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Al-aloosy KFQ, Mirvalad S, Shabakhty N. Evaluating the impact of internet communication quality in human resource management on the productivity of construction projects. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28500. [PMID: 38601673 PMCID: PMC11004755 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This research endeavors to examine the intricate relationship between human resource management and communication management in Iraqi construction projects, exploring their impact on project productivity. Beyond its primary objectives, the study aims to identify key challenges and limitations in implementing effective communication and human resource management practices in the Iraqi construction sector. Understanding these challenges provides valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers, informing strategies to overcome obstacles and enhance project productivity. The research methodology involves an initial survey using a main questionnaire, focusing on three key areas: internet communication in human resource management, the influence of internet quality on construction project management, and factors affecting work productivity. The sample size, determined using Morgan's Table, requires a minimum of 248 participants. The questionnaire is distributed to engineers, managers, and technicians, with the number of respondents meeting the required sample size. Data analysis utilizes the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), conducting Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) for each variable to identify underlying factors. A first-order confirmatory factor analysis is performed using the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) program, creating a structural model incorporating three variables and their associated factors. Out of the initial 64 factors, 21 are included in the final model, refined based on modification indices (M.I) output to improve fit. Results indicate a significant positive effect (0.92) of internet communication quality on labor productivity, while the impact of labor resource management is relatively negligible (-0.07). The size effect of variables on human resource management is 0.05, suggesting a small but non-zero effect. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of internet communication quality in enhancing labor productivity in construction projects and emphasize the need for effective human resource management practices in the industry. This study contributes valuable insights for project managers and practitioners in construction sector.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sajjad Mirvalad
- School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Iran
| | - Naser Shabakhty
- School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Iran
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Chen Y, Yin X, Lyu C. Circular design strategies and economic sustainability of construction projects in china: the mediating role of organizational culture. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7890. [PMID: 38570561 PMCID: PMC10991412 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56452-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
This research aims to elucidate the relationship between circular design strategies (CDS) and the economic sustainability of construction projects (ESCP), examining the mediating role of organizational culture (OC). Motivated by the imperative to develop a sustainable circular economy (CE) model in the building industry, our study focuses on a crucial dimension of CE processes. Specifically, we investigate how construction firms' organizational values shape their pursuit of desired economic outcomes within CE theory. Through a comprehensive analysis of 359 responses from a cross-sectional survey of Chinese construction firms employing Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), our findings reveal a positive albeit weakly impactful association between CDS and ESCP. Simultaneously, OC is identified as a factor detrimental to ESCP. Notably, this study unveils the influential roles of hierarchical culture (HC) and group culture (GC) in shaping the current state of ESCP in China. Emphasizing the significance of CDS, we propose that contract administrators proactively reposition their organizations to adopt strategies conducive to achieving the necessary economic output for construction projects. The originality aspect lies in this research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering empirical insights into the theoretical framework, marking the first such empirical study in northern China. We conclude by critically examining research outcomes and limitations while providing insightful recommendations for future research to foster sustainable construction practices in the Chinese context.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Chen
- Department of Architecture, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xiaomin Yin
- School of Marxism, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Chunwei Lyu
- School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11700, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
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Hill E, Harleman M, Harris L, Sventek G, Ritz B, Campbell EJ, Willis M, Hystad P. Roadway construction as a natural experiment to examine air pollution impacts on infant health. Environ Res 2024; 252:118788. [PMID: 38555097 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) poses a significant public health risk that is associated with adverse birth outcomes. Large roadway infrastructure projects present a natural experiment to examine how resulting congestion change is associated with adverse birth outcomes for nearby populations. This study is designed to examine the influence of living close to a roadway before, during, and after a construction project using a difference-in-differences design. We integrated data on all large roadway construction projects (defined as widening of existing roads, building new roads, improving bridges, installing intelligent transportation systems, improving intersections, and installing or upgrading traffic signals) in Texas from 2007 to 2016 with Vital Statistic data for all births with residential addresses within 1 km of construction projects. Our outcomes included term low birth weight, term birth weight, preterm birth, and very preterm birth. Using a difference-in-differences design, we included births within 3 years of construction start and 2 years of construction end. In our main model, the exposed group is limited to pregnant individuals residing within 300 m of a construction project, and the control group includes those living within 300-1000 m from a project. We used regression models to estimate the influence of construction on infant health. We included 1,360 large roadway construction projects linked to 408,979 births. During construction, we found that the odds of term low birth weight increased by 19% (95% CI: 1.05, 1.36). However, we saw little evidence of an association for other birth outcomes. Contrary to our hypothesis of decreased TRAP after construction ends, we did not observe consistent improvements post-construction for pregnant individuals living within 300 m. Continued consideration of the influence of traffic congestion programs on birth outcomes is necessary to inform future policy decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Hill
