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The Chinese term “Guanxi” literally refers to interpersonal relationships which have aroused growing interests among researchers and business practitioners. Common research interests are mainly centered on theoretical study and model building instead of applying them to business practices while this paper is aimed to investigate how business Guanxi works from a practical view, and in particular how business Guanxi affects the performance of small and medium-sized Chinese construction companies. Three independent managers in different regions are chosen as the initiating point to explore how Guanxi works by tracing back their inter-connectivity as well as interactions among different stakeholders. The empirical findings indicate business Guanxi acts as an important source of information and the efficient way to seek financial and technical support, to increase market shares and reduce risks, has a positive effect on to the performance of small and medium-sized Chinese construction firms. Based on the empirical findings, it is further argued that a good business Guanxi is likely to create competitive advantages in supporting Tsang’s arguments. Finally a managerial implication is provided which tries to remind practitioners that business Guanxi is a necessary factor for the survival of Chinese construction enterprises but it is not sufficient. Managers should not solely rely on Guanxi even if two parties have high quality of connections, and the institutional tools are needed in order to secure the health of Guanxi.

This study examines the planning and control process of refurbishment projects. The methods of achieving integration in the process is the main focus of this study. The integrative mechanisms employed by refurbishment project organisations and their influence on planning performance were analysed. The integrative mechanisms include the involvement of the key participants in decision-making, lateral relations, planning and control procedures, communication skills and knowledge and information technology. This study also highlights the influence of the complexity and uncertainty of the refurbishment projects on the integrative mechanisms used in the process. In addition, this study examined how the organisation structure of the construction firms influences the extent to which the integrative mechanisms were used in the planning and control process. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in this study. A preliminary questionnaire survey was initially conducted, followed by semi-structured interviews with planning and control managers of refurbishment contractors. A final postal questionnaire, developed and then refined from the interview data, was distributed to the planning and control managers of refurbishment contractors. A total of 67 completed questionnaires formed the data base for the quantitative analysis. This study concludes that the choice of the integrative mechanisms to be used in the planning and control process should be based on the nature of the complexity and uncertainty of refurbishment projects, the organisation structure of construction firm and the levels of planning performance required.

The Construction Industry Indicators (CIIs) continue to reflect a steady growth in the level of client dissatisfaction with the performance of contractors and consultants on construction projects whilst firms in the industry battle for survival. In order to survive in the highly competitive construction market, firms within the industry, need a paradigm shift. To move from traditional project delivery methodologies which continue to yield unsatisfactory results to innovative project delivery methods and practices. With the advancements in computational technologies and processes, the industry needs to move towards integrated, collaborative and computable processes, to increase productivity, efficiency, infrastructure value, quality and sustainability, reduce lifecycle costs, lead times and duplications. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the innovative project delivery method that helps reduce fragmentation and provides opportunities for enhanced collaboration and distributed project development. BIM is slowly gaining momentum in the South African construction industry. Even though there is an abundance of industry discussions and academic literature professing the ability of BIM methodologies to increase productivity, scholars have found that it has not yet been coupled with the availability of useful metrics, knowledge and tools to reliably measure BIM benefits. Few organisations and individuals have been exposed to some BIM tools whilst many still lack thorough understanding of BIM as a project delivery method. To capture the full benefit of BIM methodologies, firms in project networks must coordinate and develop interoperable business practices and procedures. This study assessed the level of BIM adoption, capability and maturity in consulting and construction firms and evaluated if there were differences in the level of adoption, capability and maturity of BIM between consulting and construction firms. The study also evaluated the relationship between level of BIM maturity and project performance of consulting and construction firms. The study found that there is a statistically significant relationship between the level of BIM capability and project performance. Lastly, the study reports on the current perceived benefits of BIM in the South African construction industry.

Poor capacity, poor quality, low productivity and low profit margins continue to characterize the majority of South African construction firms. These shortcomings are attributable to poor cultural practices that are often associated with construction firms. In an effort to devise strategies intended to improve the performance of South African construction firms, this research report investigates the relationship that exists between the corporate culture and performance of South African construction firms. An in depth literature review that identified the key corporate culture dimensions that are critical for the success of construction firms was undertaken. Literature advocating for the existence of a positive relationship between corporate culture and business performance was also explored. To ascertain the level of importance attached to the various corporate culture dimensions by South African construction firms, a survey was undertaken amongst senior employees of different sized construction firms in the Gauteng region. The survey revealed that the respondents from the different sized firms were largely similar in their level of appreciation of the various corporate culture dimensions. The study found that there is generally a positive relationship that exists between the corporate culture and performance of South African construction firms. The degree or intensity of the relationship is largely dependent on the size of the organization. Small and medium sized construction firms demonstrated greater appreciation of the positive relationship between corporate culture and business performance. To improve the performance of South African construction firms, the study recommends that research and development, innovation, benchmarking and customer orientation be prioritized. The study further recommends for the development and adoption of effective human resources retention strategies, this should be coupled with appropriate mentoring and career development programmes

