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The processes of estimating, planning and control within the building industry are seldom fully integrated. This study considers the integration of the processes based on production data collected from several projects. The aim of the research is to investigate the feasibility of the integrated approach as a means of improving the estimating, planning and control processes within the construction industry. Selected cost significant work sections are considered in the study and production data are formulated based on feedback information from several first sample projects. Comparisons are made between average production data and individual project data. A structured systems analysis of the collaborating body identifies existing processes and production orientated information requirements. A model and working system prototype are developed which illustrate integration of the processes and generation of management information. Application of the model as a basis for estimating and planning at various levels of detail is demonstrated. Forecast-observation diagrams provide the necessary control mechanism for monitoring production outputs. Forecasts on a second independent sample of projects are assessed based on tolerances of performances from first sample projects. Accuracy of average forecasts from the model are compared with other data sources, these being estimators' data used in the preparation of the estimate, and bonus surveyors' targets used during the production process. The research concludes that the production data and model give a worthwhile improvement over existing methods in forecasting average productivity performances when methods of placing can be clearly identified and related to work packages. The production data and model are insufficiently accurate to give a worthwhile improvement when measured items cover work packages of varying degrees of complexity, and when proportioning methods are used to obtain production data for different categories of items which collectively represent work packages. Assessment of the model together with refinements are also discussed.

The 'healthy buildings' movement has emerged in response to increasing recognition that many indoor environments, particularly office spaces, have a negative impact upon the wellbeing and productivity of the building users. However, the move towards healthier working environments is hampered by the fact that the academic workplace literature lacks a suitable theoretical framework for representing the complex and dynamic nature of the relationship between the employee and the workplace environment. Therefore, the major objective of this research project was to develop and validate a theoretical framework to represent the employee-workplace relationship. A programme of primary research conducted within industry followed the initial development of framework, further confirming its utility for both research and practice. First, a comprehensive multidisciplinary literature review was conducted, leading to the initial development of the novel conceptual framework to represent the ways in which employees are affected by, and act upon, their workplace environment. The Environmental Demands-Resources (ED-R) framework conceptualises the workplace environment as a composite of pathogenic demands (i.e., aspects of the workplace which cause strain and negatively affect employees) and salutogenic resources (i.e., aspects of the workplace which support employee motivation and engagement). A conceptual analysis of the multidisciplinary workplace literature confirms that these concepts are common across seemingly disparate strands of workplace research. Subsequently, a series of five primary research studies (culminating in six published outputs) was conducted. Two studies explored how requirements for the workplace are moderated by individual differences, finding that what constitutes an environmental demand or resource differs from employee to employee (e.g., noise-sensitive employees are less suited to open-plan offices). Two studies explored the use of environmental sensor data to identify environmental demands and predict employee discomfort, leading to the development of a methodology to combine objective building data with subjective human responses. Finally, one study explored the use of innovative biophilic design as a novel environmental resource, finding that a 'regeneration pod' more effectively facilitated recovery from work stress than an ordinary meeting room. This thesis presents the results of those studies in full. First, an introduction to the research topics is presented, followed by a description of the key theoretical constructs and a narrative review and conceptual analysis of the multidisciplinary workplace literature. Then, the six research articles comprising the main programme of primary research are summarised and discussed. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications of the research are considered, with a particular focus on the ways in which the research contributes to effective strategies for the creation and maintenance of workplace environments which better support the health, wellbeing, and productivity of their users.

