Stakeholder competency in evaluating the environmental impacts of infrastructure projects using BIM

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 718-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Elizabeth Murphy ◽  
Maja-Marija Nahod
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Cost Management ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Early Warning Indicator ◽  
The Cost

Purpose Building information modelling (BIM) literature reveals a growing interest in the development of a competency-based approach to manage the long-term goals of BIM implementation in infrastructure projects. One long-term goal is mitigation of environmental impacts (EIs). It is proposed that by integrating environmental systems within the BIM model, the technology can act as an early warning indicator to assist stakeholders identify and evaluate EIs before they become critical to delivery. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of BIM in identifying EIs on infrastructure projects and investigate the correlation between stakeholder competency and evaluation of EIs. Design/methodology/approach In all, 71 informants that have relevant experience in infrastructure projects were investigated using a two-stage methodology comprising a questionnaire to determine the BIM indicators used to identify EIs and the stakeholder competencies required to assess and evaluate EIs and Behavioural Event Interviews (BEIs) to validate the competencies identified. Findings The findings showed that risk assessments are the most critical early warning indicator in identifying EIs specifically when implemented within the cost management process. The key stakeholder competencies required to successfully evaluate EIs were identified as project organisation and building equitable relationships. BEIs showed these stakeholders to also have high levels of behavioural and contextual awareness. This suggests that, contrary to perceived perception, successful management of EIs is more dependent on collaborative working than the acquisition of technical skills. Findings also indicated that Croatian BIM stakeholders are less experienced than UK BIM stakeholders in project implementation and delivery and that less experienced BIM stakeholders require more emphasis on technical knowledge whilst the importance of “soft skills” is more apparent in experienced stakeholders, notably amongst the UK participants. Originality/value The implications for infrastructure projects show that effective management of EIs can be achieved through alignment of the BIM model with the cost management plan implemented by stakeholders working collaboratively. Hence, the strategic focus for AEC companies working on infrastructure projects should be the development of staff interpersonal competencies rather than solely on project goals and/or an over-emphasis on technical skills.

Positive behavioural support for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges: an initial exploration of service use and costs

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Iemmi ◽  
Martin Knapp ◽  
Caroline Reid ◽  
Catherine Sholl ◽  
Monique Ferdinand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Behavioural Support ◽  
Delphi Exercise ◽  
The Cost

Purpose Positive behavioural support has been considered as a valuable alternative to residential care for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges. While recent evidence suggests it has a positive impact on behaviour and carer ability to cope, there is little evidence of its economic costs or benefits. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the cost of providing positive behavioural support to ten children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges living in the community in Ealing, West London. Comparison was also made with the cost estimate of possible alternative support packages for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges in the UK, as obtained through a Delphi exercise. Findings Total cost of services per child was £1,454 per week for young people supported short-term, and £1,402 supported long-term. Children and adolescents were making use of a range of social care, education and health services. Over the full sample, half of the total cost was accounted for by education services. The Delphi exercise estimated the weekly cost of residential-based care as more expensive than the cost of community-based care for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges. At the end of the ITSBS, all ten children and adolescents initially at risk of imminent residential placement were living in the community with less service-intensive and less expensive support. This suggests that avoiding residential-based care could reduce costs in the long term. Originality/value Positive behavioural support has potential to support people with learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges in the community, leading to potential cost advantages. However, this is a small study and more robust research is needed.

scholarly journals Cultivate, assess, advocate, implement, and sustain

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Mannheimer ◽  
Conor Cote
Keyword(s):  
Cost Savings ◽  
Digital Preservation ◽  
Shared Vision ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Shared Knowledge ◽  
Collective Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Ongoing Support

