Stakeholders In Construction Projects Research Articles

Examining the challenges impeding the utilization of construction materials with lower embodied carbon in the construction sector

ABSTRACT This paper aimed at determining the barriers preventing the extensive utilization of innovative materials in the construction sector. As a way of providing clear understanding of the complex interrelationship between the barriers, the literature review was supplemented by an expert-based survey to determine the barriers, whereas the hierarchical structure between the barriers was analyzed using the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach. Based on the outcome of the level partitioning of the ISM approach, it was found out that “reluctance to take responsibility for embodied carbon reduction (B14) was partitioned at the 8th level indicating that it is the most highly prioritized barrier considered to be the most crucial in preventing the use of low-carbon building materials in the construction industry. The paper produces vital knowledge and evidence that could be applied to encourage more sustainable construction practices by the wide adoption of alternative construction materials with lower embodied carbon in the construction sector. The implications inferred based on the findings of this paper seek to suggest remedies, strategies, and actions that could help to overcome the undesirable impact of the barriers that affect the utilization of low-carbon building materials, particularly amongst prominent stakeholders of construction projects.

Identifying the interests of stakeholders in large construction projects: Based on Justification theory of Boltanski and Thévenot

In large construction projects, many stakeholders are involved, often with different interests. They look at the interests through the lenses of their conflicting worldviews, leading to the formation of different worlds that often have tensions among them. For example, to be viable, the projects must find a compromise between competition and collaboration. Hence, success in developing and implementing large construction projects requires analyzing the justifications of the world of stakeholders, identifying conflicts and creating agreements among them. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to use Boltanski and Thévenot's theory to review the justifications of stakeholders’ various and understand the tensions and compromises in large construction projects. The research approach is exploratory qualitative, realized using a multiple case study. In this process, five cases were selected as five large construction projects from the four countries of Iran, Turkey, India and Ethiopia and were analyzed based on the data extracted from written, visual, and audio sources. The results indicate that while six stakeholder groups are identified in the sources, content analysis and clear evidence reveal that the industry, construction, and market groups dominate in large construction projects. In other words, the stakeholders often justify their benefits and losses through the lens of these three worlds. In addition, the research discusses tensions and possible compromises in large construction projects. The results of this research improve the insight and knowledge of project managers and contribute to the success of large construction projects. However, it faces limitations in terms of methodology and data adequacy.

Application of systems thinking and system dynamics in managing risks and stakeholders in construction projects: A systematic literature review

Application of systems thinking and system dynamics in managing risks and stakeholders in construction projects: A systematic literature review

Drivers of corporate social responsibility initiatives among construction companies in Nigeria

PurposeThis study investigates the drivers of CSR practices among construction companies in Lagos, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopted a questionnaire survey to achieve the aim. A purposefully chosen group of managing directors, directors, other senior construction experts or management personnel working for small, medium and large-sized construction enterprises in Nigeria were given questionnaires to complete. 196 questionnaires were issued, out of which 103 were properly completed and returned, with a return percentage of 61% which served as the basis for this study. Utilizing both descriptive and inferential statistics, the collected data were examined.FindingsThe results from the study revealed that “vision of the founder”, “creating public attention”, “competitive advantage” and “business strategy” were the top most four drivers of CSR initiatives among construction companies in Lagos, Nigeria. The results also showed that, there is a statistically significant degree of agreement between various categories of construction companies in Lagos, Nigeria regarding the drivers of CSR initiatives.Originality/valueThe study contributes more effectively to CSR studies by highlighting the drivers of CSR initiatives in construction companies. The finding would facilitate the adoption and implementation of CSR initiatives in construction organizations. The adoption of best CSR practices fosters strong relationship among construction companies, project stakeholders and communities.

