Vietnamese Construction Industry Research Articles

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.

National and international standards used for design of RC structures in Vietnam

In recent 65 years, Vietnamese construction industry have had great achievements and outstanding developments. Many high-rise buildings and super structures have been built and put into operations, serving well the demands of people and society. Most of buildings were made by concrete, and designed based on the Vietnamese or the foreign standards (e.g. the US, the European or the Chinese codes etc.). Studying and comparing of these standards can possibly provide good understanding for the designers regarding to the legality, the scientific basis and the practicality of the codes (especially for those international codes, due to not being familiar to the Vietnamese engineers). In addition, it may help the engineers to choose the standard in the design when needed. This can also be good experiences for the revision or preparations of the Vietnam design standards later in the future.

Assessment of corporate social responsibility performance for Vietnamese construction organizations

Purpose Corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance is critical to address construction activities’ environmental and social impacts. This study aims to evaluate the level of CSR implementation across various categories within the context of the Vietnamese construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The literature review and semi-structured interviews were conducted to determine Vietnamese construction organizations’ most commonly implemented CSR activities. A total of 252 valid responses were then obtained through a questionnaire survey. In addition, the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method was used to evaluate the extent to which CSR categories have been implemented in construction companies. Findings The findings revealed 31 commonly implemented CSR activities of the Vietnamese construction firms, which were grouped into four categories. Of the four categories, the FSE analysis showed that stakeholder CSR was the most critical category, followed by ethical CSR, philanthropic CSR and environmental CSR. Originality/value This research provides valuable CSR activities to construction companies that intend to develop sustainably. Moreover, the proposed prioritization methodology offers practitioners a reliable and easy-to-use evaluation tool that clearly understands CSR performance within their organizations.

Driving Factors for Green Innovation in Vietnamese Construction Enterprises

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the influences of different factors on green innovation in Vietnamese construction enterprises. Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework is built upon the resource-based view, the model of organizational innovation, and stakeholder theory. Design/methodology/approach: The research carries out a literature survey related to construction enterprises, then empirical analysis is conducted among 450 employees and managers at all level working in this field with the results analyzed using Cronbach’s Alpha analysis, exploratory factor analysis, pearson correlation analysis, linear regression analysis and One - way ANOVA analysis. Findings: The results demonstrate that using renewable energy is well represented for green innovation in the Vietnamese construction industry and quantitative results also show positive impacts of all factors studied on green innovation: Green dynamic capabilities, Green creativity, Green knowledge sharing, Corporate environmental ethics, Pressure from industry competitors and regulators. In addition, the result affirmed there are statistically significant differences in the level of green innovation between construction enterprises of size and age, but not types of firm. Research, Practical & Social implications: The study proposes solutions for both enterprises and regulators – one of the external stakeholders to develop green innovation in the construction sector.

Interrelationships among enabling factors for BIM adoption in construction enterprises

PurposeThis study aims to identify the enabling factors for Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption in Vietnamese construction enterprises and uncover their interrelationships. This will help stakeholders focus on controlling and allocating resources (time, personnel, and costs) appropriately to adopt BIM and differentiate themselves from fierce competition in the architectural, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study first identifies and evaluates 32 enabling factors for applying BIM in the Vietnamese construction industry according to the TOE extended framework. Afterwards, a hybrid questionnaire survey using a convenient sampling method is conducted to capture stakeholders' views. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique are then applied to identify the constructs of the enabling factors and their interrelationships.FindingsThe study extracts six constructs that could have a significant impact on the adoption of BIM in construction enterprises, namely: technical feasibility (TF), human resources and management (HRM), company business vision (CBV), political environment (PE), economic viability (EV), and legal aspects (LA). Based on eleven proposed hypotheses, the analysis results confirm nine hypotheses and show that the HRM, TF, and CBV have the strongest effects on managers in evaluating the factors for BIM.Originality/valueThe results of the study fill the gap in knowledge by discovering the interrelationships among the enabling factors for BIM adoption in construction enterprises. The results might support the construction enterprises and their stakeholders in increasing the application of BIM, and digital transformation in construction industry.

