The human resource management literature has covered the issues relating to labour market flexibility (LMF), and highlighted a trend in many sectors towards increasing reliance on peripheral workers. Construction has been cited as a model in terms of its ability to exploit the benefits of LMF in...

German construction companies traditionally rely on qualified workers. This has influenced both their production model (work organization on site) and their policy towards training and education. Due to the massive inflow of workers from countries with low labour costs, firms may fundamentally...

The construction industry in Taiwan is reaching the turning point of industry upgrade and is confronted by such problems as slow productivity growth; increases in labour costs, and awareness of environmental protection requirements. In addition, Taiwan is vigorously preparing to join the World...

Recent developments in the construction sector in the Asian region demonstrate three trends: (1) larger private sector participation in infrastructure projects, (2) increasing vertical integration in the packaging of construction projects, and (3) increased foreign participation in domestic...

The procurement of a construction contractor normally involves some form of prequalification. The better prequalification regimes adopt a structured multi-criteria approach (i.e. contractor evaluation based on a multiple of factors over and above cost). This research solicits contractors'...

This paper reviews the viability of applying a risk management process to enhance capital investment decisions, when planning the construction of an extra-high voltage (EHV) overhead transmission line project that could be designed and built in the next 10 years by China Light & Power Company...

This paper reports research aimed at the establishment of a model of interdependence between the construction sector and the national economy, based on a long term trend, for the developing countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. This study follows research undertaken by previous writers who have...

Repetitive activities are found commonly in the construction of high-rise buildings, pipeline networks and highway and housing projects. Construction crews assigned to these activities often perform the work sequentially, moving from one repetitive unit in the project to the next. Because of...

Using a case study approach involving four refurbishment projects from both the construction and shipping industries (hospital, warship, hotel and passenger ship), 36 semi-structured interviews with key functionaries from both sectors and 49 completed postal questionnaires, this paper attempts...

Builders merchants are an integral part of the construction industry, yet rarely are they consulted when discussions take place on the future of the construction industry. Throughout history, builders merchants have played a dominant role in the construction industry, initially as an...