A Systematic Approach to Identify and Manage Interface Risks between Project Stakeholders in Construction Projects

Interface risks are inherent in every construction project from start to finish. Identifying and managing these risks effectively in every project phase is crucial for actualising project objectives. This paper shows a comprehensive framework showing several relationships between project stakeholders and how the interface risks between them that influence project execution are identified and managed for the overall construction project success. Firstly, a literature review on interfaces and interface risks and a discussion on how organisations managed interface risks were carried out, and secondly, the collection of quantitative data was conducted by means of structured online questionnaires. The sample consisted of 205 construction project professionals who were selected randomly. This group included individuals with various roles in the construction industry. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods, including factor analysis, reliability assessment, and calculations of frequencies and percentages. The results showed all the factors, work cultures, and organisational approaches that influence interface risk management and ways to identify and manage interface risks effectively. Effective stakeholder management is crucial for effective interface risk management since many interface risks are created by the numerous stakeholders involved in the project and the proposed frameworks will effectively mitigate the consequences and causes of interface risks. Effectively mitigating these risks involves effective stakeholder management, building information modelling volume strategy, and creating a virtual construction model during the construction phase; in addition, construction supply chain risks must be carefully identified during the interfaces establishment stages; interface risks must be carefully identified during the conceptualisation; and the planning, construction, and execution stages and standard methods and procedures must be defined to effectively identify and manage interface risks as the occur in the project lifecycle plus implementing the proposed risk mitigation frameworks.

Applying of 4D modeling at preparation and construction stages

The term digital transformation of the construction industry refers to the process of introducing and using new digital technologies, methods and tools to foster efficiency, productivity, and innovation in the construction industry. The digital transformation process implies the use of various digital solutions to optimize design, planning, construction, and management. The use of building information modeling (BIM) allows for better coordination between construction project stakeholders, streamlined design process and a minimum amount of 4D clashes. When applied in construction, 4D modeling enables the integration of a three-dimensional (3D) model into a time dimension (4D) for scheduling, managing, visualizing and coordinating projects at all stages of their life cycle, from preparation to operation.

Construction Project Management Issues and Development in Current for Future Construction Project: Challenges and Prospects in Sustainable Project Management

The global construction industry faces escalating pressure to embrace sustainable practices in response to increasing awareness of environmental and social issues. The construction sector, with its profound impact on the built environment, plays a pivotal role with far-reaching environmental, social, and economic implications. Stakeholders in the construction industry, driven by concerns related to climate change, resource depletion, and social equity, actively seek strategies to mitigate their environmental and societal impact. This has culminated in a heightened emphasis on sustainability in construction project management. The aim of this research is to investigate the challenges and propose proactive strategies among construction project stakeholders to effectively integrate sustainable practices into project management. This research systematically reviews existing literature to illuminate the challenges and prospects associated with integrating sustainability into construction project management, focusing on the future of construction projects. Challenges encountered by construction project managers include cost constraints, limited awareness and training, resistance to change, and the complexity of sustainability metrics. Understanding and addressing these challenges are imperative for the successful implementation of sustainable construction practices tailored to the unique context of construction firms. On the positive side, integrating sustainability into construction project management holds promising prospects. It is anticipated to result in reduced resource consumption, enhanced energy efficiency, lower operational costs, and an improved public image. Furthermore, aligning construction projects with sustainable development goals opens avenues for innovation and market differentiation. This research underscores the necessity of proactive strategies and collaborative efforts among project stakeholders to overcome challenges associated with sustainable construction. It highlights the potential for future construction projects to contribute significantly to a more sustainable built environment, emphasizing the growing importance of sustainability in construction projects. By addressing these challenges, the construction industry can progress towards a more sustainable future, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and promote responsible resource management.

Critical application areas of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for sustainable construction in developing countries: the case of Nigeria

Purpose This study aims to explore the critical application areas of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for sustainable buildings. Design/methodology/approach The quantitative research approach was adopted through a structured questionnaire administered to relevant stakeholders of construction projects. The data collected were analysed with the exploratory factor analysis, relative importance index (RII) and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE). Findings The study’s results have categorised the crucial areas of application where construction industry stakeholders should focus their attention. These areas are divided into four categories: management technologies, production technologies, sensing technologies and monitoring technologies. The findings from the FSE indicate that monitoring technologies represent the most significant category, whereas management technologies rank as the least significant. Moreover, the RII analysis highlights that tools management stands out as the most important application of RFID, while dispute resolution emerges as the least significant RFID application. Practical implications The study establishes the core areas of RFID application and their benefits to sustainable buildings. Consequently, it helps stakeholders (consultants, clients and contractors) to examine the RFID application areas and make informed decision on sustainable construction. Furthermore, it provides systematic proof that can aid the implementation of RFID in developing countries. Originality/value The study provides an insight into the possible application areas and benefits of RFID technology in the construction industry of developing countries. It also developed a conceptual frame for the critical application areas of RFID technology in the construction industry of developing countries.

