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Article: Construction project productivity evaluation framework with expanded system boundaries

TitleConstruction project productivity evaluation framework with expanded system boundaries
Authors
KeywordsProductivity
Construction project productivity
Productivity evaluation
System boundaries
Systemic value
Issue Date2021
PublisherEmerald Group Publishing Limited. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/ecam.htm
Citation
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 2021, v. 28 n. 4, p. 863-885 How to Cite?
AbstractPurpose While the investment in construction projects has increased over the past few decades, low construction project productivity (CPP) appeared to be persistent, thereby reflecting an 'investment-in-failure' paradox between the investment and CPP. Hence, this paper aims to develop a systematic and holistic CPP evaluation framework to explain the apparent paradox in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The paper first reviews the literature about the theories of system, production, principal-agent and project success evaluation to re-conceptualise the CPP and proposes a two-stage CPP evaluation framework. The framework is subsequently explored through a sequential qualitative mixed-methods design within the context of the Hong Kong construction industry by combining 32 semi-structured interviews with senior industry experts and exploratory case studies, with three real-life construction projects. Findings The paper identifies three system boundaries for CPP evaluation, that is, parameter, timeframe and stakeholder, and develops a two-stage CPP evaluation framework to indicate site efficiency and utilisation effectiveness, thereby accessing the productivity of both the construction and post-construction stages. The 'investment-in-failure' paradox associated with current CPP evaluation approaches is primarily attributed to the narrowly defined CPP boundaries. Research limitations/implications The qualitative exploration of the evaluation framework only focusses on the Hong Kong construction industry. Further case studies within other urban contexts could be used to improve the generalisability of the findings. Quantitative research is also necessary to advance theoretical development of the two-stage CPP evaluation. Practical implications The systemic CPP conceptualisation and the two-stage CPP evaluation framework support the systems thinking of industry stakeholders and enable them to formulate holistic strategies for long-term CPP enhancement. Originality/value The research demonstrates the needs to expand the system boundaries of CPP to reflect its systemic value and to shift the paradigm of CPP evaluation from being output-orientated and quantity-focussed to being outcome-orientated and value-focussed.
Persistent Identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/294853
ISSN
2023 Impact Factor: 3.6
2023 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.896
ISI Accession Number ID

 

DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.contributor.authorZhan, W-
dc.contributor.authorPan, W-
dc.contributor.authorChen, L-
dc.date.accessioned2020-12-21T11:49:29Z-
dc.date.available2020-12-21T11:49:29Z-
dc.date.issued2021-
dc.identifier.citationEngineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 2021, v. 28 n. 4, p. 863-885-
dc.identifier.issn0969-9988-
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/294853-
dc.description.abstractPurpose While the investment in construction projects has increased over the past few decades, low construction project productivity (CPP) appeared to be persistent, thereby reflecting an 'investment-in-failure' paradox between the investment and CPP. Hence, this paper aims to develop a systematic and holistic CPP evaluation framework to explain the apparent paradox in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The paper first reviews the literature about the theories of system, production, principal-agent and project success evaluation to re-conceptualise the CPP and proposes a two-stage CPP evaluation framework. The framework is subsequently explored through a sequential qualitative mixed-methods design within the context of the Hong Kong construction industry by combining 32 semi-structured interviews with senior industry experts and exploratory case studies, with three real-life construction projects. Findings The paper identifies three system boundaries for CPP evaluation, that is, parameter, timeframe and stakeholder, and develops a two-stage CPP evaluation framework to indicate site efficiency and utilisation effectiveness, thereby accessing the productivity of both the construction and post-construction stages. The 'investment-in-failure' paradox associated with current CPP evaluation approaches is primarily attributed to the narrowly defined CPP boundaries. Research limitations/implications The qualitative exploration of the evaluation framework only focusses on the Hong Kong construction industry. Further case studies within other urban contexts could be used to improve the generalisability of the findings. Quantitative research is also necessary to advance theoretical development of the two-stage CPP evaluation. Practical implications The systemic CPP conceptualisation and the two-stage CPP evaluation framework support the systems thinking of industry stakeholders and enable them to formulate holistic strategies for long-term CPP enhancement. Originality/value The research demonstrates the needs to expand the system boundaries of CPP to reflect its systemic value and to shift the paradigm of CPP evaluation from being output-orientated and quantity-focussed to being outcome-orientated and value-focussed.-
dc.languageeng-
dc.publisherEmerald Group Publishing Limited. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/ecam.htm-
dc.relation.ispartofEngineering, Construction and Architectural Management-
dc.rights© [insert the copyright line of the published article]. This AAM is provided for your own personal use only. It may not be used for resale, reprinting, systematic distribution, emailing, or for any other commercial purpose without the permission of the publisher.-
dc.subjectProductivity-
dc.subjectConstruction project productivity-
dc.subjectProductivity evaluation-
dc.subjectSystem boundaries-
dc.subjectSystemic value-
dc.titleConstruction project productivity evaluation framework with expanded system boundaries-
dc.typeArticle-
dc.identifier.emailZhan, W: zhanwt@hku.hk-
dc.identifier.emailPan, W: wpan@hku.hk-
dc.identifier.emailChen, L: lchen103@hku.hk-
dc.identifier.authorityPan, W=rp01621-
dc.description.naturelink_to_subscribed_fulltext-
dc.identifier.doi10.1108/ECAM-12-2019-0691-
dc.identifier.scopuseid_2-s2.0-85087748084-
dc.identifier.hkuros320643-
dc.identifier.volume28-
dc.identifier.issue4-
dc.identifier.spage863-
dc.identifier.epage885-
dc.identifier.isiWOS:000551890400001-
dc.publisher.placeUnited Kingdom-

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