We raise a number of questions concerning the theoretical basis of construction management, and enquire into the nature of construction management theory. We highlight the dominant research paradigm in construction management, and call for attention to be paid to alternative research paradigms....

Attitudes to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) among contractors and subcontractors/specialists in the UK construction industry are analysed on the basis of an extensive survey. Positive attitudes contrasted ADR with litigation and arbitration in terms of cost, delay and damage to working...

The design and build procurement route has witnessed significant growth in the UK construction industry over the last ten years. It is now being used for both private and public sector projects of varying complexity. There are several advantages associated with this method of construction...

A combined mediation/arbitration process is unique to the People's Republic of China (PRC). This paper looks at how this amicable, out-of-court dispute resolution system works if the dispute is foreign-related, as defined under the Foreign Economic Contract Law. First, it outlines Chinese...

Recent trends in the construction industry indicate continued use of alternative procurement methods such as design-build, construction management, build-operate-transfer, and privatization. Increased use of these evolving methods produces higher levels of uncertainty with respect to long term...

Research in China into building economics is currently focused on the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market economy. Particular attention is being paid to the theoretical and practical issues arising from the economic reforms. Outside China, there is little known about the...

Thermal energy storage (TES) is recognized as an important technique for energy management in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This paper discusses the economic aspects of the optimal design for such systems. The model for optimal design so determines the sizes of the...

This paper compares the relationship between growth, investment and financing of the contracting operations with that of the housebuilding operations in the large, diversified UK construction groups during the 1980s. A graphical presentation of a financial analysis of the contracting and...

Since the Housing Act 1988, UK housing associations (HAs) have been responsible, with the removal of government grants, for funding all maintenance necessary for the upkeep of new stock over its lifespan. Sinking funds (SFs) have to be created, out of rental income, that are adequate to finance...