A model for enhancing the application of value management in construction projects in Kenya

Value management (VM) has been widely used in the construction industry to facilitate projects for decades in many countries around the globe. The concept began in the US, and then other nations such as China, Japan, South Africa, and Nigeria followed and tested its effectiveness by assessing its impacts on costs, quality, and time. A VM application has a low cost and a high benefit process, and thus, if well-practiced and integrated into project management at the beginning of a project, it would lead to its successful completion. It also helps in improving the value of a project by ensuring low costs, high quality, and completion within the stipulated time frame. In Kenya, there remains a gap in that very little information has been documented about VM applications in construction projects. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate and develop a model to enhance the application of value management to construction projects. The study sampled all registered key stakeholders in construction projects within Kenya. The stakeholders are comprised of engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, contractors, and project managers. A stratified sampling strategy was employed, and data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The analysis methods used in this research were both descriptive and inferential in nature. Data summaries in terms of frequencies, means, and standard deviations were obtained under descriptive analysis. The inferential analysis comprised Pearson's correlation and regression analysis, which determined the significant determinants of VM application and were used to establish a predictive model. The study showed that team dynamics, procurement policy, government regulations, and VM knowledge are significant predictors of the level of VM application. A model has been developed that can assist in enhancing the application of value management in construction projects in Kenya.

Investigating Stakeholder Perspectives on the Knowledge Management of Construction Projects: A Case Study of the Vietnamese Construction Industry

Knowledge management (KM) is imperative for the successful completion of complex projects. This research, which constitutes a recent doctoral dissertation, centers on exploring the KM practices of internal project stakeholders in managing emergent events within construction projects during the construction stage. Herein, a qualitative approach was utilized. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from five internal project stakeholders. A thematic analysis was subsequently conducted using NVivo12 qualitative data analysis software. This study identified a total of eleven types of events categorized into four major themes. Furthermore, the analysis highlighted KM mechanisms applied by construction project stakeholders to overcome the events. In the emergent events context, personalization techniques, such as face-to-face meetings and discussions, are more effective for problem-solving. This study aims to enable Vietnamese construction companies to understand the importance of different KM mechanisms in the emergent events context and offers recommendations on effective KM.

Identify Building Contract Administration Knowledge for Graduate Architects to Enhance Work Performance

The fundamental roles and functions of graduate architects are witnessing a gradual shift in focus from designing buildings to supporting building contract administration. Construction project stakeholders are recognizing a growing need for graduate architects to improve their professional development within the industry for smooth project delivery. The purpose of this study is to identify the types of knowledge required by graduate architects to be competent when supporting the building contract administration work and to enable them to move a step closer to acquiring their professional qualifications. The study design follows a mixed methodology of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. First, a literature review was conducted to form questions for the survey. After the questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners in the industry. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires were distributed and one hundred and twenty-seven (127) questionnaires were returned. Data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution analysis and relative importance index (RII). Results from the questionnaire survey were triangulated with semi-structured interviews formed by twenty (20) practicing architects. Data collected from semi-structured interviews have been analyzed using thematic analysis. The result of the questionnaire survey and semi-structure interview both agreed that the most significant knowledge require is legal study knowledge. However, both methods have a different conclusion for least significant knowledge where the survey’s result showed communication and relationship management knowledge while semi-structured interviews’ result showed quality and assessment management less significant. The contribution of this study is perceived as essential for developing graduate architects’ competency in work performance and covers the limitations of the existing studies. Academics can use the outcome of this study as a reference in their teaching modules.

Predicting implications of design changes in BIM-based construction projects through machine learning

Design changes are not uncommon occurrence in construction projects, which results in implications in several ways including impacts on time and cost. On the other hand, despite Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been around over two decades, its potential has not been much unlocked particularly in connection to predicting implications of design changes. Through a rigorous Design Science Research approach, a conceptual model is outlined in which BIM and ML are integrated. The outlined model is applied to a hypothetical use-case, leading to a tested and validated final conceptual model. The model application demonstrates that the implications of design changes can be predicted much earlier and therefore, time and cost impacts can be better comprehended to form the decision-making. This model can be expanded in future to provide a communal platform where different stakeholders in construction projects can effectively communicate, collaborate, and coordinate particularly in the design changes scenarios.