- Department of Economics, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Rochester, 280 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, 265 Crittenden Blvd Box 420644, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Max Harleman
- Department of Government and Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, Georgia College and State University, 410 W Greene St, Milledgeville, GA, USA
| | - Lena Harris
- Department of Economics, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Rochester, 280 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Grace Sventek
- Department of Economics, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Rochester, 280 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, 265 Crittenden Blvd Box 420644, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Erin J Campbell
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mary Willis
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Perry Hystad
- School of Nutrition and Public Health, College of Health, Oregon State University, 160 SW 26th St, Corvallis, OR, USA
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Mansour DM, Ebid AM, Mahdi IM, Mahdi HA, Elkadi AF. Optimizing the superstructure configuration of highway bridges for cost-effective construction. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26064. [PMID: 38370167 PMCID: PMC10869906 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The structural progress of bridges in conjunction with efficiency has gained researchers' attention in the last few decades. Structures optimization applying mathematical analysis is utilized to achieve sustainability in the design and construction of bridges. Despite the extensive research in this area of knowledge, further structural optimization development needs to be developed. The main goal of this research is to develop a decision support system (DSS) that selects the optimum superstructure configuration for highway bridges, considering financial and technical parameters. The most common structural systems in the longitudinal and transverse directions of bridges are considered in this research. Simple and continuous spans are included in the longitudinal direction, while open and closed sections for the transverse direction. Different construction materials are considered as well, like reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, steel sections, and composite sections, to achieve a wide diversity of alternatives. The developed DSS was illustrated graphically as a map for the optimum superstructure configuration for certain span and span to depth ratio combinations. These different configurations obtained from the DSS were mapped three times. The first was based on direct cost only, the second on construction time only, and the third on the total cost of each alternative. Eventually, the DSS was verified using collected case studies and proposed a convenient selection of bridge superstructure configurations within the considered range of span dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina M. Mansour
- Department of Structural Engineering and Construction Management, Future University in Egypt, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M. Ebid
- Department of Structural Engineering and Construction Management, Future University in Egypt, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M. Mahdi
- Department of Structural Engineering and Construction Management, Future University in Egypt, Egypt
| | - Hisham A. Mahdi
- Department of Structural Engineering and Construction Management, Future University in Egypt, Egypt
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de Almeida Vittori Ferreira M, Morgado CDRV, Estellita Lins MP. Organizations and stakeholders' roles and influence on implementing sustainability requirements in construction projects. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23762. [PMID: 38192838 PMCID: PMC10772633 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Construction projects significantly affect a country's development, consume many resources, and impact many stakeholders. Project sustainability requirements are essential to overcome the current social and environmental challenges, yet entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and technical professionals still ignore them. This research aims to reveal the leading players that can influence implementing sustainability requirements in construction project development, the barriers, and possible solutions. The results show that organizational strategies, maturity level in sustainability, and the ability to change corporate values and beliefs play a significant role in this pivotal movement. At the same time, a set of external stakeholders, such as investors, banks, communities, suppliers, regulatory agencies, and insurance companies, may push a specific behavior to the market and influence change. On top of this, organizations shall build their strategy toward sustainability and implement sustainable project management. This study employs the Complex Holographic Assessment of Paradoxical Problems (CHAP2) to investigate the current situation in Brazil related to the integration of construction project development and sustainability requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia de Almeida Vittori Ferreira
- Programa de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Ilha Do Fundão, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, 2° Andar, Sala DAPG, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Cláudia do Rosário Vaz Morgado
- Programa de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Ilha Do Fundão, Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, 2° Andar, Sala DAPG, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Marcos Pereira Estellita Lins
- Production Engineering Department – Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Production Engineering Program – COPPE – Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Pasteur 296 – Urca, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
