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Technology and innovation development in Ethiopian construction industry: the challenges and improvement mechanisms
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges and potential improvement mechanisms for the development of technology and innovation in the Ethiopian construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were adopted. While a structured questionnaire was used for the quantitative data collection, semi-structured interview was used for qualitative data collection. In analyzing the quantitative data, mean score was used to rank the variables and factor analysis was conducted to identify the underlying dimensions of the research constructs. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically focusing on specific objectives of the study; the challenges and improvement mechanisms of technology and innovation development.
Findings
The findings indicate that the major challenges are nature of the industry and lack of awareness, weak capacity of companies and the regulatory instruments, inadequate tender duration and poor monitoring and controlling practice. The suggested improvement mechanisms are effective coordination of the process and awareness creation, promoting technology and innovation in the procurement process and technology and innovation consideration in construction project registration.
Originality/value
Effectiveness of construction industry improvement programmes is affected by inappropriateness of the adopted implementation mechanisms. Understanding the operating environment; the enablers and potential barriers, is important for the success of any envisioned improvement programme. The improvement framework proposed by this study indicates the potential intervention areas and improvement mechanisms to effectively induce and enhance technology and innovation development in the construction industry. Major pillars of the improvement framework are improving regulatory framework, raising awareness and stakeholder engagement and continual monitoring and controlling of the practice.
... Appropriate selection of technologies, considering the perception, commitment, and capacity of the organization, are important to diffuse and sustain the technologies and innovation effectively (Sepasgozar, Loosemore, and Davis 2016). These are associated with the regulatory system applied to promote and regulate the industry (Mengistu, Ashene, and Halabo 2023a). Hence, the subsequent discussion focuses on the role of the stakeholders and the regulatory instruments. ...
... Similarly, application of the relevant regulatory instruments in harmony will enhance technology and innovation development. Integration of the different regulatory instruments, e.g., technology and innovation considerations in project registration practice will enhance the effectiveness of the procurement practice as it would be used as evidence for the prequalification of bidders (Mengistu, Ashene, and Halabo 2023a). Close observation of the intervention mechanisms to enhance stakeholders' engagement indicates that there is a clear relationship between the stakeholders' role and the regulatory instruments. ...
... However, this too needs positive action from the clients who must consistently demand initiatives. The weak capacity of contractors and consultants is indicated as a challenge to technology and innovation development in Ethiopia (Mengistu, Ashene, and Halabo 2023a). Interviews with the contractors and the consultants indicated that there are no incentive mechanisms in the industry. ...
The purpose of this study is to assess the role of stakeholders and the applicable regulatory instruments in ensuring technology and innovation development (TID) in Ethiopian construction industry. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess the engagement level of major stakeholders and effectiveness of the applicable regulatory instruments. In analyzing the quantitative data, while mean score was used to rank the variables, factor analysis was conducted to identify the underlying dimensions. A semi-structured interview was conducted to get detail insight about the practice. In addition, document analysis was conducted to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the applicable regulatory instruments. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically focusing on the purpose of the study. Despite their significant role, the stakeholders' engagement level is found to be unsatisfactory. Similarly, the findings suggest that there is room for improvement in the relevant regulatory instruments to better accommodate TID. The identified improvement dimensions are associated with timeliness, effectiveness, and appropriateness of the applicable regulatory instruments. These are attributed to the poor coordination and weak capacity of the stakeholders. Findings of this study help the concerned stakeholders in indicating the intervention areas to effectively enhance TID in the construction industry.
... Numerous studies have investigated the Ethiopian CI's overall performance (e.g., Ayalew, Dakhli and Lafhaj, 2016;Ofori, 2018;Mengistu, 2019;Cheng and Darsa, 2021;Mengistu, Ashene and Halabo, 2023). However, only a few studies have focused explicitly on SMCs (e.g., Hiwot, 2012;Addisu, 2013;Borena, 2016;Arega, 2019;Ferejo et al., 2022;Era, Reddy and Mohan, 2023). ...
