Academic research in emerging knowledge-based economies : the case of Sri Lankan construction industry

Purpose Knowledge-based economies are popular in the present world. Simultaneously, universities are becoming more responsible for leading economic development through research. As a key contributor to the national economy, it is vital for the construction industry to move beyond outdated practices, and hence, reviewing the role of academic research in empowering construction industry with knowledge is essential. This paper focuses on how relevant theories conceptualise the expected role of academic research in the innovative development of an industry and the specific location in Sri Lankan construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Following a comprehensive literature review, empirical data were collected from Sri Lankan context with a mixed approach informed by a pragmatist philosophical stance. The perspective of academia and industry practitioners were deductively obtained through surveys and inductively explored through qualitative interviews. Findings This study provides evidence that academic research in Sri Lanka does not contribute effectively to innovative construction management. Due to the absence of industry-focused knowledge dissemination strategies, the academic-industry relationships are mostly non-research based. The industry lacks in research informed-decision making, leading to lesser innovations. Research limitations/implications The research conclusions are more applicable to the developing-country construction industry contexts. Practical implications The research urges the need for improved academic-industry research collaborations and strategic knowledge dissemination movements. Originality/value The research confirms academic research as a major integral part of developing construction industry in a knowledge-based economy. In establishing the expected role of academic research, the research revealed the current practice to be under-located. Hence, the research prescribes the necessary actions; research collaborations in major and subsequent requirements. Keywords – Academic research, Construction management, Innovation theories, Knowledge-based economies, Knowledge dissemination, Knowledge utilisation, Research collaboration

Just-in-time performance measurement in an automotive component manufacturing environment

Over the last decade, manufacturing environments have been challenged to radical implementation of typical philosophies such as just-in-time manufacturing (JIT) to achieve dramatic performance improvement. Literature review shows that there is no mechanism so far to identify key JIT drivers relevant to a given organization and its production process, and their impact on enterprise performance. The research carried out here therefore involved the development of a generic performance measurement model to identify and capture the influence of JIT . practices on enterprise performance.' A conceptual performance. measurement model links JIT drivers (Xi) and measurable performance .(Y) using a multidimensional tool such as the extended balanced scorecard. The conceptual" model was then applied to the production process of 'X' Manufacturing(UK) Ltd., a global automotive component manufacturer in United Kingdom. A novel eight-step implementation procedure was designed to collect data, which were analyzed by design of experiments, linear mathematical modelling, computer based dynamic simulation and analytic hierarchy process tool. The contribution to knowledge is an innovative, user friendly,robust and multidimensional performance measurement model enabling industry practitioners to optimize JIT processes 'with substantial performance enhancement

Building post occupancy evaluation frame work

Buildings facilitate organizational performance by creating a comfortable and stable internal environment for the occupants. Traditionally, micro level criteria have been used by the building professionals in understanding how well a building is satisfying user or functional requirements. However ever increasing expectations and requirements of building occupiers and owners for cost effective and value added facilities have lead the global industries towards the concept of total building performance. Among the variety of Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) techniques available in the industry, the application of Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) has been justified throughout the research as a successful BPE technique. However, lacking a generic framework in order to carry out a POE has prevented gaining optimum benefits of POE. Thus, this paper presents a generic framework for POE using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) tool to fill this research gap. Questionnaire survey approach was used to identify BPE criteria and building performance indicators, and to develop the conceptual and generic POE frameworks. Major survey findings revealed that internal environmental comfort as the most important criterion and three times more important than energy performance and sustainability parameters which obtained least importance level. Visual comfort and indoor environmental quality indicators were most significant building performance indicators in evaluating the building performance using POE. POE conducted in a systematic way using the developed framework will allow fine-tuning a facility and the lessons learned from the failures and successes of BP can applied to the design of future buildings

Integrated facilities management practices in Sri Lanka : a preliminary investigation

In this era of globalisation and fierce competition amongst businesses, most companies around the world faces relentless pressure to reduce cost, add value and support business goals for sustainability. Hence, innovative ideas, concepts and methodologies are needed to meet these demands. Integrated facilities management is one such concept, which extended beyond the traditional firm boundaries by enforcing external relationships. Few researchers have identified formation of networks, partnerships, or inter-organisational collaborations among neighbouring built environments as successful mechanisms in optimising the performance of facilities management (FM) functions. Although it is commonly agreed that organisations could benefit from integrated FM, a systematic framework for integration of FM functions has yet to be derived. Therefore, there is a need to investigate existing integrated FM practices and the applicability of integrated FM concept to built environments. The aim of this study is therefore is to review the concept of integrated FM and to investigate the existing integrated FM functions in Sri Lanka. The aforementioned research question was approached through a multiple case study including four cases that have integrated building facilities and FM functions with another organisation/s. Data was collected using observations and semi-structured interviews with facilities managers in the respective organisations. The findings revealed that if the firms are in close proximity, although the core businesses are same or not, there is a high potential of sharing physical facilities and FM functions among the firms. There is also a possibility of integrating FM functions among distantly located facilities when.(i) they are under same ownership, 00 there is a close relationship between organisations or pii) they obtain the service from outsourced FM service provider. The findings of this study will be useful in integrating FM practices in Sri Lanka

