scholarly journals Engineering Procurement Construction in the Context of Belt and Road Infrastructure Projects in West Asia: A SWOT Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ajmal Nikjow ◽  
Li Liang ◽  
Xijing Qi ◽  
Samad Sepasgozar
Keyword(s):  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Complex Environments ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Normative Practice ◽  
Belt And Road

Engineering procurement and construction (EPC) is a normative practice globally approved since China has been engaging in international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure development. EPC has been adopted in the delivery of BRI infrastructure projects in other countries. Compared to the domestic method of contract, EPC remains at a low level in management practice, such as a lack of coordinating diverse project stakeholders, high cost of information communication, and risk in complex environments in West Asia (WA). However, no research has conducted a strategic analysis of the current situation of EPC for BRI infrastructure projects in West Asian countries. This study aims to understand the current status quo of EPC for BRI projects in WA by performing a strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats (SWOT) analysis and with the support of data collected from the literature review and semi-structured interviews with EPC stakeholders. The study brings awareness along which internally and externally circumstances of the EPC for BRI infrastructure projects can be perceived by major stakeholders participating. The four critical strategies presented based on the SWOTs identified could help EPC firms develop and promote EPC to implement BRI infrastructure projects in WA at the strategic level.

scholarly journals Towards the Integration of Risk and Value Management

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Ranesh ◽  
G Zillante ◽  
N Chileshe
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Value Management ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Value For Money ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Project Outcomes

Governments are increasingly faced with the challenge of delivering infrastructure developments under difficult budget constraints. Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are being used widely as a means of meeting public infrastructure demands through private finance. The aim is to achieve value for money (VfM) through the allocation of risks to the party who can manage them more effectively. If project risks are not well managed, the project will face cost, quality and time overruns thereby affecting the viability of the project. Both Risk Management (RM) and Value Management (VM) are considered to be best practice in project management and enable organisations to define objectives when delivering complex projects whilst reducing risk and maximising value. Over the years researchers and practitioners have argued that the integration of RM and VM in a single study would avoid duplication of work and deliver better value for money thereby leading to better project outcomes. As part of an on-going doctoral study into the integration of risk management and value management in PPP projects, this paper attempts to examine the application of risk and value management practice in infrastructure development projects, predominantly in PPP projects, through semi-structured interviews conducted as a qualitative research methodology with ten industry practitioners. To achieve this aim, this paper attempts to identify the similarities between the two processes along with the benefits and critical success factors for the integration of RM and VM in PPP projects. The results suggest that, although risk and value management activities are said to be used in projects; “formal” RM and VM studies are rarely undertaken. The observations to date suggest that, although there are barriers against the integration of VM and RM, there is a need for the development of a systematic process to enable the integration of risk and value management to occur.

scholarly journals The Belt and Road Initiative: Opportunities and Risks for Africa’s Connectivity

2019 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 117-141
Author(s):  
Nancy Muthoni Githaiga ◽  
Alfred Burimaso ◽  
Bing Wang ◽  
Salum Mohammed Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Data ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Security Risks ◽  
Product Image ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Trade Route ◽  
Ancient Silk Road

This article examines the implications of the Chinese-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for Africa’s connectivity. The BRI seeks to rebuild the ancient Silk Road trade route with the overall goal of opening global markets, thus creating a trade and investment network involving three continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe. Using secondary data, this article assesses the opportunities and potential challenges of the BRI for Africa with a special focus on various BRI national projects. It concludes that China’s involvement in infrastructure projects in Africa and the BRI’s vision for increased connectivity among beneficiary countries can lead to integrated and streamlined economic and infrastructure development in Africa, while improving China’s corporate and product image, generating mutual benefits to both China and Africa. This article also argues that for those BRI-based benefits to materialize, certain challenges need to be dealt with, particularly security risks and corruption, which could increase the long-term costs of infrastructure projects for countries involved.

