Professionals’ views of material wastage on construction sites and cost overruns

It is believed that building material wastage on construction sites account for cost overruns and any improvement in building materials management on construction sites has the potential to enhance the construction industry’s performance with cost-saving benefits. The purpose of this study is to identify the most wasteful building material during construction operation. It also sets out to assess the level of material wastage with various subcontracting options, the percentage contribution of material wastage to project cost overrun, identify factors contributing to material waste on building sites and to examine the relationship between subcontracting options, project cost overrun and the level of waste generated from building material. A survey research design was employed. Responses from 56 site based professionals representing 70% of the respondents were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicate that the most wasteful building material during construction operation is mortar from plastering/rendering; labour-only subcontracting options have high contribution to material wastage. Furthermore, the study revealed that the average percentage contribution of building material wastage to project cost overrun is between 21-30%; Poor supervision, re-work, and poor material handling were identified as dominant factors that have high contribution to material wastage on sites. Finally, the result also shows that there is a relationship between subcontracting options, cost overrun and waste generated from building material during construction. Measures to reduce material wastage on construction sites were proposed.Improvement in building materials management on construction sites has the potential to enhance the construction industry’s performance with cost-saving benefits

Defining lean construction capability from an ambidextrous perspective

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by IGLC in the Proceedings of the 29th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC29), Alarcon, L.F. and González, V.A. (eds.), available online: https://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1844 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Lean construction (LC) is widely used to eliminate waste in the construction industry. However, research on LC capability is lagging relative to other works in the LC field. By exploring relevant literature on the rigid and flexible characteristics of LC, this study proposes for the first time that LC capability is an ambidextrous capability from a paradoxical lens. The investigation reveals that the concept of LC capability has no clear definition and puts forward the view that LC capability is an ambidextrous capability. The study established that LC ambidextrous capability is a paradox which consist of two dimensions—namely LC exploitative capability and LC exploratory capability. LC ambidextrous capability emphasizes striving for a balance between the two capabilities. This study contributes to current knowledge and future application of organizational ambidexterity theory to LC capability development. Regarding contribution to practice, this research would enable LC project practitioners to understand the paradoxical tensions in LC projects, and to how to deal with them. Additionally, this study brings new insight and opens a new debate on how LC ambidextrous capability could develop in the construction field

An emerging model for virtual international academic conference in architecture, engineering, and construction

© 2021 The Authors. Published by Frontiers Media. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2021.701755Academic conferences are very important to industrial development and academic scholars. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to the cancellation of many international conferences; thus, virtual conferences have received a great deal of attention. Their expanding role has created an urgent need to explore the best approaches for successful execution. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the organization of these conferences. This study aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the key success factors through a case study of the International Group for Lean Construction’s first virtual conference. The results revealed the influence of multiple factors. In addition, a successful model for an international virtual academic conference is proposed. The model contributes to the knowledge of sustainable development in engineering management and architecture, engineering, and construction practice.Published onlin

Lean-Offsite-Simulation nexus for housing construction: A state-of-the-art review of the existing knowledge

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald in Construction Innovation on 17/06/2022, available online: https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-03-2022-0051 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Purpose The purpose of this current study is to present an overview of the existing knowledge on the combined application of lean, off-site and simulation (LOS) in housing delivery. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review approach was adopted. Based on a comprehensive search using SCOPUS, Web of Science (WoS) and the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) databases, 66 relevant journal articles were identified and analysed. Findings: The study found that the most significant impact of the combined application lean, off-site and simulation in housing delivery are; the capacity to visualise the production processes as a whole in real-time, exposure and removal of non-value adding activities from the production and faster delivery. However, the combined application of LOS is low compared to a single application of each technique in housing delivery. Practical Implication: The results provide relevant stakeholders and actors in the housing sector (private and public housing developers, off-site housing manufacturers and constructors, housing associations, and government housing agencies, among others) with the information needed to improve the outcomes of housing delivery through the application of LOS. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the ongoing debate on addressing the global housing shortage by presenting an integrated overview of the existing knowledge on the impact of the nexus of LOS and providing compelling evidence for it usage in housing delivery. It also demonstrates how the combined application of LOS supports the achievement of the flow and value view in the TFV model, which was not previously reported

Human resource management in the Nigerian construction firms: practices and challenges.

© 2017 The Authors. Published by University of Cape Town. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://journals.uct.ac.za/index.php/jcbm/article/view/54Improvement of human resource management is critical to overall productivity and cost effectiveness in the construction industry. This study assesses the current human resource management practices in the Nigeria construction organisation and the challenges confronting it. Questionnaire survey was adopted using purposive sampling technique. Ninety eight human resource managers and construction professionals in two categories of construction organisations (client organisations involved in real estate development and contractor organisations) were sampled. The results reveal that prevailing recruitment practices are placement of the right staff in the right department for the achievement of company general goals, and screening of candidates for vacant positions. Most common training and development practices involve inducting, orienting and training newly recruited employee on software and use of tools, and assigning staff based on their skill and expertise.Provision of appropriate/modern working tools and equipment and provision of incentives and benefits to staff are prevailing motivation and labour union practices. The study further identified:competition for global mobile talents, labour turnover, recruiting the right person for a specific position, wages and compensation as some of the challenges facing HRM practice in Nigeria.The study concludes that recruitment and selection practices in the construction organisation are distinctly different from those of the manufacturing and banking industry and it centres on selection of skilled and technically competent personnel for organisation’s general goal. The study recommends that future study should assess the impact of the identified human resource practices on productivity and project performance

