Contractor Evaluation Research Articles

Extended ExpTODIM technique based on GRA for capability evaluation of real estate general contractors with hesitant triangular fuzzy information

Extended ExpTODIM technique based on GRA for capability evaluation of real estate general contractors with hesitant triangular fuzzy information

Assessing the implementation and effectiveness of China’s social credit system of the construction industry: a case study of Nanjing

Construction contractor evaluation is the first step in ensuring the successful completion of a project. Nowadays, the Chinese government has developed a social credit system (SCS) and proposed contractors’ credit scores as an additional factor to facilitate bidding decisions. Using Nanjing as a case study, this article investigates the status quo of construction contractors’ credit scoring. It evaluates how credit scores have impacted the public procurement of construction projects. This article utilizes data-driven approaches and conducts different statistical analyses based on the bidding results of 15,094 public projects and the credit scores of over 6,000 registered construction companies from 2014 to 2021. The results show that (1) around half the companies had no credit-changing activities; (2) credit scores are important when companies are bidding for medium, large, and extra-large projects; (3) large companies are more likely to have better credit ratings; and (4) credit scores have a significant impact on revenue generation. This article provides a basis for understanding the status quo and effectiveness of the SCS implementation in the Chinese construction industry and evaluating its impact on the public procurement of construction projects, which are often concerns of researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners.

Contractor selection for Project execution using multi-attribute decision making

Contractor evaluation and selection is one of the most important issues in implementing a project. In order to eliminate unqualified contractors having low capabilities to perform the project, it is necessary a method for contractor evaluation and selection not only based on the lowest bid but also in attributes describing their abilities to carry out the project. The evaluation process represents the initial stages that an owner should employ in order to gain further assurance of professional conduct from the contractors that seem capable of achieving the performance requirements of the contract being tendered. During the pre-qualification stage, not only qualitative attributes, such as technical experience or management capability, but also quantitative attributes, such as liquidity or debt ratios, that reflect the financial soundness of the contractor being evaluated, are used. In this paper a multi-attribute decision-making method combining cloud and utility theory is proposed in order to evaluate a group of six contractors.

Enterprise risk management for automation in correctional facilities with pandemic and other stressors.

Real-time tracking of tool and equipment inventories is a critical function of many organizations and sectors. For prisons and correctional facilities, tracking and monitoring of assets such as cookware, hardware, keys, janitorial equipment, vocational/technical specialty tools, etc., is essential for safety, security, trust, efficiency, education, etc. The performance of automated systems for this purpose can be diminished by a variety of emergent and future sociotechnical factors alone and in combination. This article introduces a methodology for contractor evaluation and selection in acquisition of innovative asset management systems, with an emphasis on evolving system requirements under uncertainty. The methodology features a scenario-based preferences analysis of emergent and future conditions that are disruptive to the performance of the asset-control system. The conditions are across technologies, operating environments, regulations, workforce behaviors, offender behaviors, prices and markets, organizations, cyber threats, etc. The methodology addresses the influence and interaction of the conditions to disrupt system priorities. Examples include: (i) infectious disease disrupting priorities among requirements and (ii) radio-frequencyidentification(RFID)andwireless-technology innovations disrupting priorities among stakeholders. The combinations of conditions that most and least matter for the system acquisition are characterized. The methodology constitutes a risk register for monitoring sources of risk to project performance, schedule, and cost throughout the system lifecycle. The results will be of interest to both practitioners and scholars engaged in systems acquisition as the pandemic interacts with other factors to affect risk, uncertainty, and resilience of organizational missions and operations.

