSR practices among construction companies in Lagos, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopted a questionnaire survey to achieve the aim. A purposefully chosen group of managing directors, directors, other senior construction experts or management personnel working for small, medium and large-sized construction enterprises in Nigeria were given questionnaires to complete. 196 questionnaires were issued, out of which 103 were properly completed and returned, with a return percentage of 61% which served as the basis for this study. Utilizing both descriptive and inferential statistics, the collected data were examined.FindingsThe results from the study revealed that “vision of the founder”, “creating public attention”, “competitive advantage” and “business strategy” were the top most four drivers of CSR initiatives among construction companies in Lagos, Nigeria. The results also showed that, there is a statistically significant degree of agreement between various categories of construction companies in Lagos, Nigeria regarding the drivers of CSR initiatives.Originality/valueThe study contributes more effectively to CSR studies by highlighting the drivers of CSR initiatives in construction companies. The finding would facilitate the adoption and implementation of CSR initiatives in construction organizations. The adoption of best CSR practices fosters strong relationship among construction companies, project stakeholders and communities.

A distributed collaborative platform for multi-stakeholder multi-level management of renovation projects

To meet European energy-saving and decarbonisation goals, the annual renovation rate of buildings requires to be at least twice its current level; an aspiration to which the use of innovative and automated solutions can contribute. This paper presents such a solution, the RINNO Retrofitting Manager (RRM) which is part of a large, ambitious research and development project (RINNO) that aims to provide an augmented intelligence-enabled framework for deep, energy-focused retrofitting of buildings. The RRM uses web-service technologies to rationalise the retrofitting process and optimise the delivery of renovation works, while making data readily accessible through an integrated set of role-based user interfaces. The RRM is designed and developed as an open distributed system, that is extensible and portable, by implementing a collaborative research and development approach. The RRM platform implements a multi-level, multi-stakeholder planning approach. It addresses the dearth, insufficiency, and isolation of existing renovation tools by enhancing collaboration, interoperability, and data security, and avoiding information loss and misunderstanding. Employing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, tests conducted with users from independent construction organisations confirmed the RRM's satisfactory performance, ease of deployment, and overall suitability for the management of renovation projects. While this research provides a free collaborative platform for managing renovation projects that can be used by all building retrofit stakeholders in Europe, it also introduces a set of web-services that can be easily reused by third-party developers and integrated into their software tools.

ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING THE COMPETITIVE POTENTIAL OF AN ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Introduction. Adaptive strategy is a key in the modern business environment as it allows businesses to respond effectively to changes in market conditions and ensures their competitiveness. The adaptive strategy for managing the competitive potential of the architectural and construction company was not investigated at the level of a separate study. The purpose of the study is to determine the nature and characteristics of an adaptive strategy for managing the competitive potential of an architectural and construction company. The process of forming the competitive potential of the company as a comprehensive strategy of actions aimed at achieving competitive advantages over a certain period of time is considered. The strategies of growing, stabilising, surviving and adapting are analysed. The principles, functions and stages of operation of the adaptive management system are the subject of the article. According to the authors, an adaptive strategy for managing the competitive potential of architectural and construction companies is an approach aimed at continuously adapting the company’s management strategies to the changing internal and external environment in which it operates. This approach implies flexibility and readiness for rapid response to changes in market conditions, technologies, competition, legislation and other aspects of activity. It has established that a flexible organisational structure, staff competence and continuous improvement of products and services are the components of the adaptive strategy methodological triangle. Using such a methodological triangle allows architectural and construction organisations to be flexible and adaptable to changes in the competitive environment, to adapt quickly to new conditions and to maintain their competitiveness. According to the authors, the characteristics of the adaptive strategy for managing the competitive potential of architectural and construction companies include the following aspects: intellectual capital of companies in the field; ensuring the uniqueness of products in a particular market segment; pricing; ensuring the quality of products and services; availability of financial resources; information and innovation activities; introduction of resource-saving technologies in a construction company; use of innovative approaches to the design, construction and operation of buildings. The results of the study can be used in the process of formation and implementation of adaptive strategies for managing the competitive potential of the architectural and construction company.

THE MAIN PROBLEMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN MODERN RUSSIA

The effectiveness of the development of construction companies in Russia is one of the most important topics for the modern construction market. In a country with vast expanses and a developing economy, the construction industry should play a key role in providing housing, infrastructure and industrial facilities. However, there are a number of problems that hinder the development of this industry in Russia. In the article, the authors define the role of construction organizations in society, identify the key problems of the development of the construction industry, and also identify “bottlenecks” in the activities of construction companies engaged in planning and implementing construction policy in the Russian Federation.

Research on the Rule of Law in the Construction of Grassroots Party Organizations in Rural Areas

Rural grassroots party organizations are primarily responsible for rural governance, and there exists a reciprocal influence and promotion between the modernization of rural areas and the legalization of these organizations. It is crucial to actively promote the legalization construction of rural grassroots party organizations, constituting the fundamental task of these organizations. Such promotion is not merely a task but an essential requirement for elevating the standard of rural governance. This article conducts an in-depth analysis of the current situation and challenges confronting the rule of law construction within rural grassroots party organizations. Solutions are proposed across five levels: raising awareness of the rule of law, bolstering the leadership within rural grassroots party organizations, optimizing the team responsible for the rule of law construction within these organizations, deepening the supervision system, and enhancing the legal publicity and education initiatives within rural grassroots party organizations. The aim is to exert concerted efforts towards advancing the rule of law construction within these organizations and subsequently improving their overall effectiveness.