Small and medium contractors (SMCs) significantly contribute to socio-economic development by creating employment opportunities and establishing inter-sectoral links with other sectors of the economy. Despite their significant contribution, evidence suggests their competency is underdeveloped due to several obscuring factors. As a part of a larger research, this study aimed to explore the endogenic factors affecting the sustainable competency of SMCs in the Ethiopian construction industry (CI). A thorough literature review was conducted to identify 65 endogenic factors arising from seven core sources. A questionnaire survey was used to collect the perceptions of industry stakeholders. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. Findings indicated 63 significant factors affecting sustainable competency and the top factors were: employee’s strategic and operational decision- making power, organisational leadership style, the existence of matured and developed entrepreneurial mindsets, the availability of institutional and business relationships, the inability to access financial resources, the lack of project management skills and low-profit margin due to competition. Factor analysis also identified 17 components. The findings from the study indicate the need to prioritise the areas of competitiveness improvement and the practical implications of making informed decisions for entrepreneurs. The findings of this study can also be used to develop a framework to create a conducive business environment.
... Shojaei and Burgess (2022) discussed non-technical barriers (e.g., sociocultural, individual) affecting the adoption of digital innovation in the UK construction industry. Mengistu et al. (2023) believed that the nature of the industry, the weak capacity of companies, and the lack of awareness are the main factor affecting technological innovation in the Ethiopian construction industry. A few other scholars have evaluated the technological innovation level of the construction field. ...
In recent years, China’s construction companies have placed increasing emphasis on technological innovation and have invested significant resources in it. How the input-output performance of these resources needs to be clarified. The purpose of this study is to understand the differences and variations in the input-output performance of China’s listed construction companies in terms of technological innovation by measuring their technological innovation efficiency (TIE), which can inform their technological innovation decisions. A data envelopment analysis (DEA) based Malmquist productivity index (MPI) model was constructed to measure the TIE of 48 China’s listed construction companies from 2015 to 2020. The study has the following findings. Firstly, the overall TIE of listed construction companies decreased by 0.4% per year on average during the study period, which needs further improvement. Secondly, the changes of TIE in different sub-sectors were different. The TIE of companies in the sectors of building decoration, infrastructure construction and mining, metallurgical, and petrochemical engineering increased by 10.7%, 3.7%, and 9.5% annually, respectively. Thirdly, the TIE varies among different companies with 23 companies increasing and 25 companies declining. For most companies, the management level was the main factor restricting TIE’s improvement.
This paper thoroughly explores the recent technological innovations in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector, examining their impact on production, transportation, storage, and usage. The study delves into the evolution of the global LNG market, emphasizing the critical role of technological advancements in shaping the industry's future. The aim is to analyze these innovations, assess their environmental and economic impacts, and explore the influence of geopolitical and market dynamics. By employing a comprehensive literature review, the paper utilizes a multi-criteria decision support framework to select relevant technological innovations and assess their impacts. This methodology integrates environmental, social, policy, and economic dimensions, offering a holistic view of the LNG sector's technological landscape. The findings reveal significant advancements in LNG production technologies, such as green ammonia and biogas, enhancing sustainability and efficiency. Innovations in LNG transportation, including optimized carrier fleets and storage systems, have revolutionized the industry, improving economic viability and safety. The emergence of Floating LNG (FLNG) technologies marks a pivotal development, unlocking new gas monetization possibilities. The study also highlights the environmental benefits of these innovations, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and their synergy with renewable energy systems. The paper concludes that while technological advancements offer substantial benefits, they also present challenges, including high investment costs and regulatory complexities. It recommends continued innovation, strategic collaborations, and supportive regulatory frameworks to fully exploit the potential of LNG technologies. As the global energy landscape evolves, the LNG sector is poised to play a crucial role in the transition to a more sustainable and efficient energy future.
In order to investigate empirically the effects of technology management on firm innovation, this paper considers the antecedents and multidimensional views of technology management mechanisms on innovation performance in medium- and large-scale manufacturing firms in a developing country, namely Ethiopia. Using simple random sampling, a total of 200 firms were chosen for this study to obtain responses from respondents. Four hypotheses were proposed for testing. Structural equation modelling and cross-sectional design were used to analyze the data using the LISREL 8.80 SIMPLIS program software tool. This study finds technology transfer and technology acquisition have significant positive effects on process innovation, product innovation, and method innovation. Technology process has a significant positive effect on process and method innovation. Technology absorption has a significant positive effect on product innovation. The major implication of this study is that technology management, coupled with appropriate technology management policies and strategies, is an appropriate resource to be used in the organization to enhance firm performance, particularly innovation and creativity. The paper contributes to the literature in that, unlike previous studies that are based on one aspect of technology management practices, this study examined the effects of each different type of technology management dimension on firms’ innovation. Thus, this study helps to gain further insights into the effects of technology management practices on firm innovation.
