International Journal of Project Organisation and Management http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=96&year=2012&vol=4&issue=1 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Project Organisation and Management 1740-2891 1740-2905 © 2012 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijpom_scoverijpom.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=96&year=2012&vol=4&issue=1 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45362 Project teams are essential to organisations. Team processes – how team members manage interdependencies across time to achieve a common goal – are sensitive to changes organisations must orchestrate to adapt their functioning to technological changes, industry requirements, and market pressures. Using two samples and different work configurations, we present individual-level, team-level, and cross-level construct and predictive validity evidence regarding an instrument measuring an essential project team process: collaborative work. Consistent with theory, confirmatory factor analysis yielded a 2nd order factor structure composed of teamwork communication, synchronicity, explicit coordination, and implicit coordination. At the individual level, collaborative work is predictive of contextual and task performance. Hierarchical linear modelling revealed that aggregates indicative of team-level collaboration – team average and consensus – explain individual-level performance after controlling for individuals' collaborative behaviours. At the team level, both aggregates predict team outcome performance. Our interpretation of the current study's validity evidence casts the collaborative work questionnaire as a short self-report instrument useful across contexts. Its use could contribute to theory development by distinguishing between team processes as mediators affecting input-performance relations. In practical terms, averages and consensual information could help researchers and practitioners choose appropriate combinations of individual- and team-level solutions for improvement. The effects of collaboration on performance: a multilevel validation in project teams
François Chiocchio; Simon Grenier; Thomas A. O'Neill; Karine Savaria; J. Douglas Willms
International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 1 - 37
Project teams are essential to organisations. Team processes – how team members manage interdependencies across time to achieve a common goal – are sensitive to changes organisations must orchestrate to adapt their functioning to technological changes, industry requirements, and market pressures. Using two samples and different work configurations, we present individual-level, team-level, and cross-level construct and predictive validity evidence regarding an instrument measuring an essential project team process: collaborative work. Consistent with theory, confirmatory factor analysis yielded a 2nd order factor structure composed of teamwork communication, synchronicity, explicit coordination, and implicit coordination. At the individual level, collaborative work is predictive of contextual and task performance. Hierarchical linear modelling revealed that aggregates indicative of team-level collaboration – team average and consensus – explain individual-level performance after controlling for individuals' collaborative behaviours. At the team level, both aggregates predict team outcome performance. Our interpretation of the current study's validity evidence casts the collaborative work questionnaire as a short self-report instrument useful across contexts. Its use could contribute to theory development by distinguishing between team processes as mediators affecting input-performance relations. In practical terms, averages and consensual information could help researchers and practitioners choose appropriate combinations of individual- and team-level solutions for improvement.

]]> 10.1504/IJPOM.2012.045362 International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 1 - 37 François Chiocchio; Simon Grenier; Thomas A. O'Neill; Karine Savaria; J. Douglas Willms Université de Montréal, Département de Psychologie, C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal (Québec), H3C 3J7, Canada. ' Université de Montréal, Département de Psychologie, C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal (Québec), H3C 3J7, Canada. ' Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C2, Canada. ' Université de Montréal, Département de Psychologie, C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal (Québec), H3C 3J7, Canada. ' Canadian Research Institute for Social Policy, University of New Brunswick, Suite 300, Keirstead Hall, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5A3, Canada collaboration teamwork individual performance team performance project teams collaborative work. 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 1 37 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45363 Early cost estimate of construction projects plays a vital role hence it forms a foundation for budgeting, planning, monitoring and even for litigation aims. In German practice, the first stage cost estimation is performed at the pre-design stage where no design details exist. Thus, the practical relevance of any model to be developed that requires further design information, would be questionable. The German norms describe construction cost elements as the subcategories for cost of construction works. Therefore, the accuracy of the first stage estimate can be improved by modelling construction cost elements where more detailed information incorporates. In this context, it is aimed to demonstrate the development of a predictive model for the most relevant cost element: external walls. Historical data was randomly sampled from Building Cost Information Centre (Baukosteninformationszentrum) database. The most significant predictors for cost of external walls were determined by backwards regression method. Multiple linear regression methodology is employed for the final parameter estimation. The results reveal that substantial variation in the cost of external walls can be explained by the proposed model which leads to high prediction accuracy. The development of the model is anticipated to influence further studies that address cost modelling in Germany. A concept for developing construction element cost models for German residential building projects
Christian Stoy; Spiro Pollalis; Onur Dursun
International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 38 - 53
Early cost estimate of construction projects plays a vital role hence it forms a foundation for budgeting, planning, monitoring and even for litigation aims. In German practice, the first stage cost estimation is performed at the pre-design stage where no design details exist. Thus, the practical relevance of any model to be developed that requires further design information, would be questionable. The German norms describe construction cost elements as the subcategories for cost of construction works. Therefore, the accuracy of the first stage estimate can be improved by modelling construction cost elements where more detailed information incorporates. In this context, it is aimed to demonstrate the development of a predictive model for the most relevant cost element: external walls. Historical data was randomly sampled from Building Cost Information Centre (Baukosteninformationszentrum) database. The most significant predictors for cost of external walls were determined by backwards regression method. Multiple linear regression methodology is employed for the final parameter estimation. The results reveal that substantial variation in the cost of external walls can be explained by the proposed model which leads to high prediction accuracy. The development of the model is anticipated to influence further studies that address cost modelling in Germany.

