Construction in the Muslim World

FINAL PROGRAMMES

2009-10-12T01:57:00.000-07:00

Please click for full programmes for the Inaugural Construction in the Muslim World, 5th Joint Ventures and CLECAP Conferences.

Click here for CLECAP programme

Click here for Construction in the Muslim World programme

Click here for 5th Joint Ventures programme

CONFERENCE BROCHURE

2009-08-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

Full details of the inaugural Construction in the Muslim World Conference, to be held on Wednesday 21st October 2009 at the Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia, are now available.

***THE BROCHURE & REGISTRATION FORM MAY BE DOWNLOADED

Please click here***

Papers accepted for presentation

2009-08-19T02:52:00.000-07:00

The following papers have been accepted for presentation;

The Construction Sector in the Economies of the Muslim World – A Factual Analysis and Its Developmental Implications

Professional Ethics in the Construction Industry of an Islamic country: Clients’ Perspective

Shari’ah Compliant Construction Marketing

Poverty Focus Development through Construction Industries in the Muslim World

Construction Education and Training in the Muslim World: Challenges, Prospects and Policy Implications

Abstracts Accepted

2009-04-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

The following abstracts have been accepted for the inaugural Construction in the Muslim World Conference.

The deadline for submission of full papers is now 30th June 2009.

Abstract 6

2009-04-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

Time Overrun Trends in the Construction Industry of Pakistan – An Assessment of the Contributing Organizational Factors

Delay is generally acknowledged as the most common, costly, complex and risky problem encountered in construction projects. Because of the overriding importance of time for both the Owner (in terms of performance) and the Contractor (in terms of money), it is the source of frequent disputes and claims leading to lawsuits. Results of a former study conducted by the lead author on the causes and allocation of delays in construction projects in Pakistan identified that the major share of responsibility for overall delay causes was taken by construction contractors. This study hypothesizes that the behavior of an individual contracting organization would be different in some respects when dealing with the factors causing delays. Larger, more experienced firms as well as firms which are well equipped with management tools can perform better in situations to minimize time overruns as compared to new, inexperienced firms. Similarly, the amount of work in hand, nature of work, size of project, project type and funding patterns may also largely affect the overall time overrun on the project. Based on the above hypothesis, a study has been conducted to determine the effect of these parameters on the time overruns in projects. For this study, construction contracting organizations were focused and data were collected for the planned and actual time durations of several projects as well as for various organizational parameters in order to assess the trends of time overruns. This paper presents the findings of the study.

Analysis of the results shows a comparison of time overrun trends among the different classifications of the contractors (with respect to size, experience, amount of work in hand, etc.). It is expected that the results of the study will be helpful in determining the time overrun patterns of these organizations; moreover, these results can be useful for the owners in the selection process of the organizations for their future projects.

Abstract 5

2009-04-24T04:49:00.002-07:00

Effects of Crash Programming on a Construction Project

As a construction project executes, several situations may arise that were not anticipated at the time when schedules were prepared. Some of these unforeseen events cause delays to the project to such an extent that increase in the project completion time seems inevitable, thus creating pressure on the contractors to accelerate the pace of the remaining work implementing a crash program.

An empirical study has been performed, by using survey data collected from the construction practitioners working in Pakistan, to identify the effects of crash programming on construction projects with special importance laid to identify the combined effect on the finished product, the organizations involved and the personnel involved due to the crash program. It is anticipated that the analysis and the recommendations of the study will be beneficial for the planners in determining the aspects that shouldn’t be neglected during the initial planning to avoid unrealistic crash programs. Moreover, the findings will prove to be useful to identify means to improve the quality of the finished product as well as the performance of involved organizations and personnel.

Key Words: Crash programming, Construction industry, Contractors, Pakistan.

Abstract 4

2009-04-24T04:49:00.001-07:00

Assessing the Effects of Site Management Practices on Productivity Levels of Construction Workforce

Construction industry has largely been human resource driven industry. Site workforce plays a vital role in achieving a successful project. Efficient site management is also essential to have productive and cost efficient workforce utilization. Poor site management may result in loss of productivity and hence delays, cost overruns and quality losses.

As for most economies, the construction industry of Pakistan serves as the backbone of the country’s economy. Historically, however, the construction industry of Pakistan has remained plagued with under-performance. Anecdotal evidence suggests that adequate site management can prove to be of vital significance in successfully completing the projects within budget, on schedule and as per required specifications.

The purpose of the study is to highlight the effects of site management practices on the productivity levels of construction workforce. The study has been conducted through investigative visits at various construction sites in Pakistan. It is expected that the conclusions and recommendations from the study will prove to be pivotal in providing a process of improving workforce productivity through better site management, and hence can improve the probability of project success.

