Mahjoubpour, B; Nasirzadeh, F; Mohammad Hosein Zadeh Golabchi, M; Ramezani Khajehghiasi, M and Mir, M (2018) Modeling of workers' learning behavior in construction projects using agent-based approach: The case study of a steel structure project. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 25(4), pp. 559-573. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Learning as the way in which labor acquire new knowledge and skills has important strategic implications for the competitive advantage of an organization. The purpose of this paper is to present an agent-based modeling (ABM) approach to investigate the learning behavior of workers. The effect of interactions among different workers as well as the factors affecting the workers' learning behavior is assessed using the proposed ABM approach. Design/methodology/approach: For this purpose, the processes through which the competency value of worker is changed are understood and the workers' learning behavior is modeled, taking account of various influencing factors such as knowledge flow, social ability to teach and forgetting factor. Findings: The proposed model is implemented on a real steel structure project to evaluate its applicability and performance. The variation in the competency value of different workers involved in the project is simulated over time taking account of all the influencing factors using the proposed ABM approach. Practical implications: In order to assess the effect of interactions among welders as well as the welders' characteristics on their learning behavior, the competence value of different welders is evaluated. Originality/value: This research presents an ABM approach to investigate the workers' learning behavior. To evaluate the performance of the proposed ABM approach, it was implemented on a real steel structure project. The learning behavior of different welders (agents) was simulated taking account of their interactions as well as the factors affecting the welders' learning behavior. The project involved the welding of a 240-ton steel structure. The initial project duration was estimated as 100 days. In this project, it has been planned to execute the welding process using three different welders namely welder A, B and C.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | agent-based modelling; construction projects; labour force; learning behaviour; simulation; social interaction |
| Index terms: | agent-based modelling, case study, influencing factor, competitive advantage, steel structure, social interaction, welder, modelling, interaction, duration, labour force, knowledge flow, agent, construction project, competence, variation, methodology |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, risk assessment, practitioner, modelling and simulation, analytical methods, knowledge management, specialized materials and systems, research methods, economics, personnel development, production management, contractual condition, sociology, project controls, market analysis, behavioral psychology |
| Topics: | Construction Materials, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Supply Chain Management, Human Resources, Time Control, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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