]]> 10.1504/IJPOM.2012.045363 International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 38 - 53 Christian Stoy; Spiro Pollalis; Onur Dursun Institute for Construction Economics, University of Stuttgart, Keplerstrasse 11, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany. ' Graduate School of Design (GSD), Harvard University, 48 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. ' Institute for Construction Economics, University of Stuttgart, Keplerstrasse 11, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany cost estimation residential buildings multiple linear regression MLR Germany construction projects cost modelling construction cost elements external walls. 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 38 53 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45364 The three lenses framework provides the means with which to observe, analyse and design projects from three different perspectives, each of which provides invaluable insights about the different relationships and elements of the organisational processes. The three lenses are the strategic lens, the political lens and the cultural lens. These lenses provide insights and are the basis for recommendations that facilitate the necessary adjustments, helping to ensure the success of projects. Three case studies from different companies are used in order to illustrate the effectiveness of this framework. Using the three lenses framework to observe and analyse projects
Luis Rabelo
International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 54 - 74
The three lenses framework provides the means with which to observe, analyse and design projects from three different perspectives, each of which provides invaluable insights about the different relationships and elements of the organisational processes. The three lenses are the strategic lens, the political lens and the cultural lens. These lenses provide insights and are the basis for recommendations that facilitate the necessary adjustments, helping to ensure the success of projects. Three case studies from different companies are used in order to illustrate the effectiveness of this framework.

]]> 10.1504/IJPOM.2012.045364 International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 54 - 74 Luis Rabelo Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, USA organisational culture strategic design three lenses framework knowledge management project analysis project design strategy politics project management. 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 54 74 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45365 Most studies on the relationship between design fees and construction costs suggested that the higher the fees, the lower the construction costs. Such conclusions have been based on the underlying assumption that the grade of project is given. However, normally, this assumption does not hold, a conceptual decision-making model in property development is developed to illustrate the management choice of projects types and grades. The hypothesised result would be that the higher the grade of project, the higher the design fees, and hence, the higher the construction costs. This is tested with real project data from BCIS database compiled by the RICS. The results of multiple regressions confirm our hypothesis. Design fee versus construction bid cost: a conceptual model and empirical examination
Ping Yung
International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 75 - 85
Most studies on the relationship between design fees and construction costs suggested that the higher the fees, the lower the construction costs. Such conclusions have been based on the underlying assumption that the grade of project is given. However, normally, this assumption does not hold, a conceptual decision-making model in property development is developed to illustrate the management choice of projects types and grades. The hypothesised result would be that the higher the grade of project, the higher the design fees, and hence, the higher the construction costs. This is tested with real project data from BCIS database compiled by the RICS. The results of multiple regressions confirm our hypothesis.

]]> 10.1504/IJPOM.2012.045365 International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 75 - 85 Ping Yung School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK design fees construction costs construction bids bid cost conceptual modelling decision making property development project types project management construction projects. 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 75 85 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45361 This article takes a close look at the Indian Software Industry which has been growing at a phenomenal pace over the past 15 years. The concepts discussed in this paper draw on a range of contemporary research and thought on entrepreneurship and strategy. Further, the paper is based on detailed interviews conducted with owners, managers and even clients of successful Indian software firms. The interviews included both structured questions and open-ended discussions. The paper draws the conclusion that organisations which are active in services projects with a fair amount of domain knowledge can be successful in their foray to product development in related domains. With an increasing number of Indian IT companies moving towards productisation, there is a very good opportunity to collect relevant data and to conduct research on issues relating to development and marketing of software products. It is anticipated that the current slowdown in the world economy will affect the smaller IT firms much more than their larger counterparts. The larger companies have a lower cost structure and on the other hand, the smaller firms do not enjoy economies of scale. Some of these smaller firms are mimicking large firms and are investing in developing software products. Moving to products: entrepreneurial IT firms in India
Sanjay Mohapatra; Rajeev Roy
International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 86 - 97
This article takes a close look at the Indian Software Industry which has been growing at a phenomenal pace over the past 15 years. The concepts discussed in this paper draw on a range of contemporary research and thought on entrepreneurship and strategy. Further, the paper is based on detailed interviews conducted with owners, managers and even clients of successful Indian software firms. The interviews included both structured questions and open-ended discussions. The paper draws the conclusion that organisations which are active in services projects with a fair amount of domain knowledge can be successful in their foray to product development in related domains. With an increasing number of Indian IT companies moving towards productisation, there is a very good opportunity to collect relevant data and to conduct research on issues relating to development and marketing of software products. It is anticipated that the current slowdown in the world economy will affect the smaller IT firms much more than their larger counterparts. The larger companies have a lower cost structure and on the other hand, the smaller firms do not enjoy economies of scale. Some of these smaller firms are mimicking large firms and are investing in developing software products.

]]> 10.1504/IJPOM.2012.045361 International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2012) pp. 86 - 97 Sanjay Mohapatra; Rajeev Roy Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, 751013, India. ' Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, 751013, India IT services IT products product benefits productization framework information technology product development India software industry software products cost structure economies of scale. 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00 4 1 86 97 2012-02-07T23:20:50-05:00