scholarly journals An Analysis of Determinants of Turnover Intent of Architectural Design Firms

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 64-75
Author(s):  
Hee-Chang Seo ◽  
Jung-Keun Oh ◽  
Jea-Jun Kim
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman ◽  
Nermeen Mohamed Amin Abdelwahab

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework integrating risk management (RM) into the architectural design process (ADP) as an approach for delivering sustainable construction projects. Design/methodology/approach A research methodology, which consisted of literature review and field study, is designed to accomplish four objectives. First, to provide a comprehensive literature review of the concepts of sustainability, ADP and RM. Second, to present and synthesis the results of two relevant studies focused on identifying, quantifying and classifying the risks associated with ADP; and investigating the perception and application of Egyptian architectural design firms (ADFs) towards integrating RM into ADP as an approach for delivering sustainable construction projects. Third, to develop a framework that integrates RM into ADP towards delivering sustainable construction projects. Finally, to draw conclusions and recommendations to improve the practice of delivering sustainable construction projects among ADFs, construction professionals and governmental authorities. Findings ADP is a fundamental phase of the construction process because the decisions adopted during this phase affect the project performance throughout its life cycle. While RM is widely applied in different sectors of the construction industry, its application in ADP received scant attention in construction literature. The research identified 18 key risks that affect the sustainable delivery of construction projects during ADP. The architect, the client and the project manager are the highest ranked responsible parties for the occurrence of these key risks. The field study highlighted the need to develop a framework to facilitate integrating RM into ADP. Research limitations/implications This paper focused only on the integration of RM into ADP. Originality/value The conducted literature review and field study provided an in-depth understanding of the key risks that affect the sustainable delivery of construction projects during ADP. Through its five stages, the proposed framework is expected to serve as a foundation for integrating RM into ADP as an approach for delivering sustainable projects. This ideology has received scant attention in construction literature. The developed framework represents a synthesis that is novel and creative in thought and adds value to the knowledge in a manner that has not previously occurred.


2011 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85
Author(s):  
Toru Eguchi ◽  
Robert Schmidt ◽  
Andrew Dainty ◽  
Simon Austin ◽  
Alistair Gibb

This paper explores the adaptability of buildings in Japan from the perspective of three distinct practice typologies: large general contractors, large architectural design firms, and small design ateliers. The paper illustrates the cultivation of adaptability in Japan revealing a maturing of concepts into current innovations, trends, priorities, and obstacles in relation to adaptability in design. The paper contextualizes the situation by reviewing the evolution of residential development in support of building adaptability, and the ways in which these policies and concepts have shaped practice and transcended residential design. This evolution is then explored through non-residential case studies undertaken by the three practice types, and supported through a review of critical themes emerging from the interviews. The importance of particular physical characteristics are examined including storey height, location of services, planning modules and structural spacing/spans. The interviews expose the critical relationship between adaptability and different social variables - the state of the market, the role of planning regulations and other legal frameworks; as well as, the misconceptions and variations in the perceptions on the role and meaning adaptability has in practice. The paper is concluded by revealing the lessons learnt, including the unfolding of dependencies outside the ‘black box’ of adaptability (e.g. practice culture, material and, stakeholder mindsets) and the requirement of effective communication of concepts to allow an informed conversation between professionals and with clients and users. Like many other philosophical design concepts in complex processes, adaptability benefits from a mutual understanding, good relationships, communication, integration, and shared goals amongst team members.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1355-1375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman ◽  
Mohamed Hesham Madbouly Khalil

