The Modern Construction Firm

The Modern Construction Firm
Author: Jacqueline Cannon
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 182
Release: 1990-02-06
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 134913628X

'A refreshing and useful addition to the folklore of management. All in all this is a worthwhile insight into the management views and structure of some of our leading construction companies.' - J.J. Farrow, Chartered Builder This volume describes and analyses the behaviour of large UK construction firms in the determination and implementation of their strategy. It covers, in addition to the selection of objectives and the methods for their achievement, policies on growth and diversification, finance, marketing and bidding, international operations, management and labour and subcontracting. Throughout the book the relationship is examined between the theory outlined in the companion volume and the actual behaviour of firms. The final chapter concludes with a discussion of the means to bridge the gaps which are found to exist between theory and practice.

The Economics of the Modern Construction Sector

The Economics of the Modern Construction Sector
Author: G. Ive
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 293
Release: 2000-07-31
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0230510914

This book will be of interest to built environment professionals and to students of the economics and management of the built environment. It shows the value of integrating ideas and data about the production of the built environment as an industrial process with theories and data about the demand for construction. The approach taken is institutional and post-Keynesian, and illuminates an important and distinctive sector of the economy, embracing design, construction and property industries. This book offers some new and important perspectives for research and teaching in construction economics and management.

The Economics of the Modern Construction Firm

The Economics of the Modern Construction Firm
Author: S. Gruneberg
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 326
Release: 2000-08-08
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0230510434

This is a book about the whole diverse range of firms that are found in the construction sector, about their decision-making and the economic environments in which they operate. The authors aim to provide a new and coherent perspective on these firms and the choices they have to make - both for their managers and for all who have a stake in these firms and their industry. This book offers some new and important perspectives for research and teaching about construction firms.

Modern Construction Handbook

Modern Construction Handbook
Author: Andrew Watts
Publisher: Birkhäuser
Total Pages: 505
Release: 2016-05-24
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 3035607710

Modern Construction Handbook has become a modern classic of building construction literature. In the USA, it is used as a reference work for many architectural courses. With the chapters "Material", "Wall", "Roof", "Structure", "Environment" and "Applications" it systematically explores the subject and provides a clear and efficient structure to the reader. For the fourth edition, many of the 3D illustrations have been updated and, likewise, the technical information has been brought up to date. "Applications" showcases current developments, such as those relating to mass customization manufacture of components, and presents material and construction innovations. A compact and systematic handbook filled with information, produced for students and young architects alike.

Modern Construction Economics

Modern Construction Economics
Author: Gerard de Valence
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 322
Release: 2010-11-10
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1134153686

Traditional building economics has primarily been concerned with issues around project appraisal and cost management techniques. On the other hand, modern construction economics has a wider focus with stronger links to mainstream economics, reflecting an increased interest in a range of theoretical issues in construction economics, both at the macro and micro level. In Modern Construction Economics: Theory and Application, a variety of approaches are used to present a coherent vision of synthesis between industry economics and project economics. Topics covered include: developing construction economics as idustry economics competition and barriers to entry in construction innovation in construction theory testing in construction management research collusion and corruption in the construction sector. Including contributions from academics in the UK, Sweden, Hong Kong, and Australia, this is a truly global review of a core issue for the construction industry worldwide. The result is a unique book that will push toward the development of a comprehensive theoretical framework of construction economics. This is a must-read for all serious students of construction economics, and all practitioners looking for a deeper understanding of their industry.

Modern Construction

Modern Construction
Author: Lincoln H. Forbes
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 526
Release: 2010-10-13
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1420063138

During the past several decades, the manufacturing and service industries significantly increased their levels of productivity, quality, and profitability through the application of process improvement techniques and information technology. Unfortunately, the construction industry lags far behind in the application of performance improvement and optimization techniques, as well as its overall competitiveness. Written by Lincoln H. Forbes and Syed M. Ahmed, both highly regarded for leadership and innovation, Modern Construction: Lean Project Delivery and Integrated Practices offers cutting-edge lean tools and other productive strategies for the management of people and processes in the construction industry. Drs. Forbes and Ahmed focus mainly on lean construction methodologies, such as The Last Planner(R) System, The Lean Project Delivery System (TM), and Integrated Project Delivery(TM). The tools and strategies offered draw on the success of the world-renowned Toyota Production System (TPS) adapted to the construction environment by construction professionals and researchers involved in developing and advocating lean construction methods. The book also discusses why true lean construction can best occur when all the construction stakeholders, owners, designers, constructors, and material suppliers are committed to the concept of optimizing the flow of activities holistically while de-emphasizing their self-interest. The authors also reintroduce process improvement approaches such as TQM and Six Sigma as a foundation for the adoption of lean methodologies, and demonstrate how these methods can improve projects in a so-called traditional environment. The book integrates these methods with emerging interest in "green construction" and the use of information technology and Building Information Modeling (BIM), while recognizing the human element in relation to motivation, safety, and environmental stresses. Written specifically for professionals in an industry that desperately needs to play catch up, the book delineates cutting-edge approaches with the benefit of successful cases and explains how their deployment can improve construction performance and competitiveness.

