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1 – 10 of 14Ha Duy Khanh, Soo Yong Kim and Le Quoc Linh
This study aims to focus on exploring the construction productivity of building projects under the influence of potential factors. The three primary purposes are (1) determining…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on exploring the construction productivity of building projects under the influence of potential factors. The three primary purposes are (1) determining critical factors affecting construction productivity; (2) identifying causal relationship and occurrence probability of these factors to develop a Bayesian network (BN) model; and (3) validating the accuracy of predictions from the proposed BN model via a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual framework that includes three performance stages was used. Twenty-two possible factors were screened from a comprehensive literature review and evaluated through expert opinions. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire-based survey and case-study-based survey. The sampling methods were based on non-probability sampling.
Findings
Worker characteristic-related factors significantly affect labour productivity for a construction task. Construction productivity is dominated by the working frequency of workers (overtime), complexity of the task, level of technology application and accidents. Labour productivity is defined as nearly 50% of the baseline productivity using the BN model created by the caut 2sal relationship and probability of factors. The prediction error of the BN model was 6.6%, 10.0% and 9.3% for formwork (m2/h), reinforcing steel (ton/h) and concrete (m3/h), respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The evaluation or prediction of productivity performance has become a necessary topic for research and practice.
Practical implications
Managers and practitioners in the construction sector can utilise the outcome of this study to create good productivity management policies for their prospective projects.
Originality/value
Worker-related characteristics are dominant among critical factors affecting labour productivity for a construction task; the proposed BN-based predictive model is built based on these critical factors. The BN approach is highly accurate for construction productivity prediction. The findings of this study can fill gaps in the construction management body of knowledge when modelling construction productivity under the effects of multiple factors and using a simple probabilistic graphic tool.
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Minh Van Nguyen, Khanh Duy Ha and Tu Thanh Nguyen
In recent years, climate for innovation has attracted wide attention from industry and academia. It is perceived as a critical component of innovation performance in the built…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, climate for innovation has attracted wide attention from industry and academia. It is perceived as a critical component of innovation performance in the built environment sector, especially in architectural design firms (ADFs). This study attempts to assess the degree of climate for innovation in the Vietnamese ADFs under the organizational climate theory.
Design/methodology/approach
A list of 13 innovation climate variables was found by reviewing previous studies and discussions with industry practitioners. These variables were then categorized into three principal factors (personal commitment, tolerance of difference, and support for creativity), forming the inputs of the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) analysis.
Findings
The results showed that the overall level of innovation in the climate is moderate, implying that it is still necessary for more improvements to the Vietnamese ADFs. The fuzzy analysis revealed that support for creativity was the most critical factor, followed by tolerance of difference and personal commitment.
Originality/value
The proposed climate for innovation model is practical and reliable for architectural professionals and can be applied to assess other research areas. Few studies have emphasized the innovation climate in the construction sector, so this research may broaden the knowledge and literature on the industry, especially for the ADFs.
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Minh Van Nguyen and Khanh Duy Ha
Adopting sustainable building materials (SBMs) is one way to reduce the negative environmental impacts of the built environment. However, the adoption of SBMs is not as high as…
Abstract
Purpose
Adopting sustainable building materials (SBMs) is one way to reduce the negative environmental impacts of the built environment. However, the adoption of SBMs is not as high as expected. This study aims to investigate which factors affect the adoption of SBMs.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review and discussions with professional practitioners formed an initial list of variables affecting readiness to adopt SBMs. A questionnaire survey was designed, and data from industrial practitioners were collected using the snowball sampling method. The data collected from 218 respondents were analyzed using the PLS-SEM technique.
Findings
The findings show that SBM adoption is critically influenced by readiness at different levels (market, organization, and employee). Specifically, market readiness enhances organization preparedness (beta = 0.628), and organization readiness positively affects employee readiness (beta = 0.510). Market, organization, and employee readiness positively impact the adoption of SBMs (beta = 0.386, 0.364, and 0.158, respectively). Moreover, the relationship between market and employee readiness is fully mediated by organization readiness (indirect effect = 0.320; p = 0.000). Organization readiness positively mediates the relationship between market readiness and SBM adoption (indirect effect = 0.050; p = 0.001). The relationship between organization readiness and SBM adoption is fully mediated by employee readiness (indirect effect = 0.229; p = 0.000). Additionally, employee readiness positively mediates the relationship between market readiness and SBM adoption through organization readiness (indirect effect = 0.080; p = 0.000).