CAS report on construction disputes in 2022

The purpose of this article is to present the key findings and conclusions of the CAS Report on Construction Disputes in Poland in 2022 with an outlook to 2023. Once again, we asked our Business Partners, acting as various stakeholders of ongoing construction projects, to participate in a survey containing a series of questions on the causes and effects of construction disputes during construction projects in Poland, both in terms of cost and time impact. On the basis of the answers provided, the results have been compiled and presented in detail in this Report.

A General Framework for Sustainability Assessment of Buildings: A Life-Cycle Thinking Approach

Construction is a manufacturing industry that consumes substantial amounts of natural resources, human resources, and social capital. Activities that occur during building construction and utilization negatively impact the environment and have direct and indirect impacts on the surrounding community and society. Properly assessing the sustainability of buildings is critical to the pursuit and achievement of sustainable development goals. Also, construction project decision-makers and stakeholders currently lack an effective tool for comparing the relative sustainability of different materials, design approaches, construction methods, and building operation alternatives. Thus, an integrated framework for assessing building sustainability in terms of environmental, economic, and social aspects is developed and proposed in this paper based on life cycle thinking. This framework is applicable to different building types and life-cycle assessment scopes and provides a practical tool for construction investment project stakeholders to reference, implement, and use to guide the decision-making process. This framework may also provide a reference for other researchers in the construction field to develop sustainability assessment models optimized for different types of construction projects.

An ontology-aided, natural language-based approach for multi-constraint BIM model querying

Construction project stakeholders often have to retrieve the required information in Building Information Models (BIMs) to support their design, engineering, and management activities. Natural language interface (NLI) systems are emerging as a time- and cost-effective way to query complex BIM models. However, the existing attempts cannot logically combine different constraints to perform fine-grained queries, dampening the usability of BIM-oriented NLIs. This paper presents a novel ontology-aided semantic parser to automatically map natural language queries (NLQs) that contain different attribute and relational constraints into computer-readable codes for BIM model retrieval in the context of building project development. A modular ontology was first developed to represent natural language expressions of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) concepts, relationships, and reasoning rules; it was then populated with entities from target BIM models to assimilate project-specific information. After that, the ontology-aided semantic parser progressively extracts concepts, relationships, and value restrictions from NLQs to identify multi-level constraint conditions, resulting in standard SPARQL queries to successfully retrieve IFC-based BIM models. The approach was evaluated based on 225 NLQs collected from BIM users, with a 91% accuracy rate. Finally, a case study about the design-checking of a real-world residential building demonstrates the practicability of the proposed method in the construction industry.

Critical Success Factors for Building Information Modeling Implementation as a Sustainable Construction Practice in the UAE

The building sector is widely acknowledged as a driving force behind national prosperity. However, there are considerable challenges to the construction industry’s transition to sustainable practices, including regarding building information modelling (BIM) technologies. The United Arab Emirates has made significant progress in the Middle East in adopting BIM technologies. Green building approaches have been advanced through their incorporation into environmentally conscious building practices, with a large body of literature responding to this issue. Several projects in the United Arab Emirates have, however, made use of the complementary nature of BIM and UAE sustainable policies. However, not everybody has employed the full potential of BIM implementation in sustainable construction. This paper aims to identify and prioritize the critical success factors (CSFs) for effective BIM implementation as a sustainable construction practice in the UAE and examine their ranking and relationships. A list of critical success factors was gathered from a review of previous literature to identify the essential factors for successful implementation. A standardized questionnaire was distributed to consulting organizations and engineering enterprises to verify the existence of these CSFs and measure their importance in the context of the UAE’s construction industry. The survey data was analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique to elaborate and validate the results, which was specifically applicable to the needs of this study. The results from the AHP analysis show that the social aspects were ranked as the highest critical success factor compared to the other criteria, namely economic, environmental, and information technology. Within this criterion, it was found that effective communication among stakeholders is the most important element, as subject matter experts feel that it is imperative to have buy-in from all or most of the construction project stakeholders to achieve the strategic goal of implementing BIM. Equally anticipated are both an effective corporate framework to back up the BIM system and government funding to build the BIM system.