Lean Project Delivery and Integrated Practices in Modern Construction

Lean Project Delivery and Integrated Practices in Modern Construction
Author: Lincoln H. Forbes
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 613
Release: 2020-04-01
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 0429859341

Lean Project Delivery and Integrated Practices in Modern Construction is the new and enhanced edition of the pioneering book Modern Construction by Lincoln H. Forbes and Syed M. Ahmed. This book provides a multi-faceted approach for applying lean methodologies to improve design and construction processes. Recognizing the wide diversity in the landscape of projects, and encompassing private and public sector activity, buildings and infrastructure, the book expands upon the detailed coverage of integrated project delivery and new lean tools and techniques to include: Greater emphasis on the importance of creating a lean culture and the initiatives required to transform the industry; Expanded discussions of the foundational writings in lean construction theory; Exploration of the synergies between "lean" and "green" initiatives; Specific procedures for modifying planning and scheduling activities to improve the performance of the project team; Expanded sections on quality, and topics that have become a part of the lean lexicon, such as Choosing by Advantages, "line of balance"/location-based scheduling, virtual design teams, takt time planning and set-based design; Discussion questions for beginners and advanced lean practitioners; and Improved cross-referencing within the text to help the reader navigate the frameworks, techniques and tools to support the application of lean principles. The techniques described here enhance the use of resources, reducing waste, minimizing delays, increasing quality and reducing overall costs. They enable practitioners to improve the quality of the built environment, secure higher levels of customer/owner satisfaction, and simultaneously improve their profitability. This book is essential reading for all those wanting to be at the forefront of construction management and lean thinking.

Modern Construction Management

Modern Construction Management
Author: Prof. Frank Harris
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 572
Release: 2013-02-28
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1118510186

This new edition of a core undergraduate textbook for construction managers reflects current best practice, topical industry preoccupations and latest developments in courses and fundamental subjects for students. While the construction process still requires traditional skills, changes over recent decades today demand improved understanding of modern business, production and contractual practices. The authors have responded accordingly and the book has undergone a thorough re-write, eliminating some of the older material and adding new processes now considered essential to achieving lean construction. Particular emphasis is given, for example, to supply chains and networks, value and risk management, BIM, ICT, project arrangements, corporate social responsibility, training, health and welfare and environmental sustainability. Modern Construction Management presents construction as a socially responsible, innovative, carbon-reducing, manager-involved, people-orientated, crisis-free industry that is efficient and cost effective. The overall themes for the Seventh Edition are: Drivers for efficiency: lean construction underpinning production management and off-site production methods. Sustainability: reflecting the transition to a low carbon economy. Corporate Social Responsibility: embracing health & safety, modernistic contracts, effective procurement, and employment issues. Building Information Management: directed towards the improvement of construction management systems. The comprehensive selection of worked examples, based on real and practical situations in construction management and methods will help to consolidate learning. A companion website at www.wiley.com/go/MCM7 offers invaluable support material for both tutors and students: Solutions to the self-learning exercises PowerPoint slides with discussion topics Journal and web references Structured to reflect site, business and corporate responsibilities of managers in construction, the book continues to provide strong coverage of the salient elements required for developing and equipping the modern construction manager with the competencies and skills for both technical and business related areas.

Modern Construction Economics

Modern Construction Economics
Author: Gerard de Valence
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2010-11-10
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1134153694

Modern construction economics has a wider focus than was previously the case, with stronger links to mainstream economics reflecting increasing interest in a range of theoretical issues. This book brings together the essential reviews of this trend and pushes towards the development of a comprehensive theoretical framework for construction economics.

Modern Construction Envelopes

Modern Construction Envelopes
Author: Andrew Watts
Publisher: Birkhäuser
Total Pages: 524
Release: 2014-01-21
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 399043604X

The second edition of Modern Construction Envelopes was originally based on the two books by Andrew Watts, Modern Construction Roofs and Modern Construction Facades . Both volumes were gathered into one single volume and consolidated in terms of content, which permits the consideration of facades and roofs as envelopes. Using current examples by renowned architects, Watts presents the constructive and material-related details. This presentation is based on a text, photos, and standardized detail drawings, as well as 3D representations of the components. The new edition has 3D views that are easier to understand than the first edition, with sharper images and more key explanations.