Contractor Involvement Research Articles

Enhancing off-site manufacturing through early contractor involvement (ECI) in New Zealand

Procurement strategies that enable early contractor involvement (ECI) in design may enhance off-site manufacturing (OSM) by overcoming previously identified barriers to its uptake. Involving constructors during the design stage can reduce the risk of design buildability issues, and standardising traditionally bespoke ECI processes may help overcome cultural resistance to unfamiliar OSM technology. Following literature review and using case studies, document analysis and legal doctrine, a two-stage ECI conceptual process model for New Zealand is proposed. This was tested and refined following feedback at a conference. The model comprises a first-stage pre-construction contract and a second-stage standard-form construction contract. Key process variables are considered with solutions to provide collaboration and transparency while maintaining competitive fixed pricing across the supply chain. Legal doctrine analysis is used to distinguish between design buildability obligations and design codes compliance. The model contributes towards the development of a standard form for pre-construction contracts.

Critical design factors for minimising waste in construction projects: A structural equation modelling approach

Notwithstanding that efforts made at the design stage of building construction projects have significant impacts on project outcome, most waste management efforts are usually focused on construction stage. This is albeit the understanding that construction waste could be significantly reduced through design activities. This study investigates the underlying design measures that are capable of minimising waste generated by construction and demolition activities. Using exploratory sequential mixed method research, the study employs focus group discussions and thematic analysis at the exploratory phase, while questionnaire and structural equation modelling were used at the explanatory stage of the study.The study suggests that construction waste could be significantly reduced by designing for standard materials size and by designing for modern method of construction, thereby minimising waste due to breakage, materials leftover and other major causes of waste. The study further suggests that the design process and design documentation are key underlying measures for mitigating waste in construction projects. This could be enhanced through such critical success factors as a collaborative delivery process, which is characterised by early involvement of contractors and adequate coordination of design between various disciplines involved. Findings of this study would assist designers and other construction stakeholders in understanding the significant measures for designing out waste in construction projects.

Early Contractor and Facility Management Team Involvement in the BIM Environment

Knowledge is the resource that contributes the most to an organisation’s competitiveness. Construction projects usually introduce project teams from different disciplines. Hence, knowledge in projects is complex and difficult to manage. To efficiently manage knowledge in projects, various strategies and tools have been applied over the years to support knowledge management (KM). Building information modelling (BIM) is a technology that has recently gained a lot of attention in the construction industry. The main feature of BIM is object-oriented and parametric modelling with the functions of dynamic visualisation, life cycle simulation, early analysis, coordination and collaborative working. Many studies have explored the functions of BIM mainly at the information level. However, only a few studies have considered the management of knowledge in a BIM environment. To fill this knowledge gap, this study explored the potential and expectation of a BIM-based system for early collaboration among contractor, facility management (FM) and design teams in the design stage. This study chose semi-structured interview as the main method to collect qualitative information. A total of 30 experts working in the construction industry were interviewed. On the basis of the analysis results of the collected information, a discussion was presented on how BIM can facilitate KM activities and relieve KM challenges. Therefore, the discussion focused on the requirements and expectations of the integrated KM system in a BIM environment that can facilitate the early involvement of construction contractors and the FM team into the design stage. This study also provides a new research direction for the transformation of research focus from BIM to building knowledge modelling. This paper is the revised version of the paper that has been published in the proceedings of the Creative Construction Conference 2018 (Wang et al., 2018).

Improving Collaboration among Stakeholders in Green Building Projects: Role of Early Contractor Involvement

AbstractIt is well recognized that collaboration and mutual trust among project participants are essential in the delivery of green buildings. A procurement model is the structure that defines the ...

Implication of Industrialised Building System (IBS) : The Case of Trade Contractors in Malaysia

To further enhance the efficiency, capacity and capability of the Malaysian construction industry, the government has been aggressively championing the use of Industrialised Building System (IBS). However, several studies have pointed out that the trade contractors are very concern with the increasing use of IBS in the country because it will reduce their business opportunities. Therefore, the research is dedicated to address issues faced by the trade contractors with the adoption of IBS. The objectives of this paper are to uncover the impact of IBS to the trade contractors and to suggest solutions to address issues faced by the trade contractors with the implementation of IBS. A fundamental of the methodology is to adopt multiple case studies approach. These projects adopted both conventional and IBS construction method. A number of 8 projects were selected. Interview sessions are conducted with trade and main contractors. Collected data is then modelled by using the combination of fuzzy theory set and simple multi-attribute rating technique. Main contractors’ input on several success factors that lead to the penetration of trade contractors in IBS is evaluated. Some degree of involvement of trade contractors in IBS projects is recommended. It is significant for the trade contractors to obtain skills for IBS approach besides their existing crafts. Furthermore, the trade contractors are suggested to register themselves as IBS components installer as this does not involve high investment capital or they can join the other companies to increase their technical and financial capacity. These findings will inform on numerous policy initiatives to manage the business sustainability of the domestic trade contractors, to improve construction methods, then to modernise and upgrade the construction industry within the country.

The factors impacted to local contractor from Foreign Direct Investment in advancing economic hub development in Iskandar Malaysia

Iskandar Malaysia is an advanced economic hub which is rapidly growing in the State of Johor. It has been an attractive place for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to invest. Many sectors are affected by the presence of FDI including the construction sector. This paper highlights the investigation on the effects of FDI to the local contractor in the Iskandar Malaysia Development. In this study, a questionnaire survey was carried out to gain the information on problems from internal factors and external factors that caused the limitation on involvement in FDI project by local contractors. 73 numbers of local contractor registered under CIDB in class G5, G6 and G7 are the respondents. Frequency analysis and Average Index Analysis are used for the results. This study provides the factors that impacted local construction players in Iskandar Malaysia Development. This study has portrayed that FDI plays a vital and significant role in spearheading the active involvement of local contractors in an urban sustainable development.

Abductive Grounded Theory: a worked example of a study in construction management

Grounded Theory, now more than 50 years old, is a qualitative research approach widely employed in the social and human science studies to develop theories with a high degree of conceptuality. For construction management research, given the nature of this applied sub-discipline of management, a paradigmatic shift in Grounded Theory is needed, from classical positivism to pragmatism. Abductive Grounded Theory is posited as the way to achieve this shift in research methodology. The proposition is explored through a worked example, using Early Contractor Involvement research as a case study to demonstrate the research process. The data analysis process of open coding, axial coding and selective coding is described, together with the process of matching complementary prospect theory to explain the interdependencies between theoretical categories. The issues of validity and reliability are addressed. Of particular importance is the faithfulness to the original analytical coding process and then abduction of existing theories from salient literature to explain the relationships amongst emergent concepts. The findings show that, while the development of the research question is initially influenced by the review of literature, there is no deliberate effort to direct or force the collected information towards any set of pre-defined concepts. The study shows promising potential for using Abductive Grounded Theory to develop conceptual and instrumental theories in construction management research.

Duties and Required Competencies of a Management Contractor

One of the responses to the critical failings of separation of design and construction processes of traditional procurement system is the development of management contracting (MC) procurement system. Several studies have indicated MC procurement system to be most suitable for large and complex projects, when on-time project delivery is required, and when flexibility during construction is desired. Owing to the involvement of the Management contractor at both design and construction stage of projects, the management contractors play more significant role in the benefits that MC system has shown to deliver. This study aims to investigate the duties performed by the management contractor and the required competencies for a management contractor, to provide knowledge and understanding on important considerations for the selection of a management contractor. Empirical data was collected using documentary analysis of three management contracts tender documents and a semi-structured interview with a key role player of two of the management contracts in South Africa. Findings revealed the duties performed by management contractors to be multitasking, covering both the pre-construction and construction stage of building projects. Also, owing to the increased responsibilities of management contractors, the competencies required to perform as a management contractor are distinguishable when compared to competencies needed of contractors to perform in other procurement systems. The knowledge and understanding of the duties and required competencies to perform as management contractors provided in this study will help construction clients and the construction industry in the selection process, performance management and evaluation of management contractors.
 Keywords: Construction procurement, Management and relationship formation duties, Management contracting procurement system, Management contractor.

A comparative study of early contractor involvement and project alliancing

A comparative study of early contractor involvement and project alliancing

Improving Role of Construction Industry for More Effective Post-Disaster Emergency Response To Road Infrastructure in Indonesia

Geo- and hydro-meteorological disasters typically caused disruptive impact to road networks due to damaged road infrastructure, which in turn disconnect access to and isolate the disaster affected areas. Road clearing work and emergency road recovery operation are considered a priority to reconnect the access during post-disaster emergency response. However, the operation is not always smooth and in many cases delayed due to various problems. An investigation is conducted to understand the current practice of post-disaster emergency road recovery operation in Indonesia and to study possible participation of construction industry in order to improve its effectiveness. In-depth interviews with Local Disaster Management Agencies (BPBDs) and local road agencies in West Java Province were conducted to understand current practices in emergency road recovery operation and to view perspectives on local contractor participation. The surveys showed supports from the local governments for contractor involvement as long as it is still under guidance of related agencies (Ministry of Public Works and Housing) despite some possible obstacles from the current regulation that may hamper contractors’ participation, which indicate that there is a potential role of construction industry for more effective post-disaster emergency response, provided that contractor associations are involved and existing procurement regulation is improved.

A comparative study of early contractor involvement and project alliancing

The advantages of integrating construction knowledge into design development have long been recognised by the construction industry. Early contractor involvement and project alliancing are two recent relational contracting labels that have been largely utilised in the Australian construction industry for the public and private infrastructure projects over the last few years. Although both models are classified as collaborative form of procurement, there are some substantial different requirements in project management behaviours and working relationships between these models. This paper contributes to this area by comparing these two models through in depth interviews with experts. The findings suggest that the change in relationship; gaining greater control through trust, price certainty and contract formality together in different stages of the project; lesser extent and length of senior level managers involvement in the project; and reluctance of contractor to contribute in innovation before the construction stage, are the key project management behaviours.

Modelling knowledge integration process in early contractor involvement procurement at tender stage – a Western Australian case study

PurposeThis paper aims to disseminate the knowledge integration process modelling throughout the phases of the early contractor involvement (ECI) procurement methodology, to optimise the benefit of ECI procurement method. The development of the model was aimed at taking advantage from the associated benefits of integrating knowledge and of ECI procurement. ECI provides contractors with an alternative means to tendering, designing and constructing projects. Thus, this paper explores knowledge interconnectivity and its integration involving numerous disciplines with various stakeholders to benefit from the collaborative environment of ECI.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology implemented in the research includes a thorough literature review to establish the characteristics of the ECI tender stage as well as the characteristics of knowledge to be integrated in an ECI setting. Following this, an embedded case study research methodology was used involving three healthcare ECI projects undertaken by a Western Australian commercial contractor through 20 semi-structured interviews and project archival study, followed by the development of knowledge integration process models throughout the ECI process of the studied cases.FindingsThe research findings provide the basis to develop a knowledge integration process model throughout the ECI stages. The tender stage was found to be the most crucial stage for knowledge integration, particularly from the main contractor’s perspective to impart change and to influence the project outcome. The outcome of this research identifies the richness and interconnectivity of knowledge throughout the knowledge integration process in an ECI project starting from the intra-organisational knowledge integration process followed by the inter-organisational process of knowledge integration. This inside-out perspective of knowledge integration also revealed the need for mapping the implementation of knowledge integration from instrumental to incremental approach throughout the ECI stages in optimising the intended benefits of integrating knowledge.Originality/valueThis paper reports the development of a knowledge integration process model with the view to optimise the management effectiveness of integrating knowledge in ECI projects. Although knowledge integration and ECI can be considered existing and widely accepted concepts, the novelty of this research lies in the specific use of the knowledge integration process to analyse the knowledge flow, transformation and, hence, management in ECI projects. As it has been acknowledged that knowledge integration is beneficial but also a complex process, the methodology implemented here in modelling the process can be used as the basis to model knowledge integration in other ECI projects to further capitalise from ECI as a collaborative procurement method.

Defining project partnering

PurposeDue to observed problems in real-life projects stemming from the lack of a unified definition, the purpose of this paper is to formulate a new definition of project partnering (PP) through documenting the specific characteristics researchers attribute to this approach.Design/methodology/approachPP definition phrases extracted from a literature review were sorted into a basic framework of who, what, how, when and where. In a web-based survey, a group of experts marked the phrases from the literature review as being specific, generic, or irrelevant to PP. The expert group comprised highly ranked and experienced PP researchers. Based on the survey results, a new definition was formulated. The new definition specifies the participants, the objectives and the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques applied to pursue the objectives in PP. A verification survey of the expert group gave a 78-96 per cent combined approve and support score for each element of the new definition.FindingsPP and a partnering project are defined by a framework encompassing three basic dimensions: participants, objectives, knowledge, skills, tools and techniques applied to pursue the objectives. The new definition is: “project partnering is a relationship strategy whereby a project owner integrates contractors and other major contributors into the project”. Through commitment to mutual project objectives, collaborative problem solving and a joint governance structure, partners pursue collaborative relationships, trust and improved performance. The new definition indicates that PP neither varies with early contractor involvement nor gain and pain share, but varies with the degree of mutual project objectives, collaborative problem solving and joint governance structure.Originality/valuePP is a complex concept with no widely accepted definition. The basic framework applied to the formulation of the definition in this project can also be applied to define and implement a partnering project and to define and distinguish between other relationship-based procurement forms.

Rejuvenation of the Makatote rail viaduct – a historic steel structure in New Zealand

Makatote viaduct is a steel rail viaduct located on the North Island of New Zealand. It is the third-tallest railway viaduct in the country (79m high and 262m long), and holds significant heritage value due to its elegance and the technology used at the time of construction circa 1908. The viaduct had begun to suffer from deterioration of its 50-year-old coating, resulting in corrosion which subsequently led to section losses of steel elements. In addition to the refurbishment work required, New Zealand Railways (KiwiRail) wished to upgrade the viaduct to meet future load requirements. The viaduct was refurbished and strengthened under an 'early contractor involvement' procurement method. This paper describes the journey the design team took from onset to completion of the project in November 2016.

Unlocking the potential of early contractor involvement in reducing design risks in commercial building refurbishment projects – a Western Australian perspective

ABSTRACTThe commercial refurbishment sector is widely gaining popularity, particularly in industries such as the Western Australian construction industry in order to effectively house commercial businesses and operations. Unfortunately, commercial refurbishments have long been characterised by its added complexity, risk and uncertainty facing the management and delivery of such projects. The uncertainties are largely attributed to the segregated relationship between design and construction processes. Among a multitude of options in procuring refurbishment projects, the early contractor involvement (ECI) emerged as a procurement route that bridges this typical gap between design and construction, promotes a collaborative design process and offers opportunity for risk mitigation and certainty of delivery. Whilst appearing as a worthy candidate to procure refurbishment of commercial buildings, anecdotal evidence have indicted the potential of ECI to reduce design risks through synergising the contractor’s construction expertise into the design process. In light of this, the paper aims to report the findings from a recent research project conducted in Western Australia on this topic through case study approach. The findings revealed the specific points and activities during design of commercial building refurbishment where the contributions of the contractor are optimum in reducing design risks. This is captured in the resultant process map specifically developed for this type of projects under the ECI scheme. The process map is expected to further support project teams at the early design stage of a commercial building refurbishment projects to devise a robust strategy to fully benefit from procuring their project through ECI.

Mental health of children and adolescents in Australian alternate places of immigration detention.

Mental health of children and adolescents in Australian alternate places of immigration detention.

Planning and procuring the Shatin–Central cross-harbour rail tunnel, Hong Kong

The cross-harbour section of the new Shatin–Central mass transit link railway will be the fourth cross-harbour tunnel in Hong Kong when completed in 2021. The 1·4 km long immersed-tube tunnel and approaches are being procured through a design-and-build contract with early contractor involvement. The reference design for the immersed tunnel elements specified prestressed monolithic structures following practice used on previous harbour crossings. Optimising the design and performance specifications during tender stage ensured the submitted tenders were constructable, using the most cost-effective design but minimising construction and operating risks. This paper discusses the reference design, construction planning and early contractor involvement procurement process.

Procurement strategies for enhancing exploration and exploitation in construction projects

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate how procurement strategies may be designed to facilitate exploration and exploitation in construction projects.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a literature review of organizational research and construction management literature together with a brief interview study of Swedish clients and contractors.FindingsThe theoretical and empirical findings propose that small and simple projects with low uncertainty and scarce resources may focus on exploitation to enhance short-term efficiency through traditional procurement strategies including delivery systems that separate the actors and their activities (i.e. pure design-build- or design-bid-build-contracts), fixed price payment and price focus in bid evaluation. Large complex projects with high uncertainty and customization benefit from combining exploration and exploitation to enhance sustainable performance. This requires collaborative procurement strategies including joint specification through early contractor involvement, cost reimbursement coupled with incentive-based payment, bid evaluation based on multiple criteria and collaborative tools and activities in partnering arrangements.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper contributes to organizational learning literature by pinpointing the need for integrating procurement strategies that enhance combination of exploration and exploitation. The main contribution to the construction management literature involves the investigation of how procurement strategies may affect exploration and exploitation, as identified and articulated in the propositions developed in this paper.Practical implicationsFrom a practical perspective, the findings highlight the importance of tailoring procurement strategies to project characteristics to enhance a suitable balance between exploration and exploitation in construction projects.Originality/valueThe explicit focus on the operational project-level is uncommon but relevant in organizational learning literature.

Roles and Responsibilities of Independent Cost Estimator in Construction Manager–General Contractor Highway Construction

The use of construction manager–general contractor (CM-GC) project delivery is gaining momentum with highway projects across the United States. This project delivery process is different from the traditional design–bid–build (D-B-B) process in that an agency works with one CM-GC to develop the construction cost. To ensure that agencies receive fair market value, many agencies employ an independent cost estimator (ICE) in lieu of competitive bidding. The findings of a research effort to explore ICE roles, responsibilities, and best practices within highway construction are presented. The findings were derived through a review of previous literature, current agency CM-GC ICE policies, surveys of 25 completed CM-GC projects, and in-depth interviews with highway agency officials on six of the projects. The six projects were selected for interviews from the set of completed projects to allow for cross-case comparison. Although multiple best practices are identified, the two key findings of the research are that the ICE should have construction experience and local knowledge and should be an involved team member throughout the design process. In summary, all of the reviewed agencies found the ICE role to be essential in establishing a competitive construction contract cost and thereby gaining value through early contractor involvement. Some agencies found that the ICE added value beyond the costing process as a team member throughout design, but this practice was not found to be universal across all projects studied.

Project Delivery Methods in Large Public Road Projects – A Case Study of E6 Jaktøyen - Sentervegen

In recent years, the size of road projects has increased significantly. These projects face several challenges due to the size and the complexity of the projects. The purpose of this paper is to identify the project delivery method of a large road project in Norway and to explore the nature of the challenges the project faces. In addition, the paper will assess how implementing early contractor involvement (ECI) affects these challenges in the case project. In addition to a literature study, a case study on a public road project was carried out. The case study was conducted by a document study and semi-structure in-depth interviews with ten key personnel. The key personnel include representatives from the client side as well as representatives from the design team and the main contractor. Even though the project is large and complex, the client has used design-bid-build (DBB) as project delivery method. By using this project delivery method, the client faced several challenges during the early stages of the project execution. Some of the client's challenges were shortcomings in the design, as well as lack of control of the subcontractors. By involving the contractor's knowledge in the early phase, some of the challenges could have been reduced. Since the project will not be fully implemented until the spring of 2019, the paper addresses challenges in the early execution phase of the project. ECI should be considered in such large and complex road projects to reduce challenges that could appear in the execution phase. Since several large and complex road projects are coming, the experience from this case study could help them to decide the project delivery method.