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The construction industry has witnessed unprecedented disruptions in the supply chain (SC) over the past four years due to the consecutive impacts of the 2018 steel and aluminum tariffs, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian–Ukrainian war. SC disruptions have been linked to price escalations, the management of which varies across different construction contracts. Thus, there is a timely need to understand the contractual implications of price escalation clauses. This article fulfills this research requirement by following an interdependent research methodology. First, the authors analyzed and compared price escalation provisions under various US-based, international, and UK-based standard design–bid–build contracts. Second, the authors examined legal cases that have arisen due to disputes over price escalation-related matters. Third, based on the contractual and legal analysis, the authors formulated and proposed a set of contractual considerations that can be used to plan and manage the contractual implications arising from triggering price escalation clauses. The findings indicate substantial variability in contractual provisions addressing price escalation. A predominant approach entails specifying a fixed contract price, often with a general exception permitting adjustments related to legislative changes. Certain standard contracts afford flexibility through the incorporation of supplementary clauses or amendments during the contract formation stage to counteract escalation risks. Further, insights from the legal review show that judicial relief from contractual obligations is typically granted solely in instances of unforeseen and severe economic conditions. This research makes a significant academic contribution by advancing the understanding of contractual obligations concerning price escalation, especially in the context of ongoing market disruptions. Ultimately, the findings of this study will impact the construction industry by promoting more balanced contractual practices regarding price escalations in construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the number of quality management procedures being currently applied, construction defects in the domestic sector are acknowledged to contribute to the energy performance gap of buildings. This paper investigates the limitations and challenges to the implementation of project quality plans (PQPs) and their impact on the achievement of expected thermal performance in the UK social housing projects. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach, guided by grounded theory, was used in this research. This methodology provided the structure for systematic data analysis iterations, enabling cross-case analysis. An analytic induction process was designed to seek the explanation of the targeted phenomenon and required data collection until no new ideas and concepts emerged from the research iterations. This study collected data from five social housing projects through interviews, site observations and project documentation. Findings: Multiple limitations and challenges were identified in the implementation of PQP to deliver thermal efficient social housing. Generally, there is the need for more objective quality compliance procedures based on required evidence. When investigating the root of the challenges, it was concluded that the adoption of statutory approval as the main quality compliance procedure led to the dilution of the responsibility for prevention and appraisal of defects that compromised the effectiveness of PQP devised by housing associations (HA) and contractors. Originality/value: This study identifies the shortcomings of PQP in addressing quality issues with potential to undermine the thermal performance of social housing projects. The findings could be used by HA, contractors and policymakers as steppingstones to improve the energy efficiency in the domestic sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subpar performance of housing construction projects has been attributed to their reliance on traditional construction methods. In response to this issue, numerous innovative approaches, including modern methods of construction (MMC), have been employed to facilitate the execution of housing projects. The present study explores the use of MMC, specifically lean, offsite, and simulation (LOS) techniques, in delivering housing construction projects within the United Kingdom. Employing a qualitative research approach, eighteen relevant stakeholders from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland were interviewed to fulfil the study's purpose. The findings demonstrate that the integration of LOS techniques is advantageous in the delivery of housing construction projects. Moreover, governmental support, collaboration, leadership, training, stakeholder engagement, and environmental consideration were identified as critical factors facilitating the implementation of LOS in housing project delivery. This study provides valuable insights into the key factors that support the adoption of LOS techniques within the UK context and can serve as a guide for stakeholders in the future use of LOS in the UK housing sector. Furthermore, the empirical and qualitative evidence presented on the application of lean, offsite, and simulation (LOS) in housing delivery in the UK can contribute to efforts to address the country's housing shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper explores project managers' (PMs') role in contributing to and achieving sustainability within construction projects, particularly focusing on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 PMs working with construction firms in the UK. Thematic analysis was also performed on the qualitative data retrieved using the NVivo software. Findings: The study's findings revealed that PMs working on construction projects considered various sustainable construction processes in attempts to solve problems with traditional construction technology. Furthermore, it was revealed that the PM's role was key in achieving the SDGs in general and SDG 11 in particular through the process of perfecting the client brief, ensuring the client's financial stability and creating an environment of teamwork. In terms of specific competencies, sustainability leadership and sustainable innovative capability were revealed to suggest that a PM is the leader of change. Originality/value: The study highlights the essential role of the PM in delivering sustainable construction projects as part of the drive to achieve SDG 11. The study impacts the construction industry in developing strategies and training programs that build PMs' competencies and skills for contributing to the world we want. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: How organisations interact with and respond to environmental pressures has been a long-term interest of organisational scholars. Still, it remains an under-theorised phenomenon from a project perspective. So far, there is limited understanding of how projects, which are composed by a constellation of organisations, "respond" to institutional pressures that are exerted on them. This research takes the perspective of projects as adopters/implementers of institutional pressures and analyses how they interact with, and respond to, such pressures. More specifically, this research explores how construction projects respond to the pressure of a Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate. Design/methodology/approach: Multiple in-depth case studies were conducted to explore the practical implementation of a BIM mandate in the UK and understand how the construction projects responded to the coercive pressures to implement a new policy mandate for process digitalisation. Multiple sources were employed for data collection and the data were analysed inductively. The findings identify a hybrid response comprising four distinct ways that projects might respond to an institutional pressure. Findings: We find that projects decouple both from the content and from the intended purpose of a policy, i.e. there are two variance of a policy-practice decoupling phenomenon in projects. The findings also reveal the underlying conditions leading to decoupling. Originality/value: We advance decoupling literature so that it better applies to the temporary, distributed and interdependent work conducted via projects. Second, we define decoupling in projects as a provisional and fragmented process of wayfinding through heterogeneous institutional spaces, and discuss the potential policy-practice assemblages in projects, influenced by how, if and when project members' activities decouple from the many and often contradicting institutional pressures they face. Third, we discuss how the qualitatively different forms of decoupling that we identified in our work may act as part of a legitimation process in ambiguous situations whereby projects might share a resemblance of conformity with institutional pressures when they are de facto only partially conforming to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government-sponsored public–private partnership (PPP) projects in the United Kingdom face particular complexity and uncertainty challenges because of the country’s specific socioeconomic context. This research investigates the role of governance and stakeholder management in PPP-based sustainable projects by conducting a mixed methods approach, which includes a quantitative survey and a qualitative case study inference. The results show that project governance and stakeholder management have a significant positive impact toward sustainable development and PPP project success. Whereas the negative impact of opportunism over contractual governance and stakeholder management is insignificant. Similarly, the negative effect of project uncertainty over contractual governance is insignificant toward sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A continuing need to improve health, safety and wellbeing in construction has led to multiple research projects and technological innovations. One such innovation is the Safety Risk Library: a repository of data that functions in BIM environments to assist designers and contractors in identifying health and safety risk scenarios and offer suitable validated treatments to mitigate their effects. This paper reports on the deployment of this library in several construction projects across the United Kingdom and reviews expert and practitioner opinions of such digital solutions for improving health and safety in the future. This paper makes several contributions. The description of an effective process for knowledge base creation, including the data extraction workflow, the anonymization of data and the definition of communication channels aligned to project working practices, is instructive for innovation developers, providing informative guidance through lessons learned. The discussion of expert and practitioner opinions of the functional knowledge base to improve health and safety performance could inform further technological developments in the field and provide empirical insights for developers. Additionally, the alignment of the Safety Risk Library to existing industry standards (PAS1192:6) for better sharing and use of structured health and safety information illustrates how digital solutions can connect directly with industry standards to facilitate improvements to working practices whilst also changing perceptions of how risks may be visualised, understood and actioned by duty holders engaged in construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a roundup of project management news in the UK, focusing on the role of project sponsors and various energy projects. It discusses the responsibilities of Accounting Officers in assessing government projects and highlights a major project in the Highlands of Scotland aimed at improving the environment. The article covers wind power, network upgrades, and a proposed pumped hydro storage scheme in Scotland. It presents both positive and negative examples of project sponsors and discusses the challenges and controversies associated with certain projects. The text also mentions recent events and awards in the project management field. [Extracted from the article]

There is a lack of research on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the construction sector in the UK. Therefore, this research seeks to explore AI uses and its benefits on the UK construction industry. Given the new and unexplored nature of the research problem, a qualitative case study research methodology was adopted. Construction projects, which have adopted some of the AI forms all around the UK, are investigated extracting the use of the technology and how processes within the construction industry can benefit from the adoption of AI. Developing an AI system can benefit the construction industry in terms of the planning process, organizations have implemented AI systems to accomplish tasks such as tunnel inspections, safety hazard identifying, and risk management. These implementations have proved to be successful and efficient in improving production within the organizations. This paper highlights the key uses and benefits of AI-based systems within the construction industry. The business model was developed based on current work practices with AI and without AI. It is concluded that the industry as a whole should enhance coordination and cooperation across the value chain and agree on common goals and standards for the adoption of AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A substantive body of work in project studies argues that an "information flow" lens is very useful in exploring the project management of construction. This paper posits that this is even more applicable to disaster construction projects and, furthermore, lean information flow may play a role in swiftly delivering the disaster construction project. The paper uses the qualitative empirics of the delivery of the UK's Covid surge hospital projects to demonstrate that lean information flows were employed in these projects and assisted in enabling delivery at speed. The paper also describes the autopoietic governance conditions that are necessary for lean information flows to flourish in disaster construction projects and the role that trust may play in these conditions. It warns against some of the drawbacks in enabling lean communication through autopoietic governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decentralization and a lack of integration in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry are some of the main challenges for project management in green building construction. To address this problem, many construction companies have attempted to use building information modelling (BIM) to coordinate and optimize the management of green building projects. However, the research on successfully adopting and using BIM in interdisciplinary teams working on green building projects is limited; moreover, comprehensive comparisons across different countries and regions are lacking. Therefore, this study conducts a novel investigation of the key factors affecting the use of BIM in project management for green building construction through case studies