Laith A. Hadidi, Abdulaziz Bubshait and Suleiman Khreishi
This paper aims to develop a quality plan to detect aesthetic defects in extruded aluminum profiles before the fabrication stage based on the Six Sigma improvement methodology in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a quality plan to detect aesthetic defects in extruded aluminum profiles before the fabrication stage based on the Six Sigma improvement methodology in an aluminum facility. These defects are hard to be detected at the fabrication stage. It is also hard to be fixed in the site.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology utilized the DMAIC framework (define, measure, analyze, improve and control). The methodology relies on statistical analysis (histogram, control charts and Pareto) and field work (observations, focus groups and interviews).
Findings
The process shows significant improvement in aesthetic defect reduction that aids in reaching a Four Sigma quality level.
Practical implications
Aluminum fabrication is known to be vulnerable for many types of defects such as scratches and debris on work surface. In addition, post-fabrication defects may also occur due to improper coating caused by chemical imbalance, blocked filters or blocked sprays.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this research is to demonstrate the use of DMAIC framework to reduce the aluminum aesthetic defects that reach the end customer. The Six Sigma methodology is a well-known quality improvement framework that relies heavily on quantitative data. More precisely, it is widely used to control defects in quantities such as weights, heights, etc. In this research, it has been used to control qualitative data (aesthetic). This will enable objective decisions for facility management rather than subjective.
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Sadeq J. Alkhalifah, Firas M. Tuffaha, Laith A. Al Hadidi and Ahmad Ghaithan
The oil and gas construction projects in Saudi Arabia are commonly impacted by the frequent occurrence of change orders. Therefore, this study aims at determining the factors…
Abstract
Purpose
The oil and gas construction projects in Saudi Arabia are commonly impacted by the frequent occurrence of change orders. Therefore, this study aims at determining the factors influencing change orders in the oil and gas construction projects in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, the factors are extracted by examining the literature and further refined through experts' feedback. Twenty-one factors were identified in this manner. Thirdly, the factors are prioritized using a questionnaire survey. Responses from 162 professionals have been collected through surveys and ranked using the significance index. The correlation between factor rankings between classes is assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Lastly, using principal component analysis, a change order-related factors conceptual model is developed.
Findings
The five most significant factors were identified and ranked in a general manner or per the category involved. Four main types were involved: project management team (PMT), consultants, contractors and clients. Moreover, a change order-related factors model is proposed. The factors are grouped under four main groups: project definition and planning factors, project stakeholder-related factors, project execution-related factors and project performance and control factors.
Originality/value
Despite the vast factor-related literature in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, there has never been a study that investigates the factors influencing change orders in oil and gas projects in Saudi Arabia before. This study not only identifies the change order-related factors but also proposes a model that captures the importance of these factors. This model can aid project professionals in mitigating the impact of the most critical factors encountered during the various phases of the project.
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Laith A. Hadidi, Ahmet Kolus and Mohammed AlKhamis
This paper aims to focus on ergonomics intervention and quality implementation at a chemical manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia that is prone to increased number of quality…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on ergonomics intervention and quality implementation at a chemical manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia that is prone to increased number of quality defects and shutdowns.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper applies the quality improvement through ergonomics (QUITE) methodology as a solution to improve the level of plants quality and reliability. The QUITE implementation relies on a great amount of human participation and constant check of quality results. The study is conducted to solve two main problems in the plant under study, namely, degradation in the products quality and unsolved frequent shutdowns in the production line
Findings
The study findings suggested to automate the inspection process through “User Alert” system to stimulate the operator attention who triggers a corrective action to avoid any possible process upset of plant shutdown. The implementation increased productivity from 280 to 310 ton; quality conformance from 91.7 to 96.80 per cent; and reduced shutdown from 1.26 days to almost zero downtime.
Originality/value
The work shed the light on the effect of ergonomics on the quality of finished products. Usually, ergonomics is related to the work environment. However, ergonomics initiatives can spearhead improvement in production quality.
