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1 – 10 of 70Sammy K.M. Wan and Mohan M. Kumaraswamy
Coordinating interdependencies between concurrent activities is a special challenge in managing increasingly complex building services projects. Effective coordination at the…
Abstract
Purpose
Coordinating interdependencies between concurrent activities is a special challenge in managing increasingly complex building services projects. Effective coordination at the pre‐installation stage is key to minimising field conflicts between building services systems. This study aims to investigate the significant causes of production shortcomings traceable to the pre‐installation stage, and to what extent these in turn probably contribute to higher volumes of construction debris.
Design/methodology/approach
Following relevant previous research and preliminary studies of production shortcomings in the building services subsector in Hong Kong, a series of structured interviews with practitioners were formulated and analysed. The findings lead to deductive reasoning in developing suitable approaches for this subsector.
Findings
The study reveals that “poor coordination among different trades and processes”, and “frequent design changes and/or errors” are seen as two of the major causes of production shortcomings in the pre‐installation stage. This paper proposes and discusses improvement strategies based on conceptual models of an “intra‐inter dependent teamwork concept”, a “dynamic coordination buffer” and a “BS coordination facilitator” in order to reduce the identified critical causes.
Research limitations/implications
Although further research is needed, the findings in this paper can be a useful reference for other regions as the study methodology may be replicated.
Originality/value
In the search for solutions and improvements, a number of proven industrial management principles are incorporated in new conceptual models. These are expected to help alleviate the identified causes as critical design or related uncertainties are resolved through earlier coordination. This should in turn also reduce the volume of construction debris that can arise from current shortcomings in the pre‐installation stage of building services.
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Muhammad Haris Aziz, Summyia Qamar, Mohammad T. Khasawneh and Chanchal Saha
Cloud manufacturing (CMfg) has emerged as a service-oriented paradigm that enables modularization and on-demand servitization of resources in the context of manufacturing. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Cloud manufacturing (CMfg) has emerged as a service-oriented paradigm that enables modularization and on-demand servitization of resources in the context of manufacturing. The plethora of studies on CMfg has led the authors to investigate its implementation, as most of the literature is theoretical or simulation-based. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the reality of the CMfg concept in terms of adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
A tri-theoretic model is developed using the technology adoption model, diffusion of innovation and technology-organization-environment for hypotheses development. Data are collected from 218 US manufacturers. The data analysis approaches are partial least squares structural equation modeling, while data visualization is done to further analysis.
Findings
The study shows that most of the US manufacturers are reluctant to adopt the CMfg. Further, the statistical findings imply that competitive pressure, top management support, compatibility and trialability play a vital role in its adoption. The success of the CMfg adoption relies on the implementation of the pre-installation stage and the top management decisions.
Practical implications
For practitioners, the study provides insight on how to supervise the CMfg platform implementation to improve the adoption process. For researchers and academicians, the significance of trialability provides a wide range of research topics on developing the CMfg trials and models.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the concerns of manufacturers about the pros and cons of the CMfg adoption, as this topic has not been given due attention in the literature. This will help to align future research directions according to market concerns and mitigating the factors that are hindering its adoption.
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Dominik Deradjat and Tim Minshall
The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how companies can implement rapid manufacturing (RM) (i.e. the use of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how companies can implement rapid manufacturing (RM) (i.e. the use of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for final part production) for mass customisation (MC), drawing upon the experiences of firms in the dental sector (one of the major users of AM technologies).
Design/methodology/approach
A framework for implementation of RM for MC was developed from the literature to guide the data gathering. Data from six case companies in the dental sector implementing RM for MC, supplemented with insights from their respective AM machine providers and software companies, were used to analyse how companies implement RM for MC and what considerations and challenges they face in the process.
Findings
The study shows how implementation of RM for MC entails different considerations depending on the stage of implementation and maturity of involved technologies. In total, 26 challenges have been identified that seem to play a crucial role in implementation. The paper suggests that RM can enable MC in manufacturing by achieving both a high number of units produced and as well as a high level of customisation of each product.
Originality/value
Based on the review of the literature, no case studies exist that investigate companies implementing RM for MC despite literature having suggested RM as an enabler for MC in manufacturing for many years.
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The research project is centred on examining how new technology comes to be used in certain ways and for certain purposes, by focusing on the pre‐installation stages.
Abstract
The research project is centred on examining how new technology comes to be used in certain ways and for certain purposes, by focusing on the pre‐installation stages.
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Sammy K.M. Wan and Mohan M. Kumaraswamy
Given increasing user aspirations for comfort, connectivity, health, safety and security, the building services subsector now plays an even greater role in construction. It also…
Abstract
Purpose
Given increasing user aspirations for comfort, connectivity, health, safety and security, the building services subsector now plays an even greater role in construction. It also contributes heavily to construction debris. Hypothesising that improved materials control can help reduce construction debris considerably, this paper aims to investigate relevant critical production shortcomings that generate construction debris in building services works.