in the UK and China. This study uses semi-structured interviews, Python-based term frequency analysis and thematic analysis to identify five key themes, namely, communication, data environment, motivation, project members and policy, which influence the adoption and implementation of BIM. In addition, based on gained insights, the impacts of different green building certification levels on BIM project management during the construction phase must be fully considered. These findings provide practical recommendations for BIM management in green building construction projects and contribute to the field of construction management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2019, the year of the COVID-19 outbreak, many businesses have been shut down across different industries and geographical locations, and the construction industry is one of those that has suffered more than any other due to its volatile nature. This study emphasizes the impact of COVID-19 on project management within construction companies and the ways it has affected the completion of projects. The literature review was provided with effective theoretical information regarding the research topic by highlighting key concepts, theories, and models after identifying crucial aspects that resulted in cost and time overruns in the context of UK construction projects. This study has been conducted as a primary qualitative method to gather firsthand data employing interviews with five construction project managers from the UK. The researcher has discussed interpretivism research philosophy, the inductive research approach, and explanatory search design and has conducted purposive sampling. In addition, primary qualitative data collection and thematic data analysis have been discussed in this study. The research has identified 10 types of themes focused on the transcript, which were developed through interviews. Further, a detailed comparative discussion was made on three top themes, which were based on cost overrun, and time extension of construction projects during COVID-19. The interviewees have outlined the significant impact of COVID-19 on supply chain management and the labor force. The multimethod approach helps in understanding the diverse point of view across different countries and geographical regions and finally reaching a conclusion with a comparative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper aims to identify core components for managing sustainability in construction-building projects and to understand how these components support each other to achieve project success. It proposes a model for sustainable project management (SPM) to achieve sustainable project success (SPS). Design/methodology/approach: The research utilised structural equation modelling to empirically test the conceptual model and the hypotheses associated to the 35 project-management related success factors and 24 performance criteria identified in literature review. Data was collected through 143 questionnaires carried out with construction professionals who have minimum two years' experience in sustainable building projects across the UK. Mediation analysis was used to identify the inter-relationships between the variables and components in the model. Findings: The paper developed a model for SPM which consists of five components: (1) sustainability goal definition, (2) project team enhancement toward sustainability, (3) planning for sustainability, (4) sustainability assessment and (5) stakeholder management. Stakeholder management and sustainability goal definition were found to have a significant and direct impact to the achievement of SPS. The other three were found to generate an indirect but important impact on the SPS. The results showed that attention should be paid to all five components to fully support the development of sustainability in projects. Research limitations/implications: Regarding the research approach, the generalisation of this research's findings is limited to the construction industry in the UK and similar developed countries. Originality/value: This paper provides a further understanding of the inter-related effects of SPM and their impact on SPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of the prevention through design (PtD) approach to the management of health and safety (H&S) risks on construction sites is widely acknowledged. This approach underlies the construction, design, and management (CDM) Regulations in the United Kingdom that provide for a Principal Designer (PD) role with a statutory duty to plan, manage, and monitor the preconstruction phase of projects and to coordinate matters of H&S during that phase. Although there is a growing body of research literature on PtD practice, there is a gap in the general issue of the practical implementation of the CDM Regulations in general and the performance of the PD in particular. The purpose of this paper is to report research undertaken with the aim of plugging this gap. The part examined concerns the challenges that beset the performance of the PD role and the drivers behind such barriers. A qualitative research design was adopted using, for data collection, 14 focus group discussion sessions involving 89 participants with direct experience of practical implementation of the regulations. The research uncovered three broad categories of barriers to the performance of the PD role: inadequacies in the client's general approach to its duties; supply chain fragmentation and insurance challenges; and performance-related challenges stemming from limitations in PD technical competence and interpersonal skills. The research is the first study focused on the H&S risk management processes and the organizational and operational barriers to effective management and coordination of H&S matters by PDs. The research outcomes are of obvious relevance to H&S management practice in not only the United Kingdom but also European Union countries and other countries with similar regulations. As management of design H&S risks at the preconstruction stage is an inherent feature of the PtD concept, they could also inform PtD practice with respect to coordination of the work of the different design specialisms involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of drones in the construction industry is not a recent development, but the increasing frequency of use and rapid changes to technology continue to give rise to legal risks for users. This article sets out some of the core uses of drones in construction, the legal risks and considerations of drone use in the UK and thoughts on the future of drone use and its potential future impact on construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction disputes have long been identified as epidemics in the construction industry worldwide, which has become a more serious problem due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies on the dispute causes have primarily focused on country- or region-specific contexts and hence the results cannot be generalized in solving this chronic problem in a broader construction project worldwide. This study aims to explore and evaluate the critical dispute causes in construction projects through a comparative study between China and the United Kingdom. A total of 33 common dispute causes were identified through a comprehensive literature review and further consolidated by pilot surveys in the two countries. An online questionnaire survey was administered among construction professionals in China and the United Kingdom, with 170 valid responses returned for data analysis. Principal component factor analysis, mean score ranking approach, quartile