Built Environment Project and Asset Management

Safapour, Elnaz; Kermanshachi, Sharareh; Kamalirad, Shirin

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-02-2020-0026

Effective internal communication facilitates the transfer of data and information among project parties throughout the execution of construction projects. It minimizes the distortion of data and major cost overruns and delays. The aim of this study was to determine main components of the project characteristics that affect quality of internal communication within owners, designers and contractors in construction projects.Design/methodology/approachProject characteristics that significantly affect quality of internal communication were identified through existing literature. Forty case studies associated with national and international construction projects were gathered. Since data regarding other aspects of collected case studies, which were not included in the case study data, were required, a structured survey was developed and distributed to the primary stakeholders. The factor analysis method was adopted to determine the key components of effective internal communication.FindingsThe results demonstrated that project targets, bureaucracy, location and coordination affect the quality of internal communication among owner entities. Additionally, design and technology, clarity of the project’s scope, resources, delivery, construction management and design management affect quality of internal communication within design entities. Qualified field labor, objectives, restrictions, material quality, equipment quality, availability of qualified project managers and equipment turnovers affect the quality of internal communication within contractors.Originality/valueThe findings of this study help project managers evaluate the effectiveness of internal communication of a construction project during the early stages of the project. Additionally, the outcomes guide project managers to allocate sufficient resources to their projects and adopt proactive strategies which prevent/reduce miscommunications and their unintended consequences.

Sekar, Gopal; Sambasivan, Murali; Viswanathan, Kuperan

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-07-2020-0118

The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the impact of project-factors and organization-factors on five indicators of project performance for small and medium enterprise (SME) and large construction contracting firms that are fully responsible for the successful completion of the projects. The five performance indicators are time, cost, safety, quality and financial.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was conducted to solicit responses from project managers/directors from 342 construction firms in Malaysia. The construction firms included in this study came from various sectors: civil, building and infrastructure; oil and gas; marine and multidiscipline. Hierarchical multiple-regression was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe salient findings are as follows: (1) impacts of project-factors and organization-factors on performance indicators are different for SMEs and large construction firms and (2) relative impact of organization-factors on performance is much higher than the project-factors.Originality/valueAnalyzing the relative impact of project- and organization-factors on the performance of SMEs and large construction firms can significantly enhance the body of knowledge about performance levels and boost best practices in this respect related to construction industry.

Tuffaha, Firas M.; Assaf, Sadi; Zaben, Yasar Zakaria; Hadidi, Laith A.

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-01-2020-0004

In this work, a framework for assessing construction contractors' performance in Saudi Arabia is developed. Usually, a contractor's assessment is based on financial aspects, which are lagging indicators in nature, and can ignore other nonfinancial aspects. Hence, a more detailed contractors' assessment framework is needed for the construction industry in Saudi Arabia. A framework that integrates financial and nonfinancial aspects in one model will enable contractors to better benchmark their performance to the rest of Saudi Arabia's construction industry.Design/methodology/approachInitially, the literature is reviewed and the most commonly used key performance indicators (KPIs) are identified and surveyed through contractors’ feedback to ensure their proper alignment with Saudi Arabia’s construction industry. The adopted set of KPIs will be further prioritized through the relative importance index (RII) method based on the surveyed contractors’ perceptions. Furthermore, the important set of KPIs will be factored into various groups using principle component analysis (PCA). Finally, the findings are validated through expert judgment.FindingsAll key performance indicators (KPIs) have proven to be significant, except for the environmental factor, which happens to be nonsignificant and hence has been omitted from further consideration. The remaining KPIs have been factored through the principle component analysis method. Five generic dimensions were identified: Performance, Satisfaction, Actual Metrics, Estimated Metrics and Compliance. The model has been validated by expert feedback, and it was found to be reliable.Originality/valueThe proposed model establishes an assessment framework to aid building construction contractors in assessing their performance in real time, in addition to postconstruction assessment for business development and retrofitting purposes.

Ottou, Jemima Antwiwaa; Baiden, Bernard Kofi; Nani, Gabriel; Tuuli, Martin Morgan

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-07-2020-0117

This research investigates the implementation of Six Sigma in competitive tendering processes to address persistent delays by identifying the potential benefits and challenges of implementing Six Sigma in construction competitive tendering processes. The results seek to encourage practitioners to implement Six Sigma in addressing competitive tendering process delays.Design/methodology/approachLiterature was reviewed to identify the benefits and challenges of Six Sigma implementation in construction processes and categorized under broad headings. Three case studies were used to authenticate the literature findings by applying Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control to their construction competitive tendering processes. Furthermore, quality tools and techniques together with documentary analysis, content analysis and determination of frequencies of quantitised qualitative data were employed to identify potential benefits and challenges.FindingsThe most common Six Sigma benefits achievable in construction competitive tendering are Time Related benefits. Other benefits likely to emanate as ripple effects are Customer Focus Related, Quality Related, Process Improvement Related, Human Resource Related, Finance Related and Decision Related. However, implementation challenges should be expected.Practical implicationsSix Sigma implementation in construction competitive tendering promotes time efficiency. It is expected that this will encourage quantity surveyors, procurement practitioners and their institutions to implement Six Sigma in addressing persistent delays in their competitive tendering processes.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates the use of merged approach under mixed method to identify the benefits and challenges of Six Sigma implementation in construction competitive tendering process within the Ghanaian context.

