The Relationship Between Intellectual Property Rights and Foreign Direct Investment

Byggbranschen befinner sig mitt i ett paradigmskifte – detta i samband med att BIM kommer att ersätta de traditionella arbetsmetoderna inom byggprocessen. BIM, även kallat objektsbaserad informationshantering, används idag till 3D-projektering, visualisering och samordning. Dock utnyttjas inte BIM till sin fulla potential. Förändringar sker även beträffande miljöaspekter inom byggsektorn. Miljökrav är inte längre enbart lagstadgade, utan kommer även från fastighetsägarna själva. En anledning är den ökade miljömedvetenheten, och att byggbranschen är en viktig aktör för en hållbar utveckling. Genom en byggnadsmiljöcertifiering styrs byggproduktioner mot att bli mer miljöanpassade. Miljöbyggnad är en av de vanligaste certifieringarna i Sverige då den är anpassad efter svenska byggregler. Ett av bedömningskriterierna för Miljöbyggnad är att dokumentera byggprodukter som byggs in i byggnadsverket i en loggbok. Det är byggnadsentreprenören som uppför denna och bär ansvaret för Miljöbyggnadscertifieringen under produktionen. Detta examensarbete utreder hur loggbokshanteringen för miljöcertifieringen Miljöbyggnad kan effektiviseras och optimeras inom ramen för BIM. Det första skedet av examensarbetet ägnades åt identifikation av problem kring arbetet med loggboken genom enkätundersökningar och kompletterande muntliga samtal.  I det andra skedet intervjuades BIM-sakkunniga med syftet att söka praktiskt genomförbara tillämpningar av BIM inom loggbokshanteringsprocessen. Kartläggningen resulterade i ett flertal problematiska områden inom den nuvarande loggbokshanteringen. Denna kan dock effektiviseras genom att byggföretag etablerar en konsekvent arbetsmetodik, definierar loggboksprocessen samt inför erfarenhetsåterföring. Utförda intervjuer resulterade i förslag på möjliga effektiviseringar av loggboken med hjälp av BIM – både en lösning som är tillämpningsbar idag och tre framtida lösningar. Den lösning som fått namnet ”Excellista med GUID” kan tillämpas idag, och effektiviserar loggboksprocessen genom att utnyttja den BIM-modell som tas fram under projekteringsskedet med hjälp av unika kodsträngar. Automatiska mängdavtagningar för byggprodukter är ett exempel på en effektiviserad loggboksprocess. Tre lösningar är tänkbara för framtida materialdokumentation inom BIM: En applikation, integrerade systemplattformar eller företagsgemensam databas. Framtidslösningarna kan effektivisera avsevärt genom en automatiserad loggboksprocess. Loggboken inom BIM-modellen skapar möjlighet till spårbarhet och visualisering. Den eliminerar kostsamma och tidskrävande moment i jämförelse med dagens hantering. Slutsatsen är att byggföretaget ska satsa på en företagsgemensam databas för företagets alla systemplattformar, men framtiden för materialdokumentation inom BIM ligger i en väl integrerad lösning mellan BIM-modellen och ett PLM-system.The AEC industry is in the midst of a paradigm shift - this in conjunction with BIM replacing traditional working methods within the construction process. BIM, also called object-oriented information management, is currently used for 3D modeling, visualization and coordination. However BIM is not being utilized to its full potential. There are also occurring changes regarding the environmental aspects of construction. Environmental requirements are not only legal, but are now requested by the clients themselves. One reason for these changes is increased environmental awareness and another is the fact that the construction industry has a vital role in sustainable development. Environmental certification of building projects promotes an environmentally friendly production. ‟Miljöbyggnad” is one of the most common certifications in Sweden because it is adapted to the Swedish building regulations. One of the assessment criteria for ‟Miljöbyggnad” is the logbook documentation of all the building materials used. It is the contractor who is responsible for the logbook and for the environmental building certification during the production.                   This thesis investigates how logbook management for environmental certification can be efficient and optimized in the context of BIM. The first stage of the thesis was devoted to the identification of problems related to logbook management. This was done with the use of surveys and complementary interviews. In the second phase BIM experts were interviewed in order to find practical applications for BIM in the log management process. The survey revealed several areas of concern within current logbook management. However these problems can be resolved if construction companies can establish a consistent work methodology, define the logbook procedures and implement experience feedback. Analysis of the interviews resulted in suggestions for possible streamlining of logbook procedures using BIM –one solution which is possible to implement today and three for future use. The solution which has been named "Excel list with GUID" can be applied today. Here, the BIM model generated during the design stage, is used to streamline the logbook process with the help of unique reference numbers. Automatic quantity take off for construction products is an example of a streamlined logbook process. Three solutions are possible for future material documentation in BIM: An application, integrated computing platforms or a company shared database. In the future results can be considerably improved with an automated logbook process. The logbook within the BIM model creates the opportunity for traceability and visualization. It eliminates costly and time-consuming steps in comparison with todays logbook management. The conclusion is that construction companies should invest in a company-wide database for all computing platforms, but the future of material documentation with BIM exists in an integrated solution with the BIM model and a PLM system

