Constraints and opportunities facing construction organization in post-conflict condition in Afghanistan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qais Amarkhil ◽  
Emad Elwakil
Keyword(s):  
Matrix Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Conflict Condition ◽  
Local Construction ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Construction Organization ◽  
Critical Constraints

Purpose Although there are many challenges and constraints for construction organization operation and performance in a post-conflict condition, there is insufficient construction project management literature. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify a framework to understand and determine critical constraints and opportunities in a post-conflict condition facing local construction firms in Afghanistan. The proposed framework is composed of three major steps: identify and determine key performance indicators; identify challenges impacting organization operation and performance in post-conflict condition; determine critical constraints and opportunities based on prioritized performance measures; and organizational strength and weakness factors. Design/methodology/approach The strength, weakness, opportunities and threat matrix analysis has been used to determine post-conflict condition constraints and opportunities. Then the analytical hierarchy process has been used to prioritize the measures and identify the constraints and opportunities facing construction companies in a post-conflict situation. The mix-research method is applied to this study to analyse qualitative variables and quantitative variables obtained from the experts’ opinions and 51 filled questioners. Findings The study shows that there are a total of 11 critical constraints and three essential opportunities for construction companies that industry practitioners and policymakers should take into account while formulating the organizational strategy. Practical implications The developed framework will benefit construction companies in improving their performance and operation in after-conflict conditions. Originality/value This paper is the first to provide a comprehensive conceptualization of the challenges and constraints for construction organization operation and performance in a post-conflict condition. It also offers a novel conceptual framework to understand and determine critical constraints and opportunities in a post-conflict condition facing local construction firms in Afghanistan.

Transformational leadership and teamwork improvement: the case of construction firms

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 1019-1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Akhavan Tabassi ◽  
Mahyuddin Ramli ◽  
Abu Hassan Abu Bakar ◽  
Abd. Hamid Kadir Pakir
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Leadership Practices ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Leadership Qualities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Construction Organization ◽  
Relationship Of

Purpose – A need for effective leadership and adequate managing the personnel is vital for every construction organization. Meanwhile, the dynamic and complex environments of the industry may be caused that not much research has been conducted on leadership practices in the industry. The purpose of this paper is to study the leadership style of the construction leaders in Iran and explore the correlation of transformational leadership practices with teamwork improvement in the construction companies. Design/methodology/approach – The research analysis was completed on a sample population of 107 managers within nominated construction firms in Iran. The analysis methods in this research were mainly descriptive and regression-based analyses and the type of investigation was a co-relational study. Findings – The research found the level of the leaders’ orientation for people and task in their leadership style, their transformational leadership qualities, and the relationship of transformational leadership with teamwork improvement in the respondents’ companies. Originality/value – The study is the first to investigate the leadership style of the construction leaders in Iran, and weather transformational leadership practices effects on teamwork improvement in the industry.

An assessment of the readiness of construction firms for international construction joint ventures (ICJVs) using the VERDICT model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Akunyumu ◽  
Frank D.K. Fugar ◽  
Emmanuel Adinyira
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Technology Infrastructure ◽  
Commitment To Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Construction Joint ◽  
Foreign Companies ◽  
International Construction ◽  
Construction Organizations

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the readiness of construction companies in Ghana to partner with foreign companies in international construction joint ventures (ICJVs). Design/methodology/approach Using the Verify End-User e-Readiness using a Diagnostic Tool (VERDICT) model, a survey with 31 construction companies was conducted to assess their readiness through four pre-defined elements of readiness. Findings The results indicated the readiness of construction companies to collaborate with potential foreign partners in ICJVs. Notwithstanding, certain areas such as management commitment to change, employee buy-in, process flexibility and technology infrastructure need improvement in some firms to achieve readiness. Government has a role in ensuring the readiness of domestic firms for the international market. Originality/value This study applies the VERDICT model, a tool originally designed to assess construction organizations’ readiness for e-commerce, to assess the readiness of Ghanaian construction companies for ICJVs.

