Research Progress and Prospects of Total Factor Productivity in the Construction Industry

The high-quality development of the construction industry fundamentally stems from the significant improvement of total factor productivity.Therefore,it is of crucial significance for promoting the development of the construction industry to a higher level by scientifically and accurately measuring the total factor productivity of the construction industry and deeply analyzing the influencing factors behind it.Based on a comprehensive consideration of research methods and influencing factors,this paper systematically reviews the existing relevant literature on total factor productivity in the construction industry,aiming to reveal the current research development trend in this field and point out potential problems.This effort aims to provide a solid theoretical foundation and valuable reference for further in-depth research,and jointly promote the continuous progress and development of total factor productivity research in the construction industry.

Application of Bioengineering in Construction

Bio-cement and bio-concrete are innovative solutions for sustainable construction, aiming to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the durability and versatility of building materials. Bio-cement is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cement, produced through Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP), which mimics natural biomineralization processes. This method reduces CO2 emissions and enhances the strength and durability of construction materials. Bio-concrete incorporates bio-cement into concrete, creating a self-healing material. When cracks form in bio-concrete, dormant bacteria within the material become active in the presence of water, producing limestone to fill the cracks, extending the material’s lifespan and reducing the need for repairs. The environmental impact of traditional cement production is significant, with cement generation accounting for up to 8% of global carbon emissions. Creative solutions are needed to develop more sustainable construction materials, with some efforts using modern innovations to make concrete ultra-durable and others turning to science to create affordable bio-cement. The research demonstrates the potential of bio-cement to revolutionize sustainable building practices by offering a low-energy, low-emission alternative to traditional cement while also addressing environmental concerns. The findings suggest promising applications in various construction scenarios, including earthquake-prone areas, by enhancing material durability and longevity through self-repair mechanisms.

Software and Mobile Apps as a Strategy for Productivity Improvement in the Construction Industry

The construction industry, known for its low productivity, is increasingly utilising software and mobile apps to enhance efficiency. However, more comprehensive research is needed to understand the effectiveness of these technology applications. The PRISMA principles utilised a scoping review methodology to ascertain pertinent studies and extract significant findings. From 2013 onwards, articles containing data on mobile applications or software designed to enhance productivity in the construction sector were obtained from multiple databases, including Emerald Insight, Science Direct, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar. After evaluating 2604 articles, 30 were determined to be pertinent to the study and were subsequently analysed for the review. The review identified five key themes: effectiveness, benefits, successful implementation examples, obstacles and limitations, and a comprehensive list of software and mobile apps. In addition, 71 software and mobile apps have shown potentially how these technologies can improve communication, collaboration, project management, real-time collaboration, document management, and on-the-go project information and estimating processes in the construction industry, increasing efficiency and productivity. The findings highlight the potential of these technologies such as Automation, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), Building Information Modeling (BIM), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Internet of Things (IoT) to improve efficiency and communication in the construction industry. Despite challenges such as cost, lack of awareness, resistance to change, compatibility concerns, human resources, technological and security concerns and licensing issues, the study identifies specific mobile applications and software with the potential to enhance efficiency significantly, improve productivity and streamline workflows. The broader societal impacts of construction software and mobile app development include increased efficiency, job creation, and sustainability.

Leadership and Top Management Influence on Total Quality Management Implementation in the Ghanaian Construction Industry

This study aims to determine the key and underlying Leadership and Top Management (LTM) factors that have a significant impact on sustaining the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) within the construction industry in Ghana. The research methodology employed in this study was a quantitative technique. Questionnaires were distributed to 641 participants within construction industry in Ghana. Questionnaires retrieved for the analysis were 536. Three steps approached were used for the data analysis. These include Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis. After conducting the EFA and CFA, SEM was also used to analyze the construct validity. The SEM analysis helps to determine four key indicator variables for the leadership and top management construct. These include Leadership/Top Management approach to employees’ management, Leadership/Top Management understanding of TQM, Leadership/Top Management empowerment of employees to resolve quality issues, and Leadership/Top Management endorsement of TQM. All the four indicator variables were found to be good of fit and closely associated with the dependent variable. The study adds to the body of knowledge by using EFA, CFA and SEM techniques to establish key leadership and top management factors affecting TQM implementation in Ghana’s construction industry. The findings in general suggested that leadership and top Management factors identified have a direct positive impact on sustaining TQM implementation in the Ghanaian construction industry. Consequently, the leadership and top management factors identified in this study can help improve TQM in the Ghanaian construction industry.

