Construction Project Organizations Research Articles

The Impact of Leadership Behaviour on Management Effectiveness in Public Construction Project Organizations

This study aims to explore the less explored area of leadership behaviors within public construction project organizations. A correlational research design was adopted, with data collected through a questionnaire-based survey of 169 professionals involved in public construction projects in Vietnam. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares estimation was used to analyze the data. The results confirmed five behavioral dimensions, namely motivating leadership, goal setting, supportive leadership, participative leadership, and directive leadership, which can be used to assess the leading function in public construction work management. The study also revealed that supportive leadership and directive leadership have a significant impact on management effectiveness. Additionally, supportive leadership acts as a mediator for goal setting, motivating leadership, and participative leadership, while directive leadership acts as a mediator for goal setting and participative leadership.

Domain Faktor Kesehatan Mental Pekerja Konstruksi

Construction industry is a labor-intensive sector that absorbs a large number of workers. Therefore, the industry must be able to pay attention to human resources which are a valuable asset. One of them is related to the mental health of construction workers. Even though the construction industry is known for its stressful environment, not much research has been conducted regarding the fulfillment of mental health aspects of construction workers, especially in Indonesia. In fact, various mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety can have an impact on the performance of construction workers and industry. This research aims to identify various factors related to mental health that influence construction workers through an integrative literature study. The results of the analysis succeeded in finding 68 factors related to mental health in the construction industry which were grouped into four domains, namely types, causes, impacts and solutions to overcome mental health disorders in the construction industry. Identification of these factors and domains is important as a means of understanding mental health aspects so that they can become a reference for stakeholders, especially the government and construction project organizations, in an effort to increase awareness on the importance of mental health in the construction work environment. In this way, the government and construction project organizations can be proactively involved in realizing the achievement of sustainable development goals, namely good health and well-being.

ASSESSING THE USE OF AI FOR IMPROVING SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

Artificial intelligence is a discipline that is expanding rapidly across practically all sectors, and its applications have been shown to boost worker productivity. Businesses in the construction sector have been sluggish to adopt new technologies and AI systems, making it one of the sectors that has lagged behind in the digital age. Construction projects are special undertakings that are frequently extremely big, complicated, and safety-critical, making it challenging to bring change and necessitating the use of conventional procedures. Construction project planning involves a wide range of expertise areas and several stakeholders, all of which must be in agreement for the project to be successful. A promising technical development, artificial intelligence is predicted to significantly enhance project management for building projects. Despite these encouraging advantages, AI has not been fully investigated owing to a number of reasons, including its high implementation costs, the requirement for data preparation, the absence of AI techniques, and the lack of experienced employees. This research, which is a pioneer in this field, evaluates the potential of artificial intelligence to assist project managers and other associated professions in effectively planning and managing construction projects. In order to accomplish this goal, structured online survey questionnaires were used in a mixed method research design to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. This gave researchers an in-depth understanding of the subject and helped them identify the difficulties that professionals and organizations faced, as well as suggested ways to incorporate AI into their workflow. The research was effective in building a framework for AI specialists to use in order to create future AI solutions for construction project planning. It also proved helpful in understanding the demands of construction project professionals and organizations.

Effects of Cultural Factors on Cost Performance of Multinational Construction Organizations

Purpose: This study examines the effects of cultural factors on cost performance of multinational construction project organisations with a view towards identifying the most effective cost performance variables affected by the influence of cultural practices. Purposive sampling technique was adopted in deterring the number of construction professionals identified in construction companies with international market experience involved in the delivery of building, civil, and heavy engineering construction projects within the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Outline: A well-structured questionnaire was used to sample respondent’s opinion. Data analysis was through frequencies, percentile, and Mean Item Score (MIS). Findings: Research findings proved that irrespective of the positive effects of educational culture which improves cost performance by ensuring that projects are executed at estimated cost and within client’s budget (Mean = 4.34) and the result of effective communication culture which ensures value for money and return of customer as project is designed to suite client’s budget while maintaining standard quality delivery (Mean = 4.16), political culture tends to have mixed effect on cost performance as project design cost, labour, material and equipment cost, profit and overhead cost, etc. (Mean = 4.30) is found to be responsible for cost overruns of construction projects. Research Implication: The study recommends among others that multinational construction organisations pay great attention to the political style practiced in the host community / country in which they operate.

