scholarly journals Assessing construction innovation: theoretical and practical perspectives

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Davis ◽  
Thayaparan Gajendran ◽  
Josephine Vaughan ◽  
Toinpre Owi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Productivity Improvement ◽  
Firm Innovation ◽  
Loosely Coupled ◽  
Australian Institute ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Structured Literature Review

Innovation is key for productivity improvement and advancements in different sectors of the economy, including the construction sector.  The criticism of the slow pace of innovation in construction industry may be unwarranted, considering the structure of the industry and nature of the construction business.  The loosely coupled nature of firms, mostly Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), delivering ‘projects’ through partial engagement, together with the distinction between the project innovation and firm innovation makes it difficult to extract innovations in a meaningful way.  The problem also lies in conceptualising, defining, articulating and assessing innovation in construction.  The literature is replete with research into construction innovation, however, there is limited research into understanding how innovation is perceived and narrated in practice.  The paper aims to explore how innovation is assessed and narrated in construction, specifically analysing theory and practice perspectives.  A theoretical model was constructed from a structured literature review illustrating existing discourse and narratives of construction innovation assessment.  A qualitative analysis of ‘Professional Excellence in Building’ submission documents to the Australian Institute of Building was performed to identify the practice perspective of innovation.  The findings suggest that internal organizational and process innovation account for the majority of improvements identified.  Importantly a taxonomy of narrative is developed that articulates how the construction industry in Australia views industry innovation.

scholarly journals E-PROCUREMENT PERSPECTIVES IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR SMES/E. PIRKIMŲ PERSPEKTYVOS SMULKIOSE IR VIDUTINĖSE STATYBŲ SEKTORIAUS ĮMONĖSE

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Vitkauskaitė ◽  
Rimantas Gatautis
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Future Scenarios ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Procurement Process ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Although the construction sector plays an important role in European economics, the use of information communication technology (ICT) systems in this industry is very low while the potential of e‐Business to increase productivity and efficiency is not exploited. This paper aims to identify internal processes which are most important to small and medium enterprises (SME) in construction industry and to estimate opportunities to adapt ICT in order to optimise those processes. The methodology used ‐ analysis of current processes in construction companies in pursuance to find out which are most important for SMEs and define future scenarios of one selected process via story telling. Twelve internal current processes of construction SMEs identified and out of those four most important ones selected are: e-Tendering, e-Site, e-Procurement and e-Quality, where “e” stands both for electronic and envisioning. e‐Procurement process perspectives are defined and functionalities required for this scenario listed. Santrauka Elektroninis verslas statybų sektoriuje yra labai ribotas. Nepanaudojamos jo galimybės statybos verslo procesų produktyvumui ir efektyvumui didinti. Straipsnyje siekiama išskirti svarbiausius vidinius smulkių ir vidutinių statybos įmonių (SVĮ) procesus bei įvertinti informacinių ryšio technologijų taikymo galimybes šiems procesams optimizuoti. Naudojami metodai – tai esamų statybos procesų analizė siekiant nustatyti, kurie iš jų įmonėms yra svarbiausi, ir apibūdinti vieno pasirinkto proceso ateities perspektyvas. Išskirta dvylika statybos smulkių ir vidutinių įmonių vidinių procesų, iš kurių, remiantis tam tikrais kriterijais, atrinkti keturi svarbiausi: e. konkursas, e. objektas (statybų aikštelė), e. pirkimas ir e. kokybė (čia „e.“ žymi elektroninį ir numatomą procesą (angl. envisioning)). Straipsnyje išsamiai aprašytas numatomas e. pirkimų procesas, įvardyti jam keliami funkciniai reikalavimai.

scholarly journals A Systematic Literature Review on Sustainability in Family Firms

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3824
Author(s):  
Carla Curado ◽  
António Mota
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Futures Studies ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Market Pressures

In this study, we explore the research published from 2015 to 2020 on the importance of family firms (FFs) to sustainability. Our results come from a content analysis of 28 studies on this topic. Further, they deal with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry in Italy and Spain. These studies mainly follow a quantitative approach with data from a survey. This study’s main contribution regards the identification of three sorts of aspects associated to sustainability in FFs which match the three pillars of the triple bottom line approach that supports sustainable business development: social inclusion, economic development, and environmental protection. Our findings show that the family’s religiosity, reputation, and image play relevant roles in the FFs’ adoption of sustainable practices. Moreover, the CEO and their successor’s choices also have consequences for sustainability. These studies demonstrate how the family’s control, its values, and the industry influence the adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. FFs go green by adopting eco-innovation to adapt to the constantly changing environment and market pressures. We acknowledge the limitations of the study. We offer advice to colleagues when developing future futures studies to address the influence of cultural differences between FFs and non-FFs and suggest they perform comparative analyses. This research could lead to further investigation of the effects of other variables that may influence sustainability in the context of FFs.

