The interplay between leadership and organizational culture in the Turkish construction sector

Organizational culture and leadership are purported to be deeply integrated and intertwined within an organization. Although there is a substantial amount of research demonstrating the importance of the interplay of culture and leadership, there exist few empirical examinations of the nature of this link. To examine this link, based on Cameron and Quinn's Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument and Hofstede's Values Survey Module, a questionnaire survey was conducted. The sample consists of 499 managerial personnel out of 107 contracting firms. With the aim of achieving a better understanding of how leadership style is influenced by organizational culture, Multinomial Logistic Regression was used. The findings demonstrate that managers in the contracting companies with different cultural characteristics tend to adopt different leadership styles to lead their employees to succeed in their business. Information contained in this paper will feed into country-specific understanding of leadership and organizational culture within the construction industry.     

Leadership for future construction industry: Agenda for authentic leadership

Research in the construction industry is beginning to pay more attention to project leadership. Current perception of construction project leaders is largely built around power, authority, and task-orientation. This is due to the traditional focus of the construction industry on technical and managerial features of construction projects. However, greater challenges of modern times and increasingly different business environment necessitate a renewed vision for leadership research and call for a change in traditional perception and mindset about leadership in the construction industry. Globalization and fast changing nature of construction have necessitated a need for project managers to have and apply different leadership behaviors, competencies and styles. To highlight the need for a new breed of construction project leaders, this paper discusses the recent construct of “authentic leadership” in the context of construction projects. Authentic project leaders possess positive values, lead from the heart, set highest levels of ethics and morality, and go beyond their personal interests for well-being of their followers. They capitalize on the environment of trust and are able to motivate people and accomplish challenging tasks. Authentic leadership possesses high potential for development as well as veritable performance of construction project leaders. Proposal made in this paper highlights benefits of authentic leadership development in construction professionals and discusses the relevant practical and research implications. An agenda for research on authentic leadership in the construction industry is also discussed in detail.     

The overworked site manager: gendered ideologies in the construction industry

Organizations are sites where gendered ideologies are established and played out and in the case of the construction industry there is a strong underrepresentation of women and ethnic minorities in certain positions such as site managers. Masculine ideologies here denote the totality of norms, belief and assumptions that serve to enact specific images of e.g. leadership work. In the case of the Swedish construction industry, the site manager role is enacted as a paternal figure having full control of the situation, always in the position to take care of emerging and unforeseen events, and spending long hours at work. Such site management role is thus reproducing gender ideologies, imposing expectations on individual site managers, and erecting entry barriers for e.g. women or individuals not willing to forsake family life. The managerial implications are that the construction industry needs to critically evaluate what demands are put on site managers and how to create more balanced leadership positions.     

Quality management systems: a study of authority and empowerment

This paper examines the types of power in organizations, authority, empowerment, organization politics, employees' resistance to change, leadership style and conflicts within construction organizations which may negate the effective development, implementation and maintenance of quality management systems. The results of a questionnaire and in-depth interviews are analysed. Diverse management factors including support of senior management, appropriate leadership style, cultivating employee's enthusiasm and participation, open communication and feedback must be managed properly to achieve quality management systems in the construction industry. Cet article examine les differents types de pouvoir dans les societes industrielles, l'autorite, le renforcement des moyens d'action, les principes d'organisation, la resistance du personnel au changement, les styles de direction et les conflits a l'interieur des societes du batiment et de la construction qui peuvent avoir un effet negatif sur le developpement efficace, la mise en oeuvre et le maintien en l'etat de systemes de gestion de la qualite. Les auteurs analysent les reponses a un questionnaire et les resultats d'entretiens approfondis. Un certain nombre de facteurs de gestion, notamment le soutien fourni par les cadres superieurs, le style de direction approprie, l'enthousiasme du personnel a cultiver, la participation du personnel, la transparence dans la communication et l'information en retour, doivent etre geres correctement pour que l'industrie du batiment dispose de systemes de gestion de la qualite.     

Leadership competency profiles of successful project managers

This study examines the leadership competency profiles of successful project managers in different types of projects. Four hundred responses to the Leadership Development Questionnaire (LDQ) were used to profile the intellectual, managerial and emotional competences (IQ, MQ and EQ, respectively) of project managers of successful projects. Differences by project type were accounted for through categorization of projects by their application type (engineering & construction, information & telecommunication technology, organizational change), complexity, importance and contract type. Results indicate high expressions of one IQ sub-dimension (i.e. critical thinking) and three EQ sub-dimensions (i.e. influence, motivation and conscientiousness) in successful managers in all types of projects. Other sub-dimensions varied by project type. Comparison was made to existing profiles for goal oriented, involving and engaging leadership styles. Implications derived are the need for practitioners to be trained in the soft factors of leadership, particular for their types of projects. Theoretical implications include the need for more transactional styles in relatively simple projects and more transformational leadership styles in complex projects.     

