Article

Materials Management Practices in the Construction Industry

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Abstract

Materials management is an integrated process that consists of the people, organizations, technology, and procedures used to effectively identify, quantify, acquire, expedite, inspect, transport, receive, store, and preserve the materials, equipment, and associated information across the life cycle of a capital project. The goal is to ensure that the correct quality and quantity of materials and equipment are procured in an effective manner, obtained at a reasonable cost, and available when needed. The implementation of a comprehensive materials management program contributes to more-predictable project outcomes, reduced costs, improved productivity and quality, and a safer working environment. This makes the early and comprehensive involvement of materials management in capital projects very important. This paper describes a study in which the purpose was to identify materials management techniques that reflect current and emerging practices in the capital projects industry. Surveys, interviews, and case studies involving 54 organizations were used to accomplish this purpose. The study clearly shows a dramatic increase in the maturity, formality, and systematic approach to materials management.

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... Most studies have focused on the management of the design and procurement process and the efficiency of the site [20][21][22]. Some studies have examined only specific material management practices [1,5,21,23], while some studies have focused on the relationship between specific practices and specific performance indicators [2,8,9,[24][25][26][27]. There is a gap in the literature in terms of studies that address the subject in its entirety, especially those examining the effect of stock and waste control on site performance. ...
... Material management can be defined as the process of planning and controlling all efforts to ensure that materials and equipment are identified quickly and in the right quantity and quality, acquired at a reasonable cost, and made available when needed [1,4]. Another definition of material management is the combination of planning and identifying the necessary materials; controlling existing stocks; receiving and distributing materials from suppliers; transporting them to and within the construction site; and storing them [28][29][30]. ...
... To increase site efficiency, the project management team must make plans to ensure that critical materials are identified, delivered, and made available on site when needed [33,34]. In addition to identifying and specifying the materials required, the planning process includes the tasks of creating and maintaining material records, setting target stock levels, planning logistics, and determining delivery frequency [1,35], which can be complicated by the integrated nature of the planning process with other processes. ...
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In the construction industry, much of the construction process is controlled by materials, and material management has a direct impact on many performance criteria such as cost, time, quality, and efficiency. This study examined the impact on project performance of activities that make up the material management process: planning, supply, logistics, transport, stock, and waste control of building materials. Material management practices were measured using 15 criteria under five different headings, and project performance was measured using 13 criteria under three different headings, through surveys of industry personnel at various construction sites. Multiple regression analyses were performed on the data obtained. The impacts of material management practices on project time, project cost, project efficiency, and waste performance, as well as overall project performance were examined using multiple regression analyses. The analysis showed that material supply, material handling, and stock and waste control had positive impacts on overall project performance, while material planning and material logistics did not have statistically significant impacts. It is concluded that the results of the study will help to better understand the relationship between material management and project performance and will help stakeholders to improve their material management practices.
... The materials management goal is to ensure that the right material is procured in the correct quantity, with the required quality, at a reasonable price and available when needed (Caldas et al., 2015). It is accomplished by a set of different approaches such as strategic inventory management (Walsh et al., 2004), monitoring and tracking (Nasir et al., 2010), and materials requirement planning (MRP) (Caldas et al., 2015). ...
... The materials management goal is to ensure that the right material is procured in the correct quantity, with the required quality, at a reasonable price and available when needed (Caldas et al., 2015). It is accomplished by a set of different approaches such as strategic inventory management (Walsh et al., 2004), monitoring and tracking (Nasir et al., 2010), and materials requirement planning (MRP) (Caldas et al., 2015). Effective inventory and materials management can be beneficial for the supply chain. ...
... Supply chain studies often address this dimension, but there are opportunities to explore the other levels, as seen in many examples discussed previously. (Ruuska et al., 2011) • Multi-party contracts (Brahm & Tarziján, 2015) • Cost-plus contracts (Lavikka et al., 2015) • Project alliancing approach (Hietajärvi et al., 2017a;Walker & Jacobsson, 2014;Young et al., 2018) • Capability mechanisms for temporary settings (Zerjav et al., 2018) • Flows of information and goods (Adami & Verschoore, 2018) • Network attributes understanding (Hellgren & Stjernberg, 1995;Ruuska et al., 2009) • Network perspective for the supply chain (Brintrup et al., 2017) • Just-in-time (JIT) / Lean manufacturing (Dainty & Brooke, 2004;Walsh et al., 2004) • Quality management (Gaudenzi & Qazi, 2020;Wu et al., 2013) • TPL implementation (Ekeskär & Rudberg, 2016;Janné & Rudberg, 2022;Le et al., 2020) • Risk management modeling (Qazi et al., 2016 • Control systems (Boland et al., 2008) • Critical path optimization and measurement (Elizabeth & Sujatha, 2013Wood, 2017) • Robust supplier selection processes (Riazi et al., 2019;Tchokogué et al., 2017) • Procurement systems (Kovacs & Paganelli, 2003;Safa et al., 2017) • Cognitive mapping (Edkins, Kurul, Maytorena-Sanchez, & Rintala, 2007) • Digitalization (of processes) (Cerezo-Narváez et al., 2018;Teizer, 2015) • Monitoring and tracking of materials (Nasir et al., 2010) • Materials requirement planning (MRP) (Caldas et al., 2015) • Opportunity management (Hietajärvi et al., 2017b) The macro-organizational level expands the megaproject supply chain to include external stakeholders (Yang et al., 2018), socio-political aspects (Eren, 2019), industry-wide factors (Yun, Choi, Oliveira, Mulva & Kang, 2016), and temporary and permanent clusters of actors within a network (Pauget & Wald, 2013). We expand the rationale and emphasize the managerial implications regarding inter-firm collaboration and the network perspective, which are structured by the multi-level perspective. ...
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This systematic literature review explores strategies to manage complex supply chains in megaprojects, connecting project management and operations management literatures. A total of 2,106 titles and abstracts were analyzed and 94 papers were fully reviewed, identifying six categories of strategies: inter-firm collaboration and coordination, governance, procurement, projects as networks, production and logistics, and risk management. We present the multi-level Megaproject Supply Chain (MSC) framework, unpacking the complex inter-organizational structure of megaprojects in five levels and units of analysis to guide future research. The MSC framework identifies the micro, meso and macro levels of megaprojects and introduces two additional hybrid levels to identify inter-organizational relationships: the meso‑micro and meso‑macro. We suggest four avenues to advance supply chain management in megaprojects through multi-level explorations: (i) Supply Chain Structure: Permanent vs Temporary, (ii) Strategic Procurement and Commercial, (iii) Supply Chain Design: Standardization vs Customization, (iv) Supply Chain Governance: Collaboration and Coordination.
... Other factors related to site management are poor material management and layout planning. According to Caldas et al. (2014), integrated material management includes the entire process used to capitalize materials, equipment, and associated information. The absence of material management can impact project delays and cost overruns (Dakhli and Lafhaj 2018;Yap et al. 2019). ...
