13 research outputs found
Emotional intelligence and British expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment in international construction projects
© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Today’s internationalized business demands global mindset, intercultural sensitivity and the ability to skilfully negotiate through cross-cultural interactions. Therefore, the overall aim was to investigate the influence of emotional intelligence (EI) on cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) of British expatriates working on International Architectural, Engineering and Construction assignments in Sub-Saharan Africa, China, Middle East and Indian Sub-Continent. Specifically, the causal relationship between EI and three facets of CCA i.e. work, general and interaction adjustment was explored. A sequential exploratory mixed methods design was adopted. These include extensive review of existing literature, eighteen unstructured interviews, and questionnaire survey of 191 British expatriates operating in 29 different countries from the four regions under investigation. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the causal relationship between EI and CCA. Results show that EI accounted for 91, 64 and 24% of the variance in work, interaction and general adjustment respectively. Overall, the model was able to explain 60% variance in CCA, suggesting that EI competencies play a huge role in facilitating an expatriate understand and adapt to host country culture. The findings would help decision-makers (HR managers) during expatriate selection process, in understanding that along with technical skills, it is the emotional competencies that are crucial in assisting expatriates adjust to foreign way of life
The outcomes of cross-cultural adjustment: a case of British expatriates working on international architectural, engineering and construction assignments
The main aim of this study is to investigate the consequences of cross-cultural adjustment in an under researched sample of British expatriates working on International Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) assignments. Adjustment is the primary outcome of an expatriate assignment. According to Bhaskar-Srinivas et al., (2005), Harrison et al., (2004) it is viewed to affect other work related outcomes which could eventually predict expatriate success. To address the scarcity of literature on expatriate management in the AEC sector, an exploratory design was adopted. Phase one is characterised by extensive review of extant literature, whereas phase two was qualitative exploration from British expatriates’ perspective; here seven unstructured interviews were carried out. Further, cognitive mapping analysis through Banaxia decision explorer software was conducted to develop a theoretical framework and propose various hypotheses. The findings imply that British AEC firms could sustain their already established competitive advantage in the global marketplace by acknowledging the complexity of international assignments, prioritising expatriate management and offering a well-rounded support to facilitate expatriate adjustment and ultimately achieve critical outcomes like performance, assignment completion and job satisfaction
A review of mediation in the Irish construction industry: critical success factors in competencies and processes.
The construction industry notoriously excels at dispute creation - both in Ireland and world wide. This paper exams mediation in the Irish construction industry based around critical success factors in the competencies and processes required by mediators operating in the construction industry. Through conducting the relevant analysis, it was possible to extract and outline the resulting critical success factors in process and competencies of mediators in the Irish construction industry. This was achieved through a review of the literature, followed by detailed interviews from industry experts to elicit and highlight the core competencies required. To aid in the study, qualitative analysis using mind mapping software was adopted, thus assisting the identification of the key factors. Following analysis, facilitative mediation was identified as best suited for the industry in question; recommendations and experience were key for mediator selection and five and six factors were identified for mediator skills and mediation critical success factors respectively. The results returned are similar to those determined by authors in other countries and provide a good reference point for the development the industry. By following the findings of this report mediators and parties in dispute can improve processes and be more successful in outcomes. In this study the author shows that mediation is an effective and appropriate method of resolving disputes within the Irish construction industry
Urban high-density construction sites and their surrounding community: Issues encountered and strategies adopted by contractors
Inner city developments are a common feature within many urban environments.
Where these construction sites are not managed effectively, they can negatively
impact their surrounding community. The aim of this paper is to identify and
document, in an urban context, the numerous issues encounter and subsequent
strategies adopted by on-site contractors and local people, in the mitigation of factors
which negatively impact their surrounding community. The objectives in achieving
this aim are to identify what effect, if any, an urban construction site has on its
surrounding environment, the issues and resulting strategies adopted by contractors
on the factors identified, and also what measures are put in place to minimise such
disturbances to the local community. In order to meet the requirements, a mixed
methodology is adopted culminating in a literature review, case study analysis,
contractor and community interviews, concluding in the development of two specific
questions for both perspectives in question. The data is assessed using severity indices
based on mean testing in the development of key findings. The results indicate that
the main forms of disturbance to the local community from an urban development
include noise, dust and traffic congestion. With respect to a contractor on-site, the key
issues include damaging surrounding buildings, noise control and off-site parking.
The resulting strategies identified in the mitigation of such issues include the
implementation of noise and dust containment measures and minimising disruption to
local infrastructure. It is envisaged that the results of this study will provide
contractors operating in such environments, with the required information which can
assist in minimising disruption and therefore, avoiding disputes with the local
community members. By consulting with and surveying those most affected, this
research will illustrate to on-site management, the difficulties faced by those who
accommodate such developments within their living environment
Confined site construction: a qualitative investigation of critical issues affecting management of health and safety
The construction industry is inherently risky, with a significant number of accidents and disasters
occurring, particularly on confined construction sites. This research investigates and identifies the
various issues affecting successful management of health and safety in confined construction sites.
The rationale is that identifying the issues would assist the management of health and safety
particularly in inner city centres which are mostly confined sites. Using empiricism epistemology, the
methodology was based on qualitative research approach by means of multiple case studies in three
different geographical locations of Ireland, UK and USA. Data on each case study were collected
through individual interviews and focus group discussion with project participants. The findings
suggest that three core issues are the underlying factors affecting management of health and safety on
confined construction sites. It include, (i) lack of space, (ii) problem of co-ordination and management
of site personnel, and (iii) overcrowding of workplace. The implication of this is that project teams and
their organisations should see project processes from a holistic point of view, as a unified single
system, where quick intervention in solving a particular issue should be the norm, so as not to
adversely affect interrelated sequence of events in project operations. Proactive strategies should be
devised to mitigate these issues and may include detail project programming, space management,
effective constructability review and efficient co-ordination of personnel, plant and materials among
others. The value of this research is to aid management and operation of brownfield sites by identifying
issues impacting on health and safety management in project process