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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2002

GEORGE OFORI, CHRISTOPHER LEONG and TEO PIN

The literature suggests that developing countries must use foreign construction enterprises to undertake much of the building and infrastructure projects which they require for…

Abstract

The literature suggests that developing countries must use foreign construction enterprises to undertake much of the building and infrastructure projects which they require for their economic development. Authors suggest that foreign firms can have various impacts, both positive and negative, on the construction industries of the host countries. This study examines the effect of the operations of foreign contractors in Singapore on their local counterparts and on the nation's construction industry. The study assesses the extent to which Singaporean construction companies have grown during the past two decades, and investigates the influence of foreign firms in this growth process. It is based on interviews of prominent construction practitioners and administrators. It was found that Singapore firms grew considerably during the period under review, and that foreign firms contributed to this growth. It is concluded that there is scope for mutually beneficial co‐operation among foreign and local contractors.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 October 2008

Rosalind Chew and Soon‐Beng Chew

The aim of this paper is to appreciate the difficulties faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a small open economy such as Singapore where there is very little margin…

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to appreciate the difficulties faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a small open economy such as Singapore where there is very little margin for comfort.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is analytical and statistical. Comparing key ratios over time to reinforce the findings is done.

Findings

SMEs in Singapore are price‐takers in the product markets and they are also price‐takers in the input markets. When there is substantial increase in costs, SMEs will be in trouble as they cannot pass the increased costs to the buyers of their products and services.

Practical implications

The implication is that only the government can help SMEs. With more information, the government can be convinced that SMEs can play a big role in the economy.

Originality/value

The paper shows that government and the SMEs' association can find ways to help SMEs.

Details

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, vol. 2 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6204

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2006

M. Sadiq Sohail, Rohit Bhatnagar and Amrik S. Sohal

The aim of this research is to undertake a comparative analysis on the use of third party logistics (3PL) services by manufacturing firms in Singapore and Malaysia.

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this research is to undertake a comparative analysis on the use of third party logistics (3PL) services by manufacturing firms in Singapore and Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a questionnaire survey conducted in Singapore and Malaysia in 1998 and 2000, respectively. The paper addresses key issues relating to the extent of usage of 3PL services, specific contract logistics services used, benefits for the user firms, obstacles encountered in implementing contract logistics relationships, impact of the use of contract logistics services on logistics costs, customer satisfaction, and employees of the user firms and the future plans of current users of contract logistics services.

Findings

Analysis shows that there are similarities on the use of contract logistics services in Singapore and Malaysia. These include the proportion of firms utilising contract logistics, the extent of involvement of functional managers, budget allocation and activities outsourced. Notable differences between the two countries include the decision‐making process, and the benefits to the firms from the use of contract logistics.

Research limitations/implications

Limited sample size and the generalisation of results to all manufacturing firms in Singapore and Malaysia manufacturers ignoring possible regional differences in each context are the two limitations in this study.

Originality/value

This study identifies the scope for 3PL services in Singapore and Malaysia. With the enhanced usage of contracting logistics, the study provides 3PL services providers who are considering Asia Pacific as a potential market, a comprehensive analysis of the current situation in Singapore and Malaysia.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 36 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 July 2011

Jay Na Lim and Frank Peltner

The complex interactions between firm‐ and industry‐specific factors within a national context and their impacts on innovation often hinder construction enterprises' efforts in…

2433

Abstract

Purpose

The complex interactions between firm‐ and industry‐specific factors within a national context and their impacts on innovation often hinder construction enterprises' efforts in optimising their innovation performance. The purpose of this paper is to employ the Cobb‐Douglas empirical production model to develop an innovation production function that illustrates the input and output factors relating to the innovation performance of construction firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying these factors to a dataset comprising economic and innovation statistics over 20 years for Germany and Singapore, regression analyses were conducted to investigate the critical resources that contribute to the innovation performance of German and Singaporean construction firms.

Findings

The findings indicated that the maturity of the innovation landscape in Germany cultivates the strength of German construction firms in developing unique firm‐specific resources that pushes their competitiveness edge. In Singapore, construction firms' dependence on the nation's basic science and technology research leads to weak firm dynamics and innovation capabilities.

