A model for measuring distruption risk in the prefabrication supply chain

Use of prefabrication in construction projects is increasing due to the benefits in cost, time, quality, and safety. However, utilizing prefabrication introduces uncertainties inherent with the supply chain of the process. These uncertainties, if not managed, can disrupt the prefabrication process and result in schedule delays and cost overruns. This study proposes a model to measure disruption risks in the prefabrication process. The model was used in measuring the disruption risks of prefabrication of headwalls in patients’ rooms for a healthcare project as a pilot study. The risk model could successfully identify the disruption risks originating anywhere in the supply chain based on input information such as required material quantity, batch sizes of material deliveries, production rates, and batch sizes of transporting the headwall units. Using the model, the project team identified two uncertainties that could lead to possible disruptions: the start of the prefabrication processes and the required production rate to meet the on-site schedule. This is a first step to developing a risk exposure model that can prove valuable to the risk managers to analyse and manage the impact of disruptions. This will help the risk managers in making informed decisions about where to focus their limited resources.

Drivers and barriers in the adoption of green supply chain management in construction projects: A case of Indonesia

The concept of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) is attracting attention to the construction industry to minimise adverse environmental effects. However, its application is not common in developing countries like Indonesia. Based on contractors’ and construction design consultants’ point of view, the current study attempts to identify the drivers and barriers to adopting GSCM in construction projects in Central Java Province, Indonesia. The research study used previous literature, observation, questionnaires, and in-depth interviews with experts on drivers and barriers to implementing Green Supply Chain Management in construction. Data were analysed using SPSS and evaluated by the ordinal regression analysis method. Based on testing in ordinal regression analysis, seven factors were identified as drivers or barriers to the adoption of GSCM in construction projects in Central Java Province, and four of them affect significantly. The driving factors that significantly affect the adoption of GSCM include government regulations on environmental protection and pressure from the supply chain stakeholders. On the other hand, the barrier factors include the shortage of suppliers who implement GSCM practices in the construction area and inadequate knowledge and awareness about the impact of construction activities on the environment. This work could give the policymakers’ insight into the barriers and drivers to GSCM, thus enabling them to develop strategies in implementing GSCM in the construction industry.

Moderating role of government Acts, laws and policies between team competency and skills and construction risk management among KSA contractors

Contractors have given importance to risks in the construction process as it causes time and cost overrun, delays, and total desertion in activities and events present in the construction project. The uncertainty in the completion time, cost, and quality during construction relate to construction risks. Project goals are achieved by classifying, investigating, and replying to risks associated with construction projects. To achieve project objectives, team competency and skills are required, which are viewed as attitude, aptitude, versatility, and knowledge. Based on organisation control theory, current research (quantitative in nature) discusses the influence of team competency and skills on construction risk management with the moderation role of government Acts, laws, and policies among 303 large-size contractors working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using PLS-SEM technique. PLS-SEM is a composite-based approach that provides high efficiency parameter estimation with increased statistical power for analyzing complex models. Results depict that government Acts, laws and policies and team competency and skills positively influence construction risk management. In addition, moderation of government Acts, laws, and policies has positive relation among team competency and skills and construction risk management. Organisational management can reduce risk occurrence within a project by building conditions for enhancing team competency and skills.

Public procurement in Malaysian local authorities: Antecedents of procedural rationality in decision making

The Malaysian public sector is oversaturated with comprehensive procurement procedures. These measures aim to deter unwarranted behaviours from public officers. Nevertheless, there have been recurring irregularities over the past decade in Malaysian local authorities, including work delays, non-compliance with regulations, wasteful purchasing, substandard workmanship etc. This study aimed to investigate factors undermining rationality in public procurement decision making from the cognitive perspective. The cognitive and behavioural science literature was reviewed systematically, focusing on procedural rationality to develop a predictive model of procurement irregularities. This research adopted a quantitative approach. A total of 289 datasets were collected from the procurement officers of Malaysian local authorities and analysed using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling technique. The empirical findings showed that work experience, prior knowledge, and accountability correlate directly with procedural rationality in procurement decision-making, which would impact the procurement outcome. The research offered insights into the decision-making behaviour of procurement officers from the cognitive psychology perspective. From the managerial standpoint, public procurement procedures should incorporate the elements of accountability, experience, and prior knowledge as part of the quality assurance and control measures.