... However, the growth of the construction industry in many countries faces challenges. The poor performance of the construction industry is partly caused by poor legal framework and enforcement (Le et al. 2014a;Zhang et al. 2016), fragmentation (Mpofu et al. 2017;Yap and Skitmore 2018), cowboy builders (Yap et al. 2019;Hansen 2024a), safety problems (CIDB 2014; Pribadi and Soemardi 2020), late completion (Zidane and Andersen 2018;Hansen et al. 2019), poor planning and estimating (Caldas et al. 2014;Herawati 2022), lack of transparent and accountable system (Niazi and Painting 2017;Amoah and Steyn 2023;Ariani et al. 2023), and design/scope changes (Islam and Trigunarsyah 2017;Yap et al. 2017a). Much research has been carried out regarding factors that hinder the performance of the construction industry. ...
Article
Various problems faced by the construction sector have hampered the performance and growth of the construction industry in many countries, including Indonesia. This research aims to quantitatively investigate the factors that hinder the performance of the construction industry in Indonesia. Through a literature review approach, 54 inhibiting factors were identified. Next, a questionnaire was conducted to measure the perceptions of Indonesian construction practitioners. The data obtained was analyzed through exploratory factor analysis. This research found seven underlying factors inhibiting the performance of the Indonesian construction industry, namely (1) poor system and practice, (2) incompetency of stakeholders, (3) global challenges, (4) poor site management, (5) poor resource management, (6) slow technology adoption, and (7) lack of detailed planning and decision-making. In addition, these findings are compared with results from similar research that has been conducted in other 14 countries so that it can provide a more comprehensive understanding regarding the criticality of construction industry problems globally. This research contributes by providing a current insight of construction industry problems in developing countries. The results can be used by the government and construction organizations in mapping underlying problems in the construction industry and determining appropriate strategic steps to overcome these problems.
... A key issue that negatively impacts construction project performance is inappropriate material management during site operations [13]. Material management aims to reduce waste, lower material costs, and increase profitability, as building materials typically constitute a significant portion, often ranging from 60% to 70% of a project's direct cost, with labor comprising the remainder [11] Its objectives include efficient materials planning, purchasing, procurement, inventory control, storage, distribution, quality control, and fostering positive supplier-customer relationships [14], [11]. Researchers have studied various direct cost that have a huge impact on the project cost and time, materials being one of them [15]. ...
... Additionally, secondary functions encompass decisions related to make-or-buy scenarios, material coding, forecasting, planning, and standardization. Material planning involves the identification, quantification, and coordination of purchasing project materials and equipment, thereby affecting all project operations by establishing inventory levels, supply frequencies, and recordkeeping practices [14]. Efficient materials classification is crucial for organizing materials based on factors such as size, usage time, and other relevant parameters. ...
Article
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This research paper delves into the crucial role of materials management in construction projects, categorizing it into five key areas: measurement and specification, procurement, delivery, administration, and utilization. The study, focusing on qualitative and quantitative aspects, particularly explores factors contributing to project delays. The literature review establishes materials management as critical, involving planning, quality control, procurement, and timely delivery. Given the significant expense of building materials, strategic management is vital for cost reduction. The research identifies and categorizes key factors responsible for delays in construction projects, with a focus on the Indian context. A survey employing the Relative Importance Index (RII) reveals limited supplier availability, low IT utilization, and delays in material receipt as primary contributors to material management delays. The paper concludes with practical recommendations such as diversifying supplier bases and improving technology integration and communication, contributing nuanced insights for practitioners and researchers in the ongoing effort to optimize materials management and minimize delays in construction projects.
... SCM in the industry aims to integrate supply chain actors to reduce uncertainties and increase the predictability of a project. As part of SCM, materials management is a critical success factor in construction projects as it offers timely delivery of materials and equipment to the construction site (Caldas et al. 2015;Ala-Risku and Karkkainen 2006;Chen et al. 2020). However, achieving the desired level of materials management is demanding because it requires the visibility of relevant information for stakeholders on time (Chen et al. 2020;Ala-Risku and Karkkainen 2006;Magill et al. 2022). ...
... As another example, when a material installation is delayed due to unforeseen site conditions, the due dates of materials for other tasks impacted by the delay have to be modified. Because such unexpected changes frequently happen in construction projects (Caldas et al. 2015;Ala-Risku and Karkkainen 2006;Chen et al. 2020), sharing up-to-date information for materials management is critical to executing the project as planned. ...
... Abou-Ibrahim et al. (2019) opined that 50% -60% are the costs associated with costs incurred from improper on-site material management. These could result in an 80% delay in several construction projects (Caldas et al., 2015). With the current evolution of innovative technologies in the construction industry globally. ...
... Nevertheless, the management of building materials is an incorporated procedure that contains the integration of technology, organizations, people, and procedures. It is used to acquire effectively, quantify, expedite, identify, inspect, store, receive, transport, and conserve the equipment, materials, and related information throughout the lifecycle of a capital project (Caldas et al., 2015). However, the primary aim is to guarantee that the correct quantity and quality of equipment and materials are acquired efficiently, purchased at a realistic cost, and available when needed. ...
Conference Paper
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The construction industry's acceptance of innovative technological tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) is rapidly increasing globally. Based on scholars' findings, BIM has shown substantial capability in the building project's whole lifecycle. The construction stage entails a series of managerial tasks. Material management is one of the crucial notable managerial tasks performed during the construction phase of a project. For decades building materials management has solely relied on manual managing and recording. These usually resulted in increased construction costs and waste of materials. These challenges have raised great concern for the construction manager (CM). The CM is now looking for an innovative way of managing building materials. This study aims to check the capacity of BIM as a material management tool based on the available results. Secondary data sources were thoroughly evaluated, and trends and visualization network mapping were carried out. The findings of this study disclose that the BIM-based material management model can help minimize rebar waste and effectively manage material handling and supply during construction. This study will create more awareness of BIM capability. These will alert the construction managers and BIM experts to consider BIM adoption in managing building materials. Also, add to the knowledge on building material management based on an innovative technology approach. Subsequently, it will increase the adoption and wider use of BIM in the construction stage.
... CDW severely harms countries' economies and the TBL of sustainability (Memon et al., 2015;Park and Tucker, 2017;Jalaei et al., 2019). Caldas et al. (2014) claimed that construction materials and equipment constitute between 50 and 60% of total project cost and affect 80% of its schedule. Although the Egyptian Environmental Law regulates CDW disposal, these regulations lack clauses that foster CDWR (Azmy and El Gohary, 2017). ...
... Reducing unnecessary wasted project cost and eliminate project cost overruns. CDWR. 1 Hussin et al., 2013;Caldas et al., 2014;Memon et al., 2015 Delivering the project within the specified schedule with minimal possible delays. CDWR.2 ...
... Additionally, it affects the overall economy of countries in which it reduces the efficiency, effectiveness, value, and profitability of construction firms (Memon et al., 2015). This can be proved by the fact that approximately 10% of total construction materials cost is wasted as CDW (Hussin et al., 2013), while construction materials and equipment contribute up to 50-60% of total project cost and affect 80% of its schedule (Caldas et al., 2014). In Egypt, the situation is very critical in which up to 40% of total construction materials cost is wasted, which is equivalent to 16% of total building cost (i.e. ...
