Health and safety on construction sites in Ghana

The state of health and safety on construction sites in Ghana was investigated using first hand observation of fourteen (14) construction project sites in 2009 and 2010. At each site, the construction project, workers and the physical environment of the site were inspected and evaluated against health and safety indicators taken from the literature. The results reveal a poor state of health and safety on Ghanaian construction sites. The primary reasons are a lack of strong institutional framework for governing construction activities and poor enforcement of health and safety policies and procedures. Also, Ghanaian society does not place a high premium on health and safety of construction workers on site. Interviews with workers indicated that injuries and accidents are common on sites. However, compensation for injury is often at the discretion of the contractor although collective bargaining agreements between Labour unions and employers prescribe obligations for the contractor in the event of injury to a worker.

The price of risk in construction projects: contingency approximation model (CAM)

Little attention has been focussed on a precise definition and evaluation mechanism for project management risk specifically related to contractors. When bidding, contractors traditionally price risks using unsystematic approaches. The high business failure rate our industry records may indicate that the current unsystematic mechanisms contractors use for building up contingencies may be inadequate. The reluctance of some contractors to include a price for risk in their tenders when bidding for work competitively may also not be a useful approach. Here, instead, we first define the meaning of contractor contingency, and then we develop a facile quantitative technique that contractors can use to estimate a price for project risk. This model will help contractors analyse their exposure to project risks; and help them express the risk in monetary terms for management action. When bidding for work, they can decide how to allocate contingencies strategically in a way that balances risk and reward.

Practicing sustainability in PFI project management

This paper investigates the relationship of the project management in Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and sustainability. A live PFI project is selected as a case study, where contract review and monitoring on project management are carried out to evaluate the sustainability of project management. The PFI procurement shows great advantages in increased contractual responsibilities of the contractor in sustainable construction, and also in practicing sustainability in project management. Six main sustainable attributes of the project management are selected to evaluate the sustainability of project management in the PFI project. The project management process in the case study is closely monitored in order to verify how the PFI project promotes sustainability in practice. The project management in the different stages of the PFI project, including tendering, design, construction and operation, contributes to the six sustainable attributes in different ways. The project management in PFI project paid more attention in sustainable development during its whole process. As the private sector is responsible to the whole life of the building project, the project manager has to consider the long-term benefits during the management process. The government should take advantages of PFI project management in practicing sustainability therefore to promote sustainable development of the national infrastructure services.

Implementing ‘Site BIM’: a case study of ICT innovation on a large hospital project

Numerous Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools are well established and potentially beneficial in certain uses. However, issues of adoption and implementation persist, particularly for on-site use of BIM tools in the construction phase. We describe an empirical case-study of the implementation of an innovative ‘Site BIM’ system on a major hospital construction project. The main contractor on the project developed BIM-enabled tools to allow site workers using mobile tablet personal computers to access design information and to capture work quality and progress data on-site. Accounts show that ‘Site BIM’, while judged to be successful and actively supporting users, was delivered through an exploratory and emergent development process of informal prototyping. Technical IT skills were adopted into the construction project through personal relationships and arrangements rather than formal processes. Implementation was driven by construction project employees rather than controlled centrally by the corporate IT function.

Nexus between contracting and construction professional service businesses: empirical evidence from international market

he construction market around the world has witnessed the growing eminence of construction professional services (CPSs), such as urban planning, architecture, engineering, and consultancy, while the traditional contracting sector remains strong. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see a design firm taking over the work of a traditional main contractor, or vice versa, of overseeing the delivery of a project. Although the two sectors of contracting and CPS share the same purpose of materializing the built environment, they are as different as they are interrelated. Much has been mentioned about the nexus between the two but little has been done to articulate it using empirical evidence. This study examined the nexus between contracting and CPS businesses by offering and testing lead-lag effects between the two sectors in the international market. A longitudinal panel data composed of 23 top international contractors and CPS firms was adopted. Surprisingly, results of the panel data analyses show that CPS business does not have a significant positive causal effect on contracting as a downstream business, and vice versa. CPS and contracting subsidiaries, although within the same company, do not necessarily form a consortium to undertake the same project; rather, they often collaborate with other CPS or contracting counterparts to undertake projects. This paper provides valuable insights into the sophisticated nexus between contracting and CPS in the international construction market. It will support business executives’ rational decision making for selecting proper contracting or CPS allies, or a proper mergers and acquisitions strategy in the international market. The paper also provides a fresh perspective through which researchers can better investigate the diversification strategies adopted by international contracting and CPS firms.

Microbes central to human reproduction

As studies uncover the breadth of microbes associated with human life, opportunities will emerge to manipulate and augment their functions in ways that improve health and longevity. From involvement in the complexities of reproduction and fetal/infant development, to delaying the onset of disease, and indeed countering many maladies, microbes offer hope for human well-being. Evidence is emerging to suggest that microbes may play a beneficial role in body sites traditionally viewed as being sterile. Although further evidence is required, we propose that much of medical dogma is about to change significantly through recognition and understanding of these hitherto unrecognized microbe–host interactions. A meeting of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics held in Aberdeen, Scotland (June 2014), presented new views and challenged established concepts on the role of microbes in reproduction and health of the mother and infant. This article summarizes some of the main aspects of these discussions.

