A Principal-Agent Theory Perspective on PPP Risk Allocation

This study proposes a framework for the allocation of risk in public private partnerships (PPP) projects. Its contribution lies in the recognition and incorporation of risks introduced by project stakeholders, and as articulated by the principal-agent theory (PAT). The framework assesses risks and routes these risks to those parties best equipped to mitigate their impact on the project. This allocation of risk is facilitated by a thirteen-step process. The practical benefit of this study lies in outlining a clear, systematic method for allocating risk efficiently to both the government and private enterprise parties of the project. In so doing, risk mitigation can be expected to improve project performance, optimize stakeholder goals, and enhance sustainability objectives, including improved operational life-cycle efficiency and elevated social and community benefits

The antecedents of construction project change: an analysis of design & build procurement application

Purpose: This research seeks to excoriate, define and delineate the main drivers of ‘change’ in commercial construction projects and generate guidelines on how to minimise exposure to the associated adverse effects upon project stakeholders. Methodology: The research adopts mixed doctrines through a combination of epistemological lenses, embracing two primary philosophical stances: (i) interpretivism, to identify the primary drivers of change based on a systematic literature review and (ii) a post-positivist, inductive approach to analyse the results of change within a Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Design and Build (D&B) construction project case study. Findings: The causal nexus of change during the construction phase is assessed and delineated; the key affecting factors are thematically grouped under headings: extent and severity; time in relation to implementing; instigating party; individual(s) responsible for managing the change; reason for the change; available resource; recoverable or non-recoverable; contract / project type; type of client. Following this, the effects of change on key elements of the project are encapsulated and recommendations for adaptations which may provide improved experiences are offered. Originality: The study tackles the common issue of managing the deleterious effects of change on commercial construction projects, defining management techniques to minimise stakeholder tribulation

Hand-arm vibration management: an operational health and safety strategy framework

Purpose: Human vibration exposure from hand-operated equipment emissions can lead to irreparable and debilitating hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). While work-place health and well-being (H&WB) policies, strategies and procedures have been extensively researched and documented, little has been done to develop a specific strategic framework tailored to the management of hand-arm vibration (HAV). This study fills that gap. Methodology: A mixed philosophical approach of interpretivism and critical realism is adopted within a case study of a utilities contractor. Within this overarching epistemological design, action research approach is implemented via a three-stage investigation viz: relevant company H&WB documents and procedures were examined, leading to the formulation of semi-structured interview questioning of the H&WB team. Their responses informed the next line of questions, delivered to middle-management responsible for overseeing H&S. Findings: The findings are instructive in revealing that while substantial documentation management (augmented with protocols and checks) was in place, the system fell short of implementation within the workforce and thus failed to preserve worker H&WB. The investigation generated recommendations for shoring up H&WB deficiencies observed and developed a theoretical model to represent these. Though these recommendations were developed in response to a specific case, they form the core of a HAV operational H&WB strategy framework with applicability over a broader context. Originality: This research provides unique insight into contemporary industry practices employed to manage HAV in the workplace and represents an invaluable opportunity to learn from prevailing practices and rectify deficiencies observed

The advantages of the construction sector of China and India: a comparison

With the spectacular rise of the Chinese and Indian economies the accompanying growth in these two countries\u27 construction sectors justifies more understanding. There is, however, a lot of unknowns about the two countries\u27 construction sectors from a comparative perspective. This study attempted to identify and compare the comparative/competitive advantages of the two fast-growing economies in construction in pursuit of policy and management implications, which can benefit not only the two countries but also other developing countries. In this regard, a comparative advantage framework and Porter\u27s Diamond Framework were applied to analyze the relative advantages of the Chinese and Indian construction sectors. The comparative analyses showed that China appears better endowed in labor with high productivity. Government intervention was identified as benefiting Chinese firms with support for the development of human resources. China also benefits from superior access to a wide range of inputs, including equipment, construction materials, and technology. The existence of large corporate champions provides scale of economy and contributes to the advantage of the construction sector of China. In contrast, India benefits from the increased competitive rivalry thanks to its more hands-off government policies that focus primarily on providing a good business environment with a favorable tax system, market entry policies, laws and regulations, and code/standard systems. The differences identified provide policy implications to the decision makers of the two countries in further developing their construction sectors. © 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers

The application of industry 4.0 technologies in pandemic management: Literature review and case study

The Covid-19 pandemic impact on people’s lives has been devastating. Around the world, people have been forced to stay home, resorting to the use of digital technologies in an effort to continue their life and work as best they can. Covid-19 has thus accelerated society’s digital transformation towards Industry 4.0 (the fourth industrial revolution). Using scientometric analysis, this study presents a systematic literature review of the themes within Industry 4.0. Thematic analysis reveals that the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud computing, Machine learning, Security, Big Data, Blockchain, Deep learning, Digitalization, and Cyber–physical system (CPS) to be the key technologies associated with Industry 4.0. Subsequently, a case study using Industry 4.0 technologies to manage the Covid-19 pandemic is discussed. In conclusion, Covid-19,is clearly shown to be an accelerant in the progression towards Industry 4.0. Moreover, the technologies of this digital transformation can be expected to be invoked in the management of future pandemics

Seismic resilience of rural water supply systems; factor analysis of cases set in Sichuan Province, China

202212 bckwVersion of RecordPublishe

The Impact of Social Support on Public Anxiety amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

The recent coronavirus outbreak has captured worldwide attention. This study investigated the anxiety of the Chinese public and its relationship with social support during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby providing empirical support for interventions on improving the public’s mental health. On the basis of an online questionnaire survey conducted on 10–18 February 2020, this study shows that 19.8%, 68.5%, and 11.1% of the respondents suffered mild anxiety, moderate anxiety, and severe anxiety, respectively. Significant differences are reported in state anxiety between people with different household incomes. There are significant differences in trait anxiety and state anxiety between different social support groups. Social support and trait anxiety are negatively correlated. Social support and state anxiety are negatively correlated. Social support affects state anxiety both directly and indirectly (through the mediation of trait anxiety). Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing public support for society can effectively reduce public anxiety

A three-staged framework for measuring water supply resilience in rural China based on PLS-SEM

202212 bckwVersion of RecordPublishe

Engineering project networks: providing 'sustainable work systems' for construction knowledge workers

Purpose: The construction industry faces three emergent developments that in all likelihood will transform the industry into the future. Firstly, engineering project networks (EPNs), in which teams collaborate on projects remotely in time and space, are transforming global construction practices. Secondly, as a major consumer of resources and significant producer of green-house gases, construction is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. Thirdly, the construction industry presents as one of the least socially sustainable work environments, with high job dissatisfaction, skewed work-life balance, and over representation of depressive and mental disorders. It is incumbent on the industry to reconcile these issues. Specifically, what scope is there to shape the evolution of EPNs towards a configuration that both promotes sustainability generally, and enhances quality of work-life issues, while at the same time continuing to apprehend the economic dividends for which it is adopted? As salient as this question is, it has not been broached in the literature. This study, therefore, sets out to survey the extent to which EPNs align with the sustainability agenda, more broadly, and that of employee work-place satisfaction, more specifically. Approach: A literature review of current knowledge of these concerns is explored and a summative assessment presented. Findings: As the first in its kind, the study brings to light that EPNs go a long way towards facilitating economic objectives, part way towards realising ecological and sociological objectives, but make hardly any impact on improving employee work satisfaction. Originality: This paper examines an entirely novel area that has henceforth, have not been studied. Future research should take up this finding to determine how EPNs may be further adapted to accommodate these wider necessary objectives

Dynamic framework transfer model for public–private partnerships : lessons from a China water sector case study

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