A rework reduction model for construction projects

Rework is an endemic problem in building construction projects and is an area of research that has received limited attention. Recent research has shown that rework is the primary cause of time and schedule overruns in projects and that rework levels do not significantly differ between current procurement methods despite calls from government for the use of more integrated procurement approaches such as design-and-construct to improve project performance. To reduce the incidence of rework throughout the construction supply chain, data from 161 completed projects were gathered using a questionnaire survey. Stepwise multiple regression was used to determine the significant variables that contributed to rework in projects. In conjunction with previously reported research, these variables were used to develop an alternative procurement model for reducing rework in projects. It is suggested that the proposed model could be used to stimulate interorganizational relations and promote teambuilding during the formative stages of a project, which is essential for reducing design-related reworking

The influence of design-production management at the pre-production stage for major international projects in Korea

Construction projects are increasing in size, scale, and complexity. Large scale construction projects (LSP) in Korea use international joint venture design teams (JVDT), which results in another layer of complexity into project delivery. Contractors experience unexpected design-production interface problems throughout the production stage that requires fast resolution to ensure the project meets completion deadlines. Korean contractors engaged on LSPs carry responsibility for both the design and production under the Korean regulatory system; hence design management at the bid and pre-production stage is used to manage the interface between design and production. Design management has focused upon the design stage to co-ordinate and control the design sequence there is a need for the contractor to have more practical and production-oriented design management, which could be implemented from the contractor’s perspective through the production stage. The research considers how design-production management can help as a system in the pre-production stage of LSP in Korea and set out considering that any international arrangement adds complexity because of the different cultures and technologies and joint venture agreements make the organisation of the project and more complex. Based on these insights, complexity theory was adopted as an underpinning theory of this research to develop a contractor-led design-production process map (DMPM), which highlights the interface management between design and production activities using system dynamics modelling and simulations. In the procedure of developing the DMPM, 43 design-production management (DM) factors obtained by questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews (pilot survey) are analysed using statistical methods. With factor analysis, all DM factors were categorised into 6 factor groups (Information management, Design coordination, International JVDT, Support production stage, Large-scale project, and Korean feature). The importance-priority analysis, preference, and interrelationships of the DM factors are analysed and causal loop diagram and system dynamics modelling was undertaken. According to importance value and interrelationships of DM factors, system dynamics modelling was formulated and explicit performances were presented by graphic from and numeric values. After different model verifications including suitability and compatibility tests, DMPM was developed based on the optimal modelling and simulation result of system dynamics. Research was carried out in order to reduce contractors’ design-related risk during production stage in international LSPs in Korea. With the insight that complex interconnected project components between design and production should be managed integrative, developed DMPM should be implemented from early pre-production stage from the contractors’ perspective. Thereby, contractors can estimate suitable bid amounts and reduce design risks caused by design errors and changes, more practically, can manage different design-related issues such as diversified construction standards, various building codes, cultural gap, and different working processes from early pre-production stag

BIM adoption and implementation for architectural practices

Severe issues about data acquisition and management arise during the design creation and development due to complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity. BIM (Building Information Modelling) is a tool for a team based lean design approach towards improved architectural practice across the supply chain. However, moving from a CAD (Computer Aided Design) approach to BIM (Building Information Modelling) represents a fundamental change for individual disciplines and the construction industry as a whole. Although BIM has been implemented by large practices, it is not widely used by SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises). Purpose: This paper aims to present a systematic approach for BIM implementation for Architectural SMEs at the organizational level Design/Methodology/Approach: The research is undertaken through a KTP (Knowledge transfer Partnership) project between the University of Salford and John McCall Architects (JMA) a SME based in Liverpool. The overall aim of the KTP is to develop lean design practice through BIM adoption. The BIM implementation approach uses a socio-technical view which does not only consider the implementation of technology but also considers the socio-cultural environment that provides the context for its implementation. The action research oriented qualitative and quantitative research is used for discovery, comparison, and experimentation as it provides �learning by doing�. Findings: The strategic approach to BIM adoption incorporated people, process and technology equally and led to capacity building through the improvements in process, technological infrastructure and upskilling of JMA staff to attain efficiency gains and competitive advantages. Originality/Value: This paper introduces a systematic approach for BIM adoption based on the action research philosophy and demonstrates a roadmap for BIM adoption at the operational level for SME companie

Building information modelling (BIM) implementation and remote construction projects: issues, challenges, and critiques.

