A SYNTHESIS OF CONSTRUCTABILITY IN TRANSPORTATION CONSTRUCTION

Author(s):  
R. Edward Minchin ◽  
Mackie Myers ◽  
Dan Tran ◽  
Yifeng Tian

The problem of “constructability” was successfully addressed by leading researchers in the early 1990s, and was considered a problem in remission for over a decade afterward. Constructability, at that time, was seen as the level of difficulty faced by a constructor (usually a contractor) in building a structure in the field as drawn by the designer. Many contractors in those days found it impossible to build the project as drawn and directed. Researchers then devised what became known as the Constructability Review Process, and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) took up their recommendations as each agency saw fit. This review process drastically reduced obstacles to the point that constructability was no longer viewed as a problem. Then, however, came the proliferation of fast-track, integrated construction delivery systems in the transportation construction industry, with early contractor involvement in the design inherent in these delivery methods. About the same time, DOTs were inundated with new requirements for procuring environmental permits prior to construction, as well as an additional process required by the National Environmental Protection Act. Constructability, with these new requirements, has returned as a problem. This paper reports on a survey conducted as part of a research project funded by the National Cooperative Research Program to determine how each of the 52 DOTs in the US are confronting this problem.

Author(s):  
Kunqi Zhang ◽  
Qingbin Cui

Pushback for public–private partnerships (P3s) comes in part from their purported favoritism toward large firms. However, no study has empirically verified this claim. This paper examined the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program to assess whether delivery methods play a role in the participation of minority- and women-owned firms in federally assisted transportation contracts. A sample of 134 contracts from the US Major Transportation Project Database served as the dataset to run linear regressions. Results revealed that P3 associates with higher DBE goals than design–bid–build (DBB). Plausible explanations include P3 being associated with a larger contract size, more public attention, more potential subcontracting opportunities with design included in the package, and intensified agency desire for greater diversity in DBE subcontracts. Moreover, the delivery method has an insignificant effect on DBE attainment. This paper also introduces the DBE envelope, a radar plot capable of graphically assessing DBE program implementation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 16-21
Author(s):  
Andrew Brady ◽  
Brian Breheny ◽  
Michelle Gasaway ◽  
Stacy Kanter ◽  
Michael Zeidel ◽  
...  

Purpose To explain the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) June 29, 2017 announcement (as updated August 17, 2017) that the staff of its Division of Corporation Finance will accept draft registration statement submissions from all companies for nonpublic review, thereby expanding a popular benefit previously available only to emerging growth companies (ECGs) under the JOBS Act and, in limited circumstances, to certain foreign private issuers under historical Staff practices. Design/methodology/approach Explains the rationale and limitations of the new policy, the existing confidential submission process, the expanded class of issuers and transactions that now qualifies for the nonpublic review process, and content and staff processing details. Findings Recognizing that the confidential submission process for EGCs proved highly popular and quickly became standard practice for eligible companies seeking to conduct an IPO, the SEC has made the nonpublic review process available to an expanded class of issuers and transactions. The expanded confidential submission process for IPOs addresses some of the typical concerns associated with engaging in the IPO process by giving a company more time and flexibility to determine whether it actually will be able to achieve the benefits of going public before it incurs the burdens and expenses of doing so. Originality/value Practical guidance from experienced securities and corporate finance lawyers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-47
Author(s):  
Eka Fajar Rahmani

ABSTRACTThis study aims at displaying the results of reviewing research-based articles about gamification in the context of learning English. The concept of games has changed from a self-entertainment into an edutainment through adjustments and modifications. This notion is adapted by teachers in big countries such as Poland, China, and the US to enhance their English class with surprisingly ensuing positive results (Rothwell & Shaffer, 2019). These results have triggered the writer to find out more about the benefits of gamification and to conduct qualitative research through the review process. The writer collected and analyzed thirteen relevant articles from journals and websites. The results indicated that gamification indeed brought benefits to students. The foremost results included motivation improvement, promoting positive attitudes and better performances, fostering 21st-century skills and better cognitive achievements, encouraging social interaction and independencies, and improving competitiveness among students during the learning process.ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk memaparkan hasil dari telaah artikel berbasis riset tentang gamifikasi pada konteks pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris. Konsep permainan telah berubah dari hiburan mandiri menjadi edutainment melalui penyesuaian dan modifikasi. Konsep ini, terutama permainan online, diadaptasi oleh para guru di negara-negara besar seperti Polandia, China, dan US untuk meningkatkan aktifitas kelas Bahasa Inggris mereka dengan yang hasil positif yang mengejutkan (Rothwell & Shaffer, 2019). Hasil ini menjadi motivasi penulis untuk menggali lebih dalam tentang manfaat gamifikasi dalam pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris sehingga penulis melakukan penelitian kualitatif melalui proses review. Penulis telah mengumpulkan dan menganalisa tiga belas artikel yang relevan dari jurnal dan situs web. Hasil analisa menunjukkan bahwa gamifikasi memang bermanfaat bagi siswa. Manfaat yang paling utama yaitu meningkatkan motivasi dan penampilan yang baik, mengembangkan keterampilan Abad 21, mendorong interaksi social dan kebebasan, serta meningkatkan daya saing antar siswa selama pembelajaran. How to Cite: Rahmani, E.F. (2020). The Benefits of Gamification in the English Learning Context. IJEE (Indonesian Journal of English Education), 7(1), 32-47. doi:10.15408/ijee.v7i1.17054


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document