Khalifa Alteneiji, Sabah Alkass and Saleh Abu Dabous
This study aims to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) in the implementation of the public–private partnerships (PPPs) in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) affordable…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) in the implementation of the public–private partnerships (PPPs) in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) affordable housing sector.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess 17 CSFs for PPP projects derived from previous international and local studies. The collected data were analyzed using the relative importance index technique to establish the most significant factors based on feedback from 48 respondents from the public and private sectors.
Findings
The most identified CSFs were good governance, government guarantees, commitment and responsibility of the public and private sectors, favorable and efficient legal frameworks, political support and stability, and demand for and the debt-paying ability of the project.
Research limitations/implications
There has been rapid momentum in the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries towards engaging the private sector in the provision of infrastructure and housing after increased pressure on government budgets and falling oil prices. Thus, this study encourages strong consideration of the highest-ranked CSFs in the absence of any prior experiences or studies. On a broader scale, these CSFs are an effective policy tool for the GCC countries, which share similar contexts.
Originality/value
This paper represents the first empirical study in the GCC region and the UAE on the CSFs for PPPs in affordable housing, which is experiencing growing demand in the region to overcome the large deficit in housing supply.
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Ahmed Eweda, Abobakr Al-Sakkaf, Tarek Zayed and Sabah Alkass
The purpose of this study is to develop a condition assessment (CA) model for a building's indoor 21 environments and to improve the building's asset management process.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a condition assessment (CA) model for a building's indoor 21 environments and to improve the building's asset management process.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is based on dividing the building into spaces, which are the principal evaluated elements based on the building's indoor environmental quality (IEQ). An evaluation scheme was prepared for the identified factors and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique was used to calculate the relative weight of each space inside the building as well as the contribution of each IEQ factors (IEQFs) in the overall environmental condition of each space inside the building. The multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) was then applied to assess the environmental conditions of the building as a whole and its spaces. An educational building in Canada was evaluated using the developed model.
Findings
Each space type was found to have its own IEQFs weights, which confirms the hypothesis that the importance and allocation of each IEQF are dependent on the function and tasks carried out in each space. A similar indoor environmental assessment score was calculated using the developed model and the building CA conducted by the facility management team; “89%” was calculated, using K-mean clustering, for the physical and environmental conditions.
Originality/value
IEQ affects occupants' assessment of their quality of life (QOL). Despite the existence of IEQ evaluation models that correlate the building's IEQ and the occupants' perceived indoor assessments, some limitations have led to the necessity of developing a comprehensive model that integrates all factors and their sub-criteria in an assessment scheme that converts all the indoor environmental factors into objective metrics.
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Mohamed Al‐Hussein, Sabah Alkass and Osama Moselhi
This paper presents a newly developed algorithm for selecting and locating mobile cranes on construction sites. The algorithm is incorporated into a computer system that…
Abstract
This paper presents a newly developed algorithm for selecting and locating mobile cranes on construction sites. The algorithm is incorporated into a computer system that integrates a selection module and three databases, dedicated respectively, for cranes, rigging equipment, and projects’ information. This paper focuses primarily on the selection module and its algorithm to support an efficient search for most suitable crane configurations and their associated lift settings. Data pertinent to crane lift configurations and settings are retrieved from the databases and processed to determine the near optimum selection of a crane configuration. The developed selection module features powerful graphics capabilities and a practical user‐friendly interface, designed to facilitate the considerations of user imposed lift and site constraints. The selection algorithm has been implemented within the crane selection module using MS‐Visual Basic programming language. A case example is presented in order to demonstrate the use of the developed selection module and to illustrate its essential features.
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Osama Moselhi, Sabah Alkass and Mohamed Al‐Hussein
This paper provides an overview of a recently developed system for selecting and locating mobile cranes on construction sites. The proposed system provides direct help on two…
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of a recently developed system for selecting and locating mobile cranes on construction sites. The proposed system provides direct help on two fronts: cost and time savings, and improved safety arrangements. The system has a number of interesting features: a relational database designed to store the cranes' geometry‐related variables and to present them using powerful graphics; a selection module supported by an algorithm designed to satisfy geometrical requirements and necessary clearances, accounting for site constraints and lift configurations; and 3D animation to facilitate the planning of crane operations. The system provides a near‐optimum selection of crane lift configurations, considering available cranes. This paper focuses mainly on case examples to demonstrate and to illustrate the use and capabilities of the developed system. Two actual cases, featuring different site constraints and lift configurations, are presented. In these cases, cranes were selected and their operations planned using the developed system. The findings of the two cases are discussed and the benefits of the proposed methodology are highlighted.
