{"title":"Factors affecting project performance in emerging construction firms: a moderated mediation model","authors":"Nimrah Afzal, A. Hanif","doi":"10.2478/emj-2022-0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2022-0010","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This research study explores the relationship between customer focus and the performance of construction projects undertaken by small companies. Additionally, process management in these companies has been studied as a mediator in explaining the relationship between customer focus and project performance. A moderated mediation model has been proposed to investigate the role of strategic planning and its effects on project outcomes. Data was gathered from 326 staff members working at different levels of management in some of Pakistan’s emerging construction companies owned by young entrepreneurs. The study’s findings revealed a positive relationship between customer focus and project performance mediated by process management. Moderation analysis indicates a significant relationship between process management and project performance when moderated by strategic planning. Constraints to the study have been identified, and suggestions for future research have been offered.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":"14 1","pages":"113 - 124"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45114663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigation of factors responsible for delays in the execution of adequately funded construction projects","authors":"E. Ogbeifun, J. Pretorius","doi":"10.2478/emj-2022-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2022-0008","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Many research efforts have identified funding as a critical factor responsible for the delays in the execution of construction projects. These funding challenges affect the client and contractors alike. However, there is limited information on why delays occur in sponsored projects with evidently adequate funding. Therefore, the study focuses on exploring the factors that impact the cash flow during the execution of sponsored construction projects. The multiple-site case-study method of qualitative research was adopted, involving five universities benefiting from the infrastructure funding provided by a government agency in Nigeria. The Delphi technique was used for data collection and analysis, complemented with interviews. The findings identified six factors causing the delays. They were divided into internal and external factors. The internal factors are faulty contractor selection processes resulting in delays by contractors and the failure to complete appropriate phases of a project. The external factors include the delays in the project management system of the funding agency in terms of inspection, monitoring, evaluation and progress certification. The research identified that the combined effect of internal and external factors negatively impacts the project cash flow, which in turn influences project delivery delays. Therefore, this study recommends improvements in the in-house contractor selection processes and the decentralisation of the project inspection, monitoring and evaluation operations of the funding agency. This will facilitate timely inspection, audit, and progress certification, enabling the early release of the second tranche of the project fund. This will ameliorate the negative effects arising due to low cash flow and associated delays in project delivery.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":"14 1","pages":"93 - 102"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42760549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Siwaporn Kunnapapdeelert, James Vincent Johnson, P. Phalitnonkiat
{"title":"Green last-mile route planning for efficient e-commerce distribution","authors":"Siwaporn Kunnapapdeelert, James Vincent Johnson, P. Phalitnonkiat","doi":"10.2478/emj-2022-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2022-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This study aims to design vehicle routes based on cost minimisation and the minimisation of greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions to help companies solve the vehicle routing problem with pickup and delivery (VRPPD) via particle swarm optimisation (PSO). An effective metaheuristics search technique called particle swarm optimisation (PSO) was applied to design the optimal route for these problems. Simulated data from Li and Lim (2001) were used to evaluate the PSO performance for solving green vehicle routing problems with pickup and delivery (Green VRPPD). The findings suggest that green vehicle routing problems with pickup and delivery should be used when distributing products to customers living in a specific area called a cluster. However, the design of vehicle routes by Green VRPPD costs more when used to distribute products to customers living randomly in a coverage service area. When logistics providers decide to use Green VRPPD instead of VRPPD, they need to be concerned about possible higher costs if an increase in the number of vehicles is needed. PSO has been confirmed for solving VRPPD effectively. The study compared the results based on the use of two different objective functions with fuel consumption from diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It indicates that solving VRPPD by considering the emissions of direct greenhouse gases as an objective function provides cleaner routes, rather than considering total cost as the objective function for all test cases. However, as Green VRPPD requires more vehicles and longer travel distances, this requires a greater total cost than considering the total cost as the objective function. Considering the types of fuels used, it is obvious that LPG is more environmentally friendly than diesel by up to 53.61 %. This paper should be of interest to a broad readership, including those concerned with vehicle routing problems, transportation, logistics, and environmental management. The findings suggest that green vehicle routing problems with pickup and delivery should be used when distributing products to a cluster. However, the design of vehicle routes by Green VRPPD costs more when used to distribute products to customers living randomly in a coverage service area. When logistics providers decide to use Green VRPPD instead of VRPPD, they need to be concerned about possible higher costs if an increase in the number of vehicles is needed.