Purpose For libraries with limited resources, digital preservation can seem like a daunting responsibility. Forming partnerships can help build collective knowledge and maximize combined resources to achieve digital preservation goals. This paper aims to provide guidance to help libraries with limited resources achieve digital preservation goals by forming partnerships to build collective knowledge and maximize combined resources. Design/methodology/approach In 2015, librarians from four Montana institutions formed the Digital Preservation Working Group (DPWG), a collaboration to increase digital preservation efforts statewide. The group’s immediate goals were to promote digital preservation best-practices at each individual institution, and to learn about and support each other’s work. The group’s long-term goal was to implement a shared digital preservation service that would fill gaps in existing digital preservation efforts. Findings Beyond the cost savings gained by sharing a digital preservation service, the members of DPWG benefitted from shared knowledge and expertise gained during the partnership. The group also functioned as a sounding board as each institution built its digital preservation program, and it became a system of support when challenges arose. Practical/implications This paper proposes a five-point plan for creating digital preservation partnerships: cultivate a foundation of knowledge and identify a shared vision; assess the current digital preservation landscape at each institution; advocate for the value of digital preservation activities; implement shared digital preservation services; and sustain group activities and establish structures for ongoing support. Originality/value The activities of DPWG provide a model for institutions seeking to collaborate to meet digital preservation challenges. This paper shows that by implementing a structured plan, institutions can build and sustain digital preservation partnerships, thus positioning themselves to achieve digital preservation success.

Cost and environmental impacts reduction through building compactness

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Parisi Kern ◽  
Renata Postay ◽  
Eduardo Reuter Schneck ◽  
Mauricio Mancio ◽  
Marco Aurélio Stumpf González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Constructive Method ◽  
Emission Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Research Stage ◽  
Compactness Index

PurposeThe central motivation for this study was to examine alternatives against the apartment area reduction as a safe way to reduce construction costs, adopted by many construction companies. From the building economic compactness index concept, it was studied the cost and environmental impacts (material consumption, embodied energy – EE and CO2 emission).Design/methodology/approachThe research strategy takes advantage of a case study aiming to investigate the relation between design characteristics related to area (m²) and building economic compactness index (%) with cost (Research Stage 1) and with environmental impacts: (Research Stage 2). The study involved real data from social housing projects, chosen in terms in terms of very similar features like size, area and constructive method (constants), however, with dissimilar compactness (variable).FindingsThe lack of direct relation between area and cost signs the importance of including the cost of vertical plans considered in the economic compactness building. The higher the economic compactness index, the lower the cost, the lower the amount of material, EE and CO2 emission parameters. However, due to the wide range of EE and CO2 values available, the reduction in the amount of materials achieved by increasing building economic compactness index may not be reflected in EE and CO2 gains.Research limitations/implicationsAs the limitation of this study, it must be taken into account a limited number of case buildings and the fact that the analysis is dependent on the reliability and accuracy of the data provided by constructors and the available information of EE and CO2 emission. As well discussed in the literature, the consistent database is a great challenge for the construction sector.Originality/valueThere might be alternatives to higher areas with relatively low-cost increments since results from buildings with the same area present different cost estimative and suggest a strong relationship with the economic compactness index. The large variation of EE and CO2 emission data indicates that reductions obtained by compactness increase may be impaired if the construction materials are produced with high levels of EE and CO2 emission. Thus, there must be an integrated effort on the part of designers (design and material specification) and manufacturers (material production), since isolated solutions may not be enough.

scholarly journals A centralised cost management system: exploiting EVM and ABC within IPD

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faris Elghaish ◽  
Sepehr Abrishami
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Risk Sharing ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cost Management ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Cost Management System ◽  
The Cost

