13 research outputs found
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Institutional pressures and decoupling in projects: The case of BIM level 2 and coercive isomorphism in the UK’s construction sector
Reform and modernisation of the construction sector are ongoing concerns to governments in numerous countries, due to the low rate of innovation and productivity in the sector. Policy interventions, particularly those associated with digital technologies, are being used to promote innovation and transformation of the sector. Digitising building information through building information modelling (BIM), for example, has been claimed to be transformative and has been mandated by governments in multiple countries. Institutional theorists would describe this as coercive isomorphism – encouraging firms across sectors to
adopt the same practices. In the UK and many other countries, formal structures have been devised and imposed as part of these coercive efforts, including standardised processes for managing information on delivery, handover and throughout operation. However, evidence suggests that these coercive pressures and the national BIM approaches have not produced the envisaged systemic change at the pace expected by institutional designers. The academic literature has also acknowledged that industry-wide implementation of BIM has progressed slowly despite constant claims that BIM is a vehicle for realising radical, transformational change in the construction industry. In reality, organisations and projects are not necessarily passive receptors of imposed policies; yet the
project management and construction management literatures offer limited understanding of the effects ‘within’ projects when institutional pressures are applied. In the case of BIM, there is a shared and implicit assumption that a multitude of stakeholders will readily accept the BIM
discourse and the prescriptions that follow it. This thesis challenges such assumptions, arguing that the adoption and implementation of BIM through institutional pressure will not be straightforward. Project management scholars have cited a low level of concern for the internal processes of projects and how they interact with broader institutional issues as a major weakness of current theorising in project management in connection with actual practice. Thus, this research takes the perspective of projects as implementers of institutional pressures to explore how this interaction unfolds. Specifically, it examines the case of the BIM level 2 mandate in the UK, which is considered a mature country in terms of BIM adoption, as well as the BIM policy approach as an example of an institutional (coercive) pressure. Based on insights from institutional and structuration theories, and through inductive and longitudinal case studies of eight projects from three settings with varying motivations for implementing the BIM level 2 mandate, this research
identifies and conceptualises how projects might respond to an institutional pressure and the predictors of such responses. The findings reveal that hybrid responses can emerge when projects are faced with institutional pressures to impose a new structure, which are underlined
by both coupling and decoupling from the imposed structure. Decoupling occurs in two main forms: decoupling from the ‘what’, or the content of the imposed structure; and/or decoupling from the ‘how’ of the imposed structure, or its implicit meaning. The rationale underlying coupling and decoupling responses involves both the willingness and the ability of projects to respond to the institutional environment. The findings also evidence that decoupling in projects takes place under conditions of complex causality and presents characteristics of conjunction and equifinality. These insights demonstrate that combinations of multilevel institutionalised structures and organisation-level variables shape how projects respond to environmental pressures.
By exploring how projects interact with institutional pressures and conceptualising decoupling in the context of projects, this research contributes to several streams of literature. First, it extends the current conceptualisation of policy-practice decoupling in the organisational theory literature by proposing a more fine-grained conceptualisation wherein decoupling occurs not only under the conditions of a lack of holistic adoption and/or implementation of structures or its content (the ‘what’) but also when the implicit meaning (the ‘how’) of the structure is not enacted. The findings further elaborate on the role of the imposed
structure itself and a prior decoupling that might take place at the level of the imposed structure, which stresses the impact of the imposed rules on the mechanisms that lead to decoupling at the ground level. Second, from the project management and construction management perspectives, this study directly addresses recent calls for more research that theorises the
interactions of projects with the wider environment through the lens of management theories, such as institutional theory. The findings suggest that the process of change and institutionalisation of new structures imposed by the environment is a process of structuration, influenced by structures from the multiple contexts in which projects are embedded.
