基于计算实验的施工单位安全生产违规行为演化研究

施工单位违规是施工事故频发的关键原因,针对事故单位普遍存在部分分包商资质不合格、安全措施不到位的共性现象,采用计算实验方法,抽象模拟施工单位的分包招标、施工安全生产这两种主要活动,并还原其与众多外部利益相关者的交互过程,构建多主体参与下施工安全生产系统计算实验模型,重点分析了外部利益相关者激励约束策略对施工单位两类安全生产违规行为的影响。实验结果表明:监理单位严格资质审核能有效遏制分包合谋;建设单位合理加大违规惩罚力度、引入安全奖励或政府安监部门提升检查处罚力度、加大事故追罚力度能有效遏制安全生产败德。     

Pre-tender and post-tender negotiations in Australia

One of the main features of the Australian building industry is the high level of subcontracting of building works. This paper reports on a survey of 43 subcontractors regarding various aspects of the relationship between subcontractors and general contractors. In particular it reports on the practice of ‘bid shopping’ in which the general contractor in various ways attempts to reduce the subcontractor's price below that of the tender. Generally the subcontractors were strongly against bid shopping attempts to tie with general contractors and negotiations in general. However, the strength of the responses was determined by the size of the firms. The larger firms were more open to negotiations and deals than the smaller firms. The overall benefits to the general contractors who ‘shop’ are doubtful, most subcontractors adjust their mark up by up to 20% to allow for such negotiations.     

Relationship quality in construction projects: A subcontractor perspective of principal contractor relationships

One of the defining characteristics of the construction industry is its subcontracting model of project organisation. Surprisingly, despite the criticality of the subcontractor/principal contractor relationship to successful project outcomes, research into this important relationship has been fragmented, disorganised and under-theorised. Mobilising theories of relationship quality to address this gap in knowledge, a survey of three hundred and thirty seven tier-one subcontractors in the Australian construction industry was undertaken to explore what factors influence relationship quality between subcontractors and principal contractors, whether these factors vary across the supply chain and how they affect overall relational satisfaction. The findings give subcontractors a missing voice in this important debate and provide a more nuanced understanding of this critical project relationship from a novel theoretical perspective. They indicate that from a subcontractor perspective, subcontractor/principal contractor relationship quality is determined by six key factors: integrity respect and fairness; prompt payment; willingness to negotiate risk and price; effective communication; concern for worker health, safety and well-being; and opportunities for early involvement in planning and design. Conceptually, when these factors are organised under the three dimensions of relationship quality theory (trust, satisfaction, and commitment), the results show that trust is by far the most important determinant of relationship quality. However, subcontractors cannot be treated as a homogeneous group and the factors that influence relationship quality and the importance of trust vary significantly between large and small subcontractors and by the amount of turnover-dependency in a relationship. Conceptually, the findings are important for refining the concept of relationship quality in a project management context and for helping construction project managers to improve often tenuous subcontractor relationships in an increasingly competitive industry where the quality of these relationships is a critical determinant of project outcomes and competitive advantage.     

Factors contributing to the success of equipment-intensive subcontractors in construction

The risk of subcontracting shall not be underestimated especially under today’s highly competitive environment. To protect the best interest of contracting firms, subcontractors should be carefully selected. Previous studies have been focusing on the factors leading to the success of subcontracting work without paying much attention to those factors contributing to the organizational success. To gain a better insight on the success factors for subcontracting organizations, a survey which focuses on equipment-intensive subcontractors has been conducted in Hong Kong with various construction stakeholders. Acknowledging that equipment-intensive subcontractors may have their peculiar needs and characteristics, this paper strives to explore the critical success factors (CSFs) for this type of subcontractors. Seventeen CSFs for equipment-intensive subcontractors have been identified, and the results indicate that majority of them are internal factors. A one-way ANOVA test has been carried out, which confirms the consistency in perceptions of different construction stakeholders surveyed. Through a factor analysis the CSFs are grouped into six major components namely: (i) market position; (ii) equipment-related factors; (iii) human resources; (iv) earnings; (v) managerial ability to adapt to changes; and (vi) project success related factors. The findings of this research should not only help subcontractors to improve their performance but also to assist main contractor to identify a successful equipment-intensive subcontracting firm.     

