Two trends are currently driving the need for supply chain firms to form closely integrated relationships: collaboration and digitisation. One of the ways to achieve digitisation of supply chain operations is to implement Inter-Organisational Information Systems (IOIS) with selected supply chain partners for a much more efficient, streamlined and orchestrated supply chain operations. Whilst IOIS can be implemented to support various cross-functional business processes (ranging from operational information exchange to pursuing strategic initiatives such as sharing ideas, identifying new market opportunities, and pursing a continuous improvement approach), in the context of this thesis, the purpose of IOIS implementation is to facilitate the inter-firm procurement-related operations with downstream supply chain firms. The study undertaken in this research project was initiated in response to an industry requirement to investigate the implementation of IOIS against a backdrop of improved Supply Chain Management and integration practices by large contractor organisations. A case study research strategy was adopted to investigate the IOIS project related, IOIS (system) related issues encountered in ex-ante and ex-post implementation stages of the IOIS. The study concludes that it is the non-technical factors that are critical to the successful delivery of IOIS projects and provides a guideline on IOIS implementation by large contractor organisations. The findings of this research project have been published in a number of peer-reviewed papers.

Idag har bygg- och anläggningsbranschen låg produktivitet och icke-värdeskapande aktiviteter uppgår till 30- 35% av projektets produktionskostnad. Genom en effektiv logistikhantering ökar produktiviteten och minskar slöserier och därmed byggkostnaden. Studien fokuserar på anläggningsbranschen då det i dagsläget är brist på forskar- och grundutbildad personal inom anläggning vilket även speglar sig i antalet vetenskapliga artiklar som publicerats inom anläggning. Det finns därför ett syfte i att skapa en större teoretisk förståelse för anläggningsbranschen. Studiens syfte har varit att undersöka planeringsfasen för logistik i ett anläggningsprojekt och ta fram en konceptuell logistiskmodell för ett anläggningsprojekt. I anläggningsprojekt är det ofta problem med stora projektytor och svåråtkomlig terräng men det kan även vara problem med trånga utrymmen runt projektet. Dessutom innebär projekt i anläggningsbranschen ofta omfattande hantering av massor. I fallföretaget finns det ingen tydlig logistiskmodell som efterföljs och man har svårt att se fördelarna med att använda logistik. Målet med studien är att genom den konceptuellt framtagna logistiskmodellen få ett standardiserat arbetssätt och därmed effektivisera produktionen och minska kostnaderna. Dessutom är målet att bidra till forskningen om logistik i anläggningsbranschen. Explorativt forskningssyfte har använts för att uppfylla studien syfte. Detta för att skapa en större förståelse för logistik i anläggningsbranschen. Forskningsansatsen är deduktiv i och med att logistikmodellen har utvecklats från befintlig teori, och testas empiririsk i fokusgrupper. En kvalitativ strategi har tillämpats på denna studie då fokus är på att skapa en djupare förståelse och ge möjlighet till anpassning beroende på vad som hittas i datainsamlingen. De datainsamlingsmetoder som har använts är litteraturstudie, intervjuer, fokusgrupper och kvalitativ sekundärdata. För att säkerställa studiens kvalitet användes triangulering men även granskning av handledare och personer som deltog under fokusgrupper och intervjuer. Den konceptuella logistiskmodellen består av sjutton komponenter som innehåller aktiviteter/verktyg och förutsättningar som krävs för en effektiv logistikhantering i anläggning. Med hjälp av denna modell kan företag utvärdera vilka logistiska aktiviteter som bör genomföras i ett anläggningsprojekt samt se vilka förutsättningar som krävs. I fallföretaget genomförs inte alla dessa aktiviteter och det är vissa viktiga förutsättningar som fattas. Fallföretaget rekommenderas att upprätta en utbildning om logistik, skapa en tydligare logistikorganisation och ta fram standardiserade processer för logistik. / Today the construction industry has low productivity and the waste is about 30-35% of a project's production cost. By using an efficient logistics management the productivity will increase, which will reduce the waste and production cost. This thesis focuses on the construction industry with focus on civil engineering projects. It is a lack of research that focus on civil engineering projects, which is reflected in the number of scientific articles that has been published in this area. Hence, this is a reason to research further about civil engineering projects in order to create a bigger theoretical understanding. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the planning process with focus on logistic and to develop a conceptual logistic model for civil engineering projects. In civil engineering projects, companies often have problem with large project areas and difficult terrain around the project. But there can also be problems with narrow spaces. In addition to this, civil engineering projects often have to manage a large amount of masses. The company that this thesis has been conducted at has no clear logistic model that the staff follows, and they find it difficult to see the benefits with logistic. The aim of this thesis is to develop a conceptual logistic model that generates a more standardized work method that streamline the production and reduce the costs. In addition, the goal is also to contribute to research on logistics in the construction industry that focus on civil engineering projects. To fulfill the aim of the thesis an exploratory research have been used. This to create a greater understanding of logistics in the construction industry with focus on civil engineering projects. The research approach is