analysis, and Mann-Whitney U testing were employed to identify the most critical dispute causes. Similarities and differences were mapped between the two countries. It was found that the five most critical categories of dispute causes in the two territories are: delay-related problems, lack of communication, contractual problems, site conditions, and design problems. The importance of variation in quantities, breach of contract, misinterpretation of contractual terms and conditions, and poor contract management was perceived significantly differently by the respondents in China and the United Kingdom, whereas design defects and failure to make compensation for additional work were the most critical common dispute causes in both countries. The research provides important findings for both academics and practitioners to holistically understand the similarities and differences of dispute causes in China and the United Kingdom and aids in preventing disputes more effectively in the global construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction started its lean journey with learning from manufacturing. Unlike lean manufacturing, few studies to date have investigated lean construction in both breadth and depth, especially from the perspective of construction supply chains. The limited understanding of lean construction results in a research problem. This research aims to explore the implementation of lean principles in the context of project-based construction supply chains. It achieves its aim through an empirical investigation in the UK. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies provides this research with validity and reliability. Lean principles are found applicable to both residential building projects and many other types of construction projects. It is also found that lean construction can be enhanced if it synergizes with supply chain collaboration. Another finding is that lean management has a significant impact on project performance. Nowadays, construction pursues best lean practices through both learning from manufacturing and developing its own paths. Similar to manufacturing, more and more construction projects adopt industrialised and standardised production and lean management with supply chain collaboration to become leaner. On the other hand, construction-specific management approaches and information technology (IT) tools are increasingly used in lean construction practices to maximise value and minimise waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of the construction industry is different from other sectors due to the unique and temporary nature of projects which makes incremental improvements difficult necessitating the need to understand the practice of innovation. This research aims to explore the role of narratives in shaping innovation, as these provide a way to manage the tensions prevalent in the industry. We study 133 innovations across different construction projects in the UK and seek to understand the role of narratives in motivating these innovations. For instance, "innovations that enable project completion," "innovations that improve productivity," "innovations in health and safety" and "innovations in sustainability" are discussed. Whilst we acknowledge that factors such as incentives and rewards can motivate innovation, we argue that narratives shape or guide innovation in a particular direction. Since construction projects are interorganizational and multileveled, the industry-level narratives need to be adopted by firms to enable innovations at project sites. Innovators actively look for areas where they can intervene, and narratives improve the visibility of some areas thereby guiding innovations to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction industry, though is the backbone of any economy, still add a significant portion of emissions, utilising energy supplies, and reasoning in bulk of waste production. The sustainable construction practices are the only solution considering the global climatic challenges. Owing its enormous benefits, a lot of sustainable constructions projects are built around the world, both in developed and developing countries. However, considering the innovative material and technological involvement, and lack of knowledge and expertise, such sustainable construction projects are not always successful. This research aims to investigate the barriers and factors impacting sustainability in the construction projects. More specifically, its primary purpose is to have the perspective of managers on the actors and barriers of sustainable construction in the UK. A mixed method was used to collect the data, one in the mean of questionnaire survey, and the second through the case study. To acquire quantitative data, a snowball sampling was applied to collect the questionnaire survey based data from 128 UK construction managerial positions, such as system managers, sustainability managers, project managers and construction managers, etc. The quantitative acquired data was analysed using mean analysis, relevant importance index (RII), correlation and multiple hierarchical regression. The RII analysis discovered that sustainable construction designs is a top drivers of sustainable construction practices, whereas excessive concentration on price is found as the top impediment of sustainable construction practices. It was also shown by the hierarchical regression analysis that stakeholders factors, project management factors and technological factors significantly impact to sustainable construction practice. However, surprisingly the role of barriers was not observed in the sustainable construction practices of the UK. The same findings were also confirmed with the case study analysis of the Kier Group plc, which believes in the sustainable construction practices. Hence, it is needful for the positive sides of these factors be considered and duly exploited. The research findings provide interesting industrial insights towards sustainable construction projects, while providing useful directions to the industrialists, policymakers and construction professionals, not only by reducing the unfavourable effects, but also by proposing the intention of restoring factors of the environment, economic and social sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy (CE) in construction literature engages with individual CE concepts, mostly at the 'macro'/'meso' levels, and lacks holistic frameworks of indicators for circularity assessments (CAs) to inform decision-making at the 'micro' (project) level. This article presents a model using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for circular proposal selection in building projects based on a previously validated conceptual framework. The model involves twelve circularity indicators (CIs) classed under five themes relevant to building lifecycle stages. A questionnaire survey was used to establish the final weight vector of CIs. Participants acknowledged the immediate and prolonged effects of design on circularity and viewed waste as 'design flaws' but focused on aspirational design indicators relevant to achieving future circularity and missed opportunities for embedding circular materials in design. Moreover, UK participants showed distinctive behaviours towards CAs (proactive/reactive) based on work experience. 