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":" ","pages":"1 - 12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46399128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Awareness of the prevention through design (PtD) concept among design engineers in the Philippines","authors":"Rimmon Labadan, K. Panuwatwanich, Sho Takahashi","doi":"10.2478/emj-2022-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2022-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The “Prevention through Design” (PtD) concept considers construction safety during the design process. Several countries are currently practising PtD, including the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and the USA, which is still not the case in the Philippines. The study presented in this paper aimed to indicate the current level of awareness of the PtD concept among the structural engineers and purposed to generate a basis of initiatives to introduce or improve the understanding and adoption of PtD in the Philippines. A knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire was distributed to survey respondents selected through a snowball sampling method, consisting of structural engineers currently working in the Philippines. Sixty-one (61) structural engineers responded and were analysed in this study. Results indicated that PtD was relatively a new concept for most structural engineers in the Philippines. Similarly, the designers’ knowledge of the concept was still low. However, structural engineers viewed PtD as necessary and its implementation as essential in the construction industry. Despite the known concerns in the PtD implementation, structural engineers favoured the adoption of the concept. The paper also discussed challenges and key drivers for implementing PtD in the Philippines based on the questionnaire results and supporting literature reviews. The findings and methodology presented in this paper could serve as a baseline for a larger sample size covering other design trades, such as architectural, electrical, and mechanical design services leading to the broader adoption of PtD in the Philippines. Furthermore, the framework of this study could also apply to other countries with similar contexts.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":"14 1","pages":"78 - 92"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42349199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adaptation of Polish regions to the challenges and opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative","authors":"Martyna Wilczewska, J. Nazarko, Hao Wang","doi":"10.2478/emj-2022-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2022-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an international project focused on creating a network of infrastructure and strengthening trade links, primarily between China and Europe. Transport of goods within the BRI is conducted through one maritime and six rail economic corridors, one of which (New Eurasian Land Bridge) crosses the territory of Poland. This article covers issues related to the impact of the BRI on the regions of the participating countries and aims to determine the position of Podlaskie voivodeship compared to other Polish voivodeships in the BRI. To achieve this aim, a multi-stage study was conducted, including the design of a set of quantitative factors determining the position of voivodeships in the BRI, evaluation of the importance of the factors during the expert study, collection and normalisation of quantitative data, and comparative analysis of the factors. Research results show that, given the adopted methodology, the Podlaskie voivodeship is ranked 11th out of 16 Polish voivodeships in terms of its position in the BRI. This article’s findings contribute to the discussion on development opportunities in the Podlaskie region in the BRI context. They also motivate comprehensive research on the strategy for the widest possible inclusion of Podlaskie in the BRI’s activities and provide an important stimulus for the region’s development.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":"14 1","pages":"125 - 142"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41765723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ehsan Bakhtiarizadeh, W. Shahzad, M. Poshdar, J. Rotimi
{"title":"Blockchain technology applicability in New Zealand’s prefabricated construction industry","authors":"Ehsan Bakhtiarizadeh, W. Shahzad, M. Poshdar, J. Rotimi","doi":"10.2478/emj-2022-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2022-0009","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Different industries are modernising their systems and introducing innovations to their management practices. However, the construction industry is recognised for its lack of technological systems on which the success of this sector is deemed to be heavily dependent. Previous studies have focused on enhancing the off-site construction supply chain. However, studies on the importance and utilisation of technology in this sub-sector are scarce, predominantly where the efficiency of off-site supply chain management is stalled as a consequence of the slow implementation of technology. Thus, this article employs an exploratory approach by providing insight into the applicability of blockchain technology in New Zealand’s off-site construction and demonstrates the benefits associated with the adoption of this technology. A literature review was used to identify stakeholders’ interrelationships in different stages of prefabrication projects. Then, a pilot interview from industry experts followed by a questionnaire survey was used to determine the involvement of stakeholders in different phases and the benefits that blockchain technology can bring to this industry. The results indicate that using blockchain as a secure information management system could improve the integration of prefabrication supply systems by producing a collaborative atmosphere amongst the organisations involved.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":"14 1","pages":"103 - 112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46215597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Barriers to implementation of business process governance mechanisms","authors":"Arkadiusz Jurczuk","doi":"10.2478/emj-2021-0029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2021-0029","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract One of the main challenges in implementing process-oriented management is establishing a governance mechanism in the organisation. It creates a coherent framework for the execution, management and perception of business processes, which is the foundation of consistent Business Process Management (BPM). Process governance (PG) refers to an organisation’s ability to manage its relationships with all process stakeholders and support the value chain for its customers. Its implementation involves establishing process regulation mechanisms and stakeholder-oriented criteria to support prioritisation, cascading, and change management within BPM initiatives. A review of the domain literature reveals that while process governance has been discussed from several but separated perspectives (strategy, business roles, performance, and maturity), only a few studies identify and synthesise the barriers to its implementation in organisations. The paper mainly aims to identify and classify the key barriers to the implementation of process governance. The author’s approach refers to the six core elements of Business Process Management capability and process governance frameworks. Research results confirm that most process governance barriers polarise around the competence gaps of the process stakeholders and the immaturity of the process-oriented culture of companies. Another significant group of constraints to process governance arises from the existing organisation’s structure. They are mainly related to the proper division of responsibilities and a weak position or the lack of BPM centres of excellence. The research contributes to the literature on management by identifying potential barriers to business process governance that constrain BPM initiatives. The identified PG challenges can provide a basis for developing a theoretical framework for Business Process Management and models for BPM success factors.