deductive because the logistic model has been developed from existing theory and been empirically tested by using focus groups. A qualitative strategy has been applied on this thesis since the aim is to create a deeper understanding and a qualitative strategy gives an opportunity to adjust the thesis depending on what is found in the data collection. The data has been collected through a literature study, interviews, and focus groups. Data has also been collected from qualitative secondary data. During the focus groups the conceptual logistic model, which are based on the data from theory, interviews and empirical data, was tested. In order to ensure the quality of the thesis, triangulation was used. But the thesis was also reviewed by the supervisors and the persons who participated in the focus groups as well as the interviews. The conceptual logistic model consists of seventeen components that contains activities/tools and conditions that are required for an efficient logistics management. With this model the company that the thesis has been conducted at, but also other similar companies, can see what logistics activities needs to be done but also see what conditions are required. The company where the thesis has been conducted at does not perform all of these activities and some important conditions is not fulfilled. The company is recommended to educate in logistics, make a clear logistic organization and develop standardized processes for logistics.

The complex and challenging process of construction supply chain management can involve tens of thousands of engineered components, systems, and subsystems, all of which must be designed in a multi-party and collaborative environment, the complexity of which is vastly increased in the case of megaprojects. A comprehensive Advanced Construction Supply Nexus Model (ACSNM) was developed as a computational and process-oriented environment to help project managers deal efficiently and effectively with supply chain issues: fragmentation, resource shortages, design delays, and planning and scheduling deficiencies, all of which result in decreased productivity, cost and time overruns, conflicts, and time-consuming legal disputes. To mitigate the effects of these difficulties, four new prototype systems are created: a front-end planning tool (FEPT), a construction value packaging system (CVPS), an integrated construction materials management (ICMM) system, and an ACSNM database. Because these components are closely interdependent elements of construction supply nexus management, the successfully developed model incorporates cross-functional integration. This research therefore effectively addresses process management, process integration, and document management, features not included in previous implementations of similar models for construction-related applications. This study also introduces new concepts and definitions, such as construction value packages comprised of value units that form the scope of value-added work defined by type, stage in the value chain, and other elements such as drawings and specifications. The application of the new technologies and methods reveals that the ACSNM has the potential to improve the performance and management of the enterprise-wide supply chain. Through opportunities provided by our industry partners, Coreworx Inc. and Aecon Group Inc., the elements of the developed model have been validated with respect to implementation using data from several construction megaprojects. The model is intended to govern current supply nexus processes associated with such megaprojects but may be general enough for eventual application in other construction sectors, such as multi-unit housing and infrastructure.

The complex and challenging process of construction supply chain management can involve tens of thousands of engineered components, systems, and subsystems, all of which must be designed in a multi-party and collaborative environment, the complexity of which is vastly increased in the case of megaprojects. A comprehensive Advanced Construction Supply Nexus Model (ACSNM) was developed as a computational and process-oriented environment to help project managers deal efficiently and effectively with supply chain issues: fragmentation, resource shortages, design delays, and planning and scheduling deficiencies, all of which result in decreased productivity, cost and time overruns, conflicts, and time-consuming legal disputes. To mitigate the effects of these difficulties, four new prototype systems are created: a front-end planning tool (FEPT), a construction value packaging system (CVPS), an integrated construction materials management (ICMM) system, and an ACSNM database. Because these components are closely interdependent elements of construction supply nexus management, the successfully developed model incorporates cross-functional integration. This research therefore effectively addresses process management, process integration, and document management, features not included in previous implementations of similar models for construction-related applications. This study also introduces new concepts and definitions, such as construction value packages comprised of value units that form the scope of value-added work defined by type, stage in the value chain, and other elements such as drawings and specifications. The application of the new technologies and methods reveals that the ACSNM has the potential to improve the performance and management of the enterprise-wide supply chain. Through opportunities provided by our industry partners, Coreworx Inc. and Aecon Group Inc., the elements of the developed model have been validated with respect to implementation using data from several construction megaprojects. The model is intended to govern current supply nexus processes associated with such megaprojects but may be general enough for eventual application in other construction sectors, such as multi-unit housing and infrastructure.

