scholarly journals Network analysis of interconnections between theoretical concepts associated with principal–agent theory concerning construction projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 2450-2464
Author(s):  
Anita Ceric ◽  
Ivona Ivic
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Construction Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Principal Agent ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Communication And Coordination ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Theory Research

Abstract Communication risks and asymmetric information among project participants are often associated with poor performance in construction projects. Communication and coordination are prominent issues in recent research on construction management, with little actual theoretical foundation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which principal–agent (P–A) theory and its implications are used in construction management research. In the archives of the top seven construction management journals, 148 scientific papers mentioning P–A theory were found. The keywords were analysed to determine the connections between them. Network analysis (NA) of the interconnected keywords was used to illustrate the most common relations between P–A theory and construction management. The findings of this study indicate that the most important elements associated with P–A theory in construction management are contracts, governance, partnership, transaction costs, information systems, incentives, risk management, and trust. However, some keywords are often used without considering related theoretical concepts. This study introduces a new perspective on P–A theory research in the field of construction management.

scholarly journals Social Capital and Educational Achievements: Coleman vs. Bourdieu

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-100
Author(s):  
Silvia Rogošić ◽  
Branislava Baranović
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Theory ◽  
Social Reproduction ◽  
Conflict Theory ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Educational Achievements ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Number Of Authors

The influence of social capital on an individual’s educational achievements is the subject of numerous scientific papers. Research on social capital is most frequently based on Coleman’s (1988) or Bourdieu’s (1986) theories of capital, which are related to different paradigms of social theory: whereas Coleman’s approach has its roots in structural functionalism, Bourdieu’s approach contains elements of conflict theory. A number of authors, starting with Bourdieu, attempt to explain and prove that, when connected with the education of individuals, the activity of social capital facilitates social reproduction. Other authors support the notion that social capital is, in fact, a powerful weapon that encourages social mobility. A third group of researchers emphasise that neither of these approaches in isolation can entirety explain the influences of social capital on an individual’s education (Ho, 2003). The present paper offers a review of research focusing on the influences of social capital on educational achievements, while outlining the fundamental differences between the two theoretical approaches that are most frequently used for research of this topic. The aim of the paper is to explain the influence of social capital on an individual’s educational achievements under Bourdieu’s and Coleman’s theoretical concepts, and to establish whether combining the approaches is possible. The conclusion and arguments show that it is legitimate to use all three theoretical approaches. 

scholarly journals Characteristics of Procurement Methods in Malaysia – Comparing Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build and Construction Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azeanita Suratkon ◽  
◽  
Riduan Yunus ◽  
Rafikullah Deraman ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Technical Expertise ◽  
Time Cost ◽  
Project Complexity ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Procurement Method ◽  
Design Bid Build

Design-Bid-Build (DBB) or commonly known as Traditional method is the earliest and most prevalent procurement method used in Malaysian construction industry. Design-Build (DB) and Construction Management (CM) procurement methods were later introduced in Malaysia as an endeavour to satisfy and accommodate the increase in project complexity and the need for avoiding drawbacks of the Traditional methods. Each procurement method has different nature and possesses certain characteristics. Therefore, this study was carried out to ascertain and compare the characteristics of these three procurement methods that are implemented in building construction projects in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey was conducted among architects, consultants, contractors and owners or developers to elicit their feedback on the characteristics which were categorised into time, cost, quality, complexity and flexibility, degree of involvement and responsibility allocation and technical expertise. The findings indicated that only DB method almost fulfils all the characteristics under the six categories, whereas, DBB methods garnered agreement only for certain characteristics under time, cost, complexity and flexibility and technical expertise categories. Meanwhile, the only CM method’s characteristics that satisfy agreement from the respondents are the often used of fast track approach and lack of certainty in price. This study concludes that when a procurement method is adopted for a construction project, not all the features or characteristics will turn out as expected. There are many factors that contribute and are influential on the success in procurement methods that are worth for further investigation.

scholarly journals Social network analysis of construction companies operating in international markets: case of Turkish contractors

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bartug Kemal AKGUL ◽  
Beliz OZORHON ◽  
Irem DIKMEN ◽  
M. Talat BIRGONUL
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Project Networks ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
International Construction ◽  
Multiple Partners ◽  
Complex Projects

Investigation of market entry strategies is critical for the success of international contractors. Establishing partnerships is among the most effective vehicles of operating in international markets. The major objective of this paper is to analyze the partnership behavior of contractors in overseas projects. In this respect, social network analysis (SNA) was used to better understand the collaborative project networks in different markets and for projects of differing sizes. A database was developed based on the collaborative international construction projects where Turkish firms and their non-Turkish partners were involved. A total of 449 projects carried out in 46 countries were used for the analysis. The findings of the study suggest that contractors adopt different strategies depending on the market and project character­istics. The majority of the companies tend to remain in the same markets; they keep working with the same partners or choose local partners; and engage with multiple partners in more complex projects. This study is expected to help contractors reflect on their internationalization decisions and devise appropriate strategies to establish project networks.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IN PROJECT DELIVERY: A DISCUSSION ON CURRENT AND FUTURE TRENDS

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karno Widjaja
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Sustainable Design ◽  
Current System ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Communication And Coordination ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Sustainability Principles

