Massey Research Online - Browsing by Author "Jelodar MB"

Browsing by Author "Jelodar MB"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9

A Study of the Soft Skills Possessed and Required in the Construction Sector
(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-02-14) van Heerden AH; Jelodar MB; Chawynski G; Ellison S; Tummalapudi M; Harper C
Soft skills are essential to employability and retention; therefore, if obtained and observed, they can significantly reduce sector-wide turnover. This study aims to investigate and compare soft skills that industry professionals currently possess and soft skills the industry requires and needs to attain. A questionnaire was administered using the RICS database, and 741 respondents participated in this study. Initially, the soft skills possessed and the soft skills required were analysed and compared via descriptive statistics. Furthermore, principal component factor analysis was used to identify the underlying factors and classify the identified soft skills. It was found that there are alignments and evident discrepancies between the actual skills currently possessed and the skills required by these professionals. The soft skills currently possessed by the industry were classified into three groups: (a) Ethics and Professionalism Cluster; (b) Self-Effort Management Cluster; and (c) Management—Leadership and Power Cluster. This was different to the two clusters identified for the soft skills requirements, which were: (a) trait-based cluster—less controllable; (b) training-based cluster—more controllable. The study concludes that there are controllable and less-controllable skills, which need to be possessed and managed in building professionals. Controllable soft skills are easier to train, whereas trait-based soft skills are more difficult to train and possess. The findings of this research are significant as their understanding can be used to help mitigate turnover and guide construction sector professionals to plan for the appropriate skills they require.
Digital technologies and data-driven delay management process for construction projects
(Frontiers Media S.A, 2022-12-21) Radman K; Jelodar MB; Lovreglio R; Ghazizadeh E; Wilkinson S
One of the main challenges of construction projects is managing delays; there is still a lot to overcome to reach near-zero delays (mitigation of delays) in all construction projects. Technology and different platforms are applied to support a high volume of data flow acquired from multiple resources during the construction project life cycle; how can these automated and digital progress tracking systems be considered for more effective construction delay management? The aim is to investigate the current state of real-time technologies and their applications and assess how specific attributes of these disruptive technologies can significantly alter delay management in construction industries. Therefore, this study presents a new process-based framework for using technologies with a data lifecycle viewpoint. This research uses a four-step systematic literature review involving identification, screening, extortion-eligibility check, and selection-inclusion. Furthermore, it is followed up by a thematic content analysis on using new technologies to mitigate delays in construction projects. Key trends, themes, areas of concern for research, and limitations identified in previous literature as research gaps and future needs were documented and structured. This work presents a novel process of comprehensive classification of real-time technologies that are being used in the construction industry to acquire data, screen/analyses data, and present information through an Industry 4.0 application: IoT technologies such as sensors, RFID etc., smartphones, planning/scheduling tools (Ms Project, Primavera), and Building Information Modelling (BIM). The developed process-based framework is served as a roadmap to 1) centralise real-time communication between technologies to collect, analysis and presentation data in construction phase, 2) prepare timely reports for project managers to take proper action against those problems delaying project.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Utilization and Infrastructure Alignment in Construction Organizations
(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2022-03-01) Eliwa HK; Jelodar MB; Poshdar M; Xia B
Information and communication technology (ICT) is one of the important factors that support construction project performance. Various studies have concluded that by aligning the ICT utilization with organizational ICT infrastructure, better performance outcomes can be achieved from the project to organization level. A positive connection between utilization of ICT and project performance has been established. However, the effects of ICT utilization strategy alignment with the organizational ICT infrastructure on construction project performance have not been investigated. This research evaluates and analyzes the importance of organizational ICT infrastructure to improve ICT utilization not just at the project level but also at the level of construction organizations. The main objective of this research is to investigate whether the effect of ICT utilization on project performance may be restricted and affected by its alignment with the ICT infrastructure level in the organization. The analyses of ICT infrastructure, ICT usage, and their associations with project performance are based on case studies of projects and organizations from the New Zealand construction sector. A method of evaluating ICT utilization and ICT infrastructure is proposed. This allows for further detailed examination of the strategic alignment between ICT utilization and organizational infrastructure. The effects of this strategic alignment on project performance are discussed and recommendations for the optimal strategic utilization are provided.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION ORGANIZATIONS: A SCIENTOMETRIC REVIEW