Assessing the individual effects of different job satisfaction facets on the job performance of qualified employees in the unique conditions of the construction industry

Job performance is crucial to success in the labor-intensive and competitive construction industry. Unlike previous studies, this research focused not only on the overall job satisfaction and job performance relationship but also provided enhanced insights into the relationship between employee satisfaction levels with different aspects of their jobs and the individual impacts of each of these on the employee’s overall job performance in a comprehensive manner by presenting the survey findings of 394 skilled laborers, engineers/architects, and managerial staff in the Turkish and North Cyprus construction markets. A further contribution of the current study is differentiating among various categories of construction professionals for potential approach variations in the analysis of the defined relationship. Both job satisfaction and job performance vary considerably based on different employee categories. The lowest job satisfaction and job performance were recorded by skilled laborers, while the greatest ones were recorded by engineers/architects, and there was a strong positive correlation between job satisfaction and performance across all respondent categories. Regression analysis findings revealed “workload conditions” as the only strong predictor of job performance existing in all three categories, indicating a need to reconsider the heavy workload tradition available in the construction industry. The distinct difference between the job satisfaction facets that predicted job performance in various employee categories was a noteworthy finding. This suggests that organizations may benefit from categorizing their employee groups, concentrating on each group’s distinct approach, and developing tailored strategies in response. Strikingly, numerous strong predictors of job performance identified in this research may be improved without significant investment, giving the organizations a competitive edge. This study provides a guide for construction organizations in identifying the key job satisfaction facets to prioritize while implementing tailored strategies to improve the job performance of three types of crucial construction professionals.

Relations of subordination: Canada’s first indigenous dean of a law school

PurposeThe goal was emancipatory, to characterise and dislodge oppressive management practices, to allow for the possibility of seeking an alternative organisational construction free of postcolonial/subaltern subordination and discrimination in a local, well-documented narrative.Design/methodology/approachThe study was informed by a postcolonial/subaltern perspective and drew on the employment experience of an Aboriginal woman, Canada’s first Indigenous Dean of a law school. The researcher employed a combination of case study and critical discourse analysis with the aim of advancing rich analyses of the complex workings of power and privilege in sustaining Western, postcolonial relations.FindingsThe study made several conclusions: first, that the institution, a medium-sized Canadian university, carefully controlled the Indigenous subaltern to remake her to be palatable to Western sensibilities. Second, the effect of this control was to assimilate her, to subordinate her Indigeneity and to civilise in a manner analogous to the purpose of Indian residential schools. Third, that rather than management’s action being rational and neutral, focused on goal attainment, efficiency and effectiveness, it was an implicit moral judgement based on her race and an opportunity to exploit her value as a means for the university’s growth and status.Originality/valueThrough a postcolonial/subaltern perspective, this study demonstrated how management practices reproduced barriers to the participation of an Indigenous woman and the First Nations community that an organisation was intended to serve. The study demonstrated how a Western perspective – that of a university’s administration, faculty and staff – was privileged, or taken for granted, and the Indigenous perspective subordinated, as the university remained committed to the dispossession of Indigenous knowledge and values.

Research on the Construction of the Organizational Mechanism of Rural Party Branches

Xi Jinping stressed that party members and cadres must be politically strong and strong, and the party organization must have superb leadership ability to provide a strong political guarantee for the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy. The problems in the organizational construction of rural party branches are mainly manifested in the imperfect selection mechanism of branch members, the loss of a large number of outstanding local talents, and the weak economic awareness of rural party members. Therefore, how to build a complete organizational mechanism of rural party branches around the three aspects is the core of improving the leadership ability of rural party branches, and it is also the key to giving full play to the leadership of rural party branches to lead the people to achieve rural revitalization.

Flawed Institutional Structures: Project Managers Underutilized in Nigeria’s Construction Industry

Many studies have been conducted on the poor performance of the construction industry. Nigeria’s construction industry has been linked to project delays and cost overruns, leading to many abandoned construction projects throughout the country. These issues are largely attributed to inadequate project management practices and the underutilization of project managers. To address these challenges, an institutional analysis was conducted to examine the factors, within the institutional framework of the Nigerian construction industry, that hinder the effective utilization of project managers and the implementation of project management practices. Data were collected from the previous literature and were supported by data collected through semi-structured interviews in Nigeria. The collected data were coded into a four-level framework for institutional analysis. This method was employed to analyze the interrelationships between the identified embedded factors, institutional laws and regulations, and construction organizations, and to understand how their influence results in the underutilization of project managers. Deviation analysis was conducted as an additional method to categorize the impacts of the embedded factors at each institutional level and to determine how these impacts contribute to the underutilization of project managers in the Nigerian construction industry (NCI). It was found that the system of the underutilization of project managers consists of two subsystems: underutilization and lowering commitment. For the former subsystem, corruption, political influence, religious and tribal discrimination, and organizational culture were found to adversely influence the institutional structure of the construction industry in Nigeria. These factors weaken the governance mechanisms within the industry, leading project managers to prioritize corrupt practices over project needs. The ineffectiveness of existing laws and regulations exacerbates the situation, supporting unfair working conditions and contributing to the underperformance of project managers. This result leads to development at the top of the latter subsystem, with minimal incentives and limited opportunities for career growth within construction organizations. The findings hold significant potential for addressing systemic issues in the Nigerian construction industry, particularly the underutilization of project managers and organizational support measures to improve project management practices and mitigate the adverse effects of corruption.