Showing papers by "Peter E.D. Love published in 2012"

Moving Beyond Optimism Bias and Strategic Misrepresentation: An Explanation for Social Infrastructure Project Cost Overruns

Abstract: Infrastructure projects regularly experience cost and schedule overruns. Research led by Flyvbjerg has suggested that misrepresentation and optimism bias are primary causes for overruns. While Flyvbjerg's research has made a significant contribution to ameliorating understanding as to why economic infrastructure projects experience overruns, it does not adequately explain why this is the case for such social infrastructure. In addressing this shortcoming, case studies are used to determine the intermediary events and actions that contributed to project cost overruns. The pathogens, events, and actions that contributed to overruns are identified and analyzed. The analysis of the cases' findings led to the propagation of a nomological framework for social infrastructure project overruns. Acknowledgment of the systemic pathogenic influences has enabled the establishment of an orthodoxy, which provides an impetus for addressing the issues needed to improve the performance of social infrastructure projects.

Achieving the Green Building Council of Australia's World Leadership Rating in an Office Building in Perth

Abstract: The issues influencing the construction of Western Australia’s first six-star Green Star energy-rated commercial office building are examined. Green Star is a comprehensive, national, voluntary environmental rating system that evaluates the environmental design and construction of buildings and is undertaken by the Green Building Council of Australia. A six-star rating signifies “world leadership” in environmentally sustainable design and construction. The case study presented in this paper describes how a client acted as a catalyst for driving the sustainability agenda. The client’s key drivers for implementing sustainable technologies were procurement and organizational resources. Existing building regulations and a lack of government incentives were identified as being the main barriers to implementing sustainable technologies. The case findings presented provide an opportunity for clients and practitioners to learn from the experiences of others who have, and continue to address the environmen...

Organizational Accidents: A Systemic Model of Production versus Protection

Abstract: Production pressure is often cited as an underlying contributory factor of organizational accidents. The relationship, however, between production and safety protection is complex and has not been adequately addressed by current theories regarding organizational accident. In addressing this gap, this paper uses the methodology of system dynamics to develop a causal model to address the dynamic interaction between management of production and protection, which can accumulate in an organizational accident. A case study of a fatal rock fall accident in Tasmania, Australia was conducted based on the developed model and is used to uncover the intricate dynamics linking production pressure, risk tolerability, perception of safety margin, and protection efforts. In particular, the study demonstrates how a strong production focus can trigger a vicious cycle of deteriorating risk perception and how increased protection effort can, ironically, lead to deterioration of protection.

Design Error Costs in Construction Projects

Abstract: Design errors can adversely influence project performance and can contribute to failures, accidents, and loss of life. Although there has been a considerable amount of research that has examined design error causation, little is known about design error costs. With increasing emphasis placed on the use of nontraditional forms of procurement methods as a result of various government reports and the advent of Building Information Modelling there is a general perception that design error costs will be significantly less than those projects procured by traditional means. By using a questionnaire survey, estimates for design error costs were obtained from 139 projects. The mean direct and indirect costs for design errors were revealed to be 6.85 and 7.36% of contract value, respectively. Design error costs were found not to significantly vary with procurement method and project type used. Although the research provides invaluable insights into practitioners’ perceptions of design errors costs, their ac...

Participatory Action Research Approach to Public Sector Procurement Selection

Abstract: Selecting an appropriate procurement method to deliver supply chain efficiencies can reduce the costs of public sector projects by an average of 5%. Despite the considerable practical experience of Australian governments in the public sector, little agreement exists about how to effectively select an approach to deliver social infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, museums, and prisons). Determining the optimal procurement approach for social infrastructure is a challenging task considering the array of procurement methods available and the criteria that must be assessed. Methods for procurement selection that have been developed are prescriptive and unable to deal with the complex and changing needs of public sector clients. As a result, a robust procurement selection process is developed and examined using a participatory action research. Focus groups, comprised of key stakeholders involved with delivering an educational project, examined the approach’s applicability and use in determining a suitable...

