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.

Carbon Emission Measurement and Regional Difference Analysis of China's Construction Industry

Green and low-carbon development of construction industry is one of the important ways to achieve the"dual carbon"goal in China.This study first measured the carbon emissions of the construction industry in 30 provinces in China,and then used the Dagum Gini coefficient and its decomposition method to explore the regional differences and sources of carbon emissions of the construction industry in China.The results show that the carbon emissions of construction industry in China generally show an upward trend,and there are significant differences in carbon emissions of construction industry among provinces,and the main source of regional differences is inter-regional differences.However,the contribution rate of inter-regional differences showed a significant downward trend,while the contribution rate of hyperbolic density increased day by day,and the contribution rate of intra-regional differences increased slightly.The results of this study will provide a reference for China to formulate more reasonable carbon emission reduction targets and differentiation strategies for the construction industry.

Carbon emission risk of construction industry in Hebei Province of China based on carbon sink thresholds

In order to assess the environmental risks caused by carbon emissions from the construction industry in Hebei Province of China,an environmental risk assessment model based on forest carbon sink threshold was constructed to evaluate the carbon emission risks of the construction industry in Hebei Province,China from 2005 to 2020.The results are shown as follows:(1)The overall carbon emissions of the construction industry in Hebei Province of China showed an inverted"V"-shaped evolution trend during the past 16 years.Tangshan and Shijiazhuang maintained high carbon emissions,while Langfang,Hengshui and Baoding saw rapid increases in carbon emissions.(2)The environmental safety threshold of carbon emission from the construction industry in Hebei Province,China,has been continuously improved,and the provincial environmental safety threshold is between 9475080-23144760 tons;The environmental safety threshold was the highest in Baoding and Langfang,and the lowest in Xingtai.(3)In the past 16 years,the carbon emission risk of the construction industry in Hebei Province of China has been in a state of extremely serious risk,and the risk index generally presents an inverted"V"type trend.(4)The carbon emission risk of Hebei city in China presents a spatial pattern of"high in the south and low in the north",which goes through two stages:risk increase period and risk reduction period.

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.

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.

ConGCNet:Convex geometric constructive neural network for Industrial Internet of Things

The intersection of the Industrial Internet of Things(IIoT)and artificial intelligence(AI)has garnered ever-increasing attention and research interest.Nevertheless,the dilemma between the strict resource-constrained nature of IIoT devices and the extensive resource demands of AI has not yet been fully addressed with a comprehensive solution.Taking advantage of the lightweight constructive neural network(LightGCNet)in developing fast learner models for IIoT,a convex geometric constructive neural network with a low-complexity control strategy,namely,ConGCNet,is proposed in this article via convex optimization and matrix theory,which enhances the convergence rate and reduces the computational consumption in comparison with LightGCNet.Firstly,a low-complexity control strategy is proposed to reduce the computational consumption during the hidden parameters training process.Secondly,a novel output weights evaluated method based on convex optimization is proposed to guarantee the convergence rate.Finally,the universal approximation property of ConGCNet is proved by the low-complexity control strategy and convex output weights evaluated method.Simulation results,including four benchmark datasets and the real-world ore grinding process,demonstrate that ConGCNet effectively reduces computational consumption in the modelling process and improves the model’s convergence rate.

Strategies for Prioritizing Ecological Construction with Consideration of Agricultural Industry Development in Northern China’s Agro- pastoral Ecotone : A Perspective of Opportunity Cost

In northern China’s agro-pastoral ecotone,there are conflicts between agricultural industry and ecological construction resource competition,and also problems urgently to be solved for economic growth and sustainable ecological improvement.Taking the development concept of"lucid waters and lush mountains being mountains of gold and silver"as the guiding principle of prioritizing ecological and green development,this paper studied the strategies for prioritizing ecological construction with consideration of economic development of agricultural industry from the perspective of opportunity cost.Through the analysis of opportunity cost,externality,and Pareto optimal theory,and using the calculation method of the unit equivalent factor value of terrestrial ecological service function,this paper calculated the ecological service value of forest,grassland,and farmland.It found that the ecological value of forest and grassland per unit area was greater than the ecological value of agricultural industry.This indicates that the opportunity cost of farmland for ecological construction was less than that of agricultural industry.Based on the theoretical and quantitative analysis,it came up with recommendations for establishing a comprehensive system for prioritizing ecological construction with consideration of agricultural industry development and establishing and improving the incentive mechanism of ecological construction.

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.

Thoughts on Present Situation of Development of Rural Animal Husbandry and Its Relationship with Construction of Ecological Agriculture and Revitalization of Rural Industry

After several rounds of phased ups and downs of development,rural animal husbandry finally presents a shrinking and depressed development situation under the comprehensive action of the failure of transformation and upgrading and the increasing production costs and breeding risks.Actively exploring and guiding the healthy and sound development of rural animal husbandry is not only an important measure to promote the construction of ecological agriculture,but also the main starting point to realize the revitalization of rural industry.This paper analyzes the present situation of the development of rural animal husbandry in recent years,the influence of animal husbandry on the construction of ecological agriculture and the revitalization of rural industry,and puts forward the corresponding measures,in order to promote the steady and efficient development of animal husbandry in the grand strategy of revitalizing rural industry.

