Construction Partnering Research Articles

IGNITE: Operationalizing The US Surgeon General's Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being

Workplaces have been called to action by The US Surgeon General's Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being. Educating the workforce on the five essentials anchored to ten human needs can be a way to create a shared vocabulary about the elements of work design that foster healthy workplaces. Through socializing the Framework, workplaces enable workers to be constructive partners in creating better environments. In addition, there is an urgent need to counter professional isolation and enhance social connection among the entire health care workforce. This article shares the rationale and process of creating a novel program called IGNITE (Inspiring Growth, Networking, Improvement, Togetherness, and Engagement) that operationalizes the Framework. This initiative accomplishes the dual purpose of enhancing individual and organizational resilience through learning about the Framework, while creating space for our entire workforce to build stronger communities and teams. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2024;54(1):e9–e13.]

Environmental Policy Frameworks for Ports: In Search of a Gold Standard

Abstract Ports play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and a broad range of other tranportation-related environmental impacts. This article examines the critical elements of an effective environmental policy frame-work for ports that could be considered a “gold standard.” An exploratory analysis is conducted by delving into the academic literature and analyzing existing international and regional policy frameworks for ports. Fifteen in-terviews with subject-matter experts were conducted to identify sustaina-bility initiatives of two case study ports: Rotterdam and Long Beach. The article extends a previously developed framework for ports developed by Christodoulou et al., which identifies the following spheres of influence: the ports themselves, the role of ports in supporting shipping and inland transportation, and the geographical area surrounding the port. The current study extends the framework from its initial focus on GHG emission reduc-tion-related initiatives to other environmental sustainability initiatives un-dertaken by ports. It is clear that a “gold standard” requires a proactive and participatory approach to sustainability initiatives for the power itself and effective processes for collaboration with the shipping sector, inland trans-portation, and the geographic area surrounding ports to enable the port to be a constructive partner in all its spheres of influence and for the frame-work to evolve over time to continue to improve on an ongoing basis.

Bezbednosna saradnja Evropske unije i Republike Turske

By utilising the theoretical framework of the science of international relations and by relying on selected scientific methods, such as the content analysis, comparative and inductive method, the paper analyses the security cooperation between Turkiye and the European Union.. The analysis comprises two levels: at the first one, the focus is on the position and status of the Republic of Turkiye within relevant EU Common and Security Policy structures, such as PESCO projects, European Defense Agency Programmes, and military missions and operations led by the EU or within the EU - NATO partnership or the EU security and defense industry programmes; at the second one, the subject of the analysis are the positions of Turkiye and the EU regarding the most important issues of contemporary international relations and security, such as the Ukrainian war, the conflict in Gaza and general relations in the Middle East, the relationship with the Russian Federation, as well as the most important factors determining the positions of the two sides in this context. One of the conclusions of the analysis implies that the great potential for the EU - Turkiye security cooperation has not been efficiently fulfilled because of numerous reasons, such as historically accumulated disagreements between Turkiye, on the one side, and some EU member states, on the other, differences between the two sides in the field of their identities and basic social, cultural and political values, as well as a continuously false EU strategic approach towards Turkiye and its status regarding the EU structures and policies. The EU must recognise Turkiye in its full capacity as a regional power and treat it as an equal, constructive partner. If not, especially taking into account monumental global geopolitical changes, the relations between the two sides might become even more deteriorated, with further negative impacts on their security cooperation.