Public clients’ decisions on the procurement and contracting of civil engineering projects have far-reaching effects on the development and implementation of innovations. Two decades ago, a trend towards the use of integrated contracts started to improve constructability and stimulate innovations. However, for radical innovations, the unilateral allocation of innovation risks to the main contractor is undesirable since most of the associated innovation risks are difficult to assess and manage due to the inherent uncertainties. An in-depth case study was used to investigate the development and application of an alternative public-client-led approach to realizing a radical innovation in a civil engineering project. This study shows that: (1) government championship, through a proactive participation of the public client in the initiation, development and implementation of the project and the willingness to bear innovation risks; (2) the application of innovation risk management strategies and the availability of a fall back option; (3) the establishing of favourable organizational and relational conditions, were determinative factors for the successful development and implementation of the intended radical innovation. Furthermore, seven propositions have been derived that together provide instruments through which public clients can actively promote the development and implementation of radical innovations in civil engineering projects.
Subject classification codes
Managing Project Risk; Managing Project Innovation; Contract Procurement and Tendering
Civil integrated management (CIM) has emerged as an advanced paradigm to transform transportation project delivery and asset management from a paper-based to a digital data-based approach. CIM is associated with the use of computerized technologies (e.g. three-dimensional models, geographical information systems, and light detection and ranging) for data collection, organization, and utilization in across project stages from design, construction, to operation and maintenance. This change results in an increasing amount of digital data exchange between relevant tools. CIM is a new concept, and a comprehensive understanding of the data flow among CIM tools is still lacking. This article aims to investigate the data interaction between CIM technologies through an in-depth review of recently published academic articles. A critical review was conducted focusing on identifying use cases of data interaction and existing methods enabling the data communication between CIM technologies. The study found nine pairs of tools that have a strong data relationship. The study also revealed a shortcoming of efficient data extraction and integration techniques to support seamless data workflows. The research is original, being the first examination of the data interaction between CIM technologies. The findings from this research are expected to enhance awareness among researchers and professionals about the value of the data generated by each CIM technology and the state-of-the-art on supporting methods for connecting proprietary tools.
While the identification of the drivers of social sustainability in construction firms has remained one of the popular topics in the literature, many questions about these drivers remain unanswered, especially in the context of the developing countries. This study empirically determines some organizational internal drivers influencing the social sustainability performance in construction firms. To achieve this, we developed a conceptual model and tested on a sample of registered and active large construction firms from the Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board, using partial least squares - structural equation modelling for analysis. The study reveals that organizational internal drivers could trigger social sustainability performance. However, our analysis shows that organizational capabilities – complex tangible and intangible resources that are controlled by a firm through certain organizational practices and which enable it to implement value-creating strategies-partially mediates the relationship between these drivers and social sustainability. While few limitations of this study include the fact that the data used are the subjective opinions of the top officials who responded to the survey, our findings reveal that construction firms with efficient resource capabilities tend to adopt more sustainability in project delivery. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on the important factors for social sustainability in construction.
Traditionally, construction organizations with a track record of successful project completion were considered successful construction organizations. However, if construction projects were successful, then it is not always necessary for the construction organization to also have been successful. They can even fail and go bankrupt. Therefore, there is a need to think about the success of construction organizations at a corporate level rather than focusing only at the project level. The objective of this study was to identify and to evaluate the successful attributes for construction organizations. The research methodology involved seeking responses from experts in the construction industry through a questionnaire survey. This paper presents the factors that contributed to the success of construction organizations that operate in the National Capital Region of Delhi, India. Factor analysis of responses extracted eight critical success factors: experience and performance, top management's competence, project factor, supply chain and leadership, availability of resources and information flow, effective cost control measures, favourable market and marketing team, and availability of qualified staff. The top management's competence emerged as the most critical success factor against various performance factors. The success factors that were identified in this study should provide a guideline to construction organizations for their success.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the gap in knowledge by exploring the role of customers and vendors in diffusion of modern equipment technologies into the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
To address the need to consider both vendors and customers in the innovation diffusion process and the need for in-depth cross-sectional studies, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 147 participants including 85 vendors and 62 customers of modern construction technologies at company, project and operational levels in Australia and North America. Thematic analysis and an analytic hierarchy process illustrate the critical role of both customers and vendors in the diffusion process of modern equipment technologies.
Findings
A new conceptual model is presented which classifies modern equipment technology customers into four categories: visionaries (group I); innovators (group II); pragmatists (group III); and conservatives (group IV) based on the way in which they interact with vendors in the innovation diffusion process. The results also reveal that there is a significant emotional/affective aspect of innovation diffusion decisions which has not been recognised in previous research.