PurposeIntegrated project delivery (IPD) is highly recommended to be utilised with building information management (BIM), specifically with BIM level-3 implementation process. Extant literature highlights the financial management challenges facing the proposed integration. These challenges are mainly related to the IPD compensation and the conventional cost control approaches that are not consistent with IPD principles. As such, this paper presents an integration of several methods to support automating risk/reward sharing amongst project parties thus enhancing IPD core team members’ relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe literature review was used to highlight the challenges that face the IPD-based cost management practices such as the risk sharing/reward sharing amongst IPD core team members and potential methods to bridge the revealed IPD gap. A framework was developed by integrating the activity-based costing (ABC) – as a method to analyse the cost structure – and earned value management (EVM) to develop mathematical models that can determine the three main IPD financial transactions (i.e. …) fairly. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed system, a real-life case study was used, in which, promising results were collected in regard to visualising the cost control data and understanding of the accumulative status of the project cost and schedule for team members.FindingsA centralised cost management system (CCMS) for IPD is developed to enable the IPD cost structure as well as automating the risk-sharing/reward-sharing calculations. This system is linked with a web-based management system to display the output of proposed risk-sharing/reward-sharing models. Moreover, a novel grid is developed to show the project status graphically and to respect the diversity in core team members backgrounds. In addition, the case study showed that the proposed integration of different methods (ABC, EVM, BIM and web-based management system) is interoperable and applicable.Originality/valueThis research presents a comprehensive solution to the most revealed challenges in cost management practices in IPD implementation. The outcome of this research contributes to the body of knowledge through presenting new extensions of the EVM to be used with the IPD approach to calculate risk/reward. Moreover, the implementation of the proposed tools such as centralised cost management system (CCMS) and CCMS for IPD web system will enhance/foster the implementation of the IPD in conjunction with BIM process.

scholarly journals Cost overruns and delays in infrastructure projects: the case of Stuttgart 21

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertram I. Steininger ◽  
Martin Groth ◽  
Brigitte L. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Hyperbolic Discounting ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Hyperbolic Function ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Cost Overrun ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Geological Conditions ◽  
The Cost

PurposeWe investigate causes for the cost overrun and delay of the railway project Stuttgart 21. Besides, we try to forecast the actual costs and completion date at an early stage.Design/methodology/approachThe results of exploratory research show the causes for the cost overrun and delay of Stuttgart 21; we compare our findings with other railway projects. To estimate the costs at an early stage, the reference class forecasting (RCF) model is applied; to estimate the time, we apply an OLS regression.FindingsWe find that the following causes are relevant for the cost overrun and delay of Stuttgart 21: scope changes, geological conditions, high risk-taking propensity, extended implementation, price overshoot, conflict of interests and lack of citizens' participation. The current estimated costs are within our 95% confidence interval based on RCF; our time forecast underestimates or substantially overestimates the duration actually required.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation of our approach is the low number of comparable projects which are available.Practical implicationsThe use of hyperbolic function or stepwise exponential discount function can help to give a clearer picture of the costs and benefits. The straightforward use of the RFC for costs and OLS for time should motivate more decision-makers to estimate the actual costs and time which are necessary in the light of the rising demand for democratic participation amongst citizens.Social implicationsMore realistic estimates can help to reduce the significant distortion at the beginning of infrastructure projects.Originality/valueWe are among the first who use the RCF to estimate the costs in Germany. Furthermore, the hyperbolic discounting function is added as a further theoretical explanation for cost underestimation.

US corporate tax reform would risk highway fund

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
House Of Representatives ◽  
Tax Reform ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Corporate Tax ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Corporate Tax Reform ◽  
The Cost

Significance On July 15, the House of Representatives passed a short-term funding measure, against the wishes of many in the Senate. US infrastructure is facing a fiscal crunch. Taxes on gasoline have traditionally supported highway appropriations. However, eroding purchasing power and greater fuel efficiency means that about 30% of highway funding must be found from other sources, difficult in the current Congress. The present round of appropriations expires on July 31. Impacts A corporate tax might provide a long-term resolution, but the pursuit of it would come at the cost of seeking more modest solutions. These would provide stability for a year or two, necessary for projects of long duration. If corporate tax reform is not completed before the end of 2015, it will probably not get done in a presidential election year. If Congress were to rely on the prospect of these taxes for the HTF, it might find itself in a similar position in a few months.