Key Words: Productivity levels, Site management, Construction workforce, Productivity improvement, Cost control.

Abstract 3

2009-04-24T04:45:00.000-07:00

Assessing the Financial Management Practices in Construction Contracting Organizations in Pakistan

Finance studies and addresses the ways in which individuals, businesses, and organizations raise, allocate, and use monetary resources over time, taking into account the risks entailed in their projects. Project finance refers to the financing of projects that are dependent on the project’s cash flows for repayment as defined by contractual relationships within each project. Without proper financial planning a new enterprise or project is unlikely to be successful. Construction companies are different from most other companies and are faced with unique challenges and problems not faced by other companies in other industries. Accounting and management of financial resources hence is of utmost importance to the success of a construction organization.

As for most economies, the construction industry of Pakistan serves as the backbone of the country’s economy. Historically, however, the construction industry of Pakistan has remained plagued with under-performance; particularly with respect to cash flow and financial issues. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is a dire need to adequately and properly use financial management tools and techniques in order to successfully complete the projects within budget, on schedule and as per required specifications.

This study intends to capture the financial accounting and management strategies currently employed by the contractors in the construction industry of Pakistan. It is expected that the outcome of the study would help identify the gaps and obstacles in the successful implementation of financial management practices in the local construction industry. It is also expected that the study will prove to be pivotal in fostering the concept of application of financial management tools and techniques in the local industry.

Key Words: Financial management, Cash flow, Project management, Contractors, Pakistan.

Abstract 2

2009-04-24T04:43:00.000-07:00

Exploring business ecologies: Promoting successful partnerships between Australian and Malaysian property and construction professionals

Increasingly Malaysian construction firms are seeking to work internationally. Firms enter international markets through various strategies and typically property and construction professionals rely on developing various forms of cooperative and collaborative arrangements. The common modes of entry include international alliances, project joint ventures, partnerships, company joint ventures and large consortiums; which arise as a response to clients seeking expressions of interests from the international community or the firms seeking to internationalise approaching clients and/or potential host country partners. Increasingly project teams on international mega projects are composed of multiple key partners from different countries coming together to achieve a higher level of strategic flexibility. Establishing and maintaining local connections and business networks are therefore critical to ensure the success of exporting firms. This paper reports on the findings of a project which explores the factors affecting the performance of Malaysian property and construction professionals working internationally through a business ecology lens. For healthy business ecosystems a focus is required on systems thinking, building strong relationships, natural systems, commitment to local and global communities and environments and ecological efficiency. The project develops a performance measurement framework to examine the extent to which Malaysian firms are developing sustainable business models internationally which adapt and respond to changing conditions. A generic framework was initially developed prior to this study through a grounded theory approach merging theory from internationalisation, design management and market knowledge literature followed by a case study empirical investigation and then further literature review based upon the themes which emerged from the case study analysis. A reflexive capability model for firms in managing both economic and non-economic capital; including social, cultural and intellectual capital was developed. This project seeks to build upon the reflexive model by adapting it to the unique contexts related to the specific geographic localities of exporting Malaysian firms. Specifically, the project explores the extent to which the performance measurement framework can be used to map capabilities Malaysian construction firms have and which they need to develop in relation to developing and maintaining international collaborative partnerships through a business ecological lens.

Abstract 1

2009-04-24T04:41:00.000-07:00

Desirable Skills of Project Management Professionals in the Construction Industry of Pakistan

An effective project manager is the cornerstone in any successful project. The three parties involved in design and execution (owner - architect/engineer - contractor) are always looking for effective project managers in order to successfully deliver projects. However, the opinions about the qualitative skills that are evidenced by successful project managers are subjective. The purpose of this study was to identify the most important skills of successful project managers as perceived by the major stakeholders in the Pakistani construction industry. A questionnaire was circulated among owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, architect/ engineers and construction managers wherein they were asked to give importance rating to twenty skills usually required in a project manager. A secondary objective of the study was to examine the relative difference in the importance of the skills in relation to various levels of project complexity. It is expected that the study will allow each sector in the industry to look for project managers that suit their particular needs i.e. will aid in the selection of the most appropriately qualified personnel as project managers. It is emphasized that the rankings of the importance of skills can be a guide in the training of project managers both at the undergraduate or postgraduate levels and post-qualification. They can also be used as a yardstick in appointing/selecting a would-be project manager during interview and final selection.

Key Words: Desirable Skills, Project Managers, Construction Industry, Project Complexity, Pakistan

Abstracts Accepted

2009-04-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

The following posts detail those abstracts that have been reviewed and accepted. Full papers are due by 30th June 2009.

