Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

Jian Li Hao; Martyn James Hill; Li Yin Shen

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810852646

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a decision support tool for construction waste on‐site to achieve better construction and demolition waste management. Design/methodology/approach – System dynamics methodology is adopted for developing the model. Findings – The model of managing construction waste on‐site is established. The interconnections of the main activities are included into the model with focus on planning and management where information about the future trend is for better decision making. Practical implications – Construction waste generation is dynamic and interactive. Therefore, the model developed can be used as a flexible tool to help practitioners to understand the causes and effects. Originality/value – Since the model allows the users to fine‐tune the input parameters, it is flexible to adjust the model to better reflect the reality according to different conditions. This is an advantage over other static models.

Thanwadee Chinda; Sherif Mohamed

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810852655

Purpose – This paper sets out to describe the development and empirical testing of a structural equation model of construction safety culture. A key contribution of the model is providing insights into the interactions among safety culture enablers, and the relation between those enablers (what the organisation is doing) and safety culture goals (what the organisation aims to achieve) in the context of the Thai construction industry. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the internationally recognised EFQM Excellence model, this paper empirically examines the interactions and causal relationships between five enablers (i.e. Leadership, Policy and strategy, People, Partnerships and resources and Processes) and safety outcome (i.e. Goals). The paper utilises the structural equation modelling technique to test the hypothesised positive inter‐relationships between the enablers and goals. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of construction contracting organisations operating in Thailand to elicit opinions on the different attributes in the context of their current safety practices and performance. Findings – Supported by empirical evidence, this study established that firstly, the Leadership enabler directly influences the implementation of Policy and Strategy, however, its effect on Partnerships and Resources appears to be an indirect one; secondly, Partnerships and Resources was found to indirectly affect Processes through Policy and Strategy, which likewise appears to be indirectly influenced by the People enabler. Originality/value – This study provides a greater understanding of the interactions between the key elements of safety culture (enablers and goals), and among the enablers themselves.

L.M. Swaffield; A.M. McDonald

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810852664

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate attitudes and opinions of quantity surveyors working for design and construction contractors regarding the importance and use of life cycle costing within private finance initiative (PFI) projects, and the subsequent effects on the maintenance budgets of the facilities management contractor within the PFI consortium. Design/methodology/approach – This research includes a literature review, a questionnaire survey, four semi‐structured interviews and a case study of a facilities management contractor that operated on a completed PFI project. Findings – The research identified that contractors' quantity surveyors generally did consider life cycle costs when procuring new products/elements for PFI projects, but in certain circumstances, such as during exceptionally busy times or when working within tight construction budgets, life cycle costs were not considered and procurement decisions for some products/elements were made on the basis of lowest capital cost. The research found that the occasional failure of contractors' quantity surveyors to consider life cycle costs had significant financial risk implications for the facilities management contractors, as there were likely to be increased maintenance costs in the future, compared to the original budget for maintenance costs. Originality/value – This research will be of interest to industry professionals working on PFI projects, particularly quantity surveyors and facilities management contractors. Academic researchers with an interest in life cycle costing will benefit from the information on the practicalities of managing costs on a PFI project.

Elcin Tas; Hakan Yaman; Leyla Tanacan

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810852673

Purpose – The research project called “Designing a building material relational database management system for Turkish construction sector”, aims to join “supply side” and “demand side” in the same environment that works on the subject of building material information in the Turkish construction sector. The paper aims to discuss the project findings. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered from the information supplied and demanded from the points of sources, levels and frequency of updating by the help of the questionnaires conducted. The data gathered were integrated into the pre‐construction stage and used in the analysis of the process as to how this information was used by the “demand side” for building material information. IDEF‐0, a structured methodology for functional process analysis, is used to figure out building material evaluation and selection processes in the pre‐construction stage. Findings – Material evaluation and selection process for the pre‐construction stage is figured out. Behaviors and requirements of demand‐side and supply‐side in building material information is studied. Difficulties in supplying and presenting building material information in Turkey are evaluated. Originality/value – Although the subject of the paper is well‐known, Turkish practices and problems are evaluated, and an alternative model is suggested for the Turkish construction sector.

Kedsuda Limsila; Stephen O. Ogunlana

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810852682

Purpose – This study aims to examine how project managers' leadership styles and subordinates' organisational commitment correlates with leadership outcomes and work performance of subordinates on construction projects. It provides significant value for both practitioners and academics. On the practical side, it seeks to inform project managers that they can adapt their leadership behaviours in order to enhance subordinates' organizational commitment, improve work performance, and consequently increase a positive working atmosphere. Academically, the study aims to provide additional insights into the leadership field by contributing to the future development of this study area. Design/methodology/approach – Leadership styles and leadership outcomes were measured using Bass and Avolio's multifactor leadership questionnaire (MLQ). Porter et al. 's organizational commitment questionnaire (OCQ) was used to measure organizational commitment of subordinates. A total of 156 respondents (project managers, engineers and architects) working in construction projects in Thailand participated in the study. Findings – The transformational leadership style has a positive association with work performance and organizational commitment of subordinates more than the transactional style. Transformational leaders produce higher leadership outcomes as well. Practical implications – By applying the results in practice, project managers can adjust their leadership behaviours to support subordinates in producing high work performance and increasing leadership outcomes, whereas the human resource management function of construction companies can also utilize these results for the leadership development effort in their organization. Originality/value – This paper is the first attempt to understand the influence of transformational, transactional and laissez‐faire leadership factors on leadership outcomes and work performance from subordinates in the construction industry in Thailand.

John Wall; Vian Ahmed

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810852691

Purpose – This paper seeks to propose a framework for higher education institutions facing the challenge of developing and deploying continuing professional development in the construction industry using a blended learning approach. The focus in on institutions that have not previously engaged in delivery of programmes using a combination of both traditional and distance learning formats. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on literature on the use of technology in the delivery of lifelong learning, a case analysis of a newly deployed blended learning programme is presented. Findings – This paper illustrates that construction professionals undertaking blended learning programmes can engage with a range of ICT technologies and the integration of these technologies can make for an effective programme. Research limitations/implications – The case study is limited by its small and potentially non‐representative sample and should be viewed as a first step in the formulation of a framework for deploying continuing professional development. Originality/value – Professionals in the construction industry who wish to access lifelong learning opportunities face many challenges in trying to access programmes while continuing to meet work and personal commitments. A framework for educational providers to deliver blended lifelong learning in the construction industry based on the analysis of this initiative is put forward.