Analysis of the quality attributes used in establishing best value tenders in the UK social housing sectorSteve Phillips; Jim Martin; Andrew Dainty; Andrew Price
2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management
doi: 10.1108/09699980810886829
Purpose – A number of studies have highlighted the problems and challenges that have been encountered with the analysis of best value and partnering tenders carried out in the UK public sector. One of the principal issues is that client organisations and decision makers have to assess numerous diverse quality attributes as part of the contractor selection process. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of research, which aimed to identify the core factors, which could be used to differentiate bids in the context of social housing. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was sent to a cross‐section of stakeholders within the social housing sector asking the respondents to rank the importance of 35 attributes with respect to selecting a successful contractor. The responses were subjected to principal component analysis to detect a structure in the relationship between the attributes and classify the attributes into a set of factors. Findings – The results indicate that the 35 attributes could be grouped together and reduced to ten core factors. Practical implications – Application of the results could enable the stakeholders to streamline the tender analysis procedure allowing the high volume of tenders to be dealt with more effectively and efficiently. Originality/value – It is not expected that client organisations would limit their tender analysis to the ten core factors only. They are not intended to be prescriptive and the paper only provides a starting point in using them in the choice of contractor selection quality attributes.
Health and safety issues relating to construction excavators and their attachmentsDavid J. Edwards; Gary D. Holt
2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management
doi: 10.1108/09699980810886838
Purpose – In striving to minimise downtime and optimise the productivity of construction excavators, very often, they employ a “quick‐hitch” (Qh) as a means of changing attachments (like buckets) more quickly. Health and safety issues can relate to Qh use. The purpose of this paper is to observe these health and safety issues and consider their implications for stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – Triangulation, embracing a literature review; case studies; and the researchers' experiential knowledge, is employed to examine the nature and prevalence of Qh health and safety incidents. Findings – It is confirmed that significant risks are associated with (inappropriate) Qh use, especially relating to “manual” and “semi‐automatic” types. The main causes of Qh incidents are observed to be due to workers' acts or omissions, particularly, failure to properly implement safety mechanisms. Practical implications – An identified emphasis on “people” and their actions, suggest a need for changes in construction working methods and management practice, as ways to help remove Qh risks. Accordingly, proffered solutions relate predominantly to improved worker training, combined with stricter site management. Mechanical solutions may involve possible changes to Qh design. Originality/value – This specific area of academic plant management study is novel.
ToolSHeD TM The development and evaluation of a decision support tool for health and safety in construction designTracy Cooke; Helen Lingard; Nick Blismas; Andrew Stranieri
2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management
doi: 10.1108/09699980810886847
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe an innovative information and decision support tool (ToolSHeD™) developed to help construction designers to integrate the management of OHS risk into the design process. The underlying structure of the prototype web‐based system and the process of knowledge acquisition and modelling are described. Design/methodology/approach – The ToolSHeD™ research and development project involved the capture of expert reasoning regarding design impacts upon occupational health and safety (OHS) risk. This knowledge was structured using an innovative method well‐suited to modelling knowledge in the context of uncertainty and discretionary decision‐making. Example “argument trees” are presented, representing the reasoning used by a panel of experts to assess the risk of falling from height during roof maintenance work. The advantage of using this method for modelling OHS knowledge, compared to the use of simplistic rules, is discussed Findings – The ToolSHeD™ prototype development and testing reveals that argument trees can represent design safety risk knowledge effectively. Practical implications – The translation of argument trees into a web‐based decision support tool is described and the potential impact of this tool in providing construction designers (architects and engineers) with easy and inexpensive access to expert OHS knowledge is discussed. Originality/value – The paper describes a new computer application, currently undergoing testing in the Australian building and construction industry. Its originality lies in the fact that ToolSHeD™ deploys argument trees to represent expert OHS reasoning, overcoming inherent limitations in rule‐based expert systems.
Taking leadership research into future A review of empirical studies and new directions for researchShamas‐ur‐Rehman Toor; George Ofori
2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management
doi: 10.1108/09699980810886856
Purpose – Researchers have traditionally focused on the technical and managerial features of construction projects and have tended to ignore the subject of leadership. However, recent interest in the subject has resulted in global research initiatives that aspire to provide an understanding of leadership in a holistic manner. To further the research on the subject, it is important to review the existing body of knowledge and draft a road map for the future. For this purpose, a review of empirical works on leadership in the construction industry was carried out. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 49 studies were selected through a rigorous process. To summarize the findings, coding was done according to publication outlet, authors, nature of study, country of publication, target population, methodology, and key findings. Findings – It was found that most of the empirical studies have focused on behavioral dimensions of leadership while paying less attention to several other important dimensions, particularly leadership development. Most studies were cross‐sectional in nature and used quantitative methods of analysis. It was also noted that these studies focused on a limited range theories presented in the mainstream. Originality/value – The review presented here summarizes the empirical research on leadership in the construction industry. The paper details various past trends, predicts some future trends, and suggests certain areas in which future research on leadership in the construction industry could focus. Research limitations/implications – It is suggested that leadership studies need to be improved in terms of methodological approach, level of analysis, developmental perspective of leadership, and objective measurement of leadership outcomes. Originality/value – The paper predicts some future trends and suggests certain areas in which future research on leadership in the construction industry could focus.
Trends of skills and productivity in the UK construction industryMohamed S. Abdel‐Wahab; Andrew R.J. Dainty; Stephen G. Ison; Patrick Bowen; Guy Hazlehurst
2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management
doi: 10.1108/09699980810886865
Purpose – UK government policy has emphasised the role of skills development and training as a means of improving productivity performance across all sectors of the economy. The purpose of this paper is to assess the appropriateness of this policy within the context of the construction industry, in light of the recently published statistics. Design/methodology/approach – A trend analysis of construction productivity (measured by Gross Value Added/worker) and skills indicators (qualification attainment and training) was conducted over the period 1995‐2006. Findings – There is inconsistency in the industry's productivity performance, despite the overall increase in qualification attainment levels and participation rates in training over the same period. However, the year‐on‐year change in the participation rate of training was not consistently associated with an improvement in productivity performance. Originality/value – It is argued that the effective utilisation of skills rather than mere increase in the supply of skills is a key to bringing about productivity improvements. Indeed future policy makers decisions should focus on addressing other influences on productivity performance such as work organisation and management practice to support further development and progression of the UK construction industry.
Lost in transition: the transfer of lean manufacturing to constructionBo Jørgensen; Stephen Emmitt
2008 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management
doi: 10.1108/09699980810886874
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the transfer of lean manufacturing/production from the Japanese manufacturing industry to the construction sector in the west. Design/methodology/approach – Research literature from the fields of lean manufacturing/production and lean construction was reviewed. This revealed a number of characteristics that are specific to lean construction, most notably the recognition that critical research findings have been slow to emerge but appear to be gaining momentum. Findings – In the transition from manufacturing to construction the process losses appear to be related to critical aspects and the challenges surrounding practical application to a different context. Lean is highly interpretive and there is no shared definition or understanding of what is meant by lean, lean production, and lean construction. The focus has been mainly on production system design, planning and management, and implementation. This narrow focus has meant that some important issues concerning the wider aspects of lean have been overlooked. There is a need for a “back to basics” discussion on many other aspects of the approach, such as whole‐life value and waste identification. Research limitations/implications – The work is limited to an extensive literature review. Originality/value – The extensive literature review makes an original contribution to the lean construction field and provides a valuable resource for researchers.