Papers by Valerie Francis
Routledge eBooks, Apr 12, 2023
Little is known about the work-life experiences of trade or blue collar workers in the constructi... more Little is known about the work-life experiences of trade or blue collar workers in the construction industry. A survey of white and blue collar site-based workers on a major Australian infrastructure project measured work-family conflict, work schedule fit and work-family enrichment, as well as flexibility, time adequacy, work time control and supervisor support. The 'TurningPoint' automated response system with 'KeyPad' hand held devices was used to administered the survey. The results revealed that there were notable differences between blue and white collar workers responses, with blue collar workers experiencing statistically lower levels of supervisor support, flexibility, family work enrichment and control as well as longer work hours, and higher levels of time-based work interference with family. The results clearly demonstrate the importance of a flexible, supportive workplace for all project-based employees, but particularly for blue collar workers as well a...
Proceedings of the 44th AUBEA Conference, 27-29 Oct. 2021, Deakin University, Australia, 2021
The adoption of innovative technologies in the construction industry has provided significant ben... more The adoption of innovative technologies in the construction industry has provided significant benefits to the industry. In Australia, the use of innovative construction technologies has grown increasingly over the past decade and received a significant increase in the level of adoption in construction site activities due to the recent pandemic. One technology that is receiving additional attention to be beneficial to the industry is Augmented Reality (AR). However, its current level of adoption is still very limited due to several reasons the theoretically advantages are not yet well received by the practitioners. To address this gap, this study aimed at investigating the low-level adoption and widespread use of AR technology in the Australian construction industry. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore perceptions of the use of AR technology and its limitations from end-users perspectives and managers of construction companies in particular. As a result, a model is presented to map the influential factors and barriers to the adoption of AR. Findings revealed several concepts including lack of knowledge about AR, conservative management attitudes, absence of feasibility analysis, operability and work culture as factors influencing AR adoption in the industry. Moreover, the model provides a basis to direct future research on the topic.
Australasian Universities Building Education Association, 2021
Interest in advanced digital technology such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) has grown re... more Interest in advanced digital technology such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) has grown remarkably in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) industry over the past decade, and BIM research has proliferated globally. In Australia, alongside the increasing rate of implementing BIM within the AECO industry, academic research has also risen on the topic; however, to the best of authors' knowledge, a systematic review of the extant literature on BIM in Australia is missing. This study addresses this lack by offering a Scientometric analysis to explore the state of BIM literature in Australia. To this end, a quantitative approach using the 'science mapping' technique is employed to examine 473 articles in the field and to highlight their academic discourses that have occurred and emerged over time. Findings revealed primary topic areas in BIM research and their connections as well as research institutions active in BIM research, key authors and their collaboration networks, influential countries, and research outlets. The findings are instructive in identifying the gaps in current research. Research in the area of 3D modelling, visualisation, and technical aspects of BIM has dominated BIM research in Australia. There has been less emphasis on the managerial aspect of BIM, education and training, as well as the emerging and interrelated areas such as the Internet of Things, Blockchain, and Digital Twin. Analysis of the collaboration network of the Australian institutions active in BIM research shows that institutions mainly work in isolation with little or no in-country collaboration. From an international perspective, findings demonstrate an increased collaboration with China rather than those identified as leading countries in BIM research such as the U.K. and the U.S. By providing a view from a metaperspective, the present study contributes to the body of knowledge of BIM in Australia by informing the researchers, the institutions, and the industry of the need for the future research direction and deeper exchange of knowledge.
EPiC Series in Education Science
Risk management is important for contemporary construction organisations and is a vital constitue... more Risk management is important for contemporary construction organisations and is a vital constituent of project management education. Before learning about the processes of systematic risk management, construction and project management students need to better understand risk concepts and their own attitudes towards risk. Risk is a psycho- social construct experienced and perceived by individuals. In the Risk in Construction subject offered in the Master of Construction Management programme at the University of Melbourne, students were first invited to respond to a simple questionnaire that measured their own risk attitudes from a task, team and individual risk perspective. This self-knowledge discovery was then applied in their subsequent individual and group assignment work for the subject. The risk profiles were also used in a novel approach to assignment group formation. Students valued the opportunity to explore the alignment between formal project risk management and their own ...
Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, 2019
Shopping centres are an integral part and a critical component of urban cities in most economies.... more Shopping centres are an integral part and a critical component of urban cities in most economies. Typically, the shorter refurbishment cycle and frequent tenant replacements in shopping centres cause excessive use of building materials over its service life. This drastic use of resources, consequently, increase life cycle embodied energy (LCEE) and life cycle material cost (LCMC) of shopping centres. Therefore, careful selection of materials is vital to reduce the negative environmental impacts and material costs. Current research on the implications of material choices on LCEE and LCMC of shopping centres are insubstantial and decisions makers are left with limited information to make better selections. Therefore, selection of energy efficient, cost-effective and environmentally responsive materials and assemblies has been a critical process for the professionals who are involved in decision-making. This paper proposes the use of object-oriented programming (OOP) to develop a mathematical model to develop combinations of building assemblies with minimum LCEE and LCMC of shopping centres through material selection. The model is based for sub-regional shopping centres in Australia, yet can be applied for any similar property type with modifications to databases and model architecture. However, scope of this paper is limited to the development of model architecture with detailed explanations on databases and computing core development. Even though, the detailed presentation of development of OOP structure provides proper insight to the mathematical core for future application.
Valuing People in Construction, 2017
The work-life balance of construction managers is precarious due to long work hours and high leve... more The work-life balance of construction managers is precarious due to long work hours and high levels of work-family conflict (WFC). The impact of mobile communication technologies (MCT), such as the mobile phones and tablets, on WFC has not been researched in construction. Research suggests that their use contributes to the blurring of work and non-work boundaries, making it easier for work to intrude on home activities. This research examined the effect of MCT usage on the WFC of Australian construction site managers. An online survey of site management staff with a national construction company ascertained WFC and MCT usage and investigated psychological attachment to work, segmentation preferences (between home and work) and segmentation supplies. Respondents who had higher levels of WFC worked longer hours and extended their work time by using MCTs at home for work. However, they did not perceive MCTs to be useful for their job and overall, a pattern of MCT devices interfering in home life was apparent. Younger workers considered themselves technologically savvy and used more MCT devices at home for work demonstrating that, if correctly configured, MCTs may allow workers to better manage their work and home boundaries. Future research in the area is discussed.
Journal of Management in Engineering, 2021
Based on valuing individual differences and embracing all employees, diversity management is rela... more Based on valuing individual differences and embracing all employees, diversity management is relatively widespread and evident in many organizations. However, discriminatory work practices and lack of support persist in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, with higher turnover for women and lower participation rates still evident. While well-meaning, these diversity strategies and practices are costly. Therefore, it is essential to understand the benefits women and their organizations gain, as well as attributes associated with more diverse and inclusionary workplaces. A theoretical framework based on social exchange theory was used to develop a questionnaire administered to professional women in the AEC industry. The sample was divided into two groups, women who experienced inclusion or exclusion, and comparisons made using a range of statistical tests. While inclusion did not affect women's career advancement, it was associated with increased satisfaction and decreased turnover intent. Inclusive companies had more female employees and leaders and also featured significantly higher mentoring and organizational training levels. The findings demonstrate inclusion to be essential for women's retention and an important management objective for the AEC industry.
The construction industry creates a significant proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions. It... more The construction industry creates a significant proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is in a unique position to facilitate both mitigation and adaptation to climate change through the way in which built form in cities is designed and constructed. Yet, there has been limited research to explore the capacity of the sector to both mitigate and adapt. In particular there is a lack of information available about the sources of information drawn upon by those working in the construction industry, the sources of information most trusted, and climate change information needs. The paper addresses this knowledge gap through a qualitative study of the capacity of the Australian construction sector to adapt to climate change. Twenty one key actors from the Australian construction sector were interviewed in 2017. Results show that less than half of the respondents indicated they kept abreast of climate change developments. A diversity of climate change information sources were drawn...
