A. Weippert, S.L. Kajewski and P.A. Tilley
In an attempt to bring the unique talents of various construction industry project participants together in a more productive and integrated manner, the Online Remote Construction…
Abstract
In an attempt to bring the unique talents of various construction industry project participants together in a more productive and integrated manner, the Online Remote Construction Management (ORCM) project commenced in July 1999 proposing to test, field trial, and/or evaluate the implementation of various Internet‐based Construction Project Management (ICPM) systems and information and communication technologies (ICT) on five case study projects over a two‐year period. This paper provides final results, findings, and recommendations obtained after two years of research, surveying, and benchmarking activities on one of the five ORCM case study projects. “Critical Success Factors” are identified, offering a positive contribution to the successful implementation of ICT tools and ICPM systems on remote construction projects. Similar research activities were undertaken on the other four ORCM case study projects and will be considered in future papers.
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A. Weippert, S.L. Kajewski and P.A. Tilley
In an attempt to bring the unique talents of various construction industry project participants together in a more productive and integrated manner, the Online Remote Construction…
Abstract
In an attempt to bring the unique talents of various construction industry project participants together in a more productive and integrated manner, the Online Remote Construction Management (ORCM) project commenced in July 1999 proposing to test, field trial and/or evaluate the implementation of various Internet‐based construction project management (ICPM) systems and information and communication technologies (ICT) on four case study projects over a two‐year period, aiming, in general, to demonstrate leadership in facilitating the use of online technologies for the design, management and construction of building and civil construction projects. This paper provides the final results and a list of “best practice guidelines” that are critical in helping ensure successful implementation of ICT tools and/or ICPM systems on geographically dispersed (remote) civil and building construction projects..
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This paper describes research into use of Online Remote Construction Management (ORCM) on road construction projects, from the perspective of an industry representative in the…
Abstract
This paper describes research into use of Online Remote Construction Management (ORCM) on road construction projects, from the perspective of an industry representative in the research project. The aim of ORCM is to use advanced electronic communication technologies to enhance online real‐time communication between the parties to a construction project, and thus improve the project delivery process. It aims to maximize the use of time of personnel and reduce paperwork. A typical trial construction project in the Queensland Department of Main Roads, with which the author was employed at the time of writing this paper, is described. This site used a Web‐based system to manage communications. Observed benefits from using ORCM and issues in implementation are discussed. While the process is promising, there needs to be additional review into the attendant risks and cultural issues, and the ways in which these matters are addressed.
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The US construction industry has been relatively slow to employ digital information technologies. The lack of adoption by project owners is a result of them not having a solid…
Abstract
Purpose
The US construction industry has been relatively slow to employ digital information technologies. The lack of adoption by project owners is a result of them not having a solid understanding of probable factors (PFs) that could influence the implementation of such systems and potential benefits (PBs) that can serve as key motivators and an assessment instrument. Thus, this article aims to study PBs of digital construction-phase information management (DCIM) systems for project owners and PFs that could influence the implementation of such systems by project owners.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative data collection and analysis methods were followed to conduct the research. The qualitative data (information) regarding PBs and PFs were collected using a survey to subject matter experts and the content analysis method was used to analyze the data.
Findings
Findings show that almost all the qualitative data regarding PBs of DCIM systems are positive, and these data support 10 of 18 PBs with which they were compared. The qualitative data that is negative does not support one PB. Findings also show that all the qualitative data regarding the PFs are confirmatory, and these data support 14 of 28 PFs with which they were compared. The most supported PB is improvement in the efficiency of documentation within the organization and the most supported PF is upper management support.
Originality/value
The primary contribution of this research is in increasing project owners’ understanding of PBs of DCIM systems and PFs that could influence the implementation of such systems.
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In its Preface, the author, Professor Emeritus Erich Egner of the University of Göttingen, situated just south of Hanover in the Federal Republic of Germany, confesses that his…
Abstract
In its Preface, the author, Professor Emeritus Erich Egner of the University of Göttingen, situated just south of Hanover in the Federal Republic of Germany, confesses that his work stands at the end of a long road whose destination was at first unknown to him. For a long time he had hesitated about the particular field of economics to which he should devote himself. He was certain that it would not be a matter of pure economic theory. It had to be a Problemkreis with social and sociological implications. After a stint in the thirties, when he had devoted himself to regional problems, he discovered that his interests lay elsewhere. This was the beginning of the consumption movement as it was then being observed in the United States.
Arjen Adriaanse and Hans Voordijk
Although communication is of vital importance in construction projects, the construction industry is confronted with great communication difficulties and an ineffective use of…
Abstract
Although communication is of vital importance in construction projects, the construction industry is confronted with great communication difficulties and an ineffective use of information and communication technology (ICT) systems. In this study, the objective is to analyse obstacles and preconditions for an effective use of ICT by focusing on characteristics of interorganizational communication in construction projects. Interorganizational communication and ICT are studied by elaborating on these phenomena from the perspective of two paradigms – the traditional functionalist and the radical humanist – and theories representative for these paradigms – the agency theory and Habermas’ critical social theory. By using the method of metatriangulation, it is shown that in addition to the functionalist perspective, the critical social theory of Habermas is an appropriate theory for analysing obstacles and preconditions for an effective interorganizational communication and use of ICT. Based on this analysis, a critical research agenda on communication and ICT in construction is formulated. It is concluded that this type of research will lead to a more articulated view on the alignment between ICT applications and communication in construction projects and will show new directions for ICT development in the future.