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Corral F, Forcael E, Linfati R. Workforce scheduling efficiency assessment in construction projects through a multi-objective optimization model in the COVID-19 context. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16745. [PMID: 37292343 PMCID: PMC10239290 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 disease has caused a drastic stoppage in the construction industry as a result of quarantines. For this reason, this study focuses on the workforce scheduling problem when working under COVID labor distancing constraints, and additional costs derived from deviation hours or hiring new employees that managers must assume on a project due to circumstances. A multi-objective mixed integer linear programming model was developed and solved using weighting and epsilon constraint methods to evaluate workforce scheduling and the mentioned COVID costs. The first objective function corresponds to the sum of the total extra hours; the second objective function represents the total non-worked but paid hours. Two sets of experiments are presented, the first based on a design of experiments that seeks to determine the relationship between the proposed objective functions and a methodology to determine the cost of considering COVID constraints. The second set of experiments was applied in a real company, where the situation without COVID vs with COVID, and without allowing extra hours vs with COVID allowing extra hours were compared. Obtained results showed that hiring additional employees to the man-crew leads the company to increase the extra hours cost up to 104.25%, being more convenient to keep a workforce baseline and to pay extra hours costs. Therefore, the mathematical model could represent a potential tool for decision-making in the construction sector, regarding the effects of COVID-19 costs on workforce scheduling construction projects. Consequently, this work contributes to the construction industry by quantifying the impact of COVID-19 constraints and the associated costs, offering a proactive approach to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic for the construction sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Corral
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Concepción, Chile
| | - Eric Forcael
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Concepción, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Linfati
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Concepción, Chile
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7
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Al Harazi AK, Zhang W, Shah SAA, Al Asbahi AAMH, Al Harazi YK, Alwan SY. Multidimensional study of factors influencing sustainable construction adoption in Yemen: insights for implementing sustainable practices. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:20650-20672. [PMID: 36258109 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23558-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite political volatility, Yemen's construction sector is gradually progressing to satisfy the country's housing needs. Most construction projects, however, employ traditional construction methods and have yet to be able to adopt sustainable construction, which is economically feasible, socially responsible, and environmentally beneficial. To support sustainable construction, this study analyzes various factors that might drive sustainable practices in construction projects in Yemen. These drivers are discovered from the literature and validated by experts using grey Delphi. Forty-four drivers were approved across three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. These drivers are assessed using grey AHP. The economic factor is determined to be the most crucial in the adoption of sustainable construction. Competitiveness, improved well-being, and improved indoor environmental quality are rated as the top economic, social, and environmental dimensions, respectively. Overall, competitiveness is acknowledged as the most important driver for the implementation of sustainable practices in Yemen's construction projects. The study's findings were discussed with the experts who were involved in the evaluation. The findings were agreed upon, and it was underlined that a proactive approach from both construction project participants and public authorities can increase the competitiveness of sustainable construction. Additional policies to promote competitiveness of sustainable construction are also advocated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Khaled Al Harazi
- School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Syed Ahsan Ali Shah
- School of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China.
- EMC3 Research Group, Universidad de Salamanca, Pso de Canalejas 69, 3008, Salamanca, Spain.
| | | | | | - Saleh Yahya Alwan
- College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
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8
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Onubi HO, Yusof N, Hassan AS. Green construction practices: ensuring client satisfaction through health and safety performance. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:5431-5444. [PMID: 34420175 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15705-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Studies have proven that client satisfaction (CS) is greatly affected by the nature of construction practices on site. However, not much attention has been given to CS in projects that adopt green construction practices (GCPs). This study examines the effect of GCPs on CS, and the means by which CS can be achieved through health and safety performance (HSP). This study also analyses how the relationship between HSP and CS could vary depending on the level of GCPs adopted. A questionnaire with 27 items drawn from literature was used in collecting data from class A contractors in Nigeria. The study's hypotheses were tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The findings of the study reveal that GCPs have a positive effect on CS. HSP proved to only partially mediate the relationship between GCPs and CS. The findings also show that the effect of HSP on CS is moderated by GCPs with the stronger effect from projects with low adoption of GCPs. The study's findings highlight the pivotal role of HSP in ensuring CS in construction projects that adopt GCPs. This study makes practical contributions to the body of existing knowledge by highlighting the need for concerted efforts by contractors such as investing in health and safety training and ensuring site workers wear personal protective equipment aimed at adhering to acceptable health and safety standards. This can be achieved through provision of funds for safety activities, monitoring, and supervision of workers to guarantee HSP which translates to CS while adopting GCPs. However, the obstacles to these are the lack of safety culture by construction organizations, lack of enlightenment on the part of construction site workers, and poor safety climate on the construction project site. Additionally, the study provides greater insight on the practice of green construction among contractors by showing that the effect of HSP on CS would differ considerably on account of the level of GCPs adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Omatule Onubi
