Project Stakeholders Research Articles

Enhancing Performance of Public-Private Partnership Projects: Data Management and Capacity Building of Standard Gauge Railway

This study assessed the impact of data management and capacity building on the performance of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project in Kenya, specifically within the context of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices in public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks. Anchored in the tenets of the Principal-Agent Theory, Institutional Theory, and Transaction Cost Economics Theory, this research employs a survey-based approach, drawing insights from 55 SGR project employees. In exploring the influence of data management, the findings illuminate its significant correlation with the orchestration and advancement of the SGR project. Additionally, the study underscores the positive repercussions of capacity-building initiatives on enhancing the project’s performance metrics. Notably, participants exhibited a consensus regarding the efficacy of these programs in augmenting the skills and knowledge base of the project team and stakeholders. The study accentuates the imperative for a comprehensive review aimed at fortifying the accuracy and security of project data. It recommends a strategic emphasis on initiatives enhancing data reliability and security within the SGR project’s framework. These insights contribute crucial perspectives on the pivotal roles of data management and capacity building, specifically underscoring their influence on the SGR project in Kenya.

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

In-depth analysis of critical factors affecting Iraqi construction projects performance

Abstract Construction projects in Iraq suffer from many complex problems. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the most critical factors affecting the performance of Iraqi construction projects, delving into their identification, analysis, and understanding. A comprehensive list of 32 influential factors was compiled through site surveys, interviews with engineers and experts, and a review of previous research. These factors were categorized into eight groups: planning and management, design and engineering, procurement and supply chain, workforce and labor, technology and innovation, environmental and regulatory aspects, site conditions and infrastructure, and external factors. One hundred and ten questionnaires were distributed to project stakeholders, including owners, consultants, and contractors. The results found that the five most important factors affecting performance ranked using the relative importance Index are poor planning, failure to allocate resources properly, unavailability of skilled labor, poor labor productivity, and volatile economic conditions. Based on these results, for solutions to be effective, they must be adapted to the local environment. Project participants must be interested in planning as it is essential to address the same. The skills of project workers must be developed through training programs. Communication with project stakeholders must be coordinated to contribute to the decision-making process.

Actors Synergy Model of The Ummah Economic Development Zone

The Ummah Economic Development Zone (ZPEU) is an initiative by the Kedah State Zakat Board (LZNK) through the paddy estate project, focusing on empowering farmers among the Asnaf in the agricultural sector. To strengthen the development of ZPEU, building strategic relationships among institutions involved in the rice production chain is a key strategy for increasing crop yields and improving the living standards of Asnaf. This paper aims to develop a synergy model for strategic relationships between stakeholders in the ZPEU project. This model fosters an environment where community and innovation can flourish, engaging all parties to create new jobs and enhance the standard of living for local communities through new products and services.

Reducing embodied carbon with material optimization in structural engineering practice: Perceived barriers and opportunities

Structural engineers play an essential role in reducing embodied carbon emissions in buildings, which contribute significantly to global carbon emissions. In this work, 39 structural engineers primarily from the Northeastern US are surveyed on how embodied carbon is reduced in practice, particularly through computational tools that facilitate material efficiency (e.g. parametric design models and structural optimization tools). Leading barriers to embodied carbon reductions are identified as: (i) lack of awareness of how to quantify embodied carbon or reduce it, (ii) perception of increased costs, and (iii) lack of power in relation to other project stakeholders. The use of computational tools is found to be primarily inhibited by increased design time and costs. These results highlight opportunities to overcome these barriers, such as increasing awareness of strategies to reduce embodied carbon and targeting time and cost (or perceived time and cost) in computational design workflows for structural engineers.

Stakeholder participation in the implementation of urban property development projects

In urban property development projects, attention to the needs and aspirations of local communities is often neglected. Although some developers still consider local community stakeholders to be a potential threat to their developments, in many developed countries, stakeholder participation is embedded within statutory processes such as the formal planning process and is increasingly regarded as a component of sustainable development. Even though the local community is widely recognized as an important project stakeholder, little has been done to understand how to engage effectively with this stakeholder group to resolve their concerns. The purpose of this study is to investigate practitioners’ perceptions and actions on local community participation in urban property development projects. The study is conducted through interviews with 12 actors in the southern part of Sweden. The findings show the importance of early involvement of local communities, the relevance of building community networks, trust and relations, the challenges to stakeholder participation and the need to formalize stakeholder participation in the organizations.

