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1 – 10 of over 20000This paper is aimed at introducing ḥalāl supply chain management (SCM) to the British construction sector, construction supply chains and “SCM”. Ḥalāl supply chains can optimise…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper is aimed at introducing ḥalāl supply chain management (SCM) to the British construction sector, construction supply chains and “SCM”. Ḥalāl supply chains can optimise British construction supply chains by promoting meticulous, qualitative and mutually reinforcing systems. The British construction sector has failed to overcome the inimical, inefficient, fractured and transactional attitudes (collectively, the “complexities”) pervading it and the supply chains beneath it. Construction SCM has been able to introduce change, but with limited profound effect. This is owed to its lack of human agency, proactive quality control systems, as well as other verification and assurance mechanisms. Introducing the Sharīʿa principles encapsulating ḥalāl food supply chains can offer the input needed to optimise current construction supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts an integrative general review of the academic literature pertaining to the British construction sector, construction SCM, ḥalāl food supply chains, ḥalāl assurance and control processes. The extensive literature review is crucial because it will enable introducing “ḥalāl” to construction SCM, hence ḥalāl construction supply chain management (“ḤCSCM”). ḤCSCM will then be applied to one of the most recent British construction SCM systems to identify how ḤCSCM can complement existing systems.
Findings
The findings indicate that ḤCSCM can further alleviate the complexities thwarting the British construction sector on a supply chain level. This is attributed to taʿrīf’s tailored identification and traceability processes, iltizām’s cross-lateral monitoring processes and istiqāmah’s Sharīʿa-compliant, assured and verifiable certification system, all of which complement the existing construction supply chain assurance and control processes in the UK.
Originality/value
The conception of ḤCSCM promotes an untapped area in the academic literature. Academicians and practitioners can transplant ḥalāl principles from the ḥalāl food manufacturing sector into the British construction sector – similar to how construction SCM was founded by principles originating from the manufacturing industry. This paper highlights the shortfalls of construction SCM in British construction supply chains and propounds how ḤCSCM can resolve them.
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Yanhu Han, Xiyu Yan and Poorang Piroozfar
As a strand in industrialization movement in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, prefabricated construction (PC) has gained widespread popularity due to…
Abstract
Purpose
As a strand in industrialization movement in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, prefabricated construction (PC) has gained widespread popularity due to high efficiency, energy saving, low environmental impacts, safety and other advantages of PC. Well-managed supply chain can further leverage the advantages of PC. However, there is a lack of more systematically overview of the prefabricated construction supply chain (PCSC). This paper aims to comb the current status and look into the future direction of PCSC by reviewing the existing research.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 131 articles related to prefabricated construction supply chain management (PCSCM) from 2000 to 2022 have been collated to (1) conduct a bibliometric analysis by using VOSviewer, including the literature sources, keywords co-occurrence, co-authorships, authorship citation and country active in the field of PCSCM; (2) classify and summarize the status of research in PCSCM through qualitative discussion and (3) point out the future research directions.
Findings
In total, 131 articles are carried out for bibliometric analysis and in-depth qualitative discussion, the visualization maps and the main research themes in the field of PCSCM are obtained. The results show that supply chain intelligentization and informatization are hot topics. Finally, future research directions that should be paid attention to in the field of PCSCM are pointed out.
Practical implications
This study can help project managers understand the current status and problems of PCSC operations and provide a basis for future management decisions.
Originality/value
Compared with previous studies, this study adds the dimension of “article authorship” to the quantitative analysis and discusses the research themes in the field of PCSCM in a comprehensive manner. In addition, this paper deeply discusses the main research topics from both the specific contents and research methods adopted.
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Peter Sutterby, Xiangming Wang, Hong Xian Li and Yingbo Ji
Effective maintenance of construction supply chains is paramount to business continuity during the pandemic. Focusing on a large private Australian construction company, this…
Abstract
Purpose
Effective maintenance of construction supply chains is paramount to business continuity during the pandemic. Focusing on a large private Australian construction company, this research aims to investigate to what extent the current pandemic has affected the daily operations of this company. This research touches on the broader effect on the industry, while it narrows the focus on how effective construction supply chain management can minimise a pandemic's negative impact on a company. The critical question will be how private contractors that primarily rely on social infrastructure projects can fortify their supply chains and general operations during the global pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed qualitative and quantitative approach is employed in this research. Based on literature review and question design, data is collected through interviews with various stakeholders. Moreover, operation data is also collected from the case company to support the results and findings.
Findings
The respondents have generally agreed that the case company has effectively managed its supply chains to this point of the pandemic through the implementation of supply chain monitoring processes and maintaining stable relationships with stakeholders. This is supported by the operation data of the case company.
