U.G.D. Madushika and Thanuja Ramachandra
Green walls are vertical structures with various plant species that contribute to achieving sustainability in terms of environmental, economic and social aspects. A comparison of…
Abstract
Purpose
Green walls are vertical structures with various plant species that contribute to achieving sustainability in terms of environmental, economic and social aspects. A comparison of green wall performance with a similar type of conventional wall would be the most convincing way of promoting green wall applications than comparing the performance within types of green walls. Hence, this study evaluated the life cycle cost (LCC) of an indirect green facade with a conventional wall in the Sri Lankan tropical climate towards enhancing the adaptation of the green wall concept as an energy-saving solution.
Design/methodology/approach
The study involved two stages: (1) assessing the thermal performance and (2) calculating the LCC of the indirect green facade and the conventional wall. On-site temperature measurements were taken from various spots on the exterior and interior wall surfaces of each building in different time intervals per day for 21 days from the end of May to the beginning of July. The LCC analysis was performed using the cost data collected through the market survey and document review.
Findings
The temperature difference between the external and internal wall surfaces of the conventional wall (1.060C) is higher than the green wall (0.320C). This implies that green walls help retain 2/3 of the temperature transferred through a conventional wall, thereby reducing the energy requirement for cooling purposes by 70%. Though the initial cost of a green wall is 19% higher than a conventional wall, maintenance costs of green walls result in 29% savings. This results in a 55% overall annual LCC savings compared to conventional walls.
Originality/value
There is a dearth of studies to evidence that the cost performance of green walls is more effective than conventional walls in tropical climates, and this study fulfils this research gap. Thus, the findings would be more convincing to clients towards enhancing green wall applications.
Details
Keywords
Tharindu Dulshani Jayarathne, Nayanthara De Silva and W. K. U. R. M. K. P. K. Samarakoon
Energy consumption in existing office buildings has been growing in parallel with the rise in occupant energy demand. As a result, many building owners have given smart retrofits…
Abstract
Purpose
Energy consumption in existing office buildings has been growing in parallel with the rise in occupant energy demand. As a result, many building owners have given smart retrofits (SRs) a higher priority. However, the utilisation of suitable SRs from a range of SRs has become a challenging task. The purpose of this paper is to develop a decision-making model to select the most suitable SRs for conventional office buildings and form a set of benchmarks for assessing the performance of SRs.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach with six case studies was used. Content analysis was carried out using NVivo to explore the factors considered for the selection of SR techniques. A decision-making model for selecting SRs in Sri Lankan office buildings was proposed. SR performance benchmarks were developed by referring to established standards and studies done in tropical office buildings.
Findings
Out of 18 identified SRs from literature, fan cycling, ventilation control and LED luminaires have been recognised as commonly used SRs in Sri Lankan office buildings. Analysis showed that HVAC retrofits saved more energy, while lighting retrofits could be easily implemented in existing buildings. The proposed decision-making model can explore further improvements to enhance the performance of SRs.
Originality/value
The selection of SRs is a comprehensive decision-making process. Metrics were established to benchmark the performance of SRs. The proposed model offers a tool for building owners and facility managers to optimise facility operations.
Details
Keywords
Amodith Supunmal Wijewansha, G.A. Tennakoon, K.G.A.S. Waidyasekara and B.J. Ekanayake
Despite the positive impacts of the construction sector on enhancing economic growth and ensuring societal well-being, its negative impacts on the environment from unsustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the positive impacts of the construction sector on enhancing economic growth and ensuring societal well-being, its negative impacts on the environment from unsustainable resource consumption levels, emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and waste generation is monumental. Circular economy (CE) concept is identified globally as an avenue to address problems regarding adverse impacts of construction on the environment. This paper presents the principles of CE as an avenue for enhancing environmental sustainability during the pre-construction stage within Sri Lankan construction projects.
Design/methodology/approach
This research was approached through a qualitative research method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts. The number of experts were limited due to lack of experts with knowledge on the subject area in Sri Lanka. Data were analysed using content analysis.
Findings
Findings revealed a range of activities under each R principle of CE, that is, reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign, reclassification and renewability that could be implemented during the pre-construction stage, thereby providing a guide for construction professionals in implementing CE at the pre-construction stage. The need to expand knowledge on CE concepts within the Sri Lankan construction sector was recognized.
Originality/value
This study provides a qualitative in-depth perspective on how 6R principles of CE could be integrated to a construction project during the pre-construction stage. By adopting the proposed activities under CE principles, construction professionals can enhance the environmental sustainability of construction projects.