Building resilience among construction professionals in New Zealand: A study of major stressors and stress reduction strategies

Retaining and replacing skilled professionals can be problematic within high-performance construction teams. The onus cascades upon fledgling, inexperienced individuals to embrace these high-stress responsibilities. Previous studies have highlighted the influential role that stress plays as an antecedent to burnout. Emotional fatigue, depersonalisation and a lack of personal achievement all sprout from the burnout syndrome. This project was undertaken as an inductive approach to theory development and employed a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire. The study population comprised of construction professionals within the New Zealand construction industry. Convenience sampling was used to collect data from 266 New Zealand Site Safe members and their industry partners utilising a survey software called Qualtrics to address the research question. Through the use of a Likert scale, the mean values of the data were used to construct a table that incorporated combined stressors and their stress reduction strategies. “What stresses do construction professionals experience and what recommendations can be concluded to change workplace behaviour to reduce burnout?” The data was then used to construct a table that incorporated combined stressors and their stress reduction strategies. This research identified the contributing stress factors and their respective remedies to make changes in the New Zealand construction environment. The findings noted that various factors within the different clusters were indicative of high workplace stress, the strongest cluster being individual job demands. Other clusters highlighted factors such as managerial behaviour, organisational leadership and the economy as significant contributors. Transparent and clear communications between all staff levels proved to be the strongest moderating factor as a stress reduction remedy. The respondents indicated that a change in their sleeping patterns also created fatigue that leads to burnout. The contribution of this paper and contribution of this research lies in presenting the most significant current stressors in the New Zealand construction industry and aligning them with stress reductions strategies.

Determinants of sustainable building materials (SBM) selection on construction projects

The complexity and fragmented nature and the multiple stakeholders in the construction industry often make it difficult to come up with a firm decision regarding sustainable building materials selection. The wrong choice could negatively impact the project objective and performance outcome. This study assessed the critical factor influencing the choice of sustainable building materials (SBM) selection on construction projects in the Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire, non-probability (purposive and snowball) sampling techniques, and an internet-mediated survey. Data analyses were carried out using the appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tools and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The study revealed recycled plastic, natural clay and mud, stone, bricks and tile, cellulose, stray bales, grasses, limestone, and wood timber, are the commonly used sustainable building materials. Also, their level of awareness is high while their adoption is moderate. EFA revealed that the major clusters of determinants of the choice of green building materials are: emissions minimisation, low running cost and reusability, low thermal and energy consumption efficiency, low cost and high health and safety consideration and waste minimisation. The key factors influencing the choice of sustainable building materials selection in construction are: reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, materially embodied energy cost, operating and maintenance costs, non-toxic or low toxic emissions generated by the products/materials, recyclability of the building materials, availability of the technical skills, renewable (reusable) properties, inhibiting the impact of buildings on the environment, safety and health of the occupants, and appearance and aesthetic. It is recommended that consideration be given to these factors in selecting sustainable/green building materials in the designs and specifications of construction projects.