The lack of clarity and preciseness behind the definitions of the term "sustainability" has made its integration in current planning policy a problematic issue, not so much at the building scale but especially at the scale of neighbourhoods and towns. This research is aimed at discovering what the potential might be within the development of a common framework for sustainable development, which will provide a comprehensive guide for local councils and practitioners in the field of built environment. The case studies research was based on a broad literature and research review and case studies of selected projects in Germany and the UK. These were Kronsberg, Vauban, New Islington and Upton. The mixed methods approach followed allowed for a holistic appreciation of the subject that involved a combination of both qualitative and quantitative treatments. The sources of data that formed the empirical heart of the research were interviews with key stakeholders, aiming to gauge their perceptions over the success of the projects, and questionnaires to residents, aiming to measure their overall satisfaction with living in their newly developed neighbourhoods. This type of research of best practice projects has provided an opportunity for the comparison of the successful development strategies that have been followed in the different settings. Weaknesses and strengths have been enumerated and analysed, the different cases have been evaluated, and the positive elements amongst them have been pinpointed and reviewed to allow for the final checklist of criteria to be determined.

Libya is one of the developing countries that are rich in oil but plagued by a phenomenon called 'resource curse' --- a situation where the tremendous wealth gained from oil export hinders rather than promote economic sustainability. Oil dominates the Libyan economy, accounting for more than 80% of government revenue and exports. As a result, non-oil sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing become unproductive and less competitive nationally and in world markets. As part of the ways to help diversify the Libyan economy and to find sectors of competitive advantage, this thesis applies the Porter Diamond Model (PDM) to Libyan fisheries in order to unravel the current situation whilst also identifying future prospects and development possibilities. Fisheries was selected as the focus for this thesis due to its inherent resource abundance, high potential to play a major role in contributing to economic growth and development within Libya, and finally the sectors ability to strengthen food security and national well-being. Porter's Diamond is a model that explains the competitive advantage some nations or industries have due to certain comparative advantages and helps analyse and improve a country's role in a globally competitive sector. In the Porter's diamond, four interdependent determinants (factor; demand; related and supporting industries; and firm strategy, structure and rivalry) and two indirect variables (chance and government) affects sectors ability to achieve and sustain competitive advantage in the competitive environment. The PDM, including Shepherd's model was applied to Libya to appraise the fish consumption behaviour and evaluate the Libyan fisheries sector's ability to achieve competitive advantage for economic diversification. This is the first study to assess the competitiveness of fisheries in Libya using the PDM framework. The study adopts a case study approach because it allows gathering of data from multiple sources to accommodate the determinants that affect Libyan fisheries sector in light of the diamond model. Mixed methods where used in this thesis, with data collection methods including questionnaire surveys, interviews and visual materials applied to Eastern Libya. The research reviews, that despite its clear limitations, Porter's diamond model provides a valuable model for appraising the competitiveness of fisheries in Libya. However, this thesis strongly contradicts the PDM in important one area, the role of government when the model is applied to developing nations. In such situations, this study suggests the governments' role should shift from being a complementary to a major determinant in the operation of the model. The research also recommends that the current government be transformed to develop the fisheries sector, by adopting a protectionist approach to advance the sector in a similar manner to that used both other developed countries. Whilst this study makes original contribution to existing knowledge relating to the sector competitive advantage within economies, it is also provides a valuable guide to policy makers looking to diversify existing oil rich economies in both Libya and other similar developing nations. Analysis and finding were organised around the elements of PDM. This study highlights that, marketing outlets are widely unavailable to many consumers; fish prices are high for most citizens; local demand or consumption is low; government policy and regulation towards fishing and marine resources are weak; poor and obsolete infrastructure is common place; equipment and fishing boats are high; regulations of the marine resources sector and fishing is poor; investment and fishing boats are very expensive presenting a significant barrier to market entry for local people; public sector (government) investment in the sector is lacking; no up-to-date modem technique relating to the fisheries sector are available to Libyan fishermen; studies to estimate fish stocks are both dated and insufficient; integration of the sector into the national economy is absent and finally the sector is left in the hands of artisanal and informal fishers. These barriers hinder the process of developing in this sector, preventing Libya's fisheries sector achieving competitive advantage. In addition, the governments' intangible efforts to improve the fisheries sector have been insufficient to ensure food security, diversification, and continued economic growth and development.

