Expanding Understanding on Attributes of Innovation Champions: Firms and Individual Perspectives of Professional Quantity Surveying Firms
Owusu-Manu De Graft,
Antwi-Afari Prince,
Edwards David John
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
178-184
Received:
27 October 2018
Accepted:
15 November 2018
Published:
28 December 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajce.20180606.11
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Abstract: Quantity Surveying Profession (QSP) globally has undergone significant revolution and has embraced career pathways in providing excellent services within and outside the construction industry. The QSP adapting to the changes in the construction industry, and innovating to remain competitive has allowed them to adopt some specific attributes which makes them process innovation champions. Identifying these characteristics of the QSP for appreciation and implementation gave the purpose for this studies. Drawing from quantitative research approach, and using purposive and convenience sampling technique, data was collected and analysed. The study adopted descriptive statistics, Relative Importance Index (RII) and cross tabulations as its tools of analysis. After analysis, the outstanding attribute of innovative Quantity Surveying (QS) firms’ worthy of emulation were good managerial skills and capability, followed by team learning and competency. On individual perspective, all the identified variables were outstanding characteristics with interaction with others in the workplace ranking first, followed by open to experience while acting out of curiosity ranked last. Findings of this study could assist in understanding the set of characteristics which makes firms innovative. The identified attributes would also help other project teams in the construction industry to increase their innovativeness and output when they are examined, understood and implemented.
Abstract: Quantity Surveying Profession (QSP) globally has undergone significant revolution and has embraced career pathways in providing excellent services within and outside the construction industry. The QSP adapting to the changes in the construction industry, and innovating to remain competitive has allowed them to adopt some specific attributes which m...
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Highway Asset Management Framework for Longevity of Infrastructure – A Case Study for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Muhammad Irfan,
Yasir Mehmood,
Anwaar Ahmed,
Hainian Wang
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
185-194
Received:
4 January 2019
Published:
5 January 2019
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajce.20180606.12
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Abstract: Pavement management system (PMS) affords objective information and useful data analysis to make consistent, cost-effective, and defensible decisions related to the pavement preservation at network and project level. Pavement functional and structural evaluations using performance indicators such as international roughness index (IRI), surface distress, rutting, deflection data etc. are the key element of PMS. A departure from exiting stand-alone evaluation practices, this research presents project-level functional and structural evaluation and its integration into a PMS framework for more accurate and realistic forecasting of the pavement needs over the analysis period. A case study of an in-service pavement is presented to demonstrate the applicability of proposed framework. Owing to the non-availability of time-series performance data at present, pavement serviceability and structural capacity data before and after of an in-service pavement rehabilitation was explored for overlay treatments (conventional and crumb rubber- modified (CRM) asphalt mixtures) effectiveness analyses. Results of functional evaluation quantified the extent to which CRM improves the functional performance of the pavement, in terms of the drop in IRI. CRM asphalt mixture exhibited relatively superior functional performance in contrast to conventional asphaltic wearing course by a margin of 8% higher drop in IRI, on average. Non-destructive testing technique for pavement structural evaluation using falling weight deflectometer (FWD) data was employed to assess structural capacity of pavements. A computer-aided program was developed for estimation of structure number effective (SNeff) to be used as an input for overlay design using AASHTO empirical method. Moreover, mechanistic-empirical (M-E) design method was employed using evaluation of layer moduli and overlay design (ELMOD) program for overlay thickness design and pavement remaining service life (RSL). Comparison of pre- and post-rehabilitation deflection data endorsed roadbed soil stiffness and structural adequacy. RSL estimated through traffic data (truck load repetitions) validated the results obtained using empirical and M-E methods. Application of KENPAVE program for evaluation of pavement overlay thickness design was also demonstrated by conducting damage analysis. Integrating structural evaluation with functional evaluation into an overall framework of PMS is envisaged to provide systematic and objective procedures for monitoring and evaluating pavement performance, selecting optimal type of treatment and its thickness design.
Abstract: Pavement management system (PMS) affords objective information and useful data analysis to make consistent, cost-effective, and defensible decisions related to the pavement preservation at network and project level. Pavement functional and structural evaluations using performance indicators such as international roughness index (IRI), surface distr...
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