scholarly journals Influence Factors on General Contractor Capability in the Context of Transforming China

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Jie Yang ◽  
Hetong Yuan ◽  
Lin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Influence Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
General Contractor ◽  
General Contracting ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Internal Mechanism ◽  
Power And Dependence

General contracting has gradually become the mainstream mode of project production organizations and the breakthrough point for the transformation of construction industry in China with the deepening of project management and project implementation reform. A general contractor needs to have a clear understanding of the structure and internal mechanism of its capability to achieve sustainable development. This study aimed to explore the critical influencing factors of general contractor capability and interrelationships between these factors in the context of transformation of Chinese construction industry. Fourteen critical factors influencing the general contractor’s capability were identified through literature review and questionnaire survey. Then, the interrelationships between factors were revealed through interpretive structural modeling (ISM). The factors were divided into four groups using the Matrice d’Impacts croises-multipication applique a classement (MICMAC) in accordance with driving power and dependence power. The results indicate that particular attention should be paid to enterprise culture at present. A strategy to improve the capability of general contractor was proposed. The results contribute to the construction of the theoretical system of general contractor capability. These research findings can thus act as a practical reference for future research attempting to provide technological and managerial solutions for promoting the development of general contracting.

Dynamic Properties of Machine Bolted Joints Summary

2013 ◽  
Vol 423-426 ◽  
pp. 1594-1602
Author(s):  
Wei Wei An ◽  
Zhuo Rong Gong ◽  
Tong Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Influence Factors ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Nonlinear Problems ◽  
Bolted Joints ◽  
Research Trend ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Macroscopic Modeling ◽  
Internal Mechanism ◽  
Main Influence

There are a lot of connection forms between the machine parts, of which the most typical are bolted joints. There are many factors influencing the dynamic properties of bolted joints and their mechanism is very complicated. Their properties have great significance to machine accuracy prediction. Domestic and overseas scholars have conducted many extensive researches on bolted joints, which main influence factors and internal mechanism are clarified. There is a more in-depth research on the analytical solution and the parameter identification of dynamic properties of bolted joints, and has achieved certain results, but the researches on mechanical properties are not mature. This article bases on microscopic analysis, macroscopic modeling, macroscopic test, nonlinear problems to classify research results, analyze the deficiencies, and point out the future research trend.

A Customized Quality Model for Software Quality Assurance in Agile Environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 64-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parita Jain ◽  
Arun Sharma ◽  
Laxmi Ahuja
Keyword(s):  
Development Process ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Agile Development ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Power And Dependence

The agile approach grew dramatically over traditional approaches. The methodology focuses more on rapid development, quick evaluation, quantifiable progress and continuous delivery satisfying the customer desire. In view of this, there is a need for measurement of the agile development process. In this respect, the present research work investigates the inter-relationships and inter-dependencies between the identified quality factors (QF), thereby outlining which of these QF have high driving power and dependence power, working indirectly towards the success of agile development process. This paper proposes a new agile quality model, utilizing an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach and the identified factors are classifies using Matriced' Impacts Croise's Multiplication Applique´e a UN Classement (MICMAC) approach. The research findings can significantly impact agile development process by understanding how these QF related to each other and how they can be adopted.

scholarly journals Integrated ISM-Fuzzy MICMAC approach based factor analysis on the implementation of safety program in construction industry

2021 ◽  
pp. 139-150
Author(s):  
Saber Ibrahim ◽  
Nejah Ben Mabrouk
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Safety Performance ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Fuzzy Micmac ◽  
Safety Programs ◽  
Effective Development ◽  
Key Resources ◽  
Power And Dependence

The challenge of improving construction safety performance is observed in many countries. Safety is considered by practitioners and researchers as an important topic in construction industry sites. Despite the findings of implementing safety programs, it is revealed that accidents and injuries are not perfectly reduced in construction projects. In the literature, authors tried to establish several frameworks and proposed methods to reach this objective by identifying the key factors affecting safety performance. The aim of this study is to present critical factors used in the implementation of safety programs and to explore their relationships using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). Then, via ISM technique, the overall structure among factors was revealed. By using the Fuzzy MICMAC analysis, the factors were classified into four groups based on their driving power and dependence power. The results showed that “Safety Training” and “Management Commitment” have the most important impact on safety programs, but also it is very important to study the interactions among factors at different stages. This analysis offers key resources for practitioners and decision makers by analyzing the relationships between factors and its driving or dependence strength. These results shed lights on the effective development of measures to facilitate the implementation of safety programs in the construction sector.