The impact of an offsite production approach on mechanical and electrical projects: evidence from the UK

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by IGLC in the Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction, Lille, France, 26th June -2nd Jul 2023, available online: https://doi.org/10.24928/2023/0165 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Previous studies have reviewed the impact of offsite production on the delivery of construction projects, however, there have been limited studies examining the specific impact of offsite on mechanical and electrical installations (M&E). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of offsite production in the delivery of mechanical and electrical installations for construction projects. In this study, a mixed method was adopted, using quantitative data obtained through a questionnaire survey and qualitative data through case study interviews. In total, primary data was collected from 36 questionnaire responses, and 3 case studies that involved 12 in-depth interviews. This study shows that offsite production has a positive impact on construction project performance indicators for M&E installations regarding factors such as time, quality, health and safety, sustainability, logistics, and collaboration. However, the study showed no general conclusion as to the cost saving impact of offsite construction on the outcomes of projects. Nevertheless, the study established that the offsite approach offers the client more confidence relating to cost certainty. Recommendations from this study are that offsite production should be selected based on its impact on project performance indicators rather than cost alone. The study argued that the offsite production method should be explored as much as possible when maximal benefits are sought; however, it should not be utilised simply for the sake of it but on a case-by-case basis

Custos de produção para pequenos produtores de leite

Orientador : José Eduardo Pécora JuniorMonografia (especialização) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas. Curso de Especialização em Gerência de Sistemas LogísticosInclui referênciasResumo: Na necessidade de melhorar sua lucratividade empresas e cooperativas do ramo alimentício vem procurando integrar sua cadeia de suprimentos de forma a melhorar sua competitividade e troca de informações. Ao contrario dos grandes produtores, pequenos produtores de leite passam dificuldades de se manter no mercado e garantir sua subsistência, gerando um déficit na cadeia uma vez que não possuem informações e dados suficientes para corretamente gerenciar seus negócios. O objetivo do trabalho é ajudar os pequenos produtores, disponibilizando informação de forma simples e de fácil aplicação, e para atingir este objetivo, foi proposta uma forma de elaboração de custos que pequenos produtores rurais de leite podem utilizar para realizar o controle de sua atividade. Foi criada uma planilha para ser preenchida por estes pequenos produtores, na qual tanto o cálculo do custo quanto os dados necessários foram simplificados. Ela apresenta descrições de como os itens devem ser descritos e pode ser facilmente adaptada para qualquer particularidade que uma pequena propriedade leiteira possa ter

The application for innovative methods and materials for greater sustainability in residential buildings in the UK: “a bibliometric review”

© 2024 The Authors. Published by Springer Nature. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00329-9The provision of sustainable housing should factor energy efficiency, the use of sustainable building methods and materials and address the current associated barriers. This consideration triggered an ongoing study in UK which has so far conducted a bibliometric analysis of 275 papers using the VOSviewer software. More papers have been published in the last 5 years compared to the previous 15, and the UK is less engaged in successful collaborations in comparison to other economically developed nations. The lesser use of innovation in the UK has been identified. Also, the uses of sustainable methods and materials in residential housing are not fully exploited for achieving energy efficiency. A future research direction emerging is the potential to study the combined impact of using innovative materials and methods to achieve greater energy efficiency in UK housing provision. Through technological innovations and the need to move from fossil fuels (for example, through the use of heat pumps) a new approach can move the UK closer to achieving net-zero in housing provision and operations.Published onlin

Creating social value within the delivery of construction projects: the role of lean approach

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the current knowledge surrounding social value and show how lean approach supports social value realisation in the delivery of construction projects. Design/methodology/approach: A critical literature review was adopted, to gather the current knowledge surrounding social value from mainstream management sciences, construction management and lean literature. A total of 70 studies were critically reviewed. Findings: The study establishes that the current level of awareness on social value is still low and there is a dearth of scholarly publications on social value especially in construction management literature. The investigation reveals the potentials of lean approach in supporting the delivery of social value on construction projects. Social implication: This study conceptualises the community and the physical environment around where the construction project is executed as customers using lean production approach. It shows that the Transformation, Flow & Value view supports smooth workflow which enhances the achievement of social value objectives. This creates a new insight into how social value can be realised in construction project delivery. Originality and Value: This study extends the on-going debate around the need for social value in construction project delivery and contributes to construction management and lean construction literature on social value. Future studies could build on this to obtain empirical data and develop an approach/method that would support the evidencing of social value delivery on construction projects

Do job advertisements promote gender inequality in the construction sector?

Paper presented at International Conference for Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS)International Conference for Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS), Bristol UWE University, 31 August - 1 Sept 2022.The poor performance of construction projects remains a topical issue in the academic field of construction management. Across the globe, statistical data indicates that the construction sector is male dominated. The observed inequality is linked to conflicts, which is one of the main reasons for the poor performance of construction projects. The current study aims to explore the differences between job adverts for male [construction manager] and female [social worker] dominated sectors of the economy by comparing word usage. Text mining was used to unearth the differences in the content of the job advertisements for these two roles. The findings indicate that masculine words [such as leader] are the most commonly used words in the job adverts for construction manager roles. The findings suggest that the content of job adverts seem to promote gender stereotypes associated with employment in the construction sector. Such gender cues may contribute to the gender differences in the construction workforce. Taken together, these findings suggest that there is a need to embed gender-neutral words in job adverts placed by construction sector