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doi: 10.1080/01446199400000049pmid: N/A
For several decades, transfer of technologies from industrialized countries has been viewed as a key to addressing the low level of technological development of developing countries. This paper considers technology transfer as a mechanism for improving construction industries in developing countries. It discusses the nature of technology and its development and the relevance of its transfer. It outlines differences between construction and other sectors and their implications for the development and transfer of construction technology. Results and problems of technology transfer are discussed and the experience of Singapore outlined. Possible action to improve upon the situation is suggested.
doi: 10.1080/01446199400000050pmid: N/A
Production management in this research is concerned with three key decisions: demand forecast, production scheduling and stock forecast. These three decisions are very much interrelated and cannot be made in isolation. Previous studies of precast concrete industry activities concluded that production management is fragmented. For example, production planning is done in isolation from demand forecasting and from stock forecasting. This has contributed to poor production management performance in terms of resource utilization and over-stocking. This paper goes beyond traditional production management theories and practices and develops a model to integrate all aspects of production management. The main objective is to develop an integrated production management model for the make-to-stock sector of precast concrete building products, in order to help production managers make better planning decisions and explore alternative options. The model is a factory simulator which examines and evaluates the effect of several managerial strategies on production planning and stock forecasting before actual production commences. It uses different measures of performance which facilitate the choice of planning strategies under various demands and factory conditions.
Abdul-Rahman, Hamzah; Alidrisyi, M. N.
doi: 10.1080/01446199400000051pmid: N/A
Many management-related problems exist amongst local contractors in developing countries. Problems vary in nature and intensity but are usually associated with inefficient management of construction resources including materials, labour, plant and subcontractors. This paper deals with material management practices in the construction industry in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey and interviews were conducted with local practising public works contractors to examine the management of materials and to identify the nature of problems associated with material management. Problems identified included delay in the delivery of materials, the lack of use of advanced planning techniques, material variances and computers. There is a need for an improved material management approach by contractors in a developing country.
doi: 10.1080/01446199400000052pmid: N/A
This paper investigates experiential learning theory and the current perception of experiential factors in the accuracy of pre-tender cost prediction. It compares the preferred learning styles of a sample of experienced pretender cost estimators with those of novice quantity surveyors and investigates how estimators have developed as a result of their experiences. Experiential factors, those which stimulate personal development in pre-tender estimators, are considered and a mechanism to improve the accuracy of pre-tender estimates is proposed linking experiential learning theory with the introduction of feedback and self-monitoring systems.
Kometa, Simon T.; Olomolaiye, Paul O.; Harris, Frank C.
doi: 10.1080/01446199400000053pmid: N/A
Despite numerous efforts to understand construction clients and their priorities, evidence abounds to suggest that they are largely misunderstood and dissatisfied with the performance of their consultants and contractors. The perception of poor performance may not be attributed to the consultants alone. Perhaps the clients themselves do not possess the necessary attributes to secure a successful project performance. This paper describes a survey which set out to establish the relative importance of the attributes of clients' organizations which may influence project consultants' performance using the ‘relative index ranking technique’. Project consultants were surveyed using a structured questionnaire as the main research tool and this was augmented by interviews. The most important attributes are financial stability of client (creditworthiness, current liabilities and current assets), feasibility of the project (project priorities, feasibility study and site conditions), past performance of client (cost overrun, quality achieved and time overrun), project characteristics (time for completion, type of project, cost of project and objectives/subobjectives) and client's duties (project definition/ formulation, planning and design and project finance). More successful projects may result if clients cultivate some of the attributes identified in this study.
Austin, Simon; Baldwin, Andrew; Newton, Andrew
doi: 10.1080/01446199400000054pmid: N/A
The increasing complexity of modern buildings and the use of fast-track methods of procurement systems has meant the expeditious and successful completion of the design phase of a project has become ever more important. This paper describes a research methodology that can help plan the building design process. Design models, based on data flow diagrams, have been developed to map information flows during the design of a modern building. These models are analysed using Steward's design structure matrix, which allows ordering of the tasks to produce schedules or design plans based solely on information flowing between design tasks. Traditional ordering is based on experience but modern complex projects require a more rigorous approach. Design is an inherently iterative activity and design structure matrix analysis reveals how to order most efficiently interdependent tasks and use estimates of design information further to improve the scheduling of design tasks.
doi: 10.1080/01446199400000055pmid: N/A
The UK construction industry has in general been slow to adopt information technology. The tactical use of this technology for personal productivity improvement has nevertheless become generally accepted. Communications technology has the capability to alter the industry fundamentally. This paper describes a postal survey carried out in early 1993 to ascertain the current position of this particular technology within the UK construction industry; the survey not only provides statistical data but also some evaluative measures on the problems encountered by construction professionals. The survey shows that the use of electronic mail and electronic data interchange is still highly restricted in the industry. More importantly these two technologies are being used primarily to support finance and accounting processes rather than mainstream construction processes.
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