Prediction of Total Output Value of Construction Industry in Jiangxi Province Based on Grey Prediction Model

In order to realize the accurate prediction of the total output value of construction industry in the future,the grey prediction model is used to compare the measured value with the predicted value from 2012 to 2021,and based on the existing data,the total output value of construction industry in Jiangxi Province in the next five years is predicted.The results show that the grey prediction model has a good prediction effect,and the error between the predicted value and the measured value is within 14%,which provides a basis for policy adjustment and resource optimization.

Evaluation Study on the Level of High-Quality Development of the Construction Industry in Henan Province of China

Based on the data of the construction industry in Henan Province, China, from 2005 to 2020, the high-quality development level of the construction industry in Henan Province is measured. Firstly, this paper constructs the indicator system based on the high-quality development theory and the characteristic of the construction industry from seven dimensions: industrial scale, industrial efficiency, industrial benefits, industrial innovation, industrial risk, industrial potential, and the green development of the construction industry. Secondly, using the global principal component analysis (PCA) method to measure the high-quality development level. Thirdly, cluster analysis is applied to measure the relative changes of various dimensions in different stages. The results show that overall the high-quality development level of the construction industry in Henan province is increasing, but different indicators perform differently in various stages, and the changes in real estate policies have a significant impact on this. Finally, based on these findings, we think it is better to reduce real estate dependence, promote the application of new materials and technologies and maintain the stability of real estate policies.

Strategies for Adoption of Circular Economy in the Nigeria Construction Industry

The concept of circular economy has gained recognition as a way to manage waste and conserve resources sustainably,and has the potential to transform the construction industry.This is particularly relevant in the construction industry due to the significant amounts of waste generated during the construction and demolition process.This study examines the perceived importance and effectiveness of strategies related to the circular economy in the construction industry.The data were collected through a survey administered to professionals in the construction sector,capturing their perceptions of various strategies.The results reveal that most strategies received high mean ratings,indicating their perceived significance.Strategies such as waste management and recycling facilities,design for disassembly,and prioritising the use of renewable and sustainable materials were highly valued by the respondents.Additionally,statistical analyses confirmed the significance of these strategies.However,some strategies received comparatively lower ratings,suggesting the need for further attention and improvement.The findings have important implications for policymakers,industry professionals,and stakeholders,guiding decision-making and resource allocation.By prioritising and implementing the identified strategies,stakeholders can drive the adoption of circular economy principles,enhance resource efficiency,and reduce waste in construction practices.Furthermore,this study lays the foundation for future research,highlighting the importance of exploring barriers to implementation,understanding synergies and trade-offs among strategies,conducting longitudinal studies to assess long-term impact,and broadening the participant pool for a more comprehensive understanding.Overall,this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the circular economy in the construction industry and provides valuable insights for promoting sustainability and circularity within the sector.

Perception-Based Assessment of the Factors Causing Delays in Construction Projects

Construction delay is a widespread issue in the construction industry of developing countries, and Nepal is no exception. These delays extend project durations and lead to cost overruns and disputes among stakeholders. To address this problem, this study aimed to identify and analyze the significant factors that contribute to construction project delays in Nepal. To gather data, a well-structured questionnaire was developed and administered to a sample of 100 participants, including contractors, consultants, and civil engineers. Various statistical tests were conducted to ensure the data’s integrity and consistency, such as reliability assessments and factor analyses. The findings of the study highlighted multiple factors contributing to delays in construction projects such as inadequate design, poor communication, and coordination among stakeholders, insufficient experience and planning by contractors, delays in material delivery and testing, labor-related problems including shortages and low qualifications, and external factors like regulatory changes and unforeseen circumstances. By identifying these major causes of construction project delays, this study presented insightful information that can contribute to the analysis and evaluation of project performance.