Current Situation of Discipline Construction of Marine Cultural Industry at Home and Abroad

Firstly,research of marine cultural industry at home and abroad was introduced briefly,and then current situation of discipline construction of marine cultural industry at home and abroad was analyzed.

Construction of Circular Economy Industrial System

It is difficult to realize the transformation from traditional economy industrial system to circular economy industrial system. Regarding primary raw materials as the indicators, the industrial system has been specified according to the divergence among the indicators and the circular utilization modes. In comparison with the association among industrial systems, the relationship among industrial sub-systems is named as industrial cross-linking in this paper. The industrial system which could completely utiLize and recycle the indicators shouM be increased and strengthened, and the circular economy industrial system with complete industrial association and industrial cross-linking should also be constructed. Taking the development of circular agricultural system basing on the traditional agricultural system as an example, the traditional agricultural products are regarded as the indicators which have been divided into foodstuff and crop straws which are used to produce food and articles for use, Like fertilizer, energy and papers etc. The way to construct the circular agricultural industrial system is to increase the industrial systems that could utilize the products generated from crop straws, feces and other castoffs and transform the wastewater and other trucks into environmental friendly products. It has also been pointed out that the construction of circular economy industrial system is conducive to the foundation of circular industrial economics and the establishment of the construction layout of circular economy and the application schemes. Suggestions to the theoretical and practical work of the next step have also been brought forward in this paper.

Non Destructive 3D, 4D Microscopy and Mineral Phase Characterization in Industrial Minerals, Composites to Construction Materials

Conventional electron and optical microscopy techniques require the sample to be sectioned, polished or etched to expose the internal surfaces for imaging. However, such sample preparation techniques have traditionally prevented the observation of the same sample over time, under realistic three-dimensional geometries and in an environment representative of real-world operating conditions. X-ray microscopy (XRM) is a rapidly emerging technique that enables non-destructive evaluation of buried structures within hard to soft materials in 3D, requiring little to no sample preparation. Furthermore in situ and 4D quantification of microstructural evolution under controlled environment as a function of time, temperature, chemistry or stress can be done repeatable on the same sample, using practical specimen sizes ranging from tens of microns to several cm diameter, with achievable imaging resolution from submicron to 50 nm. Many of these studies were reported using XRM in synchrotron beamlines. These include crack propagation on composite and construction materials; corrosion studies; microstructural changes during the setting of cement; flow studies within porous media to mention but a few.

Development of welding technique in architectural and construction industry in China

This paper presents the achievements in welding technique for the large industrial buildings and structures in China, including the welding of furnaces,kilns,pots,tanks and pipes, the welding of steel construction of industrial building,high-storied building, gymnasium and steel construction of highway bridge. It mainly cites the new efficient and high-quality processes, equipments and materials used in fabricating typical up-to-date construction projects. The paper discusses the prospects for the technical development in welding materials, process and equipments as per usual requirements of architectural and construction industries.

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Urban-rural Construction Land in Rural Industrialized Areas in China:Case Studies in Changyuan City and Xinxiang County of Henan Province

Since China’s reform and opening up in 1978,the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization in China had led to dramatic changes in the pattern of urban-rural land use.In this paper,we focused on the rural industrialized areas in central China(Xinxiang County and Changyuan City of Henan Province).We used the average nearest neighbor index,spatial statistical analysis,and a structural equation model to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution and influencing factors of urban-rural construction land based on multisource spatial data and survey data.The results showed that:1)from 1975 to 2019,the spatial distribution of urban-rural construction land in rural industrialized areas had evolved from homogeneous distribution to local agglomeration.In terms of comparative analysis of cases,the spatial distribution of urban-rural construction land in Changyuan City had shown a trend from diffusion to agglomeration,and Xinxiang County had overall shown a spatial change from homogenization to agglomeration and then to regional integration development.2)The hot spots with increased urban-rural construction land significantly expanded,and they had a high degree of spatial overlap with industrial development.Among them,Xinxiang County was concentrated in central and marginal areas,and Changyuan was mainly concentrated in central urban areas.3)From the evolution of spatial proximity of urban-rural construction land,rural industrialized areas generally decline,showing the characteristics of internal differentiation in the rate of change.4)Industrial development,social economy,the policy environment,and urban development played a positive role in promoting the expansion of urban-rural construction land in rural industrialized areas.To promote the optimal use of regional land and the integrated development of urban-rural areas,we should combine the advantages of regional endowment,formulate development strategies according to local conditions,and adjust the way that land is used in a timely manner.

