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

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.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9171
Author(s):  
Muhandiramge Nimashi Navodana Rodrigo ◽  
Srinath Perera ◽  
Sepani Senaratne ◽  
Xiaohua Jin

Carbon estimating plays a vital role in the construction industry. The current focus on introducing zero-carbon construction projects reduces operational carbon, at the expense of Embodied Carbon (EC). However, it is important to reduce overall net carbon emissions. There are various methods to estimate carbon, but the accuracy of these estimates is questionable. This paper reviews a novel methodology, the Supply Chain based Embodied carbon Estimating Method (SCEEM), which was introduced recently to accurately estimate EC in construction supply chains. SCEEM is compared against existing EC estimating methods (Blackbook and eToolLCD) using a case study approach. It is also supplemented with a comprehensive literature review of existing EC methods. The EC values calculated using Blackbook and eToolLCD were mostly higher than SCEEM. Since SCEEM uses actual site data and considers first principles-based value addition method to estimate EC, it is considered accurate. The cross-case analysis revealed that SCEEM provided consistent results. Hence, SCEEM is recommended to accurately estimate EC of any type of project.


Author(s):  
Mousavi Dehmourdi, Seyed Ali ◽  
M. Gopal Naik ◽  
Ravande Kishore

The crisis in construction industry are deemed a negative event in the security, economic, political, materials, or natural affairs, especially when they occur abruptly, with little or no warning; and it has always caused damage, therefore crisis management is necessary to order not turn crisis into a disaster. The present study focuses on exploring the impact of the crisis in construction projects by offering a review of the literature to identify the various associated crisis and made a case study of ‟Khuzestan province (Iran). First, through a questionnaire survey with construction experts as respondents, the initial list of 222 sub-factors were confined to a list of 174 essential crisis sub factors and were grouped under 20 main crisis factors. Second, the shortlisted 174 essential crisis sub factors conduct a questionnaire-based survey with top experts from ‟Khuzestan province (Iran) construction organization as respondents to obtain the Importance of each sub factors based on the rating of its impact the second list and using CRITIC method to weighting crisis factors. Third, ranking the influential sub crisis factors from the all sub factor list and provide a single list without considering the initial list crisis through WASPAS model. Finally, The result of the crisis effects rating, seen that the most crisis effects rating in the Khuzestan construction industry is the economic crisis, followed by the market and real estate, and then insurance, maintenance, after that respectively, logistics, and materials crises. Identify the crisis is the main part of crisis management; the obtained results help construction crisis managers and all stakeholders to achieve sustainable development in construction projects. Identifying and prioritizing construction-specific crises allow sustainable crisis managers to concentrate to be successful projects.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad afsharniya

Present objective of the study the effects of pure thinking on the management of the supply chain housing construction projects Foundation in Gulistan province. Research methodology used in this study, descriptive and of solidarity. All statistical community managers and experts active construction projects in the time of the study can be - that their number is estimated at 370 people. The number of 189 people. For the sample was selected. In this study sampling method is random. Gathering information tool that it was standard questionnaires to confirm the validity of experts and professors expert. For reliability questionnaire Cronbach's and other related indicators used their results confirm that represents the reliability of the questionnaire. The questionnaire using factor analysis was confirmed by LISREL software. Research hypotheses were examined using multivariate regression. Research results showed that pure thinking on the management of the supply chain construction projects in the Gulistan province. It also intended to determine the value, making the uninterrupted pursuit of perfection and impact. Pure and fairly new management to reducing time, cost and waste and raising the quality of the pure of construction, and its interaction with supply chain management in order to achieve their objectives and principles.


Author(s):  
Mohd Hilmi Izwan Abd Rahim ◽  
◽  
Sulzakimin Mohamed ◽  
Narimah Kasim ◽  
Mazianah Rahmat ◽  
...  

This nowadays an increasing number of construction projects in Malaysia have contributed to the production of construction waste which has had a negative impact on the environment, especially through illegal dumping. The increasing number of illegal dumping activities is a sign that construction waste management needs to be examined. To date, a comprehensive criterion for construction waste management, in developing countries is still not clearly defined. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to investigate current illegal dumping activities, and identify the challenges towards reducing illegal dumping activities in the Malaysian construction industry. Hence, this research conducted interviews with 20 expert stakeholders related to construction waste management in order to scrutinise illegal dumping activities in Malaysia. The data from these semi-structured interviews were analysed by content analysis. The findings are used to determine the current challenges for reducing illegal dumping activities in the Malaysian construction industry. The elements in the current findings are potentially to improve construction waste management in order to archive the proper construction waste management. Finally, this findings will help to identify strategies to reduce illegal dumping activities and to enhance challenges towards reducing illegal dumping activities in the Malaysian construction industry.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt

PurposeThis paper explores the steps/countermeasures taken by firms to address supply chain disruptions in the wake of COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a case study methodology and employs 46 semi-structured interviews with senior managers of the three buying firms, four distribution centres and four supplying firms based in four countries (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China and India).FindingsResults reveal that manufacturers are refining production schedules to meet the production challenges. Distributors are working with secondary suppliers to meet the inventory shortage. Finally, supplying firms are evaluating the impact of demand, focusing on short-term demand-supply strategy, preparing for channel shifts, opening up additional channels of communication with key customers, understanding immediate customer’s demand and priorities and finally becoming more agile.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations to this study. First, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a wider population. Second, this study explores the interpretations of senior managers based in four Asian countries only.Practical implicationsSupply chain firms can use these findings to understand how COVID-19 is affecting firms. Firms can also use the suggestions provided in this study to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and make the best out of this pandemic.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the supply chain disruption literature by exploring the robust countermeasure taken by supply chain firms amid COVID-19 outbreak. In particular, it explores such countermeasures from the perspective of three different entities (buyer, supplier and distributor) based in four different countries in the South Asian region.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10359
Author(s):  
Sheikh I. Ishrat ◽  
Nigel P. Grigg ◽  
Carel N. Bezuidenhout ◽  
Nihal P. Jayamaha

