Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

Sammy K.M. Wan; Mohan M. Kumaraswamy

2012 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981211219580

Purpose – Coordinating interdependencies between concurrent activities is a special challenge in managing increasingly complex building services projects. Effective coordination at the pre‐installation stage is key to minimising field conflicts between building services systems. This study aims to investigate the significant causes of production shortcomings traceable to the pre‐installation stage, and to what extent these in turn probably contribute to higher volumes of construction debris. Design/methodology/approach – Following relevant previous research and preliminary studies of production shortcomings in the building services subsector in Hong Kong, a series of structured interviews with practitioners were formulated and analysed. The findings lead to deductive reasoning in developing suitable approaches for this subsector. Findings – The study reveals that “poor coordination among different trades and processes”, and “frequent design changes and/or errors” are seen as two of the major causes of production shortcomings in the pre‐installation stage. This paper proposes and discusses improvement strategies based on conceptual models of an “intra‐inter dependent teamwork concept”, a “dynamic coordination buffer” and a “BS coordination facilitator” in order to reduce the identified critical causes. Research limitations/implications – Although further research is needed, the findings in this paper can be a useful reference for other regions as the study methodology may be replicated. Originality/value – In the search for solutions and improvements, a number of proven industrial management principles are incorporated in new conceptual models. These are expected to help alleviate the identified causes as critical design or related uncertainties are resolved through earlier coordination. This should in turn also reduce the volume of construction debris that can arise from current shortcomings in the pre‐installation stage of building services.

Jessica Siva; Kerry London

2012 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981211219599

Purpose – This paper seeks to explain how clients deal effectively with challenges on private single dwelling projects by achieving learning. Design/methodology/approach – Eight in‐depth interviews were conducted across five case studies of successful architect‐client relationships. The narrative inquiry approach was used to establish the extent to which clients achieved learning and to describe the ways clients effectively dealt with project challenges. Findings – The findings indicate that clients achieved learning on all five case studies, enabling them to function with increasing competency over the course of projects. Client learning is a characteristic of successful relationships and is demonstrated through the following indicators: learning about the nature of the design/construction process, learning to take enjoyment in the new environment, and learning about the architectural milieu. Research limitations/implications – This research is limited to the investigation of the simplified architect‐client relationship on private single dwelling projects. However, the conceptual model developed can be used to investigate relationships associated with other project types as they may offer different circumstances and challenges to the management of project relationships. Practical implications – A total of 69 per cent of architects in Australia spend some of their work time on residential projects, and therefore improvements in this area can have significant impact on a considerably large portion of the profession. Social implications – Problematic architect‐client relationships resulting in the marginalisation of the profession can be detrimental to the quality of the environment. An understanding of characteristics underpinning successful architect‐client relationships can thus contribute to the quality of the built environment. Originality/value – This research identified ways in which clients effectively dealt with difficulties on projects by achieving learning to achieve successful architect‐client relationships.

Ibrahim Mahamid

2012 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981211219607

Purpose – The main objective of this paper is to identify the factors that have the potential to cause a contractor's business failure in the West Bank in Palestine and to determine their impact level from the contractor's viewpoint. Design/methodology/approach – A survey of 84 contractors from the West Bank in Palestine was performed. A total of 44 factors were considered in this study and were listed under three groups, i.e. financial, managerial, and external. Findings – Contractors have ranked the following factors as highly influential with huge potential to cause contractor's business failure: fluctuation in construction material costs; delay in collecting dibs from clients; lack of experience in contracts; low margin of profit due to competition; and closure and limitation of movement between West Bank areas. Originality/value – This paper identified the factors that have the potential to cause contractor's business failure in the West Bank in Palestine and determined their impact level from the contractor's viewpoint.

Graham Brewer; Scott Strahorn

2012 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981211219616

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the extent to which dimensions of trust are reflected in the functional description of the role of a project manager as outlined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge ( PMBOK ). Design/methodology/approach – The literature is used to identify trust dimensions that have the potential to impact on the conduct of a project. These are then assembled into a theoretical framework, which is then used to drive a thematic analysis of the project manager's role as described in PMBOK . Similarities are confirmed, and absences identified and explained in the context of the literature. Findings – The fourth edition of PMBOK is the first to make overt reference to the concept of trust. Detailed analysis of the text reveals that although certain trust dimensions are recognised they are dealt with in general terms, as desirable characteristics within the project environment rather than specific facilitators or actions in relation to the conduct of project. Practical implications – PMBOK is the most widely recognised standard for the conduct of project management, and as such has achieved wide acceptance as defining the project manager's role. It recognises trust as playing a part in the successful management of projects. However, fostering trust is central to the art of project management, and requires greater consideration than indicated by PMBOK . Originality/value – This is the first critical analysis of PMBOK in relation to trust.

Deborah Hughes; Trefor Williams; Zhaomin Ren

2012 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981211219625

Purpose – This research aimed to test the hypothesis “The use of incentivisation with a gain/pain share of about 15 per cent is a precursor to the achievement of successful infrastructure partnering projects in South Wales”. This hypothesis arose from Egan's speech in 2008 discussing the success of partnering. Design/methodology/approach – Two infrastructure projects in South Wales were chosen for the study. This research demonstrates that partnering is not suitable for all projects. Incentivisation places a focus on cost that can have a detrimental effect on the other aspects that exist within the oft quoted triangle of time, cost and quality. Findings – Neither of the two case projects can be judged a success from the perspective of both parties. What represents success to one client would not equal success to the other. Overall it must be concluded that the hypothesis was not proven. Egan's view appears to be too simplistic to apply in all situations and is not always the key to success as he suggests. Originality/value – This paper makes an original contribution by exploring if incentivisation can provide success within infrastructure projects in South Wales. The content of the paper will be of interest to clients, contractors and consultants engaged in formulating partnering contracts.

Kevin Duncan; Peter Philips; Mark Prus

2012 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/09699981211219634

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to use stochastic frontier regression to measure the effect of the introduction and expansion of prevailing wage requirements on the cost efficiency of public school construction in British Columbia. The results provide evidence from a specific sector and location that contributes to the accumulated evidence on the topic. Design/methodology/approach – Stochastic frontier regression is used to measure the effect of the introduction and expansion of prevailing wage requirements on the cost efficiency of public school construction in British Columbia. The results of a likelihood ratio test indicate that stochastic frontier regression is preferred to OLS cost estimation because of the presence of statistically different cost inefficiencies across a sample of covered and uncovered projects. Findings – Specifically, projects covered by the introductory stage of the wage requirements are significantly less cost efficient compared to other public school projects. However, by the time of the expansion of the wage policy 17 months later, covered projects were no more cost inefficient than other projects. The results indicate that if prevailing wage laws are associated with changes in the cost efficiency of construction, stochastic frontier regression is the preferred estimation technique. Research limitations/implications – This is the first study of its kind with results specific to school construction in British Columbia. Further research based on data from other projects may/may not confirm the existence of differences in construction cost inefficiencies for projects covered by construction wage policies. Social implications – By implication, the results suggest that if the cost inefficiency of prevailing wage laws is short‐lived, the impact on the total cost of construction may similarly be ephemeral. The results imply that prevailing wage regulations do not contribute to long‐run construction cost inefficiency. Originality/value – This is the first study to use stochastic frontier regression to examine the cost inefficiencies associated with prevailing wage laws. Previous studies that examine the effect of the wage policy on construction costs are based on OLS estimation.