Details
Keywords
Mujahed Thneibat, Motasem Thneibat and Bader Al-Tamimi
This study aims to lay the groundwork for the potential application of value management (VM) in construction projects. This paper presents a critical review on the status of VM in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to lay the groundwork for the potential application of value management (VM) in construction projects. This paper presents a critical review on the status of VM in a developing country and highlights the role of perceptions on critical success factors (CSFs) for the phases of VM studies, as the participants in a VM study should consider CSFs tailored to the local context.
Design/methodology/approach
A series of interviews and a questionnaire were conducted to understand the drivers, perceptions, barriers, and CSFs of VM in the Jordanian construction industry. Although descriptive statistics were used to analyze the status of VM, a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was adopted to highlight the interrelationships between perceptions and the CSFs of the three phases of VM (i.e. pre-workshop, workshop, and implementation).
Findings
The descriptive analysis revealed conflicting viewpoints for perceptions and drivers. Most practitioners acknowledged little awareness of VM phases, and the SEM results indicated that perceptions of VM, in terms of its capacity in improving the scope and objectives of the project, and reducing overall costs, most strongly influenced the CSFs of the implementation phase in terms of support and clear plan for implementation, and had the least influence on the pre-workshop phase. Further, the perceptions had a moderate effect on the CSFs of the workshop phase and it tended to be positive, highlighting the importance of function analysis in this phase.
Originality/value
This is the first study to reveal the status of VM in Jordan in terms of adoption, drivers, perceptions, barriers and CSFs; no prior studies have investigated how perceptions can affect the CSFs of each phase of VM and the endorsement of VM by the construction industry. The contributions of this study include linking the perceptions of construction professionals with the CSFs of VM.
Details
Keywords
Lekan Damilola Ojo, Deji Rufus Ogunsemi, Ahmed Elyamany and Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke
The adoption of value management (VM) has been on the rise in the construction industry, especially in the past decade. Identifying the main barriers to VM application for…
Abstract
Purpose
The adoption of value management (VM) has been on the rise in the construction industry, especially in the past decade. Identifying the main barriers to VM application for ameliorating poor project outcomes in the construction industry is a critical step to overcoming its implementation. Therefore, this study aims to examine the barriers to the adoption of VM in the Nigerian construction industry (NCI) and identify the critical ones for action by construction stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used two rounds of Delphi surveys with 15 VM experts to identify the challenges to VM adoption. The Delphi team’s data from the two surveys were analysed using descriptive statistics. The mean-mode approach was used to identify ten major barriers to VM adoption based on the consensus reached during the second round of the Delphi poll. Following that, an interrater agreement analysis and a significant level analysis were performed.
Findings
Of the 17 identified barriers hindering VM adoption on construction projects in the NCI, 10 were found to be profound after statistical analyses of the data. The significant barriers include communication gap between the client and other consultants; delay in design preparation because of VM services; the pretext that VM is being practiced in the construction industry; and the wrong perception of VM by construction professionals, among others. The findings of the analysis suggested that the lack of VM adoption in the NCI was because of inadequate knowledge of VM techniques among construction professionals. Therefore, it is advised that VM training be provided for concerned stakeholders to address the lack of VM expertise among Nigerian construction professionals.
Practical implications
This study investigated the barriers to VM adoption on construction projects in the NCI with the opinions of a few construction professionals who can be regarded as VM experts. As against obtaining large survey responses from construction professionals who may not be knowledgeable in the VM process, the limited VM experts’ responses provide a valid basis for drawing inferences and making recommendations to address the paucity of VM applications in the NCI.
Originality/value
Through a Delphi survey, the critical barriers to the adoption of VM were identified, along with recommendations to help construction stakeholders overcome the challenges and enjoy the benefits of VM.
Details
Keywords
Ahmed Farouk Kineber, Idris Bin Othman, Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke and Nicholas Chileshe
The purpose of this paper is to assess the influence of value management (VM) critical success factors (CSFs) on the implementation of VM activities in building projects with a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the influence of value management (VM) critical success factors (CSFs) on the implementation of VM activities in building projects with a view to promoting sustainability of construction industry in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach
The VM CSFs and implementation activities were recognized from earlier studies; questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from relevant stakeholders, and the collected data was subjected to exploratory factor analysis. Consequently, the influence of VM CSFs on VM implementation was generated via partial least square structural equation modelling. In addition, through relative importance ranking analysis, the significance VM CSFs were examined.