Technical evaluation of contractor in public tendering – a comparative view-point of stakeholders

Technical evaluation of contractor in public tendering – a comparative view-point of stakeholders

Technical evaluation of contractor in public tendering – a comparative view-point of stakeholders

Technical evaluation of contractor in public tendering – a comparative view-point of stakeholders

Multi-criteria decision-making model for EPC contractor prequalification: a hybrid approach

PurposeNowadays, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts are being widely used to perform industrial and infrastructure projects because of several reasons like high speed of implementation. However, these contracts are always accompanied by high risks and uncertainties. Thus, selection of the right EPC contractor has significant importance. This paper aims to present a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model for EPC contractor prequalification.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the EPC contractor prequalification criteria are defined by using literature review and interviewing experts. Second, the weights of criteria are determined by interviewing experts. Then, each EPC contractor is evaluated in each criterion. Finally, fuzzy weighted average (FWA) approach is employed to select the right contractor among potential EPC contractors.FindingsThe proposed model is prepared as an applicable model for clients to select the right EPC contractors among contractors who want to conduct the project.Originality/valueAs a lack of applicable model does exist to assign the prequalification of EPC contractors, this study is one of the first research studies which proposed a fuzzy MCDM model for evaluation of EPC contractors. To cope with the uncertainty of the prequalification problem, fuzzy logic has been used. Using fuzzy sets leads to reaching more reliable results. Also, a real case study is provided to explain the proposed model.

How to make project plans trustworthy: an investigation based on multi-criteria contractor selection

ABSTRACT The development of an optimum project plan is widely favoured by project owners as the path to the successful delivery of a project. This study aims to investigate the effect of multiple contractor evaluation criteria on the relationship between the quality of project plans and bidding outcomes for bidders. Based on signaling theory, we examine the main effects of project plan quality on bidding outcomes and the moderating effects of prior performance, quotation and advice quality. Data analysis of 614 construction projects shows that when a bidder has the lowest quotation, the positive effect of the quality of the project plan on the likelihood of being selected is significantly reduced. The moderating effects of advice quality and lowest quotation are contingent on the bidder’s prior performance. This study contributes to contractor selection in the construction industry by revealing how evaluation criteria jointly affect project owners’ trust in high-quality project plans.

Robust contractor evaluation criteria classification for modern technology public construction projects

Purpose The emergence of massive modern technology construction projects is seen to be a real occurrence in Pakistan’s construction industry, which in turn demands a better and systematic way of undertaking the project. Hence, this requires capable contractors to perform the task. A plethora of research studies are carried in the past three decades on the identification of evaluation criteria of contractor’s selection, but the road of modern technology construction projects is still unpaved. Design/methodology/approach This study strives for the most essential but exhaustive criteria, especially for modern technology construction projects in Pakistan. A pilot survey followed by an exhaustive questionnaire survey was carried out alongside with one-on-one interactions with professional experts serving in various public organizations under public procurement department. A total of 87 attributes were analyzed, correlated, rotated and weighted using exploratory factor analysis for identification of evaluation criteria. Findings The study finds that for modern technology construction projects basic format of contractor’s selection attributes is not extensive. Henceforth, the most robust, comprehensive and precise assessment is required for such modern technology construction projects. Consequently, four inimitable sets of evaluation criteria groups are designed keeping in view the growing demands of public projects around the globe. Research limitations/implications The research work added a novel contribution in this research area which is in quest of resolutions from the past three decades. This research opens the novel avenues in the future in terms of designing the evaluation criteria while keeping the project demands and scope in mind. Social implications The research is a blueprint for the construction organizations and other authorities especially to those agencies involved in the modern construction technology projects. This eye-opening work will further stimulate the clients to focus on not only the designing phase but also the execution part of such advanced construction projects which turn in the successful project outcome. Originality/value The larger number of past studies addressed so for from the last couple of decades is very useful to a certain extend for instance for small to medium-sized traditional construction projects. This research delineates the future to call upon the most alarming future issues and consequences of selecting the traditional contractors for their advanced projects. Being premier research in this realm, the study filled the gap of evaluating the contractors inimitably compared to what was practiced in the past.