scholarly journals Underlying indicators for measuring smartness of buildings in the construction industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Ato Ghansah ◽  
De-Graft Owusu-Manu ◽  
Joshua Ayarkwa ◽  
Amos Darko ◽  
David J. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Smart Building ◽  
Building Technology ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Analyse Data

PurposeThis study investigates the underlying indicators for measuring the smartness of buildings in the construction industry; where the Smart Building Technology (SBT) concept (which incorporates elements of the Zero Energy Building (NZEB) concept) could ensure efficient energy consumption and high performance of buildings.Design/methodology/approachAn overarching post-positivist and empirical epistemological design was adopted to analyze primary quantitative data collected via a structured questionnaire survey with 227 respondents. The mean ranking analysis and one-sample t-test were employed to analyse data.FindingsResearch findings revealed that the level of knowledge of smart building indicators is averagely high in the Ghanaian construction industry. Future research is required to evaluate the awareness level of Smart Building Technologies (SBTs) by construction professionals and identify barriers to its adoption.Originality/valueA blueprint guidance model (consisting of significant indicators for measuring building smartness) was developed to help improve building performance and inform policymakers.

Training researchers in dissemination of study results to research participants and communities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Cunningham-Erves ◽  
Elizabeth Stewart ◽  
Jillian Duke ◽  
Sylvie A Akohoue ◽  
Nicole Rowen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staff Development ◽  
Basic Science ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Training Module ◽  
Research Dissemination ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Research Findings

Abstract Dissemination of research beyond the academic community is an ethical responsibility of researchers and necessary in translational research to help ensure the uptake of research findings to improve health outcomes. Often, partnerships between community and academicians do not include research dissemination plans, possibly reflecting researchers not knowing how to create these plans. This manuscript details the development process of a research dissemination training module for academicians and researchers. This training was conceptualized and developed by Core faculty and staff. Development steps were: (a) identifying researchers’ dissemination needs using the Core Investigator Survey; (b) identifying communities dissemination needs/preferences using feedback from our community advisory board; (c) conducting a literature search to identify dissemination concepts from researchers and community perspectives; (d) developing the training module; (e) conducting a cognitive review with one basic science researcher and one community-based participatory researcher; (f) evaluating the training; and (g) finalizing the training module. Training attendees included 1 clinical and 3 basic science clinical researchers, a biomedical postdoctoral fellow, and 10 research staff. Of those completing the feedback survey, 60% had some experience with research dissemination. As a result of training, more than 50% of respondents strongly agreed that as researchers they have a clear understanding of dissemination, a greater understanding of the dissemination process, how to identify stakeholders and successfully develop a dissemination plan. While disseminating research findings beyond academic publications may be new to some researchers, this training provided the tools to implement dissemination practices in their current and future research.

A Customized Quality Model for Software Quality Assurance in Agile Environment

2022 ◽  
pp. 584-598
Author(s):  
Parita Jain ◽  
Arun Sharma ◽  
Laxmi Ahuja
Keyword(s):  
Development Process ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Agile Development ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Power And Dependence

The agile approach grew dramatically over traditional approaches. The methodology focuses more on rapid development, quick evaluation, quantifiable progress and continuous delivery satisfying the customer desire. In view of this, there is a need for measurement of the agile development process. In this respect, the present research work investigates the inter-relationships and inter-dependencies between the identified quality factors (QF), thereby outlining which of these QF have high driving power and dependence power, working indirectly towards the success of agile development process. This paper proposes a new agile quality model, utilizing an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach and the identified factors are classifies using Matriced' Impacts Croise's Multiplication Applique´e a UN Classement (MICMAC) approach. The research findings can significantly impact agile development process by understanding how these QF related to each other and how they can be adopted.

scholarly journals Transforming the construction sector: an institutional complexity perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwadwo Oti-Sarpong ◽  
Erika Anneli Pärn ◽  
Gemma Burgess ◽  
Mohamed Zaki
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Strategic Responses ◽  
Institutional Complexity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Contracting ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Firm Responses ◽  
Industry Transformation