Organisational Interventions for Improving Mental Health of Project Management Practitioners during COVID-19 in Architecture, Engineering and Construction Sectors in Australia

The introduction of COVID-19-related psychosocial risks to the Australian architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project organisation has triggered the development of innovative organisational interventions for mitigating the risks and promoting of positive mental health among project management (PM) practitioners. Therefore, the paper aims to explore the COVID-19-related organisational interventions for improving mental health in the AEC project organisation. Through a comprehensive literature review, 20 organisation interventions were retrieved, and an online expert forum was conducted with nine industry experts. The results of the expert opinion confirmed the 20 organisational interventions identified from the literature. Moreover, the organisational interventions were used to develop a questionnaire survey distributed among PM practitioners via convenient sampling. Mean score ranking analysis was used to analyses the survey responses from 58 participants. The research findings show that the identified organisational interventions are important, but are ranked differently by architecture, engineering and construction sectors based on their importance in promoting mental health.

Development and Validation of a Resilience Scale for Construction Project Organization

Development and Validation of a Resilience Scale for Construction Project Organization

Математическая модель оптимального распределения ресурсов в строительной сфере в условиях их дефицита

Logistics in the field of construction is one of its most important components, directly affecting the success of the implementation of construction projects. The problem of the optimal distribution of available limited resources is an important and urgent task in planning and organizing construction work, especially in conditions of scarcity of resources. The solution of this problem directly affects the quality and result of construction projects, the duration and rhythm of construction, costs and labor productivity. Aim. The purpose of the study is to develop a mathematical model based on vector optimization methods that allows optimal distribution of various types of limited resources between construction activities, works or objects in order to increase the efficiency of construction projects. Materials and methods. The model of resource distribution described in the paper is based on the theory of vector linear optimization, which makes it possible to distribute limited resources of various types between works, activities, or construction objects. The model takes into account the minimum and optimal requirements for providing construction objects or works with resources, their supply, as well as the priority for supplying objects. A technique for organizing computational procedures according to the model by numerical methods is given. Simulation methods based on computational experiments substantiate the adequacy of the proposed model and the properties of the results obtained from it. Also, the effectiveness of the implementation of the resource allocation model in the system of planning and management of construction projects was assessed. Results. A mathematical model for the distribution of limited resources between construction objects, works or events has been developed and justified. The adequacy of the results obtained by the model is proved. A technique for carrying out computational procedures for the numerical implementation of the model in the MS Excel environment is described. On the basis of computational experiments, the efficiency of applying the resource allocation model in the management of construction projects was evaluated, which averaged more than 34%. Conclusion. The relevance of developing a model for the distribution of resources of various types in the field of construction is shown, the adequacy of the results is proved, the method for obtaining estimates from the model by numerical methods is described, and the economic effect of applying the model in practice is estimated. The proposed resource allocation model leads to a significant increase in the efficiency of organization and management of construction projects and increases the likelihood of their timely completion at minimal cost.

Use of leader–member exchange theory to promote the project governance of construction project contractors

PurposeIn temporary construction project organizations, general contractors need to strengthen control over subcontractors through such measures as supervision and coordination, and resource sharing. In the management process, the good implementation of relational contracts among the general contractor and subcontractors is affected by the quality of relationship between managers and followers. From the perspective of leader–member exchange (LMX) theory, this study explores the influence of LMX, which reflects the quality of relationship between superiors and subordinates, on relational contracts.Design/methodology/approachBy combining the longitudinal influence mechanism and organizational background of relational contracts in project organizations, this study constructed a multi-level structural equation model. The hypothesis is tested based on data collected from 213 respondents.FindingsThe findings of this study show that LMX has a positive influence on relational contracts and organizational identification in construction project organizations. Organizational identification has a positive effect on relational contracts and plays a mediating role between LMX and relational contracts. Power distance plays a moderating role on the influence of LMX on organizational identification.Originality/valueThis study explores the influence of LMX on relational contracts from a new perspective, which can help establish a high-quality relation of the general contractor and subcontractors in project organizations and enriches the longitudinal study of relational contracts in project organizations.