- School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Nor'Aini Yusof
- School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Sanusi Hassan
- School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
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Khan AR, Ditta A, Mehmood MS, MaoSheng Z, Natalia M. Determinants and implications of environmental practices for waste management and the minimization in the construction industry: a case study of Pakistan. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:58221-58231. [PMID: 34110588 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14739-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The construction projects and activities generate waste materials, which impose negative impacts on the environment and contribute towards environmental degradation. In this regard, the implementation of environmental practices (EPs) can play a vital role in reducing the environmental risks associated with waste materials from construction projects. Based on this hypothesis, the present survey study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of different EPs in reducing environmental risks associated with waste materials from construction firms (n = 159) operating in Pakistan. Organizational and government support, regulatory pressure, and economic and environmental performance were among the main determinants of EPs studied in the present study. The partial least squares technique was used for the data collection, assessment, and prediction of the results based on the hypothesis testing for a range of determinants. Compose reliability analysis of determinants showed that all items gave a value of 0.7, which is a clear indication of the reliability of each determinant in the formation of the hypothesis. From all eight hypotheses, H1 (0.475), H4 (0.217), H6 (0.114), H7 (0.210), and H8 (0.149) hypotheses with size effect in parentheses were acceptable due to their positive construction with EPs, while H2, H3, and H5 hypothesis did not show the significant effect with size effect values lower than 0.1. The study demonstrated that current environmental regulations and governing bodies in Pakistan are not sufficiently effective and strict to implement environmental regulations. In this regard, regulatory pressure is necessary to promote EPs along with increasing stakeholders' awareness. Overall, the implementation of EPs not only prepares construction firms to deal with the pressure exerted by regulations and customers but also enhances the environmental and economic performance of construction firms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahsan Riaz Khan
- Institute of Energy Transmission Technology and Application, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Allah Ditta
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal, Dir (U), 18000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Muhammad Sajid Mehmood
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng MaoSheng
- Institute of Energy Transmission Technology and Application, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Maryam Natalia
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
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Iqbal M, Ma J, Ahmad N, Hussain K, Usmani MS, Ahmad M. Sustainable construction through energy management practices in developing economies: an analysis of barriers in the construction sector. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:34793-34823. [PMID: 33656704 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12917-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the recent era, energy management practices (EMPs) have gained significant importance in developed countries, due to their cost efficiency and the potential to protect the environment. However, developing countries are not particularly serious about adopting and implementing sustainable construction practices, due to the different barriers that hinder them from doing so. Therefore, the complete adoption of effective EMPs is still at the initial stage. The objective of this study is to identify the barriers to EMPs adoption, in the construction sector of Pakistan. Initially, the barriers were identified from the earlier studies and screened by the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM). These screened barriers were then evaluated through the ISM. The results of the ISM show that there happens to be a "lack of communication and collaboration among project stakeholders," "attitudinal, cultural and behavioral resistance to adopt EMPs", "lack of top management support and interest in energy management issues," "no condition for implementing EMPs on construction site," and "lack of financing schemes to implement energy management technology," as the top barriers to EMPs adoption in the construction projects pertaining to Pakistan. Thus in this regard, this study empirically contributes to EMPs literature that is based on the developing countries and supports the policymakers in developing appropriate strategies to reduce energy consumption in construction projects-especially in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzaffar Iqbal
- College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Junhai Ma
- College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Naveed Ahmad
- School of Management, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Business Administration, Lahore Leads University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Kramat Hussain
- College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Muneer Ahmad
- School of Transportation and Logistics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
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11
