Causal ascription of rework in building and civil engineering projects: A multivariate exploration
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 14 January 2014
Abstract
Purpose
Rework is an endemic problem in construction projects and has been identified as being a significant factor contributing cost and schedule overruns. Causal ascription is necessary to obtain knowledge about the underlying nature of rework so that appropriate prevention mechanisms can be put in place. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a supervised questionnaire survey and case-study interviews, data from 112 building and engineering projects about the sources and causes of rework in projects were obtained. A multivariate exploration was conducted to examine the underlying relationships between rework variables.
Findings
The analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between rework causes for building and civil engineering projects. The set of associations explored in the analyses will be useful to develop a generic causal model to examine the quantitative impact of rework on project performance so that appropriate prevention strategies can be identified and developed.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations include: small data set (112 projects), which include 75 from building and 37 from civil engineering projects.
Practical implications
Meaningful insights into the rework occurrences in construction projects will pave pathways for rational mitigation and effective management measures.
Originality/value
To date there has been limited empirical research that has sought to determine the causal ascription of rework, particularly in Hong Kong.
Keywords
Citation
Ekambaram, P., E.D. Love, P., M. Kumaraswamy, M. and S.T. Ng, T. (2014), "Causal ascription of rework in building and civil engineering projects: A multivariate exploration", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 111-126. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-04-2010-0029
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited