Decision making processes and the adoption of energy saving techniques in social housing

Many innovative techniques and large policy measures have been introduced to reduce energy consumption. Despite the high ambitions and societal pressures, the adoption rate of energy measures is still low. Using adoption theories this paper provides a framework to analyse the adoption process of energy saving techniques in building processes. The stakeholders in the adoption process of energy measures are analysed during every phase of a building project. This framework is used to analyse four projects of a social housing corporation. The low rate of adoption of energy saving techniques can be explained by the large number and variety of stakeholders involved

The problem of communication in construction

Communication is an important topic in the construction industry, as also reported in the literature. Often problems in construction are referred to as communication problems [Emmerson 1962]; [Higgin and Jessop 1965]; [Latham 1994]; [DETR 1998]. Due to its specific characteristics, the industry forms a complex communication environment. Construction is a fragmented and dynamic sector with a projectbased nature. This makes that many stakeholders operate in frequently changing sets of relationships which are contractually driven. The culture shows a reality of conflicts and lack of mutual respect and trust [Dainty et al 2006].\ud The goal of this research project is to improve communication in construction. To define the problem in more detail and to define a more specific research goal, the project started with two studies. Literature on communication in construction was studied, and interviews were held with experts in the\ud Netherlands. This provided a first impression of the situation in the practice and literature of construction. This paper reports the first findings (in Section 4), including a more focused problem definition, the main research goal and a possible research set-up to tackle the problem. The literature study is reported in the next section; the empirical data from the expert interviews are discussed in Section 3. The paper ends with some conclusions

Uncertainty management in real estate development: studying the potential of the SCRUM design methodology

Real estate development is all about assessing and controlling risks and uncertainties. Risk management implies making decisions based on quantified risks to execute riskresponse measures. Uncertainties, on the other hand, cannot be quantified and are therefore unpredictable. In literature, much attention is paid to risk management. The management of uncertainties is underexposed. Uncertainties appear in the programming and designing phases of projects. The main goal of our research is to develop guidelines for real estate developers to manage uncertainties in those phases

Sensemaking of real estate management using real options and scenario planning

Healthcare across the world is facing many uncertainties. In Dutch healthcare, a recent policy change forces health organisations to deal more efficiently with real estate which makes flexibility more necessary. In order to support real estate managers in decision making in flexibility, we developed a method combining scenario planning and real options. This method is aimed to enhance sensemaking on both the consequences of future uncertainties on the organisation which influences real estate management, and on the types of flexibility needed to enable adapting to these changes. In this way, better real estate strategies can be developed. Through testing the method in one pilot case, this study shows sensemaking had taken place. Based on these results, propositions are developed focusing on the relation between real options, backcasting scenario planning and sensemaking

Toward a new approach in designer selection

This paper briefly describes the current selection process for designers and discusses the new roles of designers. Then, new selection criteria for each selection system are deduced from the shifts in designers' roles. Finally, main criteria for choosing a selection system are derived

Toward a new approach in designer selection

This paper briefly describes the current selection process for designers and discusses the new roles of designers. Then, new selection criteria for each selection system are deduced from the shifts in designers' roles. Finally, main criteria for choosing a selection system are derived