BIM + AR: Onsite information sharing and communication via advanced visualization

Abstract: More and more design and construction professionals in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) areas have been and now are using Building Information Modeling (BIM). Unfortunately, there were very few efforts exploring the real-time communication and integration of BIM to the site and task conditions, and the interaction of BIM with the field crew. It is envisaged that Augmented Reality (AR) can fulfil this vision effectively through visualizing BIM right into the physical context of each construction activity or task. This paper discusses and investigates how BIM can be extended to the site via the “practical arm” of AR. Human factors are the core principle to investigate on, considering that AR, by nature, involves the human sensations with both real and virtual information sources. It is also found that AR should be ubiquitous and work together with accurate positioning technologies such as laser pointing. The framework also addresses how context-aware can be implemented in the integration of BIM and AR to achieve intelligent AR.

Multiplier Model for Forecasting Manpower Demand

Abstract: To better manage and forecast the demand for labor in the construction industry, a mathematical model is developed using a distributed lag model and labor multiplier approach. The model is tested using economic statistics and manpower data derived from Hong Kong construction projects. The model can be used by public and private sectors to forecast future labor demand so that an optimal workforce can be attained.

Integration of E-Learning 2.0 with Web 2.0

Abstract: A review of studies that have examined the integration of Web 2.0 tools into E-Learning 2.0 within built environment educational programs is undertaken. An analysis of studies undertaken reveals five core themes can be derived: (1) students using Web 2.0 demonstrate the capability for effective learning; (2) Skills learned via Web 2.0 can be transferred to the work and untrained tasks; (3) limited research has compared learning in conventional E-Learning and Web 2.0 environments; (4) E-Learning 2.0 enables social learning process to take place, and (5) the shift from eLearning 1.0 (Web 1.0 based) to E-Learning 2.0 (Web 2.0 based) requires not only a technological shift, but also a fundamental shift in the way knowledge is socially constructed and shared. Future issues and challenges are identified in order to ameliorate the integration of the E-Learning 2.0 experience with Web 2.0 tools.

Evaluating reverse third-party logistics operations using a semi-fuzzy approach

Abstract: The responsiveness and efficiency of distributed and multi-echelon supply chains are increasingly reliant upon reduced cycle times within forward and reverse logistics operations. Within the high-tech industry, Reverse Logistics (RL) in the form of end-of-life, stock balancing, defective/warranty, recycle, and re-use product returns, is particularly important owing to the complexity and dependency that exist throughout the extended supply chain in order to maintain brand loyalty and customer satisfaction (source, OEM vendors and end customers alike). RL is fast becoming a strategy to acquire an organisational competitive advantage, making the quest to exploit such a function a premeditated decision. The introduction of Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers has become a necessity for those supply-chain operations where issues of cost and risk mitigation need to be balanced with agility and responsiveness. This paper develops a conceptual framework of the factors influencing Reverse 3PL based upon Informati...

BIM + AR: A Framework of Bringing BIM to Construction Site

Abstract: More and more design and construction professionals in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) areas have been and now are using Building Information Modeling (BIM). Unfortunately, there were very few efforts exploring the real-time communication and integration of BIM to the site and task conditions, and the interaction of BIM with the field crew. It is envisaged that Augmented Reality (AR) can fulfil this vision effectively through visualizing BIM right into the physical context of each construction activity or task. This paper develops a conceptual framework to investigate how BIM can be extended to the site via AR. Human factors are the core principle to investigate on, considering that AR, by nature, involves the human sensations with both real and virtual information sources. It is also found that AR should be ubiquitous and work together with accurate positioning technologies such as laser pointing.

Stock-Flow Model for Forecasting Labor Supply

Abstract: Forecasting the supply of labor in the construction industry is pivotal to long-term economic growth. A labor supply model using a stock-flow approach was developed in this research for use in the construction industry. The model was tested using Hong Kong census statistics and data derived from interviews with 3,000 randomly selected construction workers. The findings were determined using a stock-flow model, which enabled the determination of future aging distribution trends and workforce supply for specific trade types. The developed stock-flow model can be effectively used in countries in which registration schemes for construction workers are in use.

