Hajiashrafi, R (2025) Streamlined shapley value models for contribution-based compensation allocation in scheduling networks in construction project management. PhD thesis, Catholic University of America, USA.
Abstract
Equitably allocating bonuses and liquidated damages among subcontractors in construction projects presents significant challenges, particularly due to the computational complexity and inefficiencies of traditional game-theoretic methods like the Shapley Value. This dissertation introduces innovative, streamlined methodologies rooted in cooperative game theory that address these challenges across various scheduling contexts, significantly enhancing fairness and computational practicality in construction project management.In Chapter 2, the research presents a streamlined calculation model for Shapley Values tailored specifically for concurrent construction activities. Unlike traditional methods that require exhaustive enumeration of all possible coalitions, the streamlined approach efficiently determines the Shapley Value by leveraging a direct calculation formula. This method accurately captures subcontractor contributions, significantly reduces computational overhead, and is more practical for adoption in real-world construction projects.Chapter 3 extends the streamlined Shapley Value calculations beyond purely concurrent structures, introducing a novel cluster-based approach. This methodology transforms complex scheduling networks into manageable finish-to-start clusters, enabling localized computation of Shapley Values. The cluster-based approach maintains fairness across complex interdependencies among activities while ensuring computational feasibility and accuracy, making it suitable for diverse, real-world construction scheduling scenarios.Chapter 4 introduces a dynamic decision-making framework focused on proactively managing acceleration decisions to optimize bonus shares and mitigate delays. Utilizing time-scaled decision trees and binary decision models, this approach systematically evaluates potential payoffs and risks associated with various project acceleration strategies. It offers project managers actionable insights to dynamically respond to project schedule deviations and actively manage project outcomes.Collectively, these contributions provide a robust, efficient, and fair framework for managing compensation allocations in construction projects, bridging theoretical game theory concepts with practical applicability and enhancing project delivery performance.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Lucko, G |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | accuracy; complexity; concurrent construction; construction activities; game theory; liquidated damages; project delivery; scheduling; subcontractor |
| Index terms: | liquidated damages, accuracy, game theory, strategy, scheduling, subcontractor, complexity, computation, construction project, methodology, decision-making, project outcome, deviation, construction activity, construction scheduling, project manager, acceleration, project delivery, compensation, dissertation, concurrent construction, construction project management, decision tree, fairness |
| Subjects: | profession, computational methods, dispute resolution, project delivery, financial and cost management, decision models, management, professional development, project management theory and practice, project controls, decision analysis, systems engineering, research dissemination and communication, project completion, practitioner, operations management, operations research, construction operations, research methods, production management, contractual remedy, leadership |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Risk Management, Procurement, Digital Applications, Contract Administration, Time Control, Site Management, Organizational Design, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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