Assessing Approaches to Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation in Development Projects: Evidence from Donor-Funded Projects in Machakos County, Kenya

Monitoring and Evaluation improves the quality of programme or project management since it provides information on how results namely outcomes, outputs and impact are achieved and assesses the effectiveness, relevance, coherence, efficiency, impact and sustainability of specific development interventions. The objectives of the study were to examine the influence of participatory monitoring and evaluation among development project teams in Machakos County and to assess the influence of M & E as a learning tool on implementation of development projects in Machakos County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Theory of Change which describes how particular interventions or sets of interventions lead to specific changes. The target population of this study was 102 programme staff implementing donor-funded projects. A census was done and therefore the target group formed the sample for the study. Primary data sources used were key informant interviews and a survey questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed in SPSS Version 28 and qualitative data was thematically analyzed. According to the survey results, 58.2% agreed that the involvement of all relevant project stakeholders during the preliminary stages of project design strengthens M&E. The survey results showed that 49.45% of the respondents agreed that project planning reflected the various community needs and supported decision-making processes during project implementation. A majority (58.23%) agreed that feedback from various stakeholders was often incorporated and used to strengthen the delivery of various project activities informant interviews. Majority of the survey respondents (72%) indicated that learning is integral to ensuring M&E is effective and project teams can learn immensely from M & E. A majority (71%) agreed that project teams feared participating in M&E activities due to fear that it could be used against them. The findings show that the involvement of stakeholders in project design and implementation directly influenced successful project M & E. The study recommended involving relevant parties and stakeholders in a project since this influences its implementation and M & E among donor-funded development projects. Project managers need to put in place incentives for project teams to learn not just for reporting to funding agencies but for the benefit of internal learning among project teams.

From process-based to technology-driven: a study on functionalities as key elements of collaborative planning methods for construction projects

With the advancement of emerging technologies, significant attempts have been made to develop collaborative planning methods and to involve as many project stakeholders as possible in the construction project planning and control process. However, inadequate consideration has been paid to the characteristics, goals, and principles underlying these methods to meet the needs of collaboration for project planning between project teams. To deal with this, a multi-stage methodology was carried out to achieve the aims of this study. The first step was identifying collaborative planning methods and their functionalities in the construction sector. Further, a quantitative analysis based on Social Network Analysis (SNA) was conducted to determine the most frequently utilized functionalities in collaborative planning methods. The results revealed that process-based collaborative planning methods’ functionalities prioritized process and people-related characteristics such as team trust and promise, as well as social interactions, whereas technology-driven methods highlighted visualization along with collaboration and communication as a key element of collaborative planning. Subsequently, this study contributes to the body of construction project planning and control knowledge from both theoretical and practical perspectives by enhancing the understanding and sensemaking of project stakeholders towards the underlying concepts and objectives of collaborative planning methods.

Development of a conceptual model for an information management system in spatial planning projects. Case study of making-city project

Efficient information management is pivotal for the effective execution of spatial planning projects, yet many encounter hurdles stemming from disjointed information systems and processes. In this article, authors consider the intricacies of information management within the realm of spatial planning, leveraging insights from the multifaceted MAKING-CITY project to elucidate common challenges and propose innovative solutions. The proposed conceptual model for an integrated information management system offers a holistic approach, aiming to eliminate weaknesses inherent in existing information landscapes by seamlessly integrating diverse information components into a unified framework. By facilitating robust communication channels and synchronizing the actions of all project participants and stakeholders, this model enhances collaboration, streamlines workflows, and fosters informed decision-making. Importantly, the adaptability and versatility of developed model ensure its applicability across various spatial planning initiatives, offering a scalable solution to address the evolving demands of urban development projects. Through a meticulous examination of real-world challenges and practical solutions, this article contributes to the advancement of information management practices in spatial planning, laying the groundwork for more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive urban development processes in today's dynamic landscape.

Using Hyperlocal Projects to Teach Entrepreneurial Skills

This article presents a comprehensive exploration of employing hyperlocal projects as a pedagogical approach to teach entrepreneurship. Hyperlocal projects entail focusing on specific, localized communities to address real-world business challenges and opportunities. The study emphasizes the significance of integrating hyperlocal projects into entrepreneurship curricula, offering educators innovative methods to engage students and cultivate essential entrepreneurial skills. The paper outlines the implementation of the Madison Square Business Association project at Grand Valley State University, where students collaborated with a local non-profit to support businesses within a designated area. Through extensive data collection and collaboration with businesses, students developed persona descriptions, identified critical business issues, and proposed tailored support services. The project spanned two semesters, allowing students to iteratively refine their solutions and engage with local stakeholders. Key findings highlight the benefits of hyperlocal projects in entrepreneurship education. These projects foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills by immersing students in real-world business contexts. Moreover, hyperlocal projects facilitate community engagement, providing students with hands-on learning experiences while addressing local economic challenges. The article also offers practical insights into the implementation of hyperlocal projects, including strategies for project planning, stakeholder engagement, and assessment. Furthermore, it discusses the implications of hyperlocal projects for future research, emphasizing the need for long-term outcome evaluations, examinations of their impact on underserved populations, comparative analyses with other educational methods, and exploration of cross-disciplinary applications. Overall, this study underscores the value of hyperlocal projects in entrepreneurship education, encouraging educators to embrace innovative teaching approaches that promote real-world problem-solving and community engagement. By incorporating hyperlocal projects into curricula, institutions can empower students to become entrepreneurial leaders equipped to drive local economic development and social change.

