Ghadar, K O (2017) An examination of PERT implementation in the Libyan construction industry. PhD thesis, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK.
Abstract
Construction projects regularly face scheduling, cost control, risk management, and planning problems, causing the projects to finish beyond their predetermined due date; this is a global phenomenon. However, such significant challenges are increasing in the context of developing countries, including Libya. Previous research by Greenwood, Abubaker and Osborne (2008) on the construction industry in Libya has shown that many factors contribute to project delay, and the effect of these may be mitigated by employing effective project management (PM) techniques, including Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). However, to date, there has been no previous in-depth research on PM techniques like PERT in Libya. Thus, the main aim of this study was to investigate the extent of PERT implementation by construction projects in Libya through identifying the benefits and the barriers of such a technique in PM. Based on a mixed method design and a pragmatic philosophical approach, this study employed an exploratory sequential dominant status typology to achieve its objectives. It involved two separate, but integrated phases. The first phase was quantitative research based on a simple random sample of 300 managers/contractors from the construction sector in Libya, who completed a questionnaire. The main aim of this phase was to test the hypothesized relationships between the four constructs of the conceptual framework: PERT implementation, benefits of PERT, barriers to PERT, and project-delay factors. The second phase was qualitative in nature based on a purposive sample, in which 12 managers/engineers from the construction companies participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. The aim of this phase was to explain the findings of the first phase by interviewing managers and engineers. The qualitative data were transcribed, coded and then thematically analysed. The qualitative findings confirmed the infrequent implementation of PERT in the construction industry in Libya, as Gantt chart is the most frequent and effective tool used by Libyan construction sector. Additionally, the respondents perceived many benefits of PERT implementation, including: effective communication, cost control, planning scheduling, time management, and risk management related benefits. However, there are many barriers to PERT implementations perceived by managers/engineers. These barriers include lack of resources and training, e.g., required skills, related training, and the disadvantages of PERT, e.g., complex and time consuming. This is the first in-depth study on PERT implementation in the Libyan construction sector. It contributes to knowledge by providing an in-depth investigation of the current situation of PERT implementation regarding its perceived benefits and barriers, and its role in mitigating the factors of project delay. This could inform the development of future use implementation of project management (PM) techniques and tools, in particular, PERT, in the Libyan construction sector. Finally, this study developed a range of recommendations, including a theoretical best practice framework, limitations, and future research opportunities.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | developing countries; interview; Libya; project management techniques; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | cost control, construction project, questionnaire, conceptual framework, construction sector, project delay, Libya, manager, developing country, interview, scheduling, face, construction company, survey, programme, best practice, investigation, risk management, construction industry, implementation, project management, time management, quantitative research, mixed method, project management technique, engineer |
| Subjects: | financial and cost management, data analysis and analytics, business, data collection methods, profession, risk assessment, industry analysis, project controls, project management theory and practice, contractual arrangements, operations management, operations research, psychology, practitioner, organization, development economics, production management, Geography, theoretical framing |
| Topics: | International Construction, Organizational Design, Time Control, Research Practice, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions, Project Management, Geographical Context, Procurement, Risk Management |
| 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