Browsing by Author "Molenaar, K."

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Competitiveness factors and indexes for construction companies: findings of Chile
    (PONTIFICIA UNIV CATOLICA CHILE, ESCUELA CONSTRUCCION CIVIL, 2011) Orozco, F.; Serpell, A.; Molenaar, K.
    Globalization and industry competitiveness has led to an urgent need for an effective competitiveness management strategy. Thus, companies require a better understanding about the definition of competitiveness, factors for determining it, and indexes for measuring it. This paper provides the results of an exhaustive literature review about competitiveness. It summarizes those factors which affect construction companies' competitiveness and indexes to measure it. From these results, a structured classification for competitiveness factors and indexes was developed and a survey was applied to Chilean general contractors' top-managers. This resulted in a ranking of factors that most affect company competitiveness and indexes most suitably reflect their competitive position. The results provide the contractors' current competitive priorities in Chile. It was found through the factors and indexes chosen as the most relevant that price remains as the main criterion for contract award. In spite of this fact, top-managers are aware that other kind of factors could become more relevant in the future. The results can be considered for construction companies in developing countries to guide decision-making about competitive strategies.
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    Exploring performance of the integrated project delivery process on complex building projects
    (2016) Mesa Maldonado, Macarena Andrea; Molenaar, K.; Alarcón Cárdenas, Luis Fernando
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    Improving cost performance in design-bid-build road projects by mapping the reasons for cost overruns into the project phases
    (2020) Calahorra Jiménez, María Inmaculada; Alarcón Cárdenas, Luis Fernando; Torres Machí, Cristina; Chamorro Giné, Marcela Alondra; Molenaar, K.
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    Multiobjective design of Work-In-Process buffer for scheduling repetitive building projects
    (ELSEVIER, 2009) Gonzalez, V.; Alarcon, L. F.; Molenaar, K.
    Variability in production is one of the largest factors that negatively impacts construction project performance. A common construction practice to protect production systems from variability is the use of buffers (BF). Construction practitioners and researchers have proposed buffering approaches for different production situations. but these approaches have faced practical limitations in their application. A multiobjective analytic model (MAM) is proposed to develop a graphical Solution for the design of Work-In-Process (WIP) Bf in order to overcome these practical limitations to Bf application, being demonstrated through the scheduling of repetitive building projects. Multiobjective analytic modeling is based on Simulation-Optimization (SO) modeling and Pareto Fronts concepts. Simulation-Optimization framework uses Evolutionary Strategies (ES) as the optimization search approach, which allows for the design of optimum WIP Bf sizes by optimizing different project objectives (e.g., project cost, time and productivity). The framework is tested and validated oil two repetitive building projects. The SO framework is then generalized through Pareto Front concepts, allowing for the development of the MAM as nomographs for practical Use. The application advantages of the MAM are shown through a project scheduling example. Results demonstrate project performance improvements and a more efficient and practical design of WIP BE Additionally, production strategies based on WIP Bf and lean production principles in construction are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.