Construction Economics and Building

Adopting Qualitative Data in Conceptual System Dynamic Modelling: A Focus on Road Infrastructure Projects in Nigeria

Abba Mahmud — 2023-12-21

Qualitative data plays an important role in system dynamics (SD) modelling, particularly in model conceptualization. Among the various forms of data, information from the mental database of stakeholders is considered the most important which can be accessed through stakeholder engagement using interviews. However, formal, and systematic process of interview and data analysis is required. Existing approaches used for systematically analysing qualitative data were based on grounded theory approach. In this study, we introduced a coding approach that is formulated based on the principles of thematic analysis, saliency analysis (an extension of thematic analysis) framework and case study approach, and key strengths of existing methods. This alternative or formulated approach is focused on (i) coding the data from all stakeholder groups, (ii) establishing causal relationships from causal attributions of stakeholders and transform the causal relationships into causal maps and (iii) establishing and maintain strong links between causal maps and data source using data source reference table and software. We then demonstrate an application of the coding approach in a study about cost performance of road infrastructure projects in Nigeria to analyse qualitative data collected from 16 semi-structured interviews.

Editorial: Quality in Challenging Times

Graham Brewer — 2023-12-21

Roofing Distributor Employee Perception: Workforce Attraction/Retention and Need

Jason Lucas — 2023-12-21

Workforce attractions and needs development are present at all levels of the construction industry, from general contractors down to trade contractors and their distributors. Specifically, the roofing industry faces a severe decline in workforce strength in all areas, including distribution. This study aims to collect and present workforce data that distributor companies can use to create an attractive company culture to strengthen their workforce. This study collected data via survey and analyzed current workforce satisfaction, attraction, retention factors, and demographics in the roofing industry. Findings yield that the overall work and the yearly compensation were key factors for attraction and retention. The study results illustrate the development of workforce needs in the affordability of benefits and career path. The importance of this study lies in the ability of distributor companies to understand areas they are doing well in and identify areas that need to be improved and incorporate the findings in developing recruitment material for new employees.

Inequality and vulnerability of informal employment during the pandemic

Ryandika — 2023-12-08

This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on formal and informal workers in the Indonesian construction industry. Based on a questionnaire survey of workers in the province of West Java, it aims to test the view that informal workers are more vulnerable to job losses, wage cuts and the lack of social security safety net. Two research questions were posed. The first was to characterise the impact of the COVID preventative measures on their access to work, work hours, and income levels. The second objective was to examine the implementation of COVID-19 health and safety protocols at project sites and its impact on workers. A survey conducted in November and December 2020 in the province of West Java obtained 261 responses from 21 construction companies. Contingency table testing was carried out to test the hypothesis that the frequencies of occurrence in the formal and informal worker categories are independent of the frequencies in incomes and health and safety protocols. Contrary to job losses and wage cuts report in the literature, construction companies in West Java have resisted cutting the wages of informal workers and instead directed wage cuts to their higher paid formal workers. Compliance to COVID-19 health and safety protocols at project sites was reported to be high. This study makes unique contribution to the understanding of informal work in the construction industry and the impact of the recent pandemic on the incomes and workers’ welfare.

Mixed-method approach to the evaluation of rework provisions within general contract conditions

Ramin Asadi — 2023-12-08

Rework in construction contracts is an interesting topic as it influences contractual claims and disputes. Changes in design, work scope, and construction turn into rework and affect the contract sum, the project completion date and project performance. Thus, clear responsibility to manage rework is essential for construction contracts. Contractual rework provisions are difficult to trace as they are written indirectly or in a complex context. A well-defined contract with clear responsibilities before the project commencement will safeguard the contract from unforeseen circumstances. In this study, the stipulated provisions related to the causes of rework are reviewed and analysed in New Zealand standard form of contract. The research uses a mixed quantitative and qualitative method for data collection and analysis. This paper collects a list of rework causes, assesses each rework cause in the general contract conditions, and explores relevant rework clauses of NZS3910 contract. The study revealed five significant causes of rework that have been addressed in the contract conditions. Further investigation into the reminder causes during contract negotiation enables contract parties to manage their obligations under rework events. Properly addressing the causes of rework in the contract conditions improves the overall project performance and reduces contractual claims and disputes.

Barriers to the Adoption of Digitalization in the Construction Industry: Perspectives of Owners, Consultants, and Contractors

Rawan Al-Omari — 2023-12-08

Construction organizations are moving toward adopting digitalization in response to Industry 4.0. However, the slow adoption of digitalization has been observed. This study aimed to assess the level of digitalization adoption and evaluate the barriers to adopting digitalization in the Jordanian construction industry by all project parties in the public and private sectors. The study targets were achieved through a structured questionnaire using SPSS software for analysis through the following statistical tests: Normality test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Most respondents used software at the design stage, and less than half did not use any software during the finishing stage. Regarding the barriers, twenty barriers to adopting digitalization were identified and grouped into five factors according to their importance: barriers related to the nature and system of the construction company, barriers related to the project parties, financial barriers, barriers related to system characteristics, and barriers related to construction project characteristics. Decision-makers should take the necessary measures to overcome such barriers depending on their importance. Previous studies have focused on the contractor's adoption of digitalization while neglecting other parties. This contributed to the full adoption of digitalization from the contractor side, with a noticeable delay from other project parties. This study focused on revealing the most critical barriers to adopting digitalization in the Jordanian construction industry from all project parties' perspectives based on their ranks. Furthermore, the study recommends effective strategies to overcome barriers as an update of past research.

