Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Building Construction

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Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Building Construction

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https://hdl.handle.net/1853/72547

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Degree Series

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School of Building Construction

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Now showing 1 - 9 of 9

Successful delivery of flash track projects

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2016-04-14) Austin, Robert Brendon

This research explores a higher order of fast tracking, called Flash Tracking, in response to increasing calls for faster, more reliable project deliveries. Flash Tracking is defined as a time-driven project, which by necessity requires a heightened degree of concurrency between engineering, procurement, and construction. In contrast to fast tracking, which entails a level of concurrency between engineering, procurement, and construction that has become a staple of the construction industry, Flash Tracking extends the envelope by requiring a series of innovative practices across the project delivery spectrum. The specific research questions pursued include: 1) identifying which innovative improvements in project delivery methodology could be made to compress project durations, while maintaining safety, quality, and risk tolerance, and 2) addressing how project teams can best overcome barriers to delivering shorter project durations. A multi-method research project was undertaken to address these questions, which entailed an extensive review of the literature, structured case study interviews, and multiple group decision-making exercises. The literature review focused on the construction industry, as well as manufacturing, shipbuilding, and software development, to identify practices and techniques potentially relevant to Flash Tracking that could be extended to the construction industry. Group decision-making exercises included a modified Delphi method study, an Analytic Hierarchy Process, and a series of research charrettes or focus groups. These studies produced a prioritized, two-tiered listing of 47 essential Flash Track practices, providing practitioners with both a measure to assess their readiness for undertaking a Flash Track project and strategies for increasing their readiness. A subsequent study--a semantic network analysis--refined and buttressed the research team’s earlier findings. This two-year study, conducted in concert with industry experts, led to a re-engineered engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model which embraces relational contract strategies, improved communications, and the early engagement of key stakeholders.
Evaluating supplier diversity development programs (SDDP) from the diverse supplier enterprise (DSE) perspective in the facility management industry

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2016-04-04) Hatcher, Michael B.

Supplier diversity refers to the practice of creating opportunities for historically underutilized populations in the workforce and business arena. Supplier diversity encompasses initiatives specifically designed to increase the number of enterprises owned by people from ethnic minority groups who supply public, private, and/or voluntary sector organizations with goods and services (Ram & Smallbone, 2003). Supplier diversity initiatives were once driven solely by governmental policies focused on ethnic minorities. Also, minority vendor purchasing programs were designed to increase the volume of goods and services purchased by corporations from minority-owned businesses (Giunipero, 1981). Guided by the existing literature related to supplier diversity, this qualitative phenomenological study investigated the current state of Supplier Diversity Development Programs (SDDP) from the diverse supplier perspective. Primarily this research illuminated the (1) lived experiences of DSE Supplier Diversity Development Program participants (2) investigated the extent to which SDDPs eliminate or mitigate barriers/impediments to diverse suppliers previously identified in academic literature, and (3) evaluated the impact of SDDP participation on DSE business capacity development. This study explored and evaluated Supplier Diversity Development Programs to serve as a guide for (a) public and private POs in the facility management industry that currently utilize some supplier diversity development programs and (b) organizations seeking to implement SDDPs in the future. This research identified and posited a series of recommendations for the improvement of existing programs and the creation of new Supplier Diversity Development Programs. This research found that a Supplier Diversity Development Program that aligns program expectation with program delivery will result in greater levels of positive program participation outcomes. In addition this research study found SDDP mitigates DSE barriers/impediments and impacts DSE business capacity development, by way of building relationships, administering education, raising awareness, and creating platforms for access and engagement.
Evaluating the impacts of enterprise resource planning on organizational performance for small to medium enterprises in manufacturing

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015-04-02) Sedehi, Arya

Today’s fast-paced global economy has intensified the demand for manufacturing companies to make their products more quickly and with higher quality to meet heightened consumer expectations while reducing costs. This competitive environment requires small to medium enterprise’s (SMEs) to implement well-designed business processes and leverage information technology (IT), such as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, within their facilities to become more agile, flexible, and integrated to meet changing market demands. Issues emerge when facility managers lack reliable data on performance and costs, which subsequently impairs even basic decisions for resource allocation or process improvement. Although the benefits of a successful ERP implementation in large firms are recognized, there is a general lack of empirical IT productivity literature focusing on SMEs. This research is expected to contribute to a framework for performance measurement, providing facility decision-makers with important metrics for analyzing their firm’s ability to improve upon competitive priorities. Employing the Delphi process, key performance indicators (KPIs) including time, speed, quality, and cost, and corresponding performance measurement metrics, investigations are conducted between traditional manufacturing processes in SMEs and processes enhanced through ERP adoption. In this longitudinal case study, significant improvements are observed in production operations relative to time following ERP implementation including a reduction in the defect rate, total manufacturing cost, and scrap rate along with increases in on-time delivery and flexibility.
An evaluation of home hospital care impacts on emergency department boarding using simulation