Originality/value

It is recommended that in Singapore, the government should focus on the strength of their relationships with construction enterprises to aid the development of construction firms' R&D capabilities. The primary recommendation for both German and Singapore construction firms is to develop a system of knowledge documentation and distribution that facilitates systematically reapplications of know‐how, enabling construction firms to develop sustainable competitiveness through unique knowledge assets.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 November 2021

Chee Kwong Lau and Hexin Chen

This study examines the stakeholder perception of the sustainability risks, challenges and benefits arising from managing these risks in the Singapore construction industry.

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the stakeholder perception of the sustainability risks, challenges and benefits arising from managing these risks in the Singapore construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire consisting of 89 risk factors, challenges and benefits, was administered, with 216 responses received from various stakeholders. Regression analyses were used to estimate the relationships between sustainability and business risk factors, challenges and benefits associated with business sustainability practices.

Findings

Stakeholders recognise the importance of the emerging sustainability risk factors, and indeed rank these almost on a par with conventional business risk factors. The inherent business risks determine the nature of sustainability risk factors for construction firms, which in turn can affect their business risks and the performance and value creation of firms. However, most stakeholders, while acknowledging that business sustainability practices can provide benefits as well as posing challenges, do not believe that they can derive net benefits from such practices.

Research limitations/implications

Through this perception study, there is an urgent need to turn the existing awareness of the importance of business sustainability (BS) practices into more consistent and solid actions among construction firms in Singapore.

Practical implications

This study’s results imply construction firms to incorporate BS practices more systematically into their business strategies and operations, and to include sustainability risk factors alongside conventional business risks in their risk registers and risk management frameworks.

Originality/value

This study consolidates various variables and constructs of BS matters in the literature and practice into a meaningful framework for the management of BS in the construction industry.

Details

Property Management, vol. 40 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1996

GEORGE OFORI

The construction programmes of developing countries have constituted a significant part of the international construction market. However, while international contractors seek to…

622

Abstract

The construction programmes of developing countries have constituted a significant part of the international construction market. However, while international contractors seek to exploit these opportunities, the host nations also wish to develop their construction industries over time. This paper shows how conflicting objectives of international contractors and host countries can be correlated for mutual benefit. It outlines strategies adopted by international construction enterprises and contrasts the approaches they adopt in industrialised countries with those in developing ones. It then compares the objectives of international construction enterprises to those of host countries. It uses Singapore's experience to illustrate likely future developments in the construction industries of emerging countries. Finally, it offers suitable approaches that international and local construction enterprises, and governments, should adopt at various stages of development of host countries' construction industries.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 3 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 November 2010

Florence Ling and Siew Huay Lim

Construction firms in the People's Republic of China (PRC) have been exporting their services to foreign countries. The aim of this research is to study how PRC contractors can…

1217

Abstract

Purpose

Construction firms in the People's Republic of China (PRC) have been exporting their services to foreign countries. The aim of this research is to study how PRC contractors can improve their export performance. The specific objectives are to: ascertain the performance outcomes of projects undertaken by PRC contractors; identify strategies that PRC firms adopt to enable them to export effectively; and recommend areas in which PRC firms can improve their export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is a multi‐pronged approach, comprising industry‐wide postal/e‐mail survey using a structured questionnaire, in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews with PRC firms operating in Singapore and Singaporean firms that had worked with PRC firms in Singapore. Open‐ended questions were administered for the interviews.

Findings

The results show that PRC firms adopt cost leadership, diversification and networking strategies effectively. They generally have strong financial capacity and receive strong government support in their export activity. They offer low bids through low profit margins, low labour cost and satisfactory quality. They are not operating at the optimum level and there is room for improvement, if they wish to improve their export performance.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the present findings is that PRC firms' export activities are investigated from the Singapore context, which may not be generalizable. Only nine PRC firms were interviewed, but this nevertheless represents 69 per cent of registered PRC contractors in Singapore. The qualitative data from the interviews precluded statistical analysis, but provided rich and comparable insights.