Subcontracting and its ramifications: A survey of the building industry in Hong Kong

There has been increasing concern on excessive subcontracting. This study reviews the case of Hong Kong, in particular the consequence of high & growing rate of subcontracting and what project managers can do. Based on statistics and elemental cost analyses, we find that as much as 80% of the value of building works is undertaken by small subcontractors. Whilst subcontracting provides the industry with specialized services as well as organizational and managerial flexibility, it has also been attributed to the labour intensity and the lacklustre performance of the industry. It relies on project manages to make the best use of what subcontracting has to offer, whilst avoiding its pitfalls. An assessment of the extent and issues of subcontracting helps us understand how project management could enhance the performance of the projects and then the industry.     

Subcontractor-general contractor relationship in Australian building industry

This paper is based on a major survey of tendering practices in the Australian building industry. The material was obtained from interviews comprising a stratified sample of 43 subcontractors representing five trades and four different size groups. The results show that the most important factors affecting subcontractors' bids to general contractors are a good past relationship with general contractors, a reputation for prompt payment, discussions of how the job will be done, planning and supervision of the work and a reputation for finishing projects on time. The majority of subcontractors seek and receive feedback from general contractors regarding the prices that other subcontractors are quoting on or before tender day. However, only the larger subcontractors respond to this feedback by lowering their bids.     

Impacts of multi-layer chain subcontracting on project management performance

This paper investigates the impacts of applying the multi-layer chain subcontracting system on project management performance with reference to Hong Kong construction industry. Multi-layer chain subcontracting system is widely used within construction industry as it is considered advantageous in many aspects such as better efficiency of subcontractors’ operation due to their unique skills. However, the fact of poor quality products in construction practice raises the doubt about the effectiveness of the chain system. Accordingly, the reasons why the applications of the system contribute to poor project performance are examined. A survey conducted in the Hong Kong construction industry demonstrates that the multi-layer chain subcontracting system, while widely adopted, is largely flawed. Based on the survey results, application of multi-layer chain subcontracting system contributes largely to the poor performance across the all major aspects including quality and time management, cost control, and communication and coordination performance. The association exists between poor project management performance and the increase of the number of layers in the chain of the subcontracting arrangement. The long communication chain because of the increasing layers of subcontractors results in various problems such as communication errors, poor supervision on the bottom-layer contractors. Consequently overruns in cost and time, and abortive and remedial works are common. Recommendations for improving the practice are suggested and explored, including change the practice of the “lowest bid” to an approach which incorporate both price and technical performance, limit the number of subcontracting layers, restrain the use of “supply-and-fix” subcontracting arrangement, and enforce the implementation of government regulations. The findings of this study provide useful references in examining the practice of subcontracting system in other construction industries and identifying the areas where the improvements can be made for gaining the benefits of using the system.     

Construction loans and industry development: the case of Hong Kong

Building contractors are generally small private firms. Bank loans are their major, if not only, source of external finance. However, building and construction loans represent a mere minuscule portion of all bank loans in Hong Kong, suggesting that contractors may have been neglected by banks. With the case of Hong Kong, this study examines the lack of supply and demand of construction finance, and the implications for industry competition and innovation. Contractors’ perceptions were solicited through a questionnaire survey. Key issues identified were further explored in subsequent interviews. The results were then triangulated with secondary data. It is found that although contractors do not usually have enough assets to pledge as collateral, they generally do not need to borrow that much. The provision of interim payments has enabled them to work with small capital outlay. However, the interim payment mechanism has induced a low barrier to entry, which has helped perpetuate the vicious circle of labour intensiveness of building construction, exploitation of labour‐only subcontracting, proliferation of small subcontractors and intense rivalry between firms. The findings conclude that contractors’ limited access to finance generally and bank loans in particular has posed a major barrier to innovation and hence industry development.     