Barriers to the Development of SME's in the Australian Construction Industry

Abstract: Small and medium sized companies (SMEs) operating in the construction industry in regionalareas of Australia often struggle to compete against city-based companies for constructionwork. This paper identifies the barriers that confront SMEs in areas outsidemajor cities, specifically in regional areas of Victoria (Australia) where local firms oftencompete unsuccessfully against large Melbourne-based organisations. The authors alsolook at the possibility of using e-commerce solutions to give regional SMEs greater competitivenessas well as considering possible policy initiatives that may assist these companiesto be more successful in tendering against city-based competition.

Evaluating the direct and indirect costs of rework in construction

Abstract: Purpose of this paper This paper investigates the potential for compromise in quality as a consequence of direct and indirect costs associated with undertaking rework in a construction project. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted on direct and indirect cost of rework and associated waste. A quantitative approach was adopted and data was collected via a questionnaire survey targeting purposively selected construction professionals in the Cape Peninsula metropolitan area. Descriptive (mean) and inferential (One way analysis) statistics were used to analyse the data. Findings A total of 78 firms participated in this study. It was found that the mean of direct and indirect costs of rework were 2.93% and 2.20% of the contract value respectively. In addition, it was established that the majority of the respondents do not always have systems in place for tracking and recording the incidence of rework and its cost impact, especially the indirect costs. The study also revealed that there are significant differences between respondents’ estimates for direct rework costs. The study revealed no significant difference between respondents’ estimates for indirect rework cost. Originality/value of paper To reduce these costs and therefore improve overall project performance, it is posited that design and construction organisations must improve their quality management practices by introducing a tracking mechanism for continuously quantifying the direct and indirect costs of rework, so that an understanding of their magnitude can be captured and effective containment strategies implemented.

Evaluating the direct and indirect costs of rework

Abstract: Purpose of this paper This paper investigates the potential for compromise in quality as a consequence of direct and indirect costs associated with undertaking rework in a construction project. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted on direct and indirect cost of rework and associated waste. A quantitative approach was adopted and data was collected via a questionnaire survey targeting purposively selected construction professionals in the Cape Peninsula metropolitan area. Descriptive (mean) and inferential (One way analysis) statistics were used to analyse the data. Findings A total of 78 firms participated in this study. It was found that the mean of direct and indirect costs of rework were 2.93% and 2.20% of the contract value respectively. In addition, it was established that the majority of the respondents do not always have systems in place for tracking and recording the incidence of rework and its cost impact, especially the indirect costs. The study also revealed that there are significant differences between respondents’ estimates for direct rework costs. The study revealed no significant difference between respondents’ estimates for indirect rework cost. Originality/value of paper To reduce these costs and therefore improve overall project performance, it is posited that design and construction organisations must improve their quality management practices by introducing a tracking mechanism for continuously quantifying the direct and indirect costs of rework, so that an understanding of their magnitude can be captured and effective containment strategies implemented.

Influence of procurement method on the occurrence of rework in construction projects

Abstract: Purpose of this paper The research presented in this paper aims to determine the influence of different procurement methods on rework occurrences in construction projects. Design/methodology/approach Pertinent literature was reviewed, specifically regarding procurement methods influencing the occurrence of rework. A questionnaire survey was done on purposively selected construction professionals based in the Cape Peninsula metropolis. Descriptive (mean) and inferential (t-test) statistics were used to analyse the data. Findings Data were obtained from 78 construction professionals. The causes of rework were analysed and discussed. It became apparent that rework causes do not differ relative to various procurement methods. Originality/value of paper It is posited that design and construction organisations need to improve the quality of operations throughout the procurement process in order to reduce the occurrence of rework and subsequently improve the overall project performance.