建筑业项目经理领导有效性研究

关于领导有效性的研究较多,但对建筑业这一特定行业的研究却很少。本文针对建筑业项目经理这一特定群体选取适当的绩效指标,从关心员工和关心任务这两个领导行为的基本维度研究其领导有效性。研究发现,领导行为对项目绩效有显著影响,“高关心员工、高关心任务”的领导类型最为有效,而任务导向型和员工导向型项目经理的领导有效性会因评价指标选取的不同而存在差异。本研究可为项目经理调整领导行为、提高领导有效性提供参考。     

The mediation role of leadership styles in integrated project collaboration: An emotional intelligence perspective

Research on integrated project delivery (IPD) has considered collaboration satisfaction as an important factor for improving project outcomes. Yet, the potential mechanism influencing it remains unexplored in construction project management, especially in the aspects of human skills. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether leadership styles mediate the link between the emotional intelligence (EI) of authorized leader and four collaboration satisfaction outcomes perceived by other participants in an integrated team: performance contribution satisfaction (PCS), efficiency satisfaction (ES), relationship satisfaction (RS), and interests satisfaction (IS). Data was collected from 365 samples including project leaders and scholars who possess experience of IPD in China. The results show that transformational and active-transactional leadership fully mediate the relationships of EI with PCS, ES, and IS, and were partial mediators between EI and RS. In addition, the partial mediation role of passive-transactional leadership in the relationships of EI with RS and IS were identified, but its mediating effects between PCS and ES were not found. Similarly, owing to the non-significant effects of laissez-faire leadership on dimensions of collaboration satisfaction, this leadership style does not play mediating role in the relationships of EI with four dimensions of collaboration satisfaction. This paper makes contribution to the mediating mechanism research of revised full range leadership model by proposing collaboration satisfaction criteria and EI model in IPD project.     

加入WTO后工程管理专业人才培养的对策

我国加入WTO后建筑业面临挑战。在分析项目总承包与工程总承包、施工总承包的区别基础上 ,探讨工程管理专业的人才培养问题 ,并提出了培养懂国际惯例操作实务、技术综合能力强、有创新精神的国际化工程管理人才的对策     

A psychological contract perspective of vertical and distributed leadership in project-based organizations

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between two leadership styles (vertical and distributed), conceptualized through types of decisions made (strategic and operational/tactical), and the state of psychological contract (fulfillment/breach) at three different levels of the organizational hierarchy in project-based organizations. The explorative analysis of eight organizations from India and Australia demonstrates the prevalence of distributed leadership: operational and technical decisions are usually entrusted to the project team and project managers, while strategic decisions are made by senior management. The study suggests that three factors facilitate a specific leadership style (vertical or distributed): organizational culture, knowledge sharing and project management practices, which in turn impact the state of psychological contract (fulfillment/breach). A flexible, collaborative organizational culture supports knowledge sharing and the adoption of agile methods, enabling distributed leadership and leading to psychological contract fulfillment.     

计成和李渔的生活经历比较及其对造园风格的影响研究

计成和李渔都是明末时期的造园艺术家。两人处于同一时代背景之下,但造园理念及著作风格却存在很大的不同。本文从两人的生活经历——即时代背景、地理背景、生平交往、兴趣爱好及其他成就等入手,通过分析两者的不同点,指出个人生活经历对其造园风格的影响。对两人生活经历的比较研究,有助于理解两者造园理念上的差异,也有助于理解明末的总体造园风格和社会风气。     

基于BIM的建设工程柔性管理模式分析

BIM技术将在未来引发建筑业新的革命,相较于当前仅仅重视BIM技术方面的优势,将BIM技术与柔性管理相结合,以工程项目管理模式变化为视角分析BIM对建筑业带来的深刻影响,从计划职能柔性化、组织职能柔性化、领导职能柔性化和控制职能柔性化4个角度分析BIM带来的项目管理模式创新。     

施工现场临时用电系统RCD保护设置

某施工现场按照行业标准,采用两级RCD保护,施工过程中总配电箱内的RCD频繁跳闸。分析该施工现场临时用电设计及运行管理中的一些问题,提出相应的解决办法。     

Understanding differences in construction project governance between developed and developing countries

Whereas most experts recognize the substantial differences in the construction sector between developed and developing countries, very little is known about how and to what extent construction project governance actually differs between the two contexts. In order to shed light on these differences, a suitable definition of project governance must be adopted and identical variables must be assessed in developed and developing contexts. Three characteristics of temporary multi-organizations that conduct construction projects (used here as categories of analysis) help identify these differences: formal structuring, informal structuring, and the role and participation of stakeholders. Based on three case studies, a survey, and semi-directed interviews, significant differences are found in how power and authority are exercised (and leadership styles applied), in the use of informality and in the roles assumed by stakeholders. Although the analysis of such differences is often considered a diagnosis of problems to be ‘fixed’ in projects in developing countries, we believe that these differences should be read as project governance mechanisms of adaptation to different environmental conditions, and therefore key elements that need to be fully understood by professionals working in developing countries.     

