This impressive book challenges the orthodoxies that have dominated the construction management research (CMR) field for the past 50 years. Providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex and multi-faceted domain of construction, A Research Agenda for Construction Management sets out a range of alternative perspectives which problematise the axioms upon which much CMR knowledge is based and offers new directions for the research community to consider.
"Research in construction management has seen a lot of growth in recent years. The contribution of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is still relatively low. There is a need to identify the causes of the low contribution along with identifying the gaps and future directions. The aim of this thesis is to analyze the construction management research for the period 1997-2011 and to develop a research agenda for the next ten years in the MENA region. To fulfill the first objective, data was collected from the top two journals in construction management: the Construction Management and Economics (CME) journal & the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management (JCEM) over the 1997-2011 period. The collected data was analyzed and summarized. MENA authors published 174 papers out of 2,643 papers published in the two journals. It was found that the concentrated research topics were "Project Management", "Project Delivery Systems and Contracts", "Time/Cost Planning and Control", and "Human Factors, Management of Safety and Labor Relationships" while the less interest research topics were "Construction Planning and Control", "Construction Operations and Methods", "Construction Industry Structure and Environment", and "Technology Development Issues". Furthermore, in order to fulfill the second objective, a survey was conducted. The survey was sent to 250 researchers. The number of returned responses is 49. The top construction management research topics for the future are "Time/Cost Planning and Control", "Project Delivery Systems and Contracts", and "Project Management" while the expected top construction management research sub-topics are "Sustainability", "Project delivery systems with public and/or private financing", and "Risk analysis and management". Additionally, it was found that the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Line of Balance (LOB) are expected to be the most applied methods in scheduling while Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Information Technology (IT) are expected to be commonly used among other technology subtopics for the future. Furthermore, the best action that can be taken in advancing the construction management research in the MENA is to increase the research collaboration between the three sectors (academia, industry and government). Finally, research agenda is proposed and future topics and recommendations are provided."--Abstract.
This cutting-edge Research Agenda takes a hard look at workplace innovation practices that are vital for dealing with the global disruptive changes we currently face. It unpacks the ways in which organisations can become more sustainable, not only for value creation and profitability but also for sustainable employability and employee skill development.
This unique Research Agenda addresses salient current issues in evaluation research, offering a broad perspective on the role of evaluation in society.
This book advises the federal government on a national infrastructure research agenda. It takes the position that the traditional disciplinary and institutional divisions among infrastructure modes and professions are largely historical artifacts that impose barriers to the development of new technology and encourages the government to embrace a more interdisciplinary approach. In order to be practical, the study focuses on infrastructure technologies that can be incorporated into or overlay current systems, allow for alternative future alternative future urban development, and are likely to have value cutting across the distinct functional modes of infrastructure. Finally, the report is organized according to seven broad cross-cutting areas that should promote interdisciplinary approaches to infrastructure problems: systems life-cycle management, analysis and decision tools, information management, condition assessment and monitoring technology, the science of materials performance and deterioration, construction equipment and procedures, and technology management.
This Research Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the role of project management in sustainable development. Examining how to successfully integrate sustainability into the processes and practices involved, it highlights the significant development in sustainable project management whilst exploring potential future directions for the field.
Fundamental Theories of Mega Infrastructure Construction Management: Theoretical Considerations from Chinese Practices is a collection of decades of research and applications of managing megaprojects using theories of complex systems and management sciences. It presents basic (classical) theory of megaproject management and is a showcase of more than 30 years of research of complex system and management sciences on the theory of megaproject management resulting from the integrating of theory and practice of megaprojects. The theory and models have undergone rigorous systematic testing during the management and implementation of megaprojects in China. Megaprojects are huge undertakings, often in infrastructure (bridges, tunnels, airports, etc.) that involve huge levels of investment, often take years to complete, and typically run into delays, cost overruns, and any number of unforeseen problems. Over the last few decades, no one country has undertaken more of these projects than China, and this book presents the fundamental theories underlying the practice of Mega Infrastructure Construction Management as practiced in China. Individual chapters provide a basic definition of Mega Infrastructure Construction and it’s management; an overview of the theories behind it; the Formation Path; basic concepts; fundamental principles; scientific problems; the Method System of Meta-synthesis; specialized methods in research; and intelligent management of Mega Infrastructure Construction. Although the theoretical construction management problems in this book are derived from construction practices in China, they can be applied universally and extended for great fundamental significance.
How businesses can and are acting to redress social and environmental issues is a question of growing academic interest. Bringing together a range of interdisciplinary perspectives, this insightful Research Agenda evaluates the current state of the art of sustainability and business and assesses key challenges for the field.
This timely Research Agenda examines the ways in which public–private partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure continue to excite policy makers, governments, research scholars and critics around the world. It analyzes the PPP research journey to date and articulates the lessons learned as a result of the increasing interest in improving infrastructure governance. Expert international contributors explore how PPP ideas have spread, transferred and transformed, and propose a range of future research directions.
This Research Handbook provides a cutting-edge review of complex project organizing (CPO), and suggests fruitful avenues for future research with a focus on grand challenges and a sustainable future.