The financial viability of the Yamuna Expressway

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Singhania ◽  
Kamal Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Graduate Program ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Financial Viability ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Graduate ◽  
Infrastructure Project

Subject area The case focuses on issues concerning infrastructure development by Jaypee Infratech Ltd. (JIL) in the context of emerging market of India. This is undertaken by employing the usage of strength weakness opportunity and threat analysis (SWOT) analysis, political, economical, sociological and technological analysis (PEST) analysis and Porter's Five Forces Model and competitor analysis. It also outlines the importance of financing model adopted with respect to Concessionaire Agreement drafted and executed towards making an infrastructure project financially viable so as to reduce the risk associated with infrastructure projects which requires huge investments and long gestation period. Further, it also highlights the importance of how future projects can be undertaken on the basis of public private partnership (PPP) model. Study level/applicability This case can be used as a teaching tool in the following courses: MBA/Post Graduate Program in Management in Management Accounting, Management Control Systems and Strategic Cost Management. It can be used to explain concepts of SWOT analysis and Porter's Five Forces Model analysis. Students are also introduced to the technique of financial analysis. Executive training programs for Middle- and Senior-level employees to explain the Infrastructure Financing and Concessionaire Agreement for infrastructure projects. Under-graduate/Post-graduate programs in Entrepreneurship. Case overview JIL was established as a Special Purpose Vehicle in 2007 to execute the Yamuna Expressway project. Originally the contract was awarded to parent company Jai Prakash Associates Ltd. in 2003. The project entails financing, construction, operation, maintenance and collection of toll for 36 years and then transferring it back to Government of Uttar Pradesh of 165.5 km Yamuna Expressway, and subsequently development of 530-million square feet of area from five parcels of land earmarked along the expressway. The project highlights how a PPP infrastructure project can be made financially viable. Expected learning outcomes SWOT analysis was used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to a company. Also, application of Porter's Five Forces Model was done to analyze an industry. Determining quantitative terms like Long-Term Return on equity, Return on Capital Employed, Book Value vs Market value, Net Margins, Income Tax benefits enjoyed under section 80-IA and Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT); determining financial viability of an infrastructure project over its entire life cycle. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes

Overview of Environmental Management Practice for Construction in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25
Author(s):  
Teng Wen Chang ◽  
Dilip Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Construction Waste ◽  
Discharge Noise ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Environmental Management Practice

The surrounding environment plays an important role in communities as living in a good environment can improve the health cycle, increase the quality of life and provide sustainable development for the country. The rapid growth of the human population has led to the increasing demand for infrastructure development and the construction sector in Malaysia. This overview of environmental management practice for construction in Malaysia has reviewed the overall structure of environmental management for the construction site in Malaysia. Construction management is covered in this review report, including construction waste generation, construction waste management, government bodies, government policy, the current status of the environment in Malaysia, challenges, future prospects, and other environmental considerations of environmental management practice for construction in Malaysia. Besides, the detailed guideline and orders for construction waste, effluence discharge, noise pollution, vibration, and emission release from construction in Malaysia have been reviewed and stated in this report. Lastly, a recommendation for strengthening the enforcement of law and regulation for environmental management practice to comply has been included in the conclusion of this report to overcome the challenges faced for sustainable construction development in Malaysia.

INTERPRETATION OF SINO-RUSSIAN CULTURE AND HUMANITIES COOPERATION IN THE NEW ERA

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-193
Author(s):  
REN YANYAN ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Current Status ◽  
Human Relations ◽  
New Era ◽  
Russian Culture ◽  
The People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Cooperative Partnership ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
The Belt And Road

The friendship between nations lies in the mutual affinity of the people, and the people’s affinity lies in the communion of hearts. The cultural and humanities cooperation between China and Russia has a long history. In recent years, under the role of the“Belt and Road” initiative, the SCO, and the Sino-Russian Humanities Cooperation Committee, Sino-Russian culture and humanities cooperation has continued to deepen. Entering a new era, taking the opportunity to promote Sino-Russian relations into a “new era China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership”, the development of human relations between the two countries has entered a new historical starting point, while also facing a series of problems and challenges. This article is based on the current status of Sino-Russian human relations in the new era, interprets the characteristics of Sino-Russian human relations in the new era, analyzes the problems and challenges of Sino-Russian human relations in the new era, and tries to propose solutions and solutions with a view to further developing Sino-Russian cultural and humanities relations in the new era. It is a useful reference, and provides a reference for future related research, and ultimately helps the Sino-Russian cultural and humanities relations in the new era to be stable and far-reaching.