WITHDRAWN: Factors influencing construction technology adoption in residential projects at Vietnam

Globally, construction firms have adopted construction technologies (CT) which have emerged as powerful tools that can be used to work more efficiently. Historically, Vietnam’s construction has failed to adopt CT in comparison to other countries with similar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, which has resulted in lower productivity. Objectively, this research is threefold: (1) To review the studies to date in CT adoption and identify the challenges reported by authors in previous studies (2) To critically analyze the adoption of CT in construction projects in Vietnam and (3) To propose data driven solutions to facilitate the adoption of CT in Vietnamese construction projects and countries with similar GDP per capita. A comprehensive literature review was conducted and a total of 215 articles were shortlisted for the study. Using the information from previous studies and experts in the construction industry, a questionnaire was designed, and a survey was carried out in Vietnamese construction industry to identify the extent of adoption of CT tools, barriers, drivers, and the most popular CT tools. Autodesk, Microsoft Office and Primavera were the top three CT tools. (1) Unknown impact on productivity, (2) Late implementation of software in construction projects, (3) Lack of understanding on importance and needs in construction industry (4) Lack of funds during budget planning for technological advances and implementation (5) Lack of experts required for technological change and insufficient skills in the industry were identified as the most influential factors in Vietnamese context. From the study made, the authors have provided data driven solutions that can be implemented in Vietnam and all countries facing similar challenges in adoption of CT. Previous studies have not successfully been able to provide important and realistic solutions that can improve the adoption of CT. This study adds to the body of knowledge by identifying the barriers which keep evolving over time. Lastly, to propose data driven solutions that can push the boundaries of CT adoption in construction industry worldwide.

Measuring Work Autonomy and Its Role in Enhancing Labour Productivity: The Case of the Vietnamese Construction Industry

Work autonomy (WA) is an important factor in improving work performance, yet such freedom and its role in construction workforce management have rarely been discussed. To address this gap, this study quantitatively measured the WA of onsite construction workers in Vietnam, developed a new model by which to discover the function of WA in increasing construction labour productivity (CLP) and determined the ways through which WA can be cultivated and maintained. The WA of 215 workers was measured using the relative autonomy index (RAI) and an aggregated motivation index (AMI) that was developed in this research. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted to examine the effects of WA on CLP. The SEM results indicated that WA positively and significantly contributed to CLP. Promoting WA required paying attention to the competence and relatedness satisfaction of the workers. Furthermore, latent and potentially extensive labour management-related problems were identified, namely, unsuccessful career development and the underutilisation of experienced workers. Three meaningful policy recommendations were put forward to solve the aforementioned problems and improve CLP: the effective organisation of crew members, the improvement of training and the improvement of site amenities. This study expands theoretical knowledge by (1) developing and justifying the AMI as an auxiliary to conventional indices, (2) proposing five conditions necessary for optimal scoring in WA measurement and (3) developing a motivation matrix that identifies and distinguishes the attributes of different groups. In practical terms, the findings support the introduction of reasonable policies that advance the career development of workers, promote WA and improve CLP. These achievements, in turn, significantly advance effective and sustainable construction workforce management.

ADOPTION OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING IN THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LIFE CYCLE: BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS

Introduction: Building Information Modeling (BIM) is characterized by potential benefits at many phases of the construction project life cycle. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted to evaluate the benefits of BIM adoption and implementation for project stakeholders in the Vietnamese construction industry context. Methods: This study aimed to identify and evaluate the benefits of BIM adoption and implementation in construction projects based on the perception of project stakeholders through data collection from 159 valid construction practitioners. The reliability and validity tests were performed to analyze collected data by SPSS 22 software. Results: The results demonstrated that four primary clusters of the project stakeholders received benefits when BIM was adopted in construction projects: architectural and structural design units (10 benefits), facility management units (8 benefits), contractors (6 benefits), and owners (6 benefits). These clusters accounted for 58.954%, 5.975%, 4.682%, and 3.736%, respectively, of the variance that characterized the benefits of BIM adoption. The findings indicated that ‘improve the quality of design drawings’, and ‘minimize conflicts/changes’ were the most significant BIM benefits for architectural and structural design units, whereas ‘convenient for managing project data’ and ‘easy planning and resource mobilization’ were the top benefits for facility management units. For contractors, ‘minimize construction errors’ and ‘construction cost saving’ were the most prominent benefits. Besides, BIM brought owners such striking benefits as ‘maximize project performance’ and ‘easier to choose investment options’.

Evolutionary Model of e-Procurement Adoption: A Case of the Vietnam Construction Industry

In order to propose more effective solutions to improve the diffusion of e-procurement technologies in the construction sector, it is very important to get a better understanding on the practical evolutionary process of e-procurement adoption at the enterprise level. This cases-study seeks to investigate the strategic evolution of e-procurement adoption in construction companies. Data collected from in-depth semi-structured interviews was analyzed by within-case and cross-case analyses to understand well the similarities and differences between the company cases regarding the way e-procurement technologies have been adopting and implementing. The present study found out a six-stage evolutionary model of e-procurement implementation specific for the context of Vietnamese construction industry. Further, it also proposed the best practical solutions for the casesstudied as well as for the general context toward more collaborative e-procurement environment. Although this study is based on the experience of the construction section in a specific country, it is believed its results may be applicable to other developing countries. Using the evolutionary model developed, construction companies are able to self-assess and locate their e-procurement adoption level, and so that establish appropriate practical solutions to move forward a higher level of e-procurement applicability.

