Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

Lee, Wonil; Lin, Ken-Yu; Johnson, Peter W.; Seto, Edmund Y.W.

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-02-2021-0106

The identification of fatigue status and early intervention to mitigate fatigue can reduce the risk of workplace injuries. Off-the-shelf wearable sensors capable of assessing multiple parameters are available. However, using numerous variables in the fatigue prediction model can elicit data issues. This study aimed at identifying the most relevant variables for measuring occupational fatigue among entry-level construction workers by using common wearable sensor technologies, such as electrocardiogram and actigraphy sensors.Design/methodology/approachTwenty-two individuals were assigned different task workloads in repeated sessions. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the most parsimonious fatigue prediction model. Heart rate variability measurements, standard deviation of NN intervals and power in the low-frequency range (LF) were considered for fatigue prediction. Fast Fourier transform and autoregressive (AR) analysis were employed as frequency domain analysis methods.FindingsThe log-transformed LF obtained using AR analysis is preferred for daily fatigue management, whereas the standard deviation of normal-to-normal NN is useful in weekly fatigue management.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was conducted with entry-level construction workers who are involved in manual material handling activities. The findings of this study are applicable to this group.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate all major measures obtainable through electrocardiogram and actigraphy among current mainstream wearables for monitoring occupational fatigue in the construction industry. It contributes knowledge on the use of wearable technology for managing occupational fatigue among entry-level construction workers engaged in material handling activities.

Brandão, Rayra; Hosseini, M. Reza; Macêdo, Alcebíades N.; Melo, André C.; Martek, Igor

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-07-2020-0547

Reverse logistics (RL) is a waste revaluation process aimed at reintroducing once-used materials back into the production cycle. Public administration (PA) plays a strong role in influencing the implementation of RL in the construction industry through policy and laws. While much research identifies PA as an important driver in RL, no research yet describes how this occurs.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was conducted on the theme PA in RL with 93 relevant publications retrieved.FindingsSix strategies used by PA to promote RL were extracted: (1) legislation, (2) government subsidies, (3) landfill disposal fee, (4) government inspection, (5) use in public construction works and (6) penalties and fines. Moreover, a typology built on these six strategies was developed, mapping 15 interactional relationships between strategies, according to three levels of influence: (1) encouragement (2) requirement and (3) regulation.Practical implicationsIt was found that legislation and government subsidies prove to be the more effective strategies, with the remaining strategies greatly neglected. Importantly, however, this study reveals that a combination of strategies are most effective when appropriately combined.Originality/valueThis study confirms the importance of PA in RL, in construction, while documenting the extent of current research. The resulting proposed typology, along with 15 identified future research priorities, is expected to be of value to academics and policy makers looking to advance understanding in this domain.

Chen, Long; Whyte, Jennifer

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-08-2020-0615

As the engineering design process becomes increasingly complex, multidisciplinary teams need to work together, integrating diverse expertise across a range of disciplinary models. Where changes arise, these design teams often find it difficult to handle these design changes due to the complexity and interdependencies inherent in engineering systems. This paper aims to develop an innovative approach to clarifying system interdependencies and predicting the design change propagation at the asset level in complex engineering systems based on the digital-twin-driven design structure matrix (DSM).Design/methodology/approachThe paper first defines the digital-twin-driven DSM in terms of elements and interdependencies, where the authors have defined three types of interdependency, namely, geospatial, physical and logical, at the asset level. The digital twin model was then used to generate the large-scale DSMs of complex engineering systems. The cluster analysis was further conducted based on the improved Idicula–Gutierrez–Thebeau algorithm (IGTA-Plus) to decompose such DSMs into modules for the convenience and efficiency of predicting design change propagation. Finally, a design change propagation prediction method based on the digital-twin-driven DSM has been developed by integrating the change prediction method (CPM), a load-capacity model and fuzzy linguistics. A section of an infrastructure mega-project in London was selected as a case study to illustrate and validate the developed approach.FindingsThe digital-twin-driven DSM has been formally defined by the spatial algebra and Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) schema. Based on the definitions, an innovative approach has been further developed to (1) automatically generate a digital-twin-driven DSM through the use of IFC files, (2) to decompose these large-scale DSMs into modules through the use of IGTA-Plus and (3) predict the design change propagation by integrating a digital-twin-driven DSM, CPM, a load-capacity model and fuzzy linguistics. From the case study, the results showed that the developed approach can help designers to predict and manage design changes quantitatively and conveniently.Originality/valueThis research contributes to a new perspective of the DSM and digital twin for design change management and can be beneficial to assist designers in making reasonable decisions when changing the designs of complex engineering systems.

