Construction project managers occupy middle management positions and their performance is as important as the performance of skilled/unskilled workers to the success of a project. This study investigates the factors that motivate construction managers, identifies the dominant human values of construction managers, and explores the relationship between construction managers' human values and their motivators. A total of 101 construction managers participated in a survey to rate the importance of 20 motivators and 18 human values. Although simple correlation analysis indicated that many motivators are highly correlated with many human values, this finding ignores the interrelationships between the many variables. Factor analysis was used to reduce the 20 motivators to six motivating factors, and regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between each of the six motivating factors and human values, albeit without much success because of the nonlinear nature of the problem. However, by using an artificial neural network (ANN) model, it was possible to show that a relationship exists between human values and each of the six motivational factors with 75% accuracy. It is concluded that the performance of construction project managers can be enhanced by promoting motivators that agree with construction managers' human values.
The organizational design of subcontracting in the construction industry has received limited attention. This article integrates transaction cost economics and resource-based view to investigate how the governance capabilities of the general contractor impact the organizational arrangement of subcontracting and how the goal orientation of project moderates these relationships. Regression analyses were conducted on information collected by a questionnaire survey administered to a sample of 279 respondents who were employed by Chinese general contractors and who were privy to strategy information in construction projects. The results showes that the general contractor with strong governance capabilities tends to increase the extent of the work to be subcontracted and the dispersion of subcontractors used in projects. Moreover, these relationships change when the goal orientation in projects differs. In projects that display an exploitative goal orientation, the positive impact of governance capabilities on the extent of subcontracting will be weakened while the impact on subcontractor dispersion will be strengthened. In contrast, the relationship between governance capabilities and the extent of subcontracting will be stronger, and the relationship between governance capabilities and the subcontractor dispersion will be weaker in projects that exhibit an explorative goal orientation. The findings contribute to the subcontracting literature by distinguishing between the extent of subcontracting and subcontractor dispersion and by highlighting the importance of the general contractor's governance capabilities and project goal orientation when setting up a subcontracting arrangement.
Abstract Motivation is one of the key factors that stimulate individuals to improve their productivity. Therefore, motivation of construction workers has been debated with considerable interest by participants in the construction industry. However, motivating only construction workers, but ignoring the motivation of construction professionals, viz., architects and civil engineers, may not be enough to successfully complete a construction project. Although motivation of construction professionals may also enhance the performance of a construction project, this topic is mostly ignored in the motivation literature. This study attempts to fill this gap by (1) identifying the motivators that are of importance to architects and civil engineers and (2) exploring the statistical difference between architects’ and civil engineers’ motivators. For this purpose, a questionnaire survey was administered to Turkish architects and civil engineers to collect data on their perceptions of the importance of different motivators. The case of Turkey is investigated because several of the larger Turkish contractors undertake construction projects outside their home country. Statistical analysis was performed on the collected data to verify whether there are statistically significant differences in the perception of some motivators by architects and civil engineers. The study demonstrates the existence of a statistically significant difference between architects’ and civil engineers’ motivators. Identifying the architects’ and civil engineers’ motivators may help construction companies in motivating their architects and civil engineers more effectively, thus developing a quality workforce.
The first International Online Conference on Buildings with a focus on advances in building structures, materials, repair/renovation, energy, environment, systems, architecture, urban planning, and construction management was held on 24–26 October 2023 [...]
Many contractors prefer on-site fabrication of rebar while others find that off-site fabrication is more advantageous. The economics of on-site and off-site fabrication of rebar need to be compared on the basis of several factors that include the project environment, wages, labour considerations, the initial investment for equipment, waste of rebar, the cost of inventory, cycle time, and supply chain management. This study presents an economic comparison of the on-site and off-site fabrication practices of rebar by means of a simulation model that makes use of the factors mentioned earlier. The model is populated with actual data obtained from a trade centre project in Istanbul, Turkey. The article indicates that the off-site fabrication practice would have been more costly than the on-site practice in the project in Istanbul, a finding that was to be expected in circumstances that prevail in most developing countries.
Computer aided design (CAD) technology is one of the most influential information technology (IT) innovations of the last four decades. This paper studies the factors that influence the spread of this important IT innovation in the context of the Turkish architectural design practice. It builds on the innovation diffusion theory which proposes that internal (i.e., copying behaviors of others) and external influence (i.e., complying with clients' requirements, changes in government regulations, demand conditions, and consulting firms' suggestions) factors drive diffusion of an innovation. The paper empirically tests the propositions of innovation diffusion theory by using three mathematical models: The internal influence model, the external influence model, and the mixed influence model. Research findings point out that the mixed influence model has the highest exploratory power. They show that the diffusion of CAD technology in architectural design practice is primarily driven by internal rather than external influence factors. This study is of importance to researchers because this is the first application of the influence models to the study of the diffusion of CAD technology in architectural design practice. It is also of relevance to design practitioners since the findings should provide a useful guide in their decision to adopt or not to adopt CAD technology.