Byggbranschen karakteriseras av projektbaserade organisationer och temporära försörjningskedjor. Branschen är spridd på många aktörer och det ställer höga krav på kommunikationen mellan dem. Traditionellt sett har företagen arbetat självständigt utan koppling till de andra medlemmarna i försörjningskedjan men fördelarna med att samarbeta över de organisatoriska gränserna börjar bli allt tydligare. Förändringen grundar sig i att kunderna har mer inflytande på marknaden och det är därför viktigare för företagen att snabbt reagera på förändringar i trender och skapa kvalitativa produkter till låga kostnader. Att styra och leda flödet av material, information och pengar i försörjningskedjan från tillverkning till slutprodukt är därför vital för att behålla konkurrenskraften i organisationerna.   Utvecklingen med digitaliseringen har lett till att kvalitativ data krävs för att utreda hur ny teknik kan implementeras i syfte att förbättra försörjningskedjans flöden. För att identifiera effekten av förändringar utförs därför en nulägeskartläggning av material- och informationsflödet för ett köks försörjningskedja. Studien visar hur flödet fungerar i nuläget och belyser processer som kan förbättras med hjälp av ny teknik. Utredningen är baserad på intervjuer och observationer från Marbodals fabrik till inbyggnadsplatsen för en köksleverans i ett NCC projekt. Insamlad data har därefter analyserats utifrån den initiala litteraturstudiens teorimodell och aktiviteterna i materialflödet. Köksleveransen valdes med avseende på att det är en vanligt förekommande leverans vid både ny- och ombyggnation. Den innehåller även en viss komplexitet, dels i tillverkningen men även i materialhanteringen. I studien identifierades slöserier i material- och informationsflödet. Dessa berör främst materialhanteringen på arbetsplatsen, samt intern- och externkommunikation i projektet. Utredningen visar att förbättringar i entreprenörens framtida inköp kan åstadkommas genom: Att säkerställa en gemensam målbild och syfte med arbetet för att reducera antalet missförstånd som sprids i organisationen och därefter vidare i försörjningskedjan. Involvera leverantörer och yrkesarbetare tidigt i planeringen. I planeringen av leveransen lägga vikt på att förstå leveransvillkoren och vilken flexibilitet som finns från leverantörens sida. I samband med leveransplaneringen ha en klar bild hur materialet paketeras och inspektera intransportvägen för att identifiera och förebygga hinder. Planera varje beställning så att inte material ligger i onödan på arbetsplatsen då det är kostsamt att flytta runt det. Informera involverade underentreprenörer (UE) vid förändringar i planeringen då det kan resultera i krockar. / The construction industry is characterised by project based organisations and temporary supply chains. The fragmentation in this industry is tangible, placing significant communication pressure on supply chain members. Traditionally, companies have worked independently without ties to other members of the supply chain, but experience has shown increasing benefits of cooperation beyond company borders. This change of focus is due to the growing influence of customers, making it essential for suppliers to react to fluctuating changes in trends and produce quality products at low prices. Supply chain management methodshave because of this gained influence since they handle the flow of material, information and financial flow from manufacturing to end customer in order to stay competitive. The development of digitalisation is creating a need for qualitative data on which to base new research regarding how emerging technologies can be implemented to enhance the different flows in the supply chain. In order to measure changes made in the supply chain, the current state of mapping of a kitchens material and information flow can work as a reference and point out problems that could be solved with such technologies. This investigation is based on interviews and observations from the factory of the supplier to the assembly site for a kitchen delivery in an NCC project. Collected data has been analysed through the lens of theories found in the literature review and the material handling process. The kitchen delivery was selected because it’s a common delivery to new construction and renovation projects in the construction industry. Also there is a certain complexity regarding the manufacturing- and the material handling process. The study identified waste in the material and information flows. These concerns apply to material handling on the construction site and both internal and external communication within the project. The aforementioned findings led to the following improvement suggestions for future purchases of the contractor: Ensure that everyone involved in the project has the same view on the purpose and goal for the conducted work. This can reduce the number of potential misunderstandings passing on in the project and later the supply chain. Suppliers and workers should have connection to the purchasing processes during the early stages of planning. Confirm understanding of the terms of delivery and the flexibility of the suppliers. Perform inspection of the intended transport methods of materials ahead of delivery to solve problems related to internal transportation in advance. Plan the purchase in detail to make sure it fits the production phase. Inform involved subcontractors in the project of changes in planning to avoid collision or unnecessary wastes.

