The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has gained increasing attention in construction management (CM) domain as a technique to analyze complex situations and make sound decisions. However, AHP per se or its potential applications on CM problems are ill-defined within extant literature. The present paper reviews 77 AHP-based papers published in eight selected peer-reviewed CM journals from 2004 to 2014 to better define and delineate AHP application areas and decision-making problems solved within CM. The findings indicated that risk management and sustainable construction were the most popular AHP application areas in CM. It was also revealed that AHP (1) is flexible and can be used as a stand-alone tool or in conjunction with other tools to resolve construction decision-making problems; and (2) is widely used in Asia. In addition, the most prominent justifications for using AHP were found to be small sample size, high level of consistency, simplicity and availability of user-friendly software. This paper provides a useful reference for researchers and practitioners interested in the application of AHP in CM. Future research is needed to compare and contrast between AHP and other multicriteria decision-making methods; such work could reveal which techniques provide optimized solutions under various decision-making scenarios.
The development of efficient and strategic anti-corruption measures can be better achieved if a deeper understanding and identification of the causes of corruption are established. Over the past years, many studies have been devoted to the research of corruption in construction management (CM). This has resulted in a significant increase in the body of knowledge on the subject matter, including the causative factors triggering these corrupt practices. However, an apropos systematic assessment of both past and current studies on the subject matter which is needful for the future endeavor is lacking. Moreover, there is an absence of unified view of the causative factors of corruption identified in construction project management (CPM). This paper, therefore, presents a comprehensive review of the causes of corruption from selected articles in recognized construction management journals to address the mentioned gaps. A total number of 44 causes of corruption were identified from 37 publications and analyzed in terms of existing causal factors of corruption, annual trend of publications and the thematic categorization of the identified variables. The most identifiable causes were over close relationships, poor professional ethical standards, negative industrial and working conditions, negative role models and inadequate sanctions. A conceptual framework of causes of corruption was established, after categorizing the 44 variables into five unique categories. In descending order, the five constructs are Psychosocial-Specific Causes, Organizational-Specific Causes, Regulatory-Specific Causes, Project-Specific Causes and Statutory-Specific Causes. This study extends the current literature of corruption research in construction management and contributes to a deepened understanding of the causal instigators of corruption identified in CPM. The findings from this study provide valuable information and extended knowledge to industry practitioners and policymakers as well as anti-corruption agencies in the formulation and direction of anti-corruption measures. To corruption researchers in CM, this study is vital for further research.
Construction supply chains are subject to much more disruptive forces than before, and the heightened risk exposure of supply chains calls for greater resilience. Focusing on Industrialised Construction (IC), this study examines how more resilient supply chains can be better developed through a deeper understanding and clear identification of key vulnerabilities that are commonly encountered. Therefore, this study employed a systematic review of the Supply Chain Vulnerabilities (SCV) related literature and conducted a thematic analysis to categorise the variables identified. The results revealed 37 SCV in IC and mapped the trend in the research publications by the year, country, and methodological approaches adopted in previous research. This study contributes to a deep understanding of the vulnerabilities that retard the performance of supply chains through reviewing and consolidating the state -of-theart literature on SCV in IC. The findings highlight major vulnerabilities that need to be addressed by (a) introducing appropriate capability initiatives to counter these SCV and develop value-enhanced resilient supply chains in IC and (b) developing an envisaged action framework for addressing the identified SCV in IC to provide a launchpad for further research and development.
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