Design/methodology/approach
Relevant previous research studies on main causes of waste are first reviewed. Findings from a brainstorming exercise at a focus group meeting provide the basis for a series of structured face‐to‐face interviews with experienced site supervisors. Subsequent analysis of the interview findings, together with deductive reasoning, leads to the development of the proposed improvement strategies.
Findings
The most significant causes of production shortcomings identified in the study are poor coordination of processes or trades, inappropriate site storage and inadequate protection of materials. Industrial management principles help to develop suitable building services storage principles and to propose an industrial flow pattern incorporating barcoding and RFID tracking technologies.
Research limitations/implications
These findings are a useful comparative reference for other countries, where the study methodology may be replicated to generate region‐specific findings.
Originality/value
By applying the suggested proposals at the material control stage, this important but little studied subsector can both reduce production shortcomings and help lessen the burden on local landfills by reducing “conflicts” between competing resources and storage areas, and by the early mobilisation of specialist contractors to resolve uncertainties and reduce rework.
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Neomi Kaplan‐Mor, Chanan Glezer and Moshe Zviran
The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of several end‐user training methods during the deployment of a new information system in an Israeli financial institution.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of several end‐user training methods during the deployment of a new information system in an Israeli financial institution.
Design/methodology/approach
Four training methods, namely, frontal (lectures), simulator (e‐learning), mentor (personal guidance), and hybrid (mix of the three aforementioned methods) were all compared in terms of the number of referrals to an online helpdesk following training sessions.
Findings
A pair‐wise analysis to pinpoint the source of the differences between the various training methods indicates that all training methods are significantly different except for frontal and simulator and therefore an organization considering these two methods can select them indifferently. A combination of mentor and simulator was found to be significantly inferior to the frontal and simulator hybrid method.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation of the study is that evaluation was based on data associated with a specific organization, and thus external validity to other industries or countries is somewhat limited. Among other limitations are cross‐organizational differences in terms of: difficulty of calls, individual experience in the IS/IT area, and prior exposure to similar technologies.
Practical implications
Although this research does not recommend a specific training method, our findings suggest that deploying a new software system is a matter that requires early assessment by the organization and that the best results are obtained by employing the hybrid training approach.
Originality/value
The use of the number of referrals to an online helpdesk is a novel metric for measuring training effectiveness. The study also investigates the decline of the number of referrals over time.
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Following extensive research at a company in the printing industry, management is concluded to have operated in an unimaginative way towards the introduction of new technology…
Abstract
Following extensive research at a company in the printing industry, management is concluded to have operated in an unimaginative way towards the introduction of new technology. Conversely, recent publications on the subject have emphasised its flexibility, and the extent to which there is some degree of choice inherent in the redesign of work in such circumstances. Moreover, workers may also resist managerial changes — especially those which attempt to deskill their jobs — at the point of production.
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Michael Behm and Poh Choon Hock
Singapore is transforming from a “garden city” to a “city‐in‐a‐garden”. Designing for safety is recognized by researchers and some governments as a best practice in facilitating…
Abstract
Purpose
Singapore is transforming from a “garden city” to a “city‐in‐a‐garden”. Designing for safety is recognized by researchers and some governments as a best practice in facilitating eventual worker safety within the built environment. The purpose of undertaking this research was to understand and describe the status of safe design for skyrise greenery in Singapore.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 41 rooftop and vertical greenery systems were observed with a focus on access, fall from height, and planting considerations.
Findings
Rooftop greenery systems in Singapore were found to be adhering to safe design principles. Vertical and ledge greenery systems, on the other hand, are newer arrangements and were found to be in need of design for safety guidance.
Originality/value
The results add to the body of knowledge in the area of safe design and skyrise greenery and will aid those seeking to understand from a policy and practice perspective.
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Mohammad A. Hassanain, Babatunde Adewale, Abdul-Mohsen Al-Hammad and Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire
The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the factors affecting building services’ coordination during the design development and review stages of building projects.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the factors affecting building services’ coordination during the design development and review stages of building projects.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature review and interviews were conducted to identify the factors affecting building services’ coordination. In total, 36 factors were identified under six categories: planning phase of the project; design of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems; construction of MEP systems; operation and maintenance of MEP systems; owner; and design team and tools used. This formed the basis of a questionnaire survey designed utilizing a 5-point Likert scale of importance. The survey was assessed by practitioners in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia.
Findings
The top five factors include the scale and complexity of the project, the level of experience of the design team, the quality of the preliminary/conceptual design of the building project, the clarity of the requirements and objectives provided by the owner, the allotted budget for the project and communication skills of the design team members. A high level of agreement between A/E professionals and contractors, and between contractors and facility managers was noted. The research provides the ranking of the identified factors for prioritization.
Practical implications
The paper provides stakeholders in the building services industry with the ranks of the factors that affect building services’ coordination.
Originality/value
The study provided a significant contribution to research and industry, especially in the regional context, where few studies have been conducted. The findings of the study will help in the reduction of construction wastes, delays and cost over-runs.
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