scholarly journals Success Drivers for Implementing Circular Economy: A Case Study from the Building Sector in Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1350
Author(s):  
Luz Elba Torres-Guevara ◽  
Vanessa Prieto-Sandoval ◽  
Andres Mejia-Villa
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Direct Communication ◽  
Management Commitment ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Large Building ◽  
Do So

This paper contributes to the circular economy (CE) literature by investigating the drivers of success of the CE implementation in the construction sector and how those drivers can complement any implementation process in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To do so, we analyzed the case of TECMO Estructuras Metálicas, using the methodology proposed by Jaca and colleagues to implement the CE in SMEs. It is a Colombian company with more than five decades of experience in the manufacture and installation of steel and aluminum structures for small and large building and infrastructure projects. The data were collected between August 2019 and November 2020 through direct communication with the company via workshops, meetings, and company reports. This research found that five drivers are relevant for implementing CE in the construction sector: fertile ecosystem, management commitment, identification of valuable materials, green teams, and CE intermediaries. Moreover, this study also contributes to teaching the implementation of the CE in companies, since it shows that through the methodology presented, implementation projects can be developed in postgraduate classes.

scholarly journals Análisis de la influencia de las acciones formativas en la prevención de riesgos laborales = Analysis of the influence of training actions in occupational risk prevention

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Álvaro Romero ◽  
Blasa Maria Villena ◽  
Maria de las Nieves González ◽  
María Segarra ◽  
Ángel Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Risk Prevention ◽  
Training Level ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Prevention Services ◽  
Training Methodologies ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Fatal Consequence ◽  
And Training

ResumenEsta investigación analiza las etapas formativas en materia de prevención en las Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (PYMES) del Sector Construcción en España, partiendo del indicador relativo a la elevada siniestralidad del Sector frente al resto de sectores productivos, para a través de los cuestionarios diseñados ex professo y las bases de datos de diversos organismos consultados, como los Servicios de Prevención Ajenos (SPAs) y la Fundación Laboral de la Construcción (FLC), observar la posible solución a esta casuística tan funesta. Se analizó la cualificación profesional de los docentes, las metodologías formativas empleadas y la formación e información que recibe el trabajador sobre su puesto de trabajo. Los resultados muestran el escaso nivel educativo y formativo de los trabajadores, y la baja especialización de los docentes que imparten la formación. Tanto el Sector como sus trabajadores demandan una necesaria profesionalización de los procesos que les permitan ser más competitivos.AbstractThis paper analyzes all the preventive-training stages in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that belong to the Spanish Construction Sector. One of the stages analyzed deals with the fatal consequence of incidence rate in Construction Sector compared to other productive sectors. To do that, a survey was made to evaluate the qualifications of the technicians in External Prevention Services (EPS) and in the Construction Labor Foundation (CLF), by looking at the possible solution to this problem. In order to execute the analysis, the qualifications of the trainers, the training methodologies used and the training and information received by the workers on their workplace were examined. The results show the deficient educational and training level of the workers, as well as the low specialization of the trainers who provide training actions. Both the Construction Sector and its workers demand a necessary professionalization of the processes to be more competitive and efficient

Understanding the low adoption of prefabrication prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) among SMEs in Singapore: from a change management perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gao Shang ◽  
Low Sui Pheng ◽  
Ong Le Tian Gina
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Change ◽  
Change Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Organizational Change Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Productivity ◽  
Stratified Sample ◽  
The Government ◽  
Medium Enterprises

PurposeConstruction productivity issues have constantly surfaced in Singapore's construction industry. To push for productivity, the Government has implemented various initiatives to encourage industry players, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and to adopt more productive construction technologies. One of these technologies is prefabrication prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC), a concept of the design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) approach. This exploratory study sheds lights on PPVC adoption and its issues in Singapore in the context of the launch of the Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM).Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used here is mainly a quantitative approach in the form of a survey. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to a pool of about 100 contractors, randomly chosen as part of a stratified sample. The questionnaire survey helps gain further insights into the industry's perceptions of PPVC and its adoption.FindingsThe study succeeded in identifying and analysing a list of drivers of and barriers to the adoption of PPVC. The top three most important potential drivers were “increase efficiency,” “technological change” and “changing nature of composition of workforce”. The three most important barriers were “ineffective on-site storage,” “high up-front payment” and “transportation issues”.Originality/valueThis study also looked into the organizational change management theory. Various theories were considered to help understand and implement change. It is understood that it is not only important for an organization to focus on the steps of these frameworks and models when the change is initiated but also for the organization to acknowledge and be mindful of the emotions of employees and take measures to overcome their emotions as part of organizational change management.

