The evaluation of social network analysis application's in the UK construction industry

The Social Network Analysis (SNA) has been adopted in the UK construction management research and there is a trend to apply it in large scale. As an effective tool, social network analysis has been used to analyse information and knowledge flow between construction project teams which is considered as foundation for collaborative working and subsequently improving overall performance. Social network analysis is based on an assumption of the importance of relationships among interacting units. The social network perspective encompasses theories, models and applications that are expressed in terms of relational concepts or processes. Many believe, moreover, that the success or failure of organisations often depends on the patterning of their internal structure. This paper reviewed existing literatures on SNA applications in the UK construction industry. From the review, the research proposed some improvement in the application of SNA in the construction industry

Global engineer: a springboard for the next decade

Over the last decade, major engineering organizations have been competing to attract the best engineering students. For instance, Shell need top-class Project Managers and Project Engineers to fulfill this ambition; not only to execute their current projects but also to have an eye on future ventures needing to be developed in an equally safe and sustainable manner. Managing in today’s environment provides many challenges and project engineers will be confronted with situations which challenge the traditional ways engineering projects have been managed. Terms such as responsive graduate engineer and innovative engineer are increasing in popularity, however, dealing with the mutual inconsistency these two terms provides a challenge to most of today’s global engineering organizations. In spite of recent extensive research, there has been little consideration given to how to develop a global project engineering curriculum. This examined how a global project engineering curriculum should be developed to address needs of global engineers. Using two case studies, the results have been summarized under the following headings of: defining the process of developing a global engineering curriculum and the most important factors for successful implementation of a global project engineering curriculum. This provided a comprehensive assessment of factors that will influence curriculum development in project engineering

Time for a real shift to relations : appraisal of Social Network Analysis applications in the UK construction industry

The Social Network Analysis (SNA) has been adopted in the UK construction management research and generated meaningful insights in analysing project management organisations from network perspectives. As an effective tool, social network analysis has been used to analyse information and knowledge flows between construction project teams which are considered as the foundation for collaborative working and subsequently improving overall performance. Social network analysis is based on an assumption of the importance of relationships among interacting units. The social network perspective encompasses theories, models and applications that are expressed in terms of relational concepts or processes. Many believe, moreover, that the success or failure of organisations often depends on the patterning of their internal structure. This paper reviewes existing literatures on SNA applications in construction industry from three leading construction management journals. From the review, the research proposed some advance in the application of SNA in the construction industry

Revitalising energy capital project development and execution strategies: Lessons from the energy sector

© 2015 Taylor & Francis. This study sought to examine project delivery challenges currently being faced by energy clients and to determine how they could achieve value creation through better alignment of project delivery processes. There are important lessons to be learned from the energy sector on how to deal with the unique operational and project challenges. Four exploratory focus groups were held with twenty senior project management practitioners, to better understand the greatest needs and project management processes in the energy sector. A formal deductive approach was used to examine and evaluate existing and future energy project delivery processes. From the qualitative data, participants recognised the need to introduce science-based project techniques such as system dynamics and project predictive analytics in project management processes. Participants further noted that comprehensive innovative project delivery processes and analytical approaches are required to cope with the increasing scale and complexity of energy capital projects

Mapping and simplifying construction project delivery

The nature of project complexity within construction engineering projects has been the subject of study with growing interest, especially since the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Networks- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council was set-up in 2003. Yet, it could be argued in research terms, that project complexity has been neglected both in terms of conceptualising it and in terms of empirical study. Given the supposed severity of project complexity and the obvious failings of the industry’s approach towards project delivery, it is reasonable to assume that such an issue would provide a focus for research to improve practice. The main issues appraised are structural complexity, uncertainty, organisational complexity and technological complexity. As established from the reviewed literature, one of the hindrances to project performance within the construction industry is project complexity, which mainly emerges during the construction and design process

Integration of sustainability principles into construction project delivery

Construction clients and governments recognise the significant impact the design, construction and occupation of buildings have on the environment and society. The construction industry and governments have a central role in driving the sustainable development agenda. Good sustainable design can deliver buildings with low running costs-an attribute that is highly attractive to both the society and businesses. The aim of this paper was therefore to examine the integration of sustainability principles into construction projects. The review provided key evidence of the link between sustainability and better project performance, through the integration of sustainability principles. In addition, it proposed a sustainable framework for better construction project, based on the philosophies of sustainable constructio