건설업 협력업체 근로자의 안전사고경험 및 안전감시단에 대한 인식조사 연구

In the domestic construction industry, the safety monitoring groups, which plays a role of assisting in disaster prevention work in the form of outsourcing due to the lack of manpower, has emerged. The safety monitoring groups has limitations in the manufacturing and quality involvement of workers at the parent company due to personnel outside the workplace, and is limited to the lack of expertise in safety management and work safety centered on workers at subcontractors need to strengthen safety management capabilities. Therefore, this study was conducted for the purpose of confirming the necessity, qualification, and understanding of the work of the workplace safety monitoring groups and using manpower to prevent industrial accidents. The subject of the study was a self-written survey of workers at Company A's construction partner in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, and workers at construction partner companies receiving basic safety and health education in the construction industry, and statistical analysis was conducted on 365 people. As a result, 69.5% of the main tasks were aware of the risk, and the experience of accidents caused by the surrounding environment was high. The types of disasters that threaten the safety of the workplace were in the order of drop, hit by objects, and hit. 71.5% of those who experienced safety monitors at workplaces, and 39.1% of those who experienced non-compliance experienced criticism from safety monitors. Men and regular workers are more aware of the need for safety monitors and the understanding of the qualifications and work of safety monitors, and the higher the age and experience, the higher the awareness of safety monitors. The experience group of the safety monitoring groups at the workplace showed 2.029 times higher awareness of the qualifications and understanding of the work of the safety monitoring groups than the inexperienced group. This study is expected to increase the effectiveness of securing expertise in the operation of the safety monitoring groups, so it is necessary to define the activities of the safety monitoring groups without the current qualification criteria as a law or system. In addition, measures should be prepared to increase utilization in disaster prevention in the field by presenting clarity of the scope of work with safety management personnel.

Concomitant Impediments to the Social Acceptance of Sandbag Technology for Sustainable and Affordable Housing Delivery: The Case of South Africa

There is a high level of homelessness in South Africa. Sandbag building technologies (SBTs) have been offered as economical and sustainable alternative building materials capable of speeding housing provision in South Africa. However, their degree of adoption in South Africa remains relatively low. Furthermore, limited research has examined the low adoption and social acceptance of SBTs, requiring thorough research. Therefore, this research investigates the key social barriers to accepting SBTs in housing provision. The study adopted a mixed method research approach that employs a comprehensive literature review in identifying 18 social barriers to using SBTs and a questionnaire survey of 228 building experts based in South Africa to obtain empirical data. The study findings indicated that the significant impediments were related to the lack of understanding of the benefits of sandbags, a lack of sandbag courses and training, and a lack of professional knowledge and skills, among others. A comparative analysis of the perceptions of the diverse categories of survey participants was conducted and discussed. This study’s evaluation of significant barriers offers government agencies and construction partners a framework to make realistic and well-informed decisions toward more sustainable and affordable housing delivery.

EXPLORING PARTNERING AND JOINT VENTURES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: A BRIEF PERSPECTIVE

This article aims to study partnering and joint ventures in the construction industry and additional perspectives for establishing possible collaborative business-management relationship models. Due to the increased global competition in an expansive marketplace, collaborative business relations in the construction industry are essential to achieve maximum efficiency and productivity to complete a successful construction project to benefit all of the parties involved in the project. Since these business relationships, including partnering and joint ventures, have a crucial difference, a solid understanding is necessary for a successful project in the construction industry. The study's novelty is to fundamentally provide niche perspectives of establishing and implementing such collaborative business-management relationship models as construction partnering and joint ventures, mainly focusing on the concepts of the models based on the point of view of the construction industry. In this study, we examined the concepts of the terms regarding partnering and joint ventures, their advantages and disadvantages, vital elements for success, and the case studies to provide an overall understanding of the collaborative projects. The outcome of this study could help practitioners who seek to promote activities that facilitate efficient partnering and joint ventures in the construction industry. Furthermore, it can help achieve a win-win strategy for all parties concerned and promote effective partnering and joint ventures.

