scholarly journals The antecedents of construction project change: an analysis of design and build procurement application

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Smith ◽  
David John Edwards ◽  
Igor Martek ◽  
Nicholas Chileshe ◽  
Susan Hayhow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Affecting Factors ◽  
Drivers Of Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
The Common ◽  
Causal Nexus

Purpose This study aims to excoriate, define and delineate the main drivers of “change” in commercial construction projects and generate guidelines on how to minimise exposure to the associated adverse effects upon project stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts mixed doctrines through a combination of epistemological lenses, embracing two primary philosophical stances: interpretivism, to identify the primary drivers of change based on a systematic literature review and a post-positivist, inductive approach to analyse the results of change within a Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Design and Build (D&B) construction project case study. Findings The causal nexus of change during the construction phase is assessed and delineated; the key affecting factors are thematically grouped under headings: extent and severity; time in relation to implementing; instigating party; individual(s) responsible for managing the change; reason for the change; available resource; recoverable or non-recoverable; contract/project type; and type of client. Following this, the effects of change on key elements of the project are encapsulated and recommendations for adaptations which may provide improved experiences are offered. Originality/value The study tackles the common issue of managing the deleterious effects of change on commercial construction projects, defining management techniques to minimise stakeholder tribulation.

Common incentives for teamwork – the unspoken contract's significance

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 65-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan M. Berlin
Keyword(s):  
Driving Force ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Practical Work ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Organisation ◽  
The Common ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The aim of this paper was to identify and study common incentives for teamwork. Design/methodology/approach – The study was designed as a case study. The case consists of teamwork at a university hospital. At the hospital, ten psychiatric teams were studied for a period of four years (2008-2011). Each team was followed for 12-18 months. Data were collected through interviews (n=48) and observations (n=52) of the teamwork at treatment conferences. Findings – The common incentives identified consist of shared responsibility, appreciation and long-sightedness. The incidence of a silent contract is highlighted as an explanation for the team's cohesion. Research limitations/implications – The study is conducted in a public organisation within one field. The results should therefore be interpreted with some caution. Practical implications – The study is useful for practitioners to understand the importance of common incentives as a collective driving force. By developing well-adapted common incentives, the practical work can be developed, refined and improved. Originality/value – The significance of common incentives and the unspoken contract in the team is identified.

Socialization or genre appreciation: the motives of music festival participants

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Vinnicombe ◽  
Pek U. Joey Sou
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Classical Music ◽  
Single Event ◽  
Music Festivals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Music Festival ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
The Common

Purpose Academic studies have sought to understand the motivations of festival and event attendees usually through single-event case studies. This approach has failed to generate a generalizable set of motivation items. In addition, there is increasing criticism in the literature of the common methodological framework used in festival motivation studies, due to a perceived over-reliance on motivations derived from the broader tourism and travel research, with too little attention to event-specific factors. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues by analyzing a sub-category of motivation studies, music festivals, in order to see if this approach can elicit a consistent set of motivation dimensions for the sub-category, which can in turn be compared and contrasted with the broader literature. A new case study of motivations to attend the 28th Macau International Music Festival (MIMF) is included to complement the existing music festival sub-category by adding a classical music and music festivals in Asia. Design/methodology/approach Motivation dimensions important to music festivals are compared to dimensions across the broader festival motivation literature to find similarities and differences. Factor analysis is used to identify the motivation dimensions of attendees at the MIMF and the results are compared to those of existing music festival studies. Findings Music festival goers are shown to be primarily motivated by the core festival offering, the music, in contrast to festival attendees in general, where socialization has emerged as the primary motivating element. The results of the additional case study support these findings. Originality/value In contrast to previous research, this study examines the possibility of identifying common motivations among festival attendees through studying festivals by sub-categories.

scholarly journals Spanning the multilevel boundaries of construction organisations