The construction industry has been facing a paradigm shift to (i) increase productivity, efficiency, infrastructure value; quality and sustainability (ii) reduce lifecycle costs, lead times and duplications via effective collaboration and communication of stakeholders in construction projects. This paradigm shift is becoming more critical with remote construction projects, which reveals unique and even more complicated challenging problems in relation to communication and management due to the remoteness of the construction sites. On the other hand, Building Informational Modelling (BIM) is offered by some as the panacea to addressing the interdisciplinary inefficiencies in construction projects. Although in many cases the adoption of BIM has numerous potential benefits, it also raises interesting challenges with regards to how BIM integrates the business processes of individual practices. This paper aims to show how BIM adoption for an architectural company helps to mitigate the management and communication problems in remote construction project. The paper adopts a case study methodology, which is a UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project of BIM adoption between the University of Salford, UK and John McCall Architects (JMA), in which the BIM use between the architectural company and the main contractor for a remote construction project is elaborated and justified. Research showed that the key management and communication problems such as poor quality of construction works, unavailability of materials, and ineffective planning and scheduling can largely be mitigated by adopting BIM at the design stage

Overview of building information modelling in healthcare projects

In this paper, we explore how BIM functionalities together with novel management concepts and methods have been utilized in thirteen hospital projects in the United States and the United Kingdom. Secondary data collection and analysis were used as the method. Initial findings indicate that the utilization of BIM enables a holistic view of project delivery and helps to integrate project parties into a collaborative process. The initiative to implement BIM must come from the top down to enable early involvement of all key stakeholders. It seems that it is rather resistance from people to adapt to the new way of working and thinking than immaturity of technology that hinders the utilization of BIM

The role of visual management in collaborative integrated planning and control for engineer-to-order building systems

Visual Management is a key approach in the implementation of Lean Production. It emphasizes the importance of developing easy-to-understand visual devices for sharing knowledge within an organization. Such visual devices can play an important role in mitigating the complexity of engineer-to-order production systems. A major difficulty in managing engineer-to-order prefabricated building systems is the need to integrate planning and control of different processes, such as design, fabrication and assembly on site, in a multiple project environment. This paper reports preliminary findings on the implementation of visual devices for collaborative and integrated planning and control in a Steel Fabricator, which designs, fabricates and assembles steel structures. The aim of this paper is to understand how visual management tools can contribute to improve the effectiveness of planning and control in this environment. A set of visual devices have been used in the planning and control system in this company, including a panel that makes available information about 200 simultaneous contracts in an easy-to-understand way. The implementation of those tools has enhanced the participation of different people in the planning process from operational levels or from the different production units

Suitability of BIM for enhancing value on PPP projects for the benefit of the public sector

Collaborative integrated working and stakeholder’s interest have been among key drivers that underpin and encourage the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within the AEC industry. BIM is becoming a major means to deliver projects with better improved product, and reduced risk within the construction industry. Furthermore, using BIM in areas like buildability, quality assurance, cost and scheduling can be justified through BIM-nD modelling application. What is not so obvious is how the utilisation of BIM visualisation and knowledge embedment will enhance these areas to refine and achieve better value for PPP procurement projects for the long term benefit especially during post-construction phase for the public sector. As of now there is no well-defined guidance with respect to BIM usage incorporating all of the above. Do we really need to revisit the way we specify projects within the contractual framework under PPP? This paper examines the possibility of how BIM can be utilised in the realisation of augmented formal database information management system under the PPP procurement routes with respect to operation and maintenance support. The paper concludes with additional measures that BIM can offer at the post-construction phase for the public sector at learning organisations

Visor

A visor is a piece of plastic object that can protect or cover the eyes area. Visor is designed transparent to protect the face and eyes. Therefore, the visors can disguise as a mask. For example, some of helmet in suit of the armour can protect our eyes and in automobile, the driver or front passenger can lower the part of windshield to block the sun. In the year 1924, Hathway has invented the car visor. Originally, he calls it as the glare shield because its function to block out the harmful sun’s x-ray. Therefore, Henry Ford from the creator of the Ford company patented the Hathway’s invention in 1938 that led many innovations to Ford Corp. The main of this purpose is to reduce the direct sunlight to driver’s eyes