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Fashina AA, Omar MA, Sheikh AA, Fakunle FF. Exploring the significant factors that influence delays in construction projects in Hargeisa. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06826. [PMID: 33981889 PMCID: PMC8085700 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, construction delays have been perceived as a global challenge that hinders the time delivery, budget, and quality of construction projects. It is the most common, expensive, and risky problem associated with both private and public construction projects. Within this context, the aim of this study is to investigate the significant factors that influence delays in construction projects in Hargeisa, using the road and building projects as a baseline. Through a questionnaire survey with 51 critical delay factors that are categorized into seven major groups, data were collected from 51 construction stakeholders selected based on simple random sampling from the different construction companies. Feedback from the respondents was analyzed using Relative Importance Index (RII) for ranking purposes. Results showed that delay in honoring payment progressively, underestimation or overestimation of the project cost, and delay in the approval of major changes in the work scope were ranked as the three major causes of delays in construction projects in Hargeisa. The implications of these results are vital to future projects as they clearly demonstrate how less attention is given to the application of project management tools such as robust cost, scope and risk management in construction projects. As such, construction stakeholders are recommended to make efforts to use the appropriate project management practices needed to manage the 16 identified critical delay factors, when executing future construction projects. Although, the current study focused on Somaliland construction projects, it expands and improves the understanding of delay factors in the global context, and as such can be applied to other countries and future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adebayo Adeboye Fashina
- Engineering Management Program and Project Management Program, School of Graduate Studies and Research, Gollis University, 26 June District, Hargeisa, Somalia
| | - Mustafe Abdillahi Omar
- Management Science and Economics Department, Gollis University, 26 June District, Hargeisa, Somalia
| | - Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh
- Engineering Management Program, School of Graduate Studies and Research, Gollis University, 26 June District, Hargeisa, Somalia
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Hosseini MR, Martek I, Banihashemi S, Chan APC, Darko A, Tahmasebi M. Distinguishing Characteristics of Corruption Risks in Iranian Construction Projects: A Weighted Correlation Network Analysis. Sci Eng Ethics 2020; 26:205-231. [PMID: 30725393 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-019-00089-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The construction industry consistently ranks amongst the highest contributors to global gross domestic product, as well as, amongst the most corrupt. Corruption therefore inflicts significant risk on construction activities, and overall economic development. These facts are widely known, but the various sources and nature of corruption risks endemic to the Iranian construction industry, along with the degree to which such risks manifest, and the strength of their impact, remain undescribed. To address the gap, a mixed methods approach is used; with a questionnaire, 103 responses were received, and these were followed up with semi-structured interviews. Results were processed using social network analysis. Four major corruption risks were identified: (1) procedural violations in awarding contracts, (2) misuse of contractual arrangements, (3) neglect of project management principles, and, (4) irrational decision making. While corruption risks in Iran align with those found in other countries, with funds being misappropriated for financial gain, Iran also shows a strong inclination to champion projects that serve the government's political agenda. Root cause identification of corruption risks, namely, the noticeable impact of authoritarianism on project selection in Iran, over criterion of economic benefit or social good, is a significant outcome of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Reza Hosseini
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
| | - Igor Martek
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Saeed Banihashemi
- Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra, University Drive, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia
| | - Albert P C Chan
- Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Amos Darko
- Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Mahdi Tahmasebi
- Department of Construction Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University Technology Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia
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13
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Ogundipe KE, Ogunbayo BF, Ajao AM, Ogundipe ULNA, Tunji-Olayeni PF. Survey datasets on categories of factors militating against safety practices on construction sites. Data Brief 2018; 19:2071-2078. [PMID: 30229083 PMCID: PMC6141419 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.06.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The causes of occupational accidents have been classified into unsafe conditions and unsafe behaviour. Interestingly, numerous authors have contributed to the issues of safety practices in managing building production process with different views on factors causing construction accident and insensitiveness to safety practices, but there have been a little efforts to bring together major causes and factors militating against safety practices in unified manners. Therefore, all identified forty nine factors from literature review [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [9], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32] were brought together and grouped into five different categories. Descriptive statistics were performed on the data to rank these factors as affected workmen on construction sites. The results were presented in figures, text file and tables using Mean Score. The data presented in this study were enable construction managers to standardize project risks assessment and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunle E Ogundipe
- Department of Building Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Babatunde F Ogunbayo
- Department of Building Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Adekunle M Ajao
- Department of Building Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
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14