Competence-Targeted Education for BIM Professionals: A Case Example of the Vietnamese Construction Industry

Competence-Targeted Education for BIM Professionals: A Case Example of the Vietnamese Construction Industry

Contractor's Attitude towards Risk and Risk Management in Construction in Two Western Provinces of Vietnam

Risk management is an important task in construction management that helps the contractor to actively identify, evaluate, control, and minimize negative impacts of risks on the project, thereby ensuring its effectiveness. People involved in the construction industry need to be well - equipped with information and knowledge to manage risks adequately and systematically. The purpose of this research is to explore the attitude towards risk and risk management in construction projects of the Vietnamese construction industry, with emphasis on the perspective of contractors. The research data are collected through a questionnaire associated with in-depth semi-structured interviews. The results indicate that the perception of risk within the Vietnamese construction industry includes both threats and opportunities. The majority of professionals in the industry have a risk-neutral approach, contrary to previous research. The importance of implementing effective risk management is shared, in the planning and production phase while risk identification was perceived to be the most important out of the four core processes.

SOLUTIONS FOR PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALUE ENGINEERING IN THE VIETNAMESE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Nowadays, Value Engineering (VE) is being widely practiced in many countries around the world. However, its concepts and applications do not seem to be well embraced in the Vietnamese construction industry. This study aims to seek solutions for promoting the development of VE in the Vietnamese construction industry. Most of the previous studies gave solutions in deficiencies and lack of analysis. On the basis of literature review and interviews with experts during the pilot test of the study at the initial stage, fifteen solutions were identified. A questionnaire survey was then conducted to rate the effective degree of the fifteen solutions. This study revealed six most effective solutions that should be taken with first priorities to promote the VE development. Additionally, the factor analysis method was applied to investigate the correlation effects of the solutions, which resulted in four core factors representing the solutions, namely, positive interest from government and construction stakeholders; education about VE; presence of VE organizations in the construction industry; and interaction with the outside world. The findings of the study are expected to bring the most effective solutions to promote the development of VE in the Vietnamese construction industry.

IDENTIFYING CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR CONSTRUCTION PARTNERING IN VIETNAM

Partnering has been applied in the Vietnamese construction industry for several recent years, due to many new challenges emanating from the global integration and economic booming. This paper focuses on critical success factors (CSFs) for partnering in the Vietnamese construction industry. Using mean score method, this paper identifies six key CSFs for partnering in Vietnamese construction, including financial security, commitment from top management, mutual trust between parties, adequate resources, effective communication, and clear understanding about scope and objectives. Using factor analysis technique, eight underlying components for partnering in Vietnamese construction are extracted, including dedication, readiness, coordination, teamwork, sufficiency, leading, balance, and clearness. The findings could provide construction practitioners with useful information for deploying partnering in the Vietnamese construction industry and, hence, increase the chance of partnering success.

Critical Success Factors and a Contractual Framework for Construction Projects Adopting Building Information Modeling in Vietnam

The application of building information modeling (BIM) in the Vietnamese construction industry is still in its early stage, both in perception and practice. This leads to a necessity of an effective legal system and standards for BIM implementation. In this study, a systematic literature review was conducted, including relevant references from journals, conference proceedings, and graduate-level theses published from 2008 to date, to identify legal issues and their potential solutions. The identified legal issues were analyzed in relation to the Vietnamese construction sector, and then verified and assessed through a survey. Both Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were applied to rank the BIM legal issues. The findings show that the most significant barrier in adopting BIM is the lack of consistency and participation of stakeholders in the BIM implementation process. Expert interview was conducted to evaluate the solutions for BIM legal issues in the Vietnamese construction market. Through surveys and expert interviews, various legal issues, risks, and barriers associated with the adoption of BIM in the Vietnamese construction industry were identified and addressed. Information about BIM contract awareness and experiences was also revealed, which would help verify the risks affecting the parties in a BIM-inclusive construction project, as well as those affecting information exchange and intellectual property rights in Vietnam. Finally, the paper suggests a set of critical success factors and a contractual framework that would lead to a successful BIM-inclusive construction contract in Vietnam.

Using AHP technique to evaluate the situation of construction e-procurement institutionalization

This study focuses on evaluating the situation of e-procurement institutionalization in the construction industry under three perspectives including internal organization, operational clusters, and industrial supports. Data collected by in-depth structured interviews with key managers from within a sample of 31 Vietnamese construction firms was analyzed to assign weights to measures through the AHP technique. The results can be used by business managers to build an effective action plan toward e-procurement sophistication and by government policy makers to formulate targeted supportive programs for e-procurement in the Vietnamese construction industry.