Complexity and Dynamics in Construction Project Organizations

Despite the significant influence of organizational elements on the performance of construction projects, these elements are regarded as fixed, or reflected in an implicit manner, in current project management techniques. This study investigated how the organizational dynamics formed within a project organization based on complexity theory are described, and how organizational factors affect project performance during a construction project. It also presented agent-based simulation (ABS) as a means to understand organizational dynamics in construction project organizations. The author found that manager optimism bias toward organizational factors leads to unrealistic project planning and execution, ultimately having negative effects on project performance, and that developing ABS could enhance the understanding of the organizational aspect in the construction management process. This study is significant, as it enhances the understanding of the organizational aspect of a construction project, and presents a new direction for reflecting the organizational aspect in the project management process.

Organizational antecedents and multiple paths of knowledge-sharing behavior of construction project members: evidence from Chinese construction enterprises

PurposeLack of knowledge-sharing behavior (KSB) among construction project members hinders propagation of expertise, working methods, and lessons learned within an organization, and deprives the organization of a sustainable competitive edge. The present study investigates the combined effect of organizational antecedents of construction projects on members' KSB and provides a reference for developing management initiatives to motivate KSB.Design/methodology/approachBased on organizational theory and organizational behavior literature, five organizational antecedents associated with KSB from organizational culture and structure were identified. Subsequently, the authors used survey data from 152 organization members in Chinese construction enterprises to conduct the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and reveal configurations of organizational antecedents influencing KSB.FindingsThis study identifies five configuration paths that are sufficient for shaping the KSB of construction project members, integrated into two types of driving modes, namely “trust-driven” and “incentive-driven”. Relevant discussions can guide managers of construction project organizations to position the driving strategies of KSB that match different organizational scenarios or constraints.Originality/valueBy analyzing the configuration effects of organizational antecedents on KSB, novel clues are provided for governing the deficiency of KSB among construction project members. This contributes to the literature on knowledge transfer and organizational behavior. The findings provide actionable insights for improving knowledge flow in construction project organizations and designing KSB guidance regimes.

Effect of project organization elements on the mental health of project management practitioner in AEC projects

PurposeDue to the frenetic and dynamic working conditions ascribed to architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project organizations, enormous research has addressed the poor mental health propensity of project management practitioners (PMPs). However, research has not considered the distant factors related to organizational design causing poor mental health. Therefore, this study addresses the problem by integrating institutional theory, agency theory and resource-based theory (RBT) to explore the relationship between organizational design elements: project governance, knowledge management, integrated project delivery, project management skills and mental health management indicators. Examples of mental health management indicators include social relationships, work-life balance and project leadership.Design/methodology/approachPurposive sampling method was adopted to collect survey data from 90 PMPs in 60 AEC firms in Australia. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilized to test the relationship between the variables.FindingsThe research found that project governance, knowledge management and integrated project delivery are positively correlated to mental health management indicators. However, the research finding suggests that project management skills have a negative impact on mental health management indicators.Originality/valueThe findings offer guidelines to AEC firms on achieving positive mental health management outcomes through concentration on project governance, knowledge management and integrated project delivery. It further calls for a reconsideration of existing project management skills causing poor mental health management outcomes.

PESTEL analysis of mental health management of project management practitioners (PMPs) in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project organization

PurposeArchitectural, engineering and construction (AEC) project organizations are under constant pressure to improve the mental health of project management practitioners (PMPs) due to complexity and dynamism involved in project management practices. Drawing on institutional theory, this research explores how external environmental factors, political factors, economic factors, social factors, technological factors, environmental factors and legal factors (PESTEL), influence mental health management indicators that contribute to positive mental health.Design/methodology/approachPurposive sampling method was used to collect survey data from 82 PMPs in 60 AEC firms in Australia. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses based on 82 items of data collected from PMPs.FindingsOverall, this study revealed interesting findings on the impact of external environmental factors on mental health. The hypothesized positive association between political factors and mental health management indicators was rejected. The data supported the proposed hypothetical correlation between economic factors and mental health management indicators and the influence of social factors on mental health management indicators. Moreover, a hypothetical relationship between technological factors and mental health management indicators was supported. The significant positive impact of environmental factors on mental health management indicators proposed was supported, and legal factors’ positive correlation on mental health management indicators was also supported.Originality/valueDespite the limitations, the present findings suggest that all the external environment factors except political factors shape mental health management outcomes.