Business Negotiation Support: Theory and Practice

2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo De Moor ◽  
Hans Weigand
Keyword(s):  
Support Systems ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Negotiation Process ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Negotiation Support Systems ◽  
Negotiation Support ◽  
Business Negotiation ◽  
Contract Negotiations ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Medium Enterprises

AbstractBusiness negotiation support systems (NSS) are slowly entering the market, although they lack a clear theoretical basis as of yet. Negotiation is a complicated process with many aspects that have only partially been described with the formal rigidity needed to build support systems. Most theories about negotiation are descriptive and not prescriptive, which, among other things, prevents their use as a basis for negotiation support systems. Complicating matters is that a negotiation process consists of several distinct stages, each with its own characteristics. Furthermore, there are many types of negotiations, depending on the domain. This suggests that we should not strive for one general negotiation support system, but for a set of domain-specific tools. To ground the development and application of these tools in different scenarios, we propose an integrated theoretical framework. After presenting an overview of existing negotiation support approaches, we construct a business negotiation support metamodel for NSS analysis. The metamodel is illustrated by analyzing the MeMo project, which concerns contract negotiations in small and medium enterprises in the European construction industry. The MeMo system is one of the first business NSS with an explicit international orientation.

scholarly journals The impact of advisory services on Iranian SME performance: An empirical investigation of the role of professional accountants

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kamyabi ◽  
S. Devi
Keyword(s):  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Competitive Intensity ◽  
Managerial Skills ◽  
Advisory Services ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

The role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is recognized globally given their contribution to total productivity and job opportunities. However, the majority of SMEs tend to fail due to a lack of marketing knowledge and managerial skills or technical expertise. Professional accountants are in a unique situation to help SME owner/managers to achieve their business objectives and bridge the skills gap. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the factors that affect the decisions of owner/managers of SMEs in Iranian manufacturing sector to utilise the professional accountants’ advisory services and to examine the impact of these advisory services on SME performance using the Resource-Based View (RBV) of the firm. Based on a questionnaire survey data of 658 Iranian manufacturing SMEs, our regression analysis reveals a significant positive relationship between utilisation of professional accountants′ advisory services and three independent variables, namely, knowledge of owner/manager, competitive intensity and complexity of marketing decisions. Furthermore, we evidence that the use of advisory services is significant and positively associated with SME performance. More importantly, utilisation of professional accountants′ advisory services partially mediates the relationship between knowledge of owner/manager, competitive intensity and complexity of marketing decisions and firm performance. Therefore, we provide a specific, theoretically and empirically grounded prediction of how utilisation of professional accountants′ advisory services influences performance with implications for theory and practice.

scholarly journals Social Media Strategies on Brand Awareness at a Small Business Consultancy Firm in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Tarisai F. Rukuni ◽  
Eugine Tafadzwa Maziriri ◽  
Tsepo Mofoka
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Brand Awareness ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Consultancy Firm ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Small And Medium Business

<p class="0abstract">Small and medium enterprises – including those in the business consultancy industry – are strategic for the development of the South African economy and for developing marginalised economies through employment creation and income generation. However, the existence of small and medium business consultancy firms is threatened by competitive pressure of multinational consulting firms such as the PricewaterhouseCoopers, McKinsey and KPMG [8]. Small and medium business consultancy firms need to adopt innovative strategies for survival. Appropriate use of social media strategies is one strategy that can be adopted by small and medium business enterprises to influence brand awareness and brand loyalty and to build a competitive edge. An inability to use social media as a business strategy results in poor brand awareness, a decrease in sales, and business closure. It is against this background that this study aimed to assess customers’ perceptions of social media strategies employed by the small and medium business consultancy firm, investigate the relationship between social media strategies and brand awareness, and evaluate the relationship between brand awareness. A quantitative descriptive research methodology, using a structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from a sample of 231 customers at the business consultancy. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 was employed to conduct descriptive and multivariate analysis, including mean, standard deviation, correlation and regression analysis. Findings indicated that customers had negative perceptions of social media strategies employed by the small and medium business consultancy firm. It was also found that social media strategies had a statistically significant positive relationship with brand awareness and brand acceptance. The research findings hold major implications for theory and practice.</p>

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