... CDWR.1 CDWR.2 CDWR.3 (Hussin et al., 2013); (Memon et al., 2015); (Caldas et al., 2014) ...
Conference Paper
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Construction projects are associated with construction and demolition waste (CDW) generated at different stages. This does not only lead to financial loss to construction companies but also lead to negative impacts on the environment. In Egypt's case, the CDW problem has become a significant challenge, and the need to find sustainable solutions is overwhelming. Based on several studies in the literature, it was found that awareness and culture & behaviour are highly affecting CDW reduction (CDWR). This indicates that social value and community engagement play an important role in CDWR. In this study, a representative sample of Egyptian construction firms was screened to examine the relationship between these factors and CDWR in the Egyptian construction sector. The results revealed that there are statistically significant positive relationships between CDWR and both awareness and culture & behaviour. The results demonstrate the necessity of developing the capacity of citizens and practitioners in Egypt through defined measures of awareness and culture & behaviour in order to achieve better future results of CDWR.
... The importance of construction materials to project delivery in the BE cannot be overemphasized . This is because construction materials when assembled properly and appropriately forms the purpose of any construction structure, and constitute about 50 per cent of the total project cost according to Caldas et al. (2015). Similarly, studies of Arayela (2005), Ogunsemi (2010) and Adedeji (2010) posits that construction materials makes up to 65, 50-60, and 60 percent respectively of the cost of construction projects. ...
... It is the responsibility of the contractor to have a clear policy on materials demand and supply as well as the management of such materials which is the reason why it similarly, ranked 1 st with a mean score of 4.96 to underscore the essence of having effective materials management policy in place by the contractor. This is however emphasized by the studies of Arayela (2005), Adedeji (2010), Ogunsemi (2010) and Caldas et al. (2015), who were of the position that building materials makes up to 65, 60, 50 -60 and 60 per cent respectively of the total construction expenditure. Studies of Omoregie & Radford (2006), Abu (2021) and (Alabi & Fapohunda, 2021), emphasized the importance of effective materials management policy in controlling the effect of construction materials price fluctuation on BE project delivery. ...
Conference Paper
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The developmental nature of Abuja metropolis makes it crystal clear that construction project development will continue to be a priority. However, the persistent and unabated rise in construction material prices has led to delay in the delivery of construction projects and in some cases, projects abandonment which has to a large extent stalled the developmental stride of the metropolis. This study thus, appraises the causes and effects of construction materials price fluctuation on Built Environment (BE) project delivery in Abuja metropolis, with an aim to providing mitigating measures. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 331 construction professionals within Abuja metropolis BE and 293 were properly filled and returned. Frequency, Percentile and Mean Index Score (MIS) were employed to rank the severity of the identified causes, effects and the mitigating measures. The findings of this study revealed that building material price inflation, instability of crude oil prices and suppliers materials hoarding are the top factors causing changes to construction material prices with mean scores of 4.78, 4.76 and 4.66 respectively, while market condition instability, increment in the duration of contract period and poor project management are the top effect of construction materials price fluctuation on the metropolis BE project delivery. This study concluded that, clear plans and strategies before starting a project, implementation of effective materials management policies and thorough cross checking of estimates based on the updated price information as the top mitigating measures for cushioning the effect of construction materials price fluctuation on Abuja metropolis BE. This study therefore, recommended that, satisfactory considerations of these mitigating measures are imperative to enhancing the delivery of construction projects within Abuja BE on the side of the contractor. Subsequently, on the side of the government, there is need to increase local production capacity and maintain the stability of exchange rates. The practical implication of this is that, construction professionals can deliver projects to the complete satisfaction of all stakeholders within Abuja metropolis.
... (Berghan Finger, 2015) Pakistan Anwar Zeb 2015 • Problems derived from storage: inadequate space at the construction site, which creates conflict between contractors and subcontractors and hinders the project productivity. (Zeb, 2015) United States C. H. Caldas 2015 • The construction industry does not sufficiently invest to rely on satisfactory material management and control. (Caldas, 2015) Nigeria B. Temitope Arijoleye 2016 ...
... (Zeb, 2015) United States C. H. Caldas 2015 • The construction industry does not sufficiently invest to rely on satisfactory material management and control. (Caldas, 2015) Nigeria B. Temitope Arijoleye 2016 ...
Article
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The present research aimed to provide a broad overview regarding the management of construction materials. As a starting point, the conception of the set of actions that make up the materials management is described and its importance within the construction sector is pointed out; It also addresses the various obstacles that this sector currently faces when managing its materials, in a global scope, and which hinder the optimal development of the sector. Likewise, new management support technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) web-based systems for materials management and data storage applications are described, offering a vision of the advantages and disadvantages involved in implementing these information technologies. In the same way, the most common support techniques for inventory control are outlined. It is concluded that the construction industry knows the concept of materials management, however, it still faces problems for the application of a correct execution of said concept; In addition, it is at an early stage in the adoption of new techniques and technologies to support the management of construction materials.
... Material management is a critical organizational system overseeing the planning and regulation of material quality and quantity, ensuring timely equipment installation, fair pricing, and appropriate quantities as needed. It integrates supplier purchasing, shipping, and material control, defining a method for executing a cost-effective construction process by sourcing materials with precise quality at the right time and location [9], [11], [12]. Effective material cost control relies on seamless coordination, covering critical aspects such as materials purchase, consumption, and storage. ...
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The construction industry's success hinges on effective materials management, a complex process vital for timely and cost-effective material availability. Despite its significance, a notable gap exists in academic research on this critical aspect. This study addresses the gap by introducing a delay prediction model aimed at preempting project delays due to material-related challenges, offering a proactive project management strategy. Materials account for 60-70% of direct costs, and delays resulting from inefficiencies incur significant financial implications. The proposed algorithm, rooted in rigorous academic exploration, utilizes correlation matrices to predict time and cost overruns. The research concludes with a comprehensive analysis, validating the algorithm's utility by revealing average delays and cost overruns for diverse construction components. This study underscores the paramount importance of materials management in construction project success and offers a practical algorithm with potential real-time applications, suggesting avenues for future research expansion.
... The activities include planning, assessing the requirement, sourcing, purchasing, transporting, storing, and controlling materials. Materials account for about 50-60 % of a project's cost and about 80 % of the project schedule (Caldas et al., 2014;Gurmu, 2018). Unavailability of material will have a cascading effect down the project schedule with serious time and cost over runs. ...
Conference Paper
The case company under study is a division of a construction major that uses large volumes of mechanical and electrical equipment in jobs. Covid-19 has presented many challenges for managing the materials function in this company. In this study, the analysis of materials management practices at site and feedback from employees are used to identify challenges posed by Covid-19 and potential areas of improvement. Underlying causes for the same were also determined. Recommendations from the survey were consolidated and discussed which include supply schedule control change management for digital initiatives mechanism for monitoring inventory communication channels between stakeholders. By modifying the operations as per the findings, we can expect significant savings in cost and time.