Originality/value
This is timely-conducted research, and it is original research with invaluable operation data. This case study is conducted during a pandemic and provides lessons learned for global supply chain management in the post-pandemic period.
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Rafaella Broft, Sulafa M Badi and Stephen Pryke
Several studies have underlined the potential of supply chain management (SCM) in meeting the formidable challenges associated with fragmentation, adversarial relationships and…
Abstract
Purpose
Several studies have underlined the potential of supply chain management (SCM) in meeting the formidable challenges associated with fragmentation, adversarial relationships and insufficient customer focus in the delivery of construction projects. However, properly documented examples of successfully implemented SCM initiatives, particularly at the lower tiers of the supply chain, are scarce. The purpose of this paper is to extend the existing debates by adopting an alternative approach focusing specifically on the internal SCM organisation of both main contractor and subcontractor organisations, and their direct inter-relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
This study sets out to explore the enablers and barriers to the implementation of SCM at the lower tiers of the construction supply chain, particularly the problematic collaboration between main contractors and subcontractors. SC maturity levels are formulated according to relevant SCM concepts and based on Holti et al.’s (2000) seven principles of SCM organisation, and transformed into a conceptual model. An explorative study is conducted based on interviews from eight large main contractor and subcontractor organisations in the Dutch construction industry.
Findings
Discouragingly, across the organisations, more barriers than enablers to SCM are identified. Organisations are found to be particularly struggling to compete through superior value, manage costs collaboratively, and develop continuous improvement within their supply chains. The findings also underline the low SC maturity of main contractors and their inability to play the essential role of supply chain managers.
Practical implications
The study underlines the need for a greater degree of main contractor leadership and improved internal organisation of both types of firms in order to achieve greater collaboration at the lower tiers of the construction supply chain.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the subject of SCM in construction in two respects. First, the findings should prove valuable to both policy-makers and industry practitioners interested in the delivery of performance improvement in construction. Second, the developed SC maturity model can form the conceptual basis for the development of an applicable improvement framework towards successful SCM implementation.
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Christos Vidalakis, John E. Tookey and James Sommerville
The purpose of this paper is to present a logistical analysis of construction supply chains by assessing the impact of varying demand on the performance of builders' merchants'…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a logistical analysis of construction supply chains by assessing the impact of varying demand on the performance of builders' merchants' logistics.
Design/methodology/approach
Taking into consideration that the vast majority of construction materials are distributed through intermediary organisations, the paper focuses on the logistics of builders' merchants. The study follows a field study approach to develop a conceptual logistics model facilitating experimentation using simulation modelling.
Findings
The paper highlights the importance of incorporating intermediary organisations in the study of construction supply chains and reveals the implications of varying demand on logistics performance related to inventory and transportation costs.
Research limitations/implications
In order to limit assumptions associated with individual company characteristics, the sample has included data from one builder's merchant company. To allow external benchmarking, the suggested approach has to be applied to a wider sample.
Practical implications
The paper provides a practical understanding in terms of the function of intermediary organisations in construction supply chains and the application of logistics management in construction.
Originality/value
Considering the complexity involved in construction supply chain operations, the value of this research is twofold. First, the research contributes to an interdisciplinary approach to the study of construction supply chains and second, provides a risk‐free environment for modelling supply chain cost performance.
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Qiao Shi, Qiankun Wang and Zeng Guo
This paper aimed to examine the role of knowledge sharing among member enterprises between collaborative innovation activities and innovation performance and between building…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aimed to examine the role of knowledge sharing among member enterprises between collaborative innovation activities and innovation performance and between building information modeling (BIM) application and innovation performance in the construction supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
The structural equation model was used in this study. First, the hypothesis of the relationship between collaborative innovation activities, BIM application, knowledge sharing and innovation performance in the construction supply chain was proposed based on experience; then, the research data were collected by investigation; finally, this hypothesis was tested through data analysis.
Findings
(1) Collaborative innovation activities in the construction supply chain had a positive impact on explicit knowledge sharing, tacit knowledge sharing and innovation performance. (2) BIM application had a positive impact on explicit knowledge sharing and innovation performance, while it had no significant impact on tacit knowledge sharing. (3) Explicit knowledge sharing had no positive effect on innovation performance, while tacit knowledge sharing had positive effect on organizational performance. (4) Tacit knowledge sharing produced partial mediating effect between collaborative innovation activities, BIM application and innovation performance, while explicit knowledge sharing produced complete mediating effect between BIM application and tacit knowledge sharing.