INTRODUCTION Sustainability principles have become an integral part of the design and construction process for many new construction projects. The selection of the project delivery method (PDM) is extremely important in the effective execution of the project, and plays a critical role in establishing communication and coordination between the key entities: owner, architect, and contractor. The goal of this paper is to hopefully serve as a starting point for further discussion to improve on the AEC industry's current integration of sustainability principles in PDMs. The first step consists of an assessment of current project delivery systems from a sustainable design perspective. This is followed by a determination of the current limitations, and examination of the various disruptions in the industry. Various literature sources are analyzed to form a framework to discuss improvements and optimization strategies beyond the current system. Thereafter, proposed solutions are introduced at both stakeholders, as well as PDM scales. In this paper, the focus for the conducted analysis and proposed methodologies is predicated on new construction projects instead of retrofits due to the resources available. However, the principles can similarly be applied to retrofit scenarios as well, depending on the specific requirements of the individual project at play.

Actor-Network Theory and the Online Investor

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Arthur Adamopoulos ◽  
Martin Dick ◽  
Bill Davey
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Human Actors ◽  
Theory Research ◽  
The Way

An actor-network analysis of the way in which online investors use Internet-based services has revealed a phenomenon that is not commonly reported in actor-network theory research. An aspect of the research that emerged from interviews of a wide range of online investors is a peculiar effect of changes in non-human actors on the human actors. In this paper, the authors report on the particular case and postulate that this effect may be found, if looked for, in many other actor-network theory applications.

scholarly journals Forecasting the Project Duration Average and Standard Deviation from Deterministic Schedule Information

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Ballesteros-Pérez ◽  
Alberto Cerezo-Narváez ◽  
Manuel Otero-Mateo ◽  
Andrés Pastor-Fernández ◽  
Jingxiao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Evaluation ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Stochastic Network ◽  
Project Duration ◽  
Deterministic Scheduling ◽  
Mathematical Expressions ◽  
Additional Calculation

Most construction managers use deterministic scheduling techniques to plan construction projects and estimate their duration. However, deterministic techniques are known to underestimate the project duration. Alternative methods, such as Stochastic Network Analysis, have rarely been adopted in practical contexts as they are commonly computer-intensive, require extensive historical information, have limited contextual/local validity and/or require skills most practitioners have not been trained for. In this paper, we propose some mathematical expressions to approximate the average and the standard deviation of a project duration from basic deterministic schedule information. The expressions’ performance is successfully tested in a 4100-network dataset with varied activity durations and activity durations variability. Calculations are quite straightforward and can be implemented manually. Furthermore, unlike the Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), they allow drawing inferences about the probability of project duration in the presence of several critical and subcritical paths with minimal additional calculation.

Critical Logistics Support Enables Fast Track Construction for High Speed Rail

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Blaze ◽  
Jay Gowan ◽  
Stephen Byers
Keyword(s):  
Construction Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Economic Advantage ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Operational Costs ◽  
Construction Zones ◽  
Made In

Paper and PowerPoint presentation format will describe process for much faster logistics and construction management of new high speed track construction and improvement of existing FRA track from FRA Class 4 to Class 5 and Class 6 standards on existing freight railway lines. This process involves an integration of the long materials supply chain together with rapid process state of the art construction machines. These machines have been used in both European and Chinese high speed construction projects. Huge gains in new track kilometers and miles per day have been made in the last decade on the machinery side of the equation. The authors will show several case studies. The critical key to these production rates has been in the integration of materials ordering and prepositioning. The economic advantage is that track time construction windows that delay other passing trains can be reduced at tremendous savings in service and operational costs to the operators already providing service in these new high speed corridors and construction zones. Examples and calculations are shown.

Exploring influential factors leading to the poor performance of public construction project in Ethiopia using structural equation modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benti Gadisa ◽  
Hong Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Project Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Public Construction

PurposeIt is well recognized that the construction industry is characterised by inefficient and ineffective service delivery due to various causative factors. Thus this study aims to examine the influential factors affecting public construction project performance in Ethiopia to improve the industry's service delivery.Design/methodology/approachFrom the extensive literature reviewed, 58 potential factors affecting construction project performance have been compiled. Based on the evidence accumulated, the conceptual model of this paper has been developed. By using survey questionnaires, valuable data were collected from the construction industry professionals in Ethiopia; analysed and interpreted with the use of both SPSS and AMOS software.FindingsIt is concluded that failure factors related to the “performance” of the contractor, the “capability” of the owner, the “project design-procurement process,” and project contract management can significantly contribute to the poor performance of public construction projects in Ethiopia. Ten key factors include inadequate contractor capacity, weak project site management and supervision, weak project management skills and capabilities of the owner, additional work orders, delayed payment, lack of comprehensive project plans between parties and incomplete project design, rising material prices, ineffective project schedules, and cost management, rising market prices and devaluation of the currency.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of this study confined to public projects in Ethiopia. It suggests that further research needs to consider public and private construction from a comprehensive perspective in the developing countries.Practical implicationsIt provides practitioners with information and guidance on the factors that affect the performance of construction projects.Originality/valueIt provides inclusive evidence related to many factors that affect the performance of public construction projects.

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