Research in construction field indicates women’s lack of career achievement is related to exclusi... more Research in construction field indicates women’s lack of career achievement is related to exclusionary and discriminatory practices within their organisations. However, few measures of this gender equity have been developed, with most typically assuming a strong gender bias. This study developed and validated a new measure for professional men and women in construction which has been described within two separate papers. The first paper (Francis, 2015) presented the development of a new 20-item trial measure using an iterative process and the assistance of a ten person expert panel. This paper is the second and describes the final part of the study presenting the validation of the new measure. Nine items, including two relating to sexual harassment, had to be removed as they could not be considered as continuous or were non parametric. Because of the exclusion of the sexual harassment items the final scale was a measure of sexual discrimination. To establish which of the 11-items sh...
Construction Research and Innovation, 2018
Using data collected from 168 projects, researchers calculated that the average cost of processin... more Using data collected from 168 projects, researchers calculated that the average cost of processing RFIs on a project in Australia and New Zealand is around AUS$910,000, and AUS$337,400 respectively per project on the average, which could represent a significant erosion of a contractor's profit margin. But they found considerable variations in RFI management factors, such as the speed with which RFIs are resolved, the number of staff assigned to deal with them, and when the bulk of RFIs occur in the life of a project. The data are presented here. They conclude that proactive management of RFIs could improve productivity and margins.
Architectural Science Review, 1999
Constructability has the capacity to make significant savings on constructed facilities without j... more Constructability has the capacity to make significant savings on constructed facilities without jeopardising the design or the requisite quality of the project. The importance of constructability has already been recognised in some organisations and it is currently being applied to projects in a variety of ways. However to fully realise these benefits constructability must be considered early and in a systematic manner. The Construction Industry Institute, Australia has developed a practical strategy which all project participants can adopt to improve constructability. This paper describes the research undertaken as well as an overview of the framework of resources developed to support this coordinated approach to implementation. The constructability implementation process and its contributing actions are reviewed. Six case, studies which demonstrate the benefits constructability can bring to a project, are presented.
Much of the research on women in construction has indicated that they are often not well integrat... more Much of the research on women in construction has indicated that they are often not well integrated within their organisations, with their lack of advancement related to exclusionary organisational tactics and discriminatory practices. An inclusive environment, characterised by a culture which supports positive relationships and less stereotypes, should provide an ideal environment for women to utilise their skills effectively, as well as balance their work and family lives. A questionnaire examined the perceptions of a sample of 456 professional women from the Australian construction industry. Inclusion was operationalised through a composite measure using standardised variables and two groups formed using a zero-zero split. Contrary to expectations, comparisons using independent t-tests found the career advancement of the two groups of women were not statistically different. Career satisfaction was significantly higher in the group with high inclusion; however work-family conflict...
This research into work-family balance in project-based construction work aims to: determine the ... more This research into work-family balance in project-based construction work aims to: determine the effect of a consultative approach to the identification and evaluation of work- family balance strategies on the work-family experiences of project-based construction workers; examine the relationship between workload fluctuations and work-family experiences (both positive and negative) on project-based construction workers; and inform the development of industry policy and organisational support for positive work-family interaction in the construction industry. The issue of work-family balance is of great importance to Australia. Driven by demographic changes, the aging workforce, low birth rates, dramatic increases in dual earner couples and the changing expectations of younger generations of Australian workers, there is an urgent need to find practical solutions to the work-family balance problem. In Australia, the longest average work hours are observed in blue-collar, traditionally ...
Built Environment Project and Asset Management
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the nature of request for information (RFIs) on con... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the nature of request for information (RFIs) on construction projects by using data analytics to understand the frequency of RFIs, when they occur on projects, and the relationship between project characteristics and frequency of RFIs and between project characteristics and RFI turnaround time. Design/methodology/approach A data-analytic approach using RStudio and Minitab software on 168 construction project cases in Australia and New Zealand involving 1,032,949 correspondences and 53,042 RFI event records made available by Aconex, one of the world largest cloud-based project management platform. Findings Large and complex projects tend to have significantly larger number of RFI events per day and longer RFI turnaround when compared with smaller and less complex projects. Projects with fewer users per organisation recorded a higher RFI turnaround time when compared with projects with more users per organisation – users mean persons invol...
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Papers by Valerie Francis