Theoretizing A New Sustainable Business Event: Extension of Mair and Jago Model

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Norol Hamiza Zamzuri ◽  
Khairil Wahidin Awang ◽  
Yuhanis Abdul Aziz ◽  
Zaiton Samdin
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
Business Events ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Event Based

The growth of the event sector is underpinned by the demand of organizing a business event.  Thus, it leads to an increase in economic and social impact. However, the problems from the growth of this sector potentially results from the use of several event materials, transportation and infrastructure development.  Organizing a green event is seen as one of the strategies to reduce the environmental impact.  Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explore the issues involved throughout the process of greening an event by applying Mair and Jago Model.  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with event managers from six Malaysia business event companies that encourage green practices during their event.  Findings suggest that impact, initiative, support and performance motivates event organizers in organizing a green event.  It has also been found that knowledge, resources and behaviour are the barriers faced by event organizers throughout the process of organizing a green event.  Based on the findings it appears that two important factors have emerged from the data collection and analysis that showed a deviation from the Mair and Jago Model, namely “impact” for the motivation element and “support” for the barrier element.  The main limitation of this study was the scope of the study; as it only focuses on business events.  However, as the main purpose of this study is to explore the issues of organizing a green event, it has been found that there are other issues need to be explored in other contexts and geographical area.  Apart from this, as this is a case study, it can only replicate according to the circumstances of this case study. However, this study can be generalized in terms of the theory that has emerged from it.  It is suggested that further research should explore more issues in other contexts and geographical areas. 

scholarly journals Zambian farm blocks: A vehicle for increased private sector investments

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 817-825
Author(s):  
Susanna L. Middelberg ◽  
Pieter van der Zwan ◽  
Cobus Oberholster
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Policy Uncertainty ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Private Sector Investment

AbstractThe Zambian government has introduced the farm block development programme (FBDP) to facilitate agricultural land and rural development and encourage private sector investment. This study assessed whether the FBDP achieves these goals. Key obstacles and possible opportunities were also identified and, where appropriate, specific corrective actions were recommended. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in Lusaka with various stakeholders of the FBDP. The FBDP is designed to facilitate agricultural land development and encourage private sector investment. However, the programme falls far short in terms of implementation, amidst policy uncertainty and lack of support. This is evident by the insecurity of land tenure which negatively affects small- and medium-scale producers’ access to financing, lack of infrastructure development of these farm blocks, and constraints in the agricultural sector such as low labour productivity and poor access to service expertise. It is recommended that innovative policy interventions should be created to support agricultural development. This can be achieved by following a multistakeholder approach through involving private, public and non-profit sectors such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and donors.

scholarly journals Use of forest land for national-priority infrastructures in Nepal

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-64
Author(s):  
U. R. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Forest Area ◽  
Forest Conversion ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Forest Land ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Equivalent Area ◽  
Strict Enforcement ◽  
The Government ◽  
Forest Lands

