The nature of risk in complex projects

© 2017 Project Management Institute, Inc. Risk analysis is important for complex projects; however, systemicity makes evaluating risk in real projects difficult. Looking at the causal structure of risks is a start, but causal chains need to include management actions, the motivations of project actors, and sociopolitical project complexities as well as intra-connectedness and feedback. Common practice based upon decomposition-type methods is often shown to point to the wrong risks. A complexity structure is used to identify systemicity and draws lessons about key risks. We describe how to analyze the systemic nature of risk and how the contractor and client can understand the ramifications of their actions

Identifying Success Factors in Construction Projects: A Case Study

© 2015 by the Project Management Institute. Published online in Wiley Online Library. Defining "project success" has been of interest for many years, and recent developments combine multiple measurable and psychosocial factors that add to this definition. There has also been research into success factors, but little research into the causal chains through which success emerges. Following the multi-dimensionality of "success," this article shows how success factors combine in complex interactions; it describes factors contributing to project performance by a company working on two major construction programs and shows how to map and analyze paths from root causes to success criteria. The study also identifies some specific factors - some generic, some context-dependent - none of these is uncommon but here they come together synergistically

The nature of risk in complex projects

© 2017 Project Management Institute, Inc. Risk analysis is important for complex projects; however, systemicity makes evaluating risk in real projects difficult. Looking at the causal structure of risks is a start, but causal chains need to include management actions, the motivations of project actors, and sociopolitical project complexities as well as intra-connectedness and feedback. Common practice based upon decomposition-type methods is often shown to point to the wrong risks. A complexity structure is used to identify systemicity and draws lessons about key risks. We describe how to analyze the systemic nature of risk and how the contractor and client can understand the ramifications of their actions

The effect of a cardiovascular risk factor education program on health behaviors of selected school age children

This study, using a quasi-experimental design, was conducted to explore the effect of a cardiovascular risk factor education program on the health behaviors of a group of fifth grade children. The following hypothesis was tested: There will be a statistically significant improvement in self-reported health behaviors of school age children who receive a cardiovascular risk factor education program as compared to the self-reported health behaviors of those school age children who do not receive a cardiovascular risk factor education program. One hundred and nineteen subjects, 63 in the experimental group and 56 in the control group, were tested using the researcher\u27s designed health behavior questionnaire, My Health Behaviors , before and after participation in the health education program. The program provided for the experimental group consisted of eight 45 minute sessions. The introductory and summary sessions were primarily concerned with administration of the pretest and post-test and sessions two through seven were informative sessions about high fat, high cholesterol diet, smoking and sedentary lifestyle. The program provided for the control group consisted of four 45 minute sessions; session one was concerned with introductory material and administration of the pre-test, sessions two and three were informative sessions related to general nutrition and foods high in salt and sugar, and session four was devoted to review of content as well as administration of the post—test. Data were statistically analyzed using the paired-sample student\u27s t-test. Results of the analysis revealed a significant difference between the two sample groups at p\u3c0.01 level. The hypothesis was accepted

Electronic commerce e-fulfilment in Gulf Cooperation Council consumer markets

Paper originally presented at the 20th Annual Logistics Research Network Conference, 9th to 11th September 2015. This paper reports on an ongoing study investigating electronic commerce fulfilment (ECF) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets, and presents the theoretical background and empirical findings to date. The growth of online retailing in the GCC has motivated this current research

Investigating e-fulfilment in Gulf Cooperation Council business-to-consumer markets

Paper presented at 20th ISL, 5th – 8th July 2015, Bologna Italy This paper reports on a literature review and research objective development pertaining to a current PhD research project on electronic commerce (EC), specifically e-fulfilment, in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) business-to-consumer markets (B2C). The increase in the number of Internet users and GCC government investment has prompted this research to investigate how EC firms provide e-fulfilment services and what kind of logistical processes they implement. This research has also been motivated to explore e-fulfilment logistics in GCC countries, which have similar language, religion and beliefs. The overarching aim of this study is to suggest new strategies to make EC and e-fulfilment more efficient, effective and relevant in GCC countries. The study has the following three research objectives: 1. To investigate extant electronic commerce (EC) and related e-fulfilment logistics processes in GCC B2C markets; 2. To explore differences between international and GCC e-fulfilment purchase and delivery methods; and 3. To determine the extent of a cultural effect on e-fulfilment process in the GCC. This study investigates three categories of actors: pure player (PP) and multi-channel (MC) e-stores, third-party logistics (3PL) service providers, and consumers from different cities within the six GCC countries (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or KSA, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates or UAE, and Bahrain)

E-commerce fulfilment in the Gulf Cooperation Council

Paper delivered at the 21st Logistics Research Network annual conference 2016, 7th-9th September 2016, Hull. Abstract: Purpose: This paper reports on an exploratory study of electronic commerce fulfilment (ECF) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets based on three objectives: effective and efficient operations, a local and global purchase approach using reverse logistics processes, and consideration of cultural factors particular to the GCC countries including differences between small and large cities. Research Approach: There has not been much logistics and supply chain research in the Middle East in general, and the GCC countries in particular. Thus, this study used a qualitative approach to obtain respondent perspectives regarding e-commerce logistics, whether pure player and multi-channel, grocery or non-food, local or global third-party logistics companies (3PLs), or consumers to reflect a suitable model that could fit and help firms in GCC countries develop an online market. One of the cultural factors related to Arabic managers and owners preferring to speak rather than complete surveys or write, hence 55 interviews were conducted with 27 e-commerce firms, 10 3PLs and 18 consumers (men and women equally). Findings and Originality: This study found a lack of communication between e-commerce firms and 3PLs. However, despite this issue 3PLs were focussed more on business-to-business (B2B) activities and relationships rather than business to consumer (B2C). Local 3PLs firms have achieved some success by providing services regionally, with global 3PLs having an advantage in importing and then using local drivers for fast deliveries. Cash on delivery (COD), trust, policy and warehouse management emerged as major issues affecting e-fulfilment with a small scale of satisfaction in small countries like Bahrain and Kuwait and small cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Research Impact: This research enhances the logistics literature through presenting an in-depth study covering aspects of e-commerce in the GCC. Further, the study indicates that 3PLs will have to provide different types of services in these markets e.g. depending on whether they are working under global strategies in UAE or under agents in KSA. Finally, findings related to cultural factors in both business and consumer settings are important for e-commerce firms and 3PLs to consider in this marketplace. Practical Impact: This study investigated electronic commerce fulfilment (ECF) in the GCC, including pure-player and multi-channel e-retailers or Internet firms and global and local 3PL service providers, and provides guidance for all of them regarding the right factors for successful ECF in the GCC, including understanding policy regulation regarding global firms, helping local firms to become aware of the importance of logistic systems and their effectiveness, and dealing with consumer behaviours based on cultural factors