Effects of Flashing Blue Lights Mounted on Paving Equipment on Vehicle Speed Behavior in Work Zones

Vehicle speed in work zones is a significant concern to state transportation agencies and their construction partners. Prior research indicates that law enforcement vehicles within a work zone with active flashing lights result in reduced vehicle speeds. Placement of flashing blue lights on construction equipment during nighttime construction work has also been identified as a potential control measure to reduce speeds. The goal of this research study is to determine the impact of flashing blue lights on construction equipment on the speed of passing vehicles in mobile work zones. The research design consisted of a controlled experiment involving flashing blue lights mounted on the rear of a paver during mainline paving operations on three case study projects on high speed roadways at night in Oregon. Vehicle speed data were collected during multiple work shifts for each case study, both with and without the flashing blue lights on. The experimental results reveal that vehicle speed is affected by the presence of flashing blue lights during nighttime work. With the blue lights flashing and at distances upstream of the paver where the driver can see and react to the blue lights, mean vehicle speeds tended to be 4.3–25.7 km/h slower than when the blue lights were off. Closer to, immediately adjacent to, and downstream of the paver, the difference in the mean speed with the blue lights on was typically less or not significant; in some cases and mostly downstream of the paver location, the mean speeds were higher with the blue lights on than with the blue lights off. The speed differential (i.e., the speed prior to the work zone minus the speed in the work zone) was measured as 4.8–11.3 km/h greater with the blue lights turned on than with the blue lights off. The results support construction contractors and state departments of transportation for decision making about the use of flashing blue lights on equipment in work zones. The researchers recommend using flashing blue lights on paving equipment during nighttime operations if allowed by local laws to reduce the speed in the work zone and increase worker and driver safety. This research contributes to the construction industry by providing quantitative evidence of the extent to which flashing blue lights mounted on paving equipment impact vehicle speeds in work zones. Recently, all stakeholders, including the Oregon Department of Transportation, law enforcement, and contractors, have agreed to use the flashing blue lights on paving equipment in Oregon during the 2021 construction season.

The complexity of barriers to biogas digester dissemination in Indonesia: challenges for agriculture waste management

In the global south, the use of firewood and LPG as dominant energy sources for cooking contributes to socio-ecological issues. Alternatively, biogas is considered a clean energy source generated from organic waste. However, in Indonesia, until 2018, only less than 2% of households utilized biogas for cooking fuel. This research aims to explore the landscape of biogas governance in Indonesia, its fragmentation, and its relation with biodigester dissemination. This study found that there is fragmentation within small-medium scale national biogas programs in Indonesia. Seven national government biogas programs have similar governance arrangements and characteristics; scattered in different departments within the ministry, using the grant approach with two main vendors, often overlapping with local government programs, and not providing proper monitoring and evaluation mechanism, as well as proper training for users. Meanwhile, the biogas program by a non-government organization utilizes a semi-commercial approach; collaborating with multiple stakeholders (governments, local construction partner organizations, cooperatives, and private sectors-companies and banks); and has standardized training and after-sale services. Within those biogas programs, there are multiple barriers along the supply chain process of biodigester dissemination. These barriers relate to the governance aspect of biogas programs. Fragmented governance affected the capability of each program to tackle barriers in biogas digester dissemination. Besides, heavy subsidy on LPG by the government reduced attraction to biogas. This study shows technology adoption barriers beyond the user/individual aspects. It shows interaction among different factors such as policy, the governance of technology transfer, technical production issues, and socio-cultural problems.

Complexity of Barriers to Biogas Digester Dissemination in Indonesia

In the global south, the use of firewood and LPG as dominant energy sources for cooking contributes to socio-ecological issues. Alternatively, biogas is considered a cleaner energy source generated from organic waste. However, in Indonesia, until 2018, only less than 2 percent of households utilized biogas for cooking fuel. This research aims to explore the landscape of biogas governance in Indonesia, its fragmentation and its relation with biodigester dissemination. This study found that there is fragmentation within small-medium scale national biogas programs in Indonesia. Seven national government biogas programs have similar governance arrangements and characteristics; scattered in different departments within the ministry, using the grant approach with two main vendors, often overlapping with local government programs and not providing proper monitoring and evaluation mechanism, as well as proper training for users. Meanwhile, the biogas program by a non-government organization utilizes a semi-commercial approach; collaborating with multiple stakeholders (governments, local construction partner organizations, cooperatives and private sectors-companies and banks); and has standardized training and after-sale services. Within those biogas programs, there are multiple barriers along the supply chain process of biodigester dissemination. These barriers relate to the governance aspect of biogas programs. Fragmented governance affected the capability of each program to tackle barriers in biogas digester dissemination.