Originality/value
The major contribution of this study is that it analyses the role of both vendors and customers in the equipment technology diffusion process at three different levels (strategic, project and operational) in large corporations and small-to-medium-sized businesses. The findings not only advance construction innovation research beyond traditional linear models of innovation, but also provide new knowledge which enable customers and vendors to interact more effectively in the diffusion of new construction equipment technologies.
Under the conditions of financial area globalization, organizations face an acute problem – how to find the best instrument for the financing of innovation and investment construction projects. The banking sector and the securities market have accumulated sufficient financial assets that can be used to finance this kind of projects in the sphere of construction with the help of such instruments as investment lending, project financing, securities issue.
The implications for analysis of innovation in construction of theoretical developments in industrial organisation are considered in this research, as an attempt to outline a new approach to construction innovation incorporating the ideas found in knowledge based, technology centred models. The paper firstly summarises characteristics of the construction industry, focusing on their effects on innovation, before surveying some of the ideas about the sources of innovation and the expansion and application of knowledge. Construction can be seen as an industry with limited scope for knowledge externalities, where the procurement methods used by the industry’s clients do not pay for innovation. The following discussion uses recent developments in the research on the economics of innovation and industrial organization theory, such as research intensity and the endogenous sunk costs in competitive, fragmented, low research intensity industries. The effects on R&D of procurement methods and on industry structure are discussed, with a focus on the appropriability of innovations and the role of the client on the Heathrow Terminal 5 project. The paper concludes that the procurement methods used for building and construction projects appears to be a determining factor in the level of innovation in the construction industry
Purpose - The Russian construction industry is highly conservative and is often criticised for its lack of innovation. Construction firms invest relatively little in innovation adoption, development of new ideas, and formal research and development. The aim of this study is to explore the current situation in the Russian construction industry and the obstacles, drivers, and strategies that affect innovation implementation most significantly.
Design/methodology/approach - This study utilised an extensive literature review followed by a questionnaire survey with 52 experts from the Russian architecture, engineering and construction industry incorporating post-hoc interviews with a selected group of 12 professionals in order to identify the most significant drivers, enablers, barriers and strategies related to innovation diffusion in construction.
Findings - Findings indicated that economic and financial difficulties as well as inappropriate legislation are the most significant barriers to innovation. Financial incentives, legislative improvements and the promotion of alternative construction procurement methods were viewed as the most critical strategies to improve the current lacklustre rate of innovation diffusion.
Originality/value – While there is anecdotal evidence that the Russian construction industry is lagging in terms of technological advancement, its closed nature means that there is still little reported evidence on what are the main barriers to innovation diffusion in this country. Hence, there is a lack of focus on innovation diffusion rates in different construction sectors, such as building and civil infrastructure, and limited consideration on how effectively the research and development sector contributes to innovation.
Safety performance in the construction industry has improved significantly in the past four decades. This improvement has been attributed in part to the increased implementation of injury prevention strategies. Although the relative effectiveness of these strategies has been studied in previous research, there has been no attempt to evaluate their diffusion. To address this gap in knowledge, 12 highly effective administrative safety innovations were identified in literature, and 58 firms were interviewed to investigate their adoption rate. The diffusion patterns of the identified safety innovations were explored using four common innovation diffusion models: the internal, external, Bass, and Gompetz. The findings indicate that the internal and Bass models have the highest explanatory power and that internal factors are the most influential factors in adoption of safety innovations by construction firms. It was also found that project-specific training and safety meetings (91%), frequent worksite inspections (91%), and safety and health orientation and training (90%) are the three most commonly adopted safety innovations, and employment of a site safety manager (62%), subcontractor selection and management (64%), and substance abuse programs (69%) were the three innovations most infrequently implemented. The implication of the findings is that the construction industry has now reached saturation with respect to traditional injury prevention strategies and new safety innovations are needed. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000499. (C) 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
Public procurement is increasingly seen as an important potential instrument of innovation policy. However, policy design has been underpinned largely by anecdotal evidence and without a clear theoretical or empirical basis for understanding how supplying to the public sector actually influences a firm's innovation capabilities and performance and in what ways desirable behaviour and outcomes can be promoted. This paper seeks to address the basis of innovation procurement policy. It establishes a broad taxonomy of procurement policies and instruments that have emerged in OECD countries in response to perceived deficiencies and then compares these with the perceptions of firms using an analysis of a dedicated survey of 800 public sector suppliers in the UK.