What do Vietnamese executives understand corporate social responsibility?

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) literature in developing countries is seriously meager. This paper explores CSR in the Vietnamese construction industry which has faced many scandals and directed attention toward the question of the responsibilities of these businesses. The study employs the CSR definition documented by Carroll (1979; 1991) to develop a framework for exploring executives’ perceptions towards CSR. Using Carroll’s CSR pyramid and adopting in-depth interview as a method to collect data, the study critically examines the personal understanding of managers in nine companies in the construction industry. The findings show that although Vietnam is a developing country, managers are aware of the significance of environmental issue as a responsibility that businesses must address. Moreover, the managers also believe that corporate contributions to society, and corporate reputation and prestige, are expectations of society. Despite many breakthroughs in executives’ understanding of CSR, they are not sufficiently and systematically aware of CSR and need a stronger supports, such as issuing appropriate policies, from government in adopting CSR in real business practice.

Assessment of Contractors’ Claims on Construction Projects in Vietnam

Background:Claims have increasingly become inevitable in construction projects. A great amount of money, time, and merit of claims are the most critical factors that prudent companies should not overlook.Objective:The objective of the study is to survey claim practices in the Vietnamese construction industry by collecting data from both contractors and consultants.Material and Methods:This paper presents findings that the lack of awareness of the on-site people is the major problem of claims management. Moreover, the inadequacy of supporting evidence, originating from the unawareness of personnel as well as improper documentation system, is also a serious problem causing the loss of chances to recover incurred damages.Conclusion:To overcome these problems, it is recommended that the management should pay more attention to these aspects in order to have effective claim management, by which unnecessary losses could substantially be reduced and deserving compensation would be recovered.

Performance Evaluation in Strategic Alliances: A Case of Vietnamese Construction Industry

Construction industry in Vietnam is concerned as one of the most crucial industries which contributes a large portfolio in the development of country. However, the competitive situation in the current market issued a challenge to construction enterprises which required an optimal business management. Hence, in this research, performance evaluation is constructed by applying the up-to-date data envelopment analysis method assisting firms to determine the efficiency and seek for the potential strategic alliances. Grey forecasting model—GM (1,1) is manipulated to predict the statistical data based on the consecutive past data, which gives managers a further vision on potential development. A number of decision-making units (construction companies) are carefully selected from the stock exchange markets performing the similar tasks (nearly 70% total revenue spent on construction work). Besides, the super-SBM method is conveyed to supplement the DEA model in ranking efficiency to point out the best DMU corresponding to the highest performance score. The targeted company is then highly recommended to cooperate with the efficient company in terms of strategic alliances. The result of this study found that the number of efficient companies and the order of ranking change annually. Some suggestions and discussion are mentioned here on how to improve more precisely the performance in the future based on the integration of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Grey theory model.

Linking knowledge enabling factors to organizational performance: Empirical study of project-based firms

Good organizational performance of project-based firms (e.g. consultants and contractors) could significantly contribute to the development of the construction industry in many developing countries. This study mainly aims to link knowledge enabling factors (KEFs) to various organizational performance outcomes (OPOs) of project-based firms. Through a questionnaire survey, data about KEFs and OPOs are collected from project-based firms in the Vietnamese construction industry. First, the performance degree of KEFs in project-based firms is explored using mean score method. Then, the linkage between KEFs and OPOs is explored using regression analysis. Accordingly, various shortlists of important KEFs that may significantly affect various organizational performance aspects measured by different OPOs are identified. Some key KEFs that may have a significant effect on many OPOs are also highlighted. The results of this study may provide project-based firms with some useful information about the effects of KEFs on various organizational performance aspects. Hence, project-based firms could formulate appropriate KEFs-based management strategies to improve various organizational performance aspects effectively.

External stakeholder strategic actions in projects: A multi-case study

Although understanding external stakeholders' influence is important to achieving success, little attention has been paid to their influence strategies in project management. This paper aims to explore combinations of actions that external stakeholders normally pursue to influence construction projects, and to hypothesise factors affecting the use of these combinations. A theoretical framework of stakeholder strategic actions was proposed and applied, and a multiple-case study in the Vietnamese construction industry was employed. Three combinations of influence strategies were identified: communication and credibility building were employed concurrently by organised groups in projects affecting the environment; direct action and conflict escalation were exerted together by unorganised groups in cases leading to displacements of the locals; and coalition building was combined with communication by both groups irrespective of projects' impacts. The utilisation of a combination can be affected by the selection of lobbying actions and characteristics of individual strategies, and stakeholders' motives, attributes and perceptions.