Learning is considered to be a sophisticated process and a source of competitiveꀊadvantage. Learning is essential in project-based environments. The one-of-a-kind structure of the operations of architectural design firms triggers special learning needs and requires a continuous learning activity. Learning is considered to improve an architectural design firm’s efficiency by recognizing the role of individuals in enhancing the firm’s objectives. However, theoretical research on individual professionals’ learning process in the architectural design is rather uncommon. The process of individual learning is composed of (1) data acquisition (2) assessment of the acquired information and (3) implementation of the knowledge gained in a group setting. Ten factors were identified to assess the effectiveness of the learning processes of professionals. This study is the first study in the field of architecture that presents a conceptual model about the factors that affect the effectiveness of the learning process of professionals. © 2010 Taylor and Francis Group, London, UK.
<p>A computerized system to schedule high-rise building construction has been developed using line-of-balance technology assisted by an expert system. A review of the recent literature on the techniques available for scheduling and controlling construction projects of a repetitive nature shows that Gantt charts are inadequate, and that there are serious problems with using network methods in such circumstances. There is evidence that the construction of high rise buildings has a decidedly repetitive nature but differs in some respects from other repetitive projects such as pipelines or pavement construction. Two new concepts have been introduced into line-of-balance methodology to accommodate the special conditions encountered in high rise building construction. These two concepts, namely ‘fexible’ unit networks and ‘multi-level’ LOB diagrams have been coded into a scheduling module (‘Lobplans’). A series of databases have been compiled regarding the productivity of resources. An expert system module (Lobex) has been developed to facilitate decision-making at network generation level. The scheduling module, the databases, and the expert system have been organized into an integrated system (Chriss) by means of communication and command routines that interface between the modules and the user input. A 16-storey building project has been used in testing Chriss’ performance. The integrated system proved to be user friendly and reliable.</p>
International joint ventures (IJVs) have become popular because of their importance as a strategic alternative in global competition. The measurement of the performance of IJVs has been an important research topic for a few decades, however there is no consensus on an appropriate definition and measurement of IJV performance. In this study, a model is proposed to assess IJV performance in construction. The validity of the proposed drivers and measures of performance is investigated and relationships between them are analyzed. The effects of interpartner fit/relations, structural IJV characteristics, host country factors, and project-related factors on IJV performance are examined through a questionnaire survey. IJV performance is defined by a four-dimensional construct that considers the performance of the project, the IJV partners, the IJV organization itself, and the perceptions of the IJV partners. The results point out the significance of the interpartner fit and the quality of partner relations for a successful IJV operation. The findings of the study also suggest that project-related factors have a moderate influence on IJV performance. In a properly designed IJV structure, partners with compatible skills, resources, and cultures are found to maintain good relations and are expected to achieve greater IJV success.
The innovation diffusion modeling approach proposes that the diffusion of an innovation in an industry is mainly driven by internal and external influence factors. But the innovation diffusion models used in previous research studies conducted in the construction management literature are excessively restrictive. This research uses a more flexible model called the nonuniform influence (NUI) model to study the diffusion of a technological innovation, namely, computer aided design (CAD) technology in the Turkish architectural design practice; and an administrative innovation, namely, ISO 9000 certification in the Turkish precast concrete industry. The research findings point out that the NUI model performs significantly better than previously used models and that internal rather than external influence plays a predominant role in the diffusion of both types of innovation. The research findings provide additional insights into the diffusion of CAD technology and ISO 9000 certification which could not be captured by the previously used diffusion models. They show that internal influence on the diffusion of CAD technology increases with passage of time and that internal influence on the diffusion ISO 9000 certification decreases with passage of time. The research has academic importance because it addresses the limitations of previous innovation diffusion research and provides quantitative insights into the diffusion of innovations; knowledge that is lacking in the construction management literature. The research is of practical importance because it provides useful observations that architecture/engineering/construction firms can use to understand the presence of imitative behavior in the innovation diffusion process and the role of innovation characteristics in imitative behavior.
