Spillane, J P (2013) Challenges and strategies for confined site construction: The case of personnel, plant and material management (PPMM). PhD thesis, Queen's University Belfast, UK.
Abstract
The construction industry is in a point of transition. With the continued onset of global urban expansion and renewal, construction sites where space is a finite, vital resource requiring effective management, are now the norm within the industry. In order to effectively manage this limited space and the key resources within, it is essential to identify the issues and the strategies, to be adopted. The objective of this research and thesis is to identify, clarify and tabulate the various personnel, plant and material management factors and their resulting effects on confined site construction. This is achieved by means of interviews, case studies, focus group analysis, linked to an industry survey. Through the use of cognitive mapping, means testing, regression modelling, factor analysis, system dynamics and structural equation modelling of the collaborated data, the personnel, plant and material knowledge areas are highlighted along with their associated attributes. Results show that the top three personnel management issues and strategies are "Adverse Health & Safety Environment", "Restricted Space Hinders Productivity", "Challenging Surrounding Environment" and "Effective Communication & Coordination, "Implement Health & Safety Protocol", "Early Contractor Involvement" respectively. Contrary to this, research has documented that the top three critical factors in the management of plant and materials, both with respect to issues and strategi.es are; "Safely Store Plant & Materials", "Contractor Spatial Conflict", "Increased Management Facilitation" and "Efficient Delivery Requirements", "Implement Site Safety Management Plans" "Effective Stakeholder Communication" respectively. Finally, the top three strategies in the management of the external environment are; "Regular External Stakeholder Communication", "Reduce Infrastructure Congestion" and "Reduce Visual/Functional Impact". It is highlighted that through effective management of the identified principle knowledge areas identified coupled with implementing the various strategies highlighted; successful management of a confined construction site can be achieved.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | coordination; personnel; construction site; communication; health & safety; material management; productivity; renewal; safety; factor analysis; structural equation modelling; case studies; focus group; interview |
| Index terms: | external stakeholder, renewal, system dynamics, early contractor involvement, structural equation modelling, strategy, construction site, regression modelling, survey, management issue, interview, personnel, focus group, testing, construction industry, stakeholder communication, coordination, cognitive mapping, factor analysis, productivity, critical factor, site safety management, confined site construction, case study |
| Subjects: | cognitive psychology, professional practice, contractual arrangements, operations management, professional development, renovation and retrofit, management, statistical analysis, industry analysis, sociology, computing systems, data collection methods, risk assessment, work location |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Human Resources, Organizational Design, Site Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Information Management, Stakeholder Management, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here