Igor Martek

This book lays out the evolution of the often contested construction management discipline. How is the field defined? What has been discovered to date? Who are the researchers involved? Where is the research being conducted? What national priorities exist among the many nations now grappling with how to absorb foreign construction expertise, or compete in the global commons? Despite the overwhelming economic and political importance of the global construction industry and its impact on the world, until now, there has been no book dedicated to describing the body of research in the field, or where the knowledge frontier lies. This book is the first of its kind, offering a comprehensive appraisal of the state of play in the emerging field of international construction management (ICM) research. It will serve as a reference guide for academics and researchers embarking on or already active in global construction management research. It lays out who the researchers are, along with their fields of expertise, the institutions dedicated to ICM research, global research trends, the journals accepting ICM research, and a country-by-country analysis of national research priorities. It will assist the fledgling PhD and the budding researcher, as well as the discipline expert, in making better decisions on how to advance the field of international construction management through research that both augments CM education and directly benefits the industry.

This book lays out the evolution of the often contested construction management discipline. How is the field defined? What has been discovered to date? Who are the researchers involved? Where is the research being conducted? What national priorities exist among the many nations now grappling with how to absorb foreign construction expertise, or compete in the global commons? Despite the overwhelming economic and political importance of the global construction industry and its impact on the world, until now, there has been no book dedicated to describing the body of research in the field, or where the knowledge frontier lies. This book is the first of its kind, offering a comprehensive appraisal of the state of play in the emerging field of international construction management (ICM) research. It will serve as a reference guide for academics and researchers embarking on or already active in global construction management research. It lays out who the researchers are, along with their fields of expertise, the institutions dedicated to ICM research, global research trends, the journals accepting ICM research, and a country-by-country analysis of national research priorities. It will assist the fledgling PhD and the budding researcher, as well as the discipline expert, in making better decisions on how to advance the field of international construction management through research that both augments CM education and directly benefits the industry.

This book tells you everything you need to know about international construction: the companies, their markets, the types of projects they build, how they compete and operate and how it affects us all. It paints a comprehensive portrait of an overlooked global business that generates a major portion of the GDP in every developed nation. As with any mature sector, countries make efforts to export their expertise, but the competition in construction is fierce, and the risks are many. Only the leanest and meanest survive. What, then, does it take to win? Most writing on construction focuses at the project-management level or even more narrowly at the level of technical performance. This book presents the big picture; it tells you what successful international construction companies do to stay in the game and thrive. The book examines international construction through three lenses. The first is theory. The body of existing knowledge on construction is here brought together, condensed and explained. The second are the actors. The companies that lead the way in global construction are showcased, and the features that make countries desirable hosts are appraised. Finally, what is it that firms actually do? This last part delves into the various strategic approaches taken by 60 construction firms in carving out and defending an overseas market niche. The insights provide guidance on how global construction companies develop competitive advantage and stay resilient in the face of a mercurial global economy. These lessons will be of interest to the student and manager alike.

This book tells you everything you need to know about international construction: the companies, their markets, the types of projects they build, how they compete and operate and how it affects us all. It paints a comprehensive portrait of an overlooked global business that generates a major portion of the GDP in every developed nation. As with any mature sector, countries make efforts to export their expertise, but the competition in construction is fierce, and the risks are many. Only the leanest and meanest survive. What, then, does it take to win? Most writing on construction focuses at the project-management level or even more narrowly at the level of technical performance. This book presents the big picture; it tells you what successful international construction companies do to stay in the game and thrive. The book examines international construction through three lenses. The first is theory. The body of existing knowledge on construction is here brought together, condensed and explained. The second are the actors. The companies that lead the way in global construction are showcased, and the features that make countries desirable hosts are appraised. Finally, what is it that firms actually do? This last part delves into the various strategic approaches taken by 60 construction firms in carving out and defending an overseas market niche. The insights provide guidance on how global construction companies develop competitive advantage and stay resilient in the face of a mercurial global economy. These lessons will be of interest to the student and manager alike.

Major changes are taking place in the Chinese countryside as China rushes to modernizes and urbanizes its rural fabric. The transformation is improving the quality of life of rural inhabitants, but also brings about challenges as people strive to adjust. This book systematically examines the impact of change on the daily lives and activities of the residents of Sichuan Province, in China’s South-west. It examines the themes of infrastructure, transport modes and preferences, sanitation, water conservation, earthquake and flood disaster preparedness, and the impact these have on villager behavior and quality of life. This book is an essential reference guide for graduate students and practitioners in the fields of rural planning, renewal, and construction.

Major changes are taking place in the Chinese countryside as China rushes to modernizes and urbanizes its rural fabric. The transformation is improving the quality of life of rural inhabitants, but also brings about challenges as people strive to adjust. This book systematically examines the impact of change on the daily lives and activities of the residents of Sichuan Province, in China’s South-west. It examines the themes of infrastructure, transport modes and preferences, sanitation, water conservation, earthquake and flood disaster preparedness, and the impact these have on villager behavior and quality of life. This book is an essential reference guide for graduate students and practitioners in the fields of rural planning, renewal, and construction.