The rapid growth of the construction sector in the Arab region of the Middle East, particular in Jordan, is expected to attract investments worth 21 billion U.S. dollars over the next five years (2012 - 2017). This growth has contributed to the increasing number and types of large-scale projects currently being undertaken, and also increased the use of building materials and the requirement for effective and efficient materials management services to ensure overall construction process performance. Studies have indicated that materials in building projects constitute about 60% of total project cost and control 80% of the project schedule. Inefficient materials management may therefore lead to an increase of 50% in work hours. Hence, there is a pressing need for measuring the effectiveness of the Construction Materials Management (CMM) process to provide a basis for the follow-up, and for evaluating and analysing the current performance of processes. The literature review of previous work, and pilot studies carried out to date, confirm that the effectiveness of the construction materials management process, and extent to which it meets the needs and expectations of construction operations has not been adequately defined or measured within building projects. The primary aim of this research is therefore to establish a set of uniform measures for evaluating the Effectiveness of Construction Materials Management Performance (ECMMP), and to develop a framework for use within large-scale concrete building projects in Jordan. The work adopts a mixed research methodological approach involving literature review and both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The literature review process essentially explored the theory, and typical workflow diagram(s), to establish a set of measures that assess the effectiveness of material management performance in typical building construction projects. Within the research main investigation, a case study project was also introduced where site visits and semi-structured interviews were carried out to establish a practical workflow diagram to reflect real-life CMM processes within Jordanian large-scale concrete building projects. This also included the identification of a set of measures to be used for evaluating the ECMMP on those building projects (Practical Effectiveness-Measures; P.E.Ms).Based on the data collection and cross-cases analysis, a framework was developed to integrate practical effectiveness-measures within the practical workflow diagram of the CMM process, allowing an operational mechanism to communicate and operationalize those uniform measures within the workflow process (ECMMP Framework). This was followed by a framework validation designed to evaluate the functionality and appropriateness of the developed ECMMP through two techniques of formative and summative evaluations. The ECMMP framework provides a new approach and methodology for evaluating, periodically and systematically, the effectiveness of the materials management performance. The framework not only brings about improvements in managing materials within Jordanian large-scale concrete building projects, but establishes a basis for unified standard benchmarking of performance for the materials management process in the Arab Construction Industry.

Time and cost overruns are one of the biggest issues facing the construction industry and affecting delivery in terms of time, cost and quality. Libyan construction projects experience these problems, often to a greater extent than most others. This can be attributed to both unexpected and expected risk factors that are not effectively dealt with. A focus on control is therefore vital in order to improve the performance of construction projects. The chief purpose of this study is to explore and understand the main characteristics of the Libyan construction industry (LCI) and its associated processes and operations, as well as to identify the major obstacles constraining its practices. It will also develop and validate a framework through which to manage risk factors that significantly affect a project's time and cost performance. The initial proposed framework for the design of project cost and time control is based on previous studies; other practices regarding control are derived from the findings in the literature. The framework was reviewed and refined through iterative processes. Semi-structured interviews with professionals in Libyan organisations were used to investigate how costs and schedules of construction projects are controlled in practice and to discover the reasons and related issues that affect the process of cost and time control in practice. Survey questionnaire I was conducted to identify the major risk factors causing time and cost overruns in Libyan projects. The framework for minimising cost and time overruns was subsequently validated by the perception of the professionals (contractors, consultants and owners) involved in the LCI who participated in questionnaires II and III. Both, theory and practice have been linked through the literature review and the involvement of practitioners to develop a framework by which cost and time overruns in Libyan construction projects can be minimised. It is envisaged that the developed framework will lead to changes in LCI projects, since practitioners can be more systematic in dealing with the factors leading to cost and time overruns. This will further provide improved current practices in delivering better quality construction projects that satisfy clients' requirements and in which cost and time overruns are minimised.