Better risk pricing can unlock billions in investment

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Investment ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Political Risk ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Risk Pricing ◽  
The Cost

Subject Pricing political risk. Significance The mis-measurement of political risk is resulting in the cost of capital being valued 2-4 percentage points higher than it should be in assessments ahead of cross-border investment decisions. Research suggests that in 2016 this could have increased net foreign direct investment (FDI) to non-advanced countries by more than 10%. Impacts Political risk measurement is set for a renaissance, with interest from practitioners and end-users likely to proliferate. Frontier markets that are on the edge of inclusion in 'emerging' portfolio allocations could see an uptick in investment inflows. Returns to long-term capital managers, from insurers to pension funds, will rise as cost-of-capital calculations grow in sophistication.

Mexico projects will not drive post-pandemic recovery

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investor Confidence ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Exploration And Production ◽  
Term Energy

Significance The package of 39 projects, worth MXN297bn (USD14.5bn), aims to boost post-pandemic economic growth through privately funded investments or strategic alliances between private entities and state governments in infrastructure, energy and communications. Several government flagship infrastructure projects also receive increased resources in the proposed 2021 budget. Impacts The ARE will not solve Mexico’s long-term energy needs as it excludes major areas such as hydrocarbons exploration and production. The 190,000 jobs that the ARE may create will do little to offset the 2 million formal jobs lost due to the pandemic in March-August. Most of the employment that will be created by the ARE and government priority projects will be temporary, low-paid jobs. Concerns regarding contractual security under the current administration will continue to dampen investor confidence.

Finnish “state of mind” on inter-organizational integration

IMP Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-191
Author(s):  
Antti Ylä-Kujala ◽  
Salla Marttonen-Arola ◽  
Timo Kärri
Keyword(s):  
Cost Management ◽  
Internal State ◽  
Boundary Spanning ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Organizational Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Organizational Integration ◽  
The Cost

Purpose The role of management control is frequently emphasized in connection with inter-organizational relationships and value networks. For example, boundary-spanning cost and accounting control techniques have been studied in multifaceted empirical settings. The prevalence of such techniques is, however, currently unknown in conjunction with companies’ interests to increase inter-organizational integration in general. Additionally, also the nexus between the internal state of cost management and the company’s willingness to develop inter-organizational relationships requires further investigation. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on an extensive survey that was responded to by more than 1,500 CEOs and CFOs from large, medium-sized and small Finnish enterprises in a variety of industries. As the authors chose the mixed-methods approach, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected for the study. Findings The findings suggest that companies can be allocated to five clusters: “the cost experts,” “the trustful,” “the holdouts,” “the trailblazers” and “the uncertain”. When the networking-oriented clusters, “the trustful” and “the trailblazers” are combined, the authors can conclude that 40 percent of the studied companies are interested in increasing inter-organizational integration. However, only 7 percent have boundary-spanning techniques in use. There is also a correlation between interest in integrating and developing cost management. Research limitations/implications This paper contains several theoretical implications, although further research, e.g. comparative studies, is required to verify the findings. The scarcity of managerial implications can be regarded as a limitation. Originality/value This paper fills several untapped research gaps by studying inter-organizational integration in the cost management context from multiple, complementary perspectives with a particularly large set of data.

Volcano highlights Chile's long-term relief shortfall

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Fiscal Deficit ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recovery System ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Serious Injuries ◽  
Disaster Response And Recovery

Significance Although it caused no deaths or serious injuries, the eruption has important economic implications for one of the country's key agricultural and salmon-farming regions. Together with recent flash floods in northern Chile, it also draws attention to the need to continue strengthening the disaster response and recovery system. Impacts Even if Calbuco quickly subsides, it will be months before the area can be completely cleaned and years before vegetation fully recovers. The cost of relief after the eruption and recent floods may increase this year's fiscal deficit. A bill to modernise ONEMI is unlikely to be a legislative priority in coming months when attention will focus on anti-corruption measures.

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