Important Announcement

2009-04-05T03:49:00.000-07:00

The Inaugural Conference "Construction in the Muslim World" will now take place as part of the 5th International Conference on Multi-National Joint Ventures for Construction Works. This will take place between 21st and 22nd October in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

For details of the new arrangements please visit;

http://psa2.kuciv.kyoto-u.ac.jp/5thjvconf2009/

Introduction to Inaugural Conference & Call For Papers

2009-03-24T22:52:00.000-07:00

The focus of this Inaugural Conference is to explore ways
in which Muslim countries can improve their socio-economic infrastructures
through development of their construction sectors.

The Procurement and Project Delivery System Research Unit and the Department of Quantity Surveying, Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design at the International Islamic University Malaysia, is undertaking a comprehensive study of the state of the construction industries across the economies of the Muslim World.

The approach adopted is to address current economic woes and poverty
prevailing in most Muslim countries through the provision of socio-economic infrastructure to induce,spur and sustain economic growth and development.

Most of the Muslim economies lack construction capacity and
capability to deliver such badly needed infrastructure.

The Islamic world, broadly divided into North and Sub-Saharan
Africa, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Gulf
states, and Central Asia, varies in terms of their levels of socioeconomic
development, poverty incidence, income distribution
patterns, literacy, employment levels as well as degrees of backwardness.

Wide disparities exist in the Islamic world with some
parts enjoying substantially high levels of living, while more
than half of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) member
countries are classified as being amongst the least developed
nations of the world, and are trapped in extreme poverty.

In some parts of the Muslim World, the capacity and capability
is such, that the excesses could be better managed and used to
help those deprived economies. Thus, understanding the state,
capacity, capability and workings of the construction sectors of
these countries, is considered the right first step towards
achieving the Research Unit and IIUM’s endeavours to contribute
to a better Muslim World and elsewhere.

This Conference will view construction as the catalyst to solve
these problems. The cooperation of the richer Muslim states,
and other more developed nations, in lending agencies, practitioners
(especially contractors) etc. may be part of the solution.

Academics and those in practice need to help to find ways to make
improvements.

Papers are welcomed from the academic community and practitioners Policy makers, NGOs, Muslim and non-Muslim in all parts of the globe. However the focus of this conference is on the state of construction in the following countries;

Afghanistan, Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Guinea,
Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger,
Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal,
Sudan, Somalia, Tunisia, Turkey, Yemen,
Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Syrian,
United Arab Emirates, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Iraq, Maldives,
Djibouti, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Nigeria,
Azerbaijan, Albania, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Mozambique, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Suriname, Togo, Guyana and Côte d'Ivoire.

Arabic Version

2009-03-24T22:20:00.000-07:00

Arabic Version of Conference Brochure

Download Here
For more information

Acrobat PDF file

Theme of the Inaugural Conference

2008-11-10T04:25:00.000-08:00

"Construction As Catalyst To Spur And Sustain Socio-Economic Growth And Development Of The Ummah"

Objectives of the Conference

2008-11-10T04:24:00.000-08:00

Key objectives of the conference include:

* To draw attention to the importance of construction in developing Muslim economies especially in the context of promoting and sustaining socio-economic growth and development;
* To ascertain the current state of the respective construction sectors in the Muslim economies in terms of size, structure, capability, availability of expertise, constraints and deficiencies, etc;
* To propose appropriate strategies urgently required in order to develop / enhance indigenous construction capability of the Muslim economies.
* To produce a full proceedings of the papers submitted.
* To promote the work of the Procurement & Project Delivery Systems Research Unit

Background to the Conference

2008-11-10T04:23:00.000-08:00

Construction is significant to all economies. However, it could be argued that construction is more important to a developing economy than to a developed economy. This argument is based on the facts that construction (i) establishes the basic infrastructure that the developing economy urgently requires in order to promote and sustain socio-economic growth and development; and (ii) is a major employer in the economy.

It is to be expected that should the construction sector of an economy lack the capacity to initiate, construct, manage, operate and maintain development projects due to its lack of ability to define, design, select and construct buildings or civil engineering works, a deficiency in construction may occur.

Deficiencies in indigenous construction capacity in many economies have resulted in dependence on imported inputs: construction materials, machinery, skilled manpower and expertise. Prolonged dependence on imports, increasing foreign debt and unfavorable balance-of-payment conditions faced by the economies has drastically reduced their capacity to import these foreign inputs.

It is to be expected that should the construction sector of an economy lack the capacity to initiate, construct, manage, operate and maintain development projects due to its lack of ability to define, design, select and construct buildings or civil engineering works, a deficiency in construction may occur.

