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Article
Publication date: 22 August 2024

Chisomo Kapatsa, Neema Kavishe, Sambo Lyson Zulu and Godwin Maro

The purpose of this study is to identify sustainability assessment indicators of road infrastructure projects by analyzing and synthesizing existing literature, considering that…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify sustainability assessment indicators of road infrastructure projects by analyzing and synthesizing existing literature, considering that, despite being essential to achieving the sustainable development goals, sustainability performance in road infrastructure projects is a persistent challenge. Therefore, determining how sustainability can be assessed in these projects is crucial, necessitating a systematic review of the sustainability assessment indicators of road infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using PRISMA principles, 54 peer-reviewed papers from 2010 to 2022 were retrieved from three search databases (Scopus, Research for Life and Google Scholar) as part of a systematic literature review. Data analysis techniques included both descriptive and content analysis.

Findings

The study identified 22 indicators. The results emphasized that the sustainability of road infrastructure projects should consider all three sustainability dimensions to provide development while meeting human needs, preserving the planet Earth and enhancing economic growth. Similarly, indicators should be incorporated from the design phase to implement and attain sustainability successfully.

Practical implications

The outcome of this study will serve as a guide to road infrastructure stakeholders to understand the relevant sustainability indicators to assess the sustainability performance of their projects.

Originality/value

The study’s findings provide the sustainability assessment indicators for roads, which serve as a foundation for developing a sustainability assessment indicator framework for road infrastructure projects. Future research can look at establishing the indicators for the end-of-life phase of the project lifecycle.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 July 2024

Abraham Kuol, Koorosh Gharehbaghi, Ken Farnes, Kong Fah Tee and Kerry McManus

While efficient design in engineering projects is crucial, this paper aims to examine the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into railway Intelligent…

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Abstract

Purpose

While efficient design in engineering projects is crucial, this paper aims to examine the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into railway Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The paper provides some key understanding of integrating BIM and ITS to improve the efficiency of railway infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth qualitative analysis of three ITS case studies was conducted to understand BIM’s global impact and benefits in railway infrastructure projects. While case study one investigated the Crossrail (UK), the other two case studies were TUC Rail (Belgium) and the Intercity railway network (Norway).

Findings

The findings include the specific benefits of BIM, regarding the railway infrastructure. The result indicated that BIM benefits were consistently the same across all case studies. Although Case study 1 was the only one that boasts a high reduction in waste and reworks, all of the case studies showed less rework and delays due to BIM. The results indicated that the advantages of BIM for such projects are cost optimization, reduction in waste, rework and lessening delays. Subsequently, this leads to the ease and efficiency with which structures and railways can be built. The outcomes can ultimately assist transportation planners in better planning and managing railway projects.

Practical implications

This study proposes the integration of BIM into railway projects as a part of their ITS. The BIM integration into railway projects as a part of their ITS fits within the overall planning to handover phases. Specifically, the BIM integration improves the design process of typical railway projects. Thus, the most significant advantage of BIM for railway projects is to further improve their design process leading to a higher degree of constructability.

Originality/value

Railway infrastructure performs a major role in economic and regional development. The complexity of railway projects continues to increase as the need for more railway infrastructure is on the rise globally. BIM is proving to be an effective tool for improving the efficiency of railway infrastructure projects. As the utilization of BIM is intensifying, the railway industry can further exploit BIM to improve project delivery adeptness by offering greater collaboration leading to efficient design processes. As a result, the understanding of BIM for horizontal projects such as railway infrastructure on a global scale is a substantial exercise that this research aims to respond to.