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enoch Sackey ◽  
Julius Akotia
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Boundary Spanning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Execution Plan ◽  
Contractual Agreements ◽  
Project Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the interdependent boundary-spanning activities that characterise the level of permeability of knowledge, information flow and learning among construction supply chains involved in the delivery of building information modelling (BIM)-compliant construction projects. Construction projects are mobilised through a number of interdependent processes and multi-functional activities by different practitioners with myriad specialised skills. Many of the difficulties that manifest in construction projects can be attributed to the fragmented work activities and inter-disciplinary nature of project teams. This is nevertheless becoming ever more pertinent with the rise of technology deployment in construction organisations. Design/methodology/approach The study combined experts’ sampling interviews and a case study research method to help offer better insights into the kind of emerging multilevel boundary practices as influenced by the rapidly evolving construction technological solutions. The experts’ sampling helped inform better understanding by unravelling the key changes in contemporary boundary configurations and related boundary-spanning practices within technology-mediated construction project settings. The case study also helped to establish the manifestation of best practices for managing multilevel boundaries in BIM-enabled construction project organisations. Findings The study has revealed that different generic organisational BIM strategies as developed in specialised boundaries are reconfigured as appropriate at the project level to produce project-specific BIM execution plan (BXP). The outcome of project BXP is dependent on the project organisational teams that cooperate in creating new solutions and on conceding space for negotiations and compromises which conflicting interests at the project level can find to be both desirable and feasible. The implementation effort is therefore contingent on mutual translation in which different actors with different insights instigate their practice through negotiation and persuasion which eventually are reinforced by contractual agreements and obligations. Originality/value The paper has presented a novel and well-timed empirical insight into BIM-enabled project delivery and best practices that span multilevel boundaries of construction organisations.

For the balance of stakeholders’ power and responsibility

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 550-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Lin ◽  
Christabel Man-Fong Ho ◽  
Geoffrey Qiping Shen
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Problem Solution ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Stakeholder Collaboration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Responsibilities ◽  
Real Estate Project ◽  
Scientific Approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a collaborative framework for balancing stakeholder power and social responsibilities in construction projects. To resolve the problems of unclear responsibility that is common in construction projects, the framework is designed to help stakeholders identify their roles in various issues and to facilitate collaborative endeavours by elucidating their responsibilities. Design/methodology/approach The framework is designed using a scientific approach based on a problem-solution paradigm. It is developed as a model that would provide strategies for responding to various issues and that would also balance stakeholder responsibilities with power. A case study is conducted to validate the framework in an ongoing real estate project in China. Findings The effectiveness of the framework is validated from the case study, which found that the engagement of stakeholders is improved by adopting the framework. It is also found that use of the framework led to enhancement of communication and trust, and better collaboration through a collective form of responsibility. Originality/value The study provides valuable insights into stakeholder collaboration on social responsibility issues in construction projects. The dynamic nature of stakeholders is addressed, and an easy-to-follow framework is offered for use in construction projects.

The need for and benefits of buildability analysis: Nigeria as a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Innocent Chigozie Osuizugbo
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Poor Correlation ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Construction Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Analysis Programme

Purpose Buildability analysis has a potential of improving the outcomes of construction projects. However, the usage of buildability analysis is not well pronounced within the construction sector. This study aims to provide understanding of the concept of buildability analysis with the view to predicting the future stance for buildability analysis. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a survey research method. Questionnaires were administered to purposively selected group of construction professionals working in Nigeria. A total of 82 questionnaires were administered among the sampled respondents, out of which a total of 51 (62.2%) were adequately filled and returned. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings The results revealed inability of the designers and constructors to have a common upstanding of the entire construction process, fragmented nature of the construction industry and poor correlation between design and construction as the most essential needs for buildability analysis. On the benefits of buildability analysis, the results showed increase in efficiency, save wasteful efforts and quality improvement as the most significant ones. In addition, the results from the study revealed that there is a statistically significant difference in some of the needs for and benefits of buildability analysis among the survey participants. Originality/value The study identified three future stances for buildability analysis to include building unity, efficient and effective construction and high competition. Framework for buildability analysis was developed aimed at providing guidance to professionals in achieving enhanced project production information. The findings provide in-depth insight of the needs for and benefits of buildability analysis that can inform professionals in the construction industry to adopt buildability analysis programme as a lasting solution to most design challenges and buildability problems confronting the sector.

scholarly journals Governance as integrity

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria do Rosário Da Veiga ◽  
Maria Major
Keyword(s):  
Common Good ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Asset Specificity ◽  
Historical Narrative ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Un General Assembly ◽  
The Common

