Culture in International Construction

Culture in International Construction
Author: Wilco Tijhuis
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2012-06-26
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1134028040

Recent research has generated profound insights into international differences in business culture. This new work presents up-to-date theory and practical guidance, identifying situations in which cultural differences present challenges. A focus on 'critical incidents', demonstrated in a range of case studies will help readers to foresee such situations in their own projects and processes, and so improve strategic and operational decision-making in construction collaborations.

People and Culture in Construction

People and Culture in Construction
Author: Andrew Dainty
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 404
Release: 2007-05-07
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1134274645

Construction is one of the largest and most people-intensive industrial sectors. In many countries, however, construction is also one of the most highly criticized in terms of its employment practices and industrial relations. People and culture are too often seen as variables that must be manipulated in the cause of improved productivity. This important new work provides an essential corrective to the current literature by focusing on people and culture rather than sector efficiency. It presents the latest thinking from a diversity of perspectives derived from a major ESRC seminar series and invited contributions from leading researchers. Its interdisciplinary approach draws together industry and research and is international in its relevance. Through several multidisciplinary themes, People and Culture in Construction: explores the industry's labour market and the major influences on employment patterns examines how to improve the image and reality of the construction sector as an employer looks at the forces shaping the industry and implications for its stability considers the current composition of the workforce and the potential impacts of workforce diversification analyzes the impact of government targets and policies on construction working practices and culture investigates how to address the skills shortfall currently affecting the industry's performance.

Inter/Cultural Communication

Inter/Cultural Communication
Author: Anastacia Kurylo
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Total Pages: 497
Release: 2012-07-23
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1452289492

Today, students are more familiar with other cultures than ever before because of the media, Internet, local diversity, and their own travels abroad. Using a social constructionist framework, Inter/Cultural Communication provides today's students with a rich understanding of how culture and communication affect and effect each other. Weaving multiple approaches together to provide a comprehensive understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of cultural and intercultural communication, this text helps students become more aware of their own identities and how powerful their identities can be in facilitating change—both in their own lives and in the lives of others.

Cross-Cultural Management and Quality Performance

Cross-Cultural Management and Quality Performance
Author: Yomi Babatunde
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 449
Release: 2015-01-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9812873627

This book explores China’s global competitiveness in the building of infrastructures with a particular interest in the resource-rich African countries. The book begins with a comprehensive literature review on total quality management (TQM) and national culture, followed by reviews of the construction industries in China and Nigeria. This provides better understanding of the linkages between TQM, based on the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 9000 quality management systems (QMS), and national culture, based on Emeritus Professor Geert Hofstede’s national cultural dimensions. Premised on the culture-specificity and bi-directionality relationships between TQM and national culture, this book investigates the construction industries in China and Nigeria including their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) as well as an appraisal of their historical and emerging relationships. In its conceptual approach, this book presents different models in the lead up to its primary theoretical contribution of a quality management assessment model (QMAM) that was adopted during the study’s field work. The book also presents relevant lessons relating to cross cultural management and quality performance not only to the Nigerians but also other foreign players in Nigeria’s construction industry.

Construction Conflict Management and Resolution

Construction Conflict Management and Resolution
Author: P. Fenn
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 464
Release: 2003-09-02
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1135827060

This book brings together over 40 papers presented at the 1992 International Construction Conflict Management & Resolution Conference held in Manchester, UK. Six themes are covered, including alternative dispute resolution, conflict management, claims procedures, litigation and arbitration, international construction, and education and the future. With papers from arbitrators, architects, barristers, civil engineers, chartered surveyors and solicitors, this book represents the first multi-disciplinary body of knowledge on Construction Conflict and will act as a unique source of reference for both legal and construction professionals.

Knowledge Management in Construction

Knowledge Management in Construction
Author: Chimay J. Anumba
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 243
Release: 2008-04-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0470759526

A key problem facing the construction industry is that all work is done by transient project teams, and in the past there has been no structured approach to learning from projects once they are completed. Now, though, the industry is adapting concepts of knowledge management to improve the situation. This book brings together 13 contributors from research and industry to show how managing construction knowledge can bring real benefits to organisations and projects. It covers a wide range of issues, from basic definitions and fundamental concepts, to the role of information technology, and engendering a knowledge sharing culture. Practical examples from construction and other industry sectors are used throughout to illustrate the various dimensions of knowledge management. The challenges of implementing knowledge management are outlined and the ensuing benefits highlighted.

