A computerized system to schedule high-rise building construction has been developed using line-of-balance technology assisted by an expert system. A review of the recent literature on the techniques available for scheduling and controlling construction projects of a repetitive nature shows that...

The construction project is subject to several risks, one of the most important of which is contractor default because contractor default may increase the final project cost considerably. In the US construction industry, owners commonly shield themselves from the risk of contractor default by...

This paper proposes a radical change in industry practice that will improve the quality of the construction process and the levels of customer satisfaction derived from it by evaluating the quality performance of the contractor. An alternative theory is developed of what constitutes quality,...

The general contractor-subcontractor relationship has been a focus of interest in the literature and yet its impact on a general contractor's economic performance remains a virtually unexplored area in the construction management literature. This research presents the findings of a questionnaire...

Transaction cost economics deals with costs incurred at the pre-contract phase such as the costs of conducting market research, exploring financial opportunities, conducting a feasibility study, organizing a bidding/negotiation and managing design; and with costs incurred in the post-contract...

Researchers have attempted to develop methods that detect collusive bidding. But no method can detect collusion with certainty unless it is based on legal evidence. A method is proposed to detect collusive bidding behaviour that improves the performance of previous methods. It analyses the...

The preferential selection of minority firms in federally assisted contracts, state contracts and large metropolitan contracts has been in effect in the US for the purpose of meeting affirmative action goals, but this practice has also raised questions about the quality of contract performance....

Branding secures easier financing, higher rates and occupancies and repeat business in the hospitality industry. Hotel operators use architectural and interior design elements to create uniquely differentiated products for their brands. Owing to the expected benefits, hotel owners often involve...

Unbalanced bidding is a serious problem for the construction owner because it may increase the cost of construction The most common way to mathematically unbalance a bid is frontloading where a bidder overstates the unit price of line items scheduled to be performed early in the project and...