Recent decades have seen an expansion in the role and size of the UK social housing sector. This sector is challenged to use its new housing development, regeneration and improvement programmes to deliver social benefit within an environment affected by government policies on funding and in the organisational context of particular geographical and commercial pressures. Such challenges draw focus to the under- researched field of asset management. Traditionally, this field has been dominated by the: financial measures of success rather than the wider benefits to the community. However, this study proposes a new approach that is grounded in, the theory of sustainability, within which investments are appraised not only on their financial merits but also on their interplay with the human environment within which they are located through the assessment of social and local economic benefits. Initially implementing a qualitative methodology, the research explores the existing attempts to integrate the appraisal of sustainable benefits within the decision making process. The results suggest that, to date, no apparent tool exists to facilitate this process. A further quantitative survey of UK social housing professionals was undertaken to confirm the initial observations. The results show that, despite the fact that social housing practitioners understand the importance of considering sustainability, they are not yet in a position routinely to appraise the benefits associated with potential schemes, confirming the need for the development of a sustainable benefit evaluation framework. Adopting a case study approach, this study identifies the essential features of sustainability which will ensure that such undertakings generate community benefits. These features are subsequently used to develop and validate a framework for sustainable benefit evaluation within the social housing sector, linking financial appraisal with the evaluation of sustainability. This framework provides a decision aid or tool for practitioners to employ during the early stages of appraising potential social housing investment schemes.

The Nigerian construction sector presently accounts for about 1.4% of the nation's GDP, even though its contribution to total GDP seems to have remained, extremely low; the sector is yet to realise its full potential. The sector is expanding strongly with a growth of 10% per year and is supported by multiple real estate projects and by the modernisation and development of infrastructures which offer new opportunities for the construction sector. The nation's approach to the training and development of construction related craftspeople, however, has been general rather than specific; and the various reforms on technical, vocational education and training (TVET) have not succeeded in tackling the perennial craft skills shortage crisis in the sector. This research project focused on formulating and validating a framework for achieving effectiveness and sustainability in the training and development of construction craft in the Nigerian construction sector, with emphasis on addressing the factors militating against securing and sustaining the interest of the youth population in acquiring construction related crafts skills. In order to collect a robust data to adequately address the goal of the study, secondary data were collected through an in-depth review of related literature. Quantitative data were elicited through a questionnaire survey while the gathering of qualitative data adopted the semistructured interview and document analysis approaches. This mixed-method approach generated data that formed the basis for the development of a unique and novel best practice framework for the training and development of construction related crafts people in the Nigerian construction industry. The framework, which was validated by experienced industry-based professionals and academics; was adjudged capable of ensuring effectiveness and enhancing sustainability in craft skills training and development in the nation's construction sector. The study concluded that in order to achieve sustainability and effectiveness, crafts skills training and development in the nation's construction sector must be accorded a specific attention. The establishment of a regulatory organ vested with the responsibilities for implementing and regulating skills training and development in the construction sector is imperative. Apart from facilitating career progression of crafts people and adequately addressing the factors inhibiting the interest of prospective trainees; effective guidance and counselling systems must be provided for the purpose of sensitizing the youths and other potential trainees on the importance and economic prospects inherent in pursuing construction related craft careers. The Construction Craft Skills Training and Development (CCSTD) Framework is a major contribution to knowledge in this area. It is recommended for adoption by the government, construction sector, professional bodies, training providers and other related stakeholders; as a guide on skills training and development matters in the Nigerian construction sector.