Originality/value
While past studies have predominantly focused on human perception, this study recognizes the importance of contextual factors like market conditions, Organization readiness, and employee readiness in shaping the adoption of SBMs. Thus, it fills a notable void in the literature and highlights the need for a broader theoretical framework that incorporates both individual perceptions and external contextual influences.
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The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the waste occurrence level in the construction industry. It includes: first, identifying the mean value of frequency of waste occurrence…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the waste occurrence level in the construction industry. It includes: first, identifying the mean value of frequency of waste occurrence according to respondents’ characteristics; second, identifying the main predictive factors for waste occurrence based on latent relationships between initial waste factors; and third, identifying the waste occurrence-level indicator (WOLI) for the construction industry based on the main waste measurement factors.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 19 waste factors were sorted from the literature review. A structured questionnaire was adopted to carry out the survey. The respondents are professionals who have much experience in construction and management of project. Shapiro-Wilk test of normality, Levene’s test, ANOVA test, and factor analysis technique were used to analyze the collected data.
Findings
Frequency of waste occurrence in construction projects is quite high. There was no statistically and practically significant difference in means for waste occurrence between selected population categories. Based on factor analysis technique, there were five principal components extracted with 56.7 percent of total variance. The WOLI in the construction industry was found as 61.55 per the scale of 100.
Research limitations/implications
The non-probability sampling was applied to collect data because of several certain limitations and difficulties. The number of data sets is relatively small. This study has only examined the frequency of waste occurrence without quantitative information.
Practical implications
This is another study of waste factors in the construction industry, which is different from traditional waste studies.
Originality/value
The contribution of this study to the practical project management is that a proposed evaluation sheet for WOLI could be applied for any construction firm.
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Minh Van Nguyen, Khanh Duy Ha and Chien Thanh Phan
Reconstruction of old buildings is often necessary after prolonged usage, but these projects encounter various complexities, leading to their failure. However, there is a lack of…
Abstract
Purpose
Reconstruction of old buildings is often necessary after prolonged usage, but these projects encounter various complexities, leading to their failure. However, there is a lack of studies that focus on investigating the complexity of old building reconstruction initiatives. Thus, this study aims to examine the complexity of reconstruction projects for old buildings in Vietnamese urban areas.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a literature review and discussions with experienced practitioners, 12 significant complexity factors were identified. The study then utilized the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique to analyze the interrelationships among these complexity factors.
Findings
The findings revealed intricate interdependencies among the complexity factors, visualized in a complexity map. The map highlighted the critical complexities of site compensation, clearance and the long project duration. Furthermore, a causal diagram categorized the complexity factors into net-effect and net-cause groups.
Originality/value
By examining the relationships and interactions among these factors, the study emphasizes the interconnected nature of complex systems and the influence of one factor on others. Therefore, decision-makers and stakeholders involved in reconstructing old buildings are suggested to possess a comprehensive understanding of these interdependencies to ensure effective decision-making.
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Long Cuu Hoang and Ha Duy Nguyen
This study aims to examine the determinants of Generation Z's intention to support sustainable development in tourism, with a focus on Nha Trang, Vietnam (a coastal city with…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the determinants of Generation Z's intention to support sustainable development in tourism, with a focus on Nha Trang, Vietnam (a coastal city with famous tourism activities).
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted with an aid of SPSS 20.0 and SmartPLS 4.0 softwares to analyze the data collected from 394 valid respondents in Ho Chi Minh City through a cross-sectional method with a self-administered survey.
Findings
Empirical evidence revealed that sustainable tourism attitude, sustainable tourism belief and perceived sustainable destination image positively influenced Generation Z's support intentions toward sustainable tourism. In addition, perceived sustainable destination image also indirectly impacted intention to support sustainable tourism through the sustainable tourism attitude and/or belief (both single and sequential mediations).
Originality/value
This is among pioneering studies to figure out that knowledge negatively moderated the relationship between sustainable tourism attitude and intention to support sustainable tourism.
