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Article
Publication date: 6 August 2020

Khaled Medath Aldossari, Brian C. Lines, Jake B. Smithwick, Kristen C. Hurtado and Kenneth T. Sullivan

Although numerous studies have examined alternative project delivery methods (APDMs), most of these studies have focused on the relationship between these methods and improved…

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Abstract

Purpose

Although numerous studies have examined alternative project delivery methods (APDMs), most of these studies have focused on the relationship between these methods and improved project performance. Limited research identifies how to successfully add these methods within architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) organizations. The purpose of this paper is to identifying organizational change management (OCM) practices that, when effectively executed, lead to increased success rates of adopting APDMs in owner AEC organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven OCM practices were identified through a comprehensive literature review. Then, through a survey of 140 individuals at 98 AEC organizations, the relationships between OCM practices and organizational adoption of APDMs were established.

Findings

The findings indicate that OCM practices with the strongest relationship to successful APDM adoption are realistic timeframe, effective change agents, workloads adjustments, senior-leadership commitment and sufficient change-related training.

Practical implications

Adopting APDMs can be extremely difficult and requires significant organizational change efforts to ensure the change is a success. Organizations that are implementing APDMs for the first time should consider applying the OCM practices that this study identifies as most related to successful APDM adoption.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by identifying the OCM practices that are most significantly associated with successfully adopting APDMs.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 17 November 2023

Rebecca Kassa, Ibilola Ogundare, Brian Lines, Jake B. Smithwick, Nancy J. Kepple and Kenneth T. Sullivan

Construction organizations' investment in effective talent-development programs is a key strategy in attracting, developing and retaining staff. Such programs are especially…

212

Abstract

Purpose

Construction organizations' investment in effective talent-development programs is a key strategy in attracting, developing and retaining staff. Such programs are especially important given the current challenges in the construction workforce, including labor shortages, an aging workforce, generational differences in the workforce, supply chain disruptions and the need to effectively train staff in the skills that are essential in a constrained labor environment. To address these challenges, this study proposes a performance measurement strategy that construction companies can use as input to design their talent development programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The strategy intends to assess the performance of project managers and develop criteria that define categories of their performance, including the top performers' category. This enables construction organizations to provide each project manager with individualized training that addresses areas of weakness and in turn, develops the skills that correspond with being top performers. The proposed strategy was developed and tested by surveying the immediate supervisors of 187 project managers working for general and specialty contractors in the United States. Principal component analysis was used to develop a single performance construct from seven performance criteria.

Findings

This construct was used to organize the project managers into the categories of top, above-average and below-average performers. According to the findings, top-performing project managers have well-rounded skills in the areas of leadership, communication, technical proficiency and overall job knowledge.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this study can help construction organizations focus their talent-development programs on the skills most associated with PMs being top performers.

Originality/value

This study provides construction organizations with a comprehensive performance-measuring construct to focus their talent-development programs on the skills most associated with top-performing project managers. Researchers can use this study as a foundation for further understanding how performance is related to various construction professions.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 28 January 2022

Steven Call, Jake Smithwick and Kenneth Sullivan

The purpose of this paper is to organize and compare benchmark information gathered during the development of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to organize and compare benchmark information gathered during the development of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) consensus report Facilities Staffing Requirements for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) – Resource Planning and Methodology for the Future and other publicly available facility engineering staffing benchmarks and rules-of-thumb information.

Design/methodology/approach

Presentations and transcripts were reviewed to identify pertinent facility engineering staffing benchmarks discussed in meetings and workshops held by the Committee on Facilities Staffing Requirements for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) while developing the NASEM consensus report: Facilities Staffing Requirements for VHA – Resource Planning and Methodology for the Future. Researchers also collected and reviewed sources not evaluated in the NASEM consensus report.

Findings

Compared to publicly available benchmarks for FE staffing, the VHA’s FE staffing levels are slightly higher. However, caution should be used when referencing these public benchmarks for the purpose of implementing a staffing model at the VHA. It is difficult to fairly compare VHA and publicly available FE staffing benchmarks because there can be large differences even between public benchmarks regarding similar work units. Other factors, such as average facility size, age and department structure can also vary, making it problematic to assume that these benchmarks are appropriate for the VHA’s unique facility conditions.

Originality/value

The findings can be used as a point of reference by VHA and other health-care systems for implementing staff modeling for the built environment workforce to support workforce planning and benchmarking.

Details

Facilities , vol. 40 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

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Article
Publication date: 24 January 2025

Ibilola Ogundare, Rebecca Kassa, Omar Maali, Brian Lines, Jake B. Smithwick and Kenneth T. Sullivan

The construction industry is facing worker shortages, and the resulting competition for skilled workers has increased employee turnover in the sector. Consequently, construction…

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Abstract

Purpose

The construction industry is facing worker shortages, and the resulting competition for skilled workers has increased employee turnover in the sector. Consequently, construction and engineering firms are struggling to attract and retain employees to meet current demands for construction projects. The regular inflow of new employees, who likely need training, may affect organizational and project performance. Construction firms can boost performance by assessing and then honing workers’ skills, including soft skills.