Development Control in England is an important element of the Town and Country Planning process and the economic structure of the country: it is the process which approves or prevents development. Despite this, there is comparatively little research into the processes involved in, and the management of, the decision making process, and there are difficulties effectively researching the process. The Development Control process lies within a changing environment, both with regards to its political and economic influences, but it is vital that it remains effective and efficient throughout changes in its situation. Historically, it has struggled to adapt to these changes, such as the increased demand on its services throughout the 2000’s when it was subject to criticism in particular in relation to housing supply. This study presents a unique examination of Development Control services in England. It examines the barriers which present themselves in the research of its processes, developing a methodology based on the Viable Systems Model of Stafford Beer to overcome these barriers and, most significantly, it successfully applies this methodology, providing a structured examination of the ability of the system to adapt to changes in its environment. This examination is highly original in both its subject matter and its methodology and is, as such, a significant contribution to both the fields of Development Control and the Viable Systems Model. It contributes to the limited research within Development Control, extends the fields to which the Viable Systems Model has been applied and demonstrates the presence of features of the Viable Systems Model in an existing high performing authority. The analysis identified important areas of both good and bad practice and led to recommendations which can assist Development Control services strengthen their ability to recognise and adapt to change. Furthermore, the methodology and recommendations have potential to be applied throughout local authority services, and in other Government provision, to enable services to be effective throughout future changes in their political and economic environments.

The construction industry is a key player in the development of the Libyan economy. It contributes for about 5.2% of the Libyan Gross domestic Product (GDP) and employs around 3.2% of the total workforce, which include Libyan and other nationalities. Construction projects successes are the public face of the construction industry. However, with the increasing number of project delays and/or failure facing the development of the construction sector, it is important to determine the factors affecting construction projects success and develop appropriate solutions to such problems. View studies have been carried out which concentrated on specific factors including projects' success, but these were very limited in the range of the study, and organisations are still struggling with how to complete projects successfully. Preliminary literature review and pilot study identified that the major cause of construction projects failure are management methodologies, selection of project team members, external factors and the procurement methods. Findings from the literature review, questionnaire survey and interviews were used to develop a framework to improve the success of construction projects, which was validated by experienced and professionals in the Libyan construction industry. The findings which are drawn from this research include establishment and evaluation of the factors that affects projects success including external factors (economic and political), contractual system and the selection of the project team members. The framework is considered to be a major contribution to knowledge and is recommended for use to ensure successful construction project implementation in both the public and private sectors. The framework provides very important criteria for the selection of the project team in order to ensure that appropriate persons are selected. The findings also provide solutions and methodologies for organisations to use to ensure that project will be successfully completed. The framework will contribute to construction projects' success and hence enhance and promote the development the construction sector in Libya.

The manufacturing sector is of enormous economic and social significance to any state economy and its people. In the UK, the manufacturing sector accounts for about 13% of GDP and employs about four million people representing approximately 14% of the working population. Manufacturing processes depend on the performance of the facility (machines, equipment and tools) and the human resource (labour). These machines and equipment degrade with age and usage and, therefore, require maintenance. Despite the strategies adopted for their maintenance, there comes a time due to age, operating/environmental conditions and statutory requirements when the entire facility had to be shut down for necessary repairs, maintenance and project works. This is called Shutdown Maintenance also known as Turnaround Maintenance (TAM).Although several works have been carried out by organisations and professionals in recent times to optimize TAM projects, organisations are still struggling with TAM projects with reported alarming rates of failure. A preliminary literature review and pilot studies identified that the major cause of TAM project failures are attributed to the use of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) project management methodologies to manage TAM projects without considering their unique features. Findings from a comprehensive literature review, questionnaire survey and case studies in major process plants in the UK, were used to develop a unique best practice framework (and its components parts) which were validated by very experienced, proactive and industry-based hands-on TAM professionals. The conclusions which are drawn from this research study includes establishment of TAM evaluation criteria, TAM critical success factors, TAM manager selection criteria, TAM management methodologies and the TAM project implementation framework. This best practice framework which is a major contribution to knowledge in this area is recommended for all operators of engineering facilities to ensure the successful implementation of their TAM projects. The findings from the study are also of significant importance to contract organisations, TAM managers and aspiring TAM professionals, government bodies, training organisations and tertiary institutions who are involved in maintenance management in engineering facilities.

