scholarly journals Drivers of the accuracy of developers’ early stage cost estimates in residential construction

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendon Lim ◽  
Madhav P. Nepal ◽  
Martin Skitmore ◽  
Bo Xiong
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Residential Construction ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Cost Estimates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cost Drivers

Purpose – Preliminary cost estimates for construction projects are often the basis of financial feasibility and budgeting decisions in the early stages of planning and for effective project control, monitoring and execution. The purpose of this paper is to identify and better understand the cost drivers and factors that contribute to the accuracy of estimates in residential construction projects from the developers’ perspective. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a literature review to determine the drivers that affect the accuracy of developers’ early stage cost estimates and the factors influencing the construction costs of residential construction projects. It used cost variance data and other supporting documentation collected from two case study projects in South East Queensland, Australia, along with semi-structured interviews conducted with the practitioners involved. Findings – It is found that many cost drivers or factors of cost uncertainty identified in the literature for large-scale projects are not as apparent and relevant for developers’ small-scale residential construction projects. Specifically, the certainty and completeness of project-specific information, suitability of historical cost data, contingency allowances, methods of estimating and the estimator’s level of experience significantly affect the accuracy of cost estimates. Developers of small-scale residential projects use pre-established and suitably priced bills of quantities as the prime estimating method, which is considered to be the most efficient and accurate method for standard house designs. However, this method needs to be backed with the expertise and experience of the estimator. Originality/value – There is a lack of research on the accuracy of developers’ early stage cost estimates and the relevance and applicability of cost drivers and factors in the residential construction projects. This research has practical significance for improving the accuracy of such preliminary cost estimates.

Societal discontent will increase in Bahrain

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Social Protest ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Arab Uprisings ◽  
Base Level

Significance Although large-scale social protest in Bahrain has been cowed over the ten years since the ‘Arab uprisings’, small-scale demonstrations recur, reflecting a base level of discontent. Mobilising issues include economic pressures, limited political representation (especially of the Shia majority) and, most recently, ties with Israel. Impacts Despite protests, Israel’s and Bahrain’s respective ambassadors will keep up high-profile activity and statements. The authorities are likely to exaggerate the role of Iranian interference in order to deepen the Sunni-Shia divide. If Riyadh manages to extricate itself from the Yemen war, that could partly reduce the pressure on Manama.

scholarly journals Supply chain resilience in a developing country context: a case study on the interconnectedness of threats, strategies and outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 486-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Tukamuhabwa ◽  
Mark Stevenson ◽  
Jerry Busby
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Supply Network ◽  
Catastrophic Events ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Resilience

Purpose In few prior empirical studies on supply chain resilience (SCRES), the focus has been on the developed world. Yet, organisations in developing countries constitute a significant part of global supply chains and have also experienced the disastrous effects of supply chain failures. The purpose of this paper is therefore to empirically investigate SCRES in a developing country context and to show that this also provides theoretical insights into the nature of what is meant by resilience. Design/methodology/approach Using a case study approach, a supply network of 20 manufacturing firms in Uganda is analysed based on a total of 45 interviews. Findings The perceived threats to SCRES in this context are mainly small-scale, chronic disruptive events rather than discrete, large-scale catastrophic events typically emphasised in the literature. The data reveal how threats of disruption, resilience strategies and outcomes are inter-related in complex, coupled and non-linear ways. These interrelationships are explained by the political, cultural and territorial embeddedness of the supply network in a developing country. Further, this embeddedness contributes to the phenomenon of supply chain risk migration, whereby an attempt to mitigate one threat produces another threat and/or shifts the threat to another point in the supply network. Practical implications Managers should be aware, for example, of potential risk migration from one threat to another when crafting strategies to build SCRES. Equally, the potential for risk migration across the supply network means managers should look at the supply chain holistically because actors along the chain are so interconnected. Originality/value The paper goes beyond the extant literature by highlighting how SCRES is not only about responding to specific, isolated threats but about the continuous management of risk migration. It demonstrates that resilience requires both an understanding of the interconnectedness of threats, strategies and outcomes and an understanding of the embeddedness of the supply network. Finally, this study’s focus on the context of a developing country reveals that resilience should be equally concerned both with smaller in scale, chronic disruptions and with occasional, large-scale catastrophic events.

