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Article
Publication date: 1 September 2005

Goh Choon Hua, Willy Sher and Low Sui Pheng

Studies on communication in the construction industry have generally concentrated on the briefing process and the construction process. However, studies on communication problems…

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Abstract

Purpose

Studies on communication in the construction industry have generally concentrated on the briefing process and the construction process. However, studies on communication problems experienced by building clients' and maintenance contractors' representatives in the field of facilities management are less common. Thus, there is a need for studies of effective communication in facilities management, particularly between building clients' and maintenance contractors' representatives as these provide a valuable contribution to the area. Aims to fultil this need.

Design/methodology/approach

A maintenance contracting organization and four of its clients were selected for this research. A total of 44 project participants from the building clients and a maintenance contractor were interviewed in Singapore.

Findings

The findings suggested that, for effective communication, project participants have to be continuously proactive, even though communication may initially be ineffective. Reactive responses will result in ineffective communication at a later stage, even though communication may initially be effective.

Research limitations/implications

The study identified two additional areas for further research that are mainly related to facilities management. These are modes of communication and communication distance between building users and craftsmen.

Practical implications

The research documented in this paper investigates the factors affecting effective communication between building clients and maintenance contractors. A better understanding of these factors would help to reduce miscommunication and enhance productivity and working relationships.

Originality/value

The study showed that advanced information communication technology helped to overcome some of the communication barriers between the stakeholders in different stages of the lifecycle of a building. However, with building maintenance, proactive responses were encouraged to improve communication between facilities managers and other stakeholders, such as end users.

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 April 2024

Jiawen Chen, Hua Yang and Linlin Liu

With social media usage growing rapidly in business sustainability in manufacturing sectors, the means through which manufacturing firms can incorporate it into the pursuit of…

Abstract

Purpose

With social media usage growing rapidly in business sustainability in manufacturing sectors, the means through which manufacturing firms can incorporate it into the pursuit of environmental sustainability are largely under-researched by academics. Drawing upon the dynamic capability view, this study examines the indirect relationship between social media usage and sustainable innovation in manufacturing sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on analyzing data collected through a questionnaire survey on Chinese manufacturing firms. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that social media usage has a positive effect on sustainable innovation in the manufacturing sectors. Firms' sustainable dynamic capability mediates the relationship between social media usage and sustainable innovation. In addition, the effects of social media usage on firms' sustainable dynamic capability are stronger when stakeholder pressure is stronger and top management team commitment is higher.

Originality/value

This study highlights social media application as an important, yet underexplored, factor in sustainable innovation of manufacturing firms. The findings also untangle the mechanism of sustainable dynamic capability by which social media usage improves sustainable innovation for manufacturing firms.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 September 2021

Karim Farghaly, William Collinge, Mojgan Hadi Mosleh, Patrick Manu and Clara Man Cheung

With the rapid development of digital information and modelling software applications for construction, questions have arisen about their impact on construction safety. Meanwhile…

Abstract

Purpose

With the rapid development of digital information and modelling software applications for construction, questions have arisen about their impact on construction safety. Meanwhile, recognition that designers can help reduce risks involved in construction, operation and maintenance via a prevention through design (PtD) approach (also known as design for safety) highlights the significance of digital technologies and tools to PtD. Thus, this paper aims to provide a systematic review of a wide range of digital technologies for enhancing PtD.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-stage systematic literature review with coding and synthesis of findings is presented. The review covers journal articles published between 2000 and 2020 related to the applications of various digital technologies, such as building information modelling (BIM), 4D, databases, ontologies, serious games, virtual reality and augmented reality, for addressing safety issues during the design phase in construction.

Findings

Analysis of the articles yielded a categorisation of the digital applications for PtD into four main areas: knowledge-based systems; automatic rule checking; hazard visualization; and safety training for designers. The review also highlighted designers’ limited knowledge towards construction safety and the possibility to address this by using gaming environments for educating designers on safety management and using artificial intelligence for predicting hazards and risks during design stage in a BIM environment. Additionally, the review proposes other directions for future research to enhance the use of digital technologies for PtD.

Originality/value

This paper contextualises current digital technology applications for construction health and safety and enables future directions of research in the field to be identified and mapped out.

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