Study of Risk Management in the Project of the Oil Industry in Yemen

This paper aims to identify the significant risks affecting Yemen's oil sector projects and devise practical solutions to mitigate important risks. It demonstrates mismanagement of the oil sector, Corruption and bribery, wars and ongoing conflicts, exchange rate volatility, a lack of modern technology, and economic and financial crises which have produced economic calamity in the country. A survey has been conducted through the one hundred one executives and staff of the oil sector in Yemen, which is concluded a statistical review of the top five risks. According to the results of this report, the risk of war conflicts and Corruption, bribery is nearly 78% to 81%, the rate of exchange and financial crises nearly to 76% to 78%, and lack of modern technology is 75%. The major contribution of the manuscript, conducting informal interviews with different levels of the Yemen Petro government, the mitigation measures were drafted. However, some project management officials have described different mitigation strategies for these significant risks mentioned above. Companies can operate safely, teach project managers, and implement contractor evaluation using multiple technical standards to strengthen the powers of project staff. An administrative and supervisory change is recommended. The conclusion of this study can be mitigated to managed highly impacted risks to resolve conflicts and rebuild what has been destroyed, hiring qualified consultants to assess the oil industry's work in light of the mortgage situation, and a training project. Strengthening law enforcement requires the right people, staff, a focus on teamwork, and improving the climate for non-complicit bidding. For effective risk mitigation, empower people.

Cluster analysis for modeling the cost of industrial land objects in Krasnoyarsk region

An assessment activity must have a legal justification. The regulatory documents are results of a land plot state assessment carried out in the Russia regions on a regular basis. In this research mathematical models for evaluating land plots in Krasnoyarsk region based on data from the state assessment of 2012 and 2017 were built. The models were supposed to formalize the mechanism for evaluating the state contractor when evaluating industrial land. Factor and cluster analysis methods were used. The factors were determined to a greater extent determining the change in the value of the objects of assessment. The data for the analysis was taken from open official sources. The simulation results showed unstable dependencies in the official results of the state contractor evaluation. Further analysis revealed errors in the official report.

Evaluation of Contractors’ Financial Ability: A Remedy for Performance of Road Construction Infrastructural Projects for Sustainable Cities

Construction of roads in Kenya, particularly done by local contractors, has adversely been faced with serious issues to do with cost overruns, longer periods in completion and above all poor quality upon completion. However, performance of roads in the post-delivery or post construction stage has not keenly been assessed or studied despite poor workmanship. Although financial aspect has been associated with completion road construction projects, studies have not used this predictor variable to study performance. The aim of the study was to establish the influence of financial ability of contractors and performance of road construction infrastructural projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. Both descriptive survey research and correlation research designs were adopted in this study. A target population of 460 comprising all public service vehicle drivers plying Eastern Bypass, and Outer-ring roads in Nairobi, as well as the contractors and engineers from the construction firms in Nairobi County. A sample of 210 was drawn from both categories of respondents and served with interview schedules out of which 153 were returned representing 72.8%. Results from the simple linear regression model revealed that contractors’ financial ability, explains 44.7% total variation in the performance of road construction infrastructural projects. This relationship was established to be lineally positive and strong (r=0.669) and also significant (P=0.000<0.05). The study findings play a vital role in construction project management during evaluation process of selecting effective contractors for better road performance.

A Comprehensive Evaluation Model of Military Equipment Contractor Capacity Based on Grey Target Decision Theory

It’s difficult to obtain and standardize the contractor capacity information during the process of the military equipment contractor evaluation. This paper analyzed 8 main influencing factors of contractor capacity and established a comprehensive evaluation model of military equipment contractor capacity based on grey target decision theory. Taking the military software production and development project as an example, the evaluation model was used to evaluate the capacity of five contractors, and the effectiveness of the model was verified. The evaluation model realized the comprehensive evaluation of the qualified influencing factors of the contractor capacity, and put forward an effective method to evaluate contractor capacity under the limited sample information situation.

