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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Shen Liyin, Yao Hong and Alan Griffith

To present ways for empowering contractors in improving environmental performance particularly to meet the requirements defined in ISO 14000.

3816

Abstract

Purpose

To present ways for empowering contractors in improving environmental performance particularly to meet the requirements defined in ISO 14000.

Design/methodology/approach

To review the traditional methodologies for protecting the environment in undertaking construction activities, investigate the limitations of these methods and the associated reasons, and apply the principles of ISO 14000 environmental management system (EMS) to develop an effective framework for helping contractors to become competent in implementing environmental management.

Findings

The major methodologies developed for protecting the environment in construction include governmental regulations, economic measures, and EMSs. However, the applications of these measures are limited. The typical causes contributing to the limitation include the clash between cost and environment, environmentally passive culture within construction industry, lack of cooperation among project parties, and clash between contract time and implementing environmental management methods. Furthermore, the practice of environment management is mainly driven by external impetus such as legal enforcement incentive programmes from government. However, the effectiveness cannot be gained if internal motivation does not exist. This paper introduces a framework to help a contractor to cultivate an environmentally friendly culture within its organization.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a framework for empowering contractors in improving environmental performance by identifying the weaknesses of the existing practice and applying a systematic approach of implementing environmental management approaches.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

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Article
Publication date: 24 August 2010

Xiaoling Zhang, Liyin Shen, Yuzhe Wu and Yi Peng

The objective of this paper is to find an effective approach for enabling real estate firms to understand their competitiveness and identify the core competitiveness indicators…

2239

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to find an effective approach for enabling real estate firms to understand their competitiveness and identify the core competitiveness indicators (CCIs) that influence the development of developers with particular reference to the Chinese real estate business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A combined method including Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and the fuzzy set method was used to identify CCIs. Research data used for analysis were collected from a questionnaire survey in the Chinese real estate industry.

Findings

Analysis results suggest core indicators for assessing real estate developers' competitiveness include: good corporate brand awareness and sufficient resources for expansion, have access to a diverse range of capital, appropriate annual land reserve, excellent entrepreneurship, proper risk assessment and response capacity, and green development strategy.

Practical implications

The examination of the CCIs furnishes real estate firms with core indicators to assess their competitiveness, thus adopt appropriate strategies to enhance their competitiveness in the real estate market. The findings offer new insights and references for studying similar topics in other industries and countries.

Originality/value

The paper chooses an effective approach to identify the competitiveness indicators for real estate firms by using a combined method including MCS and the fuzzy set method.

Details

Facilities, vol. 28 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2014

Yongtao Tan, Liyin Shen, Craig Langston, Weisheng Lu and Michael C.H. Yam

Thie purpose of this paper is to present the critical success factors (CSFs) for engaging in the building maintenance business in Hong Kong where maintenance is a major market…

2424

Abstract

Purpose

Thie purpose of this paper is to present the critical success factors (CSFs) for engaging in the building maintenance business in Hong Kong where maintenance is a major market sector.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, CSFs are identified for the business of building maintenance based on data collected from a questionnaire survey and interviews.

Findings

A total of 12 CSFs are identified, such as client's satisfaction, certification of company, reliability of service, quality of service, and company reputation, and most are related to two principal factors, namely maintenance service and organization, and project management.

Originality/value

This paper provides a review of building maintenance in Hong Kong and identifies a list of success factors for the business of building maintenance. The identified CSFs and principal factors provide useful reference for maintenance contractors to have a clear understanding of the expectations of the building maintenance market in Hong Kong.

Details

Facilities, vol. 32 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 2 May 2008

Yongtao Tan, Liyin Shen, Weisheng Lu and Qiping Shen

This paper aims to provide a solution that allows a contractor to present its maximum competitiveness in meeting the multiple objectives defined by a project client in bidding for…

1850

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a solution that allows a contractor to present its maximum competitiveness in meeting the multiple objectives defined by a project client in bidding for a contract.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying goal programming (GP) technique, this paper presents an alternative quantitative method for assisting a contractor to find out its own most competitive strategy in bidding for construction contracts where multiple selection criteria are adopted. A goal programming optimal bidding strategy (GP‐OBS) model is introduced to help a contractor generate an optimal resources allocation solution. A hypothetical example is used to show the procedures of using the model GP‐OBS.