Bhattacharya, Sanjay; Momaya, Kirankumar S.; Iyer, K.C.

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-08-2020-0135

Successful handling and delivery of projects requires commensurate growth in the business capabilities of construction companies. The current scenario of exponential infrastructure boom in India necessitates scaling up to meet the challenges of competitiveness. The objectives of this study are to (1) identify the enablers of sustainable business growth among Indian construction companies, (2) identify gaps in the deployment of the enablers in comparison to competitive successful international construction companies and (3) suggest strategic initiatives to top management of companies and policymakers for promoting business growth and industry competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachA detailed literature review first identifies an adapted framework for enablers of growth and growth performance of successful international construction companies on basis of industry trends. Thereafter, a questionnaire survey was administered on the leading construction companies in India to assess the deployment of enablers and gaps thereof. A total of 108 valid responses were obtained from top management executives of the companies and analysed through descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing.FindingsStudies indicate that anticipation of new demands and capabilities; business opportunity scanning and human resource skills and capabilities are among the most important enablers of growth. The role of leadership vision and focus on development of human resources is critical to competitiveness and growth. The successful international construction companies have delivered growth utilising their ability to deploy multiple strategies, diversification and new business opportunities. These are sparingly deployed by Indian companies.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to the opinion and perceptions of the top management personnel of the construction companies.Practical implicationsHigh economic growth context offers a unique opportunity for domestic Indian construction companies to leverage. The valuable insights gained from this study provide hints to the top management of these companies to draw managerial implications for facing the challenges ahead and delivering projects in the dynamic and hyper-competitive construction industry. The policymakers on their part are responsible to support and promote initiatives for sustainable growth.Originality/valueThe study suggests business growth enablers to construction companies in India to improve their international competitiveness.

Zarghami, Seyed Ashkan; Gunawan, Indra

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-05-2020-0097

As a response to the growing operational and disruptive threats to water distribution networks (WDNs), researchers have developed a vast array of methods for the reliability analysis of WDNs. In order to follow this growing number of methods, this paper reviews and documents in one place the historical developments in the reliability analysis of WDN.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review (SLR) is carried out to summarize the state-of-the-art research on reliability analysis of WDNs. In conducting this systemic literature review, the authors adopted an iterative approach to define appropriate keywords, analyze and synthesize data and finalizing the classification results.FindingsFirst, the hydraulic approach to reliability analysis is currently pervasive, and relatively little academic research has addressed the topological reliability analysis of WDNs. Second, in order to provide a comprehensive picture of the network reliability, a different approach that integrates topological and hydraulic attributes seems a more effective method. Third, the conventional reliability analysis methods are only effective for demonstrating a snapshot of these networks at a given point in time. The availability of methods that enable researchers to evaluate the reliability in response to changes in its variables is still a major challenge.Originality/valueThe present paper facilitates future research in the reliability analysis of WDNs by providing a source of references for researchers and water utilities. Further, this article makes a contribution to the literature by offering a roadmap for future reliability analysis of WDNs by reviewing the evolution of the current reliability analysis methods throughout history.

Koul, Puneet; Verma, Piyush; Arora, Lalit

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-08-2020-0137

The study analyzes significant parameters defining the credit worthiness, economic viability and managerial efficiency of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) of infrastructure development firms engaged in the execution of road projects under PPP model in India.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a comprehensive review of credit rating reports of major rating agencies. In particular, 18 special purpose vehicles (13 BOT-toll–based and 5 BOT-annuity–based road projects) during the period 2010–2019 were considered to conduct a comparative analysis of their rating progression. Considering both financial as well as nonfinancial parameters, their segregation was done on the basis of strengths, constraints and key rating sensitivities influencing the ratings of SPVs involved in road projects under PPP model.FindingsPromoters' credibility emerged as an important factor affecting PPP credit ratings. Other prominent factors included nature of stretch and regulatory terms and conditions and the project's potential to generate cash flows. Inability of PPP projects to generate the projected levels of toll collections was a major constraint and hampered ratings over time. Growth in traffic was a key sensitive area in a toll-based project. Interestingly, despite the fixed nature of revenues, BOT (annuity) projects were impacted by rating changes.Research limitations/implicationsFewer sample projects (for which the data were available) was a constraint. Future research could consider larger data sets to provide deeper insights. An examination of credit rating parameters using rating reports of projects in other developing nations could provide meaningful implications. The findings of this research however cannot be undermined as the study bridges a gap in existing literature pertaining to the examination of PPP model from a credit rating perspective.Practical implicationsThis study would guide project developers, government agencies and awarding agencies of PPP road projects to anticipate the challenges and take adequate steps to mitigate them.Originality/valueResearch in the area of PPP projects is skewed toward risk assessment with respect to financial parameters. The present study emphasizes the rating framework of SPVs. Comprehensive examination of factors affecting project ratings in the form of projects' strengths, constraints and sensitivities would provide inputs to academics and researchers.