Improving project management “closeout” phase outcomes: evidence from a large general contractor in Iran using “X-inefficiency theory”

PurposeOptimal clean-up procedures lie at the heart of the closeout phase of construction projects under contract law. However, due to its complexity involving multiple issues, potentially unfulfilled contractual obligations, performance claims and counter-claims, combined with consequently deteriorating stakeholder relationships, the management of closeouts is fraught with difficulties leading to suboptimal outcomes. This is particularly true where general contractor (GC) organizations do not have a claims management office (CMO) dedicated to improving such suboptimal clean-up outcomes. Thus, this study aims to develop a model by which CMOs’ may effectively manage the clean-up phase in an environment of closeout claims.Design/methodology/approachX-inefficiency theory was utilized as the theoretical lens guiding this study. The theory helps identify closeout strategies implemented by a GC, which manages completion claims through a CMO. Data were received and analyzed from a large GC, which served as the firm case study. In this case, managing the closeout completion claims was the main function of the CMO.FindingsThe average delay of closeout completion was four times greater than construction phase delays. The GC results highlighted the “economic destruction tsunami of projects,” as a root cause for these completion delays. Wrap-up activities under contract law are identified, including within the domains of statements of completion, project handover and debt settlement. Behavior strategies are also defined, including relational and contractual approaches. Moreover, a process for improving closeout claim performance is described, comprising project closeout identification, rational intra-firm behavior, closeout completion and program closeout practice.Originality/valueFindings from this work can significantly contribute in X-inefficiency theory in relation to how a decrease of X-inefficiency will lead to better closeout claim performance. It also offers practical insights into how best to minimize delayed closeout completion while providing valuable lessons for stakeholders in complex infrastructure projects. Further, a model is developed that may be utilized by owners, consultancies, designers and other contractor organizations in an effort to improve closeout claim performance.

Implementation of Progressive Design-Build in Airport Capital Construction Projects

Alternative contracting methods (ACMs) have been increasingly used for airport capital construction projects to explore the opportunity for achieving better cost and time savings than traditional design-bid-build. Progressive design-build (PDB), an emerging variation of design-build, stands out as a promising delivery method that promotes collaboration between project stakeholders. Although PDB has been successfully used across building, water/wastewater, and transit construction sectors, its implementation in the aviation industry is still limited because of legislative considerations, regulatory policies, and funding constraints. A research gap exists in systematically investigating current practices in implementing PDB in airport projects. The main objective of this study is to explore the selection criteria, implementation strategies, success factors, and lessons learned from using PDB for airport capital construction projects. This study employed a triangulation research methodology, including a comprehensive review of PDB guidance and manuals, an industry survey of 39 airports across the U.S., and structured interviews with 12 airport representatives. This study found that the top four criteria for selecting PDB are: flexibility to handle complexity, reducing claims, industry input on constructability, and cost control. The main benefits of using PDB for airport construction projects include improving project schedules, enhancing design control levels, and better management of project complexity and risks. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing insights into the current PDB practices for airport capital projects. Lessons learned from implementing PDB can help airport authorities and owners better administer and manage their projects.