Assessment of Quality Management Practices and Building Collapse in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

The study assessed the quality management practices as it affects the building projects in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria with a view to determining the causes of building failure. The work involved the distribution of questionnaires and a follow-up study on respondents. The questionnaires were designed to extract information from the stakeholders: professionals from Ministry of Works and Housing, contractors, and direct users of the projects on the general causes of building collapse in relation to quality management. To have a good representation of the study area, one hundred and twenty (120) copies of questionnaire were administered using Taro Yamani method of sample size determination. A total of 92 questionnaires were retrieved and the results were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The study revealed that handling of the construction process by unqualified and quacks, possession of approved drawing without compliance and usage of substandard building materials were the major causes of building collapse. It was recommended that there should be constant evaluation of contractors and other players to determine the level of compliance to quality standards as prescribed by the regulatory bodies to curb the incidences of building collapse.

Spherical fuzzy extension of DEMATEL (SF‐DEMATEL)

In recent years, many versions of fuzzy sets are introduced in the literature. Spherical fuzzy sets (SFSs) concept is one of these latest developments. An SFS is a synthesis of Pythagorean fuzzy set (PFS) and neutrosophic set for providing a larger preference domain for experts and allowing them to express their hesitancy more comprehensively. The distinctive feature of SFSs is that the squared sum of membership, nonmembership, and hesitancy degrees is between 0 and 1 while each degree should be independently defined in [0,1]. The application of SFS on decision-making field may be about describing expert evaluations more informatively and explicitly. In this study, spherical fuzzy version of DEMATEL, one of the most cited multiple criteria decision-making approach, is introduced for considering the hesitancy degrees of experts when they evaluate the potential influences among the criteria. Another contribution made is the fuzzification of all the steps in DEMATEL until the last ones since the existing propositions in literature perform early defuzzification operations. The defuzzification is here applied as close to the end as possible for keeping the whole process fuzzy. The applicability of the proposition is shown in an illustrative example of a building contractor evaluation problem, and its robustness is shown by comparing the results with PFS-based and neutrosophic DEMATEL versions.

Effects of financial management practices on technical performance of building contractors in northeast Nigeria

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess the effects of financial management practices of small-scale building contractors on the technical performance of the contractors in the northern part of Nigeria with international best practices. Previous studies argued that the technical performance of small-scale building contractors in developing countries is poor because of insufficient cash to acquire strategic resources at the outset of a project. This continues to pose a challenge to the sustainable development of the construction industry, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. There is, therefore, a need to identify, assess and compare the effects of financial practices of the contractors with technical performance best practices.Design/methodology/approachThe technical performance of each contractor was evaluated using a five-point Likert scale. This is used to obtain the mean technical performance levels of the contractors. A questionnaire survey was administered to the professionals in the industry who were selected by using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The contractors’ performance was compared using ANOVA with post hoc, and the effects of contractors’ financial management practices were determined using multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe results of this study indicated that the contractors in Nigeria were average technical performers and there were large effects of financial management practices on the technical performance of contractors in building projects.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to small-scale building contractors in northeast Nigeria. One of the implications of this study is that it provides the criteria for an evaluation of small-scale building contractors’ technical performance in Nigeria and other developing countries that faced similar problems.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this study are that it establishes the current level of contractors' technical performance and serves as an awareness of contractors' current financial practices.Social implicationsThis study created bases for self-evaluation of contractors’ technical performance and competition among small-scale contractors in Nigeria for the enhancement of productivity particularly in rural areas for national development.Originality/valueThis study emanated from the government reports and past studies in the area of performance management based on the persistence of poor technical performance of small-scale contractors in the construction industry.

