Muhammad T. Hatamleh, Mohammed Hiyassat, Ghaleb Jalil Sweis and Rateb Jalil Sweis
Cost estimating process is an important element within the project life cycle. Comprehensive information, expanded knowledge, considerable expertise, and continuous improvement…
Abstract
Purpose
Cost estimating process is an important element within the project life cycle. Comprehensive information, expanded knowledge, considerable expertise, and continuous improvement are needed to obtain accurate cost estimation. The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical factors that affect accuracy of cost estimation and evaluate the degree to which these factors are important from contractors’ and consultants’ viewpoints.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative and quantitative research approaches were adopted in collecting and analyzing the data, and testing the hypotheses. Based on the literature review, a questionnaire was prepared and then was modified according to the results of face-to-face open-ended interviews conducted with 11 project managers. The final version of the questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 265 respondents. For analyzing the collected data Kendall’s and Mann-Whitney tests were conducted.
Findings
The analysis revealed that there is a strong agreement between contractors and consultants in the ranking of the factors related to consultant, contractor, design parameters, and information. A slightly weak agreement between contractors and consultants was noted regarding the factors related to market conditions (external factors) and factors related to project characteristics. Furthermore, the results show that the top ten factors affecting the accuracy of cost estimate are clear and detail drawings and specification, pricing experience of construction projects, perception of estimation importance, equipment (cost/availability/performance), project complexity, clear scope definition, accuracy and reliability of cost information, site constraints (access, storage, services), material availability, financial capabilities of the client, and availability of database of bids on similar project (historical data).
Originality/value
Offers an original view of the concept of accuracy of cost estimates as it relates to the efficiency of the project relying on both literature review and empirical evidence.
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Keywords
Rateb Jalil Sweis and Mais Jaradat
This paper aims to investigate the differences between the certified and non-certified ISO 9001 construction companies in terms of construction projects' performance in Jordan.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the differences between the certified and non-certified ISO 9001 construction companies in terms of construction projects' performance in Jordan.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaires were distributed to certified and non-certified construction organizations. These entities consist of contractor's consultants and owner representative organizations. In total, 86 valid responses were returned. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) using descriptive statistic tests, namely, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Findings
The results clearly showed the positive effects of ISO 9001 certification on construction projects' performance in project management performance and project success. ISO-certified organizations have higher mean score in project management leadership, staff, policies, project life cycle and key performance indicators (KPIs) but not in partnership. Moreover, an ISO-certified organization shows higher project success.
Originality/value
Due to the dearth of research conducted in this area, this research highlights the management procedures, which impact the leading entities' performance in the construction field within Jordan.
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Rateb Jalil Sweis, Rawan Ali Saleh, Yousra Sharaireh and Alireza Moarefi
The purpose of this paper is to compare the job satisfaction levels between International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001-certified and non-ISO 9001-certified…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare the job satisfaction levels between International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001-certified and non-ISO 9001-certified project-based companies in Jordan, for project managers (PMs) and project team members (consultants, engineers and architects).
Design/methodology/approach
The study sample consists of individuals from the aforementioned four roles of ISO 9001-certified and non-ISO 9001-certified companies. A questionnaire survey was used to collect the data from 57 companies. In total, 72 valid questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 92.98 percent. The data obtained were statistically analyzed, and then the independent t-test was used to test the study hypotheses.
Findings
The results revealed that ISO 9001-certified companies experience higher job satisfaction level for the four roles compared to non-ISO 9001-certified companies. Between the two samples, it was noted that there is a significant difference in the PMs’, consultants’ and engineers’ satisfaction with co-workers and without any remarkable difference in the specific satisfaction. No significant difference between the two samples in general satisfaction was found for PMs and engineers. Finally, no significant difference was found in three satisfaction elements for architects.
Research limitations/implications
Understanding the linkage between being ISO 9001-certified company and project members’ job satisfaction can provide a new strategic direction for project-based companies’ performance management that can help in achieving superior work outcomes. A small sample size is considered the main limitation of this study.
Originality/value
This study attempts to fill the knowledge gap that is rarely investigated in the literature, i.e. the link between being ISO 9001-certified company and the level of project members’ job satisfaction.