Metagenomic and Metatranscriptomic Responses of Chemical Dispersant Application during a Marine Dilbit Spill

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiqi Cao ◽  
Baiyu Zhang ◽  
Charles W. Greer ◽  
Kenneth Lee ◽  
Qinhong Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Shotgun Metagenomics ◽  
Microcosm Studies ◽  
Over Time

The global increase in marine transportation of dilbit (diluted bitumen) can increase the risk of spills, and the application of chemical dispersants remains a common response practice in spill events. To reliably evaluate dispersant effects on dilbit biodegradation over time, we set large-scale (1500 mL) microcosms without nutrients addition using low dilbit concentration (30 ppm). Shotgun metagenomics and metatranscriptomics were deployed to investigate microbial community responses to naturally and chemically dispersed dilbit. We found that the large-scale microcosms could produce more reproducible community trajectories than small-scale (250 mL) ones based on the 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. In the early-stage large-scale microcosms, multiple genera were involved into the biodegradation of dilbit, while dispersant addition enriched primarily Alteromonas and competed for the utilization of dilbit, causing depressed degradation of aromatics. The metatranscriptomic based Metagenome Assembled Genomes (MAG) further elucidated early-stage microbial antioxidation mechanism, which showed dispersant addition triggered the increased expression of the antioxidation process genes of Alteromonas species. Differently, in the late stage, the microbial communities showed high diversity and richness and similar compositions and metabolic functions regardless of dispersant addition, indicating the biotransformation of remaining compounds can occur within the post-oil communities. These findings can guide future microcosm studies and the application of chemical dispersants for responding to a marine dilbit spill. Importance In this study, we employed microcosms to study the effects of marine dilbit spill and dispersant application on microbial community dynamics over time. We evaluated the impacts of microcosm scale and found that increasing the scale is beneficial for reducing community stochasticity, especially in the late stage of biodegradation. We observed that dispersant application suppressed aromatics biodegradation in the early stage (6 days) whereas exerting insignificant effects in the late stage (50 days), from both substances removal and metagenomic/metatranscriptomic perspectives. We further found that Alteromonas species are vital for the early-stage chemically dispersed oil biodegradation, and clarified their degradation and antioxidation mechanisms. The findings would help to better understand microcosm studies and microbial roles for biodegrading dilbit and chemically dispersed dilbit, and suggest that dispersant evaluation in large-scale systems and even through field trails would be more realistic after marine oil spill response.

Demystifying performance difference between local and foreign contractors through organisational culture

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chipozya Kosta Tembo ◽  
Franco Muleya ◽  
Emmanuellie Phiri
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Overall Response Rate ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Projects ◽  
Grade One

PurposeThis research aimed to investigate the extent to which organisational culture is practised in local and foreign contractors in grade one and two categories and how it affects their performance.Design/methodology/approachThe approach for this research was positivist in nature adopting a mono-method of data collection through a survey using self-administered questionnaires. A total of 138 questionnaires were distributed among public clients and large-scale contractors registered in the stated grades, and 112 questionnaires were returned for analysis representing an overall response rate of 81% for contractors and clients.FindingsFindings revealed that in organisational culture, significant differences were found for management style and dominant characteristics of the organisation between local and foreign contractors. Differences were not found for leadership styles, measures of success and organisational glue. Results suggest that for local contractors to perform better, significant changes are needed to their management style and dominant characteristics of their organisations.Originality/valueForeign contractors in the Zambian construction industry are reportedly outperforming local contractors making them preferred contractors on larger public projects accounting for 85% of construction projects by value of works. This study presents the differences in organisational culture between foreign and local firms. It further demonstrates that organisational culture plays a key role in determining performance of a contracting firm. The study presents areas that local contractors can improve in organisational culture in order to remain competitive.