... The prevailing unpredictable price fluctuations of materials, labour, and equipment can make developers to sustain losses, and thereby hamper sustainability of building projects (Iya and Aminu, 2014) [21]. (5). Global Demand ...
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The lockdowns and restrictions imposed due to covid-19 have introduced severe supply chain bottlenecks in the construction process. These have worsened the formulation of demand and supply mechanism, and as such led to huge spike in building materials’ prices. The study assesses the impact of Covid-19 measures on the cost of building materials in the construction industry in South-South region of Nigeria. Data were collected from 269 construction professionals using a quantitative survey. The findings reveal the most important economic factors affecting the cost of building materials as inflation rate, exchange rate, and interest rate. The most significant challenges associated with the rising cost of building materials were also fluctuation in construction cost, increase in final cost of building projects, and risk of project abandonment. It concludes that cost is an important aspect of project execution, therefore effective mechanisms and polices should be put in place to manage these economic factors in order to mitigate or eliminate the rising cost of building materials. The study provides insight to project practitioners and government policy makers on areas to focus on in order to tackle the rising cost of building materials.
... Materials management is an integrated process that consists of the people, organizations, technology, and procedures used to effectively identify, quantify, acquire, expedite, inspect, transport, receive, store, and preserve the materials, equipment, and associated information across the life cycle of a capital project (Caldas et al., 2015;. ...
Article
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Recently, in the dramatically growing digital world, the management of materials plays a critical role on the performance of manufacturing companies. This study focuses on the effect of materials management practices on organizational performance of flour factories of Werabe. In this research descriptive and explanatory research designs were applied. In order to collect accurate data the researcher used mixed research design (descriptive and explanatory) in integration with a commonly used quantitative research approach. The researcher used both Primary and secondary data source for the study. The researcher employed mixed sampling design or technique (stratified random, purposive and convenience sampling) to take sample respondents under the study. The researcher used closed ended questionnaire as instrument of collecting data. The collected data through close ended questionnaire were analysed by using software of statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25, in which multiple linear regression and correlation were used to see the effect of materials management practices on organizational performance and the relationship between material management practices and organizational performance respectively. The finding of this research revealed that organizational performance was significantly influenced by maintenance, expediting, storage management and inventory management factors.
... Materials management is an integrated process that consists of the people, organizations, technology, and procedures used to effectively identify, quantify, acquire, expedite, inspect, transport, receive, store, and preserve the materials, equipment, and associated information across the life cycle of a capital project (Caldas et al., 2015;. ...
Article
Recently, in the dramatically growing digital world, the management of materials plays a critical role on the performance of manufacturing companies. This study focuses on the effect of materials management practices on organizational performance of flour factories of Werabe. In this research descriptive and explanatory research designs were applied. In order to collect accurate data the researcher used mixed research design (descriptive and explanatory) in integration with a commonly used quantitative research approach. The researcher used both Primary and secondary data source for the study. The researcher employed mixed sampling design or technique (stratified random, purposive and convenience sampling) to take sample respondents under the study. The researcher used closed ended questionnaire as instrument of collecting data. The collected data through close ended questionnaire were analysed by using software of statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25, in which multiple linear regression and correlation were used to see the effect of materials management practices on organizational performance and the relationship between material management practices and organizational performance respectively. The finding of this research revealed that organizational performance was significantly influenced by maintenance, expediting, storage management and inventory management factors.
... Materials management is an integrated process that consists of the people, organizations, technology, and procedures used to effectively identify, quantify, acquire, expedite, inspect, transport, receive, store, and preserve the materials, equipment, and associated information across the life cycle of a capital project (Caldas et al., 2015;. ...
... Materials management is an integrated process that consists of the people, organizations, technology, and procedures used to effectively identify, quantify, acquire, expedite, inspect, transport, receive, store, and preserve the materials, equipment, and associated information across the life cycle of a capital project (Caldas et al., 2015;. ...
Article
Full-text available
Recently, in the dramatically growing digital world, the management of materials plays a critical role on the performance of manufacturing companies. This study focuses on the effect of materials management practices on organizational performance of flour factories of Werabe. In this research descriptive and explanatory research designs were applied. In order to collect accurate data the researcher used mixed research design (descriptive and explanatory) in integration with a commonly used quantitative research approach. The researcher used both Primary and secondary data source for the study. The researcher employed mixed sampling design or technique (stratified random, purposive and convenience sampling) to take sample respondents under the study. The researcher used closed ended questionnaire as instrument of collecting data. The collected data through close ended questionnaire were analyzed by using software of statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25, in which multiple linear regression and correlation were used to see the effect of materials management practices on organizational performance and the relationship between material management practices and organizational performance respectively. The finding of this research revealed that organizational performance was significantly influenced by maintenance, expediting, storage management and inventory management factors.
... The importance of understanding the relationship between the change in the cost of building materials and the completion of housing construction projects in accordance with the planned building construction program were highlighted. The authors of [39] indicated that the cost of building materials is actually half of the total cost of all construction projects. The cost of building materials itself depends on the supply and demand, on the quality and quantity of materials, as well as on the time and place of purchase and sale, and on the characteristics of buyers and sellers in the process of construction operations [40]. ...
Article
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Most large construction projects face the problem of cost overruns and failures to meet deadlines mainly due to changes in the cost of building materials. A lot of studies proved the high importance of the cost of building materials for the project budget and highlighted a number of factors that determine the cost of materials. However, modern unstable economic dynamics lead to the need not only to observe sufficient accuracy of quantity and cost calculations regarding primary building materials but also to carefully predict the cost, taking into account uncertainty factors (changes in the geopolitical situation, the impact of the pandemic, changes in the technological structure, etc.). This article proposes the use of a calculation and expert methodology for forecasting the cost of building materials on the example of building bars for two regions of the Russian Federation. This study includes a review of literature, which showed the dependence of the dynamics of the cost of construction on the prices of building materials, confirmed the impact of economic and noneconomic factors of the dynamics of prices of building materials and the impact of risk and uncertainty. Based on the literature review, it is also concluded that it is necessary to expertly adjust the results of the economic and mathematical modeling of the building materials’ price trend line under the influence of noneconomic factors of uncertainty. The statistics of the prices of building materials in Russia were analyzed, and the main causes of price dynamics (economic and noneconomic) were identified. The ARIMA model was selected to build a series of dynamics of prices of reinforcement steel, an expert adjustment of the forecast was made taking into account uncertainty factors. The method of calculation and expert forecasting of prices of building materials was proposed, and the forecast of prices of steel reinforcement in the regions of Russia was calculated on its basis. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the algorithm and practical results of forecasting the cost of building materials under the conditions of uncertainty, as well as recommendations for the implementation of predictive analytics tools in construction practice.
... Supplier Quality Management (SQM) is a set of processes and practices used by organizations to ensure that the quality of raw materials and equipment produced meets criteria and specifications (Caldas et al., 2012). SQM is widely acknowledged as a critical component for improving internal quality performance (Lee and Li, 2018;Zsidisin et al., 2016). ...