乡村产业与空间的适应性营建策略研究——以遂昌县上下坪村为例

在当前转型期,大量乡村空间形态由传统型向现代型过渡,新旧风貌的不协调使乡村陷入产业发展与空间保护的对立困境。因此文章聚焦转型期乡村产业与空间的关系,通过回溯村落旅游产业与空间关系从相互依存到不可持续趋势的观念转变,获取产业与空间的关系认知及借鉴启发,结合村落自身适应性及规划设计干预的必要性,提出生态、经济、机制、文化维度的可持续乡村目标框架,建构“适应性更新”理念,梳理产业与空间的关系。并以典型过渡型乡村遂昌上下坪村为例,提出产业联动、季节性景观、主客共享节点等针对过程、时节、主体的精准适应性空间营建策略。     

Human error in the management of building projects

This paper seeks to improve the understanding of human error as it is applied to the generation of defects in construction projects. It reviews the literature concerning human error, commencing at the psychological basis of errors. From this, the review is expanded to include literature from forensic engineering, industrial safety, reliability engineering, sociology and quality management. Based on the literature, a model of the factors influencing the incidence of errors in project based industries is constructed. This model proposes that errors leading to defects and more dramatic failures can be generated from all levels of project organizations. They stem from primary factors (related to the performance of the individual), management factors (related to a range of managerial tasks) and global factors (related to wider external influences). These factors can be displayed as a hierarchy with primary factors at the base and global factors at the top. The paper reports on the results of an initial test of this model by reference to a survey of a sample of construction industry practitioners. The findings of the survey support the model, with some modifications. Additionally, some differences in view were noted: in particular, respondents from a construction background emphasized managerial factors more strongly than those from a design background.     

Occupational stereotypes in the construction industry

An investigation of occupational stereotypes in the construction industry provides insights into the perceptions and expectations which different occupational groups have of each other. The results are valuable in the reduction of uncertainty, misunderstanding and conflict within construction projects and do not support the widely held view of institutionalized confrontational relationships. Instead, there appears to be a natural degree of goodwill underlying interpersonal relationships although it is delicate, precarious and easily destroyed by insensitive managerial practices.     

International engineering project management: key success factors in a changing industry

The changing face of the engineering and construction industry is described, the main underlying trends and factors in this change being identified. The range of strategic options considered by firms in this sector in response to new challenges is examined. Finally, an analysis of the organizational and managerial implications of the changes is given.     

Analysis of Executive Succession Planning in 12 Construction Companies

The most vital resource in a construction company is the executive leadership. Therefore, executive succession can significantly affect a company, with the potential to cause both visible and invisible negative impacts. Changes in leadership can cause turmoil, both financially and operationally; unless minimized through careful succession planning. Research on succession planning shows that beginning to prepare for leadership transition before it occurs can minimize potential negative impacts. Despite the importance of succession planning, little research is available on how to improve leadership transitions in the construction industry. Thisarticler presents the findings from interviewing 12 former and current executives at construction companies that experienced leadership transitions. The findings include insight regarding the methods the companies used to plan and implement executive succession. This article also discusses the correlation between the number of succession practices a company applies and the executive’s level of satisfaction with the leadership transition. The results of Spearman’s rank-order correlation and linear regression analysis indicate a strong positive correlation exists between the number of practices implemented and the satisfaction level.     

空间景区化下普通民居外观组合改造模式研究 ——以新疆吐鲁番吐峪沟夏村为例

如何通过普通村落的民居外观改造,塑造村落自身特色形象并吸引游客,以及建筑师不长期驻场指导时,方便村民使用设计图纸建设。运用类型学方法及模式语言理论,以新疆吐鲁番吐峪沟夏村为例,探索一套有效的解决方法。研究可得,对当地传统民居外观元素进行提取、转换,形成门头等4类9种民居立面组成元素,依据不同类型元素和功能位置构建有序的单元组合模式,可应用于沿街单体及多栋联排民居;最后与村民沟通协定后提供民居外观改造A3图纸,引导村民自建。此外观组合改造模式类型多样,操作方便,可为景区周边普通村落的风貌改造提供借鉴。