scholarly journals Narratives of everyday resilience: lessons from an urban kampung community in Surabaya, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirleyana ◽  
Scott Hawken ◽  
Riza Yosia Sunindijo ◽  
David Sanderson
Keyword(s):  
Inner City ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disadvantaged Communities ◽  
Political Network ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Resilience Factors ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose This paper aims to discuss what people perceive as risks and resilience factors, and how they build everyday resilience. Design/methodology/approach The study focuses on Kampung (literally “village”) Plampitan, a neighbourhood in the inner-city part of Surabaya. The research used field observation, in-depth interviews and workshops during community meetings to collect data. Findings The results show how people respond to daily risks and find the support necessary to survive. The problems and risks revealed in the study include crime and economic difficulties, such as unemployment and insufficient income. Coping strategies identified are classified into place-based adaption, people-based network and political network. These strategies can serve as a starting point for local communities to assess their resilience and assist them in enhancing “everyday” resilience. Originality/value The paper argues that the concept of resilience must go beyond top-down approaches to disaster risk management and integrate bottom-up understanding from the perspective of local people, especially among marginal and disadvantaged communities. The paper develops the emerging and overlooked concept of “everyday resilience” and suggests that it is essential in surviving both “everyday” or small-scale chronic risks and large-scale disasters.

The effects of salinity, turbidity and flow on fish biomass estimated acoustically in two tidal rivers

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 267 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. F. Matveev ◽  
A. D. L. Steven
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
River System ◽  
Fish Abundance ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fish Biomass ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Commercial Catch ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Annual Means

Establishing drivers of fish abundance in estuaries is an important task of both theoretical and practical significance. Commercial catch data help explain large-scale variation in fish productivity; however, there is insufficient understanding of small-scale changes. We analysed correlations between acoustically estimated fish biomass (FB) and environmental variables, which included indices of primary productivity and physio-chemistry in a coastal river system during four seasons. Spatial series of FB were obtained for the Logan River (main estuary) and the Albert River (tributary) located in South East Queensland, Australia. Most of the year, FB was significantly higher in the Albert River. Annual means for discharge, salinity and pH were significantly lower, whereas phosphorus concentrations were higher in the Albert River. Out of 15 hydrological variables tested, FB was strongly correlated only with salinity, conductivity and turbidity. In the Albert River, where fish were larger, as indicated by greater target strengths, FB was positively correlated with river discharge. Our results suggest that salinity and turbidity can be important seasonal drivers of fish abundance in communities dominated by Mugil spp. and Nematalosa erebi and that the flow-biomass relationship may appear independent of the effects of primary production.

Empirical Studies on Demand Pull in Photovoltaic Sector of Twenty Countries

2013 ◽  
Vol 827 ◽  
pp. 451-456
Author(s):  
Mo Lin Huo ◽  
Bao Guo Shan
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Technical Innovation ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Market Growth ◽  
Demand Pull ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Acceleration Period ◽  
Diffusion Rates

High cost impedes large-scale deployment of photovoltaics (PV), and the technical innovation is one of most important factors of cost reduction, so how to accelerate the market pull for innovation has practical significance and theoretical value. This paper aims to analyze PV demand pull mechanism based on empirical evidence. According to the features of PV industry and technical innovation theories, make hypotheses of PV market pull and the relationship between diffusion rates and the market pull. Then propose testing method of the market pull and the coefficients assessing diffusion rates, and use historical data of twenty countries to conduct empirical studies. The testing results show that 70% of PV market in the twenty countries pulled technical innovation; at the initial stage of PV diffusion, the market pull was insignificant when the market kept at small scale and the diffusion rate can be indicated by the innovation coefficient; in the acceleration period, the market pull was insignificant when the market grew steeply and the rate can be indicated by the imitating coefficient. So in order to encourage demand pull, policy making is suggested to lead the market growth stable and sustained.

Improving unsustainable livelihood through marketing interventions

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-118
Author(s):  
Subhojit Banerjee ◽  
Anuj Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Urban District ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Secondary Survey ◽  
Initial Survey