Details

Technological Sustainability, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-1312

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 February 2024

Maryam R. Nezami, Mark L.C. de Bruijne, Marcel J.C.M. Hertogh and Hans L.M. Bakker

Societies depend on interconnected infrastructures that are becoming more complex over the years. Multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills are essential to develop modern…

Abstract

Purpose

Societies depend on interconnected infrastructures that are becoming more complex over the years. Multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills are essential to develop modern infrastructures, requiring close collaboration of various infrastructure owners. To effectively manage and improve inter-organizational collaboration (IOC) in infrastructure construction projects, collaboration status should be assessed continually. This study identifies the assessment criteria, forming the foundation of a tool for assessing the status of IOC in interconnected infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature study and in-depth semi-structured interviews with practitioners in interconnected infrastructure construction projects in the Netherlands are performed to identify the criteria for assessing the status of IOC in infrastructure construction projects, based on which an assessment tool is developed.

Findings

The identified assessment criteria through the literature and the practitioner’s perspectives results in the designing and development of a collaboration assessment tool. The assessment tool consists of 12 criteria and 36 sub-criteria from three different categories of collaborative capacity: individual, relational, and organizational.

Originality/value

The assessment tool enables practitioners to monitor the status of IOC between infrastructure owners and assists them in making informed decisions to enhance collaboration. The assessment tool provides the opportunity to assess and analyze the status of collaboration based on three categories (i.e., individual, relational, and organizational).

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2023

Xueqing Gan, Jianyao Jia, Yun Le and Yi Hu

Infrastructure projects are pivotal for regional economic development, but also face low project effectiveness. Leadership is always regarded as a key enabler for project team…

Abstract

Purpose

Infrastructure projects are pivotal for regional economic development, but also face low project effectiveness. Leadership is always regarded as a key enabler for project team effectiveness, including vertical leadership and team-level leadership. The purpose of this paper is to examine how vertical leadership facilitates shared leadership in infrastructure project teams.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops the conceptual model based on the literature review. Then the questionnaire survey was conducted. The empirical data obtained from 117 infrastructure project teams in China were analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for validating the proposed model. Finally, the results were comparatively discussed to explain the dual-pathway between vertical leadership and shared leadership. And the practical implications were presented for the project managers in infrastructure project teams.

Findings

Drawing on social learning theory and social cognitive theory, the results show that both participative leadership and task-oriented leadership can facilitate shared leadership. Further, team atmosphere fully mediates the link between participative leadership and shared leadership. Team efficacy fully mediates the relation between task-oriented leadership and shared leadership. Also, role clarity has a negative moderating effect on the former path.

Originality/value

The study extends the knowledge of leadership theory in the construction field. Based on the proposed conceptual model and PLS-SEM results, this study unveils the black box between vertical leadership and shared leadership and contributes to the theory of leadership on how the impact of different vertical leadership on team process promotes shared leadership.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 February 2023

Malindu Sasanka Sandanayake, Zora Vrcelj, Yanni Bouras, Hing-Wah Chau and Patrick Hastings

The present study aims to inform the requirements for developing a sustainable rating tool for small-scale infrastructure projects (SSIPs) through research findings.

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aims to inform the requirements for developing a sustainable rating tool for small-scale infrastructure projects (SSIPs) through research findings.

Design/methodology/approach

A review-based comparative study of existing infrastructure sustainability (IS) rating tools for assessment of SSIPs is presented. Key stakeholder participants of the existing IS rating tools, are interviewed to identify existing barriers and requirements for sustainability rating. The study further presents possible rating tool options to optimise the sustainable performance evaluation of SSIPs.

Findings

Findings of this study indicated that prevalent IS rating tools are majorly applied to large-scale infrastructure projects and sustainability of SSIPs are seldom assessed. Based on a literature review and series of interviews, it was found that user friendliness, efficient structure, training and technical support, cost effectiveness and stakeholder recognition are the five key requirements of a sustainability rating tool for SSIPs. Additionally, six sustainability assessment options were proposed for SSIPs which range from pathways for existing tools through to new, customisable tools. Upon comparison, a new modified tool with verification process and revised tool with defined grouping of sustainable criteria was more effective for evaluation of SSIPs.

Research limitations/implications

Use of case specific information for validation and framework development may lack generalisation. However, methodology can be used for future decision-making by making necessary adjustments to suit different local regional requirements.

