Mexico's construction sector faces mixed prospects

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Market Share ◽  
Housing Development ◽  
Residential Construction ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Housing Subsidy ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spending Cuts

Subject Mexico's construction sector. Significance Statistics from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) suggest Mexico's construction sector faces mixed fortunes. While housing development is increasing after some difficult years, non-residential construction is faring less well, with firms preferring to improve existing facilities rather than investing in new developments. Spending cuts also raise questions over the future of public infrastructure projects. Impacts Housing developers may struggle to absorb the market share left by bankrupt former competitors. A new government after the 2018 general election could change housing subsidy policies. Lack of growth for the sector as a whole will exacerbate low-skilled unemployment.

PROMETHEE-based ranking of project managers based on the five personality traits

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 1083-1102
Author(s):  
Georgios N. Aretoulis ◽  
Jason Papathanasiou ◽  
Fani Antoniou
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Multicriteria Decision Making ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The One ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose This paper aims to rank and identify the most efficient project managers (PMs) based on personality traits, using Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE) methodology. Design/methodology/approach The proposed methodology relies on the five personality traits. These were used as the selection criteria. A questionnaire survey among 82 experienced engineers was used to estimate the required weights per personality trait. A second two-part questionnaire survey aimed at recording the PMs profile and assess the performance of personality traits per PM. PMs with the most years of experience are selected to be ranked through Visual PROMETHEE. Findings The findings suggest that a competent PM is the one that scores low on the “Neuroticism” trait and high especially on the “Conscientiousness” trait. Research limitations/implications The research applied a psychometric test specifically designed for Greek people. Furthermore, the proposed methodology is based on the personality characteristics to rank the PMs and does not consider the technical skills. Furthermore, the type of project is not considered in the process of ranking PMs. Practical implications The findings could contribute in the selection of the best PM that maximizes the project team’s performance. Social implications Improved project team communication and collaboration leading to improved project performance through better communication and collaboration. This is an additional benefit for the society, especially in the delivery of public infrastructure projects. A lot of public infrastructure projects deviate largely as far as cost and schedule is concerned and this is an additional burden for public and society. Proper project management through efficient PMs would save people’s money and time. Originality/value Identification of the best PMbased on a combination of multicriteria decision-making and psychometric tests, which focus on personality traits.

Causes and mitigation for declining productivity in the Australian mid-rise residential construction sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tillmann Böhme ◽  
Alberto Escribano ◽  
Emma Elizabeth Heffernan ◽  
Scott Beazley
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Residential Construction ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Productivity ◽  
Productivity Losses ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Stage Process

Purpose The construction industry is a significant driver of economic activity in many countries. However, there has been a lack of growth in productivity within the Australian construction sector over recent years. The purpose of this paper is to gain an in-depth understanding of the causes for declining productivity within the Australian mid-rise residential construction network. Design/methodology/approach Two in-depth case studies have been conducted with a builder and developer, both significant entities of the Australian mid-rise residential construction network. Case study data collection comprised a five-stage process including semi-structured interviews and archival information review. Findings Drivers for declining construction productivity were identified under the categories of: industry-, firm- and project-level productivity. The drivers include: incomplete documentation, design changes, inefficient project management, supply chain fragmentation, among others. Originality/value The contribution of this study is the identification and categorisation of major issues impacting sector productivity along the mid-rise residential construction supply chain. The research identified that the substructure and superstructure are the construction phases during which most productivity losses occur. Mitigations are discussed in terms of systemic sector productivity increases at an industry, firm and project levels.

Chadian government will mask economic shortcomings

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Size ◽  
The Government ◽  
Poverty Levels

Subject Economic update. Significance Landlocked and with meagre infrastructure relative to its large size, Chad depends heavily on oil for export earnings. Under 18s make up more than half of the country’s population of 15.5 million, and poverty levels are high. President Idriss Deby has been in power for nearly 29 years and will have noted with some concern the sustained protest campaign in neighbouring Sudan which led to the ouster of its long-standing president earlier this year. Impacts Allegations or revelations about corruption could prompt the government to initiate new anti-graft measures, albeit likely symbolic. Public infrastructure projects will be hamstrung by financing shortages. Oil output is unlikely to grow significantly.

scholarly journals Key BIM Adoption Drivers to Improve Performance of Infrastructure Projects in the Ethiopian Construction Sector: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Solomon Belay ◽  
James Goedert ◽  
Asregedew Woldesenbet ◽  
Saeed Rokooei ◽  
José Matos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Analysis Application

The aim of this paper is to explore the critical BIM adoption drivers across the Ethiopian public infrastructure construction sector. In this regard, a comprehensive systematic literature review was employed to identify potential BIM implementation attributes in developing countries and validated through a pilot test. Then, quantitative data was collected from experts working in various organizations using a structured questionnaire survey. A structural equation model was then developed based on five key BIM adoption constructs and 14 adoption drivers. Based on the path analysis, Application, Environment, and Project related factors positively affect BIM adoption in infrastructure projects, whereas Organization and Information Management are insignificant and negatively affect BIM adoption in the Ethiopian construction industry. The study highlighted key BIM adoption attributes that are helpful to enhance the overall project management performance in infrastructure projects. The proposed action plan is beneficial to various professionals, government, and stakeholders in an effort to improve the current level of BIM uptake in the horn of Africa. More so, the findings of this paper can be used to facilitate and promote BIM adoption in public infrastructure construction projects across the Ethiopian construction market.