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe an initiative to improve the daily earnings of a rickshaw puller by training them to retail branded FMCG products based on a “bulk buying retail selling” model. The paper is based on the findings of a survey conducted 112 rickshaw pullers in a semi-urban district of eastern India. It also dwells on the business of rickshaw pulling and the socio-economic status of the rickshaw puller. Critical issues related to the sustainability and the future of such interventions on a large scale has also been discussed. Design/methodology/approach – An initial survey of 112 rickshaw pullers was done using a structured schedule that captured data related to age, literacy level, earnings per day, ownership and working hours. Some additional aspects related to socio-cultural aspects were also collected as an unstructured interview. A secondary survey from 107 respondents representing different sections of the society who frequently use rickshaw as a means for transport was also done to take an opinion on intervention issues. Findings – Findings of the paper suggest that rickshaw pullers have three distinct strategic advantages of literacy, access and mobility, which makes them a potent resource for marketing intervention. Research limitations/implications – The paper reflects on a systematic intervention plan that can change the socio-economic pattern of rickshaw pulling. A possibility of contributory roles from garage owners and wholesellers is also explored. The proposed scheme may also bail-out the small-scale industries and handicraft businesses in villages. Major limitations of the research are long-term sustainability and large-scale implementation of the proposed model. Practical implications – The paper can act as a manual for small entrepreneurs and NGOs working in the social-development area for implementing schemes targeted at rickshaw pullers. The paper also has valuable points for the consideration of policy makers. Originality/value – The research has given insights in to the livelihood aspect of one of the most essential but neglected modes of transport, i.e. rickshaw pulling. The paper has also identified key strengths that rickshaw pulling has, which otherwise is considered purely physical and low-skilled job.

scholarly journals Artificial intelligence in business-to-business marketing: a bibliometric analysis of current research status, development and future directions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Runyue Han ◽  
Hugo K.S. Lam ◽  
Yuanzhu Zhan ◽  
Yichuan Wang ◽  
Yogesh K. Dwivedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
B2b Marketing ◽  
Marketing Innovation ◽  
Business To Business

PurposeAlthough the value of artificial intelligence (AI) has been acknowledged by companies, the literature shows challenges concerning AI-enabled business-to-business (B2B) marketing innovation, as well as the diversity of roles AI can play in this regard. Accordingly, this study investigates the approaches that AI can be used for enabling B2B marketing innovation.Design/methodology/approachApplying a bibliometric research method, this study systematically investigates the literature regarding AI-enabled B2B marketing. It synthesises state-of-the-art knowledge from 221 journal articles published between 1990 and 2021.FindingsApart from offering specific information regarding the most influential authors and most frequently cited articles, the study further categorises the use of AI for innovation in B2B marketing into five domains, identifying the main trends in the literature and suggesting directions for future research.Practical implicationsThrough the five identified domains, practitioners can assess their current use of AI and identify their future needs in the relevant domains in order to make appropriate decisions on how to invest in AI. Thus, the research enables companies to realise their digital marketing innovation strategies through AI.Originality/valueThe research represents one of the first large-scale reviews of relevant literature on AI in B2B marketing by (1) obtaining and comparing the most influential works based on a series of analyses; (2) identifying five domains of research into how AI can be used for facilitating B2B marketing innovation and (3) classifying relevant articles into five different time periods in order to identify both past trends and future directions in this specific field.

Key risks in the supply chain of large scale engineering and construction projects

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 336-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian A. Rudolf ◽  
Stefan Spinler
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Supply Chain Risk Management ◽  
Supply Chain Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Risk Taxonomy ◽  
Supply Chain Risks

Purpose Large-scale projects are the typical delivery model in the engineering and construction industry, with their very own characteristics. Even though well established, only 1 in 1,000 large-scale projects is successful (Flyvbjerg, 2011). A lack of effective supply chain risk management (SCRM) has repeatedly been identified as one of the main causes. While the SCRM body of knowledge seems increasingly well established, a lack of effective methods meeting the specific requirements of large-scale projects can be observed. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a structured and prioritized view on the supply chain risk portfolio in this sector: first, the authors identified and categorized the key supply chain risks in the recent literature. Next, the authors surveyed large-scale project managers across multiple industries, mainly coming from the domains of supply chain management and project management. Finally, the authors provide a contextualized risk taxonomy for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects. Findings The identified risk portfolio deviates from generic projects significantly and shows a very high inherent risk exposure of large-scale projects. In particular, behavioral risks are identified as crucial. Additionally, a bias to considerably underestimate risks at project beginning is found. Originality/value The contextualized SCRM taxonomy offers a systematic and structured view on the key supply chain risks in EPC large-scale projects. The identified risks are considerably different in their characteristics compared to generic projects or classical SCRM approaches. The authors thus provide a new perspective on SCRM in this specific setting and complement traditional risk and project risk management techniques.

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