Jagannathan, Murali; Delhi, Venkata Santosh Kumar

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-01-2021-0014

Strong and independent judiciary symbolizes transparency and impartiality in the dispute resolution process. However, litigation is often time-consuming and affects the working relationship between the disputants. In the construction context, where projects typically have a short life span of three to four years, dispute resolution through litigation induces unaffordable process delays. Despite the inherent challenges associated with litigation, it is observed that disputing parties resort to litigation. This behavior, called the litigation dilemma, ostensibly appears counterintuitive to rational decision-making.Design/methodology/approachThe study identifies 35 “decision to litigate” (DTL)-triggers from a review of the literature and court cases followed by expert interviews and groups them into thematic research domains using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) followed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).FindingsDTL studies in construction stands benefited through interdisciplinary research. “Presumptuous decision-making,” “construction project characteristics,” “milieu influence,” “interest in amicable resolution,” “positional focus” and “opportunism” are the six focus areas to decode the DTL in construction.Research limitations/implicationsThe study identifies factors that consolidate the knowledge from various fields with the substantive experience of construction professionals from across the world to help understand the dynamics behind the DTL in the context of contract-linked disputes in construction.Originality/valueThe findings from the domains of law, behavior, sociology and economics can help understand the above dilemma in the context of contractual disputes in construction. However, studies that explore the “decision to litigate” (DTL) contractual disputes in construction are limited, providing a vast scope for further research. The current study addresses a part of this gap.

Cai, Xinyu; Gura, Dmitry; Kurilova, Anastasia

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-04-2021-0290

This study aimed to develop a methodological approach to assessing the impact of stakeholders on leadership potential of small and medium-sized construction enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology was based on taxonomic analysis to determine the coefficient of leadership potential in the following areas: financial growth of an enterprise, internal processes, human resources development and market potential. The examination process was grounded on the materials from small and medium-sized construction companies located in Russia and China.FindingsSubgroups of companies with positive dynamics of indicators, an unstable situation and negative trends of leadership potential formation are identified. Russian small and medium-sized construction companies prioritize the development of sales policies and the management of internal business processes, while Chinese companies–human potential. The generated regression equations indicate a direct relationship between stakeholder engagement and the leadership potential of construction companies in both countries.Originality/valueThe scientific contribution of this study is the proposed methodological approach to assessing the development of the leadership potential of an enterprise and diagnosing the degree of stakeholders' influence on the latter. This is facilitated by comprehensive analysis, which includes an assessment of leadership potential based on the results of taxonomic analysis, construction of vector diagrams and regression analysis. This study can be useful for persons conducting research in the direction of small and medium-sized business management, forming a strategy for business development and competition policy to form a company's leadership position in the market.

Agyekum, Kofi; Goodier, Chris; Oppon, James Anthony

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-02-2021-0131

The majority of the literature on green buildings in Ghana focuses on environmental benefits, innovative designs, construction technologies and project management techniques. However, little is known about how such facilities are financed. This issue creates potential knowledge gaps, one of which this study aims to address. This study examines the key drivers for green building project financing in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. An extensive critical comparative review of the literature resulted in the identification of eight potential drivers. One hundred and twenty-seven questionnaire responses based upon these drivers from the Ghanaian construction industry were received. Data were coded with SPSS v22, analysed descriptively (mean, standard deviation and standard error) and via inferential analysis (One Way ANOVA and One-Sample t-Test). These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with ten industry professionals within the Ghana Green Building Council. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through the side-by-side comparison of the qualitative data with the quantitative data.FindingsThough all eight drivers are important, the five key drivers for the Ghanian construction industry were identified as, in order of importance, “high return on investment”, “emerging business opportunity”, “ethical investment”, “conservation of resources” and “mandatory regulations, standards, and policies”. The interviewees agreed to and confirmed the importance of these identified drivers for green building project financing from validating the survey's key findings.Research limitations/implicationsKey limitations of this study are the restrictions regarding the geographical location of the collected data (i.e. Kumasi and Accra); timing of the study and sample size (i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic making it difficult to obtain adequate data).Practical implicationsThough this study was conducted in Ghana, its implications could be useful to researchers, policymakers, stakeholders and practitioners in wider sub-Saharan Africa. For instance, financial institutions can invest in green buildings to expand their green construction and mortgage finance products to build higher value and lower risk portfolios. The findings from this study can provide investors with the enhanced certainty needed to help guide and inform their investment decisions, i.e. what to invest in, and when, by how much and how a scheme being “green” may influence their rate of return. Also, for building developers, it will give them a clearer understanding of the business case for green buildings and how to differentiate themselves in the market to grow their businesses.Originality/valueThis study's findings provide insights into an under-investigated topic in Ghana and offer new and additional information and insights to the current state-of-the-art on the factors that drive green building project financing.

