SIMON T. KOMETA, PAUL O. OLOMOLAIYE and FRANK C. HARRIS
The importance of clients' responsibilities in the construction process, as perceived by both clients and consultants, was assessed through a structured questionnaire survey…
Abstract
The importance of clients' responsibilities in the construction process, as perceived by both clients and consultants, was assessed through a structured questionnaire survey. Using the relative index ranking technique, clients' fundamental needs and responsibilities in the construction process were analysed and ranked. Results indicate that the four most important needs are: functionality of the building, safety of the building, quality of the building, and completion time. The four most important clients' responsibilities identified by clients themselves are: planning/design, project finance, project implementation/management, and project definition/formulation. The four most important clients' responsibilities to project consultants are: project finance, project definition/formulation, planning/design, and project implementation/management. If both consultants and clients understand the fundamental needs of construction clients and if clients themselves are prepared to take an active role in the construction process, the chances of producing more successful projects will improve.
Details
Keywords
GARY D. HOLT, PAUL O. OLOMOLAIYE and FRANK C. HARRIS
The procedural and administrative aspects of UK tendering have remained largely unaltered for decades but this may soon change in light of the recent review of the construction…
Abstract
The procedural and administrative aspects of UK tendering have remained largely unaltered for decades but this may soon change in light of the recent review of the construction sector, headed by Sir Michael Latham. This paper presents findings of a nationwide survey of UK construction contractors assessing their opinion of the Latham procurement recommendations, along with their opinion of the authors' proposals for alternative selection procedure. Contractor usage/opinion of current tendering methods, tendering documentation and contractual arrangements are also identified. Analysis techniques primarily involve the derivation of contractor preference, agreement and importance indices (Pri, Agi and Imi respectively). Results show that clients are attempting to cut costs by increased use of open tendering coupled with plan and specification tender documentation, but that savings are offset by clients ultimately paying for contractors' costs associated with their achieving contract award for only 1 in 5 bids. Generally, contractors are in tune with the ideals of the Latham review and characteristics pertaining to the HOLT (Highlight Optimum Legitimate Tender) selection technique.
Details
Keywords
Sammy K.M. Wan and Mohan M. Kumaraswamy
Given increasing user aspirations for comfort, connectivity, health, safety and security, the building services subsector now plays an even greater role in construction. It also…
Abstract
Purpose
Given increasing user aspirations for comfort, connectivity, health, safety and security, the building services subsector now plays an even greater role in construction. It also contributes heavily to construction debris. Hypothesising that improved materials control can help reduce construction debris considerably, this paper aims to investigate relevant critical production shortcomings that generate construction debris in building services works.
Design/methodology/approach
Relevant previous research studies on main causes of waste are first reviewed. Findings from a brainstorming exercise at a focus group meeting provide the basis for a series of structured face‐to‐face interviews with experienced site supervisors. Subsequent analysis of the interview findings, together with deductive reasoning, leads to the development of the proposed improvement strategies.
Findings
The most significant causes of production shortcomings identified in the study are poor coordination of processes or trades, inappropriate site storage and inadequate protection of materials. Industrial management principles help to develop suitable building services storage principles and to propose an industrial flow pattern incorporating barcoding and RFID tracking technologies.
Research limitations/implications
These findings are a useful comparative reference for other countries, where the study methodology may be replicated to generate region‐specific findings.
Originality/value
By applying the suggested proposals at the material control stage, this important but little studied subsector can both reduce production shortcomings and help lessen the burden on local landfills by reducing “conflicts” between competing resources and storage areas, and by the early mobilisation of specialist contractors to resolve uncertainties and reduce rework.
Details
Keywords
The “problem” of selecting a contractor has attracted significant academic research endeavour over the last two decades. The principal aim here is to examine that research via…
Abstract
Purpose
The “problem” of selecting a contractor has attracted significant academic research endeavour over the last two decades. The principal aim here is to examine that research via published academic outputs for the period circa 1990‐2009.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of published contractor selection (CSn) research is critically appraised. Aspects highlighted include: stated aims and research justification; methodological approaches employed; research tools used; and products of CSn research.
Findings
Main research foci are observed as: modelling the CSn process; studying selection criteria; and “interrogation” of existing CSn systems. Foci justifiers are linked mainly to the “importance” and “difficulties” of CSn decision making. Deterministic modelling of CSn is the favoured methodological approach, followed by documentary synthesis then questionnaire surveys. Preferred research tools are found to be system interrogation, rank order analysis and Likert scale/importance indices, with hypothesis testing and “other” methods used less so. Almost two‐thirds of research products are CSn models, with derived or proffered processes, and knowledge relating to CSn criteria, between them representing approximately the remaining third of output.
Research limitations/implications
It is suggested that many of the CSn models exhibit as much complexity as the original “problem” they sought to resolve, while the reliability and longevity of suggested “cocktails” of CSn criteria (in practice), might be questioned. A call for future research products to more closely consider end‐user impact and potential for “take‐up” by industry is made. An empirical follow‐on study to assess (inter alia) practitioner use and “value” of CSn research is proposed.
Practical implications
The paper signals a possible need for greater industrial engagement in the research domain.
Originality/value
The findings are novel to this paper.
Details
Keywords
Özlem Altınkaya Genel, Alexandra C. den Heijer and Monique H. Arkesteijn
To plan the future university campus, campus executives need decision-making support from theory and practice. Matching the static campus (supply) with the dynamic (demand) …
Abstract
Purpose
To plan the future university campus, campus executives need decision-making support from theory and practice. Matching the static campus (supply) with the dynamic (demand) - while safeguarding spatial quality and sustainability - requires management information from similar organizations. This study presents an evidence-based briefing approach to support decision-makers of individual universities with management information when making decisions for their future campus.
Design/methodology/approach
For the proposed evidence-based briefing approach, the continuous Designing an Accommodation Strategy (DAS) framework is used in a mixed-method research design to evaluate the past to plan for the future. Five campus themes and three campus models (solid, liquid, and gas) are introduced to describe the development and diversification of university campuses and their impact across different university building types. Based on this theoretical framework, first, qualitative interview data are analyzed to understand which standards campus managers expect; second, a quantitative project database is used to demonstrate what is actually realized.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that remote working and online education will become more common. Academic workplaces and learning environments are more adaptive to changes than laboratory spaces. The analyses reveal different effective space use strategies to meet the current demand: they include space-efficient mixed-use buildings, and mono-functional generic educational and office spaces. These results show that operationalized evidence-based briefing can help design the future campus.
Originality/value
The study adds knowledge during a critical (post-COVID) period when decision-makers need evidence from others to adapt their campus management strategies to hybrid and sustainable ambitions.