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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2003

Albert P.C. Chan, James M.W. Wong and Y.H. Chiang

The construction industry plays a significant role to the economy of Hong Kong not only in terms of output but also the employment. The sector, however, has been severely hit by…

1941

Abstract

The construction industry plays a significant role to the economy of Hong Kong not only in terms of output but also the employment. The sector, however, has been severely hit by the economic downturn in recent years resulting in serious unemployment. Employment planning becomes one of the critical aspects for the recovery of the economy. The main objective of this paper is to establish a labour demand model for the Hong Kong construction industry. The unique characteristics and the current conditions of the construction labour market are reviewed. Regression analysis based on 123 construction projects was used to compute the relationship between expenditure and site workers employed. The best predictor of average labour demand of construction projects in Hong Kong is found to be DL = 463 C 0.934, where DL is the actual labour demand in man‐days, C is the final cost of contract in millions. The labour demand‐cost relationship can be applied as a manpower forecasting model to estimate the total labour required for a given type of project. The developed model enables a more reliable and accurate planning of manpower requirements in the construction industry.

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Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

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Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 31 March 2019

Wai Ching Alice Chu, Man Hin Eve Chan, Jenny Cheung and Hong-Oanh Nguyen

Since its development by Tinbergen (1962), the gravity model of international trade has widely been applied to analyse the effect of various factors on trade relationships between…

829

Abstract

Since its development by Tinbergen (1962), the gravity model of international trade has widely been applied to analyse the effect of various factors on trade relationships between countries. Past studies on trade gravity vary not only in the mix of model variables but also in how they have come into the analysis. This study reviews existing literature on bilateral trade with an aim to identify influential predictors such as changes of trade policy and national development strategy and highlight important yet understudied factors such as transport and logistics infrastructure, and sustainable development. To demonstrate the needs to examine these critical factors across industry sectors, the study presents the case of textiles and clothing (T&C) production and trade between China and its trading partners as an illustration. Through the literature review, it shows how the gravity model can be applied to address current issues in international trade arena such as the potential trade war between the US and China, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and other important factors shaping global T&C trade. This study offers future research directions for analysis of global trade in the T&C industry and contributes to the wider literature of international business and trade.

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Journal of International Logistics and Trade, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1738-2122

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Publication date: 5 October 2018

Ernest Effah Ameyaw and Albert P. C. Chan

Allocating risk in public–private partnership (PPP) projects based on public–private parties’ risk management (RM) capabilities is a condition for success of these projects. In…

Abstract

Allocating risk in public–private partnership (PPP) projects based on public–private parties’ risk management (RM) capabilities is a condition for success of these projects. In practice, however, risks are allocated to these parties beyond their respective RM capabilities. Too much risk is often assigned to the private or public party, resulting in poor RM and costly contract renegotiations and terminations. This chapter proposes a methodology based on fuzzy set theory (FST) in which decision makers (DMs) use linguistic variables to assess and calculate RM capability values of public–private parties for risk events and to arrive at risk allocation (RA) decisions. The proposed methodology is based on integrating RA decision criteria, the Delphi method and the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) technique. The application of FSE allows for the introduction of linguistic variables that express DMs’ evaluations of RM capabilities. This provides a means to deal with the problems of qualitative, multi-criteria analysis, subjectivity and uncertainty that characterise decision-making in the construction domain. The methodology is outlined and demonstrated based on empirical data collected through a three-round Delphi survey. The public–private parties’ RM capability values for land acquisition risk are calculated using the proposed methodology. The methodology is helpful for performing fuzzy-based analysis in PPP projects, even in the event of limited or no data. This chapter makes the contribution of presenting a RA decision-making methodology that is easy to understand and use in PPP contracting and that enables DMs to track calculations of RM capability values.

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

Albert P.C. Chan, Y.H. Chiang, Stephen W.K. Mak, Lennon H.T. Choy and M.W.W James

Efficient manpower planning has been recognized as a critical aspect for the development of an economy. In 2001, the Works Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government (predecessor of…

2788

Abstract

Efficient manpower planning has been recognized as a critical aspect for the development of an economy. In 2001, the Works Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government (predecessor of Environment, Transport and Works Bureau) commissioned an HKPolyU consultancy team to develop a computer‐based model to estimate the demand for different categories of construction personnel. This article presents the concept and features of the manpower demand‐forecasting model developed for the construction industry of Hong Kong. The forecasting model is formulated on the basis of the labour multiplier approach by deriving the relationship between the number of workers required and the project expenditure in the given project duration. Multipliers for 61 project types were derived for 38 labour trades using completed project data. The labour demand by occupation for each project can then be estimated by multiplying the corresponding multipliers and the estimated project expenditure. Several unique features of the model have been developed, including “normalization” and “contract cost adjustment factor”. Normalizing the labour multipliers can facilitate the prediction of occupational labour requirements at different stages of a construction project. The adjustment factor is introduced to eliminate the discrepancy between the original estimates and final contract values so as to enhance the estimation accuracy. The model can also be used to predict the number of jobs created for a given level of investment. The government can apply this model to check and compare which project types will generate most jobs before committing public money. This model could be easily adopted and adapted by foreign construction authorities while planning manpower.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

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Book part
Publication date: 5 October 2018

Nasir Bedewi Siraj, Aminah Robinson Fayek and Mohamed M. G. Elbarkouky

Most decision-making problems in construction are complex and difficult to solve, as they involve multiple criteria and multiple decision makers in addition to subjective…