Finally, from a BIM perspective, this study enriches debates that challenge perceptions of BIM enactment as a linear process of implementation. Although the existing literature has already identified a range of factors that affect BIM adoption and implementation, this research highlights the combined influence of multiple factors within various project contexts on ‘how’ the implementation of a BIM mandate actually proceeds at the ground level
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Toward a Digitally Enabled Estate: Project Capella
This report details the transition of University of Cambridge Estate Management to a digitally enabled estate in line with the Government Construction Strategy. To support the implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 and the use of digital technologies in the delivery and operation of assets, the University’s Estate Management (EM) has developed a comprehensive information management strategy, including a range of processes and documentation. This report describes the uses of BIM technologies and implementation of BIM processes, examples of its benefits across RIBA stages and some of the main lessons learned from BIM Level 2 implementation during Project Capella, which forms part of the University’s Biomedical Campus. The case study is based on interviews with client and contractor project managers and BIM managers. The report provides insights regarding elements associated with a successful BIM project and best practices for implementation of BIM Level 2. This is one of a number of case studies from across the campus showcasing the University’s EM digitalisation process and the value of BIM
Exploring the Critical Factors for Sustainable Product-service Systems Implementation and Diffusion in Developing Countries: An Analysis of two PSS Cases in Brazil
AbstractThis paper aims at exploring how some factors identified in the PSS and product/service innovation literature can hinder or foster sustainable PSS implementation in developing countries, since there is a lack of knowledge concerning the characteristics of PSS transition processes in different contexts. The identified factors were investigated empirically, through two PSS solutions located in an emerging economy. The main results demonstrated the role of some potential factors in supporting the implementation and diffusion of PSS solutions, especially those related to the involvement of multiple actors in the value creation and the social embeddedness. However, the role of those factors still need to be investigated in future works, since only two cases were analyzed in this research. Analyses of successful and unsuccessful PSS cases as well as the identification of other factors and characteristics of PSS implementation in different contexts are directions for further research
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Becoming Digital: Enacting Digital Transformation in Construction Projects
Digital transformation is often conceptualised as an accomplished event; however, conceptualising it as something that organisations accomplish does not capture the features of the change process. In this study, we analyse digital transformation at the inter-organisational level (i.e. construction projects context) and conceptualise it as a dynamic change process that people enact. More specifically, we investigate the implementation of building information modelling (BIM) in construction projects, adopting a practice-based approach to explore the change process and how BIM is institutionalised in practice. We propose a preliminary conceptual model of the institutionalisation of BIM as a structuration process. Based on ethnographic data, our findings revealed two main characteristics of the process of institutionalising BIM in projects, i.e. path dependency and contingency upon institutional fields. Through our findings, we offer insights into both the literature and practice on how digital transformation in project-based contexts occurs in practice
Proposta para identificação e análise dos hotspots ambientais e sociais no ciclo de vida de sistemas produto-serviço nas fases iniciais de projeto
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção, Florianópolis, 2017Sistemas produto-serviço (Product-service systems - PSS) têm sido discutidos como estratégias promissoras rumo à sustentabilidade. Entretanto, PSS não são necessariamente sustentáveis. O projeto de um PSS desempenha um papel fundamental na concepção de soluções sustentáveis e o potencial sustentável das soluções precisa ser avaliado durante as fases iniciais de projeto, antes de a solução ser colocada em prática nas fases subseqüentes, sob uma perspectiva que considere todo o ciclo de vida de um PSS. Porém, existem lacunas de pesquisa sobre como avaliar o potencial de um PSS nas fases iniciais de projeto sob a perspectiva do ciclo de vida, principalmente no que diz respeito à dimensão social da sustentabilidade. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo propor uma abordagem para identificação e análise de possÃveis impactos ambientais e sociais no ciclo de vida de um PSS durante as fases iniciais de projeto. A abordagem proposta é um método simplificado para avaliação do ciclo de vida e consiste em uma análise de hotspots, que busca identificar em quais fases do ciclo de vida impactos ambientais e sociais mais significativos podem ocorrer. A abordagem proposta foi estruturada em três principais macro-fases e nove etapas. A estruturação da proposta inclui a definição de aspectos de fronteiras do sistema a serem abordados (estruturação do ciclo de vida de um PSS, aspectos ambientais, categorias de stakeholders e subcategorias de impacto social) e desenvolvimento do procedimento de análise, com base na literatura. Após a construção da proposta, esta foi avaliada por especialistas, e uma série de sugestões de melhorias foi feitas. Com base em critérios pré-definidos, melhorias foram introduzidas na segunda versão da proposta. Essas melhorias envolveram a reestruturação das fases do ciclo de vida, consideração de aspectos ambientais adicionais e subcategorias de impacto social. A consulta com especialistas permitiu concluir que não há um consenso acerca de quais subcategorias de impacto social e grupos de stakeholders especÃficos são mais apropriados para abordagem nas fases iniciais de projeto, e que considerações acerca de categorias de stakeholders e subcategorias de impacto social especÃficas para cada caso precisam ser feitas antes de proceder a aplicação da abordagem proposta, na fase de identificação das fronteiras do sistema. A consulta com especialistas também permitiu constatar que o processo de análise precisa ser guiado. Nesse sentido, um checklist para guiar a fase de análise de relevância (uma das fases da abordagem proposta) foi desenvolvido com base em outras publicações relacionadas. Finalmente, uma aplicação fictÃcia da proposta foi realizada como exemplo para fins de demonstração de como ocorreria no caso de aplicação prática. A estruturação do exemplo permitiu concluir que, diante da necessidade de se obter informações acerca dos sistemas de referência para subsidiar a análise, para fins de aplicação prática da proposta será necessário aplicar a mesma em um contexto real de projeto a fim de identificar quais as limitações reais no momento de aplicação e retroalimentar a proposta com melhorias a partir das dificuldades identificadas no contexto real. A inclusão de aspectos econômicos à proposta, passÃveis de análise nas fases iniciais de projeto, de forma a permitir uma avaliação holÃstica considerando as três