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2000 Volume 1 Number 1 EFFECTING SAFETY IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS USING AUTOMATION RICHARD J. COBLE AND THEO C. HAUPT Abstract Automation can be used effectively to reduce accidents during the erection of affordable housing units. The consequences of automation would, inter alia, be to completely eliminate the exposure of construction workers to hazardous activities, reduce the amount or duration of exposure to the hazards, or reduce the number of workers exposed to the hazards. This paper discusses how safety performance can be reinforced, and even improved, through automation integrated into the field construction process through on-site multimedia training presentations. Technologies such as CAD, CAM, hand held computers, bar coding and multimedia such as simulation are referred to. PRELIMINARY RESEARCH INTO INTERNAL MARKETING AS A STRATEGIC BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY IN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTING CHRISTOPHER N. PREECE & IHAB I.M. KHALIL Abstract Internal marketing is a topic which has received little attention in construction by academics and practitioners alike. This paper, firstly, provides a theoretical outline of internal marketing focusing specifically on service sectors, secondly, defines the subject in the context of organisations operating in the highly competitive market environment of construction and thirdly, presents the outcome of preliminary research with major contractors. The research has confirmed that a significant barrier to the successful implementation of internal marketing as a strategic philosophy is the construction industry business culture. The paper argues that unless there is a greater understanding of the internal marketing philosophy, and an appreciation of the need to integrate marketing with human resource practices, contractors will not be able to develop and sustain service strategies that satisfy their external clients. QUALITY SYSTEM QS 9000 FOR CONSTRUCTION: IS THE INDUSTRY IN SINGAPORE READY? LOW SUI PHENG AND RAYMOND B.L. LIM Abstract ISO 9000 quality management systems are already in place in the construction industry for some time now. As part of kaizen or continuous improvement, there is a need for organizations with existing ISO 9000 certification to upgrade their systems. For this purpose, QS 9000 quality system requirements, which were developed from the automobile industry in the United States, are examined for application in the construction industry. Apart from tracing the background to both ISO 9000 and QS 9000, the paper also examines if the construction industry is ready to receive the latter. A postal survey was conducted for this purpose and the study suggests that there is indeed scope for the inclusion of some aspects of QS 9000 to improve existing ISO 9000 quality management systems of construction firms. A STUDY OF REAL ESTATE TRUST INSTITUTION IN KOREA J. KIM, SANG-YOUNG LEE, DENNY MCGEORGE Abstract In Korea, Real Estate Trust Institutions were introduced in the early 1990¡¦s with the purpose of satisfying the burgeoning demands of the property market. Real Estate Trusts were started in order to protect the real estate market from speculation and to encourage the efficient use of land. The other purpose of Real Estate Trusts in Korea was to achieve a competitive advantage in real estate development for local firms. Despite the above intentions, the Real Estate Trust companies have, in the wake of the Korean economic crisis of 1997, been in difficult situations because of asset deflation and recession. This paper analyses the problems of Real Estate Trust companies in Korea and proposes an alternative solution. As an alternative, the introduction of institutions similar to the Australian Listed Property Trust (LPT) or the U.S. Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is considered. The proposed new institution - Listed Real Estate Investment Trust in Korea (K-REIT) - would establish new principles of real estate investment and the securitisation of real estate. THE SITE MANAGER: ROLE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE UK PETER FARRELL AND ANDREW GALE Abstract This paper seeks support for the assertion that the site manager (SM) is a key person in the construction process. It critically discusses why many SMs are perceived to be inadequately educated and trained. Whether the graduate or craft background is best for SMs is explored. The role of the SM and the skills and knowledge required to be an SM is examined. It is concluded that more work is needed to change the cultural approach in construction towards education and training, and there is a need to promote a people-orientated management style. Further research is recommended in five areas. APPLICATION OF ORGANIC LEARNING STYLES TO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT F.T. EDUM-FOTWE, G.K. KULULANGA, AND R. MCCAFFER Abstract The discipline of construction management is currently going through a period of introspective change. One major issue that assumes great significance in this change relates to the way research is undertaken by the discipline, and the basis for augmenting its body of knowledge with new ideas, concepts and developments discovered through research. This has manifested itself in the form of a challenge on its existing culture of research, which is predominated by the scientific approach. As a result, calls have been made to broaden the research perspectives of the discipline, by introducing paradigms from other disciplines to enrich construction management. The main argument that underlies the calls seems to be that "the pendulum must be swung to the other side" in order to bring a balance into construction management research. While this has considerable merit, it seems to overlook the fact that the solution does not simply lie in adopting paradigms. To achieve a more balanced perspective, research has to evolve to make the discipline a dynamic learning system that adapts effectively to its changing environment. This paper examines various styles of how organic systems learn as a means for adapting to the requirements of their internal and external environments, and to achieve greater effectiveness. The principles involved in these models of learning provide useful lessons for taking forward research development in construction management. The paper adopts these lessons to evolve a framework within which the enrichment and development desired for construction management should take place. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GDP AND CONSTRUCTION FLOWS: A RE-EXAMINATION RAYMOND Y.C. TSE and JAMES R. WEBB Abstract This study re-examines that construction flows and gross domestic product (GDP) are linked in a stock-flow model. Keynesians argue that increases in construction activity lead to a positive change of income. If GDP rises, so will the level of construction activity needed to meet the expanded production capacity. However, in the longer term, higher construction flows will increase the GDP by adding to the nation¡¦s capital stock. Empirically, this paper tries to establish whether a causal link between construction flows and GDP exists for two developed market economies based on cointegration and Granger-causality tests. The findings of the econometric analysis suggest that GDP will predict construction flows while not being predicted by construction flows in the short term. However, in the longer term, higher construction flows are likely to increase the GDP by adding to the nation¡¦s capital stock. STREAMLINED LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF DOMESTIC STRUCTURAL WALL MEMBERS GRAHAM J. TRELOAR Abstract Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods, while accepted as the only valid method of evaluating the environmental impacts of buildings, are generally too cumbersome for use by building designers. Therefore, streamlined LCA methods have been developed, which involve either reducing the system boundary of the analysis, reducing the breadth of environmental parameters considered, or using less reliable statistical data. However, currently available streamlined LCA data tends to be inappropriately applied, leaving gaps in the systems boundary. The development of more accurate and complete streamlined LCA data and methods is therefore required, and this paper describes some recent developments. Timber wall studs and steel wall studs are compared to recycled steel wall studs, using a new hybrid LCA method based on input-output data. The findings show that, compared to previous results, steel can have lower greenhouse gas emissions than timber in certain circumstances. Furthermore, the use of input-output data as the basis for the LCA means that reliable data from industry can be incorporated within a comprehensive systems boundary. REVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN ASIA R.Y.C. TSE, Y.H. CHIANG, E.C.M. HUI, J. RAFTERY, T. CHAN Abstract This paper reports the labor productivity, research and development and liberalization in the construction industry with focus on the conditions in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Korea. A brief comparison and evaluation of their impacts on the development of construction market would also be presented. *** |