'UK-Experts' focused on 'front-end' design indicators, while 'UK-Non-experts' focused on 'back-end' waste management indicators. The findings indicate a partial transition to CE better described as a 'recycle/reuse economy'. CAs and multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques facilitate automated decision-making, which provides a new pathway to digital transformation within built environment. Future research will develop a decision-making tool and apply the proposed model in real-life projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tender documents often lack clarity and are incomplete, making it difficult for contractors to appropriately price projects. A general view is that the quality of tender documents has declined, which has affected the bidding strategies of contractors. However, the academic literature has focused mainly upon the views of contractors. To obtain a more balanced view of tendering practices, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 practitioners (client, consultant, and contractor) who are involved in a common project at the same time in the UK construction industry. The contractor was satisfied that the quality of tender documents had been consistent. By contrast, both the client and the consultant agreed that the quality of tender documents is an ongoing issue. During the study it was revealed that tendering practice is influenced by the relationship between stakeholders or the unbalanced access to information rather than the accuracy and analysis of tender documentations. Tendering practices and proposed efficient ways of improving the bidding environment were examined. Using the awareness of other project stakeholder's perspectives, this study can help the contractor to establish suitable tendering practices, and to mitigate tender risk at the bidding stage, which could effectively be implemented in the UK construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interorganizational projects often suffer disruptions that require participating organizations to adapt in order to restore project operations. We study the role of communication style in facilitating adaptation to such disruptions. Whereas the literature on interorganizational communication has emphasized communication mode and frequency, we study the content and features of written communication in seven U.K. construction projects. Communication style mattered for adaptation quality in these projects, and we found that several properties of communication style were particularly important for adaptation: cost and information orientation, as well as informality, precision and authenticity. Moreover, managerial slack and organizational reputation were important precursors of communication style. These results provide novel insights into the role of communication style in adaptation to interorganizational project disruptions. We discuss the implications of these insights for research on interorganizational projects in operations and supply chain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to advise on UK construction delay strategies. Critical delay factors were identified and their interrelationships were explored; in addition, a predictive model was established upon the factors and interrelationships to calculate delay potentials. Design/methodology/approach: The critical causes were identified by a literature review, verified by an open-ended questionnaire survey and then analysed with 299 samples returned from structured questionnaire surveys. The model consisted of factors screened out by Pearson product–moment correlational coefficient, constructed by a logical reasoning process and then quantified by conducting Bayesian belief networks parameter learning. Findings: The technical aspect of construction project management was less critical while the managerial aspect became more emphasised. Project factors and client factors present relatively weak impact on construction delay, while contractor factors, contractual arrangement factors and distinctively interaction factors present relatively strong impact. Research limitations/implications: This research does not differentiate delay types, such as excusable vs non-excusable ones and compensable vs non-compensable ones. The model nodes have been tested to be critical to construction delay, but the model structure is mostly based on previous literature and logical deduction. Further research could be done to accommodate delay types and test the relationships. Originality/value: This research updates critical delay factor list for the UK construction projects, suggesting general rules for resource allocation concerning delay avoidance. Besides, this research establishes a predictive model, assisting delay avoidance strategies on a case-by-case basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The buildings contribute towards global warming; they account for the majority of global energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. In this regard, green buildings are considered as solutions to slow global warming. Many challenges exist in delivering green building solutions, determining appropriate building information modelling (BIM) execution strategies, and standardising information exchange. This study aims to improve green assessments in buildings using digital technology. It investigates the challenges in environmental assessment method's (EAM) workflow by integrating the EAM requirements in the design and construction project stages using the BIM platform. By applying a mixed-method approach, this study maps exciting EAM environmental credits against the BIM platform and Royal Institute of British Architects digital plan of works for construction projects. This is achieved through the analysis of qualitative data collected during interviews with architects, BIM experts, and environmental assessors in the UK. The results are used to propose a decision support framework using a BIM tool kit to ensure efficient project and data handling and delivery. This research addresses the elements of successful integration by investigating the factors affecting the use of performance analysis and integrating sustainability aspects within the digital plan of work. The results indicate that sustainability will take a more important role in the digitalisation of the construction sector if integrated within BIM frameworks. Furthermore, an effective decision making framework aids in addressing the sustainability targets and mitigating the negative impacts of the construction sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of the concept of prevention through design (PtD) to the alleviation of the problem of poor health and safety (H&S) management in the construction industry is widely acknowledged. It has been adopted in the regulatory framework for H&S in the UK construction industry through the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) which place on the project client obligations with emphasis on coordination of H&S at the pre-construction stage of the project by a client-appointed 'Principal Designer' (PD). Unfortunately, research into the implementation of CDM 2015 into actual practice at the pre-construction stage has been patchy. The paper reports, with respect to the PD role, on part of research undertaken to respond to this gap. It involved surveys of clients and practitioners via fourteen focus group discussion sessions with over eighty participants to develop knowledge and understanding of the PD role. The research issues included: appointments to the role; structures for discharge of the role; day-to-day functions of the PD; remuneration arrangements; and common challenges regarding the PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ORNATE India project is an interdisciplinary, multifaceted United Kingdom (UK)-India collaborative study aimed to build research capacity and capability in India and the UK to tackle the burden of diabetes-related visual impairment. For 51 months (October 2017-December 2021), this project built collaboration between six institutions in the UK and seven in India, including the Government of Kerala. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening models were evaluated in the public system in Kerala. An epidemiological study of diabetes and its complications was conducted through 20 centers across India covering 10 states and one union territory. The statistical analysis is not yet complete. In the UK, risk models for diabetes and its complications and artificial intelligence-aided tools are being developed. These were complemented by joint studies on various aspects of diabetes between collaborators in the UK and India. This interdisciplinary team enabled increased capability in several workstreams, resulting in an increased number of publications, development of cost-effective risk models, algorithms for risk-based screening, and policy for state-wide implementation of sustainable DR screening and treatment programs in primary care in Kerala. The increase in research capacity included multiple disciplines from field workers, administrators, project managers, project leads, screeners, graders, optometrists, nurses, general practitioners, and research associates in various disciplines. Cross-fertilization of these disciplines enabled the development of several collaborations external to this project. This collaborative project has made a significant impact on research capacity development in both India and the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the emergence of collaboration on a UK construction project pioneering a novel form of project procurement (Integrated Project Insurance: IPI). Using a projects-as-practice lens and an action research approach, examination of linked episodes of project activity chart the unfolding of collaboration praxis in an IPI context through the frequent interplays of praxis (situated doings), practice (rules, values, policies) and practitioners working together. The analysis focuses on important requirements in IPI: that project practitioners, supported by a facilitator, collaborate to develop joint solutions to project requirements and share responsibility for them. Findings show how practitioners understood how to collaborate through the progressive enactment of working together rather than by developing a prior agreement about what collaboration would involve. Thus, the doing of collaboration mattered more than sayings about it in how practitioners created meaning in developing new collaboration praxis. Through this enactment the facilitator role is understood more as a practitioner in the development of collaboration praxis than solely as a convenor of collaboration. Findings also show how the micro-activities of practitioners may be illuminated using a projects-as-practice lens combined with a focus on interconnected episodes of project life to understand the emergence of praxis on construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of implementing circular economy within the built environment, quantifying progress and performance towards this effort has posed a substantial challenge. In response, this paper reviews the current state of building-specific circularity indicators, creates a taxonomy, and integrates them within the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work, a commonly employed framework within the UK's built environment. Through a systematic literature review considering both academic and grey literature, 32 building circularity indicators, developed by academia, consulting agencies, and governments, are identified. The first contribution of this study is the creation of a taxonomy of building circularity indicators, which classifies the identified indicators into 8 categories, such as basic characteristics of indicators, circularity level, and sustainability pillars. The second contribution of this study is the alignment of circularity within the stages of Plan of Work framework. It is revealed that the framework does not currently incorporate circularity, resulting in the proposal of a new Stage 8: End of Life to encompass demolition, disassembly, and deconstruction activities. Alignment of the taxonomy to Plan of Work framework provides a guide in utilization of building circularity indicators throughout the process of designing, constructing and operating building projects. • Building-specific circularity indicators are reviewed for the built environment. • A taxonomy of 32 building circularity indicators is created across eight categories. • A new Stage 8: End of Life is proposed for RIBA framework to enhance circularity. • The circularity indicators are integrated with the RIBA Plan of Work framework. • A traffic light approach is employed to guide the use of circularity indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) was introduced in 1997 to improve the image of the UK construction industry and has grown dramatically, with over 6000 construction and infrastructure projects registered valued at £43 billion. While evidence exists that the industry's image is improving, there is little research into the CCS perceptions of those tasked with scheme delivery. It is not clear if contractors engage with CCS willingly as proactive participants or succumb to the requirements of clients to win work simply. The aim of this paper is to gain an insight into contractor perceptions of CCS to aid clients and contractors ultimately in their delivery of the scheme and ensure that the CCS delivers the maximum benefit for stakeholders. A case study of a single infrastructure project registered with the CCS is utilised. All CCS documents were critically analysed, and interviews were conducted with clients, the contractor and residents. The findings contribute to an unexplored area of research and reveal the motivations behind why a contractor engages with the CCS, the advantages and drawbacks in the scheme's current enactment and key lessons on how the CCS could be administered and delivered more effectively for the benefit of all stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify the factors that influence the adoption of smart contracts in the UK construction sector. A deductive questionnaire-based approach informed by the technology-organisation-environment (TOE) model is adopted. The framework is comprised of twelve independent variables and one dependent variable of smart contracts use intention. Ten hypotheses are developed to statistically test the causal relationships between the eleven variables of the research model. The study adopts a convenience sampling approach, with the population of interest being primarily drawn from among UK construction practitioners. The results generated from linear regression analysis suggest that the following four factors have a significant influence on the adoption of smart contracts: supply chain pressure, competitive pressure, top management support, and observability. The descriptive statistics obtained also offer a greater understanding of the perceptions and attitudes towards smart contracts across the UK construction sector. The results demonstrate the usefulness of a perception-based model that utilises the TOE framework to assess facets that influence the adoption of smart contracts. The study contributes to innovation diffusion studies in construction project management and supports "early adopters" at the footfall of the technology's diffusion curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, the Construction giant Carillion went into compulsory liquidation costing the UK taxpayers an estimated £148m. According to our analysis performed on the case, the demise of Carillion was the result