... Within this context, Memon et al. [15], Park et al. [23], and Jalaei et al. [24] have claimed that the C&DW has a detrimental impact on the national economy and the TBL of sustainability. According to Caldas et al. [25], construction equipment and materials account for 50% to 60% of total project expenses, which are inextricably linked and significantly impact 80% of the project's schedule. Daoud et al. [26][27][28][29][30][31] conducted thorough research on C&DW concerns in Egypt, highlighting numerous factors that led to the reduction of C&DW in Egypt. ...
Article
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The construction industry is plagued with significant construction and demolition waste (C&DW) generated during various phases of construction projects. This waste has created a universal, pervasive, and enduring problem globally. To propose practical solutions to resolve this consequential issue, this research adopted a quantitative approach in two stages. The first stage involved an online survey, administrated to 360 methodically selected construction organisations working in Egypt, to evaluate the impact of six main factors on C&DW reduction (C&DWR). The six main factors are as follows: (1) materials procurement measures (MPMR); (2) materials procurement models (MPMO); (3) green building practices (GBPR); (4) legislation (LG); (5) culture and behaviour (CB); and (6) awareness (AW). The second stage comprised multivariate statistical analysis via the structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to develop an integrated framework for C&DWR, to support Egypt’s vision 2030. The results revealed that these six factors positively affect C&DWR in Egypt. Additionally, the study found that GBPR has the highest importance value of 0.293 and the highest performance rate of 92.169. However, CB has the second highest importance value of 0.238 whilst it has the lowest performance of 72.08 among the six factors. This paper proposes practical recommendations for the government and the construction sector to reduce the C&DW in support of Egypt's Vision 2030.
... Within this context, Memon et al. [15], Park et al. [23], and Jalaei et al. [24] have claimed that the C&DW has a detrimental impact on the national economy and the TBL of sustainability. According to Caldas et al. [25], construction equipment and materials account for 50% to 60% of total project expenses, which are inextricably linked and significantly impact 80% of the project's schedule. Daoud et al. [26][27][28][29][30][31] conducted thorough research on C&DW concerns in Egypt, highlighting numerous factors that led to the reduction of C&DW in Egypt. ...
... This factor explains 6.090% of the total variance. According to past research, construction materials cost around 50 to 60% of the total construction project cost (Caldas et al. 2015, Ibn-Homaid 2002. Therefore, materials create a significant impact on the cost of the construction project. ...
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Universities and institutes have become training centers where talented construction graduates are constantly created. This study aims to determine the skills and competencies construction graduates require to be eligible for entry-level positions on project sites. This research is necessary because it pinpoints the specific knowledge and abilities that undergraduate programmes should emphasize to provide their graduates with the foundation they need to succeed in today’s construction industry. This study utilized a quantitative methodology, and respondents from the Indian construction industry were given a close-ended questionnaire to fill out as a part of the research process. The collected data were analyzed using various statistical methods such as descriptive statistics, mean score and exploratory factor analysis. Findings revealed that tendering and bidding, decision-making, leadership and motivation skills are essential for construction graduates. The study concludes that eight factors, namely managerial skills, site administration skills, business development skills, design management skills, procurement and materials management, risk management skills, planning and scheduling, ethics and professionalism, contain one or more skills and competencies essential for construction graduates. Education in the construction sector should focus on developing these competencies required so that graduates are prepared for careers in both the domestic and international construction industries.
... The compensation from the suppliers frequently cannot cover the loss of the contractor. In this context, on-and off-site boundary-spanning material flows are emphasized in construction supply chain-related research, as they constitute 50%-60% of the total cost of many construction projects and impact 80% of their schedules (Caldas et al. 2015;Chen et al. 2020;CII 2012). Vrijhoef and Koskela (2000) identified four emphases of supply chain management (SCM) in construction: (1) the impact of the offsite supply chain on the on-site construction activities, (2) the off-site supply chain itself, (3) the transfer of on-site activities to off-site, and (4) the integrated management of the supply chain and the construction site. ...
Article
A common problem in construction is that disruptions emerging in the off-site supply chain adversely influence on-site activities. Off-site disruptions may cause substantial construction delays if they are not identified in time. Based on the production theory and four-dimensional (4D) building information modeling (BIM) applications in construction, this paper proposes a novel framework that assists in developing look-ahead supply schedules to identify potential construction delays caused by off-site disruptions. The framework adopts an extended customer order decoupling point (CODP) typology to define off-site process patterns, reflecting the production features and supply characteristics. The early warning signs of potential construction delays are captured by checking the integrated on-and off-site process and further visualized in a BIM-enabled environment. A case study is carried out to verify the feasibility of the framework and identify practical implications. Guided by the framework, construction project teams and suppliers can identify the early warning signs of potential delays, aided by specific location and duration instructions from the 4D BIM. This framework will help prevent off-site disruptions and offer adaptability for construction and logistics scheduling and planning.
... Additionally, it affects the overall economy of countries in which it reduces the efficiency, effectiveness, value, and profitability of construction firms (Memon et al., 2015). This can be proved by the fact that approximately 10% of total construction materials cost is wasted as CDW (Hussin et al., 2013), while construction materials and equipment contribute up to 50-60% of total project cost and affect 80% of its schedule (Caldas et al., 2014). In Egypt, the situation is very critical in which up to 40% of total construction materials cost is wasted, which is equivalent to 16% of total building cost (i.e. ...
Conference Paper
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of corresponding external stimulus. Commonly described as a buzzing, whistling, or ringing sound, it often results from a damaged ear sending random and spontaneous signals to the brain. As described below, it often confers significant psychological distress, especially if the tinnitus has not been habituated to. Furthermore, there is no cure for the condition – though several psychological interventions are discussed below. Specific working and leisure environments contribute disproportionately to development of tinnitus in employees. Furthermore, it is now clear that COVID-19 can cause and exacerbate the condition. We present a three-fold recommendation within the remit of the built environment to ameliorate risk of onset and support management of tinnitus. First, reduction of workplace noise. Second, incorporation of online psychological mitigation tools to promote acceptance of tinnitus in work and leisure spaces. Third, provision of suitable home and workplace environments. The important of multidisciplinary action is discussed.
... Cost savings approaches through efficient designs and composite materials during the design stage has been a recent trend; however, the cost savings opportunities through efficient materials management practices are normally not paid much attention [19]. Roughly 50-60% of the total cost of a project lies in materials and equipment requirements, which means improvements in materials management has received the most attention from industry in the last 15 years as total project cost trends have increased significantly [5]. Thomas et al. [25], Al-Khalil et al. [2], and Bell and George [4] have investigated the relationship between labor productivity and ERP systems. ...