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Firas M. Tuffaha, Sadi Assaf, Yasar Zakaria Zaben and Laith A. Hadidi
In this work, a framework for assessing construction contractors' performance in Saudi Arabia is developed. Usually, a contractor's assessment is based on financial aspects, which…
Abstract
Purpose
In this work, a framework for assessing construction contractors' performance in Saudi Arabia is developed. Usually, a contractor's assessment is based on financial aspects, which are lagging indicators in nature, and can ignore other nonfinancial aspects. Hence, a more detailed contractors' assessment framework is needed for the construction industry in Saudi Arabia. A framework that integrates financial and nonfinancial aspects in one model will enable contractors to better benchmark their performance to the rest of Saudi Arabia's construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Initially, the literature is reviewed and the most commonly used key performance indicators (KPIs) are identified and surveyed through contractors’ feedback to ensure their proper alignment with Saudi Arabia’s construction industry. The adopted set of KPIs will be further prioritized through the relative importance index (RII) method based on the surveyed contractors’ perceptions. Furthermore, the important set of KPIs will be factored into various groups using principle component analysis (PCA). Finally, the findings are validated through expert judgment.
Findings
All key performance indicators (KPIs) have proven to be significant, except for the environmental factor, which happens to be nonsignificant and hence has been omitted from further consideration. The remaining KPIs have been factored through the principle component analysis method. Five generic dimensions were identified: Performance, Satisfaction, Actual Metrics, Estimated Metrics and Compliance. The model has been validated by expert feedback, and it was found to be reliable.
Originality/value
The proposed model establishes an assessment framework to aid building construction contractors in assessing their performance in real time, in addition to postconstruction assessment for business development and retrofitting purposes.
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Business process reengineering (BPR) is a management improvement tool that entails radical changes to organizations' core processes, culture and legacy systems. Although BPR…
Abstract
Purpose
Business process reengineering (BPR) is a management improvement tool that entails radical changes to organizations' core processes, culture and legacy systems. Although BPR initiatives are favored by many mangers, employees on the other hand, perceive BPR as a potential threat to lose their jobs. This research aims to enhance the employee perception toward BPR implementation in the construction industry as BPR asks for job enlargement (number of different tasks) and enrichment (degree of responsibility) and doesn’t target the workforce downsizing by itself.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is conducted in Saudi Arabia by involving experienced construction industry practitioners in a survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to gain an insightful perception toward BPR constituents. BPR asks for job enlargement (number of different tasks) and enrichment (degree of responsibility). The survey questionnaire is verified from the literature related to BPR and pilot study through experienced construction practitioners. The experts validated the findings.
Findings
The findings of this research reveal a general positive acceptance toward BPR constituents in construction industry. Jobs enrichment and enlargement should be approached: by integrating IT with business functions (especially communication); developing flexible management systems; and encouraging and empowering employees to generate value through their jobs with more delegated authority.
Originality/value
The work is one of the few studies to address the concept of Business Process Reengineering in the construction industry. We explore two research questions as detailed in the submission (BPR perception in the construction industry, and how to have a successful BPR by job enlargement and enrichment. The methods can be extended to other industries and in different parts in the world.
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Laith Hadidi, Sadi Assaf, Khalaf Aluwfi and Hassan Akrawi
ISO 9001 is an international specification that provides certification for quality management systems (QMSs) after careful external auditing. However, certified companies rarely…
Abstract
Purpose
ISO 9001 is an international specification that provides certification for quality management systems (QMSs) after careful external auditing. However, certified companies rarely evaluate their quality systems after being certified. The certificate needs to be renewed periodically where companies are encouraged to evaluate their gained benefits and improve their QMS’s deficient areas. The purpose of this paper is to provide a method of evaluation based on the level of customers’ satisfaction over five metrics (reliability, assurance, tangible, empathy, and responsiveness).
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology enables to benchmark the current level of satisfaction with prior levels of satisfaction before the ISO 9001 certification. The methodology is applied for the QMS pertinent to the design services (DS) for a large public company in Saudi Arabia. Three case studies were undertaken on the DS for large-scale construction projects.