Developing a predictive model of construction industry-university research collaboration

PurposeThis paper aims to identify and examine the factors that influence construction industry-university (IU) collaboration and develop the likelihood model of a potential industry partner within the construction industry to collaborate with universities.Design/methodology/approachMix method data collection including questionnaire survey and focus groups were used for data collection. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods to identify and examine factors. These findings were then used to develop the likelihood predictive model of IU collaboration. A well-known artificial neural network (ANN) model, was trained and cross-validated to develop the predictive model.FindingsThe study identified company size (number of employees and approximate annual turnover), the length of experience in the construction industry, previous IU collaboration, the importance of innovation and motivation of innovation for short term showed statistically significant influence on the likelihood of collaboration. The study also revealed there was an increase in interest amongst companies to engage the university in collaborative research. The ANN model successfully predicted the likelihood of a potential construction partner to collaborate with universities at the accuracy of 85.5%, which was considered as a reasonably good model.Originality/valueThe study investigated the nature of collaboration and the factors that can have an impact on the potential IU collaborations and based on that, introduced the implementation of machine learning approach to examine the likelihood of IU collaboration. While the developed model was derived from analysing data set from Western Australian construction industry, the methodology proposed here can be used as the basis of predictive developing models for construction industry elsewhere to help universities in assessing the likelihood for collaborating and partnering with the targeted construction companies.

IDENTIFYING CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR CONSTRUCTION PARTNERING IN VIETNAM

Partnering has been applied in the Vietnamese construction industry for several recent years, due to many new challenges emanating from the global integration and economic booming. This paper focuses on critical success factors (CSFs) for partnering in the Vietnamese construction industry. Using mean score method, this paper identifies six key CSFs for partnering in Vietnamese construction, including financial security, commitment from top management, mutual trust between parties, adequate resources, effective communication, and clear understanding about scope and objectives. Using factor analysis technique, eight underlying components for partnering in Vietnamese construction are extracted, including dedication, readiness, coordination, teamwork, sufficiency, leading, balance, and clearness. The findings could provide construction practitioners with useful information for deploying partnering in the Vietnamese construction industry and, hence, increase the chance of partnering success.

Learning through sharing: beyond the traditional North-South learning models for a circular built environment

There is a general assumption that knowledge sharing takes place in a North-South direction; with North Americans and Europeans providing pearls of wisdom to the global South. At a recent Sustainable Built Environment knowledge sharing workshop this assumption was challenged. The workshop brought together building and circular economy experts from governments, public and private sector, financing organisations and researchers. The aim of this workshop was to share experiences between experts from The Netherlands, actively engaged in promoting and applying circularity principles in the country and the region, and Sustainable Building and Construction (SBC) partners engaged in promoting sustainable building and construction practices, including circularity, internationally. Participants were from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia and the EU. The workshop was set up in an interactive, action research format. The key messages arising from the workshop supported that South-North learning was equally valuable as North-South learning, supporting knowledge sharing rather than knowledge transfer. There was a recognition of the imminent danger of global system collapse if current practices were not changed immediately. Urgency was recognised as being a key driver to move to a new paradigm shift both in the North and the global South. There was also a recognition that since the task is complex and there are multifaceted considerations, it is not helpful to wait to align all stakeholders to develop common solutions. Grass roots engagement and development need to be supported and nurtured in alignment with various stakeholders. Governments can support circular processes through a top-down policy platform. Traditional and cultural practices in the global South may provide not only ideas for engagement but also new ways of thinking in a quest for diversity of solutions to be applied to reach our sustainability goals.