Scoring rules and abnormally low bids criteria in construction tenders: a taxonomic review

In the global construction context, the best value or most economically advantageous tender is becoming a widespread approach for contractor selection, as an alternative to other traditional awarding criteria such as the lowest price. In these multi-attribute tenders, the owner or auctioneer solicits proposals containing both a price bid and additional technical features. Once the proposals are received, each bidder’s price bid is given an economic score according to a scoring rule, generally called an economic scoring formula (ESF) and a technical score according to pre-specified criteria. Eventually, the contract is awarded to the bidder with the highest weighted overall score (economic + technical). However, economic scoring formula selection by auctioneers is invariably and paradoxically a highly intuitive process in practice, involving few theoretical or empirical considerations, despite having been considered traditionally and mistakenly as objective, due to its mathematical nature. This paper provides a taxonomic classification of a wide variety of ESFs and abnormally low bids criteria (ALBC) gathered in several countries with different tendering approaches. Practical implications concern the optimal design of price scoring rules in construction contract tenders, as well as future analyses of the effects of the ESF and ALBC on competitive bidding behaviour.

Alex E. Davis, Graduate of the New York Trade School

Alexander Davis, Jr., a graduate of the Carpentry program of the New York Trade School in 1955 is shown working. Original caption reads, "Carpenter Contractor, Alex E. Davis Builder, Easton, Pa. Alexander Davis, Jr. - Carpentry 1955. The remodeling of old and building of new houses etc., offers many opportunities for success. Mr. Davis is shown hanging a new door on a building." Black and white photograph with caption glued to reverse.

O uso do computador na orcamentacao e controle de custos na construcao : estudo de casos

O trabalho relata o papel do orçamento como documento mediador entre empresa e cliente e ainda, como fonte de informações durante a obra, destacando as principais dificuldades na tarefa de orçar.

Análise dos aspectos envolvidos na condução de contratos de terceirização de tecnologia da informação

Terceirização de Serviços de Tecnologia da Informação (TI) é uma prática crescente entre organizações de diversos portes e setores, onde uma relação entre contratante e contratado usualmente regida por contratos. Contratos são dispositivos destinados a regular obrigações e direitos entre as partes. Em função da impossibilidade das partes preverem todas as contingências futuras e também devido à imprecisão da linguagem escrita, contratos são usualmente reconhecidos em Economia como sendo fundamentalmente incompletos. Disso se origina a possibilidade de classificar contratos como predominantemente formais, aqueles cuja estrutura escrita apresenta mecanismos de completude suficiente para conduzir o relacionamento entre as partes, e predominantemente relacionais, aqueles cuja estrutura formal é insuficiente para coordenar o relacionamento, e que demandam mecanismos adicionais de comunicação e interação para que o relacionamento entre as partes ocorra de adequadamente em torno do objeto contratado. Dentre os mecanismos usados em contratos formais para sinalizar às partes os comportamentos desejados, inclui-se a estrutura de incentivos. Pouco se estudou sobre o efeito que a combinação de estruturas de incentivos e mecanismos relacionais tem sobre o andamento dos contratos. Este estudo analisa os efeitos de mecanismos formais de estruturas de incentivos e os mecanismos relacionais sobre o andamento do contrato, usando como contexto o cenário de contratações de serviços de terceirização de Tecnologia da Informação (TI). Como resultados dos três capítulos principais deste estudo, configurados no formato de artigos acadêmicos, são apresentados altos poderes explicativos das interações entre estruturas de incentivos, governança relacional, comportamento do contratado e expectativa de sucesso dos contratos. Da mesma forma, antecedentes e resultantes são analisados e discutidos. Do ponto de vista da contribuição para a prática gerencial, o trabalho como um todo contribui para melhorar decisões de contratação de serviços de TI, formulação de contratos mais efetivos, e apoio na escolha dos mecanismos de contratação mais adequados ao contexto do contratante.

Motivações para a verticalização logística na indústria de bens de consumo : um estudo de caso sobre a Coca-Cola Andina Brasil

As organizações são alvos constantes de mudanças impostas por fatores que exigem rápidas e consistentes decisões para se manterem competitivas. A estratégia que melhor explora os recursos e as competências como forma de obtenção de vantagens competitivas sustentáveis pode estar dentro ou fora das fronteiras organizacionais. Este trabalho tem como objetivo identificar e avaliar as razões que levaram uma indústria de bebidas à migração de um modelo de distribuição terceirizado para um verticalmente integrado. Para tal, foi realizado um estudo de caso que permitiu avaliar o comportamento dos transportadores na ótica do contratante, e o processo de análise e implementação desse projeto de verticalização. Com os resultados obtidos foi possível avaliar as vantagens e riscos desse novo modelo, explorando o cruzamento entre as contribuições teóricas e empíricas. Portanto, ampliamos a visão da academia e dos executivos sobre a decisão de sourcing, e exploramos os aspectos estratégicos desse complexo e importante processo decisório.