Originality/value
A relationship model among collaborative innovation activities, BIM application, explicit and tacit knowledge sharing and innovation performance in the construction supply chain was proposed, and the rationality of the model was verified by empirical analysis. Discovering the relationships between these factors can be not only conducive to mastering the effect of explicit and tacit knowledge sharing in the collaborative innovation process of construction supply chain, but also play a guiding role for the function development of BIM.
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Micael Thunberg, Martin Rudberg and Tina Karrbom Gustavsson
This study aims to identify and categorise common on-site problems from a supply chain management (SCM) perspective and to trace the origin of these problems in the construction…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify and categorise common on-site problems from a supply chain management (SCM) perspective and to trace the origin of these problems in the construction project process, the supply chain or in the intersection between these processes. This allows for identification of how on-site problems affect SCM in construction projects and how they can be mitigated.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review in combination with semi-structured interviews was used to identify on-site problems. This enabled triangulation and strengthened both construct validity and internal validity.
Findings
On-site problems can be categorised in one of the four following categories: material flows, internal communication, external communication or complexity. The first category has its origin in the supply chain, the second in the construction project process, the third in the supply chain-construction process intersection on site and the fourth in the construction project as a whole. The findings conclude that on-site problems often originate from construction companies’ lack of supply chain orientation.
Research limitations/implications
It is suggested that supply chain planning (SCP) can facilitate on-site problem mitigation in construction project management. This extends the body of knowledge of SCP in construction project management and supports the development of effective on-site construction project management.
Practical implications
The results show that SCP can aid construction project management in handling on-site problems earlier in the project process.
Originality/value
The main value lies in extending the body of knowledge in construction project management research by applying an SCM perspective and by introducing SCP to support more effective construction project management.
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This paper will provide an introduction to the argument that there is considerable evidence of poor thinking within the construction industry. The failure to understand the…
Abstract
This paper will provide an introduction to the argument that there is considerable evidence of poor thinking within the construction industry. The failure to understand the circumstances that are facing industry players will prevent clients, contractors and suppliers from achieving their own objectives. The current problems are further compounded by the advice espoused by the government‐sponsored industry reports advocating generic approaches. In response to these problems the paper will provide practitioners with a theoretical framework for understanding: the structure of the industry and its constituent supply chains; the attributes of buyer and supplier power; the appropriateness of certain relationships according to the firm's power position within the construction supply chain; and, the circumstances where the recent industry initiatives and an integrated supply chain approach may be implemented with success.
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While the adversarial nature of precast concrete (PC) building construction is frequently cited in the PC building construction press, only a few researchers have investigated…
Abstract
Purpose
While the adversarial nature of precast concrete (PC) building construction is frequently cited in the PC building construction press, only a few researchers have investigated construction supply chain management within the construction industry. Due to the interdisciplinary transportation environment, which inevitably results in disruption, the uses of construction supply chain and recovery from construction supply chain risk must be a subject of real interest, yet transportation management research in this area is scarce.
Design/methodology/approach
The purpose of this study is to discuss the weakness in system approaches and their application for managing precast concrete building in the context of construction supply chain practice and how to overcome it. As a precursor to this paper, the paper reviews current construction supply chain management occurrence on PC building construction and explores the hybrid intelligent vehicle tools and techniques currently being used on such management. This paper also presents the new hybrid intelligent vehicle-based approach to manage construction supply chain risk and reduce associated tension on PC building construction schemes.
Findings
The findings reveal the need for more sophisticated construction supply chain management solutions which accord with the needs of PC building construction schemes.
Originality/value
The paper concludes by presenting a research framework for developing such a system in the future.
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Durgesh Pattanayak and Plavini Punyatoya
The purpose of this paper is to examine how e-procurement (EP) and supply chain technology internalization (SCTI) influence supply chain performance (SCP) through supply chain…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how e-procurement (EP) and supply chain technology internalization (SCTI) influence supply chain performance (SCP) through supply chain integration (SCI).
Design/methodology/approach
This research analyzed 214 survey responses from project managers who have prior experience in the field of supply chain management. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.
Findings
The results show that EP and SCTI positively influence SCI and SCP. The effects of EP and SCTI on SCP are found to be mediated by SCI in the context for the construction industry.
Research limitations/implications
Future studies should focus on quantitative measures of SCP like budget overrun, supply chain efficiency and project success. Further research can be done through the exploration of moderating interactions of the proposed model.
Practical implications
First, the study highlights the importance of SCTI. Supply chain managers should first focus on effective utilization of different technologies used to support supply chain. Second, the research gives the guidelines to the supply chain managers and project managers about the benefits of EP. They should focus on proper implementation of EP in their organizations.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature by proposing and testing the influences of EP and SCTI on SCI. This allows a strategic viewpoint when implementing SCTI, EP systems and SCI, intended to improve SCP.
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