scholarly journals Effects of weather conditions on concrete work task productivity – a questionnaire survey

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Larsson ◽  
Martin Rudberg
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Pairwise Comparisons ◽  
Concrete Construction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Productivity ◽  
Weather Factor ◽  
Work Tasks

Purpose This paper aims to study the effects of different weather conditions on typical concrete work tasks’ productivity. Weather is one important factor that has a negative impact on construction productivity. Knowledge about how weather affects construction works is therefore important for the construction industry, e.g. during planning and execution of construction projects. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey method is used involving means to perform pairwise comparisons of different weather factors according to the analytical hierarchical process (AHP). The survey also contains means to enable assessment of the loss in productivity for typical work tasks exposed to different weather types. The survey targets practitioners involved in Swedish concrete construction projects, and the results are compared with previous research findings. Findings The survey covers responses from 232 practitioners with long experience of concrete construction. The pairwise comparisons reveal that practitioners rank precipitation as the most important followed by wind and temperature. The loss in productivity varies significantly (from 0 to 100%) depending on the type of work and the type of weather factor considered. The results partly confirm findings reported in previous research but also reveal a more complex relationship between weather and productivity indicating several underlying influencing factors such as type of work, type of weather (e.g. rain or snow) and the intensity of each weather factor. Originality/value This paper presents new data about how 232 practitioners assess the effects of weather on construction productivity involving novel means to perform objective rankings such as the AHP methodology.

Aspects of project learning in construction: a socio-technical model

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Mohammed Alashwal ◽  
Hamzah Abdul-Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Latent Variable ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Path Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Measurement Models ◽  
Project Learning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the measurement constructs of learning within construction projects' milieu. The literature indicated some mechanisms of learning in projects under four aspects, namely knowledge sharing, knowledge creation, team action to learn, and learning support. The empirical study attempts to verify whether intra-project learning can be measured through these aspects. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a survey method to collect the data from 36 mega-sized building projects in Malaysia. In total, 203 questionnaires were collected from professionals working in the sites of these projects. The data were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the constructs of intra-project learning. Partial least squares-path modeling was used then to confirm the results of PCA and determine the contribution of each construct to intra-project learning. Findings – The results affirmed two constructs of intra-project learning, named, social and technical and each consisted of four indicators of learning. Originality/value – The paper emphasized the socio-technical perspective of learning and contributed to developing a hierarchical measurement model of learning in construction project. A project manager can propose new initiatives in response to the new perspective of learning for team building and continuous development. Lastly, the paper provides a comprehensive presentation of how to estimate the hierarchical measurement models of project learning as a latent variable.

Productivity monitoring in building construction projects: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesam Salah Alaloul ◽  
Khalid M. Alzubi ◽  
Ahmad B. Malkawi ◽  
Marsail Al Salaheen ◽  
Muhammad Ali Musarat
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Productivity ◽  
Automated Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Tools ◽  
Meta Analyses

PurposeThe unique nature of the construction sector makes it fall behind other sectors in terms of productivity. Monitoring construction productivity is crucial for the construction project's success. Current practices for construction productivity monitoring are time-consuming, manned and error prone. Although previous studies have been implemented toward reducing these limitations, a gap still exists in the automated monitoring of construction productivity.Design/methodology/approachThis study aims to investigate and assess the different techniques used for monitoring productivity in building construction projects. Therefore, a mixed review methodology (bibliometric analysis and systematic review) was adopted. All the related publications were collected from different databases, which were further screened to get the most relevant based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria.FindingsA detailed review was performed, and it was found that traditional methods, computer vision-based and photogrammetry are the most adopted data acquisition for productivity monitoring of building projects, respectively. Machine learning algorithms (ANN, SVM) and BIM were integrated with monitoring tools and technologies to enhance the automated monitoring performance in construction productivity. Also, it was observed that current studies did not cover all the complex construction job sites and they were applied based on a small sample of construction workers and machines separately.Originality/valueThis review paper contributes to the literature on construction management by providing insight into different productivity monitoring techniques.