Managing Materials Vendor Risks for Improved Project Operational Performance

Highlight: Sound risk management implementation is well noted for helping organisations to overcome operational inefficiencies. However, the management of risk associated with construction materials vendors, and how they impact project operational performance appear to have not been extensively researched. Goal: In this study, the effect of materials vendor risk management (vendor risk identification and vendor risk prevention) on project operational performance (project quality and scheduled completion time) was investigated. We also interrogate the mediating role of risk-oriented culture in the relationship between vendor risk management and operational performance. Design/Methodology/Approach: The target population was all 1,044 registered public construction firms under the Urban Regeneration Programme in Nigeria. The cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and random sampling was used to select 173 project managers, engineers, surveyors, vendors/contractors, and store representatives. Primary data was collected through the structured questionnaire, they were analysed via the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique. Results: Three main conclusions are made about managing vendor risks: First, properly identified materials vendor risks (in terms of material handling issues, price escalation, non-compliance to specification, delivery delay, and sharp procurement practices) is positively related to operational performance. Second, implementing context-specific risk prevention measures (prior assessment score, vendor financial capacity, warranty policy, continuous monitoring, technical capacity) positively enhances operational outcomes. Third, paying attention to risk culture orientation of project stakeholders positively impact their risk prevention capability and operational performance of construction projects. Limitations: Study was limited to few operational performance indicators in project management. Future study could include other performance indicators. Practical Implications: The results can help project operations managers in industry address numerous risks associated with materials vendor. Originality/Values: The numerous abandoned and failed construction projects in developing countries as a result of less attention to vendor risks management prompted this study.

Learning Sequence “Learning | Growing | Working”: A Helpful Approach to Facilitate the Entry into the IT Faculty

Virtual teams and digital collaborative work have become an integral part of modern university teaching. The demand for suitable methods for group formation in virtual formats has increased, not least due to Covid-19. Even though students at the university have become more confident in using digital exchange options during this time, it has become apparent in recent semesters that first-year students in particular need support during the transition into higher education, with the learning process and with virtual group work. This paper describes how the digital self-oriented learning approach called the learning sequence “Learning | Growing | Working” was set up and used on the LMS platform Ilias, and how it supports students in learning alone and in groups, collaborating online, building group cohesion, pursuing goals and learning to network. The sequence focuses on intensive exchange and networking. The learning sequence has been designed for first-semester students as a twelve-week guided group focusing in different tools and methods to support students in these subjects. The research methodology used to evaluate and analyse the outcomes of the learning sequence was the observational method, the empirical evaluation of the behaviour and constant comparison approach of the structured collected observation notes and responses of the participants. The results indicate positive outcomes, showing growth in goal setting, networking capabilities, attitudes towards learning, and critical reflection. Both participants and project stakeholders recognise the potential of the sequence to support students' personal development. Strategies for future implementation are suggested to enhance the learning experience. Among others, clear guidance on goal setting, emphasising non-academic goals for motivation and maximising engagement within the allotted time, facilitating discussions on interesting topics and addressing group dynamics challenges were observed as suggested approaches.

Impact of green construction procurement practices on the success of circular economy in Ghana

PurposeThis paper investigates the impact of green construction procurement practices (GCPPs) on circular economy (CE) success by identifying environmentally sustainable procurement practices that can promote a CE in the construction industry. The goal was to promote circularity in construction through GCPPs.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research approach was adopted and purposively selected 100 respondents for a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Data from the questionnaire survey were analysed using mean score ranking, One-sample t-test and regression analysis.FindingsThe study found that using on-site systematic waste management, project stakeholder commitment and support for green practices and environmental requirements in technical specifications, significantly impact CE success in construction, with a 12.8% variance in CE when green procurement is practised. This implies that GCPPs have positive repercussions on CE success, where the CE success is expected to change as GCPPs levels increase.Practical implicationsThe study provides insights into green procurement, promoting its use in infrastructure development and aiding clients, particularly in the government sector with insights into the challenges and practices involved in green procurement. Practitioners can also benefit from better implementing CE strategies to draft and manage contracts for infrastructure projects that prioritize circularity.Originality/valueThe limited impact of GCPPs on advancing CE principles in construction suggests policy and practice must strengthen procurement requirements to fully leverage spending and drive the sector’s transition towards a circular model. Also, novel insight is provided into the most effective types of GCPPs for promoting CE success, aiding policymakers in optimizing construction procurement strategies.

Voices from the Workplace: Exploring Communication Practices in an Engineering Firm through an Interview-Based Study

Effective communication is crucial for organizational success. This study explores communication practices within an engineering firm, to understand how communication models impact project dynamics and stakeholder relationships. We adopted a qualitative approach, conducting face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with employees and executives. The firm’s unique approach to construction projects makes it an ideal case study for understanding how communication influences this field. This research aims to unravel the communication culture within the firm, including formal and informal communication channels, and how these practices affect workplace stability and effectiveness using communication models from past researchers, such as Organizational Culture Theory, the Transactional Communication Model, and the Interactive Communication Model. The findings can help reshape communication strategies in construction, fostering better stakeholder relationships and project success. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on communication in engineering workplaces by providing insights into communication practices and their impact on an organization's efficiency and stakeholder dynamics.

