scholarly journals A Feasibility Study of Implementing Material Management in Construction: United Kingdom and Hong Kong Empirical Studies

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
Vivian W. Y Tam
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Material Management ◽  
Construction Organizations ◽  
Implementation Period

Construction organizations have a common practice to purchase and to deliver required materials to construction sites about one month before activities start. This leads to uneconomical inventory on site and contractors' warehouses. This paper investigates the feasibility in implementing material management in construction. United Kingdom and Hong Kong are selected for the investigation as one has a long implementation period and another one is just implementing material management as noted by interviewed contractors. Questionnaires and structured interviews are conducted. It is found that United Kingdom construction industry benefits are more significant than that in Hong Kong. This can stimulate interests in implementing material management in Hong Kong. Respondents from Hong Kong claimed that their companies will be willing to implement material management where practicable. This study can also help countries currently implementing material management. From that, waste generation can be reduced and a green construction environment can be achieved. Recommendations to improve the implementation are also discussed.

Sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry: challenges and benefits

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev Ruparathna ◽  
Kasun Hewage
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Sustainable Procurement ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Harmful Emissions

Disregard of triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability is one of the major drawbacks of current construction procurement practices. Sustainable procurement is an emergent concept that can improve procurement practices and enhance the sustainability performance of the construction industry as a whole. Presently, sustainable procurement is still not fully utilized in the Canadian construction industry. A comprehensive literature review showed that the construction industry is still not fully aware about the benefits of using sustainable procurement or ways of implementing the same. This study evaluates challenges encountered in implementing sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry. In addition, this study investigates perceptions of construction professionals on the benefits of using sustainable procurement for construction projects. A country wide questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect required data. A statistical analysis was performed to rank the challenges and benefits of sustainable procurement. Findings from semi-structured interviews were used to validate the results observed in the statistical analysis. This study revealed that lack of funding is the main challenge for implementing sustainable procurement, while reducing harmful emissions and waste generation was identified as the main benefit. It was concluded that the leadership and commitment of the project owners is the key to fully establish sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry.

A framework for the adoption of green business models in the Ghanaian construction industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theophilus Lamptey ◽  
De-Graft Owusu-Manu ◽  
Alex Acheampong ◽  
Michael Adesi ◽  
Frank Ato Ghansah
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Green Business

PurposeDespite the amount of considerable investigations on business models, much studies have not been undertaken in the construction industry emphasising the adoption of green business models to drive sustainable construction. Construction activities continue to increase the carbon footprint and eject contaminated materials into the ecological environment with dire consequences for economic and social sustainability. As a result of the adverse impacts of construction activities, it is necessary for construction firms to rethink their approach to the use of conventional business models. The purpose of this study is to explore a framework for the adoption of green business models to drive sustainability in the construction industry of Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThis research is exploratory due to its focus on emerging economies in which there is a perceptible gap in the adoption of green business models. As a result of this, this paper is entrenched in the interpretivist philosophical stance, which led to the adoption of the qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken involving 13 senior managers of construction firms. A thematic analysis was used with the aid of qualitative data analysis computer software package to code the interview transcripts.FindingsThe results demonstrate the six definitions of green business models among the managers of construction firms. The study also shows the need for developing green business models to address the issues of circularity and sustainability goals to reduce carbon footprints in the construction industry. Similarly, the paper found various sources of information to drive the awareness, understanding and adoption of the components for green business models. These sources include international conferences and training workshops on green business models. Finally, the study presents a framework that integrates the building information modelling (BIM) and the Internet of things (IoT) into the components for green business models adoption in construction firms.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need to use the quantitative approach to undertake further empirical studies, as this paper focuses mostly on the qualitative approach to ascertain the nature of the relationship between green business model and the various components of the circular economy in the construction industry.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing knowledge on green business models by demonstrating six key pillars of green business models by the inclusion of digital technologies such as BIM and IoT, which hitherto this investigation have not been considered in the adoption of green business models in the construction industry. This study extends the existing knowledge on green business models, which has the potential to increase the awareness and understanding of practitioners and managers of construction firms.