The impact of extreme weather on mass-participation sporting events

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-109
Author(s):  
Julia Kathryn Giddy
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Extreme Weather ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Sporting Events ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sport Events ◽  
Mass Participation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of extreme weather on tourism events through the perceptions of participants, using the case of the 2017 Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT). Design/methodology/approach This study utilized a survey method to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed online to would-be participants in the cancelled 2017 CTCT. The questionnaire included both fixed-response and open-ended questions. Findings The results show that participants experienced mixed emotions to event cancellation. Most felt that the weather conditions warranted cancellation, but some concerns emerged as to how the cancellation was managed. In addition, many felt that the organization of the race needs to be rethought due to numerous negative weather experiences in recent years. Research limitations/implications The findings in this study are exploratory. They focus on a single event in one city. However, they provide important initial insight into how sporting event participants react to the negative impacts of extreme weather. Practical implications These results have important management implications in addressing the impact of weather on the events sector. They are significant in understanding best practice with regard to managing participants in the case of weather impacts on an event. They also demonstrate interesting results with regard to participant loyalty among active sport events tourists. Originality/value The originality of this study is in its extension of the broad discussion of the impact of extreme weather and climate change on tourism to the events sector. The implications of changing weather and climatic patterns on events, particularly mass-participation sporting events, are clear and need to be considered in order to effectively manage future impacts on this important economic sector. This is done by providing insight into how participants respond to these types of circumstances.

Investigating the managerial ‘‘nuts and bolts’’ for the construction industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-348
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Boon Hui Yap ◽  
Ian Ni Chow
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Construction Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Planning And Control ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽  
And Control

PurposeManagerial shortfalls can considerably undermine the delivery performance of construction projects. This paper appraises the project management essentials (PMEs) for successful construction project delivery.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a detailed literature review, a questionnaire survey was developed encompassing 20 PMEs that were identified. An opinion questionnaire survey was used to facilitate data collection from key construction stakeholders in the Malaysian construction industry. The survey data were subjected to descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis.FindingsFindings indicated that the leading PMEs are competency of the project team, competency of project manager, good leadership, effective planning and control and realistic cost and time estimate. Spearman’s rank correlation tests affirmed a good agreement on the ranking of PMEs across stakeholder groups. The present study found that PMEs for construction have a total of four dimensions, namely: scope, communication and competence management; stakeholder commitment and collaborative engagement; construction time–cost planning and control; and environment, health, safety and quality management.Practical implicationsThe findings could potentially contribute to the development of appropriate project management best practices to address managerial shortfalls in Malaysia and other developing countries.Originality/valueThis paper bridges the identified knowledge gap about critical managerial dimensions for successful project management in construction. The present study adds to the existing body of knowledge around this under-explored area in the construction management literature.

scholarly journals Climate and construction delays: case study in Chile

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 596-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Ballesteros-Pérez ◽  
Maria Luisa del Campo-Hitschfeld ◽  
Manuel Alejandro González-Naranjo ◽  
Mari Carmen González-Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Weather Variables ◽  
Cost Overruns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Productivity ◽  
Outdoor Work ◽  
Standard Construction ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Construction projects usually suffer delays, and the causes of these delays and its cost overruns have been widely discussed, the weather being one of the most recurrent. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of climate on standard construction work activities through a case study. Design/methodology/approach – By studying the extent at which some weather variables impede outdoor work from being effectively executed, new maps and tables for planning for delays are presented. In addition, a real case regarding the construction of several bridges in southern Chile is analyzed. Findings – Few studies have thoroughly addressed the influences of major climatic agents on the most common outdoor construction activities. The method detailed here provides a first approximation for construction planners to assess to what extent construction productivity will be influenced by the climate. Research limitations/implications – Although this study was performed in Chile, the simplified method proposed is entirely transferable to any other country, however, other weather or combinations of weather variables could be needed in other environments or countries. Practical implications – The implications will help reducing the negative social, economic and environmental outcomes that usually emerge from project delays. Originality/value – Climatic data were processed using extremely simple calculations to create a series of quantitative maps and tables that would be useful for any construction planner to decide the best moment of the year to start a project and, if possible, where to build it.