Forecasting of development of the Jiangsu construction industry and its case analysis

In order to grasp the development path of the Jiangsu construction industry, a multivariable linear regression model for forecasting is proposed. Five factors affecting development of the Jiangsu construction industry are chosen as explanatory variables. They are the construction industry＇s fixed assets K, the gross domestic product （GDP）, real estate added value （REAV）, construction industry export （WS）and investment in construction and installation projects（JA）. The principal component analysis is used to resolve multicollinearity between them. The construction added value （CAV） is chosen as a dependant variable, and the growth model of the Jiangsu construction industry is established. Statistical data from 1990 to 2008 are used to test the prediction accuracy of the model. The predictive results show that from 2009 to 2012, the average annual growth rate of the Jiangsu construction industry added value will be 17. 65% while the GDP growth rate will be 14. 16% . the Jiangsu construction industry will grow faster than the GDP in the near future. The construction output of the GDP continues to rise, and its pillar position will be further strengthened.

Level of Acceptance of Industrialized Construction in Brazil by Assessing the Degree of Satisfaction of User

This paper compares the satisfaction of users of residential buildings produced by two construction processes considered as industrialized:“prefabricated masonry panels”and“reinforced concrete walls molded on site”and compared with“conventional process”(structural masonry of concrete blocks).The premise of the study was to diagnose the level of acceptance of the buildings considered industrialized by the Brazilian population,aiming to assess whether the preference for the systems considered“conventional”and the rejection of the“industrialized”is decreasing in Brazil.This article concerns the results obtained in the second phase of the research,which was carried out after five years of the first phase.So,if the buildings were considered new in the first phase,this second research was carried out after the depreciation due to the action of time.To quantify the“degree of satisfaction”the same checklist of the first survey was applied,in the same neighborhood and the sum attributed to each answer made by residents was applied and,as a result,it was possible to ascertain the oscillations in it and to confirm the satisfactory acceptance of industrialized construction systems and a tendency to reduce rejection by the population in relation to the innovative construction systems.

Improving construction performance through supply chain management

A typical model of construction supply chain (CSC) is presented firstly. Then the characteristics and problems of CSC are identified. The authors also describe the progress towards adoption of supply chain management (SCM) in the construction industry. Traditional construction management approaches (CMAs) are compared with new SCM-based CMAs. The authors suggest that integrated SCM based on cooperating competition is crucial to improve construction performance. Based on relevant results from related research, a framework for integrated construction supply chain management (CSCM) is developed to guide the effective implementation of SCM in construction.

Quantitative research on exit barrier in construction enterprise with different ownership

“Exit barrier” means the obstacle keeping enterprises from competing even though their profits may be negative. This paper presents quantitative research on the exit barrier’s effect on the Chinese construction industry using questionnaire investigation. The exit barrier was classified into six categories, and then the categories were ranked and analyzed according to the respondents from the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and non state-owned enterprises (NSOEs), respectively. The main obstacles related to the exit barrier in SOEs and NSOEs were revealed. Finally, suggestions were provided to diminish the exit barrier effect on the construction industry.

Analysis of top Chinese contractors' developmental tracks and evaluation of their strategic selection of international construction markets

The past decade has witnessed a rapid development of the international construction market. This research aims to investigate top Chinese contractors' developmental tracks and evaluate their strategic selection of international construction markets over the period from 2001 to 2006,based on the modified Boston Consulting Group Matrix (BCG). Results from 2001 to 2005 indicate that Asia and Africa,which were "question marks" markets for top Chinese contractors (abbreviated as TCCs),have the most potential to become "stars" markets; other question marks markets such as the Middle East and Europe are found not to be of potential; "dogs" markets such as the U.S.,Canada and Latin America should be relinquished progressively unless there is renewed growth opportunity over the next two years. Compared to developmental tracks of top contractors from some advanced countries,TCCs' investment and development strategy in Africa seems to be sustainable and intensive; TCCs' exit strategy for the Middle East appears determined and swift,while their strategy in Asia seems to be lacking in persistence. Furthermore,the data of 2006 indicates that TCCs improve their performance in Asia and Africa,and Africa has become a "stars" market for TCCs.This research sheds important lights and insights into the prevailing process of internationalization of TCCs and provides a strategic direction for their selection of international construction market. What is more,this research is also valuable to other Chinese contractors who are seeking the opportunity to enter the international construction markets.

