Optimisation of resource management in construction projects: a big data approach

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-05-2018-0044
Published date01 April 2019
Date01 April 2019
Pages82-93
AuthorHabeeb Kusimo,Lukumon Oyedele,Olugbenga Akinade,Ahmed Oyedele,Sofiat Abioye,Alirat Agboola,Naimah Mohammed-Yakub
Subject MatterPublic policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation
Optimisation of resource
management in construction
projects: a big data approach
Habeeb Kusimo
Faculty of Business and Law,
University of the West of England Bristol, Bristol, UK
Lukumon Oyedele and Olugbenga Akinade
Big Data Analytics Laboratory,
University of the West of England Bristol, Bristol, UK
Ahmed Oyedele
Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
Sofiat Abioye
Faculty of Business and Law,
University of the West of England Bristol, Bristol, UK
Alirat Agboola
Faculty of EDM, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and
Naimah Mohammed-Yakub
Faculty of Business and Law,
University of the West of England Bristol, Bristol, UK
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify challenges faced in resource management in the UK
construction industry and to propose some solutions to these problems.
Design/methodology/approach Based on a qualitative research methodology, 14 experts from the UK
construction industry were chosen to be participants in the study. The participants were equally divided into
two focus groups to discuss resource management using five projects as case studies. Thematic analysis of
the discussion reveals seven key factors that affect resource management.
Findings The results show that most of the problems identified are due to poor data management
processes and the practice of having data in silos. Overcoming this challenge requires the adoption of big data
approaches for resource management to allow the integration of large and different forms of data.
Originality/value This study seeks to bring to the fore challenges faced in resource management by the
UK construction industry and to outline some solutions to address them.
Keywords Construction projects, Resource management, Big data, Resource allocation, Resource optimization
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
A resource is anything that contributes to the completion of project tasks, and it includes the
project manager, skilled labourers and equipment such as plant and fleet. Resources are
major contributors to project success because each project task must have sufficient and
adequate resources allocated for the activity to finish on time and within budget (Nagaraju
and Reddy, 2012). The construction industry is riddled with problems such as increase in
labour prices, shortage of skilled labour and stagnant productivity (Leeds, 2016). Besides,
Fletcher (2017) argues that Brexit threatens the flux of skilled labour into the UK,
which adds pressure onto the already constrained labour market. These problems impact
project performance by causing time delays, cost overrun and profit margin erosion.
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 16 No. 2, 2019
pp. 82-93
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-05-2018-0044
Received 26 May 2018
Revised 8 November 2018
Accepted 6 December 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
82
WJSTSD
16,2

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