The Emergence Process of Construction Project Resilience: A Social Network Analysis Approach

For construction projects, resilience is the process of resisting and recovering from adversity. With the global economic and social environment constantly changing, improving the resilience of construction projects has become a research hotspot in the field of project management. On the basis of social capital theory, this study constructs a construction project organization resilience evaluation system from two dimensions of bonding and bridging social capitals. Then, a new theoretical framework is proposed: the network dynamic evaluation model of project resilience based on the resource conservation strategy. Using survey data of 247 construction engineering practitioners, this study considers the emergence of organization resilience in the three phases of adversity. The results reveal that when the construction project is hit by adversity, the investment capital will increase but decrease in the recovery phase. Protective capital demonstrates the opposite. However, both types of capital finally reach a higher level than before the adversity, thus forming an emergence curve of project resilience. This study helps to understand the emergence process of the construction project resilience, provides a feasible method to calculate the resilience and social capital of construction projects in different phases of disasters, and improves the risk response ability of construction projects.

Human-Organization-Technology Fit Model for BIM Adoption in Construction Project Organizations: Impact Factor Analysis Using SNA and Comparative Case Study

Human-Organization-Technology Fit Model for BIM Adoption in Construction Project Organizations: Impact Factor Analysis Using SNA and Comparative Case Study

Identification of Factors Affecting Risk Appetite of Organizations in Selection of Mega Construction Projects

Risk appetite is a crucial component that plays a key role in the decision-making process of project risk management. Despite rising scholarly interest in project risk management, risk appetite has received little attention thus far. A well-defined risk appetite ensures that all decisions taken throughout the course of a project are consistent with an organization’s ultimate strategic aim. This research aims to identify the factors affecting the risk appetite of megaproject selection in the construction sector. The study adds to the knowledge of risk appetite in mega construction project selection and qualitatively examines the factors affecting risk appetite. Exploratory research design is used to identify these factors. The factors are identified using semi-structured interviews of 30 practitioners from the top and middle management working on mega construction projects. Thematic analysis was performed using NVIVO academic software. The most highlighted factors are financial attributes, board of directors’ agility, political factors, project location and demographics. The proposed conceptual framework identifies the factors affecting the risk appetite of mega construction project selection. These factors may be utilized as a starting point by construction project organizations to evaluate the risk appetite of a mega construction project. Risk appetite-based project selection will decrease chances of failures, delays, and cost overruns in mega-projects. These factors can be used by researchers as a rationale for developing predictive or descriptive models of project selection based on risk appetite.

Theoretical model for mental health management of project management practitioners in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project organizations

PurposeThis conceptual paper aims to develop a multi-level mental health management framework for project management practitioners (PMPs) in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project organizations through organizational design theories to extend current knowledge on mental health by revealing organizational, project and external environmental factors contributing to mental health management in AEC project organizations.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was adopted to propose a theoretical model that integrated five organizational design theories: institutional theory, agency theory, resources-based theory (RBT), contingency theory and complexity theory.FindingsThe model reveals permanent organization, project organization and external environment factors for mental health management in AEC project organizations. It further proposed hypothetical interrelationships between elements of permanent organization, project organization, external environment and mental health management indicators to unravel the resultant effects of the interactions on mental health of PMPs.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the body of knowledge by developing a multi-level mental health management framework that identify and shows how combination permanent organization, project organization and external environment elements impact mental health of PMPs in AEC project organizations. It offers a model that offers guidance to practitioners on permanent organization and project organization management practices that can be implemented to improve mental health.

Combined strategy of trust repair in construction project organizations: an exploratory study in Chinese management scenario

