Architecture, Building and Planning - Research Publications
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ItemCritical Appraisal of Building Information Modelling Research in Australia: A Bibliometric Analysis(Deakin University, 2021)Interest in advanced digital technology such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) has grown remarkably in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) industry over the past decade, and BIM research has proliferated globally. In Australia, alongside the increasing rate of implementing BIM within the AECO industry, academic research has also risen on the topic; however, to the best of authors’ knowledge, a systematic review of the extant literature on BIM in Australia is missing. This study addresses this lack by offering a Scientometric analysis to explore the state of BIM literature in Australia. To this end, a quantitative approach using the ‘science mapping’ technique is employed to examine 473 articles in the field and to highlight their academic discourses that have occurred and emerged over time. Findings revealed primary topic areas in BIM research and their connections as well as research institutions active in BIM research, key authors and their collaboration networks, influential countries, and research outlets. The findings are instructive in identifying the gaps in current research. Research in the area of 3D modelling, visualisation, and technical aspects of BIM has dominated BIM research in Australia. There has been less emphasis on the managerial aspect of BIM, education and training, as well as the emerging and interrelated areas such as the Internet of Things, Blockchain, and Digital Twin. Analysis of the collaboration network of the Australian institutions active in BIM research shows that institutions mainly work in isolation with little or no in-country collaboration. From an international perspective, findings demonstrate an increased collaboration with China rather than those identified as leading countries in BIM research such as the U.K. and the U.S. By providing a view from a meta-perspective, the present study contributes to the body of knowledge of BIM in Australia by informing the researchers, the institutions, and the industry of the need for the future research direction and deeper exchange of knowledge.
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ItemAugmented Reality adoption in the Australian construction industry: A qualitative framework(Deakin University, 2021)The adoption of innovative technologies in the construction industry has provided significant benefits to the industry. In Australia, the use of innovative construction technologies has grown increasingly over the past decade and received a significant increase in the level of adoption in construction site activities due to the recent pandemic. One technology that is receiving additional attention to be beneficial to the industry is Augmented Reality (AR). However, its current level of adoption is still very limited due to several reasons the theoretically advantages are not yet well received by the practitioners. To address this gap, this study aimed at investigating the low-level adoption and widespread use of AR technology in the Australian construction industry. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore perceptions of the use of AR technology and its limitations from end-users perspectives and managers of construction companies in particular. As a result, a model is presented to map the influential factors and barriers to the adoption of AR. Findings revealed several concepts including lack of knowledge about AR, conservative management attitudes, absence of feasibility analysis, operability and work culture as factors influencing AR adoption in the industry. Moreover, the model provides a basis to direct future research on the topic.
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ItemMobile Communication Technologies and the Work-Life Balance of Construction Managers(Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 2016)The work-life balance of construction managers is precarious due to long work hours and high levels of work-family conflict (WFC). The impact of mobile communication technologies (MCT), such as the mobile phones and tablets, on WFC has not been researched in construction. Research suggests that their use contributes to the blurring of work and non-work boundaries, making it easier for work to intrude on home activities. This research examined the effect of MCT usage on the WFC of Australian construction site managers. An online survey of site management staff with a national construction company ascertained WFC and MCT usage and investigated psychological attachment to work, segmentation preferences (between home and work) and segmentation supplies. Respondents who had higher levels of WFC worked longer hours and extended their work time by using MCTs at home for work. However, they did not perceive MCTs to be useful for their job and overall, a pattern of MCT devices interfering in home life was apparent. Younger workers considered themselves technologically savvy and used more MCT devices at home for work demonstrating that, if correctly configured, MCTs may allow workers to better manage their work and home boundaries. Future research in the area is discussed.
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ItemCan construction bidding practices be improved through use of the scrum project framework?(© RICS, 2018, 2018)The selection of the “right” construction contractor has been a topic of continual interest within academia and industry, with attention focussed on both the selection of the optimal procurement method and the process of tender evaluation. As a consequence, the bidding process, as well as how a tender is conceived and developed, has now been recognised as a crucial element of future project success. This research investigates whether scrum, an agile project management framework, could be of benefit in the tender development and bidding process. The scrum framework, initially developed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of collaborative projects in the information technology (IT) industry, has been associated with improvements in project planning, communication, team work and project outcomes. The applicability of scrum to construction tender formulation will be considered and proposed research, involving a two-stage methodology of interviews and focus groups with six major contractors, described. A generic model of both the bidding and tendering process and scrum application will be developed. In this first phase of the research, traditionally procured building projects ranging from AUD 20 to 80 million will be examined. Further research will be extended to design and construct (D&C) projects with their additional complexities.
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ItemIndividual Risk Attitudes in Postgraduate Risk Management Education(EasyChair, 2017-10-23)Risk management is important for contemporary construction organisations and is a vital constituent of project management education. Before learning about the processes of systematic risk management, construction and project management students need to better understand risk concepts and their own attitudes towards risk. Risk is a psycho- social construct experienced and perceived by individuals. In the Risk in Construction subject offered in the Master of Construction Management programme at the University of Melbourne, students were first invited to respond to a simple questionnaire that measured their own risk attitudes from a task, team and individual risk perspective. This self-knowledge discovery was then applied in their subsequent individual and group assignment work for the subject. The risk profiles were also used in a novel approach to assignment group formation. Students valued the opportunity to explore the alignment between formal project risk management and their own risk attitudes, and used their newly-found understanding in other management-related subjects. Future research will explore cultural and gender influences in these student journeys of self-understanding.
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