Resolution of disputes arising from set-off clauses between main contractors and subcontractors

Set-off relates to the situation where a main contractor raises a counterclaim against a subcontractor's claim or where an employer raises a counterclaim against the main contractor. The alternative terms cross claim, counterclaim, contra charge, compensation and retention are explained in the context of Scots law. Set-off in the construction industry in Scotland is then discussed within the contractual frameworks upon which main contractors are entitled to exercise such rights and how these conditions of contract have been formed over recent years. A study reported shows the extent of the use of amended and unamended forms of subcontract and main contractors' own forms of subcontract which imposed more onerous set-off conditions than the standard forms, the reasons given by main contractors for exercising their rights of set-off, the level of satisfaction amongst subcontractors with the sums set-off against them, the means by which main contractors and subcontractors settled disputed set-offs, and subcontractors' reasons for accepting unsatisfactory instances of set-off. The research was undertaken using a questionnaire to a stratified sample of subcontractors throughout central Scotland in 1995. Forty-seven subcontractors responded to the questionnaire and 427 instances of set-off were recorded. The study indicated that, despite the considerable protection given to subcontractors in the standard forms of subcontract and in common law, they were prepared to settle set-offs with which they were dissatisfied without initiating contractual proceedings which would have improved their situation. It would appear from this study that subcontractors are reluctant to use their contractual entitlements either because of fears over the costs of disputing set-offs or because they fear that they will be denied opportunities to tender for work in the future. Until there is a culture shift in the industry, reliance on contractual conditions alone may be inadequate to meet the needs of subcontractors.     

Evaluating subcontractor performance using evolutionary fuzzy hybrid neural network

This paper developed an evolutionary fuzzy hybrid neural network (EFHNN) to enhance the effectiveness of assessing subcontractor performance in the construction industry. The developed EFHNN combines neural networks (NN) and high order neural networks (HONN) into a hybrid neural network (HNN), which acts as the major inference engine and operates with alternating linear and non-linear NN layer connections. Fuzzy logic is employed to sandwich the HNN between a fuzzification and defuzzification layer. The authors developed and applied the EFHNN to assess subcontractors performance by fusing HNN, FL and GA. Enhancing subcontractor performance assessments are crucial in terms of providing to general contractors information on historical contractor performance essential to guiding a selection of appropriate subcontractors for a specific current or future subcontracting need. Results show that the proposed EFHNN may be deployed effectively to achieve optimal mapping of input factors and subcontractor performance output. Moreover, the performance of linear and non-linear (high order) neuron layer connectors in the EFHNN was significantly better than performances achieved by previous models that used singular linear NN.     

实施建设工程款支付担保的必要性

长期以来我国建筑业存在着严重的工程款拖欠现象,政府主管部门应以立法的手段要求建筑工程业主提供工程款支付担保,并采取相关的配套措施全面解决这一问题,以保证承包商及分包商的合法权益,并从根源上解决拖欠农民工工资问题。     

Cost vs. production: labour deployment and productivity in social housing construction in England,Scotland, Denmark and Germany

Labour deployment on representative large‐scale housing projects is analysed to reveal distinct differences between England, Germany, Scotland and Denmark. In the light of the debates on convergence/divergence of HRM systems and qualitatively different production systems, the paper is apposite in demonstrating structural differences in the organization of the construction process, their implications for efficiency and productivity, and their impact on employment and contract relations, innovation and skills. The effects of the overriding cost rationale of the British system are illustrated in terms of labour deployment and the efficiency and productivity of the site construction process. Labour deployment is based on the rationale of extensive subcontracting, with main contractors providing the management and cost function whilst their productive capacity rests on subcontracting supply chains. The main contractor has come to specialize in two areas, costing and the management of the process. Subcontractors provide all production personnel and thus the production knowledge for carrying out the work packages and stages. On the continent, in contrast, the economic rationale is different, as main contractors do not depend nearly as much on the production capacity of subcontracting.     

浅谈如何加强对分包单位的监理

大型医院等类似的综合公共建筑功能要求高、专业分工精确、配套专业全面,存在较多分包工程。本文通过研究工程施工监理过程对分包单位的管理,并结合目前相关法律法规,就如何管理分包单位提出了几点建议。     

The impacts of industrialization on construction subcontractors: a resource based view

Industrialization of the construction process is increasing around the world due to its potential to improve safety, sustainability, effectiveness, productivity and efficiency. While there has been research into the impacts of various forms of industrialized construction on the construction sector, surprisingly there has been little research into the impacts on subcontractors. The lack of subcontractor’s voice in the industrialization debate is important to address since they operate at the coalface of the industry where the impacts of such changes will have a significant impact. The resource based view of the firm (RBV) is used as a theoretical lens to study these potential impacts through interviews with senior executives and managers of six major subcontracting firms which have worked with off-site bathroom pod technologies in Australia. It is found that the key subcontractor resources affected by this off-site technology are human, financial, intellectual and social and that subcontractors will need to pursue strategies which develop new skills, knowledge, networks and deeper supply chain collaborations if they are to turn the potential risks associated with off-site into potential opportunities to achieve competitive advantage.     

