Construction Management and Economics 

Abstract: Public–private partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly used in the United Kingdom's public facilities and services provision through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Despite some casualties, PPP/PFI projects have been undertaken successfully, but the reasons for success are not entirely clear Questionnaire survey research examined the relative importance of 18 potential critical success factors (CSF) for PPP/PFI construction projects in the UK The results show that the three most important factors are: ‘a strong and good private consortium’, ‘appropriate risk allocation’ and ‘available financial market’ Factor analysis revealed that appropriate factor groupings for the 18 CSFs are: effective procurement, project implementability, government guarantee, favourable economic conditions and available financial market These findings should influence policy development towards PPPs and the manner in which partners go about the development of PFI projects

Abstract: Previous research suggests that the construction industry is characterized by (1) particular complexity factors owing to industry specific uncertainties and interdependences, and (2) inefficiency of operations. The aim of this study was to analyse the operations and behaviour of firms as a means of dealing with complexity. The observations made indicate that the industry as a whole is featured as a loosely coupled system. Taking this as a starting point, the couplings among activities, resources and actors were analysed in different dimensions. The pattern of couplings builds on two interdependent layers: tight couplings in individual projects and loose couplings based on collective adaptations in the permanent network. It is concluded that the pattern of couplings seems to favour short term productivity while hampering innovation and learning.

Abstract: Many variables have an impact upon construction time and cost overruns in Indonesia. A questionnaire survey was undertaken of project managers working on high-rise construction projects in two Indonesian cities: Jakarta and Yogyakarta. The variables identified were ranked according to their perceived importance and frequencies of occurrence. Inflationary increases in material cost, inaccurate material estimating and project complexity are the main causes of cost overruns. The predominant causes of delay are design changes, poor labour productivity and inadequate planning. Using factor analysis techniques, delay and cost overrun variables were grouped into factors, and their relationships analysed. Although Indonesia specific, the results reflect construction management problems common to developing countries.

Abstract: Partnering in construction has been presented as a potentially important way of improving construction project performance through the direct benefits it can bring to both clients and contractors However, there is still considerable debate about the nature and merits of a partnering approach This paper attempts to contribute towards this debate by exploring the presumed link between partnering and cultural change within the industry, at both organizational and interorganizational levels of analysis To do so, it draws upon theory and research from the social sciences (especially organizational theory) to explore some of the issues, problems and dilemmas which emerge when full and proper account is taken of the complexities of organizations, as well as some of the subtleties and intricacies of the concept of organizational culture The paper concludes that it is only by fully appreciating the effects of such complexity that a more realistic and practical approach to the development and implementation of

Abstract: Although extensive research has been undertaken on factors influencing the decision to tender and mark-up and tender price determination for construction projects, very little of this research contains information appropriate to the factors involved in costing construction projects. The object of this study was to gain an understanding of the factors influencing contractors' cost estimating practice. This was achieved through a comparative study of eighty-four UK contractors classified into four categories, namely, very small, small, medium and large firms. The initial analysis of the 24 factors considered in the study shows that the main factors relevant to cost estimating practice are complexity of the project, scale and scope of construction, market conditions, method of construction, site constraints, client's financial position, buildability and location of the project. Analysis of variance, which tests the null hypothesis that the opinions of the four categories of companies are not significantly di...