International Construction

International Construction
Author: Mark Mawhinney
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 250
Release: 2008-04-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0470680350

A recent construction project in Singapore involved a Russian plant, a Japanese management team, Australian and Italian engineers, Thai steel workers and a labour force from throughout Asia ... The recent growth explosion of multi-nationals and the lowering of trade barriers is pushing the globalization of construction at a startling pace. Mark Mawhinney has brought together for the first time, advice, information and evidence on this developing arena from a wide range of sources. This book offers a clear understanding of the international construction market and an explanation of what knowledge is required to operate successfully in it. It also helps readers become familiar with some of the analytical tools available. Drawing on both contractor and consultant case studies and including a practical 'hints and signposts' section, International Construction provides a lively and informed introduction for construction professionals moving into international work.

Successful Construction Supply Chain Management

Successful Construction Supply Chain Management
Author: Stephen Pryke
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 382
Release: 2020-02-25
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1119450683

Provides a unique overview of supply chain management (SCM) concepts, illustrating how the methodology can help enhance construction industry project success This book provides a unique appraisal of supply chain management (SCM) concepts brought together with lessons from industry and analysis gathered from extensive research on how supply chains are managed in the construction industry. The research from leading international academics has been drawn together with the experience from some of the industry's foremost SCM practitioners to provide both the experienced researcher and the industry practitioner a thorough grounding in its principles, as well as an illustration of SCM as a methodology for enhancing construction industry project success. The new edition of Successful Construction Supply Chain Management: Concepts and Case Studies incorporate chapters dealing with Building Information Modelling, sustainability, the ‘Demand Chain' in projects, the link between self-organizing networks and supply chains, decision-making, ‘Lean,’ and mega-projects. Other chapters cover risk transfer and allocation, behaviors, innovation, trust, supply chain design, alliances, and knowledge transfer. Supply Chain Management techniques have been used successfully in various industries, such as manufacturing and food processing, for decades Fully updated with new chapters dealing with key construction industry topics such as BIM, sustainability, the ‘Demand Chain' in projects, ‘Lean,’ mega-projects, and more Includes contributions from well established academics and practitioners from Network Rail, mainstream construction, and consultancy Illustrates how SCM methodologies can be used to enhance construction industry project success Successful Construction Supply Chain Management: Concepts and Case Studies is an ideal book for postgraduate students at MSc and PhD level studying the topic and for all construction management practitioners.

The International Compendium of Construction Contracts

The International Compendium of Construction Contracts
Author: Phillip Greenham
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
Total Pages: 1315
Release: 2021-05-10
Genre: Law
ISBN: 3110712784

This book examines how the most commonly used construction project contracts are applied in a range of countries around the world. The specific situation of each of the almost 40 countries studies is dealt with in a dedicated chapter, allowing for easy comparison between differing legal and commercial environments. Each chapter contextualizes the relevant contracts within the legal and commercial systems prevalent in a particular country and examines a number of common issues impacting construction projects around the world. This unique book will be an essential resource for construction law specialists around the world because of its focus on commonly used contracts and the contextualizing of these contracts into the legal and commercial environment of each studied country. All contributions are from practicing construction project lawyers ensuring that the quality of the information and analysis is of the highest standard.

Understanding Organisational Culture in the Construction Industry

Understanding Organisational Culture in the Construction Industry
Author: Vaughan Coffey
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 398
Release: 2010-01-28
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1134093349

Since the early 1980s, researchers and practitioners in the organisational and management fields have presumed a link between organisational, or corporate, culture and organisational performance. Whilst many believe this exists, other authors have been critical of the validity of such studies. Part of this doubt stems from a reliance on measures of organisational performance that are based purely on financial measures of business growth. Using the construction industry as the subject of his research, Vaughan Coffey traces the development of the literature on organisational culture and business effectiveness and investigates the culture-performance link using a new and highly objective measure of company performance and an evaluation of organisational culture, which is largely behaviourally-based. Providing a theoretical contribution to the field, this work shows that various cultural traits appear to be closely linked to objectively measured organisational effectiveness. This book will be valuable to professionals and researchers in the fields of management and public policy. It indicates directions for construction companies to develop and change, and in doing so strengthen their chances of remaining strong when opportunities for work might deplete and only the most successful companies will be able to survive.