Originality/value

Despite lack of generalisation, the findings can lead to future general studies on sustainability of SSIPs. Findings of the study provide foundation knowledge and awareness for sustainability evaluation of SSIPs.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 January 2022

Jones Nyame Aboagye, Ernest Kissi, Alex Acheampong and Edward Badu

This research aims to evaluate the status of project management best practices in the road infrastructure sector of Ghana through the inquiry of project managers’ competency.

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to evaluate the status of project management best practices in the road infrastructure sector of Ghana through the inquiry of project managers’ competency.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a thorough literature review on competency and project management best practices, a criterion for measuring best practices based on the competencies was identified. Using closed-ended questionnaires as a survey instrument, data was collected and analyzed using a one-sample t-test, Kendall’s concordance coefficient and simple regression.

Findings

The key finding reveals that in achieving project management best practices for the Ghanaian road infrastructure projects, project managers should straighten and strengthen their capability in terms of skills, personal characteristics and knowledge as ranked. An appropriate blend of these characteristics would be a necessary requirement for project managers. Through this, project managers and project-based road infrastructure organizations will be able to win the confidence of their stakeholders and attain improvements in cost-effectiveness, quality and time management.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides project managers in the road infrastructure sector with relevant information on which criteria and variables are critical and are frequently required to manage such projects. This will be helpful for training programs and professional development of project managers in the road infrastructure sector.

Originality/value

The study provides a new direction and focuses for project managers in the road infrastructure industry toward best project management practices in developing countries. It also complements existing studies in this area which deepen the understanding of the subject area.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 August 2024

Marie-Andrée Caron, Nathalie Drouin, Skander Ben Abdallah and Camélia Radu

Social needs of local community are highly essential in the context of public infrastructure and have an impact on their performance. This paper explores the local community…

Abstract

Purpose

Social needs of local community are highly essential in the context of public infrastructure and have an impact on their performance. This paper explores the local community subjectivity in interaction with primary stakeholders to deepen our understanding of social value and this category of misunderstood stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a partnership framework that aims to help stakeholders be reflexive and construct knowledge about social value of the infrastructure. The empirical material includes an extensive review of the public infrastructure documents published between 1981 and 2021 and 13 interviews with key members of local community.

Findings

The main contribution of this study is an integrated model to study the social value of an infrastructure and a dynamic approach to study how a local community engages and enacts social value. The dynamic approach highlights three plans of stakeholder’s subjectivity, which are relational, representational and operational plans to promote inclusive stakeholder’s management (“of” and “for”).

Originality/value

The study combines an analytical and a theoretical framework to investigate the enactment of social value.

Details

International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8378

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2022

Adnan Alghail, Liu Yao and Mohammed Abbas

The factors for higher education institutions’ (HEIs) project management failure have been studied for several years. One of the issues is a lack of tools to combine their…

Abstract

Purpose

The factors for higher education institutions’ (HEIs) project management failure have been studied for several years. One of the issues is a lack of tools to combine their knowledge infrastructure capabilities (KIC) with project management (PM) to examine these infrastructures and monitor maturity. There are several project management maturity (PMM) models available. However, there are just a few empirical studies that support the three knowledge infrastructure capabilities and PMM integrations. As a result, the current research aims to suggest a new conceptual model, KIC-knowledge management (KM), and assess a research model that includes the three knowledge infrastructure capabilities as a prerequisite to elevate the PMM.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is used to evaluate the proposed research model. The study’s hypotheses were also examined using a sample of 352 respondents from PM departments at ten Yemeni public universities.

Findings

The study found that if the three key knowledge infrastructure capabilities integrate into the PMs, then it will help HEIs to perform project tasks more effectively and efficiently. Also, it will improve the PM maturity level if all the three capabilities positively effect PMM.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings cannot be generalized to other industries because the collected date were with the Yemeni public universities’ context. Also, the new proposed model can be assessed in various sectors to increase the validity of the model. One more thing, future academics can conduct qualitative research study to validate again the proposed model.

