Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

Billy Hare; Iain Cameron; A. Roy Duff

2006 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980610690729

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on findings from a research project, commissioned by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), to investigate the integration of health and safety with pre‐construction planning. Design/methodology/approach – Four steering groups and three expert panels were interviewed, using focus group methods, to define critical success factors through qualitative, grounded theory, analysis. Findings – The main outcomes from the analysis are: critical success factors rely on adopting integrated teams; and effective two‐way flow of information is essential. Also, existing design and management tools can be adapted to satisfy the factors identified as opposed to prescribed requirements for a standard health and safety plan. Originality/value – This study has informed further research including the development of a gateway process model and supporting integrated management tools. It has also informed HSE with policy decisions for their review of CDM.

Marcus Jefferies

2006 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980610690738

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of Build‐Own‐Operate Transfer (BOOT) schemes in order to develop a framework of critical success factors (CSF). Design/methodology/approach – Success factors are identified from relevant literature and a project specific CSF framework is produced with key issues discussed. Discussion focuses on a case study of a current Australian BOOT project, the Sydney SuperDome. Findings – The SuperDome is proving to be an example of how both government and private industry is attempting to meet Australia's need for infrastructure in the new millennium. The project had a streamline finance process and project participants had an appetite for risk that exceeded the other tenderers. PPPs are now established as a worldwide means of developing public services with private sector finance and expertise. Originality/value – The SuperDome model is setting the benchmark for Australian BOOT projects, acting as the framework for future PPPs initiated by the NSW Government.

Amr A.G. Hassanein; Bahaee N.L. Khalil

2006 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980610690747

Purpose – The aim of this article is to develop a cost index to serve as a price indicator for the Egyptian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach – The model (Egypt 1 indices) developed for building the indices in this paper has been derived based on the “ Engineering News Record ” ( ENR ) indices model with modifications to better suit the Egyptian market. Egypt 1 indices are comprised of three indices, which serve as a general construction price indicator for the construction industry price movement in Egypt. The period analyzed in this research is 11 years (1988 through 1998). Findings – Validation of Egypt 1 indices numbers produced in this paper showed that each index does indeed represent the respective type of building for which it was computed. Further, the analysis of Egypt 1 indices compared to the ENR indices revealed that both indices exhibited trends that are generally similar from the year 1992 up to 1998 (the last year included in this study). Originality/value – This research has the potential to introduce the use of construction cost indices and to put these into practice. This should help aid contractors and other construction parties operating in Egypt with an adequate tool for pricing and estimation of projects.

Ahmad Anuar Othman; Johan Victor Torrance; Munshi Ab. Hamid

2006 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980610690756

Purpose – The objectives of this paper are to determine the current level of construction time performance of public sector projects; and to identify variables related to project characteristics and variables associated with excusable delay that have significant effects on the construction time performance of public sector civil engineering projects in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted a quantitative approach. Original contract duration and actual contract duration of 244 projects were collected from project files to assess current level of CTP. Variables related to project characteristics and excusable delays were then regressed against time performance index using multiple regression analysis to identify variables that had significant relationships with construction time performance. Findings – The construction time performance of the public projects in Malaysia was found to be affected more by variables related to excusable delays than project characteristic variables. Research limitations/implications – This study is focused on public sector civil engineering projects limited to irrigation and drainage, road and sewerage projects where building was not included. Practical implications – Excusable delays were found to be common causes of delay in significant numbers of public projects. Originality/value – The variables that were found to be significant should be given attention by planners and designers in order to minimize the occurrence of delay in public projects.

Hui‐Yuan Hsieh; John Forster

2006 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980610690765

Purpose – The aim of this article is to present a new, simple applicable method of inferring and assessing residential construction quality at an industry‐wide level. Design/methodology/approach – Construction quality is measured using ratios of structural materials to production levels. Cement and reinforcing bar per 1,000m 2 of residential floor space are the metrics, especially appropriate in Taiwan as new dwelling units (virtually all apartments and row houses) and all of reinforced concrete. Complementary measurements of quality for labour and non‐structural construction material inputs were also made. Findings – The structural input and complementary measures indicate that the quality of Taiwanese residential construction declines dramatically and consistently at higher production levels. The implication is that dwelling units from the 1990s construction boom are especially at risk. Research limitations/implications – The methods cannot be used to identify specific buildings at risk. The methods are difficult to apply in situations where construction methods and residential types are heterogeneous. Practical implications – Construction quality can be monitored on a regular basis so industry‐wide steps can be taken if quality declines appear. The evidence is consistent with Taiwan's sub‐contractor network enabling rapid expansions and contractions at the expense of hidden quality failure. Originality/value – This paper provides information that could lead to much firmer regulatory systems, hence has the potential to help save lives and property.

Bingunath Ingirige; Martin Sexton

2006 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980610690774

Purpose – This paper aims to prove that alliances in the construction industry can be used as vehicles to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach – The paper first sets out a theoretical proposition through a literature review and synthesis, then details an empirical case study in the construction industry to investigate the theoretical proposition. Findings – The findings indicate the existence of the “project based mindset”, within the working practices of the different players in construction alliances. This overly narrow project focus constrains the process of achieving sustainable competitive advantage for alliances. Research limitations/implications – This research, in broad terms, provides insights on the value of long‐term orientated collaboration in construction alliances and specifically target practitioners by identifying benefits of balancing alliance tasks and activities among senior executives and project managers in an appropriate way. Originality/value – The paper makes an original contribution to the general body of knowledge on alliances and specifically to construction alliances by identifying the core value addition in the process of long‐term orientated collaboration so that the processes are carefully designed, interpreted and nurtured in practice. Also, recommends initiatives by the alliance management to redesign tasks and activities such that collaboration becomes part‐and‐parcel of senior executives and project managers’ daily routine, rather than considering collaborative encounters as extra activities that need “slack” time.