Private Construction Research Articles

Shifting Paradigms: Semiotic Reading of the Built Environment Transformations in Lithuania 1986–2004

Summary The research delves into the complex and multi-layered transition of Lithuania from a Soviet to a post-Soviet society, focusing on the architectural landscape as a reflection of ideological shifts. It explores the period from Gorbachev’s initiation of perestroika in 1986 to the Baltic States’ entry into the EU and NATO in 2004, a time marked by significant transformations within the architectural, social, and political realms. First, using Greimasian Square, the study categorises and analyses the reactions toward Soviet Modernist architecture, observing the gradual shift from a representation of state ideology to a canvas reflecting a myriad of individual and collective experiences, also assuming the artistic value of the architects’ output. Second, utilising frameworks from Western architectural criticism figures such as Peter Blake, Robert Venturi and the Situationists, the study contextualises and collates with architectural trends in public interiors or private constructions in Lithuania. Additionally, presumptions are correlated with a crisis in the architectural profession, characterised by a rise in private constructions without architects. Through semiotic view architectural discourse becomes a vital element in understanding the broader cultural and political shifts in post-Soviet Lithuania.

DELAY RED FLAG CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: CONTROL ANALYSIS WITH FOUR LEVER OF CONTROL

Despite extensive research on construction delays, this persistent issue continues to challenge the global construction industry. This case study aims to enhance the theoretical and practical understanding of management control systems (MCS) in construction firms by identifying the primary causes of project delays and examining the MCS components involved. A qualitative case study was conducted at a national private construction company (Jakons) to identify delay factors and propose solutions by linking them to MCS. The study focused on two Jakons projects that experienced delays, with primary data collected through interviews with five key informants directly engaged in MCS for the projects. Analysis of the interviews revealed common delay causes related to the project owner, consultants, labor, and materials. These causes were then connected to MCS practices and assessed using the four Levers of Control (LoC) framework, including Belief, Boundary, Diagnostic, and Interactive control systems. The study identified areas for improvement in MCS related to communication management, coordination, competence, and risk management that impact schedule delays. These findings provide valuable guidance for construction practitioners in planning and managing projects and offer insights to reassess MCS strategies to mitigate delays and achieve timely project completion.

Assessment of the Hindrance of Private Construction Projects Completion in Tanzania: A Case of Dar Es Salaam

Assessment of the Hindrance of Private Construction Projects Completion in Tanzania: A Case of Dar Es Salaam

THE IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN CONSTRUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF BELTEI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

Leaders in Cambodia's construction business face obstacles that demand them to employ their leadership style in guiding personnel to operate at high performance levels. This study aims to investigate the impact of different leadership styles on employees’ performances at one private construction company in Cambodia. Design/Methodology/approach: Using convenience sampling, 152 valid structured questionnaires for the quantitative study and 30 unstructured questionnaires for the qualitative study were acquired following distribution. This study used a mixed methods research design. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the quantitative analysis of the data. The inferential statistics of the data were presented using regression analysis and Pearson's correlation to explain both relationships and effects in accordance with the study assumptions. Text analysis using theme analysis for qualitative data. The study found a significant positive correlation between employee performance and four leadership styles (transformational, transactional, autocratic, and democratic) at a private construction company in Cambodia. Autocratic leadership had the lowest standard error and highest adjusted R-square, explaining the most variance in employee performance. The study found that construction workers use a variety of leadership styles, including transformational, transactional, democratic, and autocratic, to manage and resolve issues. Autocratic leadership has the highest correlation with employee performance, followed by democratic, transactional, and transformational styles. This hybrid and mixed leadership styles are used to ensure worker efficiency and safety. The study's value lies in its demonstration of how to apply successful leadership styles to improve employee performance, hence raising productivity and maintaining an inventive work atmosphere.

Investigation into Discrepancies in Alignment and Levelling of Precast Segmental Box Girders (SBGs) During Launching for LRT 3, from Bandar Utama to Johan Setia (Package GS10)

In recent decades, there has been a notable global increase in the utilization of precast concrete segmental bridges within construction projects. However, discrepancies have been observed in the height of precast Segmental Box Girders (SBGs) installed alongside PS1 (monolithic), deviating from project specifications. This discrepancy impacts the deck level and consequently influences the Top of Rail (TOR). Consequently, a study was undertaken at AlKauthar Kinematics Sdn Bhd, a company involved in the LRT3 project's construction, with a specific focus on the casting and installation of Segmental Box Girders. The study's objectives include identifying the factors contributing to precast SBG misalignment during the LRT3 project's launch at P25-08, analyzing data for realignment purposes, and proposing design methodologies for manufacturing SBGs. The methodology employed in this study entails the analysis of data sourced from the industry, utilizing As-Built Surveys conducted by surveyors. Findings indicate that precast SBG misalignment during launching at P25-08 is primarily attributed to on-site errors, particularly casting errors during the construction of the cast-in-situ monolithic segment P25-08. This insight is invaluable for both governmental bodies and private construction organizations in mitigating project setbacks.

Building renovation between CAM and Superbonus: limitations and prospects for mass retrofitting

This paper reflects on the results of the recent technical policy for energy requalification in Italy, focusing on both the European objectives of decarbonisation, circularity and industrialisation of the sector, and the size and characteristics of demand. Starting from the comparison between the two main models of efficiency of the public and private building stock, based respectively on the Minimum Environmental Criteria and the Superbonus, the study examines the effectiveness and limitations of the measures for private construction, which constitutes the majority share of the entire Italian building stock. The study identifies the Energiesprong model as a possible way to improve the management and quality of energy requalification interventions capable of expanding their effectiveness beyond the environmental point of view.

Technology Adoption in Material Procurement: An Empirical Study Applying the UTAUT Model Among Construction Companies in India

The Indian construction industry faces many challenges, such as low productivity, project delays and a lack of professionalism. To remain competitive, construction companies must adopt innovative technologies to make their operations more efficient. In this context, the management of companies needs to understand employee attitudes and perceptions of technology adoption to make investment decisions for adopting new technologies. This study aims to assess the employees’ perceptions of e-procurement as part of technology adoption in the construction sector. The popular Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework was adapted to develop a study model with employee attitude added as a mediating variable. Data collected from 305 employees working in the materials departments of different private construction companies are analyzed using SPSS Amos, a covariance-based structural equation modelling (CBSEM) tool. The study results revealed the strength of the predictor variables in determining the predicted variable and the significant role of the mediating variable in shaping employee perceptions. The results can provide valuable information to the management of the construction companies about which factors promote the adoption and acceptance of digital technologies. This awareness is greatly helpful in changing or adjusting the situation to improve employee perceptions of accepting new technologies.

Forecasting Total and Type-Specific Non-Residential Building Construction Spending: The Case Study of the United States and Lessons Learned

Forecasting construction spending is important for civil engineering practitioners to make business decisions. Currently, the main body of forecasting literature pertains exclusively to aggregate construction investment, such as total construction spending (TTLCON), private construction spending, or residential construction spending. But type-specific construction spending, such as that for education, healthcare, and religion, had yet to be explored using forecasting techniques. This case study presents a viable procedure by which aggregate and type-specific non-residential construction can be forecasted. The procedure that involves the use of the Granger causality test and the Vector Autoregression (VAR) model proved to be able to provide an accurate forecast pre-COVID-19, with some accuracy even during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Lessons learned include the following: (1) effort should be diverted towards model interpretation, as the impulse–response trial yields results conforming to current well-established empirical evidence; (2) a type-specific approach should be adopted when analyzing construction spending, as different types of construction spending react differently to potential indicators; and (3) complex models incorporating multiple indicators should be used to generate a forecast, as a complex model has a higher chance of containing parameters explanatory of the target variable’s features during the testing period.

XRF Analysis of Village and Urban Basalt Architecture in the Hippos Territorium during the Roman Period

AbstractThis case study examines the use of X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) as an effective method for defining distinct chemical compositions of local basalt stone from different sources in the Roman period, even when their quarries have not been identified. It also deals with the archaeological question if public and monumental structures from a village and urban site shared the same stone sources and stonemason's workshops. Ninety‐six samples from the Hippos Territorium, mainly from the polis of Hippos and the village of Majduliyya, were analyzed. XRF was found to be an effective method for defining distinct chemical compositions of local basalt materials from different sources. The distinct composition of the basalt stones between the two sites provided valuable insights into socio‐economic relationships, shedding light on the nature of city–village dynamics in the region. Additionally, it aids in discerning whether diverse basalt sources were utilized in both private and public constructions, as well as installations within a single site. Methodological questions and the application of this method in the archaeological research of basalt‐based architecture are also addressed.

Predicting construction project compliance with machine learning model: case study using Portuguese procurement data

PurposeFactors like bid price, submission time, and number of bidders influence the procurement process in public projects. These factors and the award criteria may impact the project’s financial compliance. Predicting budget compliance in construction projects has been traditionally challenging, but Machine Learning (ML) techniques have revolutionised estimations.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, Portuguese Public Procurement Data (PPPData) was utilised as the model’s input. Notably, this dataset exhibited a substantial imbalance in the target feature. To address this issue, the study evaluated three distinct data balancing techniques: oversampling, undersampling, and the SMOTE method. Next, a comprehensive feature selection process was conducted, leading to the testing of five different algorithms for forecasting budget compliance. Finally, a secondary test was conducted, refining the features to include only those elements that procurement technicians can modify while also considering the two most accurate predictors identified in the previous test.FindingsThe findings indicate that employing the SMOTE method on the scraped data can achieve a balanced dataset. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the Adam ANN algorithm outperformed others, boasting a precision rate of 68.1%.Practical implicationsThe model can aid procurement technicians during the tendering phase by using historical data and analogous projects to predict performance.Social implicationsAlthough the study reveals that ML algorithms cannot accurately predict budget compliance using procurement data, they can still provide project owners with insights into the most suitable criteria, aiding decision-making. Further research should assess the model’s impact and capacity within the procurement workflow.Originality/valuePrevious research predominantly focused on forecasting budgets by leveraging data from the private construction execution phase. While some investigations incorporated procurement data, this study distinguishes itself by using an imbalanced dataset and anticipating compliance rather than predicting budgetary figures. The model predicts budget compliance by analysing qualitative and quantitative characteristics of public project contracts. The research paper explores various model architectures and data treatment techniques to develop a model to assist the Client in tender definition.

An Empirical Investigation of Risk Management Factors in Private Construction Projects in Benghazi City

An Empirical Investigation of Risk Management Factors in Private Construction Projects in Benghazi City

임대주택의 공급 주체 ‧ 방식별 주택시장 안정화 효과 비교 분석

This study conducted a panel analysis to examine the impact of rental housing supply by type (public/private, built/purchased) on housing market price stabilization at the level of metropolitan city and province level. This study used data from the National Survey of House Price Trends (Korea Real Estate Board) and MOLIT Statistics System (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport) for the period 2013–2021. The main findings of the analysis are as follows. In terms of a provider, publicly rented housings contribute more to price stabilization than privately rented, and in terms of a supply method, purchased-rented housings are better in price stabilization than constructed-rented housings. In terms of renting types, price stabilization effect is strongest in public purchase followed by public construction and private purchase. However, private construction is more likely to drive up prices. This suggests that rather than focusing solely on increasing inventory, rental housing supply policies should include both legal and institutional support and regulation.

Barriers to risk management in small construction projects in Sri Lanka

PurposeThis study explores the current status of risk management (RM) in Sri Lanka and the obstacles in implementing RM in Sri Lankan small construction projects.Design/methodology/approachThe current research study adopted a quantitative research method. Using a purposeful sampling strategy, 100 construction companies engaged in small construction projects in Sri Lanka were selected and a questionnaire was distributed among top managerial employees of these companies. Employees belonging to 47 companies responded to the survey which provided information relating to 812 construction projects. The collected data were analyzed using the RM implementation index (RMII) and other quantitative measures such as mean, median and percentages.FindingsThe research findings indicated that RM incorporation was at a lower degree in small construction projects in Sri Lanka. The findings further indicated that RM incorporation was relatively high in the public construction projects compared to the private construction projects. The main obstacles identified through the survey for RM implementation were: “lack of funding”, “lack of time”, “low profit margin”, “not economical” and “lack of knowledge”.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was limited to exploring RM implementation in small construction projects in Sri Lanka. The study was limited to the building construction companies under the 150-million-rupee (approx. below 450,000 USD) financial limit registered with the construction industry development authority in Sri Lanka.Originality/valueRM in small construction projects in developing countries is a relatively less explored domain. Sri Lankan construction industry is another relatively less explored domain in terms of new management technique implementation such as RM and value management. The quantitative approach used for the study revealed that RM implementation is at a lower degree in the small construction projects. Moreover, several obstacles pertaining to RM implementation were recognized through this study. These findings will be useful for the construction stakeholders to overcome the recognized barriers and effectively use RM in their respective construction projects.

Comparative Analysis of the Financial Performance of State-Owned and Private Construction Companies in Indonesia Due to the COVID-19 Disaster

In a competitive business era, company performance is a crucial factor that affects the sustainability and growth of an organization. There are various methods in measuring the performance of a company. One of them is by conducting a comparative analysis of financial statements to provide an overview and evaluate the financial conditions that occur in a particular year and predict future financial conditions. In 2020, the COVID-19 situation has a major impact on companies engaged in the infrastructure sector, including (Badan Usaha Milik Negara) BUMN in the field of building and construction and private construction companies. The purpose of this study is to determine the performance of construction companies in Indonesia, both private and state-owned enterprises with large business qualifications due to the COVID-19 disaster. The study was conducted based on the financial statements of each of these companies. Based on the results of the analysis and discussion, it can be concluded that the performance of BUMN and private construction companies is still feeling the impact of COVID-19. The performance of private construction companies in 2021 has the ability to pay long-term debt, generate profits, manage capital to run the company's operations better, while BUMN construction companies have the ability to pay short-term debt, as well as manage receivables, inventory and assets.

Evaluation of Health and Safety Status of Public and Private Building Construction Projects in Pokhara

Health and safety (H&S) in the construction industry encompasses a set of principles, regulations, practices, and measures designed to safeguard the well-being and safety of construction teams within construction environments. Developing countries like Nepal lag in establishing and implementing robust H&S regulations, impacting overall project performance. This research assesses the H&S status in public and private building construction projects within Pokhara Valley, Nepal. One private and one public project were selected for the investigation. After conducting a thorough literature review and consulting key informants, a structured five-point Likert scale questionnaire was developed for efficient data collection. Findings revealed that H&S aspects in privately and publicly owned building construction projects. Privately owned projects underscored effective ventilation, hard hats, and daily safety briefings are significant factors. Slip, trip, and fall incidents are major accident causes, highlighting the importance of proper lighting. Public projects emphasized ventilation, hard hats, and safety rules, with toolbox talks and qualified team members deemed critical. Slip, trip, and fall incidents remained the primary accidents, and safety signs played a pivotal role. These findings offer essential guidance for policymakers and construction managers to enhance H&S practices in diverse construction environments.

Study of electric consumption of individual housing construction facilities of different stories and area

In the Russian Federation, the construction of individual housing construction projects is being carried out at an increasing pace, for the construction of electrical networks for which there are no regulatory documents with an adequate methodology for calculating electrical loads. This situation led to low load on power grid equipment, and accordingly, investments became non-refundable. Sustainable development of private and industrial construction of individual housing projects is possible only with the development of regulatory technical documents that meet modern trends. To accomplish this task, research work was carried out to develop regulatory documents used in the design of electrical networks in cottage villages, taking into account the different number of floors and area of individual housing construction projects. Using the example of two cottage villages in Kazan, based on the parameter of daily and monthly electricity consumption, it was possible to obtain a sample whose data obeys the law of normal distribution. The analysis of sample sets of cottages in the villages shows that according to the power consumption parameter they can be grouped depending on the number of floors and area of the houses. The results obtained make it possible to formulate a future methodology for calculating electrical loads with amendments to the Federal Code of Rules.

안전전담기술인제도의 안전성과 향상방안에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to study the impact of the safety technology system on safety performance in public construction project management sites with insufficient research results. Since October 6, 2020, the safety technician system has been implemented for public construction projects, but as the number of accidental deaths in public construction projects is still not decreasing, the safety technician system, which supervises construction company-centered safety management, has been suspended. The purpose of the study was to suggest ways to improve.
 The research model of the research method is a study to determine the influence of institutional factors, competency factors, and methodological factors as independent variable factors on safety performance. For the empirical study, a survey of 172 people was conducted targeting the ordering office, construction project management technicians, and construction companies. The valid surveys of 156 people, excluding 16 unfaithful respondents and missing answers, were used for statistical analysis. IBM SPSS 28 was used as the statistical analysis program. Reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were conducted.
 As a result of the reliability analysis, the Cronbach's α coefficient of the institutional factor was 0.706, the competency factor was 0.915, and the method factor was 0.672, showing that the competency factor was the highest and the method factor was the lowest. As a result of the correlation analysis, the institutional factors and competency factors of the safety technician system were statistically significant at r=.692, p=.000, and the methodological factors and competency factors were r=-.223, p=.005. . However, the correlation between institutional factors and methodological factors was r = .037, p = .651, indicating that the correlation was not statistically significant. As a result of the regression analysis, the institutional factors showed a standard coefficient of .420 and a significance level of .000, the competency factors showed a standard coefficient of .266 and a significance level of .004, and the methodological factors showed a standard coefficient of .166 and a significance level of .013. +) was found to have an impact and was adopted.
 Through this study, empirical research results showed that the safety technician system is a system that improves safety and efficiency at public construction sites, and that it is an effective system for preventing accidents and reducing accident costs through continuous maintenance and improvement of the safety technician system. Confirmed. In the future, we hope that through follow-up research on private construction, a dedicated safety supervision system will be introduced early, contributing to preventing safety accidents and reducing accident costs at construction sites.

The effect of motivational tools on the productivity of staff architects in developing countries: the case of Turkey

ABSTRACT The relationship between motivation and productivity is a crucial concern for managers and must be analyzed based on sectoral differences. This study aims to explore the differences in motivation and productivity among staff architects in the public and private sectors in Turkey and to examine the effects of motivational tools on their productivity. The study compares three fundamental motivational tools: economic, psycho-social, and organizational-managerial. A quantitative research method was employed, and a survey was conducted among 132 staff architects working in the public and private construction sectors in Antalya, a significant city that contributes to Turkey’s economy. T-tests and correlation analysis were conducted to test the hypotheses. The results of the study revealed significant variations in the perception of motivational tools between the two sectors, indicating distinct experiences for staff architects. Economic fluctuations in Turkey were identified as a potential explanation for the differences in the perception of economic tools. Additionally, significant disparities were observed in the perception of psycho-social and organizational/managerial tools, highlighting the contrasting nature of these factors across sectors. The study’s findings determined that while organizational and managerial motivational tools were effective in increasing the productivity of staff architects in the public sector, the productivity of staff architects in the private sector could be enhanced by psycho-social motivational tools. This study contributes to the existing knowledge by uncovering disparities in perceptions and impacts of motivational tools between public and private sectors. It emphasizes the significance of considering contextual factors and industry-specific dynamics when examining the motivation-productivity relationship in the construction industry. The findings have practical implications for managers and policymakers in both sectors, highlighting the need to tailor incentive strategies to sector-specific needs.

Does the High-Rise Building Typology meet the needs for City Densification? The case of Tirana, Albania

The first high-rise building ever in Tirana and Albania was built during the 70-s. This was Hotel Tirana or “15-kateshi” as it was nicknamed. At that time, Tirana was building not more than six floors high due to limitations in finances, technology, as well as seismic regulations. Hotel Tirana was an exception for ideological and symbolic reasons of the regime. After the ‘change’ of the early 90-s and the return of the market economy, several private construction companies came up by developing ‘tower’ typology buildings of 7-9 floors. In the second decade of transformations, the municipality developed several international architectural competitions, including a masterplan for the city centre (2003) and other specific construction sites, mainly for strategic high-rise building purposes. During these years, Tirana was densified by tripling its population thanks to a typology of towers of 9-11 floors. There has been a lot of criticism of the respective municipal decision-making procedures, allegedly related to the politicization and corruption of the verticalization and densification process via control of the building permissions system

고령친화형 서비스 융합의 시니어 주거단지 개발 방안 연구

This study is to find ways to respond to Korea’s low-growth and aging issues with suggesting a future residential complex model through advanced domestic and international cases. The 50+ community shows a new vision for building a preemptive housing system, spreading private-led service supply, and further creating an “Aging In Place” environment.
 Active seniors in their 50s and 60s are the generations not only with relatively large assets, but also with poor economic and residential conditions due to divorce, business failure, and unemployment. It is also necessary to develop community-based social support service system to support housing, stable income and leisure activities, and create premium housing services to fulfill their unmet needs and trendy lifestyles especially for active seniors with high income.
 In the United States, the senior housing business is expanding centering on large private construction companies’ franchises. In addition, various service infrastructures, such as 50+ community, independent living, assisted living, nursing home, and dementia care home, are built together in a huge complex according to the consumer’s requirements. In Europe, senior citizens live in flat, apartments, condos, share homes, or houses and use community-based social welfare service and programs. The famous European retirement communities are usually surrounded by the beautiful natural environment with luxurious resort facilities.
 The 50 plus community is a preemptive model that can contribute to the creation of the “Aging In Place” environment in Korea. It is also necessary to develop a new ageing-friendly residential complex model for encouraging investments of the private sectors. A private-led 50+ community model is to be differentiated from the public-centered model which mainly focus on supporting daily living services for super-aged, low-income, and disabled seniors. The preemptive new model may be triggering a new senior housing business and solve the social problems in this super-aged society.