Developing the Competitive Advantage of Indigenous Construction Firms


Book Description

This book takes a pragmatic approach to develop the competitive advantage of indigenous construction firms in the Global South, using Ghana as a case study. It provides readers with two major practical insights. The first focuses on the theoretical underpinning of firms’ competitive advantage and develops a competitive advantage model for indigenous construction firms. This competitive advantage conceptual framework aids in explaining the main and sub-attributes underpinning the competitive advantage of indigenous construction firms as well as providing the basis for assessing a firm’s competitiveness. Secondly, it highlights and addresses theoretical gaps in existing competitive advantage studies deemed essential for indigenous construction firms. Finally, a detailed two-stage Delphi study in the Ghanaian construction industry is presented as a case study. The book is therefore of interest to researchers in construction management, strategic management, civil engineering, business administration, marketing, entrepreneurial and economic studies. It is an essential manual for owners and managers of construction businesses. It is also useful for government departments and non-governmental agencies seeking innovative ways to develop the capacity of indigenous firms and/or contractors to make them more responsive to competitive bidding scenarios, delivery of projects, and satisfying the needs of the industry’s stakeholders.




Sustainable Education and Development – Making Cities and Human Settlements Inclusive, Safe, Resilient, and Sustainable


Book Description

This book presents papers from the 10th Applied Research Conference in Africa (ARCA), showcasing the latest research on education and inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable communities. The conference is focused on applied research discussion and its dissemination, developing understanding about the role of research and researchers in the development of the continent. Education is a key driver to transform lives, build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development in Africa. Researchers face large challenges to making a meaningful contribution to the development of Africa. It is a continent where research can at time be not viewed directly related to development. The aim of the Applied Research Conference in Africa is to provide a platform for capacity building and networking among researchers in Africa. The proceedings is focussed on applied research, its discussion and dissemination and will be if interest to researchers, professors, graduate students, policymakers and professionals in industry.




A Maintenance Management Framework for Municipal Buildings in Developing Economies


Book Description

The central aim of this book is to investigate and develop frameworks to aid effective maintenance management of municipal buildings in the education sector of developing economies. Using the South African education sector as a case study, this book provides readers with two major practical insights. Firstly, it focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of maintenance management research and introduces a maintenance management model through the development of a conceptual framework. This framework aids in explaining the factors underpinning the maintenance of municipal buildings but can also be used in the assessment and management of other public buildings. Secondly, the book highlights and addresses theoretical gaps in existing studies essential for the maintenance management of buildings in developing economies, providing a stimulus for future research. The book will be of interest to researchers in construction management, building technology, estate management, civil engineering, architecture, and urban and regional planning. It is an essential manual for policymakers in the education sector, built environment, construction industry, facility maintenance, facility management and consultants at government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) charged with maintenance management of public infrastructures and assets.




A Roadmap for the Uptake of Cyber-Physical Systems for Facilities Management


Book Description

This is the first book to conceptualise and develop a roadmap for the adoption of cyber-physical systems (CPS) for facilities management (FM) in developing countries. It is argued that effective use of CPS can help to significantly improve issues such as extended processing time, poor data acquisition, ineffective coverage of facility maintenance history, and poor-quality control within the facilities management sector. Through a theoretical review of relevant technology adoption models and frameworks, A Roadmap for the Uptake of Cyber-Physical Systems for Facilities Management provides a clear insight into the required parameters for integrating CPS into facilities management. The book will be beneficial to relevant stakeholders who face the responsibility of facilities and construction management as it contributes to the growing demand for the adoption of digital technologies in the delivery and management of built infrastructure. Furthermore, it serves as a solid theoretical base for researchers and academics in the quest to expand the existing borderline on construction digitalisation, especially in the post-occupancy stage.




Technological Innovation and Third World Multinationals


Book Description

This examines the relationship between technological growth and outward direct investment from firms in Asia and Latin America which has become increasingly siginificant as these countries develop.




A Building Information Modelling Maturity Model for Developing Countries


Book Description

This book provides a reference point for the development of Building Information Modelling (BIM) maturity in the developing country context. Developing countries have been observed to have low BIM maturity and are struggling to adopt the technology amidst no clearly defined pathways for achieving BIM capability maturity. The research presented in this book provides construction industry stakeholders in developing countries with a framework and nomological map to aid in the advancement of BIM implementation. This work provides a pathway for overcoming the challenges inhibiting BIM maturity in developing countries and ultimately its diffusion in order to harness the benefits. The authors provide critical theoretical insights on BIM maturity in the developing country context, a comparative analysis of BIM maturity in both developing and developed countries, and finally, a conceptualisation of BIM maturity for developing countries. The book is unique as its construct is rooted in the state-of-the-art information management standards in the digitalisation era in the construction industry (ISO 19650). The book delivers a theoretical reference point to the academic and research community and for the industry stakeholder, an essential guide to achieving BIM maturity at macro and micro levels.