Khan, Naseer Abbas; Khan, Ali Nawaz

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-10-2020-0829

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of abusive supervision on employees' voice in China's construction industry. Moreover, the authors explore the mediating role of ethics-related self-efficacy and work engagement and the moderating influence of psychological climate in explaining the association between abusive supervision and employee voice behavior.Design/methodology/approachThis study used data in pairs collected from 402 supervisors and employees of construction companies in Anhui, China. In this study, the authors used the time-lag approach to collect data in three-time waves from different respondents. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was applied to test the hypothesized model.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that there is a significant association between abusive supervision and employee voice. Moreover, the results indicated that work engagement mediated the association between abusive supervision and employees' voice. In contrast, self-efficacy did not mediate the link between abusive supervision and employee voice. Furthermore, results also show that the contingent effect of psychological climate significantly influences the mediating effect of work engagement.Originality/valueThis study also has implications for the construction industry, allowing managers to create a favorable working atmosphere in which employees can reinforce their voices at work.

Nwadike, Amarachukwu Nnadozie; Wilkinson, Suzanne

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-08-2020-0604

New Zealand building code may be serving its purpose to an extent, there is still a need to develop a framework to improve the use and application of building code for better building performance and services. This study aims to validate the identified parameters in the developed framework to improve building code practice in New Zealand.Design/methodology/approachSubject matter experts interview was conducted with key stakeholders that use building code, standards and other associated compliance documents.FindingsThe findings from this study establish the importance of improving the building code, and the efficacy of validated framework helps to identify the areas with the most pressing needs within the building regulatory system. All the subject matter experts unanimously agreed on educating and training the building code users. Besides, the validated framework will enable the policy decision-makers in the building regulatory system to promote the use of building code and the utilisation of its potentials in reducing disaster while increasing the built environment resilience. The study concludes that the designed framework will create more robust strategy implementations to enhance innovative solutions embedded in performance-based building code.Originality/valueThis study originality centres on the practical application of an evidence-based framework for performance-based building code, standards and other related compliance documents.

AlKheder, Sharaf; AlKandari, Dalal; AlYatama, Sarah

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-01-2021-0052

Airport construction is extremely different than the construction of any other transport infrastructure. It is a vital area affecting both the environment and the economy. Therefore, sustainable selection of building materials represents a very important step. The main objective of this paper was to develop a set of sustainable assessment criteria (SAC) to assist design team members in the selection between two different material alternatives when constructing a new runway in Kuwait international airport. The proposed materials were asphalt or concrete.Design/methodology/approachA set of 24 sub-criteria were developed, those were emerged from three main criteria: technical, environmental and socio-economic. Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) was employed to assign weights and to measure the relative importance of these criteria for the material alternatives selection. The prioritizing process for criteria was based on a survey of 100 responses.FindingsIt had been concluded from the use of FAHP that asphalt material was a better alternative in maintainability, ease of construction, health and safety, initial cost and energy saving. Concrete was better in fire resistance, durability, decay resistance, energy saving and thermal insulation, maintenance cost, aesthetics, minimizing pollution, impact on air quality, low toxicity, environmentally disposal sound system, amount of likely wastage and raw material extraction method.Originality/valueDevelop a set of SAC to assist design team members in deciding between two material alternatives to construct a runway.

Ma, Guofeng; Wu, Zhijiang; Wu, Ming; Shang, Shanshan

2022 Engineering Construction & Architectural Management

doi: 10.1108/ecam-01-2021-0061

The purpose of this study is to extract the real requirements of the owner (or users) for the construction project in the operation and maintenance stage completely and accurately and carry out the construction based on the requirements, to make the project status and operation and maintenance requirements (RO&M) consistent after delivered.Design/methodology/approachThis study creatively proposes the operation and maintenance functions deployment (OMFD) under RO&M. In addition, the OPAR (naming is made up of the initials of owners, project, analysis and result) model is constructed to fully identify the requirements of both owners and projects. In this study, three typical construction projects are taken as examples to calculate the correlation strength between project characteristics (PC) and operation and maintenance requirements through the Apriori algorithm, and order parameters are obtained from the cost chain.FindingsThis study found that there are significant differences in the correlation strength between 11 types of RO&M and PC, in which the “cost of types” (TC) correlation of residential housing and factory buildings is the largest, while the largest correlation demand of commercial buildings is “safety of types” (TS) and “system” (S). Simultaneously, through the calculation of order parameters, the most influential factors on project characteristics are obtained.Practical implicationsThis study could effectively help the owner (or users) to check whether the delivered project fully satisfy their real requirements and also extract the key technical points to realize RO&M, which can guide the accurate construction of the same type of projects.Originality/valueThis research establishes OPAR model to accurately identify the requirements of the project in the operation and maintenance stage and establishes the association rules between the requirements and the construction scheme, which is helpful for the project to construct under the expected requirements.