Issue 2

CONTENT

Editorial

1. Christian Brockmann:
The Mechanics of Collusion

2. Levente Mályusz, Miklós Hajdu:
How would you like it: cheaper or shorter

3. Ilknur Akiner, M. Ernur Akiner:
Evaluation of Turkish Construction Industry through the Challenges and Globalization

4. Jajac Niksa, Knezic Snjezana, Marovic Ivan:
Decision support system to urban infrastructure maintenance management

5. Stefan Faatz:
Architectural programming: providing essential knowledge of project participants needs in the pre-design phase

6. Valentina Zileska-Pancovska, Milorad Jovanovski, Meri Cvetkovska:
Assessment, review, and evaluation of the project management education and training portfolio

1. Christian Brockmann:

The Mechanics of Collusion
 

Abstract:
The construction industry is according to the bribe Payers index from transParency international the most corruPt industry, well ahead of the defense sector. Corruption and collusion are closely interrelated in the public sector, they nurture each other. However, collusion does not depend on corruption, it can thrive by itself. A basic question is whether collusion is mostly a moral or an institutional issue. Using the title “mechanics of collusion” and proving the implied automatic reactions clearly strengthens the argument for an institutional view. There is no freedom of choice in mechanics and accordingly there are no moral issues. The predominant antecedents of the construction industry (sealed-bid auctions, competitive environment, large contract volumes) are setting incentives for collusive cooperation. Such a behavior can even be morally defended. Since it is illegal (while extant) in most countries, it can not be encouraged. However, it is worthwhile to discuss changes to the procurement process that will set incentives to discourage collusion.

Keywords:
collusion, game theory, institutions, monopsony

2. Levente Mályusz, Miklós Hajdu:

How would you like it: cheaper or shorter
 

Abstract:
Least cost scheduling techniques were accomPanying the history of modern Project management, however they have never gained much importance in the practice. Even in our days only a few computer application provide this kind of feature to the users. In this paper a generalized PDM least cost scheduling problem will be introduced, and a case study will be presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. The case study is based on a highway construction project, where the least cost sched-
uling technique developed by the authors was used in applied in order to calculate the minimum direct cost solution to a given project duration. The authors came to a conclusion that least cost scheduling can be a useful tool in the cost planning of the projects, however further
research are necessary (e.g. handle of the activity calendars) to make the model suitable for everyday use.

Keywords:
project management, scheduling, cost

3. Ilknur Akiner, M. Ernur Akiner:

Evaluation of Turkish Construction Industry through the Challenges and Globalization
 

Abstract:
There is a growing concern of globalization of construction industry. It is affected dramatically from all political dynamics, legal and economic activities and technological aspects. Turkish construction industry represents an important role at the threshold of the European Union membership of Turkey. The current regulatory situation of the Turkish construction industry created necessary enabling environments to promote globalization and the opportunities to enhance its position. The aim of this paper is to identify current potential factors that would foster increasing globalization of the Turkish construction industry within the international markets. Also the global issues in the context of the construction industry are discussed. Another objective of the study is to examine to extent to which factors will facilitate the globalization of Turkish construction industry. Results highlight the current status and discuss the potential directions together with problems and the position through the international arena for global competitiveness of the industry.

Keywords:
globalization, international construction, Turkish construction industry, competitiveness

4. Jajac Niksa, Knezic Snjezana, Marovic Ivan:

Decision support system to urban infrastructure maintenance management
 

Abstract:
Life-cycle management of urban infrastructure projects is very complex process from both management and economic aspects. Focus of this research is on urban infrastructure maintenance phase of a life-cycle, especially on decision making in maintenance problems. Urban infrastructure maintenance management deals with complex decision making process. The reasons for a complexity are: lots of participants, multi disciplinarity, huge quantity of information, limited budget, conflict goals and criteria. These facts indicate that decision making processes in urban infrastructure management undoubtedly belong to ill-defined problems. In order to cope with such complexity and to help project managers during decision making processes this research proposes an application of multicriteria methods. Multicriteria methodology proposed herein is applied on priority setting problem. It starts with goal analysis followed by definition of urban infrastructure elements and development of adequate criteria set. Evaluation of criteria importance (weights) is based on a set of experts’ opinions processed by AHP method. An assessment of maintenance conditions of urban infrastructure elements is provided trough monitoring process. The way of using proper forms and procedures for data collection is presented as well. All collected data are processed by PROMETHEE multicriteria methods. The main result of a multicriteria process is priority maintenance list for urban infrastructure elements. The methodology is tested on road infrastructure of town of Split.

Keywords:
maintenance management, decision support, urban
infrastructure, multicriteria methods

5. Stefan Faatz:

Architectural programming: providing essential knowledge of project participants needs in the pre-design phase
 

Abstract:
Through the increasing comPlexity of construction projects, the clear postulation of the planning objectives is becoming increasingly difficult for the clients and the planners equally. However, the precise definition of planning aims and goals is of crucial meaning for a positive project outcome.
The precise definition and outline of the client requirements and the needs of future users can significantly contribute to the sustainable efficiency and performance improvement. While in the Anglo-American region the method is widespread in Europe it is still unconsidered. This issue is leading to immense changing costs and has a great impact on the European economy. This paper will give an overview about the standards and procedures of the programming method. The implementation of programming will be demonstrated on a case study of the Vienna University of Technology. A performance specification was being developed for an architectural program of spatial merging of three different departments.

Keywords:
architectural programming, design briefing, knowledge
gathering, performance specification

6. Valentina Zileska-Pancovska, Milorad Jovanovski, Meri Cvetkovska:

Assessment, review, and evaluation of the project management education and training portfolio
 

Abstract:
this article Presents authors exPeriences collected during working on some international civil engineering Projects. The purpose of the article is to present possible obstacles during working on international projects, resulting from differences in levels of design, application of different standards and models for civil works, as well as different engineering practice. A special attention is given on problems connected with project management, technical documentation and construction projects determining factors. Main idea is to give possible way of overcoming the differences that can arise from different application of mentioned project elements. A main conclusion is that, before starting on working with international civil engineering projects, a detailed analyse of all law aspects, standards, technical legislative, local practice and culture is necessary. Authors believe that the gathered experiences can serve as a learning example for foreign parties and for improvement international cooperation in construction.

Keywords:
learning from projects, international project, construction, standards