Purpose Through a case study on the governance structures of the UN, the purpose of this paper is to develop a critique of Public and Private Bureaucracies Transaction Cost Economics (PPBTCE) (Williamson, 1999) as a theoretical lens to analyze internal oversight structures. Design/methodology/approach The authors explore “probity” and “independence” transactions’ attributes through historical narrative case-based research to answer the question – Why did numerous attempts to strengthen the governance of UN internal oversight structures not relieve “probity” hazards? Findings The analysis shows that at the UN increasing and strengthening the governance of oversight structures, i.e., incentives, did not relieve probity/ethics hazards as predicted in PPBTCE. Secretaries-General and UN General Assembly, entities charged with oversight powers, systematically trumpeted the UN Charter, breaching probity/ethics and disregarding the supervisory independence prerogative of internal oversight structures, hence failing to contribute to the “common good” and to protect the UN mission. Originality/value This paper is the first application of PPBTCE to internal oversight transactions within an International organization context testing probity and independence attributes. The authors find that “independence” outweighs the “asset specificity” attribute whenever decisions on the governance of internal oversight arise. As far as sourcing decisions are concerned, the authority of the sovereign and the independence of the judiciary as well as quasi-judiciary transactions are not transferable attributes and, thus, cannot be contracted along with the actors’ ethics. PPBTCE should be modified to include, e.g. “virtues ethics” behavioral assumption as a transaction costs’ reduction device and explanatory framework for “probity” hazards, abandoning the opportunism behavioral assumption.

The role of formal and informal mechanisms in implementing lean principles in construction projects

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1322-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Elisabeth Bygballe ◽  
Maria Endresen ◽  
Silje Fålun
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Lean Construction ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Principles

Purpose Previous research shows that implementing lean construction is not a straightforward task. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of formal and informal mechanisms in implementing lean principles in construction projects. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a single case study of the implementation of innovative lean principles in a public construction project in Norway. The study is based on qualitative data, including 17 semi-structured interviews with 21 individuals, document analysis, and observations in meetings and seminars, in addition to informal conversations. Findings Formal mechanisms, including contractual arrangements, have the potential to both facilitate and hamper the implementation of innovative lean principles in a construction project. They might create coherence, but at the same time they might limit the scope of the concept in such a way that others do not accept it. Informal mechanisms, including social and lateral relationships and trust aid implementation, both directly by creating commitment and by modifying the challenges that the formal mechanisms potentially incur. Formal mechanisms may, in turn, nurture the informal ones. Research limitations/implications The research is based on a single case study within the Norwegian public sector, which is dependent on specific public procurement regulations and subject to strong contractual traditions. Originality/value The research extends the existing knowledge of implementation of lean construction in the construction industry. It helps refining the understanding of the role played by formal and informal mechanisms, and the interplay between them in the implementation process. This knowledge is also relevant for process innovations in construction in general.

scholarly journals Enhanced project brief: structured approach to client-designer interface

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 474-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzad Khosrowshahi
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Requirement Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Strategy ◽  
Project Lifecycle

Purpose – The focus of this work is on the client-designer interface where decisions have significant impact over the lifecycle of the project. Therefore, the briefing stage is examined in the context of clients’ needs which is divided into project-based strategy and broader clients’ strategy. The purpose of this paper is to address the pitfalls in the briefing process which has been attributed to the shortcomings in the client-designer communication interfaces. This will be achieved by developing an automated brief generation framework. The research examines the efficiency of standard approaches to modelling and design, and the benefits that these methodologies have offered to the computer industry. The work reviews the similarities between the two industries and argues in support of the potential benefits in adopting a standard methodology in the construction industry. The structure upon which the framework is developed is based on system analysis and design methodology (SSADM) which has proven to be an effective platform used within the software development industry. Design/methodology/approach – SSADM is an established methodology within the software development industry. The paper will demonstrate that due to fundamental similarities between the construction and software development industries, SSADM is likely to offer a viable platform upon which an automated enhanced brief generation model is developed for use in the construction industry. The construction design and construction process will be mapped on SSADM high-level definition before focusing and honing on the design phase. The methodology for the development of the framework will be based on the rationalist approach of generating knowledge through reasoning leading to model-building. Findings – A model that is based on SSADM is proposed for the design development phase of construction projects. In order to shape the project strategy, the model considers the combined role of clients’ requirements with organisation strategy and environmental factors. The paper has shown that it is feasible to increase the automation of the briefing process and enhanced the briefing output. The model here does not diminish the importance of direct communication between the client and the design team. It provides a more structured way of doing so, while taking advantage of vast array of data and technology in order to improve the brief outcome. Research limitations/implications – From practical perspective, the proposed framework is in its formative stage, thus requiring incremental refinement through several case studies. This is particularly true about the AI components of the system which typically rely on extensive data representing the real-case scenarios. Therefore, the work invites further research into the examination of various parts as well as the overall system. Practical implications – There are several ways by which construction projects are procured. There may be fluctuation in their rate of usage, but while there is no indication of any procurement option fading, new ones such as PPP and PFI are periodically introduced. The existence of this diversity is indicative of the fact that the industry tends to respond to problems rather than attempting to instigate a measured solution supported by theoretical underpinning. Subsequently, there have been suggestions of a communication and information discourse between actors and within processes involved in project lifecycle. This project is aimed at addressing the gap in the client-designer communication. The automated approach to brief generation will lead to better briefs while reducing ambiguities as well as the overhead associated with brief generation. Social implications – The quality of project brief has a significant impact on decisions at the design stage. In turn, these decisions will influence all phases of construction project lifecycle. The briefing session and requirement analysis of a construction project can be very difficult for inexperienced clients particularly for complex projects. Therefore, there is potential for the process of client-requirement-analysis to be optimised. The work promises to improve the quality of the briefing process, thus helping clients to realise their intended objectives and minimise resource waste. Originality/value – The work builds on the commonalities of the construction and software development industries and takes advantage of the advancements in the latter. In doing so, project quality is defined quantitatively which is used to develop project strategy in a three-dimensional space. The development of the model was also contingent upon enhancement of artificial neural network structure.