It is observed that policy measures include the creation of framework conditions, establishing organisational frameworks and developing capabilities, identifying, specifying and signalling needs, and incentivising innovative solutions. The survey findings confirm that the barriers encountered by firms correspond to the deficiencies addressed by policies but do not address them sufficiently. This arises from lack of coverage, lack of ownership by purchasers, failure to address the whole cycle of acquisition and to address risk aversion. The scope of policy measures needs to be extended in time, breadth of reach and depth.
Public procurement is increasingly viewed as having important potential to drive innovation. Despite this interest, numerous barriers prevent the public sector from acting as an intelligent and informed customer. This paper seeks to understand how barriers related to processes, competences, procedures and relationships in public procurement influence suppliers׳ ability to innovate and to reap the benefits of innovation. We address this by exploiting a dedicated survey of public sector suppliers in the UK, using a probit model to investigate the influence of structural, market and innovation determinants on suppliers׳ perception of these barriers.
The main barriers reported by suppliers refer to the lack of interaction with procuring organisations, the use of over-specified tenders as opposed to outcome based specifications, low competences of procurers and a poor management of risk during the procurement process. Such barriers are perceived most strongly by R&D intensive organisations. Our results also indicate that certain organisations, particularly smaller firms and not-forprofit organisations, encounter greater difficulties with innovation arising from the procurement process, for instance in relation to contract size, lack of useful feedback and communication of opportunities. Government procurement policies are queried in light of the findings.
Multinational corporations (MNCs) and other foreign firms can be conduits for technology and knowledge (T&K) transfer to host countries in the developing world. Most of the existing research focuses on T&K transfers through FDI and are drawn from Asia not Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), although SSA is increasingly receiving foreign investment. There is a paucity of research that gives insights into project-level T&K transfer issues in SSA countries. Using the Ghanaian construction industry as an empirical focus, this article explores T&K transfer potential. The findings reveal significant weaknesses in T&K transfer across industry subsectors and between foreign and local firms. This arises from the potentially complementary but dissimilar resource and knowledge bases. The weaknesses are compounded by the absence of coherent government T&K development policies.
Purpose
– A perceptible gap has been observed in the literature concerning the adoption of product innovations into construction projects by designers (architects and engineers). This is seen specifically in the scant investigation into this group as a relevant source of construction innovation. It is also seen in the failure of current literature to reflect this group's interpretation of innovation linkages. The result is a gap in knowledge and a difficulty in correlating construction innovation models to the work of designers. The purpose of this paper is to seek to address this gap by identifying and classifying recent examples of innovation using an accepted construction innovation model.
Design/methodology/approach
– The primary objective was to expand this accepted construction innovation model's interpretation of innovation linkages and identify those linkages that directly relate to the work of designers and address aspects of building form rather than merely aspects of cost and process efficiencies.
Findings
– The results revealed that the interpretation of building linkages by designers were much more diverse than those as perceived by the manufacturers and suppliers of the products. New linkages included aspects of building orientation, facade design, services integration, floor layouts, lighting design, fire safety and sustainability. In some cases, the designer's interpretation of the product's linkages had substantial implications for the marketing strategy of the products, and even the potential to change the classification grouping of the innovation.
Originality/value
– This paper forms part of a wider piece of research into the management of innovation for construction professionals. The timely research is necessary to motivate design professionals in the adoption of new product innovations into their building designs.
Much has been written about the positive contribution made by the customer to innovation in bespoke and low-volume products like those of construction. Far less attention has been given to the potentially corrosive effects the client might have on innovation. Drawing on three construction case studies, this paper argues that strong client leadership may have negative consequences for innovation, including the suppression of innovation and an overly narrow focus on particular types of innovation. Given that innovation has a key role in the future competitiveness of any industry, it is argued that the role of the client in construction innovation requires more careful examination than it has thus far been afforded.
This study examines the nature of technology and the process of its transfer in five service industries from parent companies to foreign affiliates. Three principal research questions are posed: What is the key technology in each industry? What are the main methods for transferring this technology? How and why do technology and transfer methods differ across firms, industries and countries? The empirical analysis shows that key technologies were generally knowledge of/experience in the industry and methodology for producing the service. Transfer of the technology was mainly done through the training and transfer of experts: and organizational forms were wholly owned subsidiaries and international partnerships. More technology transfer occurred when firms were more international, when affiliates were more recently-established, and when parent ownership was lower in the affiliate. Some evidence exists that more firm-specific, jointly produced technology leads to higher ownership percentage and greater transfer to affiliates.© 1996 JIBS. Journal of International Business Studies (1996) 27, 781–800
Purpose
Due to the need to enhance the buildability of building designs in building construction industry, a buildability assessment framework was developed for use in Nigeria. This paper aims to investigate and determine the factors influencing buildability assessment implementation in the Nigerian construction industry with the view to improving buildability of building designs. To address the aim, this study will provide answers to the following research question: what are the factors hindering and supporting the implementation of buildability assessment in the Nigerian construction industry?