The construction industry contributes a significant amount to a nation's Gross Domestic Product and National Income. The industry products are enormously important to other organisational sectors, and provide a considerable amount of employment to the nation's populace. However, the industry is significantly under-achieving in terms of clients' and stakeholders' satisfaction. In addition, the resources in the industry are currently under-utilised. It is affirmed that resources' wastes management in the industry is far behind that obtainable in other organisational sectors. Thus, there is a need for re-assessment of the way in which the industry generates its products towards utilising the scarce and costly resources efficiently. It is noteworthy that a project could be completed, within the estimated cost, time frame and quality expected, and even satisfying the clients' and stakeholders' implied needs, with lots of resource wastefulness during the construction production process. Despite the lean construction techniques being effective in reducing resources utilisation wastefulness; currently there are difficulties in achieving the approach objectives adequately. Thus, to maximise resources utilisation and avoiding inefficiency, it is paramount to critically evaluate, identify, and establish the several wastage occurrences, occurring either consciously or unconsciously during the project construction process. This research responded to the need for the construction industry to review the use of resources during production process, and to minimise the "gap" between the construction industry and the other sectors in efficient resources utilisation. To establish a valid and reliable best practice operational framework, towards utilising construction resources optimally, this research study was triangulated. Both structured and unstructured questionnaires and in-depth interview research surveys were exploited for its data collection. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 13, (SPSS 13), software was used to analyse the data obtained through the questionnaire research survey, while NVivo, (version 8) statistics software was explored to analyse the information collected through the in-depth interview research survey. This research was grouped into three main studies. The first study evaluated the issues associated with site managers' efficient performance, and causes of site managers' inefficiency in performances established were identified. In this respect, the factors that will enhance site managers to optimally utilise resources were established. Secondly, the scenarios of budgeting for resources' wastes were investigated, and factors that will reduce their effects on optimal resources utilisation were established. Lastly, the causes and modalities of averting resources wastefulness during the production process were investigated and ascertained. The success factor of these studies is the evaluation of the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, (KAP), of construction participants on resources utilisation. Based on these three main research studies and their sub studies, an operational framework for optimal utilisation of construction resources during the production process was developed, validated and established. This research study was conducted within the UK construction Industry. The implementation of the research findings and inferences will not only enhance optimal resources utilisation in the UK construction industry. In respect that the UK construction industry is vast in innovations, research development and construction reengineering, the established framework is significant for global construction industry adoption.

Earthquakes have long been feared as one of nature's most terrifying and devastating events. Although seismic codes clearly exist in countries with a high seismic risk to save lives and human suffering, earthquakes still continue to cause tragic events with high death tolls, particularly due to the collapse of widespread non-engineered buildings with non-seismic resistance in developing countries such as Indonesia. The implementation of seismic codes in non-engineered construction is the key to ensuring earthquake safety. In fact, such implementation is not simple, because it comprises all forms of cross disciplinary and cross sectoral linkages at different levels of understanding, commitment, and skill. This fact suggests that a widely agreed framework can help to harmonise the various perspectives. Hence, this research is aimed at developing an integrated framework for guiding and monitoring seismic risk reduction of non-engineered buildings in Indonesia via a risk management method. Primarily, the proposed framework for the study has drawn heavily on wider literature, the three existing frameworks around the world, and on the contribution of various stakeholders who participated in the study. A postal questionnaire survey, selected interviews, and workshop event constituted the primary data collection methods. As a robust framework needed to be achieved, the following two workshop events, which were conducted in Yogyakarta City and Bengkulu City in Indonesia, were carried out for practicality, validity, and moderation or any identifiable improvement requirements. The data collected was analysed with the assistance of SPSS and NVivo software programmes. This research found that the content of the proposed framework comprises 63 pairs of characteristic-indicators complemented by (a) three important factors of effective seismic risk management of non-engineered buildings, (b) three guiding principles for sustainable dissemination to the grass root communities and (c) a map of agents of change. Among the 63 pairs, there are 19 technical interventions and 44 non-technical interventions. These findings contribute to the wider knowledge in the domain of the seismic risk management of non-engineered buildings, in order to: (a) provide a basis for effective political advocacy, (b) reflect the multidimensional and inter-disciplinary nature of seismic risk reduction, (c) assist a wide range of users in determining roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities, and (d) provide the basis for setting goals and targets.