Abstract Laser scanning technology has emerged as an essential tool in measuring and documenting existing conditions of buildings and infrastructures. It has been widely used in surveying, recording existing structures, calculating quantity, monitoring construction progress, understanding the general topography of a site, capturing the complicated geometries seen in manufacturing facilities, and supporting Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). While it has become popular for construction engineering and management programs to include Building Information Modeling in their curricula, very few construction programs have introduced laser scanning technology to their students. The high cost of the laser scanner and the associated software, the lack of qualified instructors, and the lack of an accreditation requirement are the primary reasons for this situation. However, recently, the construction industry has adopted many technological innovations, and the cost of laser scanners has been going down. Educators need to look into the potential of adopting laser scanning in their curricula. This research aims to assess the need for and evaluate the feasibility of incorporating laser scanning technology into the construction engineering and management curriculum. The study conducted a thorough literature review to assess how laser scanning technology can improve Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), which are required by the American Council of Construction Education (ACCE). The contributions of the study involve (1) helping educators in construction engineering and management programs to understand the importance of laser scanning technology in the construction industry, (2) improving current Student Learning Outcomes by using laser scanning technology.
Measuring the performance of joint ventures has been an important research topic for a few decades. No consensus on an appropriate definition and measurement of performance of international joint ventures (IJVs) has yet emerged, and the validity of the underlying measures is still questionable. In this study, the construct validity of measures that define IJV performance in construction is evaluated using data obtained through a questionnaire survey. A second-order performance construct is proposed, which is measured by means of project performance, partner performance, performance of IJV management, and perceived satisfaction with IJV. The validity of the performance measures is evaluated by means of tests that assess content validity, reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity. The findings reveal that all proposed indicators are valid measures of IJV performance and that they correspond to different dimensions of performance. This research is expected to trigger further work on developing a multidimensional performance measure for IJVs in construction. In addition, the findings can help practitioners reflect on how they operate and measure the success of their IJVs. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000314. (c) 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
Change orders occur during construction, and usually increase both construction cost and project duration. This paper investigates how change orders are related to the bidding environment. The data used in this study were collected from 74 public building construction projects awarded by the Public Building Commission of Chicago in the seven-year period 2008-2015. The contract values range between $0.3-$70 million, and the total worth of the projects is a little over $1.1 billion. While delay may result in liquidated damages for contractors, increase in project cost can cause financial problems for owners. It is in the interest of owners and contractors to study similar past projects, and to observe how change orders are affected by the level of competition in bidding. Owners must budget for contingencies, and contractors must adjust their resources in anticipation of change orders. It would therefore be quite desirable for owners and contractors to be able to predict the dollar amount and duration implications of potential change orders by making use of past historical data. The prediction of the dollar amount and duration implications of potential change orders before the construction starts can alert construction owners and contractors to potential delays in total project completion time and potential overruns in total project cost. Knowledge about potential change orders creates a predictable environment and improves the relationship between owners and contractors. The results of this study indicate that contractor-driven change orders are positively related to the difference between the lowest and the second lowest bids.
In this paper, existing innovation models are reviewed. The influence of technology and market-driven schools of thought on the creation and diffusion of innovation is examined. Incremental vs. radical models and autonomous vs. systemic models are considered in the context of the construction industry. The concept of “technology adoption life cycle ” is investigated to understand better the acceptance of new technology by key parties. A new model of innovation is proposed. In this model, the transformation process of invention into adoption flows through a cyclical mechanism encompassing six phases: 1) need, 2) creation, 3) invention, 4) innovation, 5) diffusion, and 6) adoption. This model clearly shows the interaction of the three most influential domains: users, changes, and the environment. The model also takes into consideration the influence of technology and market-driven forces on the creation and diffusion of innovation. As a consequence of their particular function in the construction activity, construction management firms should perform as catalysts in the generation and diffusion of technological advances in the construction industry.
<p>The line of balance (LOB) method is not widely used in the construction industry even though it has distinct advantages in repetitive construction projects. Attempts were made in the past to develop LOB systems but no system has met with universal acceptance because of a multitude of problems. As a response, a tool named ALISS was developed that solves most of the problems associated with LOB applications. ALISS is an acronym for Advanced Linear Scheduling System and makes use of a model that utilizes the tools of information technology to the fullest extent. This is accomplished by creating a system that has a standalone and a web-based version. ALISS is programmed using Visual Basic and Visual Basic Script languages. It utilizes MS Access and SQL Server as a data repository. The resulting Advanced Linear Scheduling System not only accommodates all LOB requirements but also provides the latest technological developments as an embedded tool.</p>
