Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

Isabelle Y.S. Chan; Mei‐yung Leung; Tina Yuan

2014 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ECAM-07-2012-0069

Purpose – Coping behaviors are a popular area of research in relation to construction professionals, who are often compelled to face a great deal of stress while striving for good performance in a dynamic and demanding industry. The effectiveness of various coping behaviors on stress and performance of construction professionals have long been identified. However, factors associating with individual adoption of various coping behaviors are still uncertain. People from different cultural environments have different values and hence different preferences for coping strategies, which have different effects on construction professionals. Hence, the papers’ primary contribution to the overall body of knowledge is the establishment of statistical evidence that desired cultural values of construction professionals can influence their adoption of coping behaviors. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was designed and conducted to investigate the relationships between cultural values and coping behaviors of construction professionals in Hong Kong (HK). Surveys were distributed to 500 HK construction professionals by fax, e‐mail, or personal contact. Of these, 139 were returned, giving a response rate of 28.0 percent. Based on the data collected, a series of systematic statistical analyses, including factor analyses, regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), were conducted using SPSS 15.0 and Lisrel 8.5. Findings – Based on the results of factor analyses and regression analysis, a SEM was developed which reveals the following: first, interpersonal integration triggers planful problem solving; second, a disciplined work ethos triggers positive reappraisal and alleviates emotional discharge; and third, interpersonal integration triggers a disciplined work ethos. A series of personal‐, interpersonal‐, task‐, and organizational‐level recommendations are given on how to encourage construction stakeholders to adopt adaptive coping behaviors through cultivating their cultural values. Originality/value – The current study adopted a series of systematic analysis approaches to provide empirical support of how Chinese values of construction professionals predict their adoption of various coping behaviors in the dynamic and stressful industry. Since different coping behaviors have different impact on performance of construction professionals, the findings provide indications for future studies on enhancing performance through the cultivation of various cultural values and the coping behaviors they thereby adopt.

Kunhui Ye; Liyin Shen; Weisheng Lu

2014 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ECAM-05-2012-0053

Purpose – “Competition intensity” is a factor in addressing competitiveness. The understanding on competition intensity is prerequisite to the formulation of industrial competition policies as well as firms’ competition strategies. In the construction context, whereas competition intensity can be measured using a number of traditional approaches (e.g. competitor number, concentration), the measurement is often criticized for poor efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new model for measuring competition intensity in light of the theory of discriminant analysis. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed model is composed of predictor variables concerned with market operation as well as criterion variables that classify markets into a few predefined groups based on the values of competition intensity. Empirical data of China's local construction markets were collected to verify the proposed model. Findings – The research findings indicate that the model can offset the drawbacks of traditional measures in the construction market. Research limitations/implications – It is recommended using the proposed model to predict the competition trend of construction market especially when data for the traditional approaches are poor or not readily available. Originality/value – The proposed model is a development of the literature in examining competition intensity.

Tarek Zayed; Yaqiong Liu

2014 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ECAM-08-2012-0082

Purpose – Construction projects are well known for their complexity and ambiguity. These projects carry out higher risk than traditional ones because they entail high capital outlays and intricate site conditions. Poor financial management of these projects may lead to bankruptcy; therefore, effective cash flow management is essential. Although the peculiar characteristics of construction projects, the accuracy of cash flow forecasting has been a long lasting problem. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Many unforeseen factors affect the cash flow forecasting of construction projects. Therefore, the objective of the presented research in this paper is to examine the impact of these factors on contractor's cash flow. A model has been established by integrating analytic hierarchy process and simulation to examine the impact of various factors on cash flow. Data on the selected factors have been collected through questionnaires from various agencies in North America and China. Findings – Results show that the most significant factors are: change of progress payment, payment duration, financial position of the contractor, project delays, and poor planning. It also shows that the effect of cash inflow factors varied approximately from 9.7 to 16.3 percent with a mean value of 12.4 percent. Research limitations/implications – The implementation of the developed models are limited to few case study projects in testing the models. However, the developed models and framework are sound for future improvement. They are considered as a major step toward a broader cash flow planning. Practical implications – The developed methodology and models play essential roles in decision‐making process. Originality/value – The developed model is expected to help contractors realistically forecast project cash flow under uncertainty. This may lead to more dependable and professional cash flow management, which might substantially reduce failures in construction business.