Design/methodology/approach
Survey research method was adopted for the study. Questionnaires were administered to purposively selected group of architects, engineers, builders and quantity surveyors involved in construction project delivery within the client, consulting and contracting organisations in Nigeria. A total of 368 questionnaires were distributed among the sampled participants, out of which a total of 219 representing 60% were sufficiently filled and returned. Data collected were analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics.
Findings
The results revealed owner’s commitment, clients’ awareness of the benefits of conducting buildability assessment on building design, unity among different professionals in the construction industry, designers consider buildability important, adequate coordination among different design disciplines, adequate channel for coordination and communication between designers and constructors at the design stage and adequate support from the government as the topmost seven factors supporting buildability assessment implementation in the construction sector of Nigeria. Second, the study revealed that poor coordination among different design disciplines, lack of buildability assessment awareness, design review pattern where construction personnel (builders) are invited to assess the building production information, unwillingness to invest extra money and effort during the early stage of project and designers value aesthetics and functionalities more than buildability in their designs are the topmost five factors hindering buildability assessment implementation in the Nigerian construction industry.
Originality/value
The study provides detailed insights into the factors supporting and hindering buildability assessment implementation in the Nigerian construction industry. The findings indicate the need to enlighten principal stakeholders in construction about buildability and the outcome of the buildability assessment tool. This information can motivate principal stakeholders in implementing and practising buildability assessment.
The impact of contractor selection on construction project success has led to numerous studies on contractor selection. However, an up-to-date systematic review of contractor selection trend is still lacking. This study aims to fill the gap by reviewing published literature from 1990 to 2019. A desktop search was conducted under the 'T/A/K (title/abstract/keyword)' in Scopus search engine where 252 papers were identified. Based on a two-phase filtering approach, which included journal relevance assessment and article relevance assessment, 137 published papers within 22 journals were used for the study. The major finding was that the questions were raised on the suitability of selection criteria for appraising contractors and it was acknowledged that, choosing appropriate contractor selection criteria are affected by other factors hence can be regarded as a Multiple Criteria Decision Making problem suitable for machine learning tools. A major limitation of was that, even with the 137 reviewed papers, not all contractor selection-related papers were reviewed. The outcome of the study suggests a greater involvement of practitioners in model development and stimulates future studies that delve into the development of models to aid in selecting optimal contractor selection criteria for a particular project.
To ensure continual improvement in the construction industry’s performance, its challenges must be identified so that integrated solutions that suit the context can be provided. The Ethiopian construction industry, like that in most developing countries, faces challenges that impede its development. This paper assesses four categories of challenges facing the industry, based on their sources: variables emanating from role of government, resource related variables, those related to the nature of the industry and variables emanating from the vision of the industry itself for its own development. Data for the study were collected through a questionnaire survey. Professionals from different background, such as contractors, consultants, clients, regulatory authority and academics were engaged in the survey. Mean score was used to identify the perceived impact level of the variables. Significant variables were identified and factor analysis was conducted to identify the underlying dimensions of the different sources. The major challenges are identified as: (i) delay in construction industry development (CID) policy implementation and corruption; (ii) weak capacity of contractors and consultants; (iii) lack of collaboration and professionalism; and (iv) lack of benchmarking CID practice from role of government, resource related variables, nature of the industry and industry’s vision for its own development, respectively. Findings provide information that stakeholders can use to make informed decisions and critical interventions for the effective development of the industry.
An innovation management approach for construction projects should take into account the opportunities that different phases of construction create for innovation. This research demonstrates how innovation behavior changes over a project life cycle using a mega-alliance as a case study. This paper shows what happens to innovation behavior when infrastructure projects are set up to generate innovations throughout a project life cycle using a key performance indicator system for measuring innovation. More than 500 innovations in an innovation database were categorized, analyzed, and classified according to their type, novelty, and benefit and then mapped against the project life cycle. Using a classification model developed for this research, a quantitative analysis of the innovations was performed to show the principal types of innovation and the changing trend of each type over construction project phases. The findings of this research verify variations in innovation creation throughout the project life cycle. The results show the importance of the initial stage of a project for novel technologies innovation and the different innovation types that are likely to be generated per phase. The findings will help project managers to design, develop, and apply the best innovation management policies considering both project phases and classified types of innovations. These findings strengthen the argument for developing an innovation management approach in the construction industry that is contingent on the phases of construction projects.