An Exploratory Study into Social Cost Considerations in Ghanaian Construction Industry

Construction causative nuisances, inconveniences, interferences and disruptions to the routine economic and social life patterns of adjacent or neighboring communities are referred to as social cost. This study explores the understanding and level of consideration of social cost by construction professionals in Ghana. Relevant literature sources are reviewed to define, rationalize and classify social cost. The study used the survey approach with a set of questionnaires addressed to construction contractors and professionals to gather the data. It was realized that not much consideration is given to social cost at the tender stage of the construction process. The five factors hindering social cost inclusion in tendering are “difficulty in allocating social costs”, “governmental interferences”, “lack of historical data”, “lack of appreciation of social costs” and “low stakeholder agitation”. The paper advocated for integration of social cost into the tendering process. The study will serve as a foundation to design a social cost assessment system at the pre-contract stage.

The Rural Information-based Construction under the Perspective of Expanding Agricultural Industrial Chain

On the basis of expounding connotation and significance of expansion of agricultural industrial chain, coupled with the connotation of rural informatization connotation, this article analyses the role of rural informatization in expanding agricultural industrial chain: it can enhance market competitiveness of industry chain, improve the operational efficiency of industry chain, and promote the income and quality of farmers in industry chain. Under the perspective of expanding agricultural industrial chain, this article puts forwards thinking about the construction of rural informatization as follows: first, give full play to the leading role of the government; second, strengthen the construction of information-based network facility; third, integrate information resources in rural areas, and improve the quality of information; fourth, build comprehensive information service platform in rural areas; fifth, improve organizational level of production and management of individual farmers; sixth, strengthen the construction of information-based personnel in rural areas; seventh, strengthen publicity and training, promote overall cultural quality and information awareness of farmers.

Exploring the Effects of Occupational Psychological Disorders on Construction Employees and the Construction Industry

Construction employees could experience occupational psychological disorders, such as workaholism and burnout due to their work, personality characteristics or lifestyle. This study sought to explore the effects of psychological disorders on construction employees and the construction industry. To achieve this aim, both the methods of focus group discussions and survey questionnaire were employed. The focus group discussions revealed 17 potential effects and 12 potential effects of psychological disorders on the construction employees and the construction industry respectively. A quantitative study was then employed to determine the key effects and to test the reliability of the findings from the focus group study. The results revealed that the highly perceived effects of psychological disorders on construction employees were accident-prone, chronic pain, insomnia or sleep disturbances, as these had the highest mean scores. The key effects also identified as perceived effects of construction employees’ psychological health conditions on the construction industry were: absenteeism/sick leave, errors in work, job dissatisfaction and increased medical costs. Exploratory factor analysis was employed, and the 17 effects on construction employees were categorized under behavioural effects and physiological effects. The 12 effects on the construction industry were also categorized under direct costs and indirect costs. The results from this study confirm the need for strategic interventions to mitigate the effects of occupational psychological disorders on construction employees and the construction industry of Ghana and to some extent globally. The exploratory nature of the study using preliminary findings from focus group discussions contributes to the literature on occupational health psychology.

Imperatives for Academia-Industry Collaboration in Building Construction Research in Ghana

Academia and industry research enables researchers to conduct research projects that are more relevant to current business practices and context. Although, several construction research works have been done by the academics in the tertiary institutions in Ghana, it is sad to know that, a large number of these research works have not moved from the pure stage to the applied stage. This study seeks to establish the imperative of academia and industry collaboration in building research in Ghana. A total of 116 construction practising professionals consisting of Ghana Institute of Construction (GIOC) corporate members (QS, Architects, Engineers and so on) from the industry, and academics from tertiary academic institutions (That’s, Lecturers from KNUST and UEW) that run postgraduate construction programmes in Ghana as at February 2016 constituted the respondents for this study. Census and systematic sampling techniques were used for the sampled population. Descriptive statistics was employed in the data analysis for the mean and standard deviation (SD) score values of variables. The most imperatives for academia and industry collaboration were found to be: ensuring research findings solve socio-economic and development problems, the intermittent collapse of buildings, support for the local industries to produce quality materials locally to feed the construction industry, proper contract documentations and administration. This research would bring to light the urgent issues in the construction industry that calls for greater collaboration between the academia and industry in Ghana. It reveals a deeper understanding on the need for collaborative research in the Ghanaian construction industry, by providing the most imperatives to academia-industry collaborative research in Ghana.

Improving the Construction Industry Quality Using the Seven Basic Quality Control Tools

The organizations used quality tools to develop their processes and gain satisfaction from the customers. The main objective of this study is to develop levels of quality in the construction industry through the use of the seven basic quality control tools. Such tools are extremely crucial tools which are used worldwide in the industries for continual improvement. The seven basic quality tools are Check Sheet, Histogram, Pareto Chart, Fishbone Diagram, Control Chart, Flowchart and Scatter Diagram. They were implemented in various steps of the process in order to define the problems, measure its impacts, find out its root causes and solve these problems to ensure the production of non-defective items. The study shows how the seven basic tools of quality are very useful and effective in identifying and removal of defects from the manufacturing process. These tools are helpful in every stage of the defect removal process. This study was conducted on Cleopatra Group Company. This company succeeded to serve the public and private projects in the Egyptian construction sectors.