Potential benefits for collaborating formwork subcontractors based on co-operative game theory

Formwork subcontractors that hire open shop workers, rather than union workers can win more contracts and earn more profits from general contractors because of greater agility and lower costs. A subcontractor may earn even more profit if it collaborates with others in a coalition. Payoff functions for individual subcontractors and a group of subcontractors in a coalition are formulated. Profit can also be reasonably allocated to each subcontractor in a coalition using the Shapley value and nucleolus.     

沙特炼油项目施工阶段质量保证和质量控制

从承/分包商施工质量保证体系的建立,人员资质、材料、质量程序文件等生产因素的质量要求,施工过程控制方法及措施,质量内审及质量资料文件等方面,全面论述了沙特炼油项目施工阶段的质量保证和控制的要求。     

Subcontracting in commercial and residential construction: an empirical investigation

Some twenty years ago Robert Eccles argued for the theoretical existence of the quasifirm, a semi-integrated form of production in the construction industry, following a field study of home building firms in the USA. The study was aimed at substantiating some aspects of Williamson's transaction cost theory. The present work has similar intents, and illustrates the results of two recent field studies of homebuilders and commercial contractors, and the specific features of their subcontracting practice. Given the difficulty of an effective measurement of transaction costs in construction, Williamson's concept of atmosphere is suggested to explain the different approaches observed in subcontracting.     

Safety climate in conditions of construction subcontracting: a multi‐level analysis

A multi‐level safety climate model was tested in the Australian construction industry. Subcontracted workers’ perceptions of the organizational safety response (OSR) and supervisor safety response (SSR) in their own organization and that of the principal contractor were measured using a safety climate survey administered at a large hospital construction project in Melbourne. One hundred and fourteen construction workers completed the survey, representing nine subcontractors engaged at the project. Two requisite conditions for the existence of group‐level safety climates, i.e. (1) within‐group homogeneity; and (2) between‐group variation were satisfied for perceptions of subcontractors’ OSR and SSR. This supports the contention that subcontractors working in a single construction project exhibit a unique group‐level safety climate. Subcontracted workers also discriminated between group‐level safety climates (i.e. the SSR) in their own and in the principal contractor’s organizations. The results suggest some cross‐level influence. Perceptions of the SSR were positively predicted by perceptions of the OSR in both the principal and subcontractor organizations. Perceptions of the OSR of the principal contractor were also a significant predictor of the perceived OSR and SSR in the subcontractor organizations. Perceptions of the subcontractors’ SSR were a significant predictor of the rate of lost‐time and medical treatment incidents reported by the subcontractor. Although perceptions of the principal contractor’s SSR were not directly related to subcontractors’ injury rates, they were a significant predictor of subcontractors’ SSR, revealing an indirect link. The results suggest that supervisory personnel (e.g. foremen and leading hands) play an important role in shaping safety performance in subcontracted workgroups.     

Exploring the potential for the use of video to communicate safety information to construction workers: case studies of organizational use*

Legislation requires employers to provide health and safety (H&S) training to workers and communicate safety rules, policies and procedures to them in a way they understand. As the construction industry has an increasingly multicultural and multilingual workforce, conventional written and verbal safety communication is of limited effectiveness. CodeSafe Solutions, has developed an innovative method of communicating H&S information to field-based workers using digital media. The potential of the system was explored and two organizations in the Australian construction industry were used. Qualitative data from in-depth interviews of safety managers and workers involved in system implementation and quantitative data such as incident reports and video usage were analysed. Managers perceived the CodeSafe system to be beneficial and well received by workers. In one organization, the introduction of the CodeSafe system coincided with a reduction in injury rates. However, causal inferences about the impact of the system cannot be made. Workers involved in making the films believed films would be an effective communication tool. However, barriers to implementation of the technology include workers’ reluctance to use personal smart phones, limited internet connectivity, and organizational and national regulations on mobile phone use on construction sites.