Responsible Corporate Strategy in Construction and Engineering


Book Description

Ideas, concepts, theories and debates in the previously separate areas of corporate performance, corporate social responsibility, corporate strategy, and corporate governance are integrated for the first time in this book, promoting a more liberal and wider debate about CSR. Case studies of some of the world's leading firms provide rich qualitative data to support the arguments and are an excellent source of learning and teaching material to the subject of CSR for students.




Corporate Social Responsibility in Management and Engineering


Book Description

Referring to an organizations responsibility for their impact on society, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is greatly relevant for the competitiveness, sustainability and innovation in the management and engineering arena of organizations, and the economy worldwide. Taking in account its these concerns, Corporate Social Responsibility in Management and Engineering covers the issues related to corporate social responsibility in management and engineering in a context where organizations are facing, day after day, high challenges for what concerns issues related to their social responsibility. The book looks to contribute to the exchange of experiences and perspectives about the state of the research related to CSR, as well as the future direction of this field of research. It looks to provide a support to academics and researchers, as well as those that operating in the management field need to deal with policies and strategies related to CSR.




Corporate Strategy in Construction


Book Description

This book draws together the main elements of strategic management theory and considers their relevance to contemporary practice in construction. It helps students understand what corporate strategy involves and how it is possible to develop a proactive approach to the management of key organisational resources that are essential to attain objectives. Understanding of the importance of strategic management has developed rapidly in the past decade. Recent economic events have shown that all organisations must continually reassess their approach to achieving intended objectives, especially improvement in customer focus. The construction industry is no different. Construction employers require graduates who are competent in understanding the basis of strategic management, the range of techniques that will enable the organisation to identify opportunities and threats and respond to rapid change. This book provides an overview of the context in which construction projects are carried out, and the potential methods that exist to conduct strategic analysis and decision-making. By analysing case studies, Corporate Strategy in Construction: Understanding today's theory & practice demonstrates how vital lessons can be learnt from other industries by benchmarking practices and developing alternative ways of delivering value to clients. A key message of the book is that construction organisations can, with a better appreciation of strategic management, increase their potential to innovate and create sustainable competitive advantage.




Corporate Strategy in the Age of Responsibility


Book Description

As the era of ever expanding markets and ample resources ends, governments and business will have to behave differently. The world is facing weak economic growth, limits to affordable resources and increasing concerns about environmental consequences. During the boom times, governments championed de-regulation and business responded by adopting an anything-goes attitude. In these straitened times, strategic analysis has to engage with the challenges that society faces to create resilient corporations fit for the 21st century. In Corporate Strategy in the Age of Responsibility, Peter McManners, who has for nine years run strategy workshops on the Henley MBA focusing on the global business environment, sets about providing a strategic framework for navigating the new economic environment. Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) now exist, but they struggle to find the strategic rationale for the improvements they champion. The author argues that their good intentions often lack traction, partly because others in management don’t get it, but also because they are not ambitious enough. The book is not about preaching semi-charitable behaviour or how to enhance the reputation of the corporation instead it is about surviving and thriving in a challenging and changing environment. A corporate audience familiar with strategy books will relate to this book, but will find it steers them towards radically new strategic thinking suitable for a turbulent period of transition.




Innovation, Strategy and Risk in Construction


Book Description

1. Serendipity and innovation -- 2. The innovation process -- 3. Innovation in construction -- 4. The history and future of innovation in the construction industry -- 5. Strategy and innovation -- 6. Organizing for innovation -- 7. Managing the risks of innovation -- 8. Conclusion : we need a reality-check.




Social Value in Construction


Book Description

While the concept of social value is not new, recent interest in social value in construction has grown because of new social procurement legislation around the world and an increasing acceptance of the need to ensure construction projects provide social value, rather than simply economic value. Despite this growing recognition, literature and professional guidance on the subject is hard to find. This is the first book looking at social value in construction and it sets the agenda by asking and answering important questions like: How is the construction industry developing and supporting social enterprise and social value and for who? How and when is the industry recording and measuring social value and its effect? Which organisations are doing things well and what can we learn from their experiences? What can industry players do together to consolidate efforts and drive improvements? What are the key challenges in the field and what does the future look like? Drawing on a variety of professional and academic experiences and disciplines, the authors present global perspectives and lay the foundations for creating social value in the construction industry. This timely book makes use of real-life case studies and examples of best practice to demonstrate how innovative companies can utilise contemporary research to create social value through their projects. It is time the construction industry viewed community involvement and corporate social responsibility as an opportunity rather than a risk, and this is the book that shows the industry how. This is essential reading for all professionals in the construction, engineering, architecture and built environment sector. In particular, project managers, clients, contract managers, quantity surveyors, CSR and HR personnel will gain a lot from reading this book.