A busca pelo aumento do desempenho tem levado as empresas, em geral, a buscar ferramentas de gestão para esse fim. Nas empresas construtoras não tem sido diferente. Nesse tipo de empresa, a primeira iniciativa foi a gestão da qualidade, porém atualmente observa-se a utilização de outras, a exemplo dos sistemas de medição de desempenho. Nesse contexto, a questão que guiou esse trabalho foi identificar se existe uma prática de medição de desempenho em empresas construtoras e se essa prática contribui para a gestão de desempenho. A partir daí, o objetivo deste trabalho é identificar qual o panorama da utilização dos sistemas de medição de desempenho pelas empresas construtoras brasileiras, além de buscar verificar como é essa prática, qual o seu alinhamento com a teoria e que contribuição pode ser dada a partir da comparação entre a teoria e a prática. Essas informações foram coletadas através de um survey e de um levantamento detalhado em empresas construtoras que possuíam um sistemade gestão da qualidade implantado e, com essas pesquisas de campo, foi possível identificar as características desse uso, os pontos fortes e as dificuldades encontradas pelas empresas. A partir da análise comparativa da prática das empresas e a teoria sobre medição de desempenho, foram elaboradas orientações para utilização dos sistemas de medição de desempenho pelas empresas construtoras brasileiras. A contribuição dessa pesquisa foi levantar uma discussão sobre o tema a nível nacional, identificando as características desta prática e oferecer às empresas construtoras sugestões de como aperfeiçoar o uso dessa ferramenta. / The search for performance raising have leading the firms, in general, to look for management tools. In the construction firms it isn\'t different. In this kind of companies, the first initiative was quality management, but nowadays it\'s possible to find others, as the performance measurement systems. In this context, the question that guided this study was identify if there is a performance measurement practice in the construction firms and if this practice contributes for the performance management. This work aims identify the performance management systems scene in brazilian construction firms, how this practice works and which is the alignment between theory and practice This information was collected by a survey and a detailed description in firms that have quality management systems implanted. With this field research was possible identify the characteristics of this use, the strong points and the difficult of the firms. After the comparative analysis, orientations forperformance measurement systems use was elaborated, focusing in brazilian construction firms. The contribution of this research was initiate a discussion about the theme in national level, identifying the practice characteristics and offer to the firms suggestions for improve the use of this tool.

Literature studies on institutionalization are mainly predicated on repetitive work performing sectors, in which firms are more prone to developed institutionalization processes in literature. But, in this study, it is aimed to examine reasons behind low tendency of construction firms to institutionalization process in Turkey. In literature, two main obstacles against institutionalization are shown as firms&rsquo / resistance to change and founder family acts on firm. So, family businesses and their effects on firm operations are also included to this study&rsquo / s scope, with business growth and institutionalization process. Conducted interviews are based on a questionnaire which is prepared to identify / cognition level of institutionalization, factors leading firms to institutionalization, firms&rsquo / established system perform in the name of institutionalization and finally summarize experiences firms gained from institutionalization process. Twenty-one interviewed contractor firms enlightens acts of construction firms in Turkey, because like interviewed firms, 70% of construction firms in Turkey is still governed by 1st generation. Results indicate that construction firms seem to apply most of the systems offered by literature for institutionalization because of rapid business growth. In general they refuse a high institutionalization level because of construction projects&rsquo / temporary and unique nature, causing a highly competitive and uncertain sector requiring a highly flexible firm structure. Institutionalization is mainly processed to enhance control, it is not considered to take place for balancing family and firm relationships. This is because of high family dominancy in firms, leading to a highly jeopardized sustainability.