Chapter
Globally, project owners have serious concerns over growing project costs and have been looking for ways to reduce or contain construction costs to meet organizational objectives. Likewise, consultants and contractors are also attempting to be the most competitive in the market to get more business. Nevertheless, the scarcity of skilled labor and increasing material costs due to inflation are inevitably pushing construction costs up and forcing the industry to live with minimum possible profit margins. Therefore, the construction industry is in dire need of finding creative ways to lower overall construction costs, to not only align with project owner goals, but to also improve the bottom-line without impacting negatively on-time project deliveries. In the coming years, economists foresee a sizable surge in construction volume and a potential deficit of skilled workers, which obviously calls for the industry to pay higher wages to secure the right people, which means there will likely not be a way for the industry to lower costs in the human resources category. Therefore, the industry may be left with only the option to investigate more creative and modern ways of acquiring project materials to generate hard and soft cost savings to lower the overall cost and consequently improve profit margins. Researchers on construction procurement topics have already done a significant amount of work that is focused on refining conventional acquisition processes and pinpointing the right time to involve critical suppliers on individual projects in order to help with balance of projects (BOP) design, to minimize rework, and to improve schedule and labor productivity by ensuring timely material deliveries to the job site in order to realize some soft cost savings. Since very limited research has been done in the context of lowering material costs, there is an opportunity to study techniques with the potential to shift cost-saving approaches from conventional to world-class and to reposition the materials management function from individual projects to programs and from programs to portfolios with the intent to consolidate commodities and leverage enterprise-wide buying power.
... The growth of the construction industry leads to large consumption of materials in construction projects. Moreover, materials account for 50-60% of the total project cost of a construction project and influence 80% of the construction schedule (Caldas et al., 2014). Hence, greater importance is required to be given to effectively managing the materials. ...
Conference Paper
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The adoption and implementation of Sustainable Construction has been one of the main challenges facing the construction industry for the last three decades. The issue has attracted global attention with many governments and organizations developing codes and frameworks to encourage and enforce the adoption of Sustainable Construction. However, current evidence suggests that companies and individuals are struggling to commit to Sustainable Construction and implement the suggested policies. This paper explores from the Malaysian residential building developer’s perspective, the barriers and external drivers influencing the adoption of sustainable construction in Malaysia. A comprehensive literature survey is carried out to develop a theoretical link between sustainable construction and identified factors. This was followed by a structured questionnaire survey among 365 Developer company registered with the REHDA (Real Estate and Residential Building Developers ‘Association Malaysia). 103 responses were received, 101 considered valid for analysis. Findings from the study revealed financial support (Incentives/tax rebates/subsidies, high profit margin), legislative and building regulation and availability of rating system. E.g. Green Building Index (GBI) are the key external drivers. Besides, high initial cost and investment, insufficient initiatives & support by government in term of tax rebates/subsidies/incentives and lack of improvement of legislation, building code and byelaws are the crucial barrier to the sustainable construction adoption. The study suggests government support in term of financial incentives, change in legislation and creation of awareness can promote the adoption and at the same time can provide barriers mitigation.
... Regarding managing construction management, RFID offers solutions to track the materials when the tags are attached to these materials. RFID systems help to provide real-time information about stocks and materials and share this information with different stakeholders, improve workflow and contribute to avoiding stoppages and eliminating non-value-adding activities, track material movement data and utilize it to optimize orders, materials deliveries, and equipment planning, and reduce the likelihood of budget overruns and schedule delays that results from poor material management (Goodrum et al. 2006;Demiralp et al. 2012;Caldas et al. 2015;Olivieri et al. 2017;Chen et al. 2020). RFID has been used to track several types of materials such as pipe stools (Song et al. 2006;Ko et al. 2016), precast components (Ergen et al. 2007;Yin et al. 2009), steel structure components (Kim et al. 2009), wastes from construction sites (Huang and Tsai 2011;Zhang and Atkins 2015), and others. ...
Article
The intensity and rate of construction operations require logistics and transportation that can adapt to the changing nature of activities on a day-to-day basis of construction. That enables rapid decision-making. This study aims to present the development of a platform to track and localize materials on construction sites. The platform integrates Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology system with Global Positioning System (GPS) for this purpose. The study also reports the use of the platform in a construction project. The results showed that the platform helps achieve improvements related to cost reduction and time saving while managing materials orders. The developed platform allows contractors and construction managers to get real-time information about the status of the materials and better manage the workflow in the project. The study contributes to the existing knowledge and presents a real example of resources management using smart tools in construction projects.
... Therefore, this study follows the definition of waste by (Koskela 1992;Ayalew et al. 2018), "any inefficiency that results in the use of equipment, materials, labor, or capital in larger quantities than those considered necessary in the production processes" as it interprets waste from the perspective of resources used in construction with emphasis on lean production. In terms of cost, materials usually account for 50-60% of the total project cost (Caldas et al. 2014), highlighting the need for understanding the material consumption scenario in India. ...
Conference Paper
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Lean construction strives for maximizing value and eliminating waste. Material wastage is one such type of wastes hampering the construction projects performance. Further, excess material consumption beyond planned (natural waste) is a cause of concern as it affects the resource efficiency of the nation towards sustainable development goals. In terms of volume and cost, the primary materials used in the Indian construction industry are reinforcement and concrete. However, existing literature indicates that the studies on deviation of these materials' wastage from plan are limited in India. Therefore, there is a need to understand the existing scenario of major materials wastage with reference to theoretical quantities. Accordingly, a study is conducted to find out the deviation from planned wastage, in India and the associated percentage of deviation. A survey is carried out to collect information from construction professionals about the planned and actual wastage of reinforcement and concrete in the Indian construction projects. The results show that additional wastage of 1.5% for concrete and 1% for rebar is occurring in construction sites in India. Construction professionals and researchers can use this study's findings as inputs for further quantitative analysis to eliminate the occurrence of excess material wastage.
... La deuxième partie de ce chapitre (sous forme d'étude de cas) vient valider le constat élaborée par (Caldas et al. 2014) et qui affirme qu'« un grand nombre de professionnels de la construction ne voit pas la logistique comme un point critique dans la construction mais considère cet aspect comme un sous-produit de la construction ». Pour ce faire, et pour valider ce constat, une enquête a été menée auprès de 5 entreprises de construction dans le but d'évaluer la façon dont ils gèrent leur logistique de construction. ...
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La théorie du Lean est une forme d’organisation et de management communément adoptée dans l’industrie manufacturière et qui a fait ses preuves depuis plusieurs décennies. Le Lean apporte une philosophie basée sur la chasse aux gaspillages et supportée par des principes traduits en méthodes opérationnelles à appliquer pour gagner en efficacité. Alors que la recherche de l’efficacité a toujours été d’actualité chez les constructeurs, le Lean Construction apporte une nouvelle forme d’organisation opérationnelle et managériale. La littérature sur le Lean Construction fournit et explique les principes du « Lean en industrie » pour gagner en performance. En revanche, un gap existe encore entre ces principes et leur application effective en construction. On explorera l’adaptabilité des principes du Lean tout au long de la chaîne de construction avec des cas d’application concrets. Le premier et le deuxième chapitre introduisent le Lean en promotion immobilière en mettant en évidence le combat que mènent la plupart des entreprises de construction pour assurer la livraison en temps et en budget de leurs projets et ainsi assurer la satisfaction du client. Le troisième chapitre illustre un cadre structuré d’application du Lean en Etude de Prix. Les chapitres 4, 5 et 6 investiguent le Lean en phase de « Construction » et en particulier la logistique chantier au travers la pratique du Kitting. Cette pratique émergente en construction sera liée à la théorie du Lean et le chapitre proposera un modèle d’implémentation du Kitting avec une application sur 3 chantiers-tests expérimentaux.
