M. Esther Gómez-Martín, Ester Gimenez-Carbo, Ignacio Andrés-Doménech and Eugenio Pellicer
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the potential for implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the civil engineering bachelor degree in the School of Civil…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the potential for implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the civil engineering bachelor degree in the School of Civil Engineering at Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain).
Design/methodology/approach
All the 2019/2020 course syllabi were analyzed to diagnose at which extent each subject within the program curriculum contributes to achieving the different SDGs.
Findings
The results show a promising starting point as 75% of the courses address or have potential to address targets covering the 2030 Agenda. This paper also presents actions launched by the School of Civil Engineering to boost the SDGs into the civil engineering curriculum.
Originality/value
This paper presents a rigorous and systematic method that can be carried out in different bachelor degrees to find the subjects that have the potential to incorporate the SDGs into their program. This paper also presents actions launched by the Civil Engineering School to boost the SDGs into the civil engineering curriculum.
Details
Keywords
Francisco Villena Manzanares, Tatiana García-Segura and Eugenio Pellicer
Building information modeling (BIM) is a growing technology and methodology for project design in the construction industry. However, when the project design team designs with BIM…
Abstract
Purpose
Building information modeling (BIM) is a growing technology and methodology for project design in the construction industry. However, when the project design team designs with BIM in a free-form manner (without a qualified instructor), it is not clear how behavior or trust might develop among project team members, nor if there are variables that might influence the improvement of such collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 92 responses was obtained from managers of project design firms in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector. The questionnaire data were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
This paper provides an explanation, from a happiness management perspective, to reflect on the importance of establishing policies to enhance effective communication between project team members in BIM design, as it improves trust between team members and their collaborators, developing the overall satisfaction of all the agents involved in the project.
Originality/value
The researchers suggest that there is a gap in the literature on how effective communication influences the implementation of BIM methodology.
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Keywords
Wesam Beitelmal, Keith R. Molenaar, Amy Javernick-Will and Eugenio Pellicer
The increased need for, and maintenance of, infrastructure creates challenges for all agencies that manage infrastructure assets. To assist with these challenges, agencies…
Abstract
Purpose
The increased need for, and maintenance of, infrastructure creates challenges for all agencies that manage infrastructure assets. To assist with these challenges, agencies implement asset management systems. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the importance of barriers faced by agencies establishing transportation asset management systems in the USA and Libya to contrast a case of a developed and developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review identified 28 potential barriers for implementing an asset management system. Practitioners who participate in decision-making processes in each country were asked to rate the importance of each barrier in an online survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Kendall Concordance W., and Mann-Whitney are used to analyze the collected data.
Findings
Through an analysis of 61 completed questionnaires, 14 barriers were identified as important by both the US and Libyan practitioners. A total of 11 additional barriers, primarily in the areas of political and regulatory obstacles, were determined to be important only for Libya. These 11 barriers provide reasonable insights into asset management systems’ barriers for developing countries.
Practical implications
The list of barriers identified from this research will assist decision makers to address and overcome these barriers when implementing asset management systems in their specific organizational and country conditions.
Originality/value
The research identified standard barriers to implementing asset management systems and identified barriers that were specific to the country context, such as political and regulatory barriers in Libya. When viewed with the asset management literature, the results show broad applicability of some asset management barriers and the need to contextualize to country context (e.g. developing countries) for other barriers.
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Keywords
Teresa M. Pellicer, Eugenio Pellicer and David Eaton
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the international construction sector from a macroeconomic point of view through production functions. The aim is to contribute additional…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the international construction sector from a macroeconomic point of view through production functions. The aim is to contribute additional knowledge on the European construction sector, highlighting differences in the industry among European countries
Design/methodology/approach
In order to analyse the sector panel, data from 1996‐2005 for nine European countries were used. Raw data were obtained from Eurostat (Bach Project). Variables for the production functions were chosen after a correlation analysis. Annual turnover was taken as the dependent variable, whereas total assets and personnel costs were the independent variables. The econometric regression models considered were linear (bivariate and multivariate) and logarithmic (Cobb‐Douglas).
Findings
In spite of the limitations stated, there are some factors that can explain the results obtained, such as the diverse preponderance of small and medium enterprises and the different roles played by informal economy, migration and subcontracting in each of the countries.
Research limitations/implications
Data collected by Eurostat are provided by the enterprises voluntarily. This implies a bias in the representativeness of the data. Thus, the discrepancies and inconsistencies in the results obtained are a direct consequence of the data limitations. Furthermore, the regression models obtained should be tested using future data to predict the behaviour of the construction industry in each one of the countries.
Originality/value
The use of production functions in the construction industry is a novel approach that should be further developed to gather more precise information on the behaviour of the sector.
Details
Keywords
Salvatore Madonna, Greta Cestari and Mario Georgiev Georgiev
The purpose of this research is to offer an updated picture of the academic state-of-art of the literature about risk management in family businesses. Furthermore, the study aims…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to offer an updated picture of the academic state-of-art of the literature about risk management in family businesses. Furthermore, the study aims to outline possible future stream of research, being a helpful resource for future scholars.
Design/methodology/approach
Research using an integrative view, encompassing both bibliometric analysis and manual review has been conducted. The data were collected from Scopus and Web of Science databases.
Findings
The key findings highlight that family businesses, despite their importance to the global economy, often neglect risk management, exposing themselves to significant risk factors. The analysis shows an increase in scientific production on this topic in recent years but emphasizes the need for further research, especially in different cultural contexts and with both quantitative and qualitative methods. The document also suggests that both informal and formal risk management practices should be studied more thoroughly to better understand the interaction between social capital and governance structures in family businesses.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s limitations include reliance on two databases and English-language articles only. Additionally, excluding non-peer-reviewed materials and narrow keyword selection may have impacted the findings.
Originality/value
This study offers an updated view of the literature of the last years highlighting the latest trends. The article offers suggestions for future research to guide investigations into currently under-represented areas.