Chinese construction firms like any other construction firms, have to face a lot of challenges when dealing with the African construction environment, but unlike the others their success is heavily related to the network they have with their government as well as the African local government. A successful project marketing couple with a good mapping network as well as a clear understanding of the African business environment will then be the tools to be effectively competitive in that market. The main problem arising is therefore how Chinese construction firms can use project marketing to achieve a tangible competitive advantage against their competitors. Angola, an African country, was used as our single-case study. While relying on secondary data, we have discovered a country where most of the institutions were not fully established yet, and where the construction market was influenced to a certain level by the bilateral agreements between the Angolan government and the country of origin of the companies involved. Such bilateral agreements are closely related to the oil production of Angola. Our findings indicate that Chinese government is of great influence when it comes to the project marketing of Chinese construction firms before and after entering Angola but also that Chinese construction firms are already competitive in the market. Our conclusion on how a construction firm can be successful in African countries using project marketing is explained in a model that we have created for every company wishing to invest in the African construction market. Africa countries are nowadays a profitable market for construction firms and the availability of funds from the bilateral agreements makes those construction projects affordable for the African government. That is why we came into the conclusion that not only a good understanding of the African environment may help the construction firms succeed but also a strategic use of project marketing.

<p>Chinese construction firms like any other construction firms, have to face a lot of challenges when dealing with the African construction environment, but unlike the others their success is heavily related to the network they have with their government as well as the African local government. A successful project marketing couple with a good mapping network as well as a clear understanding of the African business environment will then be the tools to be effectively competitive in that market. The main problem arising is therefore how Chinese construction firms can use project marketing to achieve a tangible competitive advantage against their competitors.</p><p>Angola, an African country, was used as our single-case study. While relying on secondary data, we have discovered a country where most of the institutions were not fully established yet, and where the construction market was influenced to a certain level by the bilateral agreements between the Angolan government and the country of origin of the companies involved. Such bilateral agreements are closely related to the oil production of Angola. Our findings indicate that Chinese government is of great influence when it comes to the project marketing of Chinese construction firms before and after entering Angola but also that Chinese construction firms are already competitive in the market. Our conclusion on how a construction firm can be successful in African countries using project marketing is explained in a model that we have created for every company wishing to invest in the African construction market.</p><p>Africa countries are nowadays a profitable market for construction firms and the availability of funds from the bilateral agreements makes those construction projects affordable for the African government. That is why we came into the conclusion that not only a good understanding of the African environment may help the construction firms succeed but also a strategic use of project marketing.</p>

A busca pelo aumento do desempenho tem levado as empresas, em geral, a buscar ferramentas de gestão para esse fim. Nas empresas construtoras não tem sido diferente. Nesse tipo de empresa, a primeira iniciativa foi a gestão da qualidade, porém atualmente observa-se a utilização de outras, a exemplo dos sistemas de medição de desempenho. Nesse contexto, a questão que guiou esse trabalho foi identificar se existe uma prática de medição de desempenho em empresas construtoras e se essa prática contribui para a gestão de desempenho. A partir daí, o objetivo deste trabalho é identificar qual o panorama da utilização dos sistemas de medição de desempenho pelas empresas construtoras brasileiras, além de buscar verificar como é essa prática, qual o seu alinhamento com a teoria e que contribuição pode ser dada a partir da comparação entre a teoria e a prática. Essas informações foram coletadas através de um survey e de um levantamento detalhado em empresas construtoras que possuíam um sistemade gestão da qualidade implantado e, com essas pesquisas de campo, foi possível identificar as características desse uso, os pontos fortes e as dificuldades encontradas pelas empresas. A partir da análise comparativa da prática das empresas e a teoria sobre medição de desempenho, foram elaboradas orientações para utilização dos sistemas de medição de desempenho pelas empresas construtoras brasileiras. A contribuição dessa pesquisa foi levantar uma discussão sobre o tema a nível nacional, identificando as características desta prática e oferecer às empresas construtoras sugestões de como aperfeiçoar o uso dessa ferramenta. / The search for performance raising have leading the firms, in general, to look for management tools. In the construction firms it isn\'t different. In this kind of companies, the first initiative was quality management, but nowadays it\'s possible to find others, as the performance measurement systems. In this context, the question that guided this study was identify if there is a performance measurement practice in the construction firms and if this practice contributes for the performance management. This work aims identify the performance management systems scene in brazilian construction firms, how this practice works and which is the alignment between theory and practice This information was collected by a survey and a detailed description in firms that have quality management systems implanted. With this field research was possible identify the characteristics of this use, the strong points and the difficult of the firms. After the comparative analysis, orientations forperformance measurement systems use was elaborated, focusing in brazilian construction firms. The contribution of this research was initiate a discussion about the theme in national level, identifying the practice characteristics and offer to the firms suggestions for improve the use of this tool.