of accumulation of failures and normalisation of deviations from good practice. The purpose of this study is to better understand how deviance can become the norm such that actors in the context of the construction organisations such as Carillion, come to adopt deviant practices rather than respecting their accepted industry codes and ethos. This study is based on an in-depth analysis of publicly available data on the case of Carillion. Our aim is to better understand the process of normalisation of deviance and its potential effect on organisations. Our analysis of the case revealed three specific types of normalised deviance: late payments to suppliers, aggressive accounting and payment of high dividends to shareholders despite the troubled financial status of the firm. The results of our work contribute to theory by showing that normalisation of deviance is a gradual process which can be influenced by actors both within the focal organisation as well as actors in its environment. The managerial implications highlight the need for all actors in the construction sector to become more aware of the normalising deviance process and its potential negative effects, which can be mitigated by stronger adherence to controls in the external environment in which the organisation operates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to investigate the implementation practices and application of BIM technology by construction organisations through the project phases from inception to operational use in the United Kingdom. The aim and objectives of the study were achieved using qualitative methodology. Semi-structured interview was used for collecting data. Secondary source of data collection included a comprehensive literature review on past and current work on BIM implementation and application across the project lifecycle. To achieve the overall aim fully, a generic Process Map was deemed best to illustrate the BIM implementation practices of construction organisations through the project phases in the UK. The BIM functions or subprocesses at each project phases of the construction process were highlighted from the interviews. Then the generic process map above linking all the BIM activities in the project was developed. The information outputs at the end of each project stage were illustrated in the Process Map. The information inputs feeding into the BIM functions at the project phases were also examined from the interviews and illustrated in the process map. The information inputs feeding into the BIM functions at the project phases were also examined from the interviews and illustrated in the Process Map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Work-related ill-health in construction presents a significant management challenge. • Poor knowledge, lack of ownership and a sense of resignation increase the risks. • A focus on general wellbeing can distract from the reduction of work-related hazards. • Improved access to OH services and management of health data are needed. Work-related ill-health in construction is a major concern worldwide, presenting significant risk management challenges. This three-year research project studied a multi-million pound regional construction project and a multi-billion pound infrastructure megaproject in the UK. It used interviews (n = 237) and meeting observations (n = 120) to examine contemporary approaches to managing occupational health in the industry and their limitations. It was found that the conceptualisation of 'health' is a significant issue: activities which focus on the general health and wellbeing of the workforce can distract from the reduction of work-related hazards at source. There are further challenges in the way health risk is perceived and tolerated by workers and organisations. This is partly because of the invisibility and latency of the associated health effects, but also reflects incomplete knowledge and a sense of resignation. Crucially, there is evidence of a lack of ownership of health within organisations and on the part of some managers, frontline workers and OSH professionals. These aspects are exacerbated by the way in which the construction industry operates, with high levels of self-employment and worker mobility; the temporary nature of projects which inevitably foregrounds immediate safety concerns over longer term health issues; and the cost of and limited access to health services. Health risks are challenging to manage because 'health' differs from 'safety'; in terms of the hazards themselves but also in the way that the construction sector understands and manages risk. These differences need to be recognised and addressed to achieve lasting improvements to worker health in construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is well-known that significant production pressures exist on many construction projects and previous studies have suggested that this pressure is a contributory factor in safety incidents on sites. While research has established that production pressures exist, less is understood about the construction practices that occur when projects are under such pressures and their repercussion for safety. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: Through an ethnographic approach on a large construction project in the UK, these practices were explored and unpacked. The lead researcher was a member of the Health and Safety department, and undertook participant observation as a main research tool for three years. Findings: It was found that informal, covert and dangerous "piecework" strategies were adopted at the site level in direct response to scheduling demands. Construction workers were incentivised through extra finance and rest periods to finish the work quickly, which, in turn, prioritised production over safety. Unreasonable production pressures remain an unresolved problem in the construction industry and are, perhaps consequentially, being informally managed on-site. Originality/value: This study improves our understanding of the complexities involved in the unresolved demands between production and safety on construction sites, which marks a step towards addressing this substantial challenge that is deeply ingrained within the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the first modular construction project in Korea in 2003, the scope and demand for modular systems have gradually increased. However, modular producers in Korea utilize spreadsheets to manage the process, manpower, and materials required for modular construction. This is inadequate compared to other countries that are more advanced in modular construction such as Japan and the United Kingdom. The management system in Korea decreases the effectiveness of modular construction in reducing construction time and cost. There is no formal system for managing modular production in Korea. Although some construction management programs utilized in the traditional construction industry are available, they do not reflect the flow of modular production, that is, to simultaneously produce several types of modules in accordance with demand in a factory. This research develops a modular-construction-specific production management system that has three overall functions: factory setup, project creation, and result analysis. These functions can link all the relevant data for managing modular production and can help manage several types of modules. The production management system is verified through simulation of the existing processes observed for a completed project and comparing the results to an alternative process. Through such comparisons, an optimized process design