Training has long been recognised as one of the fundamental processes to assist the UK construction industry meet the increasing the demand for adequately trained and qualified construction site managers. However, inadequate commitment by organisations to training, coupled with the recognised fragmentation of the industry perpetuates major hurdles to achieving this objective. Whilst the site manager's role has evolved over the years through changes within the industry, their training at the industry level continue to be provided along the established mode offered by the Chartered Institute of Building's Certificate and Diploma Site Management training (CIOB C/DSM) and the National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications Site Supervision and Site Management (NVQ/SVQ SS/SM) training schemes. This have led critics to argue that the difficulties of meeting the industry's need for trained site managers are associated with inadequacies within the training provisions offered by these schemes. This research was undertaken in recognition for the need for a critical appraisal of their training provisions with a view for improvements. It was developed on the concepts of training best practice which advocates improving the training provisions concurrent with change through the process of re-learning the whole training process. The effectiveness of the training provisions offered by the training schemes and the impact of variables on the site managers' training needs were critically investigated. 'Gaps' within the training provisions were identified, approaches to bridge these 'gaps' were investigated and proposed for improvement. The substantial contribution of the research is the expansion of the knowledge of the factors that impinge on the effective provisions for training site managers. The research findings propounds the conviction that the current training provisions needs to be expanded to be more effective and this can be achieved with the best practice framework for training site managers identified by the research.

Knowledge management (KM) has rapidly risen to become a popular concept amongst its advocates. Critics claim it is simply old wine in new bottle. It is being touted as one of the significant by-products of an information and knowledge revolution, which may be historically unsurpassed in the comprehensiveness of its impacts on all aspects of human endeavours. Critics say the more things change the more they remain the same. After many centuries of philosophical and economical dialectics, the hitherto accepted role of landed property as a critical factor of production is increasingly being challenged. Nevertheless, it remains a significant variable to the success of many business units and indeed all nations. Hence, any concept, which seeks to impact on the productivity of businesses, must not only impact on the social actors within such organisation but also impact on its structures and processes. An extensive review of literature, by this writer, revealed scant research into the role of these phenomena in project-based sectors and nothing published on property investment and development businesses. Hence, the aim of this research was to determine if commercial property investors are practicing KM in any form and if it leads to any significant change in their investment returns or contribute to the achievement of other corporate goals. It commenced with a brief examination of the philosophical debate on the epistemology and ontology of knowledge. The study established the existing range of expositions on the distinctions between data, information, knowledge, KM and Intellectual Capital Management. Included is a detailed review of KM models and the constraints of outcome measurement. The interplay between organisational culture and employee mindset was considered in addition to the effects of physical workspace on KM. The study followed this with a concise review of the nature of the property industry, the characteristics of commercial property investment, the criteria that impact on investment returns and current drivers of change. Based on initial predilection towards positivism, the Researcher conducted a general survey within the chosen scope of the northwest region of England. Analysis of the returns confirmed that only 11.1% of private commercial property companies are proactively implementing KM, whilst others are still at a lower end of a spectrum that see them implementing information management strategies and traditional estate management practices only. Having purged the research of the initial cognitive predispositions, a reasoned transition from positivistic orthodoxy to a phenomenological paradigm was made and a case study secured amongst the few organisations implementing this practice. The research continued steadily with methodological triangulation as a means of studying the dynamics in the case. An electronic survey of all 179 employees was conducted, followed by additional interviewing of 22 employees and directors. Also data was collected to facilitate secondary analysis of ten years statutory accounts and the previously conducted survey of over 412 customers of the case studied. The study concluded that the management practices in Bruntwood Estates Ltd (a private commercial property investment company) align with the characteristics of the KM phenomena and contributes positively to both its intellectual capital and financial capital. The impacts and shortcomings of the implementation of these practices were elicited as a prelude to the formulation of models that could serve as innovative tools to other players and researchers in the commercial property industry.