Practical implications

The study presents recommendations on how PRC firms may improve their export performance. Non‐PRC firms would be informed of the strategies and actions that PRC firms take or will take, and will be better prepared to compete with them internationally.

Originality/value

The study is of value because it identifies the strengths of PRC firms as exporters of construction services. Recommendations on how PRC firms can improve their export performance are also offered. PRC firms may leverage on their strengths, and take in some of the recommendations, so that they can further improve their export performance.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2000

GEORGE OFORI and SWEE LEAN CHAN

Construction companies have several possible growth paths to follow in their effort to develop. Studies show that the appropriate approach depends on the features of the company…

Abstract

Construction companies have several possible growth paths to follow in their effort to develop. Studies show that the appropriate approach depends on the features of the company and the prevailing economic conditions, and support measures and incentives. This paper reports the results of a study on the paths which construction enterprises in Singapore have adopted since 1980. The main basis of the study was a mailed questionnaire survey. It was found that most local contractors have grown by working at home, either as main contractors or as specialist subcontractors. Some theoretical implications of the findings are outlined. Recommendations are offered on appropriate growth paths for Singaporean contractors under various circumstances.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 November 2011

Rajeshwar Sirpal

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the various issues faced by firms involved in foreign trade in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. It tries to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the various issues faced by firms involved in foreign trade in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. It tries to delineate the issues or concerns in export and import trade that are significant, but of either same or different magnitudes in these countries. It also attempts to determine the concerns that are of lesser extent for both importers and exporters, and extent of usage of insurance against non‐payment of export debts, and/or loss of goods in transit.

Design/methodology/approach

Judgment and snowball sampling methods are employed to collect data from various companies in these countries. The results are analyzed from two samples of 42 and 25 responding firms of Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore, respectively. Descriptive statistics is used to present and analyze the data.

Findings

The paper highlights the various important issues related to foreign trade by firms. The issues that are significant, but are of the same magnitudes in these countries along with the issues that are of different magnitudes are mentioned. Furthermore, concerns of lesser extent for both importers and exporters along with a comparative analysis of buying insurance by firms are also mentioned.

Research limitations/implications

The results are basically from the various trading companies involved in foreign trade in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. The sample size of firms from Singapore may be another limiting factor.

Originality/value

This study fills the gap in the existing literature about current issues prevalent in these countries. Furthermore, some suggestions to reduce the concerns of foreign trade are also mentioned in the paper. The findings may be useful for financial institutions interested in providing better services to the firms.

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2010

Benson Teck Heng Lim, Bee Lan Oo and Florence Ling

Contractors adopt various strategies to achieve their firms' objectives of continued existence and further development, and to guide the relationship between the firms and the…

2774

Abstract

Purpose

Contractors adopt various strategies to achieve their firms' objectives of continued existence and further development, and to guide the relationship between the firms and the business environment within which they operate. An economic recession drives firms to undertake unusual steps to survive within an environmental context. The purpose of this paper is to examine the survival strategies of Singapore contractors in the eight years of unprecedented recession in the industry from 1997 to 2005 are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 34 interviews were conducted with senior executives of large and medium‐sized construction firms in Singapore to identify their survival strategies during the recession period.

Findings

Three categories of strategies are identified: contracting‐related actions, cost‐control related actions, and financial‐related actions. The results show that most contractors opted to bid for more projects that are within their firms' resources and capabilities in contracting for jobs. To control cost, all contractors implemented stricter site management on material wastage, stricter financial management on firms' cash flow, stricter and procurement procedures. The majority of them froze salaries and stopped hiring. In order to remain solvent, most contractors set aside a sum of money from their reserves for unforeseen circumstances.

Practical implications

Contractors should learn how to stay adequately lean in managing their business in order to be flexible and responsive to changes within the business environment. The findings highlight the importance of effective cost, risk, relationship and resource management.

Originality/value

The findings provide valuable lessons to construction firms in preparing for volatile market conditions during a recession.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

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