Optimal Techniques for Cost Reduction and Control in Construction Sites
Sherif Mohamed Hafez,
Remon F. Aziz,
Hala Mostafa Mohamed Elzebak
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
17-26
Received:
4 May 2015
Accepted:
15 May 2015
Published:
28 May 2015
Abstract: Despite the availability of various control techniques and project control software many construction projects still do not achieve their cost objectives. Research in this area so far has mainly been devoted to identifying causes of cost overruns. The earned value is a leading technique in monitoring and analyzing project performance and project progress. Although, it allows exact measurement of project progress, and can uncover any time and cost deviations from the plan, its capability in reporting accepted level of deviation is not well studied. There is limited research geared at studying factors inhibiting the ability of contractors to effectively control their projects. To fill this gap, a survey was conducted on 22 construction project organisations. It was noted that most project managers and contractors in Egypt find difficulty in controlling project costs due to problems which include Change order, Changes in the design, Errors in the design, current economic situation deterioration, Delay project and Rising prices of materials. The study was able to establish that the problem was actually not the techniques to use but rather the lack of knowledge of the techniques, the poor management of the cost control methodology, and the general poor site organisation and inadequate supervision. In addition, the main object of this study is to demonstrate the use of Activity Based Costing (ABC) approach as an alternative cost accounting system to the Traditional Cost Accounting System to determine the real and accurate cost of the projects. Activity Based Costing (ABC) prevents cost distortions which traditional cost accounting can not provide, this study presents an application of ABC and an example of applying ABC to construction projects. The conclusions of the study show that the application of ABC leads to better knowledge in tender pricing, more ability to estimate the cost and updating costs data. It also saves the suitable information which are necessary to enter the bidders and to compete to win them. This system helps in supervising and controlling the activities which the company do, and to make rational and correct decisions. The results of this study recommended that there is a need to change the traditional awarding system for contracts from the first lowest bidder to the most accurate one.
Abstract: Despite the availability of various control techniques and project control software many construction projects still do not achieve their cost objectives. Research in this area so far has mainly been devoted to identifying causes of cost overruns. The earned value is a leading technique in monitoring and analyzing project performance and project pr...
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The Impact of Employee Loyalty on the Success of Commercial Organizations: A Case Study on the Dealerships of Heavy Equipment in Iran
Shahram Nasiri,
Reza Najafbagy,
Amir Ashkan Nasiripour
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
27-32
Received:
6 March 2015
Accepted:
22 May 2015
Published:
5 June 2015
Abstract: Nowadays, regardless of what industry they are in, all organizations and managers are vigorously pursuing success, and the basic touchstone to achieve success in any organization, particularly a commercial organization, is having satisfied and loyal customers. Nonetheless, this ideal condition would never be met unless the organization enjoys a team of loyal staff. That is to say keeping satisfied and loyal customers will only be feasible in case of having satisfied and loyal staff, seeing that it is the latter who play the key role in conferring value to the organization and earning the loyalty and consent of the former. This study aimed at evaluating the role of employee loyalty in the success of commercial organizations in the field of heavy equipment dealerships. To this end, data was collected through library resources as well as a survey. The sample was comprised of 280 employees of heavy equipment dealerships and 280 customers who had referred to these dealers. This study involved 7 hypotheses, which were analyzed and checked through Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Regression. The findings show that organizational successful directly affected by loyalty of staff. Besides, positive correlations were reported between employee loyalty and services quality, between services quality and customer satisfaction and loyalty as well as between customer satisfaction and loyalty and success of organizations.
Abstract: Nowadays, regardless of what industry they are in, all organizations and managers are vigorously pursuing success, and the basic touchstone to achieve success in any organization, particularly a commercial organization, is having satisfied and loyal customers. Nonetheless, this ideal condition would never be met unless the organization enjoys a tea...
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