Evaluation of stakeholder satisfaction in Tsunami damaged school reconstruction projects in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the worst affected countries by 2004 Tsunami, which destroyed two third, of the Island's coastline. This necessitated massive reconstruction drive for recovery in all sectors including housing, healthcare, educational and infrastructure. Achieving stakeholder satisfaction is the key for the success of any project and disaster reconstruction projects are of no exception in this regard. The reconstruction of schools has been virtually completed but it is not yet known whether the stakeholders' interests have been properly addressed. This study therefore aimed at evaluating the stakeholder satisfaction in tsunami damaged school reconstruction projects in Sri Lanka. A literature survey has been carried out on the Tsunami phenomenon, historical facts of disasters in Sri Lanka and damage due to 2004 Tsunami. Data gathered from preliminary interviews and literature survey was used to establish factors of stakeholder satisfaction in questionnaire survey. Data collected using the questionnaire survey was then analyzed using Box Plot analysis. The research reveals that the stakeholders of all categories are satisfied with most of the factors especially with the physical reconstruction aspects such as standard of school buildings, adequacy of classroom and infrastructure facilities, adequacy of disaster preparedness measures and child friendly zoning of buildings. But measures such as disaster early warning systems, practice of warning drills and persistent attention on trauma counseling for affected victims were found to be wanting

Lean design management practices associated with stakeholder management during pre-construction stage in Sri Lanka

Lean Design Management (LDM) is a concept, which ensures efficiency and effectiveness of the design stage of a construction project to reduce uncertainty and improve the quality of the final product. Stakeholder Management (SM) is an effective approach for coordinating and managing stakeholders who involve with a construction project to ensure better relationships and reduce the complexity of the project. The integration of LDM and SM concepts together into the pre-construction phase provides a positive impact on the project performance. This paper aims to investigate the lean design management practices associated with stakeholder management in the pre-construction phase of construction projects in Sri Lanka. The research has used mixed method research approach to achieve the aforementioned aim. The research concluded that twenty-nine lean design management practices and eight stakeholder management practices can be integrated into the pre-construction phase in Sri Lanka. The findings further revealed that waste reduction, product performance enhancement, and functionality enhancement can be achieved by integrating LDM and SM practices together into the pre-construction phase in Sri Lanka

Evolution of building performance evaluation techniques : synthesizing current knowledge towards a future research agenda

Buildings provide infrastructure and logistical support for core business functions and present comfortable and stable internal environment to the occupants. Buildings, however, are not static over time; they change, evolve and often adapt in response both to external and internal factors. This dynamic nature has profound impact on building performance. Building performance plays a major role in articulating the expectations of building designers, owners, occupants and operators. Traditionally, cost centered performance evaluation criteria have been used by the building professionals in understanding how well a building is satisfying its users or functional requirements. The improved match between expectations and fulfillment is considered as an important target for the building in providing better value for the customer. However, advancements in expectations, standards and requirements of building occupiers and owners for cost effective and value added facilities have led the global industries towards the emergence of the concept of Building Performance Evaluation (BPE). This paper critically reviews the literature on the evolution of BPE frameworks and techniques since 1960s and presents current developments in systematic building performance evaluation. The paper concludes by highlighting the dearth of multidimensional framework and a holistic approach for BPE and provides recommendations for future research aimed at developing a more integrated BPE research agenda. This paper will be valuable to scholars working in BPE, who wish to understand how the field has been developed as well as those who are interested in avenues for future research

A Multi-Dimensional model for building project performance evaluation

In the era of globalization and fierce competitions amongst business, there is a need to enhance business performance measurement is the process of quantifying the efficiency and effectiveness of an action. The researches and the industrial experts agree that the lack of an appropriate performance measurement system has become on of the principle barricades to promote improvements in the construction industry. Moreover, the traditional view of performance measurement highly relies on financial and construction project cost data, which gives only the past performance. There is therefore necessity for a multi-dimensional approach to measure the construction project performance. The research presented here involved the integration of balanced scorecard (BSC) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) tools, which have been used in manufacturing industry for performance evaluation. The questionnaire survey approach was selected in developing a PMM. Based on the survey findings, the building project has been introduced with performance scores for each perspectives have relatively two times higher important level than other perspectives and three times important than innovation, learning and growth perspective. In Conclusion, this novel multi-dimensional PMM can be suitably applied by construction industry practitioners to optimize building performance