Abstract

Most decision-making problems in construction are complex and difficult to solve, as they involve multiple criteria and multiple decision makers in addition to subjective uncertainties, imprecisions and vagueness surrounding the decision-making process. In many instances, the decision-making process is based on linguistic terms rather than numerical values. Hence, structured fuzzy consensus-reaching processes and fuzzy aggregation methods are instrumental in multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) problems for capturing the point of view of a group of experts. This chapter outlines different fuzzy consensus-reaching processes and fuzzy aggregation methods. It presents the background of the basic theory and formulation of these processes and methods, as well as numerical examples that illustrate their theory and formulation. Application areas of fuzzy consensus reaching and fuzzy aggregation in the construction domain are identified, and an overview of previously developed frameworks for fuzzy consensus reaching and fuzzy aggregation is provided. Finally, areas for future work are presented that highlight emerging trends and the imminent needs of fuzzy consensus reaching and fuzzy aggregation in the construction domain.

Details

Fuzzy Hybrid Computing in Construction Engineering and Management
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-868-2

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Article
Publication date: 29 September 2022

Fei Wang and Tat Leung Chan

The purpose of this study is to present a newly proposed and developed sorting algorithm-based merging weighted fraction Monte Carlo (SAMWFMC) method for solving the population…

158

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a newly proposed and developed sorting algorithm-based merging weighted fraction Monte Carlo (SAMWFMC) method for solving the population balance equation for the weighted fraction coagulation process in aerosol dynamics with high computational accuracy and efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

In the new SAMWFMC method, the jump Markov process is constructed as the weighted fraction Monte Carlo (WFMC) method (Jiang and Chan, 2021) with a fraction function. Both adjustable and constant fraction functions are used to validate the computational accuracy and efficiency. A new merging scheme is also proposed to ensure a constant-number and constant-volume scheme.

Findings

The new SAMWFMC method is fully validated by comparing with existing analytical solutions for six benchmark test cases. The numerical results obtained from the SAMWFMC method with both adjustable and constant fraction functions show excellent agreement with the analytical solutions and low stochastic errors. Compared with the WFMC method (Jiang and Chan, 2021), the SAMWFMC method can significantly reduce the stochastic error in the total particle number concentration without increasing the stochastic errors in high-order moments of the particle size distribution at only slightly higher computational cost.

Originality/value

The WFMC method (Jiang and Chan, 2021) has a stringent restriction on the fraction functions, making few fraction functions applicable to the WFMC method except for several specifically selected adjustable fraction functions, while the stochastic error in the total particle number concentration is considerably large. The newly developed SAMWFMC method shows significant improvement and advantage in dealing with weighted fraction coagulation process in aerosol dynamics and provides an excellent potential to deal with various fraction functions with higher computational accuracy and efficiency.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

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Book part
Publication date: 4 December 2024

Nadine Leder, Maria Saju Abraham and Jin Hooi Chan

The tourism sector has realised an increasing need to transition towards sustainability. As the sector comprises a high number of entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized…

Abstract

The tourism sector has realised an increasing need to transition towards sustainability. As the sector comprises a high number of entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises, it faces specific limitations, which include, amongst others, knowledge transfer, skills and technology, financial and policy support, customer acceptance, and cultural taboos. To overcome these limitations, the sector thrives on encouraging interaction between ecosystem participants. One of the strategies to encourage interaction between ecosystem participants is the application of coopetition strategies. Coopetition strategies combine the advantages of cooperation and competition to generate value and achieve fruitful collaboration. However, their implementation is still limited. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the potential and practice of coopetition strategies among SMEs in addressing sustainability issues. Therefore, the study explored 10 European reusable cup-sharing schemes based on their level of applying coopetition. In doing that, the study aims to understand the supporting characteristics of existing cup schemes. It seeks to develop a framework for different levels of coopetition in achieving sustainability in the tourism and hospitality sector.

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 1991

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/03090569110137735. When citing the…

111

Abstract

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/03090569110137735. When citing the article, please cite: Robert Chan, Y.K. Chan, Oliver H.M. Yau, (1991), “Selecting a Broker or a Brokerage Firm: Segmentation of Investors in the Hong Kong Stock Market”, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 25 Iss: 10, pp. 17 - 28.

Details

Asia Pacific International Journal of Marketing, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-7517

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1990

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/03090569010137745. When citing the…

143

Abstract

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/03090569010137745. When citing the article, please cite: Eleanor Chan, Oliver H.M. Yau, Robert Chan, (1990), “Consumer Sentiment in Australia: A Replication and Cross-national Comparison”, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 24 Iss: 10, pp. 44 - 58.

Details

Asia Pacific International Journal of Marketing, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-7517

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 October 2019

Allison L. Dunn and Summer F. Odom

This study examined the motivation and intent towards leadership and entrepreneurship of students enrolled in academic leadership programs. The Entrepreneurship Professional…

147

Abstract

This study examined the motivation and intent towards leadership and entrepreneurship of students enrolled in academic leadership programs. The Entrepreneurship Professional Leadership (ELP) Career Aspiration Survey was completed by undergraduate students (N = 143) enrolled in leadership courses at a large land-grant university. The students had supportive views of both motivation and intent to lead, with a more supportive view of their intent to lead, but had a more neutral stance on their motivation and intent for entrepreneurship. While some students in leadership programs have a desire towards entrepreneurship, it appears most are more interested in and intend to participate in leadership in other capacities after graduation. Contrary to previous research, gender differences with regard to intent toward entrepreneurship was not statistically significant.

Details

Journal of Leadership Education, vol. 18 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1552-9045

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