Selection Model of Subcontractor Relationships by Using Discriminant Analysis

Subcontractors usually handle some parts of special works in construction projects. The development of the subcontractor’s relationship is one of the main issues to ensure the project's success. Many existing models were proposed for evaluating the subcontractor prequalification and performance, but a selection model of subcontractor relationships was still neglected for supporting the decision-making of the main contractor. Currently, main contractors use only their experience and personal preference to choose the type of subcontractor relationships. These practices can reduce the opportunities for finding a suitable subcontractor who could add more value to future explorative work. Moreover, if they mismatch the relationship type with the subcontractor, the main contractors will work with a poor-performance subcontractor. Thus, this wrong selection has hindered the benefit of a long-term relationship subcontractor. This study developed a selection model of subcontractor relationships to solve the problem. The methodology of this research collected data from the primary contractor's assessment of 15 projects, with 93 subcontractors based on factors influencing the current relationship type. Then, the selection model of subcontractor relationships was developed by using discriminant analysis. As a result, time control in planning, work quality, cooperation, and trust factors that influenced the outcome of the model development, were able to classify subcontractors into short-term or long-term relationships. The finding result was also validated and shown at an acceptable level. Therefore, the model development could support the decision-making of the main contractor in choosing the type of subcontractor relationship

Information communication technology (ICT) implementation constraints: a construction industry perspective

PURPOSE - The purpose of this paper is to report upon research undertaken on deployment of information communication technology (ICT) diffusion initiatives in the Australian construction industry. The paper seeks to explain how innovation implementation drivers and barriers facilitate diffusion at the organisational, group and individual levels. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH - Data from two web-based document management case studies and one intranet document management system case study are used to analyse ICT diffusion dynamics within three large information technology (IT) literate Australian construction firms. The sample was purposefully limited to large IT-literate construction contracting organisations with a need to use ICT for their operational effectiveness. FINDINGS - Constraints at the personal level include limited budget for ICT investment, commitment from other project participants, issues of ICT standardisation, and security problems. At the organisational level, constraints include basic levels computer experience, time available to learn, and the identification of clear benefits of ICT use. Constraints at the group level include time available to share information, quality of personal contact and geographical distance. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS - The sample was purposefully limited to large IT-literate construction contracting organisations with a need to use ICT for their operational effectiveness. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS - The driver and barrier models presented indicate that ICT innovation implementation requires intense management interventions to facilitate a supportive workplace environment that strongly links personal and organisational resource investment with demonstrated outcome benefits. ORIGINALITY/VALUE - This study provides rich insights of the dynamics of ICT innovation implementation. Few studies in the literature have provided such insights that link the organisational, group and individual levels

Innovation diffusion at the implementation stage of a construction project: case study of information communication technology

Interest in construction industry (CI) innovation, particularly in information communication technology (ICT), has been steadily growing with the advent and widespread use of the Internet. However, despite its potential for delivering competitive advantage, many companies have failed to effectively realize promised benefits from ICT due to misunderstanding the relationship between factors and processes influencing ICT implementation. Results from recent in-depth qualitative ICT implementation research on three construction contractors provides useful insights and practical experience of lessons learned that can be more broadly disseminated. These research results provide an ICT innovation diffusion organizational level framework with insights about how it may be applied to improve ICT adoption at different implementation stages for the CI. They suggest that strategic ICT implementation planning needs to consider issues of critical management support, technical support, supportive workplace environment and ICT users' individual-characteristics so that the framework processes offered can be effectively applied

Using Artificial Neural Network for Selecting Type of Subcontractor Relationships in Construction Project

Since some subcontractors could perform their professional skills faster and less expensive, many main contractors have adapted those companies to help their construction works and gained more profits. After the relationship between main contractor and subcontractor was consistently developed by many construction projects, main contractors would be willing to define a potential subcontractor who could ensure a good productivity in the future. Previously, main contractors were experienced by wrong selection of subcontractor in relationship development. Thus, it could cause some controversies between main contractor and subcontractor and hinder benefits with a right subcontractor for a long run business. To minimize the problem of main contractor, this paper used an artificial neural network as a tool for determining the subcontractor in relationship development. As the result, the artificial neural network provided higher accuracy in training and validating data and it could give main contractor more confident in decision making for selecting type of subcontractor relationships

Developing an Automated System for Checking the Strut Arrangement in Deep Excavation

At the early stage of the project, the clash problem in the strut arrangement was reviewed by using two-dimensional construction drawings. This practice was time-consuming and error-prone. Moreover, some 3D construction software could detect clashes between the structural strut and permanent building structures. But they were still limited in this arrangement including (1) decision of strut arrangement relying on human judgment; (2) unable to distinguish between unreal clash and real clash in the strut arrangement based on work practice, and (3) unable to present overview of all clash detections from each strut at one time. To solve these problems, this paper integrated rule-based approach with Building Information Modelling (BIM) to develop an automated system for detecting and solving clashes of the structural strut. The methodology primarily developed three main modules of an automated system by using rule-based approach. Then, these modules applied with BIM software, visual programming and spreadsheet for generating, checking and solving the clashes. To proof the efficiency, a case study of office basement construction was applied to test the system. As a result, this system could improve the strut arrangement work by reducing the human judgement. Moreover, the system has shortened the time of the strut arrangement by only specifying on the real clash problems. Last, this system also could provide better visualization of clashes