PurposeThis study aims to explore the combined strategies leading to successful repair of two types of trust in Chinese construction projects and provide an effective guidance and control trust repair in construction projects. During the research period, the author interviewed 150 managers from 50 Chinese construction projects and collected details of 125 violations. The research examines the effect of combined strategy of trust repair in Chinese management scenario.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a mixed, quantitative, qualitative and exploratory approach. The author first extracted six strategies, namely, apology, denial, penance, communication, promise and compensation, from the literature review and generalization. Then, the author conducted an interview with 150 managers from 50 China construction projects. And the author analyzed the data through qualitative comparative analysis (QCA).FindingsWhen competence-based trust is broken, violators should adopt communication and promise, demonstrate their competence and qualification, and change the attributions of competence from the trustor. When integrity-based trust is broken, violators should apologize, actively admit the mistake, show a positive attitude and seek the forgiveness from the trustor. After reconstructing trustors' perceptions of competence or integrity, violators should also make a promise to trustors for the future. The result of this research not only illustrates the sufficiency and necessity of a single strategy for trust repair but also explores the combination of trust repair strategies that rebuild the trust.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to 50 construction projects in the Chinese construction context, so conclusions are limited in application. Data used in this research did not provide an in-depth analysis of trust repair failures. Thus, additional research is needed to explore why trust was not repaired. The study is also limited to examining the Chinese construction project organizations only, and future studies should incorporate organizations in other nations and regions.Practical implicationsCompared with using a single strategy, a combined strategy provides a contribution to the future practice of repair broken relationship between construction project organizations. This research helps to organize decisions and benefits managers, from Chinese owners and contractors, in choosing which of these strategies repair trust. The author also provides a specific combination of strategies to repair relationships for international companies that have conflicts with Chinese construction companies.Originality/valueThis research is among the early studies in China that preliminary examines the combined strategy of trust repair between Chinese owners and contractors by using causal attribution theory and QCA. This study makes a valuable contribution toward combined strategy in construction project and the knowledge system of trust repair. Future studies could build on the findings from the current study to develop a cross-cultural research on trust repair.

Prioritize and Identify Main Influencing Causes for Cost Control and Optimal Cost Reduction Technique in Mega Construction Projects

The earned value management is a leading technique in monitoring and analyzing project performance and project progress. To fill the gap of limited researches for studying factors inhibiting the ability of contractors to effectively control their projects, a survey was conducted on 22 construction project organizations. It was noted that most project managers and contractors in Egypt find difficulty in controlling project costs due to problems which include Change order, Changes in the design, Errors in the design, current economic situation deterioration, Delay project and Rising prices of materials. Main objectives of this paper are; 1) Identify and prioritize main problems for lack of techniques which cause poor management of cost control with poor site organization and inadequate supervision. 2) Demonstrate the modified Activity Based Costing system as best choices for cost accounting approach for determining construction project accurate cost. To improve capital project cost schedule and predictability using project control system for monitoring and predicting the construction project outcomes. The detailed scope of control systems must base on complexity, size and sensitivity strategy of studied project.

A Simulation Model of Construction Projects Executed in Random Conditions with the Overlapping Construction Works

Reducing the duration of construction works requires additional organizational measures, such as selecting construction methods that assure a shorter realization time, engaging additional resources, working overtime, or allowing construction works to be performed simultaneously in the same working units. The simultaneous work of crews may affect the quality of works and the efficiency of construction processes. This article presents a simulation model aimed at assessing the impact of the overlap period on the extension of the working time of the crews and the reduction of a repetitive project’s duration in random conditions. The purpose of simulation studies is to provide construction managers with guidelines when deciding on the dates of starting the sequential technological process lines realized by specialized working crews, for sustainable scheduling and organization of construction projects.

Impact of organizational decentralization degree on job satisfaction and job performance: a hierarchical linear model analysis for construction projects

PurposeModern construction projects are increasingly complex and rely heavily on multi-discipline collaboration, and this leads to a more and more decentralized project-based structure widely adopted in the construction industry. While job satisfaction (JS) and job performance (JP) have been heavily studied previously, few considered the impact of organizational structure and none investigated the relationship between the organizational decentralization degree with JS and JP. This research aims to fill this research gap and investigate the impacts of organizational decentralization degree on JS and JP and facilitate a better project management practice for large-scale construction projects.Design/methodology/approachThis research firstly establishes four hypotheses based on the literature review on general project-based organizations, then the hypotheses are tested by a survey covering 25 large complex construction projects in China. A hierarchical linear model analysis was carried out to analyze the survey data and to study the relationships between organizational decentralization degree, job satisfaction and job performance.FindingsAnalysis results show that projects' employees' JS and JP are positively correlated with the construction project organizations' decentralization degree, respectively. The decentralization degree has a higher impact on JS than on JP. Employees' JP is positively correlated with their JS, and a higher decentralization degree leads to a more significant positive impact that JS puts on JP.Originality/valueThe findings are new evidence of how construction organization structure and its decentralization degree can affect project employees' JS and JP. This research provides valuable guidance for the industry's management practice and is particularly important for large, complex and highly decentralized construction projects.