scholarly journals Contractual practices between the consultant and employer in Chinese BIM-enabled construction projects

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 227-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Liao ◽  
Cen Ying Lee ◽  
Heap-Yih Chong
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property Rights ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Building Information Modeling ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contract Administration ◽  
Building Information

Purpose The management of building information modeling (BIM)-enabled construction projects is challenging and unstructured in nature, particularly in terms of contract administration. Even though previous studies have revealed various legal issues related to BIM, little is known regarding the contractual practices of BIM. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to explore the contractual practices between the BIM consultant and employer in detail. Design/methodology/approach An explanatory case study was carried out on four large BIM-enabled construction projects in China. Findings The contractual practices differed from one project to another in terms of ownership and intellectual property rights (IPRs) of the BIM model, roles of the BIM consultant, liability of the BIM consultant in the event of errors and delays of the BIM model, and BIM-related costs and payments. Some of the interesting findings are as follows: the employer shall retain the ownership and IPRs of the BIM model, the BIM consultant shall provide a warranty to ensure usability of the BIM model after project handover, the BIM consultant shall pay for damages or losses if the BIM model fails to deliver and the costs of BIM implementation shall be borne by both contracting parties. Originality/value This study provides a fresh, realistic insight on the development of plausible contractual practices between the BIM consultant and employer and the findings can be used to improve BIM contract protocols in future projects.

scholarly journals Dark tourism consumption in Mexico City: a new perspective of the thanatological experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-168
Author(s):  
Mark Speakman
Keyword(s):  
Mexico City ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Contemporary Theory ◽  
Dark Tourism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mexican Society ◽  
The Common ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Geographical Locations

Purpose The Euro-centric nature of dark tourism research is limiting the perspective and restricting the scope of contemporary theory. Hence, this paper aims to explore how dark tourism consumption differs in a society apart from the Anglo/Eurosphere. This is done by testing Stone and Sharpley’s (2008) thanatological framework in Mexico, a country whose residents are renown for having a unique perspective on death, to assess whether Mexican dark tourism consumers undergo a similar, or different, thanatological experience to that proposed in the framework. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a qualitative approach in the form of a case study. The opinions of Mexican dark tourism consumers were gained by using the technique of semi-structured interviewing in four separate dark tourism sites within Mexico City, with coding serving as the form of analysis. Findings The findings show that due to the non-existence of an absent/present death paradox in Mexican society, the research participants experienced a thanatological process that contrasts with those from Western societies, which indicates that the thanatological framework is unsuitable in the context of Mexican dark tourism. At the same time, the study contests the common perception that Mexicans have a jovial familiarity with death, and demonstrates that in this case the thanatological process confirmed an acceptance of death, rather than any kind of intimacy. Originality/value The research is valuable in that it is a response to recent calls for research in geographical locations not previously considered in a dark tourism/thanatology context.

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