Igwe, C; Nasiri, F and Hammad, A (2022) An empirical study on non-physical waste factors in the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 29(10), pp. 4088-4106. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: This study highlights the findings of an empirical study to investigate waste factors (WFs) affecting the performance and delivery of construction projects in developing countries. The objectives of this study are to identify non-physical WFs in developing nations and rank the identified factors based on their degree of influence on the key performance indicators (KPIs) of cost, quality and time. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 34 WFs were identified through a detailed literature review and consolidated using semi-structured interviews with construction practitioners. The statistical analysis involved a normality test using the Shapiro–Wilk test to determine if sample data have been drawn from a normally distributed population, ranking the WFs using the Frequency Index (FI), Severity Index (SI) and Importance Index (IMPI), ranking the WFs based on their effect on the project KPIs of cost, quality and time, and identify clustering structures for the identified WFs to using factor analysis (FA). Findings: The results revealed ineffective planning and scheduling, rework/repair of defective work and resource quality problems (human, material and equipment) as the three most important WFs affecting construction projects. The factor analyses showed that WFs can be grouped into five interrelated components, suggesting the need for integrated and holistic strategies to overcome the identified WF. Practical implications: Understanding the effects of WFs on construction projects is a first step towards designing holistic solutions to ensuring projects deliver value to the clients and other stakeholders. The findings of this study provide direction to construction practitioners on where to focus appropriate strategies to manage the identified WFs effectively and, therefore, improve the productivity of construction projects. Originality/value: This study provides the first holistic analysis of WFs affecting the productivity of construction projects in developing countries.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction projects; factor analysis; lean construction; non-physical wastes |
| Index terms: | empirical study, factor analysis, construction industry, severity index, clustering, key performance indicator, productivity, statistical analysis, methodology, construction project, population, repair, lean construction, interview, developing country, scheduling, literature review, strategy, rework, construction practitioner, developing nation |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, project delivery, data analysis and analytics, data science, operations research, operations management, development economics, professional development, production management, research methods, maintenance engineering, management, statistical analysis, environmental hazards, industry analysis, building construction, demography |
| Topics: | Site Management, Time Control, International Construction, Urban Studies, Digital Applications, Sustainability, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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