Effect of Encouragement-based Management Mechanism on Construction Firms’ Manpower Development: An Empirical Study from Vietnam

The construction industry should seek to enrich its workforces due to the increasing lack of trained and skilled employees. This study attempts to investigate the relationship between encouragement-based management mechanism (EMM) and manpower development (MD) in construction firms and examine the moderating effect of firm size on this relationship by conducting bivariate Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses to analyse empirical data collected from 79 construction firms in Vietnam. The results show that EMM positively affected MD, and this positive effect was stronger in small/medium-sized construction firms than in large firms. The findings could provide construction firms in Vietnam, as well as other developing countries, with a better understanding of the effect of EMM on MD. Hence, they could establish appropriate and wise encouragement-based strategies to enhance their manpower. This study could contribute to the extant literature on construction manpower development by providing empirical evidence of the EMM−MD relationship in the context of construction firms

Determinants for students perceived potential of BIM use

Newly graduated students are shown to constitute an important source of innovation withinthe architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. In relation to digital technologies likeBIM (Building Information Modelling) that is claimed to have a potential to transform the industry,newly graduated students may play a vital role in innovating with BIM. The paper aims to exploredeterminants for students perceived potential of BIM use (PPBU) and the role of the educationalbackground. The aim will be achieved by analysing the results from a survey conducted among thirdand fourth-year students in construction and civil engineering in Hong Kong, Sweden, and Thailand (n= 194). When the different groups are compared Swedish and Thai students perceive a significant higherPPBU than Hong Kong students. In a step-wise multiple regression analysis five predictors for PPBUwere identified for Thai respectively Swedish students, and one predictor was identified for Hong Kongstudents. It is concluded that in the contemporary BIM-discourse it is claimed that BIM can/shouldtransform the industry, and BIM is even seen as a disruptive technology, and newly graduated studentswill contribute to (digitally driven) innovation. However, from the predictors of PPBU, the question canraised if the awareness of the need for structural changes is lacking in the education, if students later intheir working life should contribute to a BIM-induced transformation of the industry

Developing within-company information and communication technologies (ICT) innovation diffusion networks : a study of three Australian major contractors

The innovation diffusion and knowledge management literature strongly supports the importance of communities of practice (COP) for enabling knowledge about how to use and adopt innovation initiatives. One of the most powerful tools for innovation diffusion is word-of-mouth wisdom from committed individuals who mentor and support each other. Close proximity for face-to-face interaction is highly effective, however, many organisations are geographically dispersed with projects being virtual linked sub-organisations using ICT to communicate. ICT has also introduced a useful facilitating technology for developing knowledge networks. This paper presents findings from a research program concentrating on ICT innovation diffusion in the Australian construction industry. One way in which ICT diffusion is taking place was found to be through within-company communities of practice. We undertook in-depth unstructured interviews with three of the major 10 to 15 contractors in Australia to discuss their ICT diffusion strategies. We discovered that in all three cases,within company networked communities of practice was a central strategy. Further, effective diffusion of ICT groupware tools can be critical in developing COP where they are geographically dispersed

Digital Modeling, Integrated Project Delivery and Industry Transformation: An Australian Case Study

This research is focused on realizing productivity benefits for the delivery of transport infrastructure in the Australian construction industry through the use of building information modeling (BIM), virtual design and construction (VDC) and integrated project delivery (IPD). Specific objectives include: (I) building an understanding of the institutional environment, business systems and support mechanisms (e.g., training and skilling) which impact on the uptake of BIM/VDC; (II) gathering data to undertake a cross-country analysis of these environments; and (III) providing strategic and practical outcomes to guide the uptake of such processes in Australia. Activities which will inform this research include a review of academic literature and industry documentation, semi-formal interviews in Australia and Sweden, and a cross-country comparative analysis to determine factors affecting uptake and associated productivity improvements. These activities will seek to highlight the gaps between current-practice and best-practice which are impacting on widespread adoption of BIM/VDC and IPD. Early findings will be discussed with intended outcomes of this research being used to: inform a national public procurement strategy; provide guidelines for new contractual frameworks; and contribute to closing skill gaps

Big data innovation and diffusion in projects teams: Towards a conflict prevention culture

Despite the enormous literature on how team conflicts can be managed and resolved, this study diverges, by examining factors that facilitate conflict prevention culture in project teams, especially when introducing Big Data Technology. Relying on findings from relevant literatures and focus group discussions, 28 attributes for embedding conflict prevention culture were identified and put together in questionnaire survey. Series of statistical tests including reliability analysis and exploratory factor-analysis. The results identified five critical success factors for entrenching the culture of conflict prevention in project teams introducing big data driving innovations. The five-factor solution include “building effective relationship”, “effective project communications”, “project team efficacy”, “pro-active conflict management approach” and “effectual project documentation”. Result of this study presents a Conceptual framework for effective management of human resource in relation to conflict prevention among project teams, as an effective strategy for facilitating seamless adoption and diffusion of big data innovation in organisations