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Saleh Abu Dabous and Sabah Alkass
A bridge network is a major capital asset that requires continuing investment in order to maintain the network within acceptable limits of safety and serviceability. Ranking and…
Abstract
Purpose
A bridge network is a major capital asset that requires continuing investment in order to maintain the network within acceptable limits of safety and serviceability. Ranking and prioritizing procedures have been widely used by several departments of transportation to select bridges for intervention and to distribute the available funds among competing projects. The available ranking and prioritizing procedures have various drawbacks, and an improved, rational ranking and prioritizing procedure is needed. The paper aims to address these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The requirements and characteristics of an innovative ranking and prioritizing method are identified during interviews with professionals involved in bridge management. Based on these requirements, multi‐attribute utility theory (MAUT) is selected to develop the method. A technique to develop utility functions based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is discussed. A hierarchy structure that captures the decision‐making elements is presented. A case study is used to demonstrate the applicability and the validity of the proposed ranking method.
Findings
The research findings have identified the decision objectives and the criteria essential to rank and prioritize bridge projects, and these are included within a framework to rank and prioritize bridge projects while incorporating experts' input in the process.
Practical implications
The proposed framework includes weights for the various objectives and recommends utility functions to evaluate the different attributes. In addition, the framework provides flexibility to adjust the weights and to modify the utility functions to reflect network‐specific characteristics. This method can be used by departments of transportation to rank bridges in a network, even incorporating conflicting criteria, and it can be integrated within an already implemented bridge management methodology.
Originality/value
Ranking and prioritizing projects are essential steps in bridge management. Current methods for ranking and prioritizing bridge projects are associated with various drawbacks. This paper proposes an innovative ranking method for bridge networks, based on MAUT. This theory provides flexibility for the decision makers in expressing their degree of satisfaction with each bridge attribute.
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Ji Li, Osama Moselhi and Sabah Alkass
The objective of this paper is to develop an efficient project management system to track and control construction activities for contractors and/or project managers.
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to develop an efficient project management system to track and control construction activities for contractors and/or project managers.
Design/methodology/approach
The work package model is utilized to break down project data into activities and work tasks. The data structure of a project is represented using the entities‐relationship methodology. A relational database stores all of the project data. The earned value method calculates the cost and schedule variances. The internet‐based platform with three‐tier client‐server architecture is chosen for system implementation.
Findings
The developed project database stores all of the project data necessary to perform project control functions. The implementation of the project database management system is efficient. The developed system provides real‐time data sharing and a collaborating environment in support of project control.
Originality/value
Time and cost control are essential management functions for achieving successful delivery of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects. The developed system can assist contractors and/or project managers in tracking and control of their construction projects in a real‐time manner.
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Adilah A. Wahab, Siti Aisah Bohari and Wei Chyi Sheng
The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of contractual management (CM), process management (PM) and human management (HM) factors as critical success factors (CSFs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of contractual management (CM), process management (PM) and human management (HM) factors as critical success factors (CSFs) in Malaysian housing projects. Additionally, it delves into the moderating influence of knowledge sharing (KS) on the relationship between HM and project success.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a survey-based instrument to collect data from a total of 133 G7 class contractors. The stratified sampling method was used for data collection. Subsequently, structural equation modeling with SmartPLS was used for model evaluation.
Findings
The findings of this study indicate that CM, PM and HM exhibit significant relationships with housing project success. Furthermore, the research reveals that KS acts as a moderator in the relationship between HM practices and the success of housing projects.
Research limitations/implications
Although this study identified a significant relationship in explaining CSFs for housing project success in Malaysia, it only considers internal CSFs such as CM, PM and HM. It is suggested that future research incorporate external factors such as political support, national policy, currency stability and industry structure to provide a more comprehensive understanding of housing project success.
Originality/value
The results provide supportive evidence that CM, PM and HM are important CSFs in the success of housing projects. This finding is consistent with relational contractual theory, systems theory and social interaction theory. Moreover, the research underscores the nuanced impact of KS, serving as a moderating factor in the association between HM and project success. Consequently, these outcomes substantiate the applicability of the socialization, externalization, combination and internalization framework within the construction sector, particularly within the sphere of housing sector.