Exploration of conflict resolution benefits among Nigerian construction professionals

Conflict resolution in the construction industry is the informal or formal procedure that two or more construction professionals use to find a peaceful solution to their misunderstanding. The resolution of conflict can be beneficial to construction professionals, if it is resolved or managed appropriately. Therefore, this study aimed to examine various benefits of conflict resolution among construction professionals in Nigeria. On the research methodology used in this research, a quantitative research method was used. A total number of 150 questionnaires were sent out and 135 were received back from the construction professionals in Nigeria. The construction professionals are quantity surveyors, architects, builders, construction managers, civil engineers, and project managers. The research data that was collected underwent cleaning and screening before the commencement of the analysis. Also, the data collected pertaining to this study was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21). This research made use of descriptive and exploratory factor analysis. The study found that conflict resolution could assist in the generation of new insights and perception. This was ranked the highest followed by other benefits of conflict resolution like: reduction in tension, helps professionals to accomplish their ambitions, improves workplace conflicts, and reduces task ambiguity of professionals for construction professionals to enjoy the benefits of conflict resolution they must resolve conflicts among themselves as early as possible.

Effect of project team integration on the performance of Indian construction project: SMART PLS Structural Equation Approach

Due to competition and high expectations of customers, the construction sector is faced with several challenges while pursuing project outcomes. Generally, construction firms consist of various project teams with multipurpose, which necessitates participation and involvement of team members in an organised manner to complete the project effectively. The current research aimed to understand the essential factors that contribute to Effective Teamwork in the construction industry. The study is based on primary data via a questionnaire-based survey method. The data collected from 72 respondents comprises various construction team members like Engineers, Contractors, Owners, Architects from various parts of Tamil Nadu. The data collected were processed using the Structural Equation Model (SEM), which was employed in this research to understand the relationship among the successful outcomes and the factors determining the team's success. The analysis of the results and the model show that the integration between the project team brings about a uniquely positive effect on construction project outcomes at a R2 value of 0.733. This study provides empirical evidence that a successful construction project team will positively influence the outcome of construction projects.

Client Characteristics related Critical Success Factors for Public-Private Partnerships in South Africa

The implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in South Africa has grown steadily since the late 1990s. However, these partnerships do not realise their potential with a decline in PPP transactions over the past decade. The drivers of success for PPP projects have become a subject of investigation to understand the downward trend. This study evaluates the different critical success factors pertinent to client characteristics that influence PPP projects in South Africa. The study followed a qualitative research inquiry that employs a grounded theory (G.T.) approach involving semi-structured interviews with nine professionals involved in PPP projects selected using a snowball sampling technique. Interviews were conducted on video conferencing and through phone calls. Seven responses were considered relevant to the research, and two were considered irrelevant and were disregarded. An in-depth analysis of the data gathered was conducted through a selective coding process using NVivo. The analysis revealed the research’s emergent themes: client experience and in-house technical capabilities; client risk attitude; client willingness to be involved and trust in the private sector, available financial markets, and political support and stability. By applying the framework established, the chances of success and decline in the use of PPP projects can be considerably improved in South Africa through greater engagement between the public and private sectors in infrastructure investment and delivery. The study’s main limitation is the smallness of the sample size and the use of the snowball sampling technique in which the initial respondents are likely to refer to other respondents who share similar points of view and beliefs. To counter this limitation, the researchers ensured that the convenient sample of initial subjects comprised professionals from different backgrounds.

Strategic sourcing: An empirical study among Indian construction retailers

The Indian retail industry is an emerging sector particularly in the construction segment. Retailers play a major role in sourcing of construction materials. This paper aims to identify the factors responsible for strategic sourcing and to find the influence between them for effective business transactions among construction material retailers in India. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire and an adequate sample of 330 responses were obtained from the targeted respondents using convenient sampling method. Following statistical tests for validity and reliability, Structural Equation Model was used to analyse the data. Based on previous studies, five variables were identified: unstructured buying, retailer evaluation, retailer disengagement, retailer relationship management and strategic sourcing and 21 key items were considered for the survey. With the factors, a conceptual model was formulated, and hypotheses were framed and tested. Among the five hypotheses, four hypotheses were supported in the study. All variables except unstructured buying have a strong positive influence on strategic sourcing. The study's implications include creating a long-term relationship with retailers and enhancing strategic sourcing practices in the Indian construction sector. This study serves as a literature resource in strategic sourcing and adds value to construction supply chains.