 Forest conversion has been identified as one of the several bottlenecks affecting upon the major infrastructure projects in Nepal, especially in the energy and transport sectors. Nepal’s policy requires at least 40% of its land cover under forest. This means if any forest land is converted to non-forest land, it must be compensated with an equivalent area, preferably in the similar ecotype in the nation. In addition, a specified number of trees must be planted for the number of trees felled in the project site, and the site must be managed and protected for five years by the developers. These provisions have led to growing resentment between the developers and the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MFSC), leading to delay in providing forest lands for infrastructure projects. With a view to develop mechanisms for the government to rapidly provide forest land for nationally important infrastructure projects, the Government databases were examined to analyze the forests handed over to the developers for non-forestry uses. The data showed that a total of 14,028.4 ha of forest area were handed over to the developers for non-forestry uses until the end of 2015. On an average, 263.8 ha forest area was found to be handed over to the developers between the period of 2010–2013. However, there is a declining trend of forest handed over for non-forestry purposes in the recent years. The decline could be due to the strict enforcement of the legal provision which limits the conversion of forest areas to non-forest areas except in the case of the “national priority projects”. It has been recommended that the conversion of forest for infrastructure development should be examined with a holistic perspective by taking all the related components of forest conversion into consideration, from providing forest land for replacement planting. It is recommended that the Forest Product Development Board (FPDB), a parastatal organization under the MFSC, should be entrusted with the work of plantation related to forest conversion. The fund for this work should flow directly from the developers to the FPDB. The possibility of forming a land bank to facilitate the work of the FPDB is also recommended.Banko Janakari, Vol. 27, No. 1, Page: 60-64

From IMS and six sigma toward TQM: an empirical study from Serbia

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidosav Majstorovic ◽  
Tatjana V. Sibalija
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Quality Engineering ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dmaic Method ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the current status of a quality management practice in Serbia, in terms of the development and application of integrated managements systems (IMS), and research and implementation of Six Sigma and the related techniques. Design/methodology/approach – Two main aspects of total quality management (TQM) have been considered: institutional (organisational or strategic) aspect that corresponds to standardised management systems and their integration, and technical (quality engineering) aspect whose main contributor is Six Sigma. The findings of a comprehensive study on IMS implementation in Serbia have been presented, based on the results of a questionnaire that was sent to 54 organisations during 2013. Also, the significant technical improvements and tangible benefits of a recently conducted Six Sigma project were shown, including the application of the advanced quality engineering techniques within DMAIC method. Findings – Good QM practice in Serbia is improving, both in terms of the organisational (IMS) and technical (Six Sigma) aspect, that server as a good basis for the adoption of TQM in manufacturing companies from various sectors. It could be anticipated that these results will facilitate the adoption of an overall TQM culture in Serbia and leverage its future sustainability. Originality/value – This paper offers key insights into IMS and Six Sigma implementation in Serbia. This could encourage manufacturing organisations in developing countries to adopt IMS and Six Sigma, in order to boost the overall TQM culture and gain a competitive advantage.

Velosatiksmes pārvaldība Valmieras pašvaldībā: sistēmpieejas izpratnes un pārvaldības attīstība

2021 ◽  
pp. 208-221
Author(s):  
Roberts Pūgulis ◽  
◽  
Līga Bieziņa ◽  
Raimonds Ernšteins ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Transport ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sustainable Mobility ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽  
Mobility System ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Systemic Governance

Cycling and general sustainable mobility has become a topical issue around Europe, and gradually also in Latvia, including Valmiera – a medium size town, which is a research-base for this study where the governance and development of the municipal cycling infrastructure is analysed. The rapid growth of cycling in Valmiera not only highlights some deficiencies in urban infrastructure developments, but also reveals the management problems: the expectations and needs of users of different means of transportation and also pedestrians are not met. Looking towards solving various cycling development issues, it is necessary, first of all, to develop an understanding of system’s approach and the systemic governance of the cycling infrastructure. The urban transport/mobility system must be developed as a whole, integrating cycling mobility in it as an independently and continuously developing component, promoting a process of cooperation between all parties involved. Thus, to facilitate the cycling mobility of inhabitants in Valmiera, the involvement/participation of all the interested parties shall be pro-actively communicated – informed, educated/trained, pro-cycling behaviour encouraged. During this integrative case study, both quantitative and qualitative research methods were applied complementary: analysis of documents, infrastructure observations in the town with photo documentation, survey of inhabitants, also in-depth semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. Additionally, a participatory observation was conducted through participation in cycling activities, forums, working groups, etc., elaborating suggestions for the municipal planning document - Transport Infrastructure Development Concept of Valmiera.

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