Relationship partner social behavior and continuous positive airway pressure adherence: The role of autonomy support.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious respiratory disorder, confers increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Adherence to the standard and effective treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is often poor. Personal relationships can influence adherence, but some forms of partner involvement (e.g., support, encouragement) have positive effects on CPAP adherence, whereas others (e.g., criticism, blame) are counterproductive. In the former, constructive partner efforts may enhance a patient's sense of autonomy, an important foundation for self-care. The present study examined how patients' perceptions of autonomy support from an intimate partner predict adherence to CPAP, and whether it is an independent predictor, relative to generally positive partner behavior (i.e., partner responsiveness) and partner negativity (i.e., negative social control). Ninety-two married or cohabiting OSA patients (mean age 49.7 years) completed measures of perceived partner autonomy support, responsiveness, and negative social control at Days 14 and 60 of CPAP treatment. Objective daily CPAP machine adherence data were collected for 60 days. Perceived partner autonomy support predicted more minutes of CPAP used per night and increasing CPAP use over time. These effects were independent of the significant adverse effects of partner negative social control and the more limited beneficial effects of partner responsiveness. The study findings establish perceived partner autonomy support as an interpersonal predictor of adherence that is independent of negative social control and perceived partner responsiveness, and may inform psychosocial interventions for CPAP adherence and more general couple approaches to chronic illness management. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

President Duterte’s bicephalous leadership: Populist at home – pragmatic abroad

Rodrigo Duterte won the Philippines’ 2016 presidential elections thanks to a well-orchestrated campaign and his populist appeal among Filipinos. Soon after he assumed the presidency, he surprised and upset most of his domestic and western international audiences by pragmatically rejecting the pro-Western approach followed by the previous Aquino administration and adopting a China-friendly one. Adopting Critical Discourse Analysis, this research reveals President Duterte’s bicephalous leadership: populist in domestic policies, and pragmatic but unpopular in foreign relations. To qualitatively describe the dichotomy between the populist and pragmatic nature of Duterte’s leadership, this article surveys the Philippines’ mainstream media from 2016 to 2019. Furthermore, this analysis shows that Duterte is using a defensive neorealist approach in building Philippines-China relations and that Filipinos are willing to consider China as a constructive partner for their country.

Influence of Partnering Agreements Associated with BIM Adoption on Stakeholder’s Behaviour in Construction Mega-Projects

Construction mega-projects are typically associated with cost overruns and time delays due to conflicts of interest between diverse stakeholders. This research investigates the influence of the partnering approach and the adoption of Design and Build (D-B) contractual agreement on the behaviour of stakeholders on mega-projects. Through a case study, the significant factors that influence stakeholder management are appraised, such as cooperation, developing trust, and a dearth of communication. The research concluded that mutual trust, transparency, leadership, the well-defined scope of work, a clear definition of responsibilities, collaboration, and training are the main success factors of partnering projects. The research also emphasised that Building Information Modelling (BIM) plays a vital role to secure the mentioned key successful factors for partnering. Furthermore, BIM facilitates achieving project objectives with the adoption of D-B contracts. This research contributes to the developing body of knowledge addressing the application of partnering in construction. The outcomes of this research will be beneficial for clients, contractors, project managers, and contract managers when taking into account future execution plans for D-B projects. Forthcoming studies can develop a framework to combine various stakeholders to obtain optimum satisfaction.

Partnering research within the construction industry (1990-2018): a scientometric review

This paper performs a scientometric review of the intellectual structure and evolutionary patterns of partnering research within construction industry (CI). Based on 788 bibliographic records retrieved from Scopus published in 1990-2018, CiteSpace is used to facilitate the scientometric analysis and visualisation of construction partnering research. The results show that: 1) the UK, the USA, and China are the primary origins of construction partnering research, and this domain typically arises from inter-organisation collaboration in business management; 2) research topics covered in the field concentrate on partnering application and performance, trust, partnering mechanism to strengthen performance, development of partnering model, critical success factors, reviews of the development of partnering research, and construction innovation promoted by partnering; 3) strategic partnering should be emphasised through supply chain integration in the CI. This paper provides an in-depth understanding of construction partnering research and inspires further inter-organisation collaboration within the CI.