Societal drivers for the integration of hydrogeomorphology and human benefits in river restoration projects

AbstractIntegrating hydrogeomorphological (HGM) principles into the restoration of degraded rivers can achieve sustainable results and provide various human benefits. HGM principles mainly involve understanding the context and processes that shape a fluvial system before any intervention, in order to support its dynamism and to align with its potential functioning and uses. Despite recent management approaches inspired by HGM principles, most restoration projects carried out in Quebec (Canada) are not process‐based and target specific one‐dimensional objectives. Although there is an overall lack of post‐project monitoring, several projects appear to have failed or had mixed success. This research aims to shed light on the diversity of societal drivers behind river restoration projects and to examine how they influence the integration of HGM principles and human benefits. Four restoration projects were characterized through participant observation and interviews with the organizations running them. Representatives of two ministries involved in river restoration and management were also interviewed. The results show that projects were mainly shaped by public acceptance disregarding HGM principles, which can lead to poorly‐informed action. Project funding and stakeholders' expertise have also challenged project implementation and played a key role in defining their objectives. The addition of these components improve the current analytical frameworks for identifying river restoration objectives. Depending on specific sociocultural, political and legislative contexts, funding programs and stakeholders' expertise may either facilitate or restrict the integration of HGM principles and human benefits in the projects. Recognizing these key drivers reframes river restoration as a fundamentally social activity and enlightens how they could impel innovative approaches towards more sustainable results.

Assessing the Community Centers Project Using the B4SI Global Standard

Local artist exhibitions, children’s workshops, author-led tours, festive gatherings, and much more — all within walking distance from home... Stores serve as hubs where the paths of diverse individuals intersect, thus serving as community centers. In our coverage, we delve into how the ongoing efforts of the community center network within these stores cultivate neighborliness and mutual aid, assess the project’s impact on local communities and businesses, and highlight significant outcomes for key project stakeholders.

Evolutionary game and system dynamics for analysis on stakeholder strategies of regional high-speed rail project in investment decision stage

This paper studies the strategic choices under the conflict among stakeholders of regional high-speed rail project at the investment decision stage in the context of the ‘high-speed rail controversy’. This study develops a tripartite evolutionary game model among the central government, the local government and China Railway, analyzes the evolutionary stability strategy, discusses the influence of multiple factors on the choice of tripartite strategy, and further calculates and analyzes the stability of the equilibrium point in the tripartite evolutionary game system. Then the dynamic change trend of strategy choice brought by the change of each factor is investigated through system dynamics simulation. The results show that the lower the intervention cost and reward to the other two parties, and the increase of the opportunity cost of non-intervention and punishment to the other two parties, the faster the convergence of the central government's choice of intervention strategy. The increase of the rewards and punishments, and the increase of negotiation profits, non-negotiation costs, and loss of reputation for non-negotiation, and the decrease in the negotiation costs and non-negotiation profits all contribute to the shortening of the convergence time of the local government's choice of negotiation strategy. The increase of the rewards and punishments, the increase of support profits, the loss of reputation for non-support, and the decrease of the profits for non-support and the extra cost for support will promote the convergence of China Railway's choice of the support strategy. Finally, the simulation results are discussed so as to target feasible coordination strategies, which provides a theory basis for the practice of conflict coordination among stakeholders of regional high-speed rail project at the investment decision stage.

Research on the Driving Factors for the Application of Energy Performance Contracting in Public Institutions

Building energy efficiency in public institutions is crucial for achieving energy conservation and emissions reduction goals. The application of energy performance contracting (EPC) can effectively reduce energy consumption in these buildings and promote the development of the energy-saving service industry. However, there is a lack of initiative among public institutions to adopt EPC. This study aims to investigate the factors that drive the intention and behavior of public institutions to apply EPC and enhance their proactive engagement in building energy efficiency retrofitting. By considering the current status of EPC application in public institutions and drawing on relevant decision-making and behavioral theories, this paper identifies the key factors that drive the intention and behavior of public institutions, and constructs a theoretical model of the intentional and behavioral driving factors. In the empirical testing phase, research data are collected through online questionnaires. Structural equation modeling is employed to validate and analyze the extent of the driving factors and their interrelationships. The key findings are that (1) perceived usefulness, trust, and perceived risk significantly drive the behavior intention of public institutions to apply EPC; (2) perceived behavioral control and perceived ease of use significantly positively drive the behavior of public institutions, with behavior intention being the most influential factor; and (3) policy system and organizational support play a significant moderating role in the process from intention to behavior. Based on these findings, this paper proposes the critical tasks and suggests countermeasures for stakeholders in EPC projects.