Bon‐Gang Hwang; Shimin Yang

2014 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ECAM-10-2012-0101

Purpose – Rework is a pervasive problem in the construction industry. While several studies have examined the relationship between rework and cost overruns, few have related rework to schedule performance impacts. As a result, the purpose of this paper is to assess rework in the construction industry and its impact on schedule performance. Additionally a discussion of the most probable causes for rework that affect schedule outcomes is presented, with some recommended solutions. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire was developed and the responses from 32 companies in Singapore were analyzed. Furthermore, face‐to‐face interviews with six industry experts were conducted to get an in‐depth understanding of the survey results. Findings – The findings of this study revealed that rework is a leading factor affecting schedule performance and its occurrence is relatively high in the construction industry, with a significant contribution to construction schedule growth. It also identified certain root causes, namely design‐related changes, poor design coordination and poor site management as factors that most negatively affect schedule performance. Originality/value – It is anticipated that once companies recognize the causes for rework and their impacts on schedule, they will develop strategies to manage and prevent rework, ultimately allowing the industry to improve on project delivery schedule performance.

Tingting Liu; Suzanne Wilkinson

2014 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ECAM-10-2012-0102

Purpose – The provision of school assets and associated services is essential for achieving a country's educational outcomes. Building and managing schools usually features large component of operation, multiple groups of stakeholders, relatively simple design and technical requirements and tight timeframes to be completed to meet the open date. Internationally, public‐private partnerships (PPPs) were introduced as innovative delivery models to bring forward school projects. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the PPP experiences in the school sector focusing on the critical dimensions impacting on the viability of using PPPs for school development. Design/methodology/approach – Comparative case studies of two school PPP projects based in Australia and New Zealand were adopted as the main research method. Semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders were used as primary data collection method. Findings – By examining the procedural and organisational arrangements from a comparative perspective, the research finds that, for a successful school PPP, the followings are critical: sound business case development; size‐adjusted and streamlined tendering process; localised private sector partner and streamlined finance; extensive stakeholder engagement; and effective governance and organisational structure and enhanced partnership. Originality/value – The findings provide practical implications for policy makers and public procuring authorities initiating school projects and private entities seeking investment opportunities. By implementing the strategies derived from this research and adjusting to their own social and economic environment, governments and industry would be at a better position to develop and manage schools using PPPs.

Lin‐lin Xie; Yu Yang; Yi Hu; Albert P.C. Chan

2014 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ECAM-12-2012-0115

Purpose – Public participation has been implemented with growing frequency as an instrument for dealing with the increased socio‐economic and environmental disputes in public infrastructure and construction (PIC) projects in China. The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceptions of major stakeholders on the major aspects related to public participation practices in China's PIC projects and intends to convey what is presently happening in this segment of the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach – Specific topics of the social effects, benefits, forms, and barriers were addressed through a recent survey of the major stakeholders involved in PIC projects. The survey results were used to perform a strength‐weakness‐opportunity‐threat analysis for evaluating the status quo of public participation in PIC projects. Findings – The survey results indicate that the development of public participation practices in China remains relatively slow despite the urgent need to promote this mechanism for solving socio‐economic and environmental disputes in PIC projects. Thus, a four‐step strategic plan is suggested to be established to overcome main barriers for the implementation of public participation and promote its development in China. Originality/value – This study aims to evaluate the status quo of the public participation practices in China by conducting a national survey, which has never been conducted before. The findings of this paper provide a holistic view of the status quo of public participation in China's PIC projects and promote a better application of this mechanism in the construction industry.