Alterações qualitativas em contratos de obra pública e a teoria econômica dos contratos incompletos : é possível construir um avião em pleno voo?

Não é de hoje que o país assiste à descoberta de incontáveis casos de desvios de recursos públicos ou mesmo à má gestão de contratos de obra pública que ocasionam, além de grave prejuízo ao Erário, danos à sociedade, muitas vezes desprovida da utilidade que seria proporcionada pelo pactuado. Essas condutas normalmente são ensejadas por projetos de engenharia que podem ser considerados meras peças de ficção, pois não representam o esforço correto para a execução do bem que se deseja construir. A Lei nº 8.666/93 permite a licitação com base em projeto básico, o que, segundo a atual onda de pensamento brasileira, seja da doutrina, dos órgãos de controle, do Poder Legislativo e até mesmo da mídia, é, de fato, um sério problema a ser enfrentado, pois a sua contratação dá margem a aditivos, entendidos como os grandes vilões das obras públicas. Por isso, o Tribunal de Contas da União vem decidindo no sentido de fortemente restringir a possibilidade de alteração contratual e, além disso, tem capitaneado projetos no Congresso Nacional que visam praticamente à extinção da empreitada por preço unitário, espécie contratual na qual o risco do projeto, ainda sem as definições necessárias, acaba por ser assumido pela Administração contratante, responsável pela elaboração, e não pelo seu executor. Contudo, no caso de obras complexas de infraestrutura, deve-se perquirir se essa postura, que pretende acabar com a margem decisória do gestor público quanto à extensão da incompletude do projeto básico - e, portanto, do objeto do contrato -, merece ser repensada, não com vistas a possibilitar os recorrentes danos, mas no caminho de uma melhor programação das ações estatais. Isso porque nessas hipóteses, a busca por todas as informações necessárias para a confecção do projeto a ser ao final executado, no momento da elaboração do edital, ou é muito custosa ou simplesmente não é possível. Assim, seria mais eficiente a contratação integrada, prevista na Lei do Regime Diferenciado de Contratação, na qual o risco do projeto pode se alocado ao contratado. Ocorre que, como existem restrições, nem sempre é viável esse caminho. Nessa ordem de ideias, deve-se encontrar uma solução para que o tradicional contrato de obra pública supere os seus graves problemas de incentivos. A proposta do presente trabalho é a introdução de um procedimento de tomada de decisão transparente, que confira segurança jurídica e amplo conhecimento da sociedade, além de livre acesso aos órgãos de controle, a partir de critérios não apenas jurídicos, mas econômicos e técnicos.

Relações interorganizacionais e confiança no setor da carcinicultura: um estudo de caso na camanor produtos marinhos

This study investigated how the types of confidence based on competence and good will act in the formation and maintenance of cooperation relationships between the Camanor and its partners (Aquatec, Purina, Caçuá, Uvifrios and Malta / Cleyton). It used organizational approaches on networks based primarily on studies of Powell (1987, 1990), Das and Teng (2000, 2001), Child (2001) and Contractor and Lorange (2004) which have described the advantages that cooperative relationships can provide, as well as their limits as alternative governance structures. Confidence has been considered an important factor affecting the actions and development of organizations involved in networks or in strategic alliances (ZAHEER; HARRIS, 2006) and is the most appropriate control mechanism in these situations (SYDOW, 1998). Confidence is seen from two different approaches: the economic and the sociological (ZAHEER; HARRIS, 2006). To facilitate the understanding of confidence some typologies have been created, as proposed by Barney and Hansen (1994), Lane (1998), Das and Teng (2000), Child (2001) and Wever, Martens and Vandenbempt (2005). This study made use of the case study as proposition of Yin (2005). Semi-structured interviews were held with pre-determined routes, in a single stage performed in early 2008. The research subjects were owners and / or responsible for Camanor and its business partners (Aquatec, Purina, Caçuá, Uvifrios and Malta / Cleyton). Also secondary data were collected in several sites related to the industry and enterprises studied, in addition to data collected by previous studies conducted by CARCINEREDES (2006). The primary data were analyzed using the analysing technique of the content proposed by Bardin (1994). Regarding the secondary data, they were qualitatively analyzed according to documentary analysis technique (BARDIN, 1994). Thus, through the data collected, could be concluded that although there is confidence based on good faith in relationships(UZZI, 1998; OF; TENG, 2001), their presence does not determine the formation and / or maintenance of a partnership, serves only in order to facilitate the relationship, making them more flexible. The confidence based on competence (DAS; TENG, 2001) influenced the formation and maintenance of relations studied. Because whether or not to form a relationship with another organization it is used the perception of the partner acts, namely the reputation (image) as decision basis. And it is through the verification of the performance of the partner activities that will determine the continuation of the partnership