Research in Progress

An Examination of the Impact of
Natural Disasters on the Construction Industry

Jodi Boutté

Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge, LA

This paper is a literature review of the impact of natural disasters on the construction industry. Natural disasters have continually devastated cities and their surrounding areas. Such destructions can have a large direct and indirect affect on multiple industries. The construction industry is one of the most important sectors of the American economy. Construction is comprised largely of design organizations, general contractors, builders, special-trade contractors, product and equipment manufacturers, and laborers. Each of these areas was affected as a result of the recent catastrophes suffered by Louisiana and Mississippi during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Natural disasters have a direct effect on the amount of labor available, the cost of labor, availability of resources, mobility, and health. However, according to historical data, construction activity increases following a natural disaster. Therefore, do the positive impacts outweigh the negative impacts of a natural disaster? In general, this review has indicated that the impact of natural disasters are tremendous especially in relation to the construction industry, and the measure of ‘more positive’ or ‘more negative’ varies dependent upon the severity of the disaster.

Key Words: Construction, Natural Disaster, Economy, Hurricane, Louisiana

A Non Scientific Comparison of On-Line
and Traditional Classroom Material and Methods Courses

Jim Carr

University of Arkansas, Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas

This paper is a non scientific comparison of the performance of students in Materials and Methods courses that are delivered in both traditional classroom and on-line sections. Since the fall of 2004 these courses have been offered online and in the classroom. The content used in both delivery methods is compared along with an analysis of the grades. Additionally, the performance of the students in other courses in the program is examined.

Keywords: Materials and methods course, online education

The Role of U.S. Universities in Training and
Education in Construction Industry

Mohammad Najafi & John Matthys

The University of Texas at Arlington

Construction industry is the second largest production activity in the United States. It employs more than 6.5 million people in craft and management positions. According to U.S. Department of Labor, by 2012, one million new workers in construction industry are required. Commercial construction is expected to increase approximately 7 percent nationally this year, after a 6 percent increase in 2006. According to Texas Workforce Commission, in Texas, the construction industry gained 3,700 jobs in February 2007. This research paper provides an overview of training and education requirements for construction industry, and presents a status report of how U.S. colleges and universities are doing to fill the workforce gap. In conclusion, the paper outlines UTA’s approach to help with the challenges of construction industry advanced training requirements.

Keywords: Workforce, Training, Education, Training Requirements

Analyzing the Ramifications of New Communication
Technologies for Collaboration in
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction

Carrie Sturts Dossick, Ph.D.

Department of Construction Management
College of Architecture and Urban Planning

University of Washington

This work in progress is funded by the University of Washington’s Royalty Research Fund. In collaboration with Dr. Gina Neff of the Department of Communication, Dr. Dossick seeks to analyze how people adopt and adapt to new technology in a field where these technologies challenges deeply entrenched work practices. We aim to understand how the introduction of a radical new technology, Building Information Models (BIM), will change collaboration among architects, engineers, and builders within what we call the Building System Coordination process—the months-long problem-solving stage in which designers and builders collaborate on a building’s structural, electrical, and mechanical systems. Using a comparative case study method, we will observe two building projects over an eight-month period (one with and one without this new technology), analyze the ramifications of the existing frameworks of standards of practice and occupational boundaries for collaboration, and identify the potential of new technology to change these frameworks. Will the introduction of new technology support collaboration, disrupt established ways of working, or fundamentally restructure work processes? Detailed empirical data combined with rich qualitative analysis of technological and organizational change in this particular setting will help us answer these fundamental social science questions.

Key Words: Building Information Models, Building System Coordination, case study, collaboration

ConstructionPOD^®-Podcasted Global Education
for the Design and Construction Industry

Scott J. Arfsten, B.S., MBA

Chico State University-Construction Management Department

Chico, CA

Students today learn differently and www.constructionpod.com is designed to provide Intellectual Content, relevant to Design and Construction, available to the student on demand. This is a new delivery method of educating the students by leveraging today’s innovative technologies with the goal to excite, stimulate and educate the global workforce. This intellectual content can be downloaded to a computer, IPOD or linked to on-line accredited University systems. The benefits are to reduce cost, increase access and promote lifelong learning to the Global Design and Construction Industry, which employs approximately 10 million plus individuals. With the growth of demand for construction learning, increased cost of real estate and reduced educational budgets, this service allows access to more students in an efficient manner for higher level coursework and audio/video intellectual content sharing anytime of the day or night. This medium for learning also attracts the world class intellectual content providers that are currently working in industry and allowing real world insight to the student population of ConstructionPOD. This site is self funded and supported by Bovis Lend Lease and other sponsors and intellectual content contributors. The official launch is January 22, 2007. This site will attract and retain the leaders of tomorrow.

Key Words: Constructionpod, Construction, Intellectual Content, Podcasting, Video cast

Developing a Survey Instrument: Third Phase of Mixed
Methods Research on Construction Superintendent
Competenciesand Attributes Required for Success

David E. Gunderson , Ph.D., CPC

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Bradley T. Johnson, Ph.D.

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, Colorado

Important members of the construction project teams are the superintendents. Superintendents working for specialty contractors have primary responsibility for the success of the aspect of the work for which their construction companies are contractually obligated. Success can be defined as completing the project under budget, on time, and with the highest client satisfaction. Results from prior research indicate the superintendent’s role has changed in the past 10 years. There are more administrative duties for which the superintendent is responsible, and the changes in technology have been staggering. Current research indicates that these changes in technology have impacted the way superintendents accomplish their project goals. Company presidents and vice presidents have stated that they have experienced a shortage of qualified construction superintendents. The volume of construction projects seems to exceed the available human resources, especially qualified superintendents. This research project will further clarify the competencies and attributes that make a construction superintendent successful. This would allow postsecondary construction education programs, professional organizations, and construction companies to develop curricula focused on developing competencies and attributes in individuals identified as having the requisite potential. Professional development through education and training focused on the construction superintendent is critical to the success of construction companies.

Keywords: Superintendents, Competency, Curricula, Professional Development