Findings

This paper demonstrates that the GP technique can help contractors in producing an optimal bidding strategy which enables the contractor to present his/her maximum competitiveness in implementing project multiple objectives.

Originality/value

The solution from the model helps contractors to decide the optimal level of resources to be consumed within the resource limitations. The model GP‐OBS provides a new approach in assessing contractor overall competitiveness.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 46 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

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Article
Publication date: 19 January 2010

Yongtao Tan and Liyin Shen

The “multi‐criteria selection” has become popular practice in selecting contractors, especially for public works, which involve multiple stakeholders. In line with this…

865

Abstract

Purpose

The “multi‐criteria selection” has become popular practice in selecting contractors, especially for public works, which involve multiple stakeholders. In line with this development, contractors need to consider more factors apart from offering a lower bidding price in formulating a bidding strategy. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a quantitative method, namely the fuzzy competence requirement (FCR) model, for assisting a contractor to formulate a better bidding strategy by better utilising its competence for meeting the best multiple criteria imposed by clients.

Design/methodology/approach

The fuzzy linear programming with multiple objectives technique is applied in this paper and an illustrative example is introduced to demonstrate the application of the proposed model.

Findings

The FCR model can assist in generating a range of bidding strategies by assuming different confidence levels that contractors may perceive. These strategies could be valuable references for contractors to develop their competitive bidding strategy, which enables contractors to efficiently utilise their competence to meet clients' multiple selection criteria.

Research limitations/implications

The FCR model can provide contractors with useful information for formulating their bidding strategy. However, other factors, such as the sense of the market and estimation of rivals' bidding strategy, should also be considered in the bidding decision.

Practical implications

The FCR model can help contractors make better decisions in bidding by considering their competence and meeting client's multiple criteria.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a new model – FCR model – for helping contractors improve the efficiency of their bidding decision.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2003

Qiping Shen, Heng Li, Liyin Shen, Derek Drew and Jacky Chung

This paper introduces the findings of a recent benchmarking study on the use of information technology (IT) among quantity surveying (QS) companies in Hong Kong. The study was…

4174

Abstract

This paper introduces the findings of a recent benchmarking study on the use of information technology (IT) among quantity surveying (QS) companies in Hong Kong. The study was conducted through a questionnaire survey among 15 QS companies registered in Hong Kong, representing around 50 per cent of the total number of companies in the profession. The study focused on how QS companies use IT in their daily operations, including information flows among business partners, the use of computer hardware and software, IT expenditure and training, management support, the perceived benefits of IT applications, perceived obstacles in IT implementation, and major criteria used in software selection. The content validity and measurement reliability of the questionnaire survey have been evaluated, and both of them have shown satisfactory results. This study provides an up‐to‐date and holistic view of the current state of IT applications among QS companies in Hong Kong, in terms of how well they have equipped with IT and their attitude towards adopting this technology. These findings provide a strong foundation for subsequent benchmarking studies to identify best practices among the quantity surveying profession in the construction industry. Based on the findings, this paper suggests major areas for improving IT usage in this sector of the construction industry.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 10 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 12 October 2010

Diao Xundi, Shen Liyin, Zeng Saixing, Ochoa Jose Jorge and Zhang Xiaoling

This paper aims to explain the current state of energy consumption and economic development in Beijing's construction industry and identify the relationship between the two…

1177

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explain the current state of energy consumption and economic development in Beijing's construction industry and identify the relationship between the two systems so as to supply decision support for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a design of a coordinated development model based on the theory of synergetics. The focus of the paper is on how to integrate energy consumption indices and economic development indices to determine coordinated development indices in a relevant and useful manner. While analyzing energy composite consumption and economic composite development, respectively, all the variables normalized are eliminated inter‐correlated characteristics by making use of principal component analysis (PCA).