... The construction industry relies on multiple materials and other resources to deliver a project. Most construction organisations keep transactions on materials and barcode data on materials for record-keeping (Caldas et al., 2015;Ren et al., 2011). Inadequate material management in construction can delay construction projects (El-Gohary and Aziz, 2014;Enshassi et al., 2009). ...
Article
Big data applications consist of i) data collection using big data sources, ii) storing and processing the data, and iii) analysing data to gain insights for creating organisational benefit. The influx of digital technologies and digitization in the construction process includes big data as one newly emerging digital technology adopted in the construction industry. Big data application is in a nascent stage in construction, and there is a need to understand the tangible benefit(s) that big data can offer the construction industry. This study explores the benefits of big data in the construction industry. Using a qualitative case study design, construction professionals in an Australian Construction firm were interviewed. The research highlights that the benefits of big data include reduction of litigation amongst projects stakeholders, enablement of near to real-time communication, and facilitation of effective subcontractor selection. By implication, on a broader scale, these benefits can improve contract management, procurement, and management of construction projects. This study contributes to an ongoing discourse on big data application, and more generally, digitization in the construction industry.
... Building materials contribute to around 50% of the total cost of projects in the construction industry [97,98]. Undoubtedly, this high percentage contributes to the escalating costs of construction project. ...
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Construction projects are often challenged by tight budgets and limited time and resources. Contractors are, therefore, looking for ways to become competitive by improving efficiency and using cost-effective materials. Using three-dimensional (3D) printing for shaping materials to produce cost-effective construction elements is becoming a feasible option to make contractors more competitive locally and globally. The process capabilities for 3D printers and related devices have been tightened in recent years with the booming of 3D printing industries and applications. Contractors are attempting to improve production skills to satisfy firm specifications and standards, while attempting to have costs within competitive ranges. The aim of this research is to investigate and test the production process capability (Cp) of 3D printers using fused deposition modeling (FDM) to manufacture 3D printed parts made from plastic waste for use in the construction of buildings with different infill structures and internal designs to reduce cost. This was accomplished by calculating the actual requirement capabilities of the 3D printers under consideration. The production capabilities and requirements of FDM printers are first examined to develop instructions and assumptions to assist in deciphering the characteristics of the 3D printers that will be used. Possible applications in construction are then presented. As an essential outcome of this study, it was noticed that the 3D printed parts made from plastic waste using FDM printers are less expensive than using traditional lightweight non-load bearing concrete hollow masonry blocks, hourdi slab hollow bocks, and concrete face bricks.
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An essential part of the building industry is materials management. Organizations must therefore comprehend how appropriate materials management strategies affect how well projects are carried out. When a materials management programme is executed correctly, it is possible to ensure that equipment and materials are delivered to the jobsite on time. This leads to better scheduling, enhanced labour productivity, better work face planning, and reduced project costs. Enhancing efficiency in building projects requires effective materials management. Planning and material takeoff, vendor evaluation and selection, purchasing, spending, shipping, material receiving, storage and inventory, and material distribution are all considered materials management tasks. We have prepared a material management plan for building projects in the construction industry as part of this project. Additionally, a study of the industry is being conducted to ascertain the various formats for construction material management. The industry's tracking system for material management is also being discussed, as is the software technology created for effective management
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Materials management is crucial in construction projects in developing countries. It contributes very important role to the achievement of the project on time and, as such, affects the overall economy of any country. Inappropriate materials management results in cost and time overruns that delay the overall project. Recently, in Libya it considers one of the main key factors of delay in construction projects, involving poor handling of materials and Waste Materials. The aim of this paper is to identify and analyse the factors affecting and develop a framework for materials management on Libyan construction sites. A survey questionnaire was distributed to professionals on construction projects: owners, contractors, site supervisors, consultants, engineers, and suppliers. The questionnaire comprised four sections of pre-defined factors: human, management, technology, and political and civil war issues. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed, and the factors were analysed. The most significant factors identified affecting materials management were: the contractors' experience and skills, factors related in materials on the site (receiving, storing, handling and tracking), and site supervision.
Thesis
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En el núcleo de la industria mundial de la construcción radica el uso excesivo de materiales, especialmente de combustibles fósiles. En esta línea de investigación, muchos investigadores y diseñadores han reducido significativamente la proporción de materiales y han minimizado la cantidad destinada al diseño en función de los criterios de investigación y las especificaciones de diseño. Teniendo en cuenta que las medidas anteriores pueden reducir los materiales de manera efectiva, es necesario investigar más a fondo algunas cuestiones: a) ¿En qué etapas del ciclo de vida de los materiales de construcción se consumen más? b) ¿Cómo utilizar el método científico más adecuado para reducir el consumo de materiales en la fase de mayor uso? c) ¿Cómo completar científicamente la evaluación de la optimización del consumo de materiales bajo la influencia de la superación de muchos eventos discretos y factores de influencia externos durante la etapa de diseño? d) En la fase de construcción, ¿cómo optimizar al máximo el proceso de gestión del proyecto y lograr el mayor ahorro de material para garantizar la calidad, la seguridad y el coste? e) ¿Cuánto material se puede ahorrar mediante la optimización del diseño y la gestión del proyecto? f) ¿Cuál es el impacto final del sistema teórico de investigación y de los datos de análisis mencionados en el desarrollo sostenible de la industria de la construcción? Al examinar publicaciones relevantes sobre el ciclo de vida completo de la industria de la construcción (Capítulo 2), la tesis encontró que las etapas de diseño y construcción son clave para reducir efectivamente el consumo de materiales. El objetivo principal de esta tesis es resolver los problemas de optimización propuestos. Mediante el establecimiento de un marco de modelo de investigación multidimensional y un modelo de optimización de gestión de proyectos sistemático, la tesis reduce el peso de varios componentes estructurales del puente estáticamente indeterminado y realiza la optimización ligera de la estructura del puente. La tesis establece varios modelos teóricos básicos de innovación en el marco del modelo de investigación: el modelo de acoplamiento bibliométrico, el modelo matemático ComplexPlot; el modelo matemático integral multifactorial; el modelo de optimización de acoplamiento micro y macrodimensional de elementos finitos, y el modelo de evaluación de optimización de la gestión de proyectos dominó del método de la entropía. El sistema de investigación teórica supera la interferencia de la discreción del objeto de investigación, la complejidad y los factores de influencia inciertos y realiza la solidez de la evaluación y la mejora. El sistema de investigación teórica supera la interferencia de la discreción del objeto de investigación, la complejidad y los factores de influencia inciertos y consigue la solidez de la evaluación y la mejora. Asimismo, mejora ampliamente la resistencia del modelo a los factores naturales, humanos, accidentales e inciertos y el problema de la interferencia externa de las emergencias. Por último, el sistema formó un conjunto completo de sistemas de modelos de optimización de prevención y control conjuntos maduros y alcanzó los objetivos y enfoques de la investigación. El valor de la investigación de esta tesis: a) llena el vacío de la investigación en este campo. b) innova en una variedad de nuevos modelos teóricos de investigación. c) resuelve los problemas de discreción, incertidumbre e interferencia de factores externos en la optimización de la topología y la optimización de la gestión de proyectos. Las interferencias de los factores externos de mutación y la sensibilidad de las emergencias se compensan y corrigen. d) La investigación mejora la captura de datos discretos y la escasez de compensación del sistema de análisis de software Monte Carlo.