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K Thirumaran and Dam Xuan Minh
Luxury and communism are perceived to be ideologically incompatible values. Prior to the end of the Cold War, luxury tourism and socialist economies had an accommodating…
Abstract
Luxury and communism are perceived to be ideologically incompatible values. Prior to the end of the Cold War, luxury tourism and socialist economies had an accommodating relationship and were rationalised at the national level for foreign exchange revenues, showcasing national development in some instances and finally promoting leisure and political education. However, contemporary scholarship on political ideology and luxury tourism is limited given changes in the political and tourism domain over the last two decades. The start of luxury travel and increasing private promotion in Vietnam comes at a time where the communist regime is hurriedly developing the economy at a breakneck speed. Key cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have become the forefront of luxury travel for Vietnam. Luxury malls, fine dining and five-star hotel resorts have sprung over the years in tandem with Doi Moi (economic restructuring). Tourism literature has seldom ventured into regime politics and luxury tourism. Using a historical approach, the chapter traces the preamble of luxury tourism in the age of Vietnam's modernity. A critical assessment of contemporary luxury tourism in Vietnam reveals a favourable relationship with socialist principles.
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This article traces the transformation of hát bội, a form of traditional opera in Southern Vietnam, from its primary role as entertainment into a religious activity after the…
Abstract
Purpose
This article traces the transformation of hát bội, a form of traditional opera in Southern Vietnam, from its primary role as entertainment into a religious activity after the Reform (Đổi Mới) were enacted in 1986.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is based on ethnological fieldwork complemented by a review of historical documents and of the available literature on hát bội, cultural policies and on data collected from interviews with artists and spectators at the festival at the shrine to the Lady of the Realm.
Findings
Before 1986, hát bội was performed either as a stand-alone entertainment during the fair portion of community festivals or as part of religious ceremonies. The Reform and the accompanying relaxation of state control over religion and culture promoted the resurgence of popular religious fairs across the nation. New opportunities for hát bội to revive opened, artists left state-sponsored troupes to join private companies that catered to religious festivals. But almost exclusive involvement in religious rites has led to artistic stasis for private hát bội troupes.
Originality/value
This research constitutes novel insights of how the Reform in Vietnam affects the transformation of a traditional performance form.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore what determines the loan size/demand in a micro-finance group and makes comparative account of self-help groups and joint liability groups.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore what determines the loan size/demand in a micro-finance group and makes comparative account of self-help groups and joint liability groups.
Design/methodology/approach
Using primary data and carried out survey (questionnaire and focus group discussion) for data collection. While for econometrics OLS regression has been used.
Findings
The study finds that employment, landownership and years spent by members in group has positive impact on loan demand by micro finance borrowers.
Research limitations/implications
This study points out the fact that economic variables along with group characteristics has positive implication on loan demand by borrowers.
Practical implications
This study would propel further research in group dynamics in micro-finance area.
Social implications
This study attempts to bring out the fact that economic position of micro-finance members along with its group status has bearing on its loan demand position.
Originality/value
The authors conducted this study using primary data, and all the collected data and study bring out the fact that older membership in groups are positive for loan demand by borrowers.
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Cong Duc Tran, Pham Tien Thanh and Duong The Duy
Innovation allows firms to gain or maintain their competitive advantages in both domestic and international markets. However, the findings on the association between innovation…
Abstract
Purpose
Innovation allows firms to gain or maintain their competitive advantages in both domestic and international markets. However, the findings on the association between innovation and export vary depending on countries, samples, time, variables and methods used for empirical analysis. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of different types of innovation on export in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a developing economy in the context of global integration.
Design/methodology/approach
For empirical analysis, the authors use a sample of manufacturing SMEs in Vietnam in 2013 and 2015. Because the firms do not engage in innovation at random in the research sample, the authors use propensity score matching to account for self-selection bias. The authors also use different matching estimators to ensure robust results.
Findings
Innovation activities are found to be positively associated with the probability of engaging in export activities. The effects are mainly contributed by the adoption of new technology or process.
Practical implications
This research underscores the importance of public interventions and policies designed to promote innovation and export in the SMEs.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the early attempts to examine the association between different types of innovation and export in SMEs in a developing economy.
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