Design/methodology/approach

One way to assess individuals’ soft skills is to use personality assessments. This study used three personality assessments— – the HEXACO Personality Inventory, Emotional Intelligence Diagnostic and Q-DiSC 101 Behavioral Assessment – to identify the traits of general contractor project managers; sheet metal and air conditioning field leaders (specialty field leaders) and sheet metal, air conditioning and electrical project managers (specialty project managers) in the United States for job role transition purposes. The groups’ mean scores for each assessment component were analyzed using ANOVA and independent t-test to identify statistically significant differences in the personality traits of the three groups – specifically between specialty field leaders and general contractor project managers as well as between specialty field leaders and specialty project managers.

Findings

This study found that the personality characteristics of workers in these job roles varied. One-way ANOVA revealed that there were significant differences in mean personality factor scores among specialty field leaders, specialty project managers and general contractor project managers. Independent t-tests showed significant differences in patience, forgiveness, fearfulness, etc. identifying the differences between specialty field leaders and general contractor project managers. Similarly, results highlighted significant differences in modesty, inquisitiveness and sociability, among others, for specialty field leaders and specialty project managers.

Practical implications

Understanding the personality traits associated with skills needed for leadership across construction roles empowers companies to refine human resource strategies. Personality assessments can complement recruitment, identifying strong candidates for leadership positions. Additionally, these insights can optimize leadership development programs and facilitate career transitions for specialty field leaders by pinpointing suitable candidates and tailoring training programs for successful role changes.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field in two ways. First, it focuses on personality traits within the specific context of construction leadership, providing valuable insights for companies seeking to optimize their leadership teams. Second, by exploring the personality differences between these roles, the study goes beyond individual job requirements and examines the potential challenges and opportunities for career transitions within construction. This information can be used to inform training programs and career development pathways for construction professionals.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 10 July 2009

Jacob Kashiwagi, Kenneth Sullivan and Dean T. Kashiwagi

To describe the implementation of the Performance Information Risk Management System (PIRMS) to indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) general contractors in the US Army…

620

Abstract

Purpose

To describe the implementation of the Performance Information Risk Management System (PIRMS) to indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) general contractors in the US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) 26 sites, 150 projects/year, and $250m/year maintenance and repair construction program.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypothesis that facility owner management, control, and decision making is a source of risk, and that the transfer of risk and control to the contractors will minimise the risk.

Findings

Include minimising construction management by 33 percent, motivated contractors to regulate their own contracts, minimised unresolved issues by 50 percent, minimised contractor generated change orders by 20 percent, and moving from doing quality control to quality assurance.

Research limitations/implications

The authors see no constraints in the implementation of PIRMS in other organisations. This paper reflects the perceptions of the Arizona State University research team, and publicly available test results, and not the views or policy of the USA Medical Command.

Originality/value

Includes the use of dominant performance/risk information from the contractor's weekly risk reports to create accurate performance and risk information on all ongoing projects, the IDIQ contractors, and on the client's/buyer's personnel. Risk information is being used to streamline a large organisation's organisational structure, minimising decision making and transactions, and transferring risk and control to the party who can minimise the technical risk.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

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Article
Publication date: 29 April 2014

Anthony J. Perrenoud, Brian C. Lines and Kenneth T. Sullivan

The purpose of this study is to describe how the University of Minnesota's capital program implemented risk management metrics on 266 construction projects and to present the…

982

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe how the University of Minnesota's capital program implemented risk management metrics on 266 construction projects and to present the results of the risk metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

The implementation of Weekly Risk Reports (WRR) on the university construction projects captured information on the internal and external efforts related to minimizing project risks. The report implemented captured project risks, management plans, cost changes and schedule delays.

Findings

Findings reveal that the university was able to effectively capture project risk metrics through the WRR. The risk metrics identified the risks categories that impacted the 266 project costs and schedules. Through these findings, the university has a better understanding of how their internal stakeholders create the greatest risk to impacting the project cost and schedule. This paper presents the risk impacts collected from the 266 projects.

Research limitations/implications

A complete analysis of the risk metrics was limited in this research due to the extensive measurements collected. Future analysis will provide additional findings from the risk information.