Partnering research within the construction industry (1990-2018): a scientometric review

This paper performs a scientometric review of the intellectual structure and evolutionary patterns of partnering research within construction industry (CI). Based on 788 bibliographic records retrieved from Scopus published in 1990-2018, CiteSpace is used to facilitate the scientometric analysis and visualisation of construction partnering research. The results show that: 1) the UK, the USA, and China are the primary origins of construction partnering research, and this domain typically arises from inter-organisation collaboration in business management; 2) research topics covered in the field concentrate on partnering application and performance, trust, partnering mechanism to strengthen performance, development of partnering model, critical success factors, reviews of the development of partnering research, and construction innovation promoted by partnering; 3) strategic partnering should be emphasised through supply chain integration in the CI. This paper provides an in-depth understanding of construction partnering research and inspires further inter-organisation collaboration within the CI.

Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP ) Implementation in D etermining Document E valuation C riteria of Post Qualification E Tendering Knockout P hase

The development of a country is directly proportioned to its growing infrastructure needs. One of the most needed infrastructure in Indonesia is medical facility. The construction of public hospital especially in its tendering phase needs to refer to the stated presidential decree that includes a specific rule and policy. The tender process needs to be done carefully to ensure the most beneficial offer is selected. This research will utilize e-tendering method to select the right construction partner. The criteria for the tender requirement will be chosen with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) which finally would be evaluated to determine the tender winner. AHP should help to elaborate the problem into multiple complex criteria, forming a hierarchy. The AHP implementation requires primary data from questionnaire and secondary data from existing research and policies. AHP calculation process is then used to process the data in the form of scores from the distributed questionnaire. The result of the AHP calculation was used to evaluate each offer from the goods and services providers, while finally done using the method of knockout by passing grade. The dominant factors that influenced the final decision making includes financial power (30.79%), Materials and equipments (8.55%), health and safety (4.59%), technical competence (8.91%), and experience (2.9%). AHP was proven to be very effective when utilized to evaluate e-tendering offer documents

Analysis of Key Failure Factors in Construction Partnering—A Case Study of Taiwan

Construction partnering is commonly touted as a win-win arrangement for project owners and contractors alike. The failure or success of construction partnering arrangements is contingent upon a multitude of influences, many of which can be controlled through careful planning and active project management. This study examines the key failure factors (KFFs) of construction partnering projects based on data collected from a survey of industry professionals in Taiwan. Methods: Factor analysis is performed using data gathered from a survey of industry practitioners operating in Taiwan to identify KFFs and better understand the level of significance of each factor. A total of 15 failure variables (FV) were included in the survey. This study applied Principle Components Analysis to classify groups of crucial FV relevant to construction partnering based on their relative perceived contribution to project failure. Study results confirm that there are four KFFs to partnering failure in construction projects; they are absence of agility, collaboration barriers, partnering barriers, and organizational management barriers. The biggest influencer on partnership failure in construction projects is the association between absence of agility and organizational management barriers, while the next most significant is the relationship between collaboration barriers and partnering barriers. Avoiding failure of construction partnering requires careful planning and management considerations of the four KFFs found.

China in Pakistan and the wider region: A cautious but effective leader?

ABSTRACTThis article assesses China–Pakistan-Afghanistan relations in the period 2014–2018 and asks whether China has exercised distinct pressure on Pakistan to be a more constructive partner for Afghanistan. A central argument is that even as China has failed to alter Pakistan’s policies significantly in the short term it is still continuing to successfully build power and trust in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as with their neighbours to the north and west. This bodes well for China’s exercise of regional leadership in a long-term perspective.