OSH star enterprise pilot scheme——a partnership approach to improve the safety performance of construction industry in Hong Kong SAR

Background: The Occupational Safety and Health Council(OSHC) is committed to improve the safety performance of the high risk construction industry.In the past three years,about 40% of the fatal accidents in the construction industry were related to Renovation,Maintenance,Alteration and Addition(RMAA).Due to the poor safety record,some of the RMAA contractors have difficulty in obtaining the Employees' Compensation Insurance(ECI) cover in the market,or if they could obtain the ECI,the premium rate would be exceedingly high.In view of this,the OSHC,the Labour Department jointly launched"OSH Star Enterprise-Pilot Scheme on Safety Accreditation for the RMAA Industry",which prompts the industry to take practicable safety measures to improve the safety of working environment and reduce occupational injuries.The program also helps the stakeholders and insurers to identify safety-conscious contractors and thereby provide them with a favourable premium rate under the Employees' Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme(ECIRS).Objectives: The OSHC launches the Pilot Scheme to improve the safety performance of the RMAA industry through providing safety training,subsidizing enterprise to purchase safety equipment and providing safety audit.We also use financial incentive to encourage RMAA enterprises to join the Pilot Scheme-for those who are accredited as "OSH Star Enterprise"could receive a premium discount from the ERIRS when obtaining the ECI.The scheme also differentiates those safety-conscious and law-abiding enterprises from the poor performers,which helps the industry and public identifying the RMAA contractors who pay attention to work safety.Methods: The Pilot Scheme targets RMAA enterprises that employ less than 50 employees in Hong Kong.A three-pronged approach is used to improve the safety performance of the RMAA industry: the Pilot Scheme provides(1) financial support for the RMAA contractors to buy a transportable temporary anchor device and full body safety harness and its anchor system;(2) safety training on RMAA work safety and safety & health supervisor course;and(3) safety audit.Results: Enterprises that successfully pass the safety audit and satisfied the Scheme requirements will be accredited as"OSH Star Enterprise",which will be valid for two years.These enterprises can also be upgraded to"OSH Gold Star Enterprise"based on their continuous improvement in safety performance.OSHC will set up a register of OSH-accredited enterprises in RMAA works for reference of the public to facilitate their choosing of accredited contractors.The Employees' Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme Bureau will provide privileged premium rate for enterprises with OSH accreditation."OSH Star Enterprise"could enjoy 40% discounts when joining their insurance scheme.For example,a skilled worker's annual premium can be reduced by about HK $ 36,000.While,the "OSH Gold Star Enterprise"could enjoy 50% discounts when joining their insurance scheme,which means a skilled worker's annual premium can be reduced up to HK $ 45,000.Achievements: This Pilot Scheme offers practical assistance as well as attractive financial incentives for the RMAA industry to improve their safety performance.The Employees'Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme provides premium discounts for enterprises that have a good safety record.It provides incentive for RMAA contractors to actively participate in the Pilot Scheme.The Scheme demonstrates that by providing a safe working environment and appropriate personal protective equipment to workers,the enterprise not only helps to reduce the accident rate of the industry but also receive an economic return.The Pilot Scheme bridges stakeholders of RMAA industry,the government and the insurance industry creating an "all-win"situation.This partnership approach to prevent injuries and accidents in the construction industry could be an effective model for other industries.

Research on the institution of China construction employee based on relation theory

Based on the theory that the management is about dynamic ＂relations＂, this paper analyzes the relationship between the construction industry and the ＂peasant laborer＂ in different stages, different contents and different aspects. It establishes the three-dimensional model for these relations and points out that a good relationship between the construction enterprise and the construction employees in this crucial time of construction industry is a very crucial link of the achievements, as well as the well-being of the construction enterprises.

Development of an Effective System for Selecting Construction Materials for Sustainable Residential Housing in Western Australia

Urbanization and living comfort have revolutionized the construction industry. Many techniques and strategies have been used to improve the overall efficiency of construction and to reduce waste during and after the construction activity;some are cost effective and some not. Sustainable construction strategies have addressed these issues by proposing relatively more cost effective and environment-saving solutions. One strategy is to select sustainable construction materials at the building design stage. This article involved a questionnaire survey to collect data about local technical stakeholders’ (architects, designers, engineers, estimators, and managers) awareness of environmental sustainability and current practices for selecting construction materials. A sustainability index (SI) was developed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) for the complex statistical analysis. These data were used to develop a decision support system (DSS) using the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) technique, the TOPSIS. The support system was validated by applying it to sustainable roof products in a pilot case study—these materials are frequently used in local markets for residential construction in West Australia. So the main objective was to get insight to local market trends and features involved in construction materials selection. Data analysis was carried out to develop a decision support system to help technical stakeholders in construction materials selection process.