Originality/value

The paper presents both the implementation and the risk management measurements used within a capital program of a major university to provide understanding of the common risks that are involved with capital projects.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

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Article
Publication date: 4 May 2010

Kenneth Sullivan, Stephen W. Georgoulis and Brian Lines

The purpose of this paper is to verify pre‐existing perceptions of the facilities management (FM) industry through the collection of empirical evidence that establishes the…

1247

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify pre‐existing perceptions of the facilities management (FM) industry through the collection of empirical evidence that establishes the current state of the profession. Data collected will identify the major challenges facing the FM industry, and will be used in the development of proposed academic programs to address these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

Two online surveys of facilities managers on the national and local scale were used to produce a quantifiable description of the profession and its deficiencies. These surveys also focused on obtaining data to aid in the development of formal academic programs to train future facilities managers and measured the willingness of industry representatives to support the proposed academic programs.

Findings

Results indicate that there is an insufficient number of facilities managers entering the field to account for the high rate of attrition that will occur in the next ten to 15 years. The main reason for the lack in new facilities managers is the severely limited number of formal academic programs that specifically educate students in FM.

Originality/value

Results of this paper are valuable in that they quantified the main challenges facing the profession as well as the willingness of the US FM industry to support and recruit from proposed undergraduate programs. Collected data are also used to develop a specific undergraduate curriculum to educate students in the core skills needed to become successful facilities managers.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

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Article
Publication date: 23 February 2010

Kenneth Sullivan, Jacob Kashiwagi and Dean Kashiwagi

The quality and efficiency of design and design services is declining. The authors propose that the problem is a systems delivery problem and not a technical competence issue. The…

763

Abstract

Purpose

The quality and efficiency of design and design services is declining. The authors propose that the problem is a systems delivery problem and not a technical competence issue. The purpose of this paper is to use a recently developed best value delivery methodology originally created for contractors to deliver design services. The authors have tested the process resulting in increased performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A deductive approach is used. Well documented, published and logical industry structure and the best value delivery model concepts are discussed. The methodology is to identify the deductive logic, and confirm it with test results. The methodology is to take a well‐proven delivery system that worked on construction, modify the existing design delivery model to match the construction model, and test the new model. Owing to the deductive nature of the methodology, the normal reliance on literature of existing practices and inductive exploratory research are not required.

Findings

Results confirm that design inefficiencies may be a systems problem. More research and testing is required to further substantiate the findings presented in this paper.

Originality/value

A system solution that creates a win‐win result will have a tremendous potential in the designer industry.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

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Book part
Publication date: 10 June 2021

Moronke Oshin-Martin

The inequalities in health and economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in communities of color and the racial uprising that followed the death of George Floyd have…

Abstract

The inequalities in health and economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in communities of color and the racial uprising that followed the death of George Floyd have forced organizational leaders to confront their own shortcomings and those of their organizations regarding ways they prioritize stakeholder issues related to employees, local communities, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitment as it relates to organizational infrastructures. This chapter examines the impact of institutional racism on the ability of PR practitioners to engage with and manage social responsibility (SR) in relationships with communities of color and impact on their discourse. I use the lenses of critical race theory, stakeholder theory, and situational crisis communication theory to illustrate some organizations' communication strategies employed in response to COVID-19 and antiracism protests supporting prioritization of Black and Brown communities' needs. My central argument is that the concerns of communities of color are generally ignored because Black and Brown people often are invisible to organizations and the PR professionals that are supposed to represent them because of institutionalized racism and the sociocultural environment in which PR professionals operate.

Details

Public Relations for Social Responsibility
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-168-3

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1969

Kenneth Anderson

THE SAVOY OPERAS of Gilbert and Sullivan represent one of the most fruitful and interesting partnerships in musical history. This marriage of two complementary minds, the…

39

Abstract

THE SAVOY OPERAS of Gilbert and Sullivan represent one of the most fruitful and interesting partnerships in musical history. This marriage of two complementary minds, the masculinity of Gilbert and the softer, more feminine personality and talent of Sullivan, produced a series of works which are just as popular today as when they were written over seventy years ago. Neither man was really successful without the other; even their collaboration lacked a clear artistic purpose because both deprecated it as running counter to what they conceived to be their true function as writer or musician. On Sullivan's part, in particular, one senses the root cause whereby one work followed another in a long series; namely, the need to support a chosen mode of living within the orbit of high society. Moreover, these operas have had no real successors and the extent to which they have been appreciated and performed in non‐English speaking countries has been negligible. Yet most of them, written and produced with the normal intent of topical entertainment, have survived for three‐quarters of a century, seemingly unaffected by outdated allusions in the text and a basic churchiness in much of the music. Their continuous popularity in Great Britain and the United States has not only been reflected in capacity audiences all through the years, but also in the establishment of Gilbert and Sullivan societies and a steady flow of books about the lives of the two men and their joint works. This very element of success is the underlying reason why copyright protection, or indeed the lack of it, is such an important factor in the history of the Savoy operas, not only during the lifetimes of Gilbert and Sullivan, but also in our own day. It has affected both performances and the printed music of these works very considerably, amounting to a special study in itself, well worthy of examination.

Details

Library Review, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

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