Considering the emerging global markets for the consumption of cashmere products, current sustainability issues prevailing in the traditional cashmere industry are explored in this study. To get a deeper understanding of the sustainability concerns in the cashmere industry, it is important to understand the cashmere supply chain operations to uncover the key sustainability issues prevalent in the present-day traditional cashmere industry. For this, a single case study was conducted in Kashmir, India using qualitative approaches. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews, observations, cashmere retailer websites and documentary evidence. Due to the impact of mechanization and lack of industry standards, the research findings indicate deteriorating socio-economic conditions of the artisans; especially, women spinners and weavers. Mechanization promotes economic sustainability for the manufacturers and retailers which helps them strengthen their market base. However, with this, artisan communities are rendered jobless who are dependent on their manual skills for sustenance as they have limited alternate revenue generation options. Moreover, the lack of motivation among the artisans to use institutional support further escalates sustainability concerns in the traditional craft industry.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 3945-3948 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Momade ◽  
M. R. Hainin

Motivation is one of the factors that influence productivity. Project management plays a vital role in the success of projects in Qatar construction industry (QCI). It relies profoundly on the team’s active participation and effective performance. Hence it is important to assess the impact of motivation and demotivation on performance. The main objective of this paper is to identify the key factors that cause motivation and de-motivation in QCI. Literature review, surveys with experts and semi-structured interviews were conducted to identify these factors. Using these factors to conduct specific motivational programs will help improve productivity in QCI. Research on motivational factors impacting productivity has not been conducted in Qatar before, so this work will provide insight on how to deal with productivity issues that QCI faces ahead of a major world event that Qatar will host in 2022.


Most construction projects are suffering from claims due to many reasons. Claim emergencies have risen for ten years due to the critical political situation. These claims have a bad impact on all groups who were work in the construction field. The impact of claim could be followed to cost overrun, loss of efforts and suspension of work, contract termination. This investigation means to recognize the real reason for causes of claim in construction and demonstrate their difference between respondent concerning individual, company and organization traits. It also aims found the important factors in developing for the management of construction project claim to predict claim occurrence and to mitigate the negative impact of a claim. The objective of the study achieved through a valid questionnaire obtained from several construction companies. The questionnaire survey was conducted involving the contractor, consultant, client point of view. The result of the questionnaire encountered in the SPSS software for finding the major factor that affects the construction. The finding demonstrates the absence of site attention to detect claims, detachment or inaccessible of related documents proactively, and conflicts which develop during owner/contractor negotiation are all critical issue related with the system of claim management. My work aims to distinguish the various claims through review paper and to recognize the most impacted causes of claim in our region.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Vann Yaroson ◽  
Liz Breen ◽  
Jiachen Hou ◽  
Julie Sowter

Purpose The purpose of this study was to advance the knowledge of pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) resilience using complex adaptive system theory (CAS). Design/methodology/approach An exploratory research design, which adopted a qualitative approach was used to achieve the study’s research objective. Qualitative data were gathered through 23 semi-structured interviews with key supply chain actors across the PSC in the UK. Findings The findings demonstrate that CAS, as a theory, provides a systemic approach to understanding PSC resilience by taking into consideration the various elements (environment, PSC characteristics, vulnerabilities and resilience strategies) that make up the entire system. It also provides explanations for key findings, such as the impact of power, conflict and complexity in the PSC, which are influenced by the interactions between supply chain actors and as such increase its susceptibility to the negative impact of disruption. Furthermore, the antecedents for building resilience strategies were the outcome of the decision-making process referred to as co-evolution from a CAS perspective. Originality/value Based on the data collected, the study was able to reflect on the relationships, interactions and interfaces between actors in the PSC using the CAS theory, which supports the proposition that resilience strategies can be adopted by supply chain actors to enhance this service supply chain. This is a novel empirical study of resilience across multiple levels of the PSC and as such adds valuable new knowledge about the phenomenon and the use of CAS theory as a vehicle for exploration and knowledge construction in other supply chains.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Perez Palha ◽  
Adiel Teixeira De Almeida ◽  
Danielle Costa Morais ◽  
Keith W. Hipel

Selection processes in civil engineering infrastructure projects might require more time and effort than the decisionmakers involved in these projects are normally prepared to devote to running them. A novel approach is proposed to sort these activities into classes that represent their impact on the project, namely additive-veto sorting model, which should be considered before any bidding procedure. Therefore, problems regarding the client’s satisfaction caused by subcontractors can be avoided, and the decision-makers involved in the selection problem can devote to each class an effort compatible with the impact that activity might have on the project. The novelty of this method is that it was built to reflect the quasi-compensatory rationality of decision-makers in the construction industry; it provides them with insights on subcontractors’ activities, and it is grounded on and inspired by a real case study. The new parameters proposed within this model introduce the idea of vetoing an activity being assigned to a class when this activity is incompatible with the decision-maker’s preferences. By using this novel method, the authors succeeded in finding results that avoided a complete compensation amongst the factors considered, taking into account ranges that would be of significant importance in the decision process.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document