Innovation is increasingly championed as an essential part of a successful construction sector. However, there is little research looking at the early innovation diffusion stages. Larsen offers a timely study associated with the early diffusion stages of awareness and influence. He proposes the use of Social Network Analysis, yet from a less deterministic stance than traditionally seen. Network data regarding awareness and influence is gathered using a pilot study and case study in order to map the ‘space’ where they both reside and manifest over time. Analysis illustrates that each actor has an awareness and influence network that is unique. Thus each actor becomes aware at different rates and is influenced in different ways. Understanding these early stages is vital if a firm is to succeed in adopting innovations and operating successfully in the long term. The conclusions offer a framework that firms could use to understand the unique awareness and influence capabilities of actors, together with the broader influences in order to better utilize innovation in their business.
Egbelakin, Wilkinson, Potangaroa and Ingham develop a risk mitigation decision framework that integrates theoretical perspectives from both natural hazard management and decision sciences literature to increase the likelihood of building owners undertaking seismic adjustment measures. The authors adopted a risk-based multiple-case studies approach in four major cities in New Zealand. They used interviews as a data collection mechanism to examine how the motivational process underlying human reasoning and judgement could be used to initiate and sustain appropriate risk mitigation decisions. Their results show that intensifying the use of intrinsic interventions improves the extent to which people think about and discuss earthquake risk issues within the community. The authors’ research findings further revealed significant extrinsic interventions that include financial incentives and creating value for seismic risks in the property market. They argue that improving existing regulatory documents, as well as the provision and implementation of the identified intrinsic and extrinsic interventions become imperative if one considers the vulnerability of many countries to seismic hazard and the corresponding economic, social and environmental consequences of a future earthquake disaster.
Wilkins explores the application of adult learning theory in the provision of health and safety training within the construction workplace. He presents the results of a measure on which construction workers were invited to comment and demonstrate the effectiveness of existing training protocols from their perspectives. This industry remains responsible for many of the most hazardous working environments in the United States and by analysing the data the author is able to propose several mechanisms for redressing this. He designed the study so that the demographic breakdown of the sample closely mirrored the current make-up of the construction workforce. He collected both quantitative and qualitative data that represented assessments of respondents’ competence in risk assessment, comments on personal experiences in the industry and institutional attitude towards health and safety training. Several significant trends were identified, which demonstrate the prevalence of a didactic instructional model which is wholly mismatched with the prevailing wisdom of leading adult learning theorists. He recommends the development of a learner-focused model to take into account the misgivings evidenced both statistically and anecdotally by these respondents. He further demonstrates how such a model would have a significant effect in reducing the number of avoidable accidents which lead to loss of livelihood and, at times, of life among construction workers. These results have considerable implications for construction management officials as well as those who regulate the industry.
Mbachu explores the various ways in which the project owners, consultants, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers could contribute to the contractor’s payment risks and cash flow problems in the New Zealand construction industry. The research is based on the argument that the actions and omissions of the key stakeholders have the most profound impact on risks in the procurement process. The author was concerned about the key role of the contractor and the multiplier effects of the problems on the supply chain such as poor project performance and insolvency which are the key contributors to the rising spate of liquidations and bankruptcies in the industry. Using qualitative risk analysis, he analysed 120 survey responses from consultants, contractors and subcontractors, and found that the project owners, contractors and subcontractors were the most risky sources of the contractor’s payment risks and cash flow problems, contributing about 24%, 19% and 17%, respectively, to the problems. Mbachu recommends the use of valid payment and variation claims that are supported with well-documented evidence as the key to mitigating the problems and ensuring satisfactory project outcomes. These findings could guide the risk management efforts of consultants and contractors, especially on how to efficiently and effectively allocate available resources to addressing the risk factors, in line with their risk profiles. This approach to project management could result in more satisfactory outcomes and profitability in projects.
Olbina, Hinze and Arduengo investigated drug testing experiences and practices in the US construction industry, as a response to industry questions about the current status. The construction industry historically experiences one of the highest rates of drug use, but this has not been examined in terms of the relationship between drug use and the occurrence of occupational injuries. To address this, the authors developed a survey that included questions related to the extent of the implementation of drug testing in the construction industry, testing practices and test methods used, the most frequently used drugs and the extent of cheating on drug tests, including the types of adulterants employed. The surveys were distributed to randomly-selected construction contractors. The survey results were analysed using descriptive statistics (e.g. frequency count) as well as the Kendall’s correlation test. Although the extent of drug use has declined in recent years, the findings show that drug use is a serious concern in the US construction industry. A majority of the construction firms implement both pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing. Marijuana and cocaine are the most frequently-used drugs. Urine analysis continues to be the drug test most commonly used by construction firms. Other testing methods such as hair analysis and saliva tests are explored by some firms with hesitance. Cheating on drug tests is a growing concern of construction firms. The authors found that drug use is higher in firms with higher injury rates, that more cheating on drug tests occurs in firms with higher failure rates on drug tests, and that injury rates are lower in the firms that have a strict policy of not rehiring workers who test positive on drug tests.
Hee and Ling investigate the factors that contribute to voluntary turnover of quantity surveyors (QS) in Singapore. Using a questionnaire survey, they asked consultant quantity surveyors how many more years they are likely to remain in the quantity surveying profession and in their present firms. They also studied job-related factors that are deemed important by QS, and their satisfaction with these factors in their current jobs. Using correlation analysis, they found that monetary and non-monetary benefits would persuade QS to remain in their jobs and the profession. Their findings partially support the Job Characteristics Theory, especially on the need to design QS’s jobs to have task significance, autonomy, feedback, proper use of knowledge and skills, and growth opportunity. QSs welcome challenges and enriching job responsibilities in their work, and would stay if they are given the freedom to make decisions. The results show some departure from the theory in that skill variety and task identity are not important for retention of QS. To increase retention rates of QS, employers are urged to benchmark QS salaries to ensure they have competitive compensation package. The authors suggest that employers should delegate decision making regarding quantity surveying aspects of the project to the QS, and give them room to grow so as to decrease QS job turnover intention.