Findings

Beijing's construction development is experiencing the transition from economic development hysteresis to energy consumption hysteresis. The higher coordinated development degree is predicting the energy‐economy system is trending to stability in Beijing's construction industry which does not necessarily mean a perfect development trend but an upper limit of the increasing rate in energy consumption. Thus, or at least maintaining the current economic development and energy utilization policy, production specifications, or using new technology, new method and economic policy to stimulate the economic development, or more attention from all the stakeholders being paid to saving more energy than before, will be still priority considerations for Beijing's construction industry in the following years.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an original framework for examining the relationship between energy consumption and economic development in construction industry. The framework is also capable of identifying if the growth rate in energy consumption goes beyond the upper limit.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 5 April 2011

Hongping Yuan, Liyin Shen and Jiayuan Wang

The generation of construction and demolition waste in China is a pressing need to be minimized in order to alleviate the environmental burden. The effectiveness of implementing…

4474

Abstract

Purpose

The generation of construction and demolition waste in China is a pressing need to be minimized in order to alleviate the environmental burden. The effectiveness of implementing construction and demolition waste management in this economy, however, is very limited due to various barriers. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the major obstacles to managing construction and demolition waste in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The views from Chinese practitioners were collected via a questionnaire survey. The respondents were invited to rate a total of 16 obstacles that hinder the effective implementation of construction and demolition waste management as gleaned from previous literature and six semi‐structured interviews. The results of the questionnaire were analyzed by ranking analysis and factor analysis.

Findings

The findings show that “lack of a well‐developed waste recycling market”, “insufficient regulation support” and “waste reduction does not receive sufficient attention in construction design” are perceived as the three barriers of most importance. Furthermore, the 16 obstacles could be grouped into five underlying components including: component 1 – weak awareness and inadequate training, component 2 – insufficient support of the authority, component 3 – economic consideration, component 4 – immature market and component 5 – barriers related to site activity.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, industry practitioners' understandings about the barriers to better performing construction and demolition waste management in China can be deepened. Furthermore, the results also provide useful information for developing strategies to improve the performance of construction and demolition waste management in China.

Originality/value

Major obstacles to improving the performance of construction and demolition waste management in China are identified and analyzed in this study.

Details

Facilities, vol. 29 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 6 July 2012

Yongtao Tan, Liyin Shen and Craig Langston

The purpose of this paper is to examine the causal relationship between the building maintenance market and GDP in Hong Kong.

1117

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the causal relationship between the building maintenance market and GDP in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

The Granger causality test is used to investigate the lead‐lag relationships between the maintenance and repair work and GDP in Hong Kong. With regression analysis, the future trend of the maintenance market is forecasted.

Findings

The results show that the growth of the economy will lead to the growth of the maintenance market, not vice‐versa. And the building maintenance market in Hong Kong will keep increasing with the economy growth.

Originality/value

This paper shows that the growth of the economy in Hong Kong Granger‐causes the growth of the maintenance market. Plus there are other factors affecting the maintenance market, including the increasing number of ageing buildings, obsolescence and adaptive reuse, legislation, sustainability and social responsibility. The results of this paper provide a valuable reference for the Hong Kong Government to formulate new policies. More importantly, these findings will help contractors have a better understanding of the maintenance market in Hong Kong, both current and future.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 3 August 2010

Xiaoling Zhang, Liyin Shen, Martin Skitmore and Bo Xia

The paper aims to explore the key competitiveness indicators (KCIs) that provide the guidelines for helping new real estate developers (REDs) achieve competitiveness during their…

1366

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the key competitiveness indicators (KCIs) that provide the guidelines for helping new real estate developers (REDs) achieve competitiveness during their inception stage in which the organisations start their business.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted using a combination of various methods. A literature review was undertaken to provide a proper theoretical understanding of organisational competitiveness within RED's activities and developed a framework of competitiveness indicators (CIs) for REDs. The Delphi forecasting method is employed to investigate a group of 20 experts' perception on the relative importance between CIs.

Findings

The results show that the KCIs of new REDs are capital operation capability, entrepreneurship, land reserve capability, high sales revenue from the first real estate development project, and innovation capability.

Originality/value

The five KCIs of new REDs are new. In practical terms, the examination of these KCIs would help the business managers of new REDs to effectively plan their business by focusing their efforts on these key indicators. The KCIs can also help REDs provide theoretical constructs of the knowledge base on organisational competitiveness from a dynamic perspective, and assist in providing valuable experiences and in formulating feasible strategies for survival and growth.

Details

Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-4387

Keywords

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