The challenges of adopting new engineering contract: a Hong Kong study

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2389-2409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chung Him Lau ◽  
Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige ◽  
Patrick T.I. Lam ◽  
Arshad Ali Javed
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Public Works ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industry Professionals ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Project delays and cost over-runs are few common major problems arising from conventional contracts. To overcome these issues, the Hong Kong Government has been practicing the use of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) forms in several public works projects. However, despite the successful outcomes and the positive signs of adopting NEC, it appears that NEC forms of contracts are not widely adopted in the Hong Kong construction industry even after 25 years of their first introduction. The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges and barriers for not implementing NEC widely in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach Based on a questionnaire survey data collected from 45 senior industry professionals, and six semi-structured interviews, the study evaluated the perceptions of construction professionals as to why NEC is still not popular in the industry and reported the relative importance of challenges in the implementation of NEC in Hong Kong. Findings The results reveal that “People are not willing to change,” “Limited number of trained professionals” and “Insufficient case law and adjudication experience” are the most significant challenges and barriers in adopting NEC. These findings are also supported by the opinions of construction professionals through semi-structured interviews. Practical implications The findings are relevant and would benefit to the industry stakeholders for adopting NEC contracts by informing them of the most significant challenges so that proper strategies may be devised to overcoming them for early contractors’ involvement, controlling cost and time overruns in infrastructure projects. Originality/value The empirical evidence of the study provides an insight into the challenges faced by the construction industry of Hong Kong. NEC form of contract is the way forward in order to create a better working environment conducive for all the parties that would result in better construction project performance and productivity.

Value conflicts and organizational commitment of internal construction stakeholders

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 554-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babak Panahi ◽  
Elena Moezzi ◽  
Christopher Nigel Preece ◽  
Wan Normeza Wan Zakaria
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Value Conflicts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Behaviour ◽  
Construction Organizations ◽  
Professional Project

Purpose The possible effect of conflicts as the consequence of differences between personal and organizational values (OV) on organizational commitment (OC) of internal construction stakeholders was an unclear issue in the areas of organizational behaviour in the construction industry, especially in Malaysia. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to focus on this issue in the Malaysian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach This paper targeted professional project consultants, who are identified as architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors, as the internal construction stakeholders. The personal-OV and the level of OC of the stakeholders were evaluated through a questionnaire survey. To achieve the research objective, comparative and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. Findings The results generated by the analyses indicated a high level of value conflicts in the construction organizations which significantly and negatively affected commitment of the internal stakeholders. Originality/value Value conflicts in construction organizations are the agenda of this paper while not many empirical studies have been conducted on this issue in Malaysia. This paper through investigating the potential effect of value conflicts on the stakeholders’ commitment reveals the importance of interaction between personal and OV in construction organizations which contributes to the extant literature of organizational behaviour as to the construction literature.

scholarly journals International Real Estate Review

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-172
Author(s):  
Charles K. Leung ◽  
◽  
Kelvin S. Wong ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Real Estate ◽  
Housing Market ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Public Expenditure ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Supply Side ◽  
Preliminary Step ◽  
International Standard

Hong Kong is well known for its “housing market bubble”. Both theoretical and empirical studies point to the supply side being the “root of all evil”. This paper takes a preliminary step in understanding the supply side of the Hong Kong market by investigating the construction and related industries. After taking into consideration of the unusual public expenditure, the construction industry seems to be “normal” in international standard. Its relationship with the aggregate economy is also examined. Directions for future research are also suggested.

scholarly journals Preliminary Survey on the Crucial Root Causes of Material Waste Generation in Malaysian Construction Industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 3580-3584
Author(s):  
S. Nagapan ◽  
S. Kaliannan ◽  
A. H. Abdullah ◽  
S. Sohu ◽  
R. Deraman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Ecological Effect ◽  
Site Management ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Construction Waste ◽  
Construction Period ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Score Analysis ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Construction waste generation has been perceived as a crucial issue that has critical consequences on the project effectiveness and ecological effect of the construction industry. The key objective of the current research is to identify the root causes of material construction waste generation in Malaysia. A well-structured questionnaire was designed based on the 52 identified root causes of material waste generation. The developed questionnaire was distributed to 35 highly experienced in Malaysian construction industry experts. The collected data was analyzed by the use of mean score analysis. The top identified root causes are poor supervision during the construction stage, lack of efficient site management, last minute changes, cutting uneconomical sizes of materials, and constant design changes during the construction period. The initial findings will aid construction practitioners to focus on these root causes in order to reduce the material construction waste generation at construction sites.

