scholarly journals Economic challenges: Conceptual framework on factors affecting construction cost during COVID-19 pandemic in malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 881 (1) ◽  
pp. 012020
Author(s):  
N.A. Abdullah ◽  
I.F. Mohd Kamar ◽  
N.A. Mustapa ◽  
A Che Ahmad ◽  
M.N. Abdullah ◽  
...  

Abstract Various studies have found that COVID-19 pandemic impacts on a country’s economy through several channels, including the construction sector. The construction sector, which has always been a big growth generator for the economy, has also been completely shut down. Construction stakeholders are facing a several of the issues as the construction costs keep increasing as a result of the workplace safety and health compliance, suspension and termination of the project, and productivity loss. Accordingly, this paper attempted to propose a conceptual framework on the factors affecting construction cost during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. Almost all evidence from the literature shows that project completion, supply chain and regulatory compliance are the main factors that need to take heed of by the construction players during COVID-19 pandemic. Significantly, all these three components have the potential as the contributors to the increment of construction costs during COVID-19 pandemic.

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nii O Attoh-Okine

This paper presents the application of belief networks to make inferences in highway construction costs. The methodology is evolving; it works very well when sufficient information and incomplete quantitative data are available. It is an attempt to identify the extent of influence of selected variables on highway construction costs. Belief networks are an expressive graphical language for representing uncertain knowledge about causal and associational relations among construction cost variables. This then provides a graphical representation of probabilistic construction cost models. The graph-theoretic framework of the belief lends itself for modeling probabilistic dependence and flow information between different construction costs and related variables in overall highway construction cost determination.Key words: construction costs, belief networks, graphical models, uncertainty, and Bayesian network.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puma Sundaresan ◽  
Martin R. Stockler ◽  
Christopher G. Milross

Objectives Optimal radiation therapy (RT) utilisation rates (RURs) have been defined for various cancer indications through extensive work in Australia and overseas. These benchmarks remain unrealised. The gap between optimal RUR and actual RUR has been attributed to inadequacies in ‘RT access’. We aimed to develop a conceptual framework for the consideration of ‘RT access’ by examining the literature for existing constructs and translating it to the context of RT services. We further aimed to use this framework to identify and examine factors influencing ‘RT access’. Methods Existing models of health care access were reviewed and used to develop a multi-dimensional conceptual framework for ‘RT access’. A review of the literature was then conducted to identify factors reported to affect RT access and utilisation. The electronic databases searched, the host platform and date range of the databases searched were Ovid MEDLINE, 1946 to October 2014 and PsycINFOvia OvidSP,1806 to October 2014. Results The framework developed demonstrates that ‘RT access’ encompasses opportunity for RT as well as the translation of this opportunity to RT utilisation. Opportunity for RT includes availability, affordability, adequacy (quality) and acceptability of RT services. Several factors at the consumer, referrer and RT service levels affect the translation of this opportunity for RT to actual RT utilisation. Conclusion ‘Access’ is a term that is widely used in the context of health service related research, planning and political discussions. It is a multi-faceted concept with many descriptions. We propose a conceptual framework for the consideration of ‘RT access’ so that factors affecting RT access and utilisation may be identified and examined. Understanding these factors, and quantifying them where possible, will allow objective evaluation of their impact on RT utilisation and guide implementation of strategies to modify their effects. What is known about the topic? It is well documented that the use of RT in Australia is well below evidence-based benchmarks. The shortfall in the use of RT has been attributed to problems with access to treatment services. Although considerable attention has been directed (rightly) towards addressing infrastructure needs, access to RT is more than just supply of services. There is currently no specific framework for RT access to comprehensively consider and examine other factors influencing the use of RT. The existing international literature addresses some of the influencing factors. However, there is a need for a detailed review of all actual and potential influencers of RT utilisation. What does this paper add? This paper presents a conceptual framework for the specific consideration of access to RT. A detailed review of various factors affecting access and utilisation of RT has been performed using the aforementioned conceptual framework. To our knowledge this is the first such review and hence we are confident that it adds to the existing international literature on this subject. What are the implications for practitioners? The topic of improving consumers’ access to RT is of relevance locally, in Australia, as well as internationally. We feel that the RT access framework proposed herein will be of interest and use to those involved in health services research, delivery and policy, especially those involved with the planning and delivering of cancer services. In addition to compiling evidence on the subject, the review of factors influencing RT utilisation highlights and proposes areas for future translational and implementation research in the areas of health services and treatment-related decision making.


Ergonomics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 548-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Carayon ◽  
Peter Hancock ◽  
Nancy Leveson ◽  
Ian Noy ◽  
Laerte Sznelwar ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
Hong Xiao ◽  
David Proverbs

Construction cost is a major concern to both clients and contractors. Based on a hypotheticalconstruction project (a six-storey concrete framed office building), cost and otherrelated information was collected through a survey of contractors in Japan, the UK and theUS. Using multiple regression analysis it was found that lower overheads, less prefabricatedcomponents, and fewer design variations could reduce construction cost. Overheadslargely represent indirect costs to contractors and if reduced can lead to increased profitlevels and improved competitiveness. The use of prefabricated components may be problematicwhere there are delays in production, insufficient coordination between design andconstruction, and congested transportation on site. Design variations during constructionbring about uncertainties and are disruptive to the construction process. These factorshave paramount impact on construction cost and demand close attention and consideration.Contractors are advised to reduce the costs of their overheads and utilise prefabricationappropriately, while clients and designers should minimise the number of designvariations during construction if better cost performance is desired.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 3997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thadeu Rodrigues de Melo ◽  
Tiago Santos Telles ◽  
Walquiria Silva Machado ◽  
João Tavares Filho

