The Impact of COVID-19 on the GCC Construction Industry

The Coronavirus pandemic has badly affected everyone on the earth. Apart from losing thousands of lives, businesses and individuals are going to be affected by the long-lasting financial effects due to an expected global recession. The impact of the financial crises can, however, be reduced if proper measured are put in place. This article aims to investigate the impact of Coronavirus on the construction industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries and provide recommendations to help the industry to sustain during this period of crisis. A qualitative research method involving face-to-face online interviews held with the construction industry professionals was adopted to achieve the aims and objectives of the research. Four main aspects of the impact on the construction industry are derived from analysis of interviews: 1) delays, 2) workforce management, 3) health and safety, and 4) legal issues. Recommendations are provided so that construction organizations in the GCC region can reduce the impact of Coronavirus on its businesses.

Risk Management Strategies in Construction Organizations

Background: Construction projects are among the riskiest businesses due to the number of factors involved that are difficult to control; hence, the popularity of risk management as part of the decision-making process in construction organizations is increasing. Despite the advancements, there are various risks involved that lead to project failure. Aim: Thus, this study aims to assess the risk management strategies in construction organizations in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Methods: Seventy questionnaires were distributed after subjecting them to pretesting and pilot study that confirmed the validity and reliability of the questions. The target respondents included engineers and consultants from the construction organizations, Ministry of Works and Housing, and international agencies. The questionnaire was retrieved with a 65.71% response rate. Results: Results indicated that the most popular method of risk factor determination in the Gaza Strip is the “checklist” (RII=84%). For tools/methods of risk analysis, relying on experience in the direct assessment is the most prominent, with an RII of 78%. For the methods of avoiding risk before the project implementation, dependence on experience in the work for preparing and planning was ranked highest (having RII of 81.6%). Finally, follow-up on the implementation to avoid rework, with an RII of 77.6%, was ranked highest among other factors of avoiding risk during the construction projects implementation. Conclusion: This study highlights the key risk management strategies that will be beneficial for the construction industry stakeholders to resolve the unwanted risk failures in the construction industry.

Checking Deductions for Damage Caused in Construction Organizations

In construction, the risks of theft and damage to building materials are high due to their demand, which leads to the existence of operations to recover the amounts of damage caused from the perpetrators. Th e article considers the procedure for checking such a penalty in accordance with current legislation.

Study of the Patterns of Organizational Development of Construction Organizations in the Russian Federation Using Cluster Analysis

The article is devoted to the research of regularities of organizational development of construction companies of the Russian Federation and verification of the developed theoretical model of evolution of production (operational) structure. The proposed theoretical model is based on the hypothesis of the existence of two basic types of production (operational) structures - sequential and parallel - which dialectically change each other, qualitatively changing in the process of growth and development of organizations. The object of the study were construction companies (OKVED-2021 codes 41.2, 42.2, 42.9, 43.1, 43.2, 43.9 and 71.1) that are located in the Russian Federation. The cluster analysis was used as a method of research. The results of the study generally confirmed the hypothesis of two basic types of organizational structures and the theoretical model of the evolution of the production structure. The results of the study can be the basis for the development of business models of organizations in the construction industry.

On Stabilization of the Construction Sector

This article is devoted to assessing the business potential and risk tolerance of the construction industry. New requirements for ensuring the quality and competitiveness of construction organizations are put forward to enterprises of the construction industry in the conditions of self-regulation. The material base, qualified personnel, used technologies and efficient management of the enterprise are the main factors in ensuring the quality of construction. Only a combination of these factors guarantees the stable functioning of the enterprise. The article revealed development trends and main changes in the construction industry of the Russian Federation in recent years. The consequences of the influence of coronavirus spread around the world on the functioning of the industry were determined. The dynamics of the Business Potential Index in construction is presented. Dynamics of the Risk Tolerance Index in the industry were analyzed.

BARRIERS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

OHSMS has become the main part of the establishment’s lifeline and a prerequisite for its stability in the 21st century. There is a growing need for OHSMS, in its ability to solve occupational accidents and also to develop a robust relationship among the stakeholders. The mission of OHSMS has not been followed in the Nigerian construction industry. The study, therefore, explores the barriers to the development of OHSMS in the Nigerian construction industry. The study adopted a literature review of OHSMS and thereafter, 300 structured questionnaires were administered to the construction professionals in the built environment of the Nigerian nation’s Capital-Abuja. 247 of the administered questionnaires were returned, considered for the analysis of the study. The data were analysed with SPSS and excel. The findings of the study indicate that the lack of commitment of the government, inefficient regulatory authorities, and lack of expertise in the OHS activities are the major barriers to the development of OHSMS. The study recommends collaborative efforts from the construction organizations, employees, and construction professionals to support the government on the OHSMS.

Human resources, training and retraining of specialists in the field of construction

This article addresses the development of human resources capacity in the field of construction in the conditions of constant improvement of the construction sector. The peculiarities of personnel management processes in construction organizations are defined. The most urgent problems in the field of construction in the Russian Federation are highlighted. Possible ways of solving personnel problems have been suggested.

Modern Digitalization Trends in the Construction Sphere

This article provides a justification for the need to introduce digital technologies into the activities of construction organizations, considers the basic principles on the basis of which the interaction of participants in digital relations will occur, identifies the main problems that construction companies face in the process of introducing modern digital technologies. The work identifies measures that contribute to the effective implementation of technologies, and their merits, it is concluded that it is necessary to switch existing construction to digital, since it is an important condition for the further development of the construction market, ensuring a high level of competitiveness, cost savings, increasing the speed of work and the resulting profit. ... One of the main roles in the development of information technologies, promoting their implementation in all spheres of human activity should belong to government agencies, they should focus on reducing obstacles to the development of digital technologies in the country, making adjustments and correcting the shortcomings of modern market mechanisms, supporting fair competition in markets, attracting investment in this area. Without the implementation of these principles, it is impossible to achieve the required level of development and promotion of digitalization in Russia. The emergence of new information technologies has a significant impact on the economy and society as a whole, changing the economic structure and lifestyle of people. However, despite all the concerns, the digital transformation in the construction industry is progressing slowly but steadily. Most Russian construction companies have yet to take full advantage of digital platforms. They are gradually exploring digitalization issues and plan to introduce technologies that will further develop the industry and increase the competitiveness of construction organizations.