Denna studie syftar till att undersöka CSCM och om etablerade SCM koncept och metoder från tillverkningsindustrin kan användas inom CSCM. För att besvara syftet har frågeställningarna “hur skiljer sig förutsättningarna för SCM och CSCM?”, “är SCM koncept och metoder överförbara från tillverkningsindustrin till byggnadsindustrin?”, “vilka SCM koncept och metoder verkar inte lämpliga för CSCM?” och “vilka koncept och metoder från traditionell SCM framstår som användbara för CSCM?”. Den teoretiska referensramen består av ett urval vedertagna SCM koncept och metoder som har sitt ursprung i tillverkande industri och teori om CSCM. Teorierna har använts för att analysera empirin som är av kvalitativ karaktär för att uttömmande presentera sex respondenters verkliga bild av CSCM och användning av SCM koncept och metoder.    Studien kommer fram till slutsatsen att SCM koncept och metoder från tillverkande industri kan användas inom byggnadsindustrin, men att det krävs modifikationer för att bättre passa byggindustrins unika karaktär. Ett koncept och som inte rakt av lämpar sig för CSCM är JIT eftersom byggarbetsplatser inte är anpassade för att ta emot stora antal leveranser som ofta är konsekvensen av JIT. Men om JIT anpassas till CSCM genom användning av samlastningsterminaler för att minska antalet transporter visar det sig vara en omtyckt metod av respondenterna. Analysen visar även att det sker en omställning inom CSCM där användning av IT blir allt vanligare, men är fortfarande inte helt etablerad. Utifrån analyser verkar det finnas ett behov av mer utvecklade samarbeten inom CSCM där direkt leverantörsutveckling inte var vanligt enligt respondenterna. Detta tycks bero på byggindustrins tidsbegränsade och decentraliserade projektkaraktär som inte låter samarbeten utmynna i något större. Respondenterna upplever en hög supply risk inom sin CSCM och använder bland annat terminaler för att minska denna. Outsourcing av logistik till en tredje part är ett koncept som används inom CSCM för att öka effektivitet genom möjliggörande av fokus på kärnkompetenser. / This study aims to investigate CSCM and whether established SCM concepts and methods from the manufacturing industry can be used in CSCM. To answer the purpose, we asked the research questions "how do the conditions for SCM and CSCM differ?", "are SCM concepts and methods transferable from the manufacturing industry to the construction industry?", "which SCM concepts and methods do not seem suitable for CSCM?" and "which concepts and methods from traditional SCM appear to be useful for CSCM?". The theoretical framework consists of a selection of well-known SCM concepts and methods originating from the manufacturing industry and CSCM theory. The theories have been used to analyze the empirical data, which is qualitative in nature, in order to comprehensively present six interviewees' real picture of CSCM and the use of SCM concepts and methods.   The study concludes that SCM concepts and methods from the manufacturing industry can be used in the construction industry, but that modifications are required to better suit the unique nature of the construction industry. One concept that is not directly suitable for CSCM is JIT, because construction sites are not adapted to receive large numbers of deliveries as JIT often implies. However, adapting JIT to CSCM through the use of co-loading terminals to reduce the number of transports proves to be a popular approach by the interviewees. The analysis also shows that there is a transition in CSCM where the use of IT is becoming more common but is still not fully established. Based on the analysis, there seems to be a need for more developed collaborations in CSCM where direct supplier development was not common according to the interviewees. This seems to be due to the time-limited and decentralized project nature of the construction industry, which does not allow collaborations to lead to anything major. The interviewees perceive a high supply risk in CSCM. Terminals, among other things, are used to reduce the supply risk. Outsourcing of logistics to a third party is a concept used in CSCM to increase efficiency by enabling a focus on core competencies.

