Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

Shamas‐ur‐Rehman Toor; George Ofori

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810867389

Purpose – Recent research on leadership has focused on the exploration of the taxonomies of leadership antecedents (or “trigger events”) that significantly influence the development of the attributes of leadership in individuals. These leadership antecedents – which may involve individuals, social institutions, and life experiences – constitute a worthwhile topic for research. This paper aims to report a study which explores the leadership antecedents that inspired leadership development among graduate project management students. Design/methodology/approach – To ascertain the significance of leadership antecedents, a study was conducted at National University of Singapore. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data on taxonomies of various leadership antecedents which contributed to the development of leadership skills among the subjects. Of a total of 90 questionnaires, which were distributed, 58 completed questionnaires were received. Findings – The results suggest that teachers, parents, and mentors are significant in the development of leadership among the emergent leaders. It was also noted that educational and occupational experiences play a central role in leadership development. Future studies can use qualitative approaches, especially grounded theory methodology, to develop comprehensive frameworks explaining leadership development process. Research limitations/implications – The results of this exploratory study can form the basis for further work in the field of leadership development. Originality/value – The taxonomy of leadership antecedents employed in this study can be used to design controlled interventions for leadership development in emergent project leaders and project management trainees.

Karen Manley

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810867398

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role played by manufacturers of patented products on construction projects. Design/methodology/approach – Four projects are reviewed to investigate the research question “How can manufacturers ensure the successful implementation of their product innovations on construction projects?” Findings – Using a framework comprising six key innovation determinants, case‐study analysis demonstrates the critical role played by relationships and knowledge‐flows in creating conditions that support project‐based innovation by manufacturers. Such conditions comprise: advanced procurement systems, robust internal firm competencies, performance‐based regulations, effective technical support providers, and project‐imbedded manufacturers. Research limitations/implications – The study was designed to meet industry needs and hence does not emphasise theoretical aspects. Practical implications – Manufacturers can improve the diffusion of their product innovations on construction projects by using relationship networks to promote the above conditions, or to locate contexts where such conditions prevail, or to leverage those conditions that are most favourable. Originality/value – The paper addresses four gaps in the construction management literature: there is very little literature on the role of manufacturers in innovation on construction projects; the literature on subcontractors tends to assume easily substitutable supplies; there is a focus in the literature on large projects, and the literature is dominated by quantitative studies. By undertaking a qualitative analysis of manufacturers of patented products subcontracting to small projects, this paper addresses the above shortcomings.

Amr A.G. Hassanein; Waleed El Nemr

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810867406

Purpose – This research aims to provide a better insight into the status of claims management in general, and change order claims in particular, from the contractor's perspective with respect to the Egyptian industrial construction sector, as they proved to be the main cause of claims in this sector. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey discussing the most persistent issues of claims management in general, and change order claims in particular, was conducted on a selected sample of construction industrial companies. Findings – The results demonstrated that claims management in the Egyptian industrial sector has been suffering from a variety of obstacles, including lack of proper notification procedures in public contracts and poor documentation management. Change orders had been actually lost due to poor documentation. Oral change orders were present in approximately 76 percent of the projects; half of which resulted in loss of rights due to improper documentation, which was largely attributed to the lack of contract awareness of the site team, and to the “fear of consultant phenomenon”. Practical implications – The paper presents several recommendations for improving claims management including: the formation of a standard form of contract general conditions for the Egyptian industrial sector, and applying a methodological approach for change orders quantification. Originality/value – The increasing number of international companies contemplating construction projects in Egypt, and the significant problems with regards to claims propagation and management, addressed the need to conduct such a study, which targets one of the most challenging areas in the Egyptian construction industry.

Paul Bowen; Keith Cattell

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810867415

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on the significance of the relationship between job satisfaction experienced by South African quantity surveyors and demographic factors, workplace characteristics, choice of career, and instances of harassment and discrimination at work. Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained via a web‐based national questionnaire survey of the registered quantity surveyors. The results were analysed in order to establish the degree of significance between perceived levels of job satisfaction and the identified factors. Findings – Demographic factors found to have a significant relationship with job satisfaction are gender and race. Workplace characteristics such as feelings of personal satisfaction, recognition, the opportunity to undertake challenging work and non‐repetitive work, the degree of supervision, participation in decision making, and the opportunity for social interaction at work were found to be significantly associated with job satisfaction. Significant career choice factors include the fulfilment of career expectations, a willingness to choose the same career again, and a willingness to recommend the career to others. Discrimination on the basis of gender and religious affiliation were found to have a significant relationship with job satisfaction. Originality/value – Little is known about the job satisfaction of design team professionals, particularly quantity surveyors. The findings provide indicators for managers of quantity surveying practices to facilitate improved job satisfaction amongst professional staff.

John R. Mansfield

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810867424

Purpose – The paper aims to offer a contribution to the development of conservation scheme management by examining some of the ethical dilemmas that are commonly encountered in conservation projects. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is a detailed and critical review of existing literature and recent policy direction. Findings – A practitioner's response to the various dilemmas will not only need to be conditioned by the codes of conduct of the various professional institutions but also through the explicit recognition of the very different set of ethical dilemmas that are encountered in conservation projects. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the broader appreciation of the ethical dilemmas that may be encountered in contemporary conservation practice. The paper can inform conservation consultants, administrators, specialist trades, educators and the non‐specialist reader.

T.H. Nguyen; T. Shehab; Z. Gao

2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699980810867433

Purpose – Selecting the most appropriate architecture‐engineering (AE) team, one of the most significant decisions leading to the successful completion of a construction project, is usually conducted in a multi‐criteria environment, which is mostly dependent on the subjective judgment of decision makers and is influenced by the uncertainty and vagueness of each individual construction project. This paper aims to present an assessment method to evaluate the capability of an AE team with respect to the criteria defined by decision makers. Design/methodology/approach – In addition to a proposed tender price, the evaluation of potential AE teams should be also based on other criteria such as its financial soundness, experience, expertise, availability, and compatibility of personality. A selection model is developed, in which different decision criteria and its subcriteria, and their combinations are simultaneously taken into account by using the concept of fuzzy set theory. An illustrative example is also provided in the paper to demonstrate the application of the model and its assessment method in selecting the most appropriate AE team for a construction project. Findings – The study results show that the proposed evaluation model allows decision makers to express their opinions about the performances of AE bidders using more realistic qualitative and linguistic terms and the fuzzy decision making method is an appropriate tool that can assist decision makers to better evaluate AE bidders' qualifications and select the best firm so that the risk to the project failure is minimized. Research limitations/implications – While the proposed method is a useful tool for selection of the most appropriate AE team for construction projects, it should be simply used as a guide in reviewing the qualifications of different AE candidate firms and the final decision should be made in accordance with the ultimate goal of the project owner. Originality/value – The model is proven suitable for quantifying imprecise information, reasoning, and making decisions based on vague and incomplete data.