The focus of this Conference is to view construction as the catalyst to solve these issues. The cooperation of the richer Muslim economies, the developed nation of the West, Japan, Asia Pacific and elsewhere, the multi-national lending agencies (World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, JBIC, etc) and other more developed nations in lending agencies, practitioners (especially contractors) etc. may be part of the solutions. We believe the solution requires multi-disciplinary in approach where academics, practitioners, policy makers, entrepreneurs, NGOs, in various fields: construction, economics, engineering, law, etc and Muslim and non-Muslim could and should collaborate to help find ways towards improvement.

Important Dates

2008-11-10T04:22:00.000-08:00

Submission of abstract

1 February 2009

Notification of acceptance of abstract

1 March 2009

Submission of first draft paper

1 May 2009

Refereeing decision of international panel

1 July 2009

Submission of final paper

29 July 2009

Conference

19-21 October 2009

Submission and Publication of Full Papers

2008-11-10T04:21:00.000-08:00

Full papers must not exceed 10 sides of A4 and must be submitted using the conference paper template.
Each paper will be sent to two international referees.
It is a condition of inclusion that at least one of the authors pays the registration fee and attends the conference.
Only these papers will be accepted for publication and considered for presentation during the conference.

Abstracts

2008-11-10T04:20:00.000-08:00

Abstracts of 150-300 words, and up to 5 keywords, should be submitted to;

SecretariatCMW@yahoo.com

Papers will be themed to form cohesive sessions.

Registration Fees & Payment Details

2008-11-10T04:18:00.000-08:00

Registration Fees

Early bird fees (before 1 July 2009)

Students (with valid ID) RM 400
Non Students RM 850
International US$ 300

Full fees

Students (with valid ID) RM 500
Non Students RM 950
International US$ 350

Complete registration form enclosing the registration
fee can be mailed to:

Associate Professor Dr Christopher Preece
Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design
International Islamic University Malaysia
P.O. Box 10, Jalan Gombak, 50728
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Phone: 03-6196 5284 (Safa)

Fax 03-6196 4864

E-mail: chrispreece@iiu.edu.my

Venue

2008-11-10T04:17:00.000-08:00

International Islamic University Malaysia

IIUM is a unique university. It blends harmoniously modern and professional disciplines with traditional values and moral virtues. Its students originate from more than 90 countries representing nearly all regions of the world. The university operates under the direction of a Board of Governors with representatives from the eight sponsoring governments and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). It maintains links with governments and institutions all over the world, such as the League of Islamic Universities, the International Association of Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Further details visit http://www.iiu.edu.my

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The conference will be held in Kuala Lumpur, the vibrant capital and largest city in Malaysia. KL is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia making it the country's legislative capital. The city is the cultural and economic centre of Malaysia. For further details visit;
http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/

Conference Directors & Associates

2008-11-10T04:15:00.000-08:00

Professor Sr.Dr. Khairuddin Abdul Rashid BSc, MSc, PhD, MISM, BQSM
(khairuddin@iiu.edu.my)

Associate Directors

Associate Professor Dr Christopher Nigel Preece BSc, PhD, FCIOB, MCIM, FHEA
(chrispreece@iiu.edu.my)

Assistant Professor Sr. Dr Tan Chin Keng BQs, MBA, PhD, MISM, BQSM
(tckeng@iiu.edu.my)

Advisor: Professor Dr Mansor Ibrahim, Dean, Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, IIUM

Conference Editorial Committee

2008-11-10T04:12:00.000-08:00

Professor Dr Khairuddin Abdul Rashid
Department of Quantity Surveying
Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design
International Islamic University Malaysia

Associate Professor Dr Christopher Nigel Preece
Department of Quantity Surveying
Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design

Assistant Professor Dr Tan Chin Keng
Department of Quantity Surveying
Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design

Professor George Ofori
National University of Singapore

Professor Roy Morledge
Professor of Construction Procurement
Associate Dean
School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment
Nottingham Trent University

Professor Dr. Abd. Ghani Khalid
Head of Department of Quantity Surveying
Faculty of the Built Environment
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Prof. Dr. Amir Al-Khafaji
Bradley University, USA

Prof. Mustafa Alshawi
School of The Built Environment
Salford University

Prof. Dr. Ghassan Aouad
The University of Salford

Dr Mohammed Dulaimi
The British University in Dubai

Prof Dr Mansor Ibrahim
Dean of Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design
International Islamic University Malaysia

Professor Dr. Kiyoshi Kobayashi
Dept of Urban Management
Graduate School of Engineering
Kyoto University
Japan

Prof. Dr. Abdul Aziz A. Bubshait
Professor (Construction Engineering and Management)
Dean, College of Environmental Design
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals,
Saudi Arabia

Professor Dr. Abdul Rashid Abdul Aziz
Department of Quantity Surveying
School of Housing, Building & Planning
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)