scholarly journals CROSS-CULTURAL DIMENSIONS AND CROSS-CULTURAL ORIENTATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: CASE STUDY OF SRI LANKA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
NIRUSIKA RAJENTHIRAN ◽  
◽  
H.A.S MADHUWANTHI ◽  
D.M.P.P DISSANAYAKE ◽  
D.C. SIRIMEWAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Team Selection ◽  
Cultural Orientations

Significant issues affecting the success of construction projects due to globalisation is the establishment of a multicultural project team. Presently, China has emerged as one of Sri Lanka's main sources of foreign and commercial loans in an environment, where the island is seeking to rebuild and modernise infrastructure. However, the involvement of multi-cultural project teams often present unique challenges due to cross-cultural interactions, thereby, creating conflicts through construction projects, makes the conflict unavoidable. Therefore, this study was attempting to identify the cross-cultural dimensions and cross-cultural orientations in cross-cultural teamwork of Chinese contractors in construction projects in Sri Lanka. A qualitative approach was followed in this study in which multiple case study was selected as the most appropriate method for the research. Accordingly, semi-structured interviews were conducted among the selected four (4) respondents from each case to collect the data. Captured data was analysed by the manual content analysis method. An empirical investigation has been validated communication, leadership, trust, collectivism, team selection, uncertainty, team development and management as the common cross-cultural dimensions for all the three cases. This study added new cross-cultural dimensions to the literature in the context of Sri Lankan construction industry namely, coordination, harmony and customs with specific cross-cultural orientations. The study can be further developed to investigate strategies to manage intragroup conflicts occurs in cross-cultural teamwork of Sri Lankans and Chinese professionals in the Sri Lankan construction industry.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATION OF PLANT AND EQUIPMENT OPERATORS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN SRI LANKA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.G.A.S Waidyasekara ◽  
◽  
K.I. Ridmika ◽  
N.M.G.H. Sandagomika ◽  
A.N Konara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Data Collection Tool ◽  
Social Returns ◽  
The Status ◽  
Essential Input

The construction industry, which is a labour intensive and skill development of the industry would yield both economic and social returns to the national economy. Among other occupational categories, there is a significant demand for the plant and equipment (P&E) operators in the construction industry. Nevertheless, limited numbers of research are available on the said area. Hence, the aim of this paper is to investigate the status of P&E operators in Sri Lankan building construction projects. Accordingly, this study encompassed a qualitative research approach, and six semi-structured expert interviews were conducted as the data collection tool. The study revealed that mainly two categories of P&E as moveable and immovable and further identified subcategories under each. Based on the results, occupational map was developed for the P&E operators in building construction projects in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the study revealed that technical and mechanical skills as an essential input for an efficient P& E operator. Moreover, the paper discussed issues with P & E operators. Accordingly, inconsistency, taking long leave, poor health conditions, less experience, and less motivation were identified as prominent issues.

scholarly journals An Investigation into the Significant Causes of Disputes in the Sri Lankan Construction Industry

10.29007/vbwk ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vajira Edirisinghe ◽  
Dianne Marsh ◽  
Fiona Borthwick ◽  
Alison Cotgrave
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Dispute Resolution ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Cost Optimization ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Construction Disputes ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Of Construction

Disputes in construction projects affect not only delay in construction progress but also its cost and potentially its quality. The construction industry of Sri Lanka contributes significantly to its economy and the cost of construction disputes can influence its economic welfare. It is important to understand the significant disputes in the Sri Lankan construction industry in order to mitigate this cost. A qualitative descriptive study has been conducted through semi-structured questionnaires analyzed using a thematic approach. The sample comprised of 10-construction industry professionals all involved in the dispute resolution process. The literature identified 7 main dispute causes as being owner related, contractor related, project related, design related, contract related, human behavior related and consultant related. The interviews identified sub themes from each, which were then ranked in order to identify those that were most significant. It was found that many of the sub themes were inter related and that one cause could be the creation of another. The lack of appropriate communication between parties and lack of team spirit were identified as the genesis of disputes in the Sri Lankan construction industry. The next stage of this research is to identify the dispute resolution methods specific to Sri Lanka in order to develop a framework for cost optimization of dispute resolution methods that link specifically with the causes of dispute as identified in this study.

CAPTURING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A CASE STUDY OF PAKISTAN

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (04) ◽  
pp. 433-443
Author(s):  
Wajid Alim ◽  
Sabahat Nisar ◽  
Rabia Asif
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
New Policies ◽  
The Impact

The spread of COVID-19 has obstructed construction projects worldwide owing to disruptions in supply chain, restriction on the combine work and legislative enforcements. Construction projects from developing economies are more susceptible to these challenges. The aim of this research is to identify factors caused by COVID-19 impacting progress of construction projects and review tools to lessen its negative impact. Multistep methodology is adopted using semi-structured interviews with construction experts to identify factors affected the progress during COVID-19; and data collection from professionals to quantify the significance of each identified factor; Cronbach’s alpha for reliability and multiple regression to assess the effect of COVID-19 on progress of construction projects. The findings show that COVID-19 has left severe issues at the operational and financial levels. The remedies use to correct these issues will help policymakers from construction industry to improve existing strategic plans and develop new policies to manage the issues caused by COVID-19.

Implementation of circular economy principles during pre-construction stage: the case of Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amodith Supunmal Wijewansha ◽  
G.A. Tennakoon ◽  
K.G.A.S. Waidyasekara ◽  
B.J. Ekanayake
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Stage ◽  
Content Type

PurposeDespite the positive impacts of the construction sector on enhancing economic growth and ensuring societal well-being, its negative impacts on the environment from unsustainable resource consumption levels, emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and waste generation is monumental. Circular economy (CE) concept is identified globally as an avenue to address problems regarding adverse impacts of construction on the environment. This paper presents the principles of CE as an avenue for enhancing environmental sustainability during the pre-construction stage within Sri Lankan construction projects.Design/methodology/approachThis research was approached through a qualitative research method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts. The number of experts were limited due to lack of experts with knowledge on the subject area in Sri Lanka. Data were analysed using content analysis.FindingsFindings revealed a range of activities under each R principle of CE, that is, reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign, reclassification and renewability that could be implemented during the pre-construction stage, thereby providing a guide for construction professionals in implementing CE at the pre-construction stage. The need to expand knowledge on CE concepts within the Sri Lankan construction sector was recognized.Originality/valueThis study provides a qualitative in-depth perspective on how 6R principles of CE could be integrated to a construction project during the pre-construction stage. By adopting the proposed activities under CE principles, construction professionals can enhance the environmental sustainability of construction projects.

scholarly journals MANAGING CONCRETE WASTES BY IMPLEMENTING CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES IN SRI LANKA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.R. Senarathna ◽  
◽  
B.L.S.H. Perera ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Construction Material ◽  
Value Engineering ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Project Cost ◽  
Main Component ◽  
Precast Elements ◽  
Concrete Recycling

Material waste is one of the main reasons for the client to suffer due to increments in unnecessary costs. Among all construction material wastes, concrete waste highly draws expenses to the project stakeholders. As a main component in construction, the volume of the concrete waste in Sri Lankan construction projects are considerably high, when comparing with the other material wastes. Currently, most of the countries are moving towards the sustainable developments while minimizing concrete waste. Therefore, applying traditional practices to minimize concrete waste have not been successful over the years. The aim of this research study is, to minimize concrete wastes by implementing contemporary practices that assists to reduce the project cost in Sri Lankan construction industry. In order to achieve the aim, comprehensive literature review, a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data in both qualitative and quantitative procedures. The empirical findings revealed that concrete waste has a positive relationship with the project cost. Same time, discovered the drivers and barriers that gains while implementing contemporary practices in Sri Lanka. Concrete recycling, precast elements, lean construction techniques, value engineering methods and few more other contemporary practices were identified that leads to minimize concrete waste. The results from the interviews found that many projects are willing to implement mentioned contemporary practices within their construction projects although there are few barriers. These findings deliver a valuable evidence to the practitioners with an in-depth understanding about the essential necessity of contemporary practices to construction projects.

Preliminary Benefits of Big Data in the Construction Industry: A Case Study

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Bernard Tuffour Atuahene ◽  
Sittimont Kanjanabootra ◽  
Thayaparan Gajendran
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Big Data Applications ◽  
Data Application ◽  
Construction Firm ◽  
Big Data Application ◽  
Tangible Benefit ◽  
Design Construction

Big data applications consist of i) data collection using big data sources, ii) storing and processing the data, and iii) analysing data to gain insights for creating organisational benefit. The influx of digital technologies and digitization in the construction process includes big data as one newly emerging digital technology adopted in the construction industry. Big data application is in a nascent stage in construction, and there is a need to understand the tangible benefit(s) that big data can offer the construction industry. This study explores the benefits of big data in the construction industry. Using a qualitative case study design, construction professionals in an Australian Construction firm were interviewed. The research highlights that the benefits of big data include reduction of litigation amongst projects stakeholders, enablement of near to real-time communication, and facilitation of effective subcontractor selection. By implication, on a broader scale, these benefits can improve contract management, procurement, and management of construction projects. This study contributes to an ongoing discourse on big data application, and more generally, digitization in the construction industry.

Factorial Structure of Individualism-Collectivism in Sri Lanka

1996 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 907-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Factorial Structure ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Questionnaire Measure

This study investigated the dimensionality of a 21-item questionnaire measure of idiocentrism-allocentrism (the within-culture measure of individualism-collectivism) within the context of Sri Lankan culture. A survey of 438 Sri Lankan respondents, sampled from a wide variety of demographic contexts, provided data. Factor analysis indicated that idiocentrism and allocentrism are two independent, unipolar factors, rather than opposite poles of a single, bipolar dimension. The implications are discussed in the context of existing and future cross-cultural (etic) and within-cultural (emic) research on individualism-collectivism.

scholarly journals Quantity Surveyors’ Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Mixed Method Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Seng Hansen ◽  
Susy F Rostiyanti ◽  
Rizaldi Rizaldi ◽  
Clara Andjarwati
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Work Culture ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Mixed Method Approach ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Project Sustainability ◽  
Project Objectives ◽  
Method Approach

The COVID-19 outbreak began at the end of 2019, and has evolved to a pandemic threatening various industries’ sustainability. Decisive actions have been taken to tackle the pandemic’s spread, however, various impacts continue to be felt by many industries, including the construction industry. This paper therefore focuses on the COVID-19 outbreak’s impact on Quantity Surveyors’ (QS) construction projects and activities, as a key profession in the industry. A mixed method approach, questionnaire survey followed by expert interviews, was adopted. Subsequently, 199 valid responses for analysis were obtained from the questionnaire distribution, using descriptive statistics and Significance Index. Furthermore, qualitative data were acquired through semi-structured interviews with five experts, and analyzed using a structured thematic analysis. According to the results, 56.78% of respondents experienced project slowdowns, 13.57% experienced project suspensions or terminations, and 12.56% experienced cost overruns. Most respondents acknowledged the pandemic had present changes to projects (84.92%), in the form of changes in organization structure, work culture, technological application, and project objectives. Meanwhile, the Significance Index has successfully established an 11-factors ranking, regarding the pandemic’s impact on QS activities, with impact on the overall project completion as the most profound impact followed by impacts on project scheduling, supply chain, tendering, cost controlling, and claim management. This study’s qualitative and quantitative findings tend to be in accordance, thus, providing some fundamental insights regarding the COVID-19 outbreak’s impact on the construction industry, including direct impacts on project sustainability, technology adoption, and project resiliency issues. In addition, this study also contributes to scientific knowledge by discussing the issues and trends of work culture changes in QS professional activities.

scholarly journals Application of BIM and 3D Laser Scanning for Quantity Management in Construction Projects

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Thu Anh Nguyen ◽  
Phong Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Sy Tien Do
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Management Process ◽  
3D Laser Scanning ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Construction Companies

The construction industry has played an essential role in the process of modernization and industrialization and it has also been a major factor in determining the development of the infrastructure for other economic sectors. Construction companies consider the measurement of work progress, which often wastes time and has a low resolution, to be one of the most challenging problems faced by project management. Therefore, this research aimed to propose practical solutions by applying recent technological achievements of the 4.0 industrial revolution to improve the efficiency of the quantity management process. By utilizing the advantages and features of a BIM model and 3D laser scanning, this paper proposes that adopting a BIM model and 3D laser scanning has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the quantity management process. The case study demonstrated some typical tasks to evaluate accuracy and efficiency as well as to showcase the research proposal.

scholarly journals Development of Psychology in Sri Lanka in comparison to Germany: Origin, Development, and Limitations

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asanka Bulathwatta
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
European Region ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Proper Place ◽  
Asian Region ◽  
Cultural Framework ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
The Cross

Development process of any other field is not a quick one. It may come across steps throughout the history. When we compare the European region with the Asian region the situational processes they came across have similarities and differences. Germany is the birthplace of many psychological schools in which Sri Lanka still have some shadow of those schools and keep continuing some parts of psychology adapted from this society. Nevertheless, there are some trends of having own psychological practices affirming the cross-cultural framework. Sri Lankan universities are now trying to give a proper place for Psychology but still the tendency is not adequate compared to the placement given into other disciplines.

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