dimensões da sustentabilidade é uma perspectiva para trabalhos futuros.Abstract: Product-service systems (PSS) have been discussed as promising strategies towards Sustainability. However, a PSS is not necessarily a sustainable solution. The design process plays an important role in the development of sustainable PSS solutions. In addition, the Sustainability potential of a PSS needs to be assessed during the early design stages, before put the solution in practice in the next design stages, from a life cycle perspective. However, there is a lack of methods for PSS Sustainability assessment from a life cycle perspective to be applied during the early design stages, especially regarding the social dimension of Sustainability. Thus, this work proposes an approach for analyzing environmental and social impacts along the PSS life cycle in the early design stages. The proposed approach is a streamlined life cycle assessment, more specifically a hotspots analysis that aims to identify in which life cycle phases significant environmental and social impacts might occur. The hotspots-based approach was developed in three main phases and nine stages. The proposal's structure process includes system boundaries definition (i.e. PSS life cycle phases, environmental aspects, stakeholders categories and social impact subcategories) and the analysis procedure development, based on the literature. Afterward, the proposal was assessed by experts in the field, and a range of suggestions for improvements was proposed. Based on pre-defined criteria, improvements were made in the second version of the proposal. Those involved the consideration of new life cycle phases, additional environmental aspects, and social subcategories. Experts' evaluation showed that there is no agreement regarding which specific stakeholders categories and social impact subcategories are suitable to be applied in the early design stages. Specific stakeholders' categories and social subcategories should be considered by the design team, when the system boundaries are defined, before conducting the hotspots analysis. Moreover, the experts' evaluation demonstrated the analysis process should be guided. Therefore, a checklist was developed based on other publications to guide one of the phases of the assessment process. Finally, an example of the hotspots-based approach application was carried out, in order to demonstrate how the analysis process would occur in a real context. The example showed that, since the analysis process requires information regarding the reference systems, it is still necessary to apply the proposed approach empirically in a real context to identify difficulties faced by the design team when applying the hotspots analysis and improve the proposed approach. The integration of economic aspects that can be analyzed in the early design stages is a direction for further research since this will allow a holistic evaluation considering the three Sustainability dimensions
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Four Futures, One Choice - Options for the Digital Built Britain of 2040
PRODUCT-SERVICE SYSTEMS AS SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES TO MOBILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TWO BIKE-SHARING SYSTEMS
Product-Service Systems (PSS) have been discussed as promising business models to redirect the contemporary production and consumption patterns towards sustainability. However, the research on PSS is mostly dictated by theoretical works and more empirical investigations are needed. Additionally, empirical studies that compare PSS solutions situated in different contextual conditions are required. This paper aims at analyzing two use-oriented bike-sharing systems with sustainability potential in order to contribute to PSS empirical body of knowledge. A PSS located in a developed country and another one available in an emerging economy were selected to be investigated. A qualitative analysis was carried out considering the contextual conditions of each solution: PSS elements, sustainable business models components, and sustainability potential, based mainly on secondary data. The results confirmed that these PSS models can provide environmental, economic, and social benefits. The analysis and comparison between the solutions also demonstrated differences in both systems such as integration with other transportation modes and renewable energy usage that may affect customer acceptance and PSS sustainability performance. Customer behavior, acceptance and satisfaction need further study. Understanding the real factors that motivate customers to use a bike-sharing system in different contexts can be useful in efforts to spread its future adoption
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Elastic Manufacturing: Provisioning and deprovisioning production capacity to vary product volume and mix
Responsive manufacturing has been supporting firms over the last few decades. However, manufacturers now operate in a context of continuous uncertainty. This research explores a mechanism where firms can ‘elastically’ provision and deprovision their production capacity, to enable them to cope with repeated disruptions. Such a mechanism is facilitated by the imitability and substitutability of production resources.
An inductive study was conducted using Gioia methodology for this theory generation research. Respondents from twenty UK manufacturing firms across multiple industrial sectors reflected on their experience through COVID-19. Resource-Based View and Resource Dependence Theory were employed to analyse the manufacturers’ use of internal and external production resources.
The study identifies elastic responses at four operational levels: production-line, factory, firm, and supply chain. Elastic responses that imposed variable-costs were particularly well-suited for coping with unforeseen disruptions. Further, the imitability and substitutability of manufacturers helped others produce alternate goods during the crisis.
While uniqueness of production capability helps manufacturers sustain competitive advantage against competitors during stable operations, imitability and substitutability are beneficial during a crisis. Successful manufacturing firms need to combine these two approaches to respond effectively to repeated disruptions in a context of ongoing uncertainties. The theoretical contribution is in characterising responsive manufacturing in terms of resource heterogeneity and resource homogeneity, with elastic resourcing as the underlying mechanism
Proposal of a framework for product-service systems characterization
<div><p>Abstract Product-service systems (PSS) design raises new issues, among which the need of encompassing a life cycle perspective. The aim of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for PSS characterization through its life cycle. The purpose is to understand the structure, the sequence, and the main characteristics of PSS life cycle phases, characterizing a PSS process model. A systematic literature review was carried out to identify the PSS life cycle phases and the conceptual elements that characterize each phase. The PSS life cycle was structured based on service life cycle from the customer perspective. Afterwards, the conceptual framework was built for PSS characterization considering business model, engineering and design aspects that may be useful to guide PSS solutions development. The paper aims to make a theoretical contribution by understanding what should be done and how to perform the activities during PSS life cycle at a systemic level.</p></div