Purpose Government initiatives to improve construction have increasingly become more focused on introducing a repertoire of technologies to transform the sector. In the literature on construction industry transformation through policy-backed initiatives, how firms will respond to the demands to adopt and use innovative technologies and approaches is taken for granted, and there is scarcely any attention given to the institutional implications of transformation agenda. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these gaps and offer directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach Following a synthesis of literature on the UK’s industry transformation agenda, the authors use the concepts of institutional logics, arrangements, complexity and strategic responses to suggest seven research questions that are at the nexus of policy-backed transformation and institutional theory. Findings In this paper, the authors argue that increasing demands for the adoption and use of digital technologies, platforms, manufacturing approaches and other “industry-4.0”-related technologies will reconfigure existing logics and arrangements in the construction industry, creating a problem of institutional complexity for general contracting firms in particular. Originality/value The questions are relevant for our understanding of the nature of institutional complexities, change, strategic firm responses, field-level dynamics and implications for the construction industry in relation to the transformation agenda. This paper is positioned to spur future research towards exploring the consequences of industry transformation through the lens of institutional theory.

scholarly journals Consumer Neuroscience Techniques in Advertising Research: A Bibliometric Citation Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1589
Author(s):  
Juan Sánchez-Fernández ◽  
Luis-Alberto Casado-Aranda ◽  
Ana-Belén Bastidas-Manzano
Keyword(s):  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Consumer Neuroscience ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Performance Analysis Tools

The limitations of self-report techniques (i.e., questionnaires or surveys) in measuring consumer response to advertising stimuli have necessitated more objective and accurate tools from the fields of neuroscience and psychology for the study of consumer behavior, resulting in the creation of consumer neuroscience. This recent marketing sub-field stems from a wide range of disciplines and applies multiple types of techniques to diverse advertising subdomains (e.g., advertising constructs, media elements, or prediction strategies). Due to its complex nature and continuous growth, this area of research calls for a clear understanding of its evolution, current scope, and potential domains in the field of advertising. Thus, this current research is among the first to apply a bibliometric approach to clarify the main research streams analyzing advertising persuasion using neuroimaging. Particularly, this paper combines a comprehensive review with performance analysis tools of 203 papers published between 1986 and 2019 in outlets indexed by the ISI Web of Science database. Our findings describe the research tools, journals, and themes that are worth considering in future research. The current study also provides an agenda for future research and therefore constitutes a starting point for advertising academics and professionals intending to use neuroimaging techniques.

scholarly journals Application of the Socio-Ecological System Framework to Forest Fire Risk Management: A Systematic Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Vigna ◽  
Angelo Besana ◽  
Elena Comino ◽  
Alessandro Pezzoli
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Wildfire Risk ◽  
Starting Point

Although increasing concern about climate change has raised awareness of the fundamental role of forest ecosystems, forests are threatened by human-induced impacts worldwide. Among them, wildfire risk is clearly the result of the interaction between human activities, ecological domains, and climate. However, a clear understanding of these interactions is still needed both at the global and local levels. Numerous studies have proven the validity of the socioecological system (SES) approach in addressing this kind of interdisciplinary issue. Therefore, a systematic review of the existing literature on the application of SES frameworks to forest ecosystems is carried out, with a specific focus on wildfire risk management. The results demonstrate the existence of different methodological approaches that can be grouped into seven main categories, which range from qualitative analysis to quantitative spatially explicit investigations. The strengths and limitations of the approaches are discussed, with a specific reference to the geographical setting of the works. The research suggests the importance of local community involvement and local knowledge consideration in wildfire risk management. This review provides a starting point for future research on forest SES and a supporting tool for the development of a sustainable wildfire risk adaptation and mitigation strategy.

scholarly journals A comprehensive review of the influences of nanoparticles as a fuel additive in an internal combustion engine (ICE)

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1326-1349
Author(s):  
Siti Nurul Akmal Yusof ◽  
Nor Azwadi Che Sidik ◽  
Yutaka Asako ◽  
Wan Mohd. Arif Aziz Japar ◽  
Saiful Bahri Mohamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Combustion Efficiency ◽  
Fuel Properties ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Biodiesel Fuel ◽  
Fuel Additive ◽  
Engine Combustion ◽  
Research Findings

Abstract Nanofluid is a colloidal mixture consisting of nano-sized particles dispersed in a liquid medium. It improves heat transfer properties and promotes high energy efficiency in a wide spectrum of engineering applications. In recent years, particularly in the automotive industry, the addition of nanofluid in diesel/biodiesel as an additive for ICE has become an attractive approach to promote enhanced combustion efficiency and emission reduction due to their superior thermophysical properties. Many researchers have previously demonstrated that the addition of nanoparticles in diesel/biodiesel fuel improved the overall engine combustion characteristics. As a whole, this study aims to summarize the recent research findings related to the effect of nanoparticles on the fuel properties and engine combustion efficiency. Furthermore, different types of additive blended with varying fuel properties are also compared and discussed. Lastly, the advantages and prospects of using nanofluid as an additive fuel are summarized for future research opportunities.

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