Findings
The results were compared between year 2008 (total of 77 projects) and year 2011 (total of 39 projects). The results show that the ISO 9001 certificate may not always demonstrate an evidence of improving customers’ satisfaction levels and, hence, a gap analysis should be implemented to define possible areas of improvement.
Research limitations/implications
This work is limited to the construction industry. In specific, it addresses only the customer satisfaction related to the design management services. However, Saudi Arabia is known to host many large scale organizations that are heavily involved in international business trade. Hence, the authors believe that the Saudi industry can leverage their practices up to the international standards and similarly the international practices can accommodate some of the best practices in Saudi Arabia.
Originality/value
It is a general perception in the industry that ISO 9000 implementation will mean good quality products. This work provides the argument that the ISO 9000 implementation should be tested on a regular basis to validate this perception. It shows that in some cases the ISO 9000 did not improve the customers’ satisfaction and, hence, the need arises for gap analysis to modify the QMS.
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Mohammad Hashim Ibrahimkhil and Laith Hadidi
The aim of this paper is to assess the safety level of construction sites in Afghanistan following the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) safety practices and compare this with…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to assess the safety level of construction sites in Afghanistan following the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) safety practices and compare this with other construction sites in Afghanistan that follow local government safety guidelines. The USACE oversees and funds many infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, and these projects are supposed to follow the same standards implemented in the USA, including safety standards. The local government of Afghanistan also funds infrastructure projects in Afghanistan; however, these do not follow USACE best practices. This research explores the question of whether the USACE standards provide a safer construction site. The effect of the USACE standards on safety practices in construction projects is also investigated in the Afghanistan construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review and other safety checklists were used to develop a safety checklist containing 104 items (questions) in 17 categories. Subsequently, the checklist was used to assess the safety performance of 57 construction projects (25 USACE projects, and 32 governmental projects). Utilizing quantitative analysis, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (Rho) and Mann–Whitney tests were carried out for correlation and statistical disparity between USACE and governmental projects.
Findings
The safety performance level of Afghan government projects was found to be poor in relation to other developing countries, while in USACE projects it was excellent. In addition, fire prevention, safety administration, PPE, heavy equipment, and handling and storage of materials for all types of contractors were the most overlooked aspects of Afghan Government projects.
Practical implications
The findings clearly demonstrate the deficiencies in construction sites observed during this study and also support the adoption of USACE standards in Afghanistan projects.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the safety of construction sites in Afghanistan. The study also demonstrates the benefits of adopting international standards (USACE) to improve the safety of construction sites in a developing country such as Afghanistan. The findings provide evidence of the safety of the Afghanistan construction industry compared to other developing countries. These findings will contribute to the Afghan Government's efforts to track injury statistics.
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Abdullah Khalid Abdullah and Adel Alshibani
This paper aims to develop a framework for the selection of private partners in the housing industry of Saudi Arabia under the scheme of the partnership between the public and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a framework for the selection of private partners in the housing industry of Saudi Arabia under the scheme of the partnership between the public and private sectors.
Design/methodology/approach
By investigating criteria from a comprehensive literature review and experts input through surveys, developing further surveys incorporating decision-making methods: analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) to construct a framework for selection based on weightages and utilities.
Findings
The results identified criteria categorized under four categories: financial (C1), technical (C2), managerial (C3) and safety/environment (C4) and their sub-criteria. The study found that the main criteria were relatively close to each other in importance based on the subjective input of the experts with the technical and safety/environment criteria tying equally with 27% followed by the managerial with 24% and trailed by the financial with 22%.
Research limitations/implications
The study and surveys were conducted for the Saudi market and the experts were within the country.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the Saudi housing initiative which is a part of the 2030 Vision and provides insight to international investors who would be willing to invest in the Saudi market; and to the literature as there is a notable lack of study on public-private partnership in housing in Saudi Arabia.