In order to probe the application of TQM within Small and Medium Sized UK Construction-Related Organisations, a study was conducted on 63 SMEs; 20 (31.7%) of these reported implementation of TQM on their management system. For this purpose, a monitoring and assessment tool was developed, incorporating within it the TQM implementation quality features or techniques, grouped in 10 sub principles. The rate of TQM commitment and advancement was then measured for each organisation. The study was designed to assess the levels of advancement of implementation constructs in both UK TQM and non- TQM Construction related SMEs. The research was conducted in four stages: exploratory, descriptive, empirical and analytic research. The exploratory stage involved an extensive literature review for searching TQM models and critical success factors. The Powell (1995) instrument was selected as the criterion for the critical success factors, with the justification provided for the selection, by comparing and evaluating it with other existing and validated instruments such as Saraph et al, 1989; Flynn et al, 1995; Black and Porter, 1996 and Ahire et al, 1996. The descriptive study involved a questionnaire survey of construction related SMEs in the UK. The research design also included:

1. an empirical investigation to assessth e critical successf actors and levels of TQM advancementin the UK construction SMEs,
2. identification of the advocated advantages associated with the implementation,
3. measuring the success of TQM and assessment of the business and organisation performance,
4. assessment of the competitive environment. The survey was conducted to investigate the four stated issues and finally,
5. to ascertain the combined effect of TQM practices on the business and organisation performance in the context of organisation size, TQM maturity and union density. The results of the surveys provided the levels of implementation of TQM in both TQM and Non-TQM organisations. The survey results of the study indicated that while TQM deploying organisations were more advanced in the observation of the deployment constructs, non-TQM organisations exhibited marked levels of achievement of implementation constructs.

Construction industry is a key player in the UK economy. It contributes 10% of the GDP and employs more than 1.5 million people. Contractor organisations are the public face of the industry. Their policies, processes, and performance directly impact all stakeholders in the industry. However, the performance of contractor organisations on Quality, Health and Safety and Environment issues is far from satisfactory. Organisations of all type, including contractors are increasingly implementing management systems for Quality (ISO 9000), Health and Safety (BS 8800/OHSAS 18001) and Environment (ISO 14000) for many reasons including the fulfilment of legal obligations, creating a better organisational image and the wider demonstration of concern for the society. The standard based management systems have developed individually, independently and at different times fulfilling unique demands. However, the structural similarities in the standards have led to the evolution of integrated management systems (IMS). Chemical, nuclear and manufacturing industries are at the forefront of the emerging initiative of IMS. Contractor organisations in the UK have also shown a keen interest in the IMS development, however, there is a clear lack of guidance on the implementation of integrated management systems. This research develops a unique best practice framework for the implementation of integrated management systems (IMS) in construction contractor organisations. A comprehensive literature review, case studies in some major UK contactor organisations and a questionnaire survey were conducted to encompass the management systems, developments and issues related to the implementation of integrated management systems (IMS) in construction and other industries. The research finds contractor organisations at varying levels of development from very basic to advance in integrating their management systems. Various different approaches and methods are being applied to develop the integrated management systems in absence of any industry specific guidelines. The industry validated framework, developed in this research project will help contractor organisations as a best practice guide, in the implementation of integrated Quality, Health and Safety and Environment management systems. The integrated framework will make systems more streamlined, productive and easier to comply with.