Chapter
Materials management in a construction industry is an important and crucial activity for the smooth working and timely completion of the construction project. This work mainly analyses material management problems in a number of countries and efforts are made to identify and provide an insight to overcome such issues. Literature related to material management in four countries has been reviewed to identify and compare their common problems. Results of this study will propose a method of selection of ICT tools for the construction professionals to generate a better understanding of the project-based issues which may be helpful in developing a framework for young professionals, i.e., to anticipate and solve these issues in their project. Thus, achieving the objective of effective material management in the construction Industry.
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The visibility of material status information is vital to effective decision-making and improving supply chain performance. Information technologies (IT) have been developed to improve visibility through information sharing in the supply chain. However, effective use of shared information for actionable decision-making requires enablers to achieve performance gains. Despite investment in visibility, knowledge about enablers that improve effective information use for the supply chain is largely missing from the construction body of knowledge. This research identified and defined 32 enablers that support effective use of information shared using IT on industrial projects during detailed design, procurement, and construction. These enablers were identified and defined with the aid of a panel of industry experts using structured workshops and qualitative content analysis. Their definition identifies essential capabilities necessary to benefit from investments in improved visibility. Further investigation via survey was conducted to evaluate the enablers' ability to impact projects and their frequency of competent execution on projects. The analysis of the survey responses to the enablers' ability to impact projects validated criticality 23 of the 32 enablers used for the survey. The analysis of the frequency of competent execution responses shows that 27 of 32 enablers are competently executed less than frequently on projects, suggesting structural limits to investments in visibility. This study advances our understanding of necessary investment in capabilities or specific enablers that leverage concomitant investments in IT. As such, the study provides specific guidance to practitioners in the industrial construction supply chain and provides an expanded basis for future measurement and study by academia.
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Safety needs to be a visceral element of construction processes in order for them to succeed. In that context, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) makes use of Estidama as a tool for building design so as to measure practices relating to sustainable building via its Pearl Rating System. To that end, in essence, it shares some similarities with UK BREEAM measures. Against this backdrop, the current research will evaluate the potential for using Estidama as a tool for implementing systems with a view to track construction workers’ health and safety (H&S). It has been pointed out that there needs to be greater appraisal when it comes to these systems within GCC nations and, on a larger level, draw linkages between cultural, socioeconomic, institutional, environments, political, and safety-related elements across construction sites owing to poor levels of understanding. Notably, meaningful comparisons of H&S statistical data could help drive enhanced performance; however, greater degrees of transparency must be ensured and the ability to secure valid information. A systematic literature forms the cornerstone of this research, and exploratory interviews are then undertaken with UAE-based construction professional staff. According to the findings, a lot of work needs to be done in order to enhance H&S performance. Governments need to demonstrate greater commitment towards enforcement, whereas the perception of legislation leaves a lot to be desired. Put simply, the prospect of implementing tools such as Estidama is not impervious to challenge. In a similar vein, questions must be asked about implementing H&S regulations with building green …
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The purpose of this article is twofold: to identify the critical risk factors (RFs) that impact supply chains (SC) in the engineering, procurement, and construction of large-scale projects (EPC-LSP) of the oil and gas industry (OGI) and to apply these RFs in a mathematical model developed, based on multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods in an expert group. The mathematical model was developed in MATLAB and was based on the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMÉTHÉE) II and (PROMÉTHÉE GDSS) Group Decision Support System methods. The model's criteria were defined with the RF mapping identified using 33 years of literature and the application of questionnaires to specialists. The evaluation process of the alternatives concerning the defined criteria was conducted through questionnaires to specialists. Finally, the functionality and results of the model were validated by the specialists in the field through interviews. As a contribution, managers, companies, and industry could adopt this solution as a practical and dynamic tool to support decision-making. This fact especially holds true in possible critical supply scenarios, where it is necessary to direct resources to minimize risks and other impacts to EPC-LSP SC. Another novelty refers to the critical risk factors identified, originating from an extensive literature mapping covering the three pillars of sustainability. Moreover, this research was to fill the literature gap, given the lack of studies that propose clear, practical, and specific tools for SCRM in EPC-LSP.
Article
Purpose The construction industry’s contribution to environmental deterioration is widely established in the literature, implying that addressing this issue will require a coordinated effort from all stakeholders. According to literature, stakeholder involvement without stakeholder management (SKM) is not enough, in ensuring efficient construction waste management (CWM). This study investigates the impact of SKM on efficient CWM by aggregating all relevant SKM variables and measuring their degree of influence on efficient CWM. Design/methodology/approach This study used a four-stage research approach that included a literature review, a pilot study, a questionnaire survey and statistical analysis. After a thorough examination of the literature, nine essential SKM factors were identified and tested by a questionnaire survey following a pilot study. A total of 310 questionnaires were filled out and returned for analysis (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis). Findings The study established that SKM is a unidimensional construct since all the variables extracted unto one underlying component with total variance explained (TVE), accounting for 58.938% of the total Variance in the measure of SKM in efficient CWM. Additionally, the reliability and validity test results satisfied the recommended thresholds, thus justifying the factorability of the construct. Furthermore, the hypothesis test revealed that SKM has a statistically significant impact on efficient CWM, implying that increasing SKM will have a beneficial impact on efficient CWM. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to material waste management in the construction industry and the outcome was determined solely by a field survey in Ghana. Extending the study to other jurisdictions would have improved its findings and made them easier to generalise. Practical implications The study’s findings are helpful for practitioners and researchers, especially regarding the influence of the eight SKM variables on efficient CWM. Social implications The study’s findings will reduce pollution, thus enhancing public health and encouraging social inclusion through the creation of jobs in the waste management chain. Originality/value The uniqueness of this study is anchored on the fact that no CWM study has considered all the eight SKM variables measured in this study at the same time. Also, this study has contributed to the literature by establishing the determinants of SKM in efficient CWM in Ghana.
Chapter
Resource management is a critical task in construction projects because resources account for a large part of the total project cost. It helps in the availability of resources at the right time and cost. Classification of resources and their optimizations is needed to enhance the time and cost-effectiveness of resource management. However, the studies illustrating the classification systems and optimization models in resource management in construction are limited. Thus, this chapter describes the various matured and recently developed classification systems. It further illustrates (a) some heuristic approaches in resource management, (b) different optimization models in resource management and their shortcomings, and (c) a new and novel optimization model and its benefits from the implementation in construction projects. Furthermore, some potential research areas in resource management are suggested which can be carried out in the future.
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The need for knowledge chains.
  • Konukcu S.