Critical factors affecting the performance of large construction projects in developing countries

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the factors affecting the performance of large construction projects in Sri Lanka. The causes, impacts and mitigations in association with the critical factors are explored and discussed.Design/methodology/approachThe research focuses on the evaluation and perspectives of clients and contractors of large projects in Sri Lanka. Combined quantitative and qualitative methods were applied in this research. Initially, a questionnaire survey was conducted with clients and contractors involved in large projects to evaluate the factors affecting the performance of projects and to identify the ten most critical factors. Interviews with the clients and contractors of three large projects were conducted to examine the causes and impacts of the critical factors and the approaches used to mitigate them.FindingsSignificant differences in the factors were observed for more than 40 per cent of the total factors under study, the contractors assigning more weight to most of the factors than the clients. The study identified nine internal factors and one external factor as the critical factors. Of these, seven were related to the contractors, which suggested that the contractors have greater roles in defining performance. Lack of management and technical skills of the parties involved, human capacity, lack of understanding and knowledge of the local context, changes in government policies and political interference were identified as significant causes of the critical factors.Originality/valueThe study analysed the factors affecting the performance of large projects in Sri Lanka, which, at the time of research, had just ended a 26-year-long civil war and was pushing the construction of large projects to be competitive. The challenges faced in this effort were explored as lessons learnt that might improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure development in Sri Lanka. The combined quantitative and qualitative methods applied in this study are expected to provide new insights in the project performance research, especially the interviews of the critical factors to gain an understanding on how the factors occurred and manifested themselves in real projects. The findings are, however, expected to be applicable to other developing countries that are currently aggressively developing their large infrastructure.

Grey SWARA-FUCOM Weighting Method for Contractor Selection MCDM Problem: A Case Study of Floating Solar Panel Energy System Installation

Selection of the most appropriate contractor for the installation of solar panels is essential to maximizing the benefit of this renewable, sustainable energy source. Solar energy is one of the 100% renewable energy sources, but implementation may not be very simple and cost-effective. A key phase in the implementation of renewable energy is the evaluation of contractors for the installation of solar panels, which is addressed as a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. A new hybrid method is proposed that combines the stepwise weight analysis ratio assessment (SWARA) and full consistent method (FUCOM) weights that are represented as grey numbers used with traditional grey relational analysis (GRA) and evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) methods. The ranking of contractors by both methods is the same, which confirmed the results presented in this research. The use of the grey SWARA-FUCOM weighting method combined with the GRA and EDAS methods increased the decision-makers’ (DMs) confidence in awarding the installation of the solar panel energy system to the top-ranked contractor.

Assessment and Selection of Contractors in Specific Contracting Projects with Supply Chain Approach, Using GRAY and AHP Methods as Decision Support

In our current conditions, it is not possible for all contractors to participate in specific construction project tenders due to the social, political and many other circumstances. Therefore, employers select appropriate contractors in two qualitative and quantitative stages; the second stage criteria are more important than the first stage. In this research, different stages for the evaluation and ranking of contractors in tenders of projects with specific conditions have been investigated. Researchers have tried to provide a comprehensive and complete approach to select a more appropriate contractor as an optimization method. In the first stage of the tender, the researchers used the GRAY method to rank contractors. In the second stage, they used AHP method to assess and rank the criteria of the contractors brought to this stage. Finally, the appropriate contractor selected and announced to the employer.

The Management Innovation Classified Performance Study on Supply Chain Vendor Manufacturing Enterprise

With the arrival of knowledge economy era and the shortening of product life cycle, information technology and the rapid development of e-commerce with each passing day, and customer gradually increasing expectations, the competition among enterprises are gradually entering the supply chain competition, Now enterprises have begun to realize that effective supply chain management, which would have to assess supply chain performance. However, most of the evaluation methods used in our country using expert analysis to evaluate the contractor's financial indicators to determine the final contractor. This method is not only too subjective, but also cuts off the correlation between the indicators. A quantitative management innovation classified performance model of supplier performance evaluation based on clustering and K-NN classification is proposed to classify suppliers. Then on the basis of above analysis, the contractor of misclassification is identified by the K-NN method. Finally, an evaluation and selection case is presented to verify the practicability and effectiveness of the model. The method not only overcomes the above shortcomings, but also reflects the contractor's comprehensive level objectively and fairly. The results show that it can provide an important reference for the fair and impartial evaluation of the project contractor as an important method for decision makers to select the contractor.