Human Resource Management in Construction


Book Description

The construction sector is one of the most complex and problematic arenas within which to manage people. As a result, the applicability of much mainstream human resource management (HRM) theory to this industry is limited. Indeed, the operational realities faced by construction organizations mean that all too often the needs of employees are subjugated by performance concerns. This has potentially dire consequences for those who work in the industry, for the firms that employ them and ultimately, for the prosperity and productivity of the industry as a whole. In this new edition of their leading text, Andrew Dainty and Martin Loosemore have assembled a collection of perspectives which critically examine key aspects of the HRM function in the context of contemporary construction organizations. Rather than simply update the previous edition, the aim of this second edition is to provide a more critical commentary on the ways in which the industry addresses the HRM function and how this affects those who work within the industry. To this end, the editors have gathered contributions from many of the leading thinkers within construction HRM to critique the perspectives presented in the first edition. Each contributor either tackles specific aspects of the HRM function, or provides a critical commentary on industry practice. The authors explain, using real-life case studies, the ways in which construction firms respond to the myriad pressures that they face through their HRM practices. Together the contributions encourage the reader to rethink the HRM function and its role in defining the employment relationship. This provides essential reading for students of construction and project management, and reflective practitioners who are interested in theoretically informed insights into industry practice and its implications.




Strategies and Approaches of Corporate Social Responsibility Toward Multinational Enterprises


Book Description

The convergence of corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate strategy, and public policy has emerged as a critical domain in contemporary business. The fundamental premise of corporate social responsibility is the obligation a company bears to simultaneously address and tend to the multifaceted needs of its clients, workforce, shareholders, communities, and the environment. The key to unlocking the dual potential of generating both positive social impact and corporate value is found in this delicate balance. Examining a wide array of empirical evidence, Strategies and Approaches of Corporate Social Responsibility Toward Multinational Enterprises establishes the tangible linkages between social responsibility initiatives and competitive advantages, offering invaluable insights for organizations aspiring to attract top-tier talent and bolster brand reputation. Delving into the nuances of corporate strategy, it elucidates the distinction between business strategy and corporate strategy, underscoring the significant influence of CEO decisions on stakeholders directly or indirectly associated with the organization. Designed to resonate with diverse audiences, including corporate sectors, private organizations, banks, universities' faculty and students, industrialists, and researchers, this book offers a roadmap for embracing and implementing novel approaches to CSR for multinational enterprises. Employing strategic business models that prioritize sustainability and responsive strategies, it heralds a new era of corporate excellence and organizational growth.




Maintainability of Facilities


Book Description

This book focuses on spearheading the integration of maintainability and green facility management right from the design stage. The text introduces the concept of green maintainability, and discusses considerations to maximize the performance by achieving resource and energy efficiency, while minimizing the total life cycle cost in embodied energy; environmental impact and consumption of matter/energy throughout the life cycle of a facility, by "doing it right the first time". In this edition, existing chapters have been brought up to date, to include contemporary sustainability concerns, such as: sustainability design, construction and materials, and maintainability of green features. Maintainability of Facilities is written for practitioners and students in architecture, engineering, building, real estate, construction, project management, facilities management, quantity and building surveying.




Corporate Social Responsibility in the Construction Industry


Book Description

The construction process, right through from planning and design to use and demolition, has a major impact on society. Traditionally, concern has been focused on its environmental impact and the quest for sustainability, but this has now extended into the wider remit of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Essentially, this means that businesses must act (voluntarily) in a socially ethical manner by developing a policy that encompasses the core principles enshrined by CSR. A unique presentation on a topic of emerging importance, Corporate Social Responsibility in the Construction Industry is essential reading for all built environment undergraduate and post-graduate courses, as well as CEOs and senior managers within construction businesses who may be about to embark on developing a CSR strategy.