Construction engineers play a major role in the built environment by designing construction facilities and field operations and supplying materials. This paper summarizes and synthesizes the results of a research program to increase understanding and effectiveness of two key construction engineering focus areas: integration of project activities, and increasing innovation. Key findings related to project integration include planning activities to improve constructability and foster use of major construction methods. The integration research also included identifying constructability knowledge and using project models to increase its availability for designers. The second main theme of the research is process and product innovation. This investigation used case studies of innovative projects to identify major differences. This increased understanding led to overall findings regarding innovative design and construction organizations and projects and to highlight recommendations for practical applications to increase the scope and rate of innovation in practice. Both parts of the paper contribute to the core body of knowledge regarding construction engineering activities and their vital role in improving project performance in meeting cost, schedule, safety, quality, and sustainability objectives.
The goal of this paper is to identify the main factors driving or hindering construction innovation. An analysis of the relevant literature indicates there are six primary influences: (1) clients and manufacturers; (2) the structure of production; (3) relationships between individuals and firms within the industry and between the industry and externalparties; (4) procurement systems; (5) regulations/standards; and (6) the nature and quality of organizational resources. Attention to these factors by businesses and public policy makers would be a key component of effective innovation strategy and policy. Further research is needed, however, to explore the relationships between innovation influences, and between innovation influences and other aspects of business strategy and environment, in the context of broader societal considerations. Further research should also identify quantitative estimates of the impact of innovation on the construction industry.
Early involvement of the construction team is increasingly utilized in demanding projects to incorporate versatile expertise in their planning. For public owners this is a challenge since they are obliged to use competitive, transparent team selection based on the 'most economically advantageous' criterion which ensures that both price and quality viewpoints are taken into account. In the case of early involvement, the price component naturally does not include the total price, but may consist only of the fee-percentages of competing service providers. This study examines such a selection situation in project alliancing in the European context and seeks to find a way to integrate the fee component in a multi-criteria selection system and determine reasonable fees for different levels of capabilities. The study builds on the performance difference between different capabilities, derived from a survey of practitioners, and determines an indifference curve arithmetically for the planning of a selection method. The influence of the owner's risk attitude and risk premiums are also considered exploratively based on the pricing methods of the theory of finance.
The purpose of this explanatory mixed methods study was to examine the perceived value of mixed methods research for graduate students. The quantitative phase was an experiment examining the effect of a passage’s methodology on students’ perceived value. Results indicated students scored the mixed methods passage as more valuable than those who scored the quantitative or qualitative passage. The qualitative phase involved focus groups to better understand students’ perceptions of the perceived value of mixed methods. Findings suggested graduate students view mixed methods passages as having rigorous methods, a newer history, and providing a deeper meaning of the phenomenon. This study adds to the literature base by revealing what value graduate students assign to quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research.
The construction industry has been recognized for its conservatism and lack of innovation. In order to improve the success rate of construction innovation, the implementation of innovations within the context of construction has been discussed and developed. Literature in this area focuses extensively on construction innovation, and yet does not contain a systematic review. This paper looks to fill this gap by providing a systematic review of construction innovation. The review synthesizes the conclusions and shows the implementation of construction innovation. Collaboration, culture, innovation process, and drivers are identified as critical factors to improve the performance of construction innovation. Finally, the limitations of prior studies in construction innovation are discussed and recommendations made for areas of future study.
Construction projects in India are experiencing widespread delays. Due to a dramatic shift in the capacity and volume of the Indian construction sector over the last decade, the need of a systematic analysis of the reasons of delays and developing a clear understanding among the industry professionals are highly crucial. Using a selected set of 45 attributes, this research first identified the key factors impacting delay in Indian construction industry and then established the relationship between the critical attributes for developing prediction models for assessing the impacts of these factors on delay. A questionnaire and personal interviews have formed the basis of this research. Factor analysis and regression modelling were used to examine the significance of the delay factors. From the factor analysis, most critical factors of construction delay were identified as (1) lack of commitment; (2) inefficient site management; (3) poor site coordination; (4) improper planning; (5) lack of clarity in project scope; (6) lack of communication; and (7) substandard contract. Regression model indicates slow decision from owner, poor labour productivity, architects' reluctance for change and rework due to mistakes in construction are the reasons that affect the overall delay of the project significantly. These findings are expected to be significant contributions to Indian construction industry in controlling the time overruns in construction contracts.