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015-01-06) Fard, John

The hospital emergency department (ED) is a critical source for health care amid a complex healthcare system in the United States. It is the gateway to care for a broad range of people, arriving from a variety of locations. With this wide reaching net and a decreasing trend in hospital beds, EDs throughout the United States are experiencing overcrowding. ED crowding has various tactical and strategic facility management impacts ranging from facility occupancy issues to adverse health outcomes. Among other factors, recent research has cited the sharp increase in ED visits over the years and ED patient boarding as key contributors to crowding. Home hospital care is a model in which health care is delivered at an individual’s home as a substitute for hospital-level inpatient short-term acute care. Clinical research has shown home hospital to be an effective care model for select illnesses presenting frequently to EDs, such as congestive heart failure, community acquired pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cellulitis. While there exist distinct clinical and social criteria for which delineate eligible individuals, home hospital care models have been linked with the potential to free inpatient beds. The overarching objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between home hospital care and ED crowding. To achieve this objective, the study examined the relationship between home hospital care and ED crowding, specific to ED boarding performance at a large, urban, teaching hospital facility. A methodology for identification of potential home hospital patients was used through clinical and social criteria, and a scale for the range of clinical eligibility rates was established for the five suitable illnesses. The study modeled patient flow and bed demand, and utilized computer simulation modeling to assess the impact of home hospital care on ED boarding performance. Various models were simulated to represent different home hospital intervention types. The models incorporated home hospital through an ED Referral program, Inpatient-Transfer Referral program, Community Referral program, and a fully integrated home hospital program. Three scenarios were run for each model to assess practical possibilities for the utilization of the freed bed hours from a home hospital program. This research contributes insight and understanding of home hospital’s impacts on ED crowding. The insight from this study quantifies the effects of a home hospital program on ED boarding and inpatient bed demand. The modeling study is contributes an analytical understanding of the impacts that home hospital could potentially have on crowding, which could prove useful in the struggle against ED congestion. This understanding helps to provide a more thorough understanding of home hospital, and could aid in an organization’s decision-making process of whether to implement a program. The presented modeling methodology for analyzing home hospital and ED crowding can also be used as a model format for researchers and practitioners for analytical purposes in future studies.
Framework for owner's project requirements for total structural systems (oprtss)

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-07-08) Rouhi, Soheil

As Total Building Commissioning (TBCX) gaining acceptance and becoming a required process for federal, state and LEED projects, the required system guidelines are likewise being developed per Guideline 0-2005 recommendations. One of the most essential systems of any construction process is the structural system; however, there has been limited research in developing a guideline dedicated to structural systems. The Owner's Project Requirement (OPR) is the heart and soul of every guideline, in which Owners specify the requirements of the project in each system. A well-developed OPR for any system will guide the project stakeholders to achieve this goal; it will also, identify the responsibility of professionals in each system of the TBCX. To address this need, this fundamental research will develop a framework for the Owner's Project Requirement (OPR) for Total Structural Systems (OPRTSS). The goal of this research is to develop a model for identifying and implementing the major design and construction variables that impact structural performance of a project, especially during project delivery of concrete or steel framed projects; these are variables that are generally not defined or required by contracts, applicable building codes or engineering principles; that need to be outlined at the pre-design stage. Then, these variables are incorporated into the OPR to reduce the design and construction process uncertainty and help to achieve Owner's requirements for the project. Consequently this will increase Owners satisfaction, quality of the built environment and reduce time, cost and litigation.
Auditory distractions in open office settings: a multi attribute utility approach to workspace decision making

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010-04-22) Juneja, Parminder K.

In open office settings, auditory distractions coming from surrounding work environment are shown to be a considerable source of indirect costs to an organization, such as performance costs, behavioral costs, and healthcare costs, to name a few. These costs are substantial to affect the net productivity of an organization, where productivity is equal to revenue minus the costs. This research argues that the costs of auditory distractions should be estimated when evaluating the value of a workspace for an organization. However, since organizational decisions are generally guided by cost-benefit analysis and a precise dollar figure cannot be attached to the stated indirect costs because these are subjective in nature; therefore, these are generally ignored. Costs that are critical to sustainability and development of a business and the fact that cost-benefit approach is no longer appropriate for these decisions, a more robust decision-based approach to workspace selection is proposed. Decision-based approach is seen as an organized approach to select between workspace options under uncertainty and risk wherein the selected workspace is maximized in terms of some expected utility. Here utility is defined as the measurement of strength or intensity of a person's preferences. Decision-based approach include consideration of a multitude of environmental decision variables, objective or subjective, in a single equation and processing of the same in a limited amount of time with rationality and consistency. A multi-attribute workspace choice utility decision model is developed with the intent to facilitate systematic understanding and analysis of workspace alternatives for an organization. This research shows how the decision-making approach to workspace selection simplifies the problem by providing a structure that is easily comprehensible, and allows simultaneous processing of both, qualitative and quantitative conflicting objectives, through a single decision-making model. In doing so, this research firmly establishes the importance of workspace's adaptability to auditory distractions for office workers, particularly knowledge workers, who are constantly undertaking a range of complex tasks. The study holistically and systematically addresses the fundamental issue prevalent in state-of-the-art North American open plan office settings of substantiality of two extremely contrasting requirements, concentration and collaboration, in the same workspace and work environment at a given time.
Artificial neural network (ANN) based decision support model for alternative workplace arrangements (AWA): readiness assessment and type selection