(ITcon, 2023-04) Eliwa HK; Jelodar MB; Poshdar M; Yi W; Kumar B
The application and research of Information and Communication Technology has exponentially grown in construction and is of a multidiscipline nature. However, there is a lack of investigation into progression of ICT research topics within the construction disciplines and the knowledge domain has not been deeply explored. This research fills this gap using a scientometric review of construction ICT research. Relevant literature from reputable sources are reviewed and classified to create a comprehensive framework for ICT application in construction. Accordingly, a manual review of research titles, as well as abstracts, was conducted. Accordingly, five analysis steps were performed including “Journals Selection, Publication Type and Name” “Citation Analysis”, “Keywords Co-Occurrence Network”, “Cluster Analysis”, and “Keyword time analysis”. A total of 376 research selected for burst detection, co-citation analysis, cluster analysis, keyword co-releases, and ICT application analysis in order to provide a comprehensive knowledge summary of the ICT application in the construction industry. Automation in Construction and Journal of Management in Engineering were identified as the major journals associated with research on the ICT application in the construction industry. Based on the research method, the articles used for scientometric analysis were only selected from Scopus and Web of Science database. Moreover, the study mainly concentrated on the quantitative analysis in regard to articles emerging frequently the knowledge domain, and were used to indicate the trends, timelines and hot topics. This research explores the construction industry body of knowledge by classifying the existing ICT related research, evolutionary trend, providing current status, a comprehensive knowledge framework, and future directions.
Innovative use of low-cost digitisation for smart information systems in construction projects
(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-06-24) Jelodar MB; Shu F; Edwards DJ; Aigbavboa C; Ejohwomu O
The low-level application of digital tools and information systems in construction implies that many projects cannot meet modern requirements and standard of work of advanced industries. This study adopts a practical and diagnostic approach to identify key attributes and implementation processes of information systems in construction and logistics. To have triangulation of knowledge, a three-step methodology is adopted. Initially an exploratory analysis of previous literature is per-formed. Secondly a diagnostic analysis of IS applications in construction is achieved by case studies. Finally, expert interviews are performed to examine and consolidate the findings. The study illus-trated practical and innovative applications of low-cost digital tools in IS development and created a framework for documentation of these discrete and mostly unshared practices. It is recommended that the construction sector should embrace more advance technologies to minimise human inter-vention and enhance real-time capabilities. The practicality of how different low-cost and off-the-shelf tools and digital platforms can be combined is discussed and demonstrated. The study provides a clear distinction for practitioners and academics as to what is being practiced in comparison to the dominant theories.
Lean and BIM Implementation Barriers in New Zealand Construction Practice
(MDPI AG, 2022) Likita AJ; Jelodar MB; Vishnupriya V; Rotimi JOB; Vilasini N
The construction sector is lagging behind other industries in terms of efficiency and value achievement. Several building sector initiatives are introduced to improve productivity and project value enhancement. Significant developments such as Lean principles and BIM tools have been applied in the construction sector to achieve efficiency and enhanced productivity while minimizing waste. Lean principles in construction practice are a developing research area, and BIM tools have been widely used in construction project delivery and communications. Although these concepts are beneficial, barriers to their integration and joint implementation have not previously been explored. The paper investigates barriers to implementing Lean and BIM and their interrelationships in the New Zealand construction industry. A three-step triangulation methodology was used in the study to validate the findings. The study used an extensive literature review process, case studies, and expert interviews to consolidate the findings. Barriers to Lean and BIM implementation in construction practice were identified, which include strong cultural resistance, lack of Lean-BIM understanding, resistance to change, lack of knowledge of the Lean-BIM method, and lack of support from senior staff in New Zealand organizations. The effect of implementing Lean-BIM principles is discussed, as are recommendations for implementing the method in construction practice.