Practical implications

Project managers can develop and improve their organization’s effectiveness and performance by focusing on these findings and using the developed model. Also, the findings of this study can be used as a benchmark for evaluating initiatives and knowledge-based governmental entities.

Social implications

It is an opportunity for knowledge-based governmental entities particularly and other organizations to elevate most of projects to achieve a supreme level of maturity. Also, this study will assist employees to understand the relationship between KICs and projects within HEIs in Yemen.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first to empirically study the impact of the three knowledge infrastructure capabilities toward PMM. It links between two important domains: KM and PM.

Details

VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, vol. 54 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5891

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2024

Luwei Zhao, Qing’e Wang, Bon-Gang Hwang and Alice Yan Chang-Richards

The purpose of this study is to develop a new hybrid method that combines interpretative structural modeling (ISM) and matrix cross-impact multiplication applied to classification…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a new hybrid method that combines interpretative structural modeling (ISM) and matrix cross-impact multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) to investigate the influencing factors of sustainable infrastructure vulnerability (SIV).

Design/methodology/approach

(1) Literature review and case study were used to identify the possible influencing factors; (2) a semi-structured interview was conducted to identify representative factors and the interrelationships among influencing factors; (3) ISM was adopted to identify the hierarchical structure of factors; (4) MICMAC was used to analyze the driving power (DRP) and dependence power (DEP) of each factor and (5) Semi-structured interview was used to propose strategies for overcoming SIV.

Findings

Results indicate that (1) 18 representative factors related to SIV were identified; (2) the relationship between these factors was divided into a five-layer hierarchical structure. The 18 representative factors were divided into driving factors, dependent factors, linkage factors and independent factors and (3) 12 strategies were presented to address the negative effects of these factors.

Originality/value

The findings illustrate the factors influencing SIV and their hierarchical structures, which can benefit the stakeholders and practitioners of an infrastructure project by encouraging them to take effective countermeasures to deal with related SIVs.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2024

Ahmed Nouh Meshref, Elsayed Elkasaby and Omnia Wageh

To help decision-makers choose appropriate infrastructure project delivery systems (IPDS) and keep up with the construction industry’s rapid growth, this study aims to develop a…

Abstract

Purpose

To help decision-makers choose appropriate infrastructure project delivery systems (IPDS) and keep up with the construction industry’s rapid growth, this study aims to develop a goal optimization technique.This looks into team integration, large production and optimum sustainability. The suggested approach for meeting several infrastructure project objectives is flexible and expandable. This research overcomes the significant discrepancy between the construction industry’s progress and the rate at which project delivery methods evolve.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined pertinent literature to choose an appropriate project delivery method and gave information on several elements that affect that decision. After optimization using a genetic algorithm (GA), a Pareto front of solutions has been found. The three construction goals of sustainability, mass production and team integration are all met by the chosen best solution. The four most popular possibilities for studying the suggested approach are five primary categories, each of which has 22 variables, and the weight of each variable was established using Simo’s procedure. This is optimized, demonstrating the accuracy of the optimization model.

Findings

Sustainability, mass production and team integration are the major goals of selecting the finest IPDS. The Pareto-optimal solutions discovered through analysis demonstrated that the created GA is reliable and generates solid outcomes. In fact, it enables decisions that were based on a single criterion to be overturned. The process has therefore demonstrated its efficacy in identifying the ideal answer. First integrated project delivery (IPD), second design-build (DB), third design-bid-build (DBB) and last construction manager at risk (CMR) are the best options. The weight of the aims function has found these rankings to be satisfactory.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate that the suggested strategy can lead to optimization, providing the government with a wide range of options for attaining certain project objectives. The ability of this study to evaluate the combined effects of three objectives in choosing the best IPDS, the production of optimal selection solutions (IPDS), which can help with better decision-making when many objectives are present, and the flexibility and extendibility of the suggested approach for achieving priorities in infrastructure projects are what make it unique. This approach was able to select IPDS to meet developments in the construction project.

Originality/value

To confirm the validity of the GA, the factor of error was calculated, which is equal to 1.7599e-08.

1 – 10 of over 4000