Vinasse is a potassium-rich waste generated in large amounts by the ethanol production that, applied in the soil, can promote changes in water dispersible clay and in its physical quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clay dispersion of Oxisols after vinasse application and correlate it with some chemical attributes. Samples were collected in two Oxisols (155 and 471 g of clay kg-1), put in pots, received dosages of vinasse (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 m3 ha-1) and remained incubated during 120 days. Phosphorous, organic carbon, pH H2O, pH KCl, pH CaCl2, Al3+, H+Al3+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Delta pH and the proportion between monovalent and bivalent cations have been evaluated and correlated with the clay flocculation degree. Vinasse changed almost all chemical variables in both soils and increased the flocculation in the sandy soil, but did not change the clayey one. Delta pH, Mg2+ and K+ significantly correlated with the flocculation degree in the sandy soil. It is possible to conclude that the dispersive effect of K+ added by vinasse are irrelevant, considering the flocculant effect caused by the increment in Mg2+ and Delta pH after vinasse application.


2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Abid ◽  
Muhammad Shahid Khalil ◽  
Hafiz Abdul Wajid

Loss of pre-load with time, commonly known as ‘Relaxation’ is an established phenomena. Behaviour of a bolted joint depends upon the pre-load in the bolts in use, not the pre-load introduced by the mechanic. Loss of pre-load is expected due to the many factors such as embedment relaxation, gasket creep, elastic interactions, and vibration loosening or stress relaxation. In a gasketed joint, due to the gasket flexibility, relaxation is always substantial during preliminary passes, as 80 to 100% loss is not uncommon in almost all the bolts, resulting in a dynamic behaviour. Pre-load in a gasketed joint is stabilized and retained to certain extent in the final passes only. In a non-gasketed joint, due to no gasket and no rotation its static behaviour is concluded. This paper highlights the factors affecting the amount of relaxation with time and presents important considerations that can reduce this. Both the short and long term relaxations are recorded and a ‘best fit’ model for relaxation behaviour is derived.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-250
Author(s):  
Dinh Hiep ◽  
Vu V. Huy ◽  
Teppei Kato ◽  
Aya Kojima ◽  
Hisashi Kubota

Introduction: One of the significant characteristics of schools in Vietnam is that almost all parents send their children to school and/or pick up their children from school using private vehicles (motorcycles). The parents usually stop and park their vehicle on streets outside the school gates, which can lead to serious congestion and increases the likelihood of traffic accidents. Methods: The objective of this study is to find out factors affecting the picking up of pupils at primary school by evaluating the typical primary schools in Hanoi city. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine factors that influence the decision of picking up pupils and the waiting duration of parents. The behavior of motorcyclists during the process of picking up pupils at the primary school gate has been identified and analyzed in detail by the Kinovea software. Results and Discussion: The study showed that, on the way back home, almost all parents use motorbikes (89.15%) to pick up their children. During their waiting time (8.48 minutes in average), they made a lot of illegal parking actions on the street there by, causing a lot of “cognitive” errors and “crash” points surrounding in front of the primary school entrance gate. Risky picking-up behaviors were significantly observed, i.e. picking-up on opposite side of the school, making a U-turn, backing-up dangerously, parking on the middle of street, and parking on the street next to sidewalk). Conclusion: Based on the analyzed results, several traffic management measures have been suggested to enhance traffic safety and reduce traffic congestion in front of school gates. In addition, the results of the study will provide a useful reference for policymakers and authorities.


Ruminants ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-73
Author(s):  
Zeinab Hatami ◽  
Richard A. Laven ◽  
Saeid Jafari-Gh. ◽  
Mahdi Moazez-Lesko ◽  
Pegah Soleimani ◽  
...  

Preventing the spread of diseases between and within farms (biosecurity) is essential for minimizing animal mortality and morbidity, as well as for reducing the risk of spread of zoonotic diseases. These effects are even greater in countries such as Iran, which have to deal with multiple ongoing epidemics of infectious disease. However, there is currently no published information about biosecurity practices on sheep and goat farms in Iran in published research. The aim of this study was to collect such information and to identify some of the factors affecting biosecurity practices. Data were gathered using a checklist and in-depth interviews with 99 nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists. Regression analysis was used to identify the relationships between the collected variables and the biosecurity scores. The results showed that neither within- nor between-farm disease prevention measures were appropriately applied on most farms (median total score of total biosecurity was 37.3/90; Q1 = 29.0 and Q3 = 44.7). Almost all the farmers reported slaughtering animals on farms and nobody properly disposed of the bodies of the dead animals. Additionally, the majority of the participants did not disinfect the umbilical cords of newborns. Of the collected variables, the annual mortality rate was associated with most within-farm biosecurity practices. The increase in annual mortality rates was associated with the regular cleaning of troughs (p = 0.03), preventing feed and water from being contaminated by urine and feces (p = 0.02), providing a clean and dry place for animals to rest (p = 0.05) and disinfecting the navel cord (p = 0.03). The results of this survey suggest that there is a clear need for extension programs to enhance Iranian and sheep and goat farmers’ perceptions and practices regarding biosecurity measures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bostjan Sumak ◽  
Marjan Hericko ◽  
Zoran Budimac ◽  
Maja Pusnik

E-business technology is becoming one of the most important global markets where e-business solutions will have to adapt to new technologies. The main objective in this study was to synthesize existing knowledge in the field of e-business technology acceptance and to understand differences in Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) related causal effect sizes for different e-business contexts. A quantitative meta-analysis of existing empirical research about factors affecting e-business adoption was conducted using 89 published papers that provided empirical data about causal relationships. A moderator analysis was carried out to investigate the moderating effect of four factors: consumer type, device type, continent and respondent type. The results of the study showed a moderating effect for all four proposed factors in almost all TAM-related causal paths. The study also showed that TAM is the most common theory being applied in e-business adoption research.


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