Findings
The findings from the proposed model revealed a strong relationship between VM implementation activities and its CSFs; the relationship is at a moderate level with an effect of 22.0%. This indicates that, VM CSFs would be useful to implement VM in the Egyptian building industry.
Research limitations/implications
Although these studies have been confined to Egypt’s VM studies; they may apply to other developing countries that have not carried out these studies. It is therefore vital, in those countries where the exercise has been entirely undertaken, to analyze the various measures to promote the application of the method.
Practical implications
This research would be of benefit to stakeholders in building industries to be aware of VM phases and its CSFs that demand utmost consideration. Also, the identified CSFs are expected to enhance the success and value of building projects by adopting VM.
Originality/value
The novelty of this research work will be a benchmark or board for decision-makers to eliminate the unwanted cost and enhance quality by adopting VM in Egypt’s building projects to achieve their sustainable projects.
Details
Keywords
B.A.K.S. Perera, D.C. Sirimewan and A.D. Senadeera
Many public-sector building projects in developing countries are prone to variations owing to the changes made to their original project scopes, and economic depressions and…
Abstract
Purpose
Many public-sector building projects in developing countries are prone to variations owing to the changes made to their original project scopes, and economic depressions and stagnations. Cost and time-overruns are consequences of such variations. Thus, variation management in these projects is important. Hence, this paper aims to analyse the methods of managing variations in public-sector building projects in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a mixed research approach. Seventeen expert interviews and a questionnaire survey were conducted to identify the causes and consequences of the variations, and the strategies that will help manage those variations. Manual content analysis and mean weighted rankings (MWR) were used to analyse the collected quantitative and qualitative data, respectively.
Findings
The employer, consultant, contractor and several other factors are mostly responsible for the variations in public-sector building projects in Sri Lanka. Cost and time-overruns, rework and demolition and disputes are the major consequences of such variations. The study findings reveal that a detailed employer’s brief, clearly defined project objectives, a comprehensive design and set of specifications, and preliminary investigations are the strategies that will mostly minimise the variations in public-sector building projects in Sri Lanka.
Originality/value
The study proposes strategies to avoid or minimise the adverse impact of variations, which the industry practitioners can adopt for variation management in public-sector building projects. The study theoretically contributes to knowledge by revealing how variations in public-sector building projects in Sri Lanka can be managed by identifying their causes and consequences.
Details
Keywords
Ahmed Farouk Kineber, Idris Othman, Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke, Nicholas Chileshe and Tarek Zayed
This study aims to develop an overall project success (OPS) model by investigating the mediation impact of value management (VM) implementation between VM critical success factors…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop an overall project success (OPS) model by investigating the mediation impact of value management (VM) implementation between VM critical success factors (CSFs) and OPS as well as the moderation impact of VM CSFs between VM implementation and OPS.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 335 structured questionnaires were administered to relevant stakeholders in the study area. The research used a partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to model the relationship among VM implementation, CSFs and OPS.
Findings
The results revealed that there is an indirect positive and significant correlation among the variables. The model prediction analysis also significantly impacted with 59.9% on OPS by setting VM implementation as a mediator variable and 61% by setting VM CSFs as a moderation variable.
Practical implications
This research work will serve as a guide or benchmark for decision-makers who want to use VM to improve the success of their building projects.
Originality/value
This study fills the knowledge gap by identifying and emphasizing the impact of VM CSFs and activities on OPS.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to present an analysis of the perception of performance management practices and transformations by investigating what devolved governments of Kenya are doing and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an analysis of the perception of performance management practices and transformations by investigating what devolved governments of Kenya are doing and ought to do after which the approaches of performance and performance management are evaluated.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive assessment of five devolved governments of Kenya is carried out. This study covered 518 respondents across the above-sampled governments.
Findings
The outcomes demonstrated that there are guidelines established by the counties to measure the performance of workers where tested variables about setting performance standards and performance review information against their effect on performance improvement and performance measurement, respectively, are statistically significant, and therefore have a positive impact on the eventual performance of devolved governments.
Practical implications
The results support scholars, practitioners and social scientists in development studies for the planning and management of public organizations. The thought of factors that enhance or impede devolved government workers’ performance can be explored in future research.
Originality/value
The thought of performance management perception, especially in a developing country, is a theoretical milestone.
Details
Keywords
Chamil Erik Ramanayaka, Oluwole Alfred Olatunji, Payam Rahnamayiezekavat and Chandana Siriwardana