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Chileshe N, Rameezdeen R, Hosseini MR, Martek I, Li HX, Panjehbashi-Aghdam P. Factors driving the implementation of reverse logistics: A quantified model for the construction industry. Waste Manag 2018; 79:48-57. [PMID: 30343778 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In the light of increased environmental concerns and the unsustainability of current construction practices, 'reverse logistics' (RL) has emerged as a remedial strategy, whereby decommissioned buildings are salvaged and returned back through the value chain for recovery, refurbishment and reuse. The drivers that impact the uptake of RL are known, but if sustainability outcomes are to be enhanced, the strength of those drivers must be quantified in order to ascertain where efforts should be focused. This study aims to quantify the effects of known drivers on RL, and in so doing identify action items with the greatest potential to positively improve RL outcomes. RL drivers are culled from extant research, and categorized as economic, environmental, or social forces. A conceptual model is developed and tested against questionnaire results drawn from 49 expert respondents active in the South Australian construction industry. The results are analyzed using structured equation modeling. Economic and environmental drivers, such as the continuing relative high cost of salvaged items, along with expediency of cost, time and quality objectives overshadowing regulatory demands for use of such salvaged items, are shown to predict 34% of the variations in implementing RL. Of particular interest is the finding contradicting previous studies, showing that social drivers, such as perceived benefits from 'going green' had no significant impact. Thus, the road-map to improving RL outcomes lies in reducing costs of salvaged materials, augmenting environmental policies that promoted their use, and to initiate a regulatory framework to generate compliance. This insight will be of interest to industry policymakers and environmental strategists alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Chileshe
- School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Raufdeen Rameezdeen
- School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - M Reza Hosseini
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Igor Martek
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Hong Xian Li
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
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15
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Tai S, Sun C, Zhang S. Exploring factors affecting owners' trust of contractors in construction projects: a case of China. Springerplus 2016; 5:1783. [PMID: 27795925 PMCID: PMC5063835 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-3393-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been found that a low level of trust among members of a construction project team leads to poor performance in China. Many researchers have described the challenges, consequently advocating partnering as an attractive approach for more valuable cooperation. Because substantial investments have been poured into construction projects since the year 2000, trust research will improve the performance of construction projects and will be meaningful to the Chinese construction industry. PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to investigate the attributes affecting owners' trust of contractors, to understand the potential properties of these factors, and to rank the factors in order of importance. RESULTS Twenty-four attributes are identified from a literature review. Supported by qualitative reviews, a questionnaire is conducted to obtain relevant data, and 168 valid responses are obtained for data analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to find the factor structure of the identified trust attributes. By the method of PCA, the attributes are extracted into eight factors, including interaction history, information sharing and communication, contract and institution, relation-specific investment, reputation, integrity, competence, and opportunistic behaviour. CONCLUSIONS The value and originality of this paper are embodied in using PCA to understand the various attribute groupings and to illuminate trust impact factors in the Chinese context. When they understand the critical factors affecting trust better, owners and contractors can devise more appropriate strategies to improve performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangliang Tai
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001 China
| | - Chengshuang Sun
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001 China
| | - Shoujian Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001 China
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16
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KHOSRAVI Y, ASILIAN-MAHABADI H, HAJIZADEH E, HASSANZADEH-RANGI N, BEHZADAN AH. Structural modeling of safety performance in construction industry. Iran J Public Health 2014; 43:1099-106. [PMID: 25927039 PMCID: PMC4411906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With rapid economic development and industrialization, the construction industry continues to rank among the most hazardous industries in the world. Therefore, construction safety is always a significant concern for both practitioners and researchers. The objective of this study was to create a structural modeling of components that influence the safety performance in construction projects. METHODS We followed a two-stage Structural Equation Model based on a questionnaire study (n=230). In the first stage, we applied the Structural Equation Model to the proposed model to test the validity of the observed variables of each latent variable. In the next stage, we modified the proposed model. The LISREL 8.8 software was used to conduct the analysis of the structural model. RESULTS A good-fit structural model (Goodness of Fit Index=0.92; Root Mean Square Residual=0.04; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation=0.04; Comparative Fit Index=0.98; Normalized Fit Index=0.96) indicated that social and organizational constructs influence safety performance via the general component of the safety climate. CONCLUSION The new structural model can be used to provide better understanding of the links between safety performance indicators and contributing components, and make stronger recommendations for effective intervention in construction projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahya KHOSRAVI
- 1. Dept. of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan ASILIAN-MAHABADI
- 1. Dept. of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran,* Corresponding Author:Tel: +98 21 82883590
| | - Ebrahim HAJIZADEH
- 2. Dept. of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narmin HASSANZADEH-RANGI
- 3. Dept. of Occupational Health Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir H. BEHZADAN
- 4. Dept. of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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