Impacts of capital structure: profitability of construction companies in Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-386
Author(s):  
Fekadu Agmas W.
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Return On Assets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Return On Equity ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Grade One

Purpose Capital structure decisions are important decisions for any business activity because they have considerable influence on the worth and cost of companies. Most previous studies in Ethiopia were primarily focused on identifying and measuring problems in banking sectors and other sectors and paying little attention to the construction sector. The purpose of this study is mainly to fill the gap by examining the effects of capital structure on the profitability of construction firms in Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach To test hypotheses of the study, time series secondary data were gathered from the sample of 30 grade one construction companies in Ethiopia during the 2011–2015 period. To examine the correlation among capital structures and its determinants, random effect multiple regression models were used. Findings From the regression outcomes, the study indicates that capital structure measured by debt to equity and long-term debt to total assets has a significant positive correlation with return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA) of sampled construction companies. However, the capital structure measured by debt to assets has a significant negative correlation with ROE and ROA of sampled construction companies in Ethiopia. Originality/value This paper is the author’s original work and assures that the paper was not undertaken anywhere and is also not published in any journal before.

Assessing maturity development of purchasing management in construction

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 1033-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan van Lith ◽  
Hans Voordijk ◽  
Julieta Matos Castano ◽  
Bart Vos
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Purchasing Management ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Integrated Supply Chain

Purpose – Prime contractors spent a substantial part of their turnover on purchasing. The management of the purchasing function therefore has a large influence on the overall performance of a prime contractor. The more developed the purchasing function is, the greater its contribution to success of the companies. The purpose of this paper is to measure and explain the development in maturity of the purchasing function in construction firms. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a literature review, a theoretical framework for the assessment of purchasing maturity is provided first. Then a longitudinal multiple case study is executed in order to assess the maturity development of the purchasing function in seven construction companies. Results are compared with a historical baseline assessment. Findings – The results demonstrate an increase in the maturity of the purchasing function in general and in particular in the management of strategic relations. The case companies have reached a maturity in which they start to coordinate activities in their supply chains. Increased use of IT solutions enables a more integrated approach of the construction process. Practical implications – IT and in particular Building Information Modelling pave the path towards an integrated supply chain, which in turn enables the reduction of waste in the processes. Nevertheless, companies still struggle with the tension between project-based flexibility and long-term relations with suppliers. Originality/value – The development of purchasing maturity was measured in a baseline measurement and in a second assessment performed five years later by using the exact same model and exact same case companies.

scholarly journals A Study of Joint Venture Formation between Construction Organizations in Tanzania

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Minja ◽  
Geraldine Kikwasi ◽  
Wellington Thwala
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Joint Venture ◽  
Financial Risks ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Tax Relief ◽  
Construction Organizations ◽  
Local Construction

Formation of joint ventures between construction companies is one of the recent efforts in combating contractors problems in Tanzania and addresses one of the key challenges facing the construction industry today in the country especially when large and complex projects are involved. The main objective of the research is to examine the formation of joint ventures in Tanzania, specifically to: study joint ventures formation procedures; identify criteria in selection of joint venture partner; and identify risks associated with and challenges facing joint venture undertakings in Tanzania. The study adopted a descriptive research design and purposive sampling. Multiple sources of evidence was used to collect information mainly literature review, questionnaires and interviews. Key findings reveal that legal and statutory requirements in the formation of joint ventures include registration by Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA), Contractors Registration Board (CRB) and under Registration of Documents Act (RDA). All JV respondents were registered by BRELA and CRB which are mandatory but only 7 were registered by RDA. Most important factors considered during formation of JVs are: contract agreement, financial stability and commitment while key risks associated with JVs are cultural and social differences, delays in approvals and financial risks. In addition, main challenges facing joint ventures are: identification of possible risks and joint venture agreement interpretation. The study concludes that formation of JVs have been addressing some of emerging challenges facing local construction organizations despite the risks and challenges that exist. The study recommends that firms entering joint ventures should explore the benefits of registering with RDA and ensure risks associated with their JV are properly assessed. The study also recommends introduction of an incentive scheme through Tanzania Investment Centre to grant tax relief for foreign contractors going into joint venture with local construction firms.

Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on local construction firms’ viability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olubimbola Oladimeji
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Factor Loading ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Local Construction ◽  
Prompt Attention

