Exploring the design risk factors for modular integrated construction projects

Purpose: Modular integrated construction (MiC) is considered as a process innovation to improve the performance of construction projects. However, effective delivery of MiC projects requires management of risks and uncertainties throughout its delivery chain. Although the design stage of MiC projects is usually managed with limited knowledge based on highly uncertain data and associated with epistemic uncertainties, MiC design risks have not received adequate research attention relative to other stages. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a knowledge-based evaluation and ranking of the design risk factors (DRFs) for MiC projects. Design/methodology/approach: The paper reviewed the relevant literature to identify potential DRFs and validated their relevance through pilot expert review. The paper then used questionnaires to gather data from international MiC experts from 18 countries and statistically analyzed the data set. Findings: Analysis results showed that the five most significant DRFs for MiC projects include unsuitability of design for the MiC method; late involvement of suppliers, fabricators and contractors; inaccurate information, defective design and change order; design information gap between the designer and fabricator; and lack of bespoke MiC design codes and guidelines. A correlation analysis showed that majority of the DRFs have statistically significant positive relationships and could inform practitioners on the dynamic links between the DRFs. Practical implications: The paper provides useful insight and knowledge to MiC practitioners and researchers on the risk factors that could compromise the success of MiC project designs and may inform design risk management. The dynamic linkages among the DRFs instruct the need to adopt a system-thinking philosophy in MiC project design. Originality/value: This paper presents the first study that specifically evaluates and prioritizes the risk events at the design stage of MiC projects. It sets forth recommendations for addressing the identified DRFs for MiC projects

The moderating effect of perceived policy effectiveness on recycling intention

Currently, recycling is one of the main strategies to reduce the reliance on landfills in Hong Kong, where its landfills will reach their full capacities by the end of the 2010s. In this study, we surveyed 246 people in Hong Kong to examine the moderating effect of perceived policy effectiveness on recycling. According to the results, the perceived policy effectiveness negatively moderated the relationships between subjective norm and recycling intention, as well as those between consequences awareness and recycling intention. The findings provided insightful information for policy makers to shape a more effective recycling policy

The role of perceived effectiveness of policy measures in predicting recycling behaviour in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a compact and ‘land-hungry’ city where recycling has become an important measure for treating waste and reducing the demand on the limited landfills. The objectives of this paper are to extend the model of recycling attitude and behaviour to explain the relationship between perceived policy effectiveness and recycling behaviour. Previous studies on recycling attitude and behaviour had widely adopted the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Norm Activation Model (NAM), and drawn policy implications from them. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted to investigate the role of perceived effectiveness of policy measures in predicting recycling behaviour. To address this, a model that integrates the TPB and NAM was proposed in this study, and a street survey was conducted to investigate the case. The results illustrate that recycling intention is influenced by subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, moral norms, and awareness of consequences, as well as a newly proposed construct, namely perceived policy effectiveness. The study proved self-reported recycling behaviour (direct behaviour) and support for policy measures (indirect behaviour) are influenced by recycling intention. All in all the Government should provide more recycling bins, guidelines on recycling activities, and should accent what it has been doing to facilitate and encourage recycling

Key determinants of willingness to support policy measures on recycling: a case study in Hong Kong

2015-2016 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journa

Finance-related critical success factors for the briefing of PPP projects in construction

Public private partnership (PPP) is widely used in the world. Many researchers claimed that PPP can contribute to sustainability in nature as it promotes long-term productive use of resources. The briefing stage is important to a PPP project because it is the stage when private sector funds are injected to projects. In considering this, the paper aims at identifying the finance-related critical factors that could lead to the success of the project in the briefing stage. Six finance-related factors were identified based on a comprehensive review of literature followed by personal interviews. The importance of these factors was rated using a questionnaire survey in Hong Kong and Australia. Because some background variables should be taken into account when rating these factors, a custom-made weighted ranking method was developed, which enabled an estimation of the weighted importance of finance-related factors. A comparative study of the results between Hong Kong and Australia was conducted. Discussion is provided to describe how these factors can help improve the briefing stage of PPP projects

Experiential and instrumental attitudes:Interaction effect of attitude and subjective norm on recycling intention

Prior studies have identified key factors that influence recycling intention. However, these studies rarely pay attention to the interaction of attitude and subjective norm that influences recycling intention. This study applied a conceptual model by extending the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) for addressing the gap. The study collected 246 responses through a street survey in Hong Kong. Findings revealed that two interaction terms (i.e., experiential attitude and subjective norm; instrumental attitude and subjective norm) influenced recycling intention. It implies that subjective norm plays a crucial role in motivating recycling behaviors. Moreover, subjective norm could increase the likelihood of recycling for people exhibiting positive experiential attitude, and motivate people who possess limited knowledge on recycling benefits of practicing recycling behaviors. Policy implications were drawn from the findings. Limitations of the study and future research direction were also discussed.</p