A THEORETICAL EVALUATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LEARNING CURVE FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mokgaetji Gift ◽  
Xolile Nokulunga
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
The Body ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theoretical Evaluation ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
And Performance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has the power to unlock the challenges faced in construction projects such as poor efficiency issues, design errors, low productivity, and accidents on site. Therefore, the study is a literature review on the evaluation of the implementation of AI technology on South African construction projects. The method adopted in this study is based on the cross analyses of inferences from structured interviews with reference to existing theoretical literature, published and unpublished research. The primary findings emanating from this study reveals that past other underground empirical studies have identified several important impacts of AI technology and how it can revolutionize the construction industry. This includes timely delivery of the projects, improved profitability, and reduced construction errors. Moreover, the study revealed that if AI technology is fully exposed and exploited on construction projects especially to both developed and developing countries it would certainly eliminate design errors, increase productivity, improve efficiency, and performance issues. However, the adoption of AI technology in South Africa is still at an early development stage. The study would contribute to the body of existing knowledge of AI technology. Again, it will help construction industry professionals to advance their workplaces and organizations.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CULTURE IN GERMANY

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Ben-David ◽  
Aviad Shapira
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Safety Culture ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Contractual Relationships ◽  
Culture Characteristics ◽  
Local Construction

In the course of a study of mega building construction projects in Germany, the need arose to identify and analyze the characteristics of the local construction culture, particularly upon realization that these characteristics may constitute significant contextual factors in equipment and site logistics planning. The study of the German building construction culture was based on (1) a focused literature review; (2) case studies of multicrane construction sites; and (3) structured interviews with experts of various professions from the German construction industry. The findings highlight the role of the following factors: (1) the typical German professional character; (2) various systems of contractual relationships; (3) state and city regulations; (4) technology and industrialization; (5) workforce sources; (6) rooted safety culture; (7) protection of the environment; (8) the crane market; (9) relationships between planning, engineering, and construction; (10) logistics concepts; and (11) additional unique features of Berlin as a major construction hub. Some of the German culture characteristics detected were further supported by a comparison with other advanced European construction cultures.

scholarly journals REVIEW ON WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: USE OF SPECTRAL AND BISPECTRAL METHODS / ATLIEKŲ TVARKYMO SISTEMŲ HONKONGO STATYBŲ SEKTORIUJE APŽVALGA: SPEKTRINIO IR BISPEKTRINIO METODŲ TAIKYMAS

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian W. Y. Tam ◽  
Khoa N. Le ◽  
S. X. Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Waste ◽  
Building Components ◽  
Concrete Recycling

The Hong Kong government has implemented various measures to reduce waste, including a waste disposal ordinance, a green manager scheme, a waste reduction framework plan, a pilot concrete recycling plant, waste management systems and a landfill charging scheme. However, there are difficulties in implementing the waste management systems for contractors. This paper examines the existing implementation of waste management systems in the Hong Kong construction industry. Major sources of construction waste, awareness to install environment-friendly activities, benefits, difficulties and recommendations in the implementation of waste management systems are discussed. Questionnaire survey and structured interviews are conducted. Power spectra and bispectra of the survey data are introduced to assess the implementation of the existing waste management systems. It is found that formwork and temporary hoardings are the major sources of construction waste. Improving environmental performance is ranked as the least project scope for construction projects. “Propose methods for reducing waste” is the major benefit gained. However, “Lack of well-known effective waste management methods” is the major difficulty encountered by organisations. “Use of metal formwork”, “Use of prefabricated building components” and “Use of non-timber hoarding” are the recommended methods to improve the existing implementation of waste management systems. Santrauka Honkongo valdžia įdiegė įvairių priemonių atliekų kiekiui mažinti, įskaitant atliekų šalinimo potvarkį, žaliojo tvarkytojo planą, bendrąjį atliekų mažinimo planą, bandomąją betono perdirbimo gamyklą, atliekų tvarkymo sistemas ir sąvartyno mokesčių planą. Tačiau diegiant atliekų tvarkymo sistemas rangovams kyla sunkumų. Šiame darbe nagrinėjamos Honkongo statybų sektoriuje jau diegiamos atliekų tvarkymo sistemos. Aptariami pagrindiniai statybinių atliekų šaltiniai, žinios apie galimą aplinkai nekenksmingą veiklą, taip pat atliekų tvarkymo sistemų diegimo nauda, sunkumai ir rekomendacijos. Atliekamos anketinės apklausos ir nustatytos struktūros pokalbiai. Pasitelkus per apklausas surinktų duomenų galios spektrus ir bispektrus, įvertinamas esamų atliekų tvarkymo sistemų diegimas. Nustatoma, kad pagrindiniai statybinių atliekų šaltiniai – klojiniai ir laikinos tvoros. Aplinkosaugos charakteristikų gerinimas statybos projektuose laikomas mažiausia projekto dalimi. Pagrindinė gauta nauda – siūlomi atliekų kiekio mažinimo metodai. Tačiau didžiausias organizacijoms kylantis sunkumas – žinomų efektyvių atliekų tvarkymo metodų stoka. Gerinant šiuo metu diegiamas atliekų tvarkymo sistemas, rekomenduojama taikyti tokius metodus: metalinius klojinius, surenkamuosius statinių elementus ir laikinas tvoras ne iš medžio.

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