Purpose This paper aims to assess COVID-19 (C-19) pandemic influence in the 37 factors identified from extant literature as factors influencing the viability of local construction firms (LCFs). Design/methodology/approach A sample size of 65 staff of 31 LCFs that were awarded construction projects contracts in institutions in Nigeria was purposefully selected and accessed based on relevant predetermined criteria. Respondents’ views on factors determining the viability of LCFs were obtained. Factors known to be influenced by C-19 are 25 of the 37 factors rated on a five-point Likert scale of importance by the respondents. Mean scores were used to rank the factors and principal component analysis was used to obtain key component factors (CFs) influenced by the C-19 pandemic. Findings Six of the first ten “extremely important” and “very important” factors are known to be influenced by C-19 pandemic. A total of 8 CFs having 20 variables with factor loadings of more than 0.5 each were known to be influenced by C-19. The C-19 pandemic influenced LCFs’ cash flow and management of construction labour, plant and equipment amidst variables that had above 0.8 factor loading. Research limitations/implications A limitation of this study is the inability to conduct close contact interview during this period to obtain personal views on the influence of C-19 on LCFs. However, this does not reduce the quality of findings of this study, as there are valid literature basis hinging this study findings. Practical implications The paper recommends that all stakeholders pay prompt attention to the factors adversely affected by the C-19 pandemic to improve or at the least sustain the viability of LCFs. Originality/value This paper fulfils a present pertinent need of assessing the influence of the C-19 pandemic on various factors influencing the viability of construction firms.

scholarly journals Competitive Capabilities for the Innovation and Performance of Spanish Construction Companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 5475 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Giménez ◽  
Antonia Madrid-Guijarro ◽  
Antonio Duréndez
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Survey Research ◽  
Human Capabilities ◽  
Firm Innovation ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Competitive Capabilities ◽  
Internal Capabilities ◽  
Competitive Success ◽  
And Performance

This research analyses the influence of internal capabilities, identified as strategic by the literature, on the performance and innovation of Spanish construction companies during a recessionary period. Based on this, we studied whether innovative, marketing, financial, managerial, and human capabilities affect competitive success in terms of fostering innovation and the performance of firms. Empirical evidence is provided by performing survey research with a sample of 94 Spanish construction firms. The results show that firm innovation is fostered by innovative, financial, and human capabilities, and that performance is promoted by innovation, and financial and human capabilities. Human capabilities have the most important effect on both innovation and the performance of the company.

Correlation between innovation and performance of construction firms

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 1722-1731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seokin Choi ◽  
Hyounseung Jang ◽  
Joonsik Hyun
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Asian Financial Crisis ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Market Leadership ◽  
Indirect Relationship

This paper studies the performance of 118 major Korean construction companies between 1997 and 2003 to verify empirically the existence of a direct relationship between innovations of firms and their performance. This time period was selected because there had been a radical change in the market leadership of the construction industry due to the Asian Financial Crisis of the late 1990s. The AMOS analysis and the research demonstrated that innovation of a firm has an indirect relationship with its performance through mediating variables — firm product and process fits. While innovations of a firm are contingent to the external factors, product fit and process fit have direct impact on firm performance, suggesting that the product fit and the process fit are two significant indicators of the success or failure of a firm.

The competitive edge of construction

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 31-33
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Market Place ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Competitive Edge ◽  
Construction Organizations ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The construction industry is arguably one of the most competitive, no more so than in South Africa. Understanding how organizational characteristics can mediate between competitive strategy and performance allows for the potential of improving how construction organizations form themselves, to gain a competitive advantage. Oynekunle et al. (2016) have looked at 72 large construction companies in South Africa, looking to identify what aspects have the greatest influence on performance, and how to make construction organizations more robust in such a turbulent market place. While much is dependent on individual approaches to management style and structuring in an organization, it is possible to identify ways in which any organization can boost performance and beat the competition. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Coping with the Covid-19 pandemic: an exploration of the strategies adopted by construction firms

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde A. Salami ◽  
Saheed O. Ajayi ◽  
Adekunle S. Oyegoke
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Risk Identification ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Site Staff ◽  
Site Access ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Health And Well Being

Purpose The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has tested the resilience of the construction industry, putting the safety of workers and overall businesses at risk. This study aims to explore the different strategies adopted by construction companies to protect the health and well-being of employees, security of the construction sites and projects, and keep the overall business operational amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach A preliminary study that involves field study and survey research was used to collect data for the study. The results from the preliminary analysis served as inputs for constructing the questionnaire, which was analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis. Findings The results reveal that the key underlying measures put in place by construction businesses include restricted site access, support bubbling of office and site staff, enhanced hygiene and social distancing protocol, contract risk identification and mitigation, self-isolation measures and heightened construction site safety. Along with a further discussion of the underlying measures, the top-rated strategies that were adopted by construction firms are also discussed in the paper. Originality/value As many construction companies remained opened handling essential projects amid the pandemic, the study presents the effective and efficient strategies that were used in plowing through the trying times. This study provides the opportunity for construction companies that escaped the early impacts of Covid-19 due to site closure and policymakers to learn from the strategies adopted by construction companies that were operational amid the pandemic.

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