Marketing for Service Quality - Contractors' Perception: UAE Case Study

This paper is based on the findings of in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews with owners, directors and senior managers of twenty contractors' organisation in the United Arab Emirates construction industry. Then the research findings were reported and sent back to those who participated in the interviews in a form of a validation report for their review and comments.  The objective of this paper is to explore the marketing concept, cost and activities within the contractors’ organisation in the United Arab Emirates construction industry. The results indicated that marketing function has been slightly accepted as legitimate management activities in the UAE construction organisations (15% of respondents). Furthermore, the majority of companies (80% of respondents) consider marketing cost as a wasting of money since most projects were awarded to the lowest price offer. More than 85% of the interviewed contractors indicated that they do not have marketing departments or divisions in their companies; instead they have a public relationship department with the focus on the documentation of current project and the internal magazine of the company. Only 15% of contracting companies have a separate marketing division with a few staff and little budget. The result also indicated that there is much confusion among contractors on the definition of the marketing concepts and its purpose and activities. Keywords:Marketing, Service Quality, Marketing Orientation, Differentiation and Marketing Researc

Marketing for Service Quality in Jordanian Construction Project Organisation

This paper is based on the findings of in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews with owners, directors and senior managers of fifteen contractors organisation in Jordan. The objective of this paper is to explore the marketing concept, cost and activities within the contractors’ organisation in the Jordanian construction industry. The results indicated that marketing function has not been accepted as legitimate management activities in the Jordanian construction organisations. Furthermore, the majority of companies (85% of respondents) consider marketing cost as a wasting of money since most projects were awarded to the lowest price offer. More than 85% (13 out of 15) of the interviewed contractors indicated that they do not have marketing departments or divisions in their companies. Only 13% of contracting companies (2 out of 15) have a separate marketing division with a few staff and little budget. The result also indicated that there is much confusion among contractors on the definition of the marketing concepts and its purpose. Key Wards (Marketing, Service Quality, Marketing Orientation, Differentiation, Marketing Mix

AN AHP-BASED DECISION MAKING MODEL EVALUATING THE USE OF AUGMENTED REALITY FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE SYSTEM

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of integrating augmented reality technology, along with promising techniques, into the building maintenance system. The goal is to investigate whether augmented reality devices may improve the support given to personnel during facility maintenance procedures. The present research offers a decision-making tool intended to assist researchers and managers in assessing and choosing an augmented reality device that has important characteristics to enhance building maintenance procedures. A decision-making process was used to identify the optimal option from three augmented reality tools: handheld devices, head-mounted displays, and projectors. A set of six main criteria was established to evaluate the three augmented reality options. The analytical hierarchy process approach was used as the decision-making tool by prioritizing a set of primary and sub-criteria among many choices. A four-tier hierarchy has been established to identify the aspects that hold greater significance for decision-makers when choosing the augmented reality tool. The prioritization of the options utilized in this study was determined by considering the comments of the stakeholders while conducting a method analysis. The findings indicate that the handheld device is the most preferred augmented reality technology for facilitating building maintenance tasks, with a ranking score of 0.5031. The second alternative demonstrated an acceptable result of 0.3166, while the projector obtained the third position with a score of 0.1803. Moreover, the primary criterion analysis revealed that reliability emerged as the most influential factor pertaining to the target, with a rank of 0.3881. In terms of the sub-criteria, stakeholders in the decision-making process assigned greater importance to data format, handle, feedback, software system integration cost, augmented reality tools or equipment, and system maintenance

Hierarchical Risk Communication Management Framework for Construction Projects

Risk, as an effect of uncertainty, is associated with every human activity. Like any other industry, construction companies are eager to reduce the uncertainty of reluctant events. A well-planned risk communication system could contribute to the success of a construction project. A proper announcement protocol could be a mitigating lever for identified or unidentified risks during planning and monitoring processes. This research aims to present a risk communication management system (RCMS) for construction companies involved in large projects. The proposed model includes a step-by-step communication procedure considering the authority level within the organisational hierarchical structure. The model aims to remove the ambiguity of risk communications during the construction process under uncertain conditions. It leaves no or little room for the emergence of unplanned risks. The proposed communication structure has been implemented in GRC cladding construction projects, and the risk communication time and response have been significantly improved

Effect of the Residential Photovoltaic Systems Evolution on Electricity and Thermal Energy Usage in Jordan

The aim of this study was to improve the residential photovoltaic systems (RPVS) sector, using surveys as the research method. The research was carried out in four selected districts in Jordan, taking into account the largest population. The prepared sets of questionnaires covered a wide range of topics, divided into three parts and seven sections. The results showed that the highest use of solar energy for heating was in the Amman district, while in the Irbid and Zarqa districts photovoltaic (PV) system installations can potentially be more prospective because of high electricity and thermal energy usage. This study found the willingness of people to have a combined on-grid/off-grid PV systems, made by European and American manufacturers. However, those respondents were afraid of the high maintenance cost, the unclear lifespan of the system, doubtful reliability, and unclear warrantee of the PV systems