Reducing the vulnerability of tourists to tsunami: challenges for decision-makers
(Springer Nature, 2023-06-17) Fathianpour A; Wilkinson S; Jelodar MB; Evans B
A near source or local tsunami, because of its close proximity to an affected area, cannot usually be predicted soon enough to mitigate many of the risks posed. The limited notice time in local tsunamis poses greater challenges for decision-makers than distant source tsunamis. Tsunamis affect coastal regions, where many of these areas are visited by tourists who often lack adequate knowledge of the hazards of the region. This study focuses on the risks tourists face during a local tsunami and discusses how to best protect tourists. Initially, a thematic literature analysis was performed to identify research gaps. Then, a case study methodology was adopted to obtain an in-depth understanding of how emergency management officials consider the management of tourists in evacuation planning. Napier, New Zealand, was used as a case study because it is a tourist town and vulnerable to tsunamis. Key decision-makers in the disaster management and tourist management sector were interviewed. The results outline three major initiatives that could lead to better tourist management and create better tsunami awareness for tourists. First, the risks posed to tourists can be reduced if emergency management officials collaborate with tourism agencies. Second, developing accurate evacuation simulations can show what would happen to tourists in a tsunami so that emergency management officials can be better prepared, and councils can improve evacuation planning and infrastructure to evacuate tourists and local communities safely. Third, educating tourists about evacuation plans will increase their readiness and enhance their safety.
Systematic representation of relationship quality in conflict and dispute: For construction projects
(2015) Jelodar MB; Yiu TW; Wilkinson S
The construction industry needs to move towards more relational procurement procedures to reduce extensive losses of value and avoid conflicts and disputes. Despite this, the actual conceptualization and assessment of relationships during conflict and dispute incidents seem to be neglected. Via a review of literature, relationship quality is suggested as a systematic framework for construction projects. General system theory is applied and a framework consistent of four layers respectively labelled as triggering, antecedent, moderation and outcome is suggested. Two different case studies are undertaken to represent the systematic framework; which verifies that changes in contracting circumstances and built environment culture can affect the identified layers. Through system reliability theories a fault tree is derived to represent a systematic framework of relationship quality. The combinations of components, causes, and events for two case studies are mapped out through fault tree. By analysing the fault tree the combination of events that lead to relationship deterioration may be identified. Consequently the progression of simple events into failure is formulized and probabilities allocated. Accordingly the importance and the contribution of these events to failure become accessible. The ability to have such indications about relationship quality may help increase performance as well as sustainable procurement.
Tsunami evacuation modelling via micro-simulation model
(Elsevier B.V., 2023-02-15) Fathianpour A; Evans B; Jelodar MB; Wilkinson S
The associated tsunami risks posed to coastal regions in earthquake-prone areas highlight the importance of an effective emergency evacuation plan for these regions. Evacuation simulations have shown to be a valuable tool in assessing the effectiveness of existing evacuation plans and providing solutions for risk reduction, and improving community readiness. This paper describes the development of a micro-simulation evacuation model (MSEM) to assess the effectiveness of local tsunami evacuation processes and test the results with a velocity-based theoretical model. As an agent-based model, the MSEM considers both pedestrian and vehicle interactions and their interactions with each other. The models were used to assess the evacuation scenarios for a tsunami-prone city Napier, in New Zealand. The evacuation process was evaluated based on a local 8.4 Mw earthquake that would trigger a tsunami event, with an evacuation time of 50 min between feeling the initial shake in Napier City and the time of arrival of the tsunami wave. The study outlined within this paper assumes two scenarios: (1) effected population would evacuate by foot, and (2) affected population would evacuate by car, considered to take place during the afternoon at the traffic peak time. The results of the MSEM show factors such as evacuation method, lane and sidewalk capacities, and interactions between individuals affect the individuals' ability to safely evacuate. The MSEM model based on scenario 1 and 2 for Napier City, demonstrated around 85% of residents would reach designated safe area when all evacuating by foot, whilst, only 45% of evacuees will reach their designated safe zone if all individuals attempted to use vehicles as their means of evacuation.

Browsing by Author "Jelodar MB"

Results Per Page

Sort Options