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009-11-11) Kim, Jun Ha

A growing body of evidence shows that globalization and advances in information and communication technology (ICT) have prompted a revolution in the way work is produced. One of the most notable changes is the establishment of the alternative workplace arrangement (AWA), in which workers have more freedom in their work hours and workplaces. Just as all organizations are not good candidates for AWA adoption, all work types, all employees and all levels of facilities supports are not good candidates for AWA adoption. The main problem is that facility managers have no established tools to assess their readiness for AWA adoption or to select among the possible choices regarding which AWA type is most appropriate considering their organizations' business reasons or objectives of adoption and the current readiness levels. This dissertation resulted in the development of readiness level assessment indicators (RLAI), which measure the initial readiness of high-tech companies for adopting AWAs and the ANN based decision model, which allows facility managers to predict not only an appropriate AWA type, but also an anticipated satisfaction level considering the objectives and the current readiness level. This research has identified significant factors and relative attributes for facility managers to consider when measuring their organization's readiness for AWA adoption. Robust predictive performance of the ANN model shows that the main factors or key determinants have been correctly identified in RLAI and can be used to predict an appropriate AWA type as well as a high-tech company's satisfaction level regarding the AWA adoption.
Employee engagement model for the multi-family rental housing industry

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009-03-23) Phillips, Deborah Ann

Employee Engagement Model for the Multi-family Rental Housing Industry Deborah R. Phillips 238 Pages Directed by Roozbeh Kangari The multi-family rental housing industry has faced numerous challenges in the past decade. Increased competition, declining occupancy rates and higher operating expenses have forced management companies to re-examine their organizational strategies, particularly as it applies to its human capital. Employee engagement has become an emerging topic and shows that engaged employees perform better, put in extra effort to help get the job done, show a strong level of commitment to the organization, and are more motivated and optimistic about their work goals. Companies now recognize the value in fostering a climate in which engaged employees drive sales by creating loyal customers. However, despite documented support identifying the link between engaged employees and more impressive business outcomes, little research has concentrated on the special needs and challenges of the multi-family rental housing industry. Further, there are limited tools available to assist owners and managers with the task of identifying the drivers affecting employee engagement. An Employee Engagement Model (EEM) was developed to allow multi-family apartment rental property owners and managers to determine the percentage of satisfied residents for a given average level of engagement score. This research utilized statistical analysis, neural network techniques, and probabilistic modeling to develop the Employee Engagement Model. The Employee Engagement Model (EEM) offers new knowledge in the relationship between employee engagement and resident satisfaction in the multi-family rental housing industry. New knowledge may also be derived in correlations of certain aspects of employee engagement and the likelihood of residents extending their leases or referring others to his/her community, thus improving business performance. It is expected that the Employee Engagement Model (EEM) will provide useful feedback to multi-family professionals in their process of talent management. It is also expected that further discussions toward improvements in measuring employee engagement and its impact on satisfaction will be prompted by this research.
Automation Performance Index

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006-11-30) Makarechi, Shariar

Automation is intended to improve overall building performance. Building Automation Systems (BAS) are attractive and popular due to their promise of increased operational effectiveness. BAS can be optimized and a well-designed and well-implemented BAS is expected to increase a buildings overall appeal and value as a result of improvement to its performance. In order to improve the level of automation in buildings, a measurement tool in the form of a performance index is needed. The goal of this research is to quantify a buildings level of automation-performance. The specific objective is to develop an Automation Performance Index (API) model for evaluating the extent of a buildings automation-performance. A methodology is outlined with ten tasks to accomplish the goals of this research and a criterion for each task is described. An extensive literature research and expert survey are performed to identify the key parameters that influence the performance of BAS. Seminars related to the building automation and commissioning fields were also attended to obtain the views of practitioners, manufacturers experts, as well as scholars in the field of building automation and performance commissioning. A Delphi method of research approach is conducted through a series of interviews and surveys of industry and academia experts. The feedback from experts and the research from literature, industry and academic resources are combined, classified and categorized for identification of significant parameters around which Automation Performance Index (API) model can be defined.