Russia will ignore fear of China for tactical success

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Bilateral Trade ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Military ◽  
Spending Cuts

Significance With many Western leaders staying away from the event as a result of Russia's annexation of Crimea and increasing support for separatist forces in Ukraine's Donbas, the visit of Xi added extra significance. The military parade proved to be the largest ever, with 16,000 troops participating including a Chinese unit. During Xi's visit, Russia and China signed a number of major multi-billion dollar agreements ranging from finance through to infrastructure. Impacts Russia-Chinese bilateral trade is likely to reach 100 billion dollars in 2015. Russian infrastructure projects that have been affected by 10% spending cuts will receive a boost from China. Russia will need to balance strong ties with China with its warm relations with other Asia Pacific partners such as Vietnam.

Construction will depend on Greek consumer confidence

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Residential Building ◽  
Investment Climate ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Sharp Drop ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
D Investment ◽  
Skill Shortages

Subject Construction sector. Significance Before 2009, construction was a main driver of domestic economic growth. Subsequently, a sharp drop in residential building and a decline in public infrastructure spending reduced output to half the pre-crisis level. Impacts The lower participation of those up to 25 years old post-crisis is likely to lead to future skill shortages. A drop in R&D investment and innovation will undermine construction firms’ future competitiveness. The improved investment climate under the new government should support net FDI into real estate, after record levels in 2018.

Indonesia reforms slightly boost infrastructure plan

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
National Development ◽  
Development Plan ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Private Investors

Subject Indonesia's infrastructure plans. Significance Indonesia will need over 416 billion dollars for infrastructure development between 2015 and 2019, according to the National Development Board's mid-term development plan published late last year. To that end, President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's government is planning to treble public infrastructure spending to 26 billion dollars in 2016, from about 9 billion dollars in 2015. For 2016, the government has pledged to streamline further the planning and funding systems of infrastructure projects, offering increasingly better regulatory and financial terms to private investors. Impacts Cancellation of the Bandung-Jakarta rail project has hit Chinese-Indonesian infrastructure cooperation, but only temporarily. A repeat of such a political debacle, however, could have a more lasting impact on Chinese and Japanese investors' appetite. To make 'new friends' in South-east Asia, Russia will probably invest in Indonesian infrastructure, especially in the energy sector.

Zambia's economic problems to persist as IMF beckons

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Budget Cuts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
State Involvement ◽  
The Government ◽  
Spending Cuts ◽  
The Imf

Subject Prospects for an IMF programme. Significance Strong citizen demand for state involvement in the economy and widespread distrust of the IMF has undermined the willingness of President Edgar Lungu’s government to enter into a 1.2 billion-dollar bailout package. A meeting with the Fund in October concluded with the president saying that he needed more time to consult with domestic civil society groups and stakeholders about a proposed programme, which was likely to entail significant budget cuts. The subsequent November budget committed the government to increasing spending by 21% to 6.6 billion dollars. Impacts Heavy spending cuts are likely to prompt street protests -- especially if they trigger job losses. Negotiations with the IMF are likely to be strained and protracted, delaying economic recovery. Dropping costly capital infrastructure projects -- likely under any funding deal -- could see the PF’s popularity fall.

The governance of major public infrastructure projects: the process of translation

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maude Brunet ◽  
Monique Aubry
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Public Infrastructure ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Framework ◽  
Infrastructure Project

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of translation of an institutionalized governance framework as adapted to a major project in practice. Although infrastructure projects have been studied for decades, most studies have emphasized economic or contingency-based perspectives. Of those studies, some researchers have focused on governance frameworks for public infrastructure projects, and their impact for shaping the front-end phase of those projects. Yet, little is known about the way actors translate and enact those governance frameworks into practice. Understanding this translation process will lead to a better understanding of the overall performance of major infrastructure projects. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative research is based on a case study of one public infrastructure project in the health sector in Quebec, Canada. Through non-participant observation and interviews, the planning phase of the project is presented as it unfolds. Findings The process of translation is presented, from the ostensive, institutionalized governance framework, to appropriation into performative practices, which resulted in 12 specific practices: four “structuring” practices at the institutional level, five “normalizing” practices at the organizational level and three “facilitating” practices at the project level. Originality/value The main contribution of this paper is to enrich our understanding of the governance of major public infrastructure projects with process- and practice-based theories.

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