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":"13 1","pages":"22 - 38"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44934794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Industry 4.0 — policy-based approaches to efficient implementation in SMEs","authors":"J. Łabędzka","doi":"10.2478/emj-2021-0032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2021-0032","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Industry 4.0 (I4.0), driven by the need to access real-time insights and information across the manufacturing process, creates a disruptive impact on industries. Large-scale machine-to-machine communication, virtual reality (VR), the Internet of Things (IoT), simulation technologies and network management are integrated for increased automation, machine learning, self-controlled social and technical systems (Smart Factories). The uptake of advanced manufacturing solutions represents a challenge for businesses and SMEs in particular. SMEs possess neither the organisational capability nor financial resources to systematically investigate the potential and risks of introducing Industry 4.0. However, the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution is a matter of technology and cooperation between European regions to share knowledge concerning alternative regional and national approaches to reinforcing the I4.0 uptake. Therefore, this paper primarily aims to analyse practical experience on how European policies related to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) can unlock the full potential of Industry 4.0 and overcome the fragmentation of Industry 4.0 solutions. Case studies of successful transfer of I4.0 to SMEs in Europe and supporting regional policy instruments presented in the paper could inspire and enable the potential of digitalisation by dealing with main challenges hampering their diffusion into the business ecosystem.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":"13 1","pages":"72 - 78"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44693689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Barriers related to the implementation of intelligent transport systems in cities - the Polish local government’s perspective","authors":"E. Tomaszewska","doi":"10.2478/emj-2021-0036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2021-0036","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Intelligent transport systems (ITS) are undoubtedly an opportunity for the sustainable development of smart cities today. ITS is based on advanced transport technologies that help minimise the emission of harmful substances to the environment. Smart mobility and ITS are related to the use of ICT. The implementation of technologically advanced ITS is associated with several benefits, barriers and difficulties. However, transport, ITS and smart mobility (as a component of a smart city) are indicated as the most desirable option for sustainable urban transport systems. The article aims to identify barriers related to the implementation of ITS in cities from the point of view of people responsible for the organisation of urban transport representing the local government of selected voivodship cities in Poland. The goal formulated in this way allowed to identify the following research question: what are the problems and barriers of implementing ITS in the city from the local government’s perspective? To achieve the paper’s aim, the author based their analysis on a qualitative technique of collecting empirical data. Ten individual in-depth interviews were conducted with representatives of local governments (vice-mayors and members of urban transport organisers) in voivodship cities, which represented six Polish macro-regions. Research results and findings indicate the main categories and subcategories of barriers related to the ITS implementation. The identified barriers are grouped into the following categories: economic, social, organisational, technological and legal. The contribution is twofold: first, in the presentation of the theoretical and practical barriers to ITS in juxtaposition; and second, in identifying the intelligent transportation impact, which affects the provision of being a smarter city. The findings can positively influence as important factors for local governments to focus on intelligent transport.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":"13 1","pages":"131 - 147"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45865944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Applying blended foresight methods for revealing incentives and future strategies of key national innovation system players","authors":"A. Chulok","doi":"10.2478/emj-2021-0038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2021-0038","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The paper aims to develop and apply a methodological approach that could help to reveal incentives and future strategies of key National Innovation System (NIS) players considering the influence of global social, economic, scientific, technological and ecological trends. To fulfil this aim, a blended foresight methodology was applied, grounded on the platform of economic and classic foresight theory and considering four possible directions for using foresight methods: investigating and building a common vision; supporting evidence-based decisions; promoting communication and participation; inducing transformation and integration into the decision-making process. The main results and findings of the research include a list of 19 global trends, defined from literature analysis and the author’s expert knowledge, a short description of their influence on key NIS players, including society, business, infrastructure and institutions, science, education and government; and mapping more than 35 different foresight methods that could be used for revealing incentives and future strategies of key NIS players. The article’s theoretical contribution to economic theory consists of several parts. First, a NIS conception is examined through the prism of global trends and a dynamic aspect, whereas it is mostly investigated from statistical and static perspectives. Second, applying foresight as an instrument for researching NIS as a system is a developing academic area with some theoretical gaps, considered in this article by designing a conceptional research framework. Third, blending different foresight methods is always a craft, and the approach applied in this article contributes to it. Finally, the article presents several important trends which will appear in NIS and its key players’ transformation in the nearest 5–10 years. From practical implications, this article could be useful for proactive policymakers in the field of science, technology and innovation policy at national and regional levels for designing and providing measures for supporting innovation systems effectively. Foresight practitioners and experts are offered useful, practical ideas of different foresight methods and their possible combinations for everyday activities.","PeriodicalId":37237,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Management in Production and Services","volume":"13 1","pages":"160 - 173"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46589098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}