can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Following the increasing need for faster construction, improved quality and evidence value propositions, offsite construction is increasingly being proffered as a viable contender to "traditional" construction approaches. However, whilst evidence supports the move towards offsite, its uptake has been lower than expected. Whilst the precise reasons for this seem to be influenced by a number of issues, including contextual drivers and market maturity; some project stakeholders also view offsite as carrying greater risks. The purpose of this paper is to report on the quality of information flow, in particular, the impact and influence of this on design risks in offsite construction projects.Design/methodology/approach An existing design risk framework is used as the point of departure for this research. This is further expanded into a specific model for evaluating offsite construction projects design risks, the rubrics of which were informed by two case studies of offsite construction projects in Australia and the UK analysed with a process-tracing technique. Whilst these cases were geographically separated, the constructs were aligned to uncover fundamental design information requirements and concomitant risks associated with offsite.Findings The findings of the research reported in this paper include the crucial information feeding into the design process emanating from the lifecycle of offsite construction projects, namely, design, offsite (manufacturing), handling and transporting, site works and installation and also occupancy. These are contextualised within the four categories, namely, client requirements, project requirements, regulation aspects and social aspects and the final outcomes were summarised into a holistic diagram.Originality/value Given that the offsite construction has shifted the working paradigm into assigning a significant level of efforts and emphasis at the front end of the construction projects, the importance of its design process and hence design risks management has gone up significantly in construction projects delivered using this technique. This research and paper contributes significantly to the built environment domain by identifying the crucial aspects along the project lifecycle to be considered to minimise the potential occurrence of design risks and hence increasing the confidence of project stakeholders in adopting offsite construction techniques in their projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of (adverse) weather is a common cause of delays, legal claims and economic losses in construction projects. Research has recently been carried out aimed at incorporating the effect of weather in project planning; but these studies have focussed on either a narrow set of weather variables, or a very limited range of construction activities or projects. A method for processing a country's historical weather data into a set of weather delay maps for some representative standard construction activities is proposed. Namely, sine curves are used to associate daily combinations of weather variables to delay and provide coefficients for expected productivity losses. A complete case study comprising the construction of these maps and the associated sine waves for the UK is presented along with an example of their use in building construction planning. Findings of this study indicate that UK weather extends project durations by an average of 21%. However, using climatological data derived from weather observations when planning could lead to average reductions in project durations of 16%, with proportional reductions in indirect and overhead costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many large construction organisations use safety observation reporting (SOR) as part of their safety management system on sites, although research around their effectiveness in practice is limited. During an ethnographically-informed research project, the lead author spent three years working with the health and safety team on a large (+£500 m) construction project in the United Kingdom with such a system in place. The SOR system encouraged everyone on site to report unsafe acts or conditions, either via computer or handwritten cards, for subsequent action by the health and safety team. Despite good intentions, problems with the SOR system emerged. These included: significantly increased administration to deliver predictable data; poor data quality; an unwelcome focus on the number rather than content of the reports; their use as a tool to ascribe individual or organisational blame; and the perception that the SOR forms were being censored before they reached the health and safety team, which ultimately eroded trust between the workforce and management. Overall, the system as implemented on this site had the potential to cause more harm than good, and both disengage the workforce and frustrate the health and safety team. Although presented as a case study, it is suggested that the research methods used here have been able to expose and illuminate issues that would otherwise go unreported. It is recommended that these issues be considered within the design and implementation of such SOR systems in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant number of offshore oil and gas installations in the U.K. North Sea have either exceeded or are approaching the end of their designed economic life. Operators and contractors are confronted with an array of challenges that hinder the cost-effective and safe completion of decommissioning projects. The costing and technological challenges that confront the oil and gas industry are identified using a series of semistructured interviews. One of the most prominent challenges identified was the inability to reliably estimate the volume and cost of work to be undertaken. This is exacerbated by a supply chain with limited capacity and experience in executing decommissioning projects in this fledgling sector in the oil and gas industry. As a result of the analysis that is undertaken, it is recommended that an industrywide decommissioning forum be established to facilitate the sharing of experience and knowledge, particularly with regard to cost information so that operators and contractors can ameliorate the planning and management of the decommissioning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a common perception that infrastructure megaprojects are difficult to implement, as they face many obstacles (cost overruns, political barriers and time delays). This was particularly the case in the UK where many projects were difficult to develop given a complex, centralized and turbulent financial context (e.g. the jubilee Line extension, the Eurostar project). Despite this complex British system, London is developing the Crossrail mega infrastructure project which is recognized to be on time and built within a planned budget. The paper aims to analyse the reasons for the development of this project in a turbulent political and financial British system. The main argument I defend is that Crossrail benefited from the constitution of a specific and localized growth coalition. Revisiting the notion developed by Logan and Molotch, I show how the aggregation of different interests (political and economic) has been essential in the concretization of this project. Actors motivated by the will to promote the growth of London and to sustain the growth of population and jobs have been at the forefront to defend Crossrail. These elements have put Crossrail on a route of success. The paper concludes by characterizing and analysing such a success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]