The absence of extensive and accurate information on the construction industries of developing countries constitutes an obstacle to the assessment of their strengths and weaknesses and preparation of programmes for their improvement. This paper considers a scheme for the collection, processing and storage of construction information on a national basis. It discusses the potential benefits of such a scheme, the essential features a central data bank might have, and concludes that although it might be difficult to institute, countries that are able to do so should consider the establishment of such a unit.
Purpose
While corruption has long been recognized as a destructive social problem, the subject has not yet been given much attention in the literature of the management of procurement of infrastructure projects in Ghana. The purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss corruption practices inherent in public procurement of infrastructural projects in Ghana with the aim of identifying corruption related challenges that must be addressed in order to actualize the expected economic gains of infrastructural projects.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing extensively on existing literature and published data, the methodology adopted for the paper consisted of multi‐stage critical review of pertinent literature; review of 2007 Annual Report of the Public Procurement Authority and review of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663). The study assumes value‐laden axiological philosophy, where the values and experiences of the authors provided the basis for the discussion.
Findings
Conflict of interest, bribery, embezzlement, kickbacks, tender manipulation and fraud are observed corruption practices in the Ghanaian infrastructure projects delivery system. The severity of corruption practices have intensified the search for more innovative means of delivering infrastructure projects that will achieve value for money. In the pursuit to control corruption practices, this would require constitution of a sound procurement system and pro‐social equity policies that would foster good governance, corporate social responsibility, transparency, accountability, judicious public expenditure and national progress. The Public Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663) is observed to proffer solutions for these underlying constructs but not without challenges.
Research limitations/implications
The nature of the research is review and explanatory without any empirical analysis to support the discussions and thus the results cannot be generalized on a broader context of public procurement practice in Ghana.
Practical implications
Implementation of sound procurement performance measurements would be imperative in the bid to curb corruption practices. The paper suggested a number of business approaches to combat corrupt practices in Ghana, which are explained in terms of political, psychological, technical, operational and retaliatory measures. In this paper, it is proposed that knowledge about and debating corruption related issues is just as important to the modern public procurement as are the abilities to creatively and logically introduce monitoring systems when planning, executing and completing projects.
Originality/value
The work is novel providing meaningful insights into conceptual basis for a detailed empirical analysis. Being a pioneering study, further research tailored to compare the extent of corruption practices in various sectors of the economy of Ghana would be novel.
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This study investigates some factors that need to be considered in the management of innovation implementation within construction project organization. The main objective was to find explanatory variables that significantly affect the benefits of an innovation to project team members and the project as a whole. As part of a larger study on innovation in Singapore's construction industry, a survey was conducted and data from 58 projects that had adopted innovations in Singapore were collected via mailed questionnaire. The questionnaire requested respondents to provide specific data about their projects, the type of innovations adopted and the enablers and barriers to innovation. Four main categories of factors were found to significantly affect the extent to which an innovation will benefit project team members and the project. These are: the level of interest of project team members; working environment; formation of task groups; and the capabilities of the people involved in the innovation. Research questions relating to modelling innovation success are posed for further study.
As construction activity has a significant impact on the environment it is vital to consider how to improve the environmental performance of organizations in the construction industry. The ISO 14000 series of standards on environmental management provides construction enterprises with the tool to address in a structured manner the adverse impacts of their operations and to attain sustainable construction. In this study, a survey was conducted to ascertain the perceptions of construction enterprises in Singapore on the impact of the implementation of ISO 14000 on their operations. Major problems were identified, and recommendations are made for the future development of environmental management systems (EMS) in the Singapore construction industry.
Based on empirical studies of the role of key individuals in the processes of ten successful innovations in the US construction industry, this paper makes three principal arguments. First, effective leadership is essential for technological innovation - in particular in construction. Second, technological competence is an utmost prerequisite for effective leadership for construction innovation - regardless of the size of the firm. In other words, an entrepreneurial role as a technical champion in a small firm does not change even as the firm grows. Lastly, the role of technical champion can be delegated only with slack resources and adequate power. This paper also highlights conclusions and practical applications to increase technological innovation in design and construction firms.
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