Construction Digitalisation


Book Description

This book explores construction digitalisation, particularly in developing countries. The book conceptualises a digitalisation capability maturity model that will enable construction organisations to self-assess and benchmark their digital capabilities in their quest for digital transformation. Digitalisation offers a significant solution to the age-long problems of the construction industry. Research shows that when construction organisations transform from a traditional service delivery approach to a more digitalised approach, significant improvement in project delivery and better competitive advantage for these organisations will be attained. The attainment of these benefits is evident in developed countries where the digitalisation of construction activities continues apace. Unfortunately, the story is not the same for construction organisations in developing economies. While some organisations might be willing to be digitally transformed, most have no clue how to go about it. To this end, this book provides guidelines for construction organisations seeking to transform their entities digitally. Its content is a valuable read for construction company owners as it provides a model which they can use in the digitalisation of their activities. Also, regulatory bodies in the construction industry can adopt the capabilities identified in the book as essential prerequisites for their members. Furthermore, the book serves as excellent theoretical background reading for management researchers seeking to expand their knowledge on the digitalisation of the construction industry and other associated industries.




Construction in Indonesia


Book Description

Construction in Indonesia presents an in-depth analysis of the construction sector and suggests pathways to further improve the performance and efficiency of the industry. Experts in economics, management, and engineering have examined all aspects of the Indonesian construction sector to provide readers with unique insights into the workings of this important sector of the economy, and to analyse how both economic growth and policies have contributed to Indonesia’s development and how lessons learned can be used to guide future growth. Indonesia’s construction industry is set to grow rapidly after a decade of extensive investments in public infrastructure projects emphasizing new transportation, utilities, and social infrastructure buildings. The book is divided into two sections: Looking Back will focus on a critical analysis of the construction industry, its achievements and its failures, and the impact of the efficiency of the sector in bringing about improvements to overall quality of life. The primary purpose of the second section, Moving Forward, is to suggest directions and emphases for future action by the government of Indonesia (and other stakeholders) to promote the continued development of the construction industry. This book will be a valuable resource for policy makers in government and industry and other stakeholders to obtain a succinct view of the sector in the archipelago and to appreciate its potential to bring about improvements to the quality of life in Indonesia.




Measuring Productivity of Labour-Intensive Work Practices in Road Construction in Africa


Book Description

This book examines an issue of constant concern in the construction industry, that of productivity. Using data from Ghana and South Africa, it presents research into the productivity of local contractors in these countries whilst examining the predominance of labour-intensive production methods. The book begins by considering the theoretical and conceptual perspectives on labour productivity in the construction industry in the existing literature, before reviewing current productivity measurement frameworks. The book then explores the productivity of labour-intensive public works projects in South Africa and Ghana alongside a general discussion of key factors affecting construction productivity in these countries. Whilst the focus is on road construction, the framework developed can be applied to any number of construction projects to measure, and ultimately improve productivity. This book is useful reading for researchers and practitioners looking to understand the factors influencing labour productivity in construction at both the industry and the project level, including construction managers, quantity surveyors, cost engineers and project managers.




Sustainable Construction in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution


Book Description

This book provides readers with an understanding of various concepts, benefits, and practices that the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technolo>gies can bring when working towards sustainable construction goals. As digitalization continues to advance rapidly, the pressures on stakeholders in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AECO) industry to revamp and restructure their activities and outputs become increasingly prev>alent. This research book explains the importance of various digital tools and principles to achieve sustainable construction projects. It adopts various stand>ards and concepts to highlight how 4IR technologies could assist and accelerate construction sustainability. It is the first book to link construction management with various digital tools to enhance construction projects’ sustainability. It also provides an in-depth insight into the concept of sustainable construction 4.0 across both developing and developed countries for construction professionals, sustainability experts, researchers, educators, and other stakeholders.The book can be adopted as a research guide, framework, and reference on sustainable construction, the concept of sustainable projects, digitalization in the construction industry, and the 4IR.