scholarly journals A NOVEL DECISION-MAKING MODEL FOR SELECTING A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DELIVERY SYSTEM

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 635-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingyu Zhu ◽  
Xianhai Meng ◽  
Yongqiang Chen

It is crucial for the owner of a construction project to select an appropriate project delivery system (PDS) during early decision-making stages of the project. Due to project uncertainty or a lack of project information, the parameters of a PDS are difficult to measure and quantify. Therefore, there are still major challenges to the objective selection of PDSs. This research proposes a novel systematic decision-making model to select the appropriate PDS by using the combination of case-based reasoning (CBR) and robust nonparametric production frontier method. The Bayesian-Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) supported Z-order-m method is interpreted into the case retrieves process of traditional CBR method in order to eliminate the deteriorative internal and external influence for PDS selection. The case study was based on questionnaire survey conducted in China and used to test the validation of the proposed model. The findings reveal that the systematic decision-making model can overcome some problems of the traditional methods and improve the accuracy of PDS selection. As a result, this research has both theoretical and practical implications for the construction industry.

Kybernetes ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huimin Li ◽  
Keli Qin ◽  
Peng Li

Purpose – The construction project is implemented under uncertainty environment, and the product of construction is very complex. Selecting a project delivery system/approach is a critical task, which determines the project schedule, quality and investment objectives. The purpose of this paper is to propose a decision-making model for the selection of project delivery system which is based on information entropy and unascertained measure model. Design/methodology/approach – A decision-making model based on information entropy and unascertained set is employed to select project delivery approach. In order to overcome the subjective evaluations from the experts, the theory of “entropy weight” is applied to modify the experts’ subjective weight. The multi-attribute unascertained measure decision making is fitted to deal with the uncertainty information for selection of project delivery system. Findings – The proposed methodology is more comprehensive compared with the previous work, especially in the uncertainty environment. Research limitations/implications – There is some further work that should be considered, such as how to deal with the imprecise and subjective information given by the experts; how to determine the weight of the experts’; finding a set of importance factors influencing the selection of a delivery system is a complex task to further research. Practical implications – The proposed method can help the construction owner to select a most fitted project delivery system of a construction project. Originality/value – A new approach to select project delivery approach is proposed based on information entropy and unascertained set.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee-Joy Cheng ◽  
Chin-Chia Yeh ◽  
Seng-Lee Wong

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer decision-making factors related to purchases of licensed merchandise, while focussing on how consumers’ identification with the 2009 World Games (WG), perceptions of quality and attitudes toward collecting, affect the decision-making model with regards to purchasing intention. Design/methodology/approach – The research model is based on the study of Kwak and Kang (2009), but also includes an assessment of consumers’ collecting attitudes. A purposive sampling method was adopted and data were collected from 1,985 valid samples via questionnaire surveys during the 2009 WG in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Structural equation modeling was used to test the decision-making model presented in this study. Findings – The results reveal that consumers’ intentions with respect to purchasing licensed merchandise are influenced most by their attitudes toward collecting, followed by the perceived quality of the merchandise. The findings also suggest that the greater the perceived quality of licensed merchandise, the more positive the consumer attitude toward collecting. Lastly, the study finds no direct effect between respondent WG identification and intention to purchase licensed merchandise. Research limitations/implications – An exploratory concept proposed in this study, WG identification, is quite different from either event or place identification. In this study, due to its influence on at least two other relationships, the effects of one's attitude toward collecting prove to be much more complicated than the previous literature suggests. Since all data were collected in Taiwan, the research findings may have been influenced by particular local cultural and political factors, and therefore might not be well informed by inferences drawn from western populations. Practical implications – It was found that emphasizing the collectability of licensed merchandise is the most effective strategy for increasing consumer purchasing intention and promoting sales of merchandise at similar international events and competitions. This finding should encourage those interested in increasing consumers’ purchasing intention to pay more attention to the importance of licensed commemorative merchandise. Originality/value – Due to a lack of first-hand data on the consumption of licensed merchandise at major international events and competitions, little direct empirical research has been done in Taiwan. This study is the first attempt to explore this issue.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 41-62
Author(s):  
Syed Afzal Moshadi Shah ◽  
Muhammad Shujjah-Ul-Islam Jadoon ◽  
Muhammad Tahir ◽  
Jamil Anwar

This paper empirically examines the trust-based consumer decision-making model in the context of a collectivist country (i.e., Pakistan). The target population of the study was the general retail consumers recruited through online survey. A total of 396 valid responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling in Smart PLS. The study reports average variance extracted, composite reliability, Cronbach alpha, and path coefficients. The results confirm that trust and benefits are positively associated with purchase intention while perceived risk is negatively associated with consumer trust. The study also reports some unique findings like information quality is found positively associated with both trust and perceived risk. Also perceived privacy protection is found negatively associated with trust and positively with risk. The study lays down a foundation for subsequent studies to further explore the phenomena. The study is the first of its kind that has examined this model in Pakistan and proposes some useful theoretical, practical, and policy-making implications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Wei Zhu ◽  
Li-Nan Zhou ◽  
Liang Li ◽  
Wajhat Ali

