Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

Chuan Chen; John Messner

2011 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981111180872

Purpose – The decision on market entry mode, or how to enter a selected market, is of critical importance for international contractors' profit making and sustainable growth. Based on a previous study, which successively identified ten basic entry modes specifically for international construction markets, this paper aims to focus on differentiating these entry modes in terms of organizational setting characteristics, compatibility, transferability, feasibility regarding different markets, and strategic effects so as to develop a systematic and comprehensive selection method for international construction market entry modes. Design/methodology/approach – Market entry cases were collected through extensive archival analysis and interviews of practitioners. By a comparative analysis, how the entry modes differ by organizational setting characteristics is analyzed, and how they can be combined or sequenced to deliver a market entry process is empirically explored. The strategic effects which constitute the basis for selection among the entry modes and their combinations are identified, which include risk exposure, return, resource commitment, control, and flexibility. Findings – How the basic entry modes can be combined and sequenced is mapped. The applicability of selected entry modes regarding 42 main country markets is reported. It is found that mobile entry modes and permanent entry modes differ in resource commitment, investment risk and strategic flexibility. Based on the results of the comparative case study, a process model for market entry mode selection is proposed. Originality/value – The study provides theoretical implications for future studies to develop the market entry mode selection method. Practitioners can also obtain a better understanding of the relationship between the basic entry modes as well as the constraints and principles governing the selection between them.

Billy Hare; Iain Cameron

2011 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981111180881

Purpose – This paper aims to present findings on research funded by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) on factors contributing to superior safety performance amongst construction firms in the UK – specifically, the level of training received by site managers. Design/methodology/approach – A random sample of 100 construction firms provided details of the type and duration of health and safety (H&S) training received by their site managers. This was analysed against a three point scale: up to two days training; the Site Managers Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) five days training; and, National/Scottish Vocational Qualification for H&S – Level 3 or above. This was cross‐tabulated with their Accident Incidence Rate (AIR). Findings – The results were as follows: up to two days training gave a mean AIR=1825; SMSTS mean AIR=1566; N/SVQ 3 or above mean AIR=211. This shows that increased durations of training are associated with lower accident rates. If duration is accepted as a measure of “level” of training then the findings support the hypothesis that increased levels of training lead to increased safety performance. Research limitations/implications – The sample was skewed with over 70 per cent having accident rates lower than the industry average. This is common in such studies and is difficult to control without losing data. It also meant non‐parametric tests were used. The findings cannot be reliably extended to organisations with turnover less than £4m. Practical implications – These findings add a new dimension to previous studies that have generally compared the mere presence, or otherwise, of training with safety performance. Originality/value – The paper establishes a baseline in relation to the minimum level of H&S training for site managers as well as providing evidence for increased investment to achieve superior performance.

Florence Yean Yng Ling; Asanga Gunawansa

2011 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981111180890

Purpose – With global climate change, it is increasingly necessary to develop the built environment in an environmentally sustainable way. The aim of this study is to investigate the strategies that are needed to enable potential owners to own environmentally sustainable homes. The specific objectives are to: determine the extent to which potential homeowners are willing to pay for homes that are environmentally sustainable; uncover the green features that potential homeowners are willing to pay for; and provide recommendations on how more green features can be incorporated in homes. Design/methodology/approach – The survey research method was adopted and data were collected using a specially designed structured questionnaire. Self‐administered questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected potential homeowners in Singapore. Findings – Based on the data received, the findings show that the majority of the respondents are willing to pay more to own an environmentally green building. However, they are very price sensitive and only willing to pay 1 percent more in upfront costs. Practical implications – The study found that the green features that potential homeowners are willing to pay relates to siting for natural ventilation, provision of greenery, and water conservation. It is concluded that the extent to which homeowners are willing to pay higher upfront costs is limited. Originality/value – The research provides several recommendations on how to enable more green features to be incorporated to homes owned by price sensitive individuals.

Erman Surya Bakti; Muhd Zaimi bin Abdul Majid; Rosli Muhamad Zin; Bambang Trigunarsyah

2011 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981111180908

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the process, and analyse the implementation of constructability improvement and innovation result during the planning and design for seawater intake structure of fertilizer plant project. Design/methodology/approach – The research methodology approach is case study method at the project level. This constructability improvement process was investigated by using constructability implementation checklists, direct observation, documented lessons learned analysis and key personnel interviews. Findings – The case study shows that the implementation of constructability during planning and design stage for this seawater intake structure has increased the project performance as well as improved the schedule by five months (14.21 percent) and reduced the project cost by 15.35 percent. Research limitations/implications – This case study was limited to three previous seawater intake projects as references and one new method seawater intake structure at a fertilizer plant project. Practical implications – A constructability improvement checklist using theory and lessons learned for the specific construction project was documented. Originality/value – The findings support the relevant study of constructability and provide specific lessons learned for three previous projects and one of the new methods of the construction project and which are documented by the company.

Ibrahim Mahamid

2011 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981111180917

Purpose – The aim of this study is to identify the risk matrix for factors causing time delay in road construction projects in the West Bank in Palestine from owners' viewpoint. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 43 factors that might cause delays of road construction projects were defined through a detailed literature review. The factors were tabulated in a questionnaire form, which was sent out to a total of 25 public owners asking their contribution in identifying the risk matrix for the 43 factors in terms of impact and probability of occurrence. Three zones were used in the matrix according to the degree of factors' severity on the projects' time delay; they are: green, yellow, and red. Findings – The analysis of 43 factors considered indicates that six factors are located in the green zone, 29 factors are located in the yellow zone, and eight factors are located in the red zone. Originality/value – The paper identifies the risk matrix for factors affecting time delay in road construction projects in the West Bank in Palestine from the owners' perspective.

Mary Hardie; Graeme Newell

2011 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981111180926

Purpose – The intent of this research is to determine whether any common lessons can be drawn from the experience of individuals who have gone against the trend and delivered successful technical innovations in construction small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach – A value tree of contributing factors to technical innovation was developed from the literature and tested by surveying established technical innovators using analytic hierarchy process methodology. This approach aimed at capturing the experience of company decision makers who manage to deliver successful change with limited resources . Findings – The results reveal the importance of supportive clients and performance‐based building standards for innovative practice in construction. Significant differences were observed between small and medium‐sized companies and between product and process innovators. Research limitations/implications – In order to avoid a skewed sample, considerable effort was made to ensure that all survey participants had significant peer recognition as innovators. A high response rate (75 percent) from the target group also contributed to the reliability of the sample. Social implications – Industry employment rates and profitability are both positively correlated with high rates of innovation in many industries. Innovative solutions to environmental and social problems have potential benefits for the future direction of the construction industry, which is perceived as lagging somewhat in these areas. Originality/value – The paper provides suggestions for managers of construction firms who wish to improve innovation performance rates by studying the insights of successful innovators in their field.