Managing external stakeholders influences in mega construction projects

Mega construction projects have been a vital source of interest among different external stakeholders due to its complex nature. Although, the internal stakeholders are more concerned about a project, external stakeholders have a higher potential to influence mega construction projects by employing different strategies during the project life cycle. This has become a key issue for project owner since it leads to project suspension, delays, and cost overruns, which eventually leads to technical and internal project-related concerns. To achieve the research goal, a multiple case design was used, with two rounds of data-gathering methods comprising a desktop study and semi-structured interviews. Thirteen external stakeholder groups were identified. The outcomes of this research demonstrated that a diverse variety of external stakeholders arose among local governments, national governments, social and professional organisations, and political organisations are all common stakeholders in mega construction projects. Some stakeholders are particular to a project. Moreover, it is a significant fact that the project owner has the potential to successfully mitigate external influences without making many changes to the project scope. Thus, this article discussed external stakeholders’ impacts on mega construction projects throughout the project life cycle, as well as mitigation steps taken by project owners.

Critical Government Strategies for Enhancing Building Information Modeling Implementation in Indonesia

Building information modeling (BIM) enables substantial improvement in the architect, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. To enhance BIM implementation, policymakers should develop appropriate strategies addressing local AEC industry needs. However, prior works that have explored government strategies to enhance BIM implementation in Indonesia are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the critical government strategies to enhance BIM implementation in Indonesia. A systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with AEC professionals yielded 12 potential government strategies. The data were analyzed using mean score ranking, normalization, overlap, agreement, and correlation analyses. The findings illustrate that six strategies are critical for enhancing BIM implementation in Indonesia. Two of the six strategies overlapped between all main construction project stakeholders (i.e., consultants, contractors, and clients): (1) develop programs to integrate BIM into education curricula and academia, and (2) develop BIM implementation guidelines. These two strategies were highly correlated, and all project stakeholders had consistent views on their criticality for enhancing BIM implementation in Indonesia. The findings benefit policymakers by highlighting specific strategies that should take place to enhance BIM implementation in Indonesia.

Benefits and Obstacles to the Adoption of Reality Capture Technologies in the U.S. Commercial and Infrastructure Construction Sectors

Most previous Reality Capture Technology (RCT) research in construction focuses on the technical aspects of data collection, processing, and post-processing, while fewer studies have explored stakeholder perceptions about adopting and implementing RCT. This research investigated the perceptions of various construction project stakeholders in the commercial and infrastructure sectors regarding the benefits of, and obstacles hindering, the adoption of RCTs. A survey was distributed to the membership of U.S.-based professional organizations. Exploratory Factor Analysis was implemented to investigate and confirm logical and consistent empirical groupings of the benefits and obstacles listed in the survey. In general, mean comparisons revealed consistency across stakeholder perceptions of the benefits and obstacles of RCTs. However, significantly different perceptions about the increased accuracy of prefabricated elements, RCTs not being a company priority, lack of company budget, and data collection being too time consuming were observed between stakeholder groups. The study identified several benefits to RCT adoption (including, but not limited to, reduced project risk, increased accuracy of prefabricated elements and installed work as well as increased speed of as-built document creation) that were not noted in previous studies. Several obstacles to RCT (including, but not limited to, RCT not being a company priority, lack of Owner/Client demand, inability to bill RCT costs to the project, and cost of hiring employees with the required skills) were not observed in previous studies.

Design for Manufacture and Assembly of Digital Fabrication and Additive Manufacturing in Construction: A Review

Design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is attracting the attention of designers, practitioners, and construction project stakeholders. Digital fabrication (Dfab) and design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) practices are found in current need of further research and development. The DfMA’s conceptual function is to maximize the process efficiency of Dfab and AM building projects. This work reviewed 171 relevant research articles over the past few decades. The concepts and the fundamentals of DfMA in building and construction were explored. In addition, DfMA procedures for Dfab, DfAM, and AM assembly processes were discussed. Lastly, the current machine learning research on DfMA in construction was also highlighted. As Dfab and DFAM are innovated, practical DFMA techniques begin to develop to a great extent. Large research gaps in the DfMA for Dfab and DfAM can be filled in terms of integrating them with product structural performance, management, studied cases, building information modeling (BIM), and machine learning to increase operational efficiency and sustainable practices.