Sun, Jingran; Balakrishnan, Srijith; Zhang, Zhanmin

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-06-2020-0109

Resource allocation is essential to infrastructure management. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodological framework for resource allocation that takes interdependencies among infrastructure systems into consideration to minimize the overall impact of infrastructure network disruptions due to extreme events.Design/methodology/approachTaking advantage of agent-based modeling techniques, the proposed methodology estimates the interdependent effects of a given infrastructure failure which are then used to optimize resource allocation such that the network-level resilience is maximized.FindingsThe findings of the study show that allocating resources with the proposed methodology, where optimal infrastructure reinforcement interventions are implemented, can improve the resilience of infrastructure networks with respect to both direct and interdependent risks of extreme events. These findings are also verified by the results of two case studies.Practical implicationsAs the two case studies have shown, the proposed methodological framework can be applied to the resource allocation process in asset management practices.Social implicationsThe proposed methodology improves the resilience of the infrastructure network, which can alleviate the social and economic impact of extreme events on communities.Originality/valueCapitalizing on the combination of agent-based modeling and simulation-based optimization techniques, this study fulfills a critical gap in infrastructure asset management by incorporating infrastructure interdependence and resilience concepts into the resource allocation process.

Amarasinghe, Isuri Anuradha; Soorige, Dumindu; Geekiyanage, Devindi

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-10-2019-0090

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has considerably contributed to increasing the environmental friendliness of buildings in developed countries. However, it is hard to find evidence on the application of LCA for buildings in developing countries; particularly, Sri Lanka. There is a lack of research to compare the status of LCA of buildings in developed countries vs developing countries. In this context, the purpose of this study aims to examine the status of LCA implementation for buildings between developed countries and Sri Lanka, a developing country.Design/methodology/approachThe exploratory research was adapted, and in-depth interviews were held with LCA professionals from Sri Lanka and developed countries, respectively.FindingsRelatively less attention has been paid to the implementation of LCA for buildings in Sri Lanka compared to the developed countries due to the time and effort required to collect life cycle inventory data and limited stakeholder understanding of the LCA. Hence, this study proposed improvements, including the development of LCA databases containing region-specific data and conducting programmes to raise stakeholders' awareness to address the gaps in Sri Lanka.Research limitations/implicationsThe identified LCA implementation process for buildings could be used as a guide for first-time LCA users, and it equally makes a valued reference for experienced practitioners.Originality/valueA limited number of the studies formulate a comparison between the LCA for building in developed countries and developing countries. This research attempts to address this knowledge gap.

Amirtash, Parisa; Parchami Jalal, Majid; Jelodar, Mostafa Babaeian

2021 Built Environment Project and Asset Management

doi: 10.1108/bepam-06-2020-0106

International Engineering, Procurement and Construction (IEPC) projects deliver complex and critical infrastructure and construction projects. However, these projects face multiple challenges, especially in foreign construction markets, to the main contractors. The purpose of this article is to develop a tool for effective implementation of project management services for these international projects through upskilling and incorporate local expertise. Accordingly, the employment of a Native Project Management Consultant (NPMC) by the main contractor is proposed and investigated.Design/methodology/approachA three-stage research method was employed for triangulation of knowledge. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was carried out to examine the theoretical foundations of the study. The concepts were further explored through a survey and expert interviews. The study was performed in Iran as the host nation of multiple IEPC projects.FindingsIt was found that NPMC involvement has a significant contribution to the success of nearly all project management areas in IEPC projects. However, quality, schedule and budget management were the top-ranked areas. The study combines the results of previous studies with the interviews and questionnaire to create a tool designed to capture strategy actions and detailed activities designed to build capabilities in IEPC teams through the involvement of NPMCs.Practical implicationsA practical tool is developed which aims to enhance NPMC integration into IEPC projects. The tool is in-line with the project management concept of work-breakdown structure; which is understandable by project stakeholders.Originality/valueThe employment of NPMCs, and their potential role in IEPC projects has not been formally investigated and guidelines for such collaborations do not exist. The current study provides a platform for regulating such facilitators and enhancing project success.