scholarly journals Selection Criteria and the Related Sub-Criteria for the Selection of Standard Form of Contract for Construction Projects in Sarawak

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-39
Author(s):  
Ting Sim Nee ◽  
Chin Lin Wei
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Standard Form ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Local Construction ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Construction Works

Construction contract refers to an agreement which in enforced by law; standard form is printed form of contract to define responsibilities to various parties involved to complete the construction works. Malaysian construction industry relies essentially on a number of standard forms namely the JKR Sarawak Form of Contract, PWD 203A, PAM, IEM and CIDB forms to execute its construction projects. However, with the number of choices available and without a clear selection guide, selection of an appropriate standard form for the particular projects has hinged on the familiarity of the form users with the particular form. This study aims to identify the selection criteria that can be used for standard form selection. The study form looks into the current practice and how decisions are made to select the appropriate standard form. Selection criteria are identified and this research carried out verification works with local construction industry players via questionnaire survey method. Results from questionnaire survey also indicated that standard forms are usually predetermined by the client in tender stage. It is also shown that some of the respondents have limited exposure to certain standard forms of contract. With the selection criteria identified, it is hopeful that a selection guideline can be developed.

A study of business knowledge requirements for software projects

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debasisha Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Software Project ◽  
Software Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Requirements ◽  
Expertise Level

Purpose This paper aims to explore the expertise level required in various kinds of business knowledge such as regulatory, domain, strategic, operation process and, business process to execute globally distributed software projects for development, re-engineering and maintenance projects in the Indian outsourcing software industry. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a questionnaire survey method to collect the expert responses for a knowledge management framework which is suggested in the literature for software development work. The questionnaire survey findings were verified by expert interviews. Findings The research shows that there is a lot of similarity between re-engineering and maintenance projects for different kinds of business knowledge expertise requirements for execution. The development projects require higher expertise in all the business knowledge for execution. Research limitations/implications The research work studies the business knowledge required for the execution of development, re-engineering and maintenance projects in Indian outsourcing software projects. However, the project’s characteristics can vary drastically for a single kind of project. So the study cannot be generalized and instead should be used as a tool for learning. Practical implications The research findings can be used by software project managers to get insight into project planning, which can help the division of work between the onsite, offshore team and individual work allocation. Originality/value The research is novel as there are very few previous attempts to find the business expertise needed to execute various kinds of software projects in the Indian outsourcing industry.

Streamlining the management of payment delays: the case of Sri Lankan Government building construction projects

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
B.A.K.S. Perera ◽  
Kaveesha Gihani Dewagoda
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Approach ◽  
Implementing Strategies ◽  
Government Construction

Purpose Delayed payments have been long standing, pressing issue in construction projects, especially in Government-funded construction projects. The root causes and the consequences of delayed payments must be identified before implementing strategies to mitigate the consequences of such delayed payments. However, these causes and consequences and the parties responsible for managing the delayed payments have not been identified so far. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the management of payment delays in Government-funded construction projects. Design/methodology/approach The study used a mixed approach comprising four case studies and a questionnaire survey. The empirical data collected from the case studies and the questionnaire survey were analysed using manual content analysis and mean rating, respectively. Findings The study identified the most significant causes and the most significant consequences of delayed payments that occur in Government-funded construction projects. It also revealed the strategies that clients, consultants, contractors and other parties can adopt to mitigate the adverse consequences of such delayed payments. Originality/value This study identified the most significant causes of delayed payments in Government-funded construction projects, the most significant consequences of such delayed payments and the most suitable strategies the clients, consultants and contractors can adopt to mitigate the consequences of such delayed payments. Thus, this study supports streamlining the management of payment delays in Government construction projects and identifies the roles that different parties must play in managing payment delays in Government building projects, which is an under-researched area.