Choosing an appropriate project delivery system (PDS) directly affects the achievement of performance goals, and at the same time it is of great significance for sustainable construction project management (SCPM). This paper took the PDS of construction engineering as the research object, took the Design-Build (DB) and the Design-Bid-Build (DBB) as examples, and established the indicator system for determinants of the PDS decision. Based on Multi-Agent Systems (MAS), a decision-making simulation model of the PDS decision was constructed, and this paper analyzed the influence of the project attribute characteristics, policy and market environment, owner ability and preference, and contractor technology and capabilities of the PDS decision. While analyzing the circumstances under which the owners tend to choose DB or DBB, the following conclusions were reached: (1) the contractor technology and capabilities increase faster in DB than in DBB. (2) The PDS with policy and market environment preferences has an advantage in the PDS decision, and the owners are more willing to choose the PDS which was selected previously. (3) The competition mechanism in the construction market will eliminate contractors whose growth rate is too low to meet the needs of projects in the market. The research provides theoretical references for the scientific decision-making of construction enterprises.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 500-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousang Yoon ◽  
Jinho Jung ◽  
Changtaek Hyun

The decisions on the project delivery method when conducting a construction project are an important part of the process and can heavily influence the success or failure of the project. Many factors have to be considered, however, in determining the project delivery method, and there are no definite criteria. This ambiguity can cause much difficulty. As such, this paper proposes a system based on case-based reasoning (CBR) that supports the decision-making for project delivery method selection considering the future construction project performance. The research was conducted with focus on the road construction case dataset. Based on this, the proposed decision-making support system was devised by applying decision tree (DT) analysis, the effectiveness of selecting a project delivery method for the project performance index (ESDPI), and CBR. This system can consider not only the project delivery method but also the later construction project performance, and can thus effectively support the owner’s decision-making.


Author(s):  
Ruzanna Sahul Hameed ◽  
Sivadass Thiruchelvam ◽  
Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha ◽  
Zakaria Che Muda ◽  
Norhayati Mat Husin ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Reis

Abstract. Interoception is defined as an iterative process that refers to receiving, accessing, appraising, and responding to body sensations. Recently, following an extensive process of development, Mehling and colleagues (2012) proposed a new instrument, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), which captures these different aspects of interoception with eight subscales. The aim of this study was to reexamine the dimensionality of the MAIA by applying maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (ML-CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM). ML-CFA, ESEM, and BSEM were examined in a sample of 320 German adults. ML-CFA showed a poor fit to the data. ESEM yielded a better fit and contained numerous significant cross-loadings, of which one was substantial (≥ .30). The BSEM model with approximate zero informative priors yielded an excellent fit and confirmed the substantial cross-loading found in ESEM. The study demonstrates that ESEM and BSEM are flexible techniques that can be used to improve our understanding of multidimensional constructs. In addition, BSEM can be seen as less exploratory than ESEM and it might also be used to overcome potential limitations of ESEM with regard to more complex models relative to the sample size.


Author(s):  
Daniëlle N. Zijlstra ◽  
Jean W.M. Muris ◽  
Catherine Bolman ◽  
J. Mathis Elling ◽  
Vera E.R.A. Knapen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: To expedite the use of evidence-based smoking cessation interventions (EBSCIs) in primary care and to thereby increase the number of successful quit attempts, a referral aid was developed. This aid aims to optimize the referral to and use of EBSCIs in primary care and to increase adherence to Dutch guidelines for smoking cessation. Methods: Practice nurses (PNs) will be randomly allocated to an experimental condition or control condition, and will then recruit smoking patients who show a willingness to quit smoking within six months. PNs allocated to the experimental condition will provide smoking cessation guidance in accordance with the referral aid. Patients from both conditions will receive questionnaires at baseline and after six months. Cessation effectiveness will be tested via multilevel logistic regression analyses. Multiple imputations as well as intention to treat analysis will be performed. Intervention appreciation and level of informed decision-making will be compared using analysis of (co)variance. Predictors for appreciation and informed decision-making will be assessed using multiple linear regression analysis and/or structural equation modeling. Finally, a cost-effectiveness study will be conducted. Discussion: This paper describes the study design for the development and evaluation of an information and decision tool to support PNs in their guidance of smoking patients and their referral to EBSCIs. The study aims to provide insight into the (cost) effectiveness of an intervention aimed at expediting the use of EBSCIs in primary care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted C. T. Fong ◽  
Adrian H. Y. Wan ◽  
Venus P. Y. Wong ◽  
Rainbow T. H. Ho

Abstract Background Mindfulness has emerged as an important correlate of well-being in various clinical populations. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the 20-item short form of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF) in the Chinese context. Methods The study sample was 127 Chinese colorectal cancer patients who completed the FFMQ-SF and validated physical and mental health measures. Factorial validity of the FFMQ-SF was assessed using Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM) via informative priors on cross-loadings and residual covariances. Linear regression analysis examined its convergent validity with the health measures on imputed datasets. Results The five-factor BSEM model with approximate zero cross-loadings and one residual covariance provided an adequate model fit (PPP = 0.07, RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.95). Satisfactory reliability (ω = 0.77–0.85) was found in four of the five facets (except nonjudging). Acting with awareness predicted lower levels of perceived stress, negative affect, anxiety, depression, and illness symptoms (β = − 0.37 to − 0.42) and better quality of life (β = 0.29–0.32). Observing, nonjudging, and nonreacting did not show any significant associations (p > .05) with health measures. Acting with awareness was not significantly correlated (r < 0.15) with the other four facets. Conclusion The present findings provide partial support for the psychometric properties of the FFMQ-SF in colorectal cancer patients. The nonjudging facet showed questionable validity and reliability in the present sample. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to elucidate the viability of FFMQ-SF as a measure of mindfulness facets in cancer patients.


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