PurposeArchitecture is classified as one of the creative industries worldwide. However, it is plagued with a number of problems that confine its creativity towards developing innovative solutions that fulfil society needs. One of these pressing problems is the lack of creativity due to the non-utilisation of talented architects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of lean talent management (LTM) as a novel approach to increase creativity in architectural design firms (ADFs).Design/methodology/approachIn order to achieve the above-mentioned aim, a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology is designed to accomplish three objectives. First, reviewing literature to investigate the concepts of creative industries, motivation, demotivation, talent management (TM), talents utilisation (TU), lean thinking (LT) and lean innovation (LI). Second, presenting and analysing five case studies to explore the integration between TM, LT and LI in real-life context to overcome barriers of creativity. Finally, analysing the results of a survey questionnaire conducted with a representative sample of Egyptian ADFs to evaluate their perception and application of TM as a facilitator for creativity.FindingsThe five barriers of creativity encompassed lack of motivation in ADFs and demotivation and lack of TU in ADFs and Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. TM facilitated motivation and eliminated six demotivating factors. The seventh factor was eliminated through LT. In AEC industry, TU was achieved through LI with five considerations. In ADFs, TU can be achieved through LTM. However, two additional barriers have been identified for further investigation. Egyptian ADFs failed increasing creativity with TM solely. Hence, a LTM framework is required.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study focussed on architecture as a case for creative industries and targeted Egyptian ADFs, the application of LTM is to be applied at any industry that is talent-based although barriers related to the design process could vary.Originality/valueThis paper presents an innovative approach through discussing the integration of lean concepts into TM towards increasing creativity in ADFs. This ideology has received scant attention in construction literature and is the first of its kind in the architectural field. The proposed ideas represent a synthesis that is novel and creative in thought and adds value to the knowledge in a manner that has not previously occurred.


Author(s):  
Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman ◽  
Nooran AlNassar

Abstract This paper aims to develop a framework to achieve sustainability by overcoming the challenges of the construction supply chain (CCSC) during the design process. To achieve this, two approaches, namely theoretical and practical, were used to accomplish four objectives. For the theoretical approach, based on literature review and case studies, the objective used was to identify, classify and validate the challenges that the construction supply chain (CSC) encounter. For the practical approach, a survey questionnaire was employed to quantify the CCSC and investigate the perception of architectural design firms (ADFs) in Egypt towards achieving sustainability by overcoming the CCSC during the design process. Based on the results, the research developed a framework to overcome the CCSC as an approach towards achieving sustainability in construction projects during the design process. The research identified and validated 20 challenges that the CSC encounter towards achieving sustainability during the design process. These challenges were classified under four categories, namely (1) design and technical process; (2) coordination, information flow and accuracy; (3) material specification, technology, supplier rework and whole life cycle cost; and (4) skills gap of the qualified architects and design managers and non-compliance to building codes, regulations, laws and standards. In addition, a survey questionnaire was employed to rank these challenges according to their importance on 1–5 Likert scale using the measure of central tendency and dispersion and relative importance index (RII).


1995 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiram C. Barksdale ◽  
Stephen W. Clopton

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiram Barksdale ◽  
Stephen Clopton

Author(s):  
Yeliz Tulubas-Gokuc ◽  
David Arditi

Developments in technology such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) have recently created serious competitive pressures on architectural design firms and building construction companies. Design firms and construction companies need to adopt these new technologies to survive and thrive in this environment. Despite the advantages of BIM in building design, its adoption by architectural design firms has been slow due to obstacles such as lack of familiarity with BIM, lack of training in BIM, and lack of supporting resources such as hardware and software. The problems faced in adopting BIM were investigated by only few researchers who focused on the acceptance or penetration of BIM into construction firms. The objective of this research is to develop an integrated model to understand the adoption of BIM in architectural design firms. The model involves (1) the fit between the tasks to be performed by design professionals and the technology provided by BIM, (2) the fit between the organizational competency in the design firm and the capabilities offered by BIM, and (3) the fit between the designers’ knowledge/skills in BIM and the sophistication of the BIM product. After a thorough review and synthesis of technology adoption models and theories, this paper proposes an integrated model to understand the adoption of BIM by architectural design firms. The model argues that using BIM depends on BIM’s properties as well as the tasks at hand, the organizational competency of the company, and the perceived ease of use.


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