Intention to use mobile banking services: an Islamic banking customers’ perspective from Sri Lanka

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabraz Nawaz Samsudeen ◽  
Gunapalan Selvaratnam ◽  
Ahamed Hilmy Hayathu Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
Banking Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderating Variables

Purpose This paper aims to identify the determinants of the intention to use mobile banking services among Islamic Banking customers in Sri Lanka. The study was carried out based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT 2). The predictor variables of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and habit were used to predict the variable of behavioural intention to use. The moderating variables entail age, gender and experience. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative method with questionnaire survey was used. Data collection relied on the questionnaire survey method of which items were derived and adapted from past literatures. The responses were captured using the seven-point Likert scale. The study population consisted of Islamic Banking customers in Sri Lanka. A total of 594 questionnaires were returned of which 582 were found usable for analysis. Data analysis was conducted using the partial least square structural equation modelling along with SmartPLS 3. Findings The analysis results demonstrated the significant effect of all the variables on the Islamic Banking customers’ intention to use m-banking services along with the significant effect of the moderating variables as initially hypothesized. Practical implications As the first study of its kind in the context of Islamic banking customers in Sri Lanka, this study offers decision makers valuable guidelines for when they intend to re-engineer their m-banking applications and promote them to the public. Originality/value Following a comprehensive literature review, this study is identified as the pioneering effort in the investigation of m-banking usage intention among Islamic Banking customers in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study contributes new knowledge and insights to the existing body of literature by confirming the viability of the UTAUT2 model in driving m-banking usage adoption among Islamic Banking customers in Sri Lanka.

Trust and productivity in Australian construction projects: a subcontractor perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew Chalker ◽  
Martin Loosemore
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
Construction Productivity ◽  
Economic Boom

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the association between trust and productivity from a subcontractor perspective. More specifically it investigates: the perceived level of trust that currently exists between subcontractors and main contractors; the factors affecting trust at the project level; the relationship between trust and productivity. Design/methodology/approach – An on-line survey was undertaken with of 112 senior construction managers working for tier-1 and tier-2 subcontractors in the Australian construction industry. The survey was based on a combination of validated questions from Lau and Rowlinson’s (2009) interpersonal trust and inter-firm trust in construction projects framework and Cheung et al.’s (2011) framework for a trust inventory in construction contracting. Findings – In contrast to the large number of research projects which have highlighted a lack of trust in the construction industry, the findings show that level of trust that Australian subcontractors have in main contractors is generally high. However, bid shopping is a continuing problem in the Australian construction industry which acts to undermine trust. The findings also provide strong evidence that high levels of trust influence productivity on site by enabling greater collaboration, better communication and greater flexibility, agility and informality in project relationships. Research limitations/implications – This research was undertaken in the Sydney metropolitan area in Australia and within an economic boom. It is quite possible that outside this regional context which tends to dominated by larger construction firms and in an alternative economic context that the results of this research could be quite different. This possibility needs to be investigated further. Practical implications – The results indicate that this relatively healthy level of trust is down to good communication and empathy on the part of main contractors to the subcontractor’s welfare. While the results showed that bid shopping is clearly a continuing problem in the Australian construction industry, subcontractors also felt that their contracts were clearly defined and that they were given sufficient time to innovate on their projects. This suggest that new communications technologies can be used to build trust through the supply chain. Given that much of the construction supply chain is made up of small- to medium-sized businesses, the challenge of diffusing these new technologies into this business environment should be a priority. Social implications – Trust in basis of effective collaboration which has been shown to produce numerous social benefits such as greater equity and justice in business relationships and higher levels of productivity and safety. Originality/value – The originality of this research is in using theories of trust to give subcontractors a greater “voice” in the construction productivity debate.

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