Offsite Manufacturing： A Survey on the Current Status and Risks of Offsite Construction in Iran

Iran needs around 1.5 million residential homes to be constructed annually to answer its cumulative demand by 2025. Given the current situation of the Iranian construction industry, it seems almost impossible to achieve this objective by using traditional methods of construction alone. Offsite manufacturing （OSM） can potentially increase the housing output in Iran thanks to its advantages over traditional methods of construction. However, OSM imposes a different set of risks which should be studied in the Iranian context. This study aims to investigate the readiness of the Iranian construction industry if offsite methods were to be introduced to the country in large industrial scales. To this end, a questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the risks and required actions in order to achieve successful application of these methods. Several subjects including costs, practicality, design and construction processes, demand, governmental policies, technology, and sustainability issues were investigated as the core research areas. The results revealed that, considering the current situations, it would be highly risky to introduce offsite methods of construction to Iran. Research findings highlight some key areas including design and construction processes, economies of scale, governmental supports, and education, which should be addressed to mitigate the identified risks.

Using the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System in the Libyan Construction Industry

Libya is a developing country that has a growing construction industry, however, the management of construction projects frequently experiences challenges with time and cost restraints and this affects the overall performance of the project as well as the performance of the project managers. The main aim of this paper is to apply BSC in the Libyan construction industry and evaluate the factors that impact project manager performance and their ability to complete and deliver projects successfully in Libya. This study will ascertain the role of project managers, the challenges that project managers in Libya frequently encounter the cause of time and cost overruns within construction projects and the main factors for successful construction projects. This research adopted both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The findings are based upon 300 structured questionnaires distributed to general, project managers working on construction sectors in Libya （Tripoli）. Completed questionnaires received were 183. This is a response rate of 61%. A statistical analysis was used to confirm and address the issues of reliability and validity of the questionnaire survey as a measuring instrument. In addition structured interviews with qualified project managers were used to confirm that the data collected were truly reflective. Upon the data analysis from the questionnaire survey and structured interview the project manager is the most important factor affecting the success of the project in construction industries Libya, furthermore project manager skills are important components that influence the performance of project manager.

Strategies for Sustainable Environmental Management of Construction Activities in Ghana

The Ghanaian construction industry continues to improve by the recent intensification of infrastructure development by government and the private sector. Nonetheless, this is happening with a strong focus on economic development to the detriment of the environment these activities affect. This paper focuses on identifying the strategies by which sustainable environmental management could be structured to mitigate the impact of construction activities in Ghana. A mixed-method research approach was adopted. Quantitative data were collected from 83 practitioners in the construction industry, while qualitative data were elicited from 18 Construction and Environmental Management practitioners. The mean scores indicated that all the 20 strategies for integrating environmental concerns into construction activities in Ghana were considered significant by the respondents. The empirical findings of the study indicate that for environmental concerns to be effectively integrated into construction activities in Ghana, a concerted effort will be required from the various actors within the construction industry. These include the role of clients in selecting environmentally conscious service providers, designers focusing on environmentally friendly construction materials and methods, reduce, recycling and reuse of waste materials, the commitment of government towards sustainable development, and well-structured educational campaigns to promote environmentally sustainable construction activities.

Factors Confronting the Present-Day Construction Practices in South-East, Nigeria: The Professionals’ View

The study evaluates the factors confronting the present-day construction practices in South-East Nigeria. Being a survey research, questionnaires containing information relating to factors/challenges affecting construction practices were randomly administered to selected construction practitioners in South-Eastern States of Nigeria. Accordingly, a total of 240 questionnaires were administered to the selected respondents while 160 copies were completed, returned and found useful. Thus, giving a response rate of 66.67%. Data collected were analysed and presented using percentages, mean scores, principal and factor analysis, z-test and tables. The study found that the core factors that constrain present-day construction in the study area are issues related to inadequate/dearth of technical and managerial expertise, corruption and poor project planning and control;which significantly affect operational effectiveness of the construction industry in the study area. Therefore, the study concluded by recommending that thorough capacity building through training or retraining programme which should centre on areas of the issues identified should be religiously pursued in the study area.