A Constructive System to Assess the Performance-based Grading of Construction Labour through Work-Based Training Components and Applications

Kesavan Manoharan — 2023-12-08

Various industry sectors of many developing countries have been facing various challenges associated with low performance of labour due to poor work-based training practices. This study aims to assess the performance of labour in construction by applying systematic work-based training components. A comprehensive study methodology was adopted through literature reviews and experts’ interviews/discussions, with problem-focused and action-oriented communication approaches to develop effective tools, systems and practices related to labour training elements and performance assessments within a framework. Through a new construction supervisory training programme, the developed practices were applied to 200-300 labourers working on 23 construction projects in Sri Lanka. The results show the detailed patterns of the significant changes in labour performance with the quantified values. Overall quantitative values indicate a nearly 60% increase in the performance of labour within six months of the training period compared to the starting point. A considerable level of performance improvement was reported in the soft skills (90%) and material handling abilities (70%) of labourers. A moderate level of performance improvement was identified in other competency elements related to the application of basic science/technology-related practices (55%), simple engineering/technology-related practices (44%), construction methods and technology (56%), green practices (36%) and fundamental management aspects (34%). The overall performance values of labourers employed in road/bridge projects were found that noticeably lower compared to the labourers who worked on other types of projects. The results further describe the well-improved theoretical knowledge and operational skills of the trained labourers, which has uplifted their job standards from working under close supervision to working under general supervision with some autonomy. Moreover, the study findings contribute to controlling the excessive inclination of local firms toward foreign labour by unlocking the potential barriers to expanding the local labour supply with lifelong learning and career benefits/opportunities for labourers. The findings will have a significant impact on how other developing nations and industries must manage their labour to obtain higher work efficiency in the foreseeable future.

A New Productivity Benchmarking System Connected to Well-designed Labour Apprenticeship Framework for Construction Projects

Kesavan Manoharan — 2023-12-08

This study primarily identifies the knowledge gaps that must be filled to apply conceptualised methods for rising and benchmarking productivity levels of various construction operational tasks. Accordingly, this study intended to evaluate labour productivity in relation to labour performance using potential apprenticeship instruments and systems. Comprehensive literature analysis and expert consultations were carried out to create a new mechanism with the collection of potential models, methods and systems connected to labour training, performance evaluation and productivity measurements. A total of 23 construction projects in Sri Lanka employed the created approach methodically. The results demonstrate the precise patterns of substantial shifts in labour productivity and performance index values, which have sparked new conceptual mechanisms for construction project planning methods. The outcomes demonstrate that the suggested approach can be used in a way that is reliable, generalisable, productive and sustainable. The study provides project managers, planners and engineers with a new road map and helpful techniques to raise the standard for measuring labour productivity levels across a variety of jobs. The overall study outcomes strengthen the chain relationship among the training elements, labour skills, performance and productivity. Though the study findings were limited to the construction industry and Sri Lankan context, the study outcomes are expected to make a significant impact on the current practices of various industry sectors in many developing countries for achieving higher productivity levels in work operations. This paper discusses some more implications and future scopes of the study elaborately.

Analyzing the Influence of Organizational Culture in Projects using Last Planner System

Jugal Pancholi — 2023-12-08

The use of lean tools and techniques to reduce waste from the workflow has been prominently gaining popularity in the construction industry worldwide. Last Planner System (LPS) is one of such distinguished tools used by construction majors. Many research suggests that LPS plays a significant role in improving the collaboration among the project team members and the firm's organizational culture. This paper reports the intermediating effect of organizational culture on construction projects that implement the Last Planner System and also identifies the effect of LPS on the project's operational performance. Various survey items pertaining to each variable was identified and was validated through Content Validation. All the established items were then compiled into a questionnaire, and multiple data were collected from a variety of projects. The data were analyzed using bivariate correlation and multiple regression analysis. Additionally, the "organizational culture assessment instrument" was utilized to compare the organizational cultures of various construction sites. It was discovered that the Last Planner System had a positive but negligible relationship with the operational performance of the project, and the organizational culture. It was observed that all the projects implementing LPS had a balance culture. The contribution of this work is the knowledge that the implementation of the Last Planner System is not necessarily enhanced by culture to a great extent. However, it has a positive impact on both the operational performance of the project and the organizational culture.

Non-toll revenue potential to increase funding sources for toll road maintenance

Betty Susanti — 2023-12-08

The purpose of providing toll road infrastructure through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is to ensure that the private sector generates sufficient revenue to manage road operations and maintenance effectively. However, in many countries, various practices of PPP have led to budget shortfalls for road operations and maintenance. This situation is often due to escalating construction costs and lower-than-expected traffic volumes. To address these financial challenges, this study aimed to implement asset commercialization schemes within toll road management. A specific case study was conducted on a section of the Indonesian Trans Sumatra toll road that faced rising construction costs and low traffic volumes. A quantitative approach was applied to assess potential non-toll revenue that could be generated through asset commercialization along toll road corridors. The commercialization opportunities considered included leasing land for advertisements, installing solar power plants, erecting communication towers, and establishing rest area businesses. The identification and analysis of these opportunities were closely tied to the type, quantity, and location of asset. The results showed that asset commercialization schemes, particularly land leases for advertisements and rest area businesses, had potential to generate substantial revenue. It showed that by fully capitalizing on asset commercialization opportunities along toll road corridors, significant additional income could be generated to support road maintenance funding. The approach developed in this study could be applied to other toll road sections facing revenue deficits and budgetary challenges in maintaining their operations. This study could contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the commercialization of toll road asset.