The construction industry is known for its inefficiency, with projects exceeding budgets and not completing on time. It is claimed that these problems stem from the industry’s characteristics and affect the project’s success. Research has increased within the field of construction supply chains and construction supply chain management as a way to increase coordination and improve project performances. However, the industry and the companies within have a long way to go before construction supply chain management is integrated. This study presents problems that are manageable for a general contractor and what enabler can be implemented to facilitate the integration of construction supply chain management and coordination. The study investigates a Swedish project and its current situation, where the collected data from interviews belong to either people, processes, or contexts. The study identifies 22 problems and 21 enablers from interviews, literature, and frameworks. Early on in the study, it is noted that problems are linked and affect various disciplines. Consequently, if one problem arises it affects other disciplines. Therefore to understand the problems origin and connections will the opted analysis provide their association to each other and their belonging to either the construction or supply process. Based on the belonging, the problems are sorted if they are considered manageable for a general contractor and relate to either organizational efforts, management of the information flow, or relationships. The study also provides proposed applications for information and communication technology. Furthermore, initial steps towards integrating construction supply chain management for a general contractor this is done by initiating ’supply chain integration’ and develop integrating processes, products, and services. It is recommended that this should be done by mapping the current state of the supply and construction process, identifying individuals who are familiar with supply chain methods, and involve them in works for improvement. The second step is to develop an organizational and team culture that is open for change and supports integration. Once the culture has been established, more effort and resources can be added towards building relationships and develop construction supply chain collaborations. Proposed enablers are among several to develop selection criteria to determine suppliers and subcontractors and adapt resources such as time and money accordingly. Since subcontractors are responsible for the supply process, it is recommended that goals and evaluation criteria for these actors should be developed based on supply chain performances and form the basis for evaluating subcontractors. This study confirms previous studies where the general contractors’ ability to cooperate and their practices are affected by the owners’ demand and preferred methods. Therefore it is required that the general contractor’s ability to adapt accordingly is increased. Consequently, the need for new management principles that are highly adaptive and easy to use is demonstrated. The compiled results indicate an imbalance of responsibilities and a lack of ownership for changing the industry and showing the need for new management principles. Which leaves the question, who is responsible for changing the industry? Even though this is a complex question, as indicated in the study, there are actions that a general contractor can take to integrate construction supply chain management and increase coordination.

En undermålig leveransprestation av maskiner och utrustning skapar problem i hela försörjningskedjan för ett byggprojekt. Ifall maskiner och utrustning inte levereras efter överenskommen tid, bidrar det till stillestånd och förseningar av byggprojektet. Bygget stannar upp om inte rätt maskiner, finns på rätt plats, i rätt skick och i rätt kvantitet. Syftet med studien är att identifiera vilka moment som tillsammans utgör orderprocessen i uthyrningsbranschen och vad som påverkar tillförlitligheten av leveranser för uthyrning av maskiner och utrustning till byggbranschen. En processkartläggning har identifierat fem moment i orderprocessen, kundkontakt, ordermottagning, orderhantering, leverans och returer. För att veta hur väl orderprocessen presterar behöver mätetal införas. Utan mätetal är det svårt att veta ifall maskiner och utrustning levereras efter vad som överenskommits med kund. Mätetal underlättar även för förbättringar i processer då det går att jämföra mot tidigare mätetal för att se ifall en förbättring har blivit en förbättring eller enbart en förändring. En kombination av mätetal på tillförlitlighet från Supply Chain Operations Reference Model samt tillämpningar och metoder från Supply Chain Management kan förbättra tillförlitligheten av leveranser i en försörjningskedja som förser byggbranschen med maskiner och utrustning. / A poor delivery performance of machines and equipment creates problems throughout the supply chain for a construction project. If machines and equipment do not arrive in compliance with agreed upon time, it will cause downtime and delays at the construction site. The construction site will come to a standstill if not the right machines is at the right place, at the right time, in the right condition and in the right quantity. The purpose of the report is to identify which elements constitute the order process for rental of machines and equipment, as well as provide suggestions on how the elements can be improved to increase the reliability of deliveries to and from construction projects. With process mapping five elements of the order process have been identified, customer support, receiving of orders, processing of orders, deliveries and returns. To know the performance of the order fulfillment, measurements need to be introduced. Without metrics, it is difficult to know if machines and equipment arrive at the construction site correctly. Metrics also facilitate improvements in processes as it is possible to compare to previous measures to see if an improvement has been an improvement or just a change. If metrics on reliability from the Supply Chain Operations Reference Model is combined with practices and methods from Supply Chain Management the reliability of deliveries in the supply chain that supplies the construction industry with machines and equipment can be improved.