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Kalle Kähkönen and Jukka Rannisto
This paper and research behind it aim to explain key elements behind construction project data management by looking at actual operations. The construction project management is…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper and research behind it aim to explain key elements behind construction project data management by looking at actual operations. The construction project management is heavily built around document control and relating events such as change orders, submittals, transmittals and requests for information. These functionalities are usually forming the core of electronic data/document management systems (EDMS), and more recently solutions based on Building Information Modelling (BIM) technologies. A growing share of buildings construction projects are designed and documented by using BIM applications. BIM applications can form spatially organised access to project data and documents which, if widely applied, can change the world of EDMS solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents results of a research effort where the use of EDMS was studied in 15 building construction case projects. The research focus was on EDMS structure, usage of EDMS in each case project and EDMS use models.
Findings
The gained results explain content and characteristics of current practice. It is considered that useful knowledge can be learned from the present used of EDMS in building construction projects. This understanding can help our sector to move towards more advanced solutions.
Research limitations/implications
The obtained research data are a certain kind of building development projects. These were renovation and change projects of existing buildings.
Originality/value
Although the main stream of research has been technology-driven, the research behind this paper is targeting for new knowledge over the characteristics of EDMS use.
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Si Yee Tiew, Helena Aman Hashim and Umi Kalsum Zolkafli @ Zulkifly
Various studies have been conducted to explore the factors that are important to be considered for the effectiveness of construction contract administration (CCA) but lack in the…
Abstract
Purpose
Various studies have been conducted to explore the factors that are important to be considered for the effectiveness of construction contract administration (CCA) but lack in the context of graduate architects. The purpose of this study is to identify factors influencing the effectiveness of graduate architects in CCA and possible methods to enhance their work efficiency through developing the relevant skills in a changing construction environment.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper identified the factors that influence the effectiveness of graduate architects in CCA through the quantitative methods. General skill elements that are perceived as essential for the effectiveness of CCA had been investigated through a survey of graduate architects in the construction industry. One hundred and twenty-seven completed questionnaires returned were analyzed and tested using descriptive analysis and relative important index (RII).
Findings
The result from the study showed that the factors influencing the effectiveness of graduate architects as CCA are building construction skills, design management skills, project management skills, soft skills and dispute resolution skills.
Originality/value
The contribution of this study can be utilized for developing models/tools in the future that would improve the work performance of graduate architects in CCA. Educators may utilize this study to improve their syllabus to cater to the market's demand and facilitate students' entry into the labor market.
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Lance W. Saunders, Andrew P McCoy, Brian M. Kleiner, Helen Lingard, Tracy Cooke, Thomas Mills, Nick Blismas and Ronald Wakefield
– The purpose of this paper is to advance knowledge on the advantages of integrating safety earlier in the construction project lifecycle.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to advance knowledge on the advantages of integrating safety earlier in the construction project lifecycle.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach is used to collect data from construction sites in the USA, which performs poorly in construction safety and health, and Australia (AU), which performs well in construction safety and health. Qualitative data are collected to determine how and when safety is considered in the project lifecycle in both countries, and then the results are benchmarked to determine the benefits of addressing safety earlier in the process.
Findings
Data show that addressing a potential hazard earlier in the project lifecycle has performance benefits in terms of the level of hazard control.
Research limitations/implications
The processes that are identified as possibly explaining the performance difference are just based on qualitative data from interviews. Targeted research addressing the relationship between these processes and safety outcomes is an opportunity for further research.
Practical implications
The case study data are used to identify specific processes that are used in AU that might be adopted in the USA to improve performance by integrating safety earlier into the decision-making process.
Social implications
This paper highlights the advantages of integrating safety as a decision factor early in the process. Worker safety is not just an issue in the construction industry, and thus the findings are applicable to all industries in which worker safety is an issue.
Originality/value
This paper advances the safety in design literature by quantitatively supporting the link between when a hazard is addressed and performance. It also links the results to specific processes across countries, which advances the literature because most research in this area to data is within a single country.
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Nipuni Nilakshini Wimalasena and Sachie Gunatilake
Tendering is a process undertaken to obtain offers from interested contractors to carry out specific packages of construction work. Presently, most construction stakeholders in…
Abstract
Purpose
Tendering is a process undertaken to obtain offers from interested contractors to carry out specific packages of construction work. Presently, most construction stakeholders in developing countries use a paper-based tendering method, which is time-consuming, costly and labour-intensive. It may be argued that considering increased calls towards efficiency improvements in the construction industry, adopting e-tendering can bring about several benefits by allowing electronic exchange of information and avoiding the errors of traditional tendering. However, the question of readiness of construction stakeholders to embrace this change remains. The aim of this study is to investigate the readiness of Sri Lankan construction contractors and consultants (who are the two key parties involved in the tendering process) to adopt e-tendering.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods research approach was used to achieve the aim. Initially, a literature review was used to compare typical conventional and e-tendering processes. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the current level of usage of e-tendering and to investigate the readiness levels of consultants and contractors to implement e-tendering. Finally, seven expert interviews were conducted to propose suitable solutions to achieve a successful e-tendering implementation.
Findings
The analysed data revealed that both consultants and contractors used electronic media in the tendering process but they were still not ready for complete e-tendering implementation. However, consultants were more hesitant than contractors. The main barrier that limited e-tendering implementation was the lack of legal rules to cover e-tendering.
Originality/value
E-tendering implementation should be initiated from the government sector. Therefore, it is recommended to update the procurement guideline and required legal policies to enrich the current usage level of e-tendering among construction stakeholders.