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on Project, Program and Portfolio Management |
| By: | Barbrook-Johnson, Peter; Cox, Domenica; Penn, Alexandra |
| Abstract: | In recent years, there has been a marked rise in the use of systems thinking approaches in UK policy making institutions, especially in environmental domains. To better understand practice 'on the ground', we conduct a review of examples of systems thinking projects being run by, or for, the UK government in these domains. We conduct a semi-systematic review of grey, academic, and unpublished literature, and interview researchers and policy makers involved in projects. We find evidence of the growing popularity of systems thinking across environmental policy areas. Typically, systems thinking projects concentrate on building understanding during the early stages of the policy cycle. We find fewer instances of it being used in direct instrumental applications and few applications in policy implementation. This reflects a perception of systems thinking as an exploratory tool, and in some cases, as a luxury. Projects employing systems thinking approaches exhibit a diverse array of designs, funding structures, and expertise sources, with both in-house and consultancy-style contributions. We find few project evaluations, discussion of conditions for success or failure predominantly centre on basic good practice. This reflects the inherent challenge in quantifying changes in mental models, with limited time and resource constraints. This poses an obstacle to establishing good practice for systems thinking and achieving broader adoption. Wider socialisation of systems thinking and its value propositions, that challenge perceptions of it as a luxury or exploratory-only tool, and more evaluation of its use, are key priorities for broader adoption. |
| Keywords: | Systems thinking, policy making, environmental policy, energy policy, policy analysis |
| Date: | 2025–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:amz:wpaper:2025-06 |
| By: | Puteri Nur Farah Naadia Mohd Fauzi (Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, United Kingdom Author-2-Name: Muhammad Nazirul Pasaruddin Author-2-Workplace-Name: Pembinaan Purcon Sdn Bhd, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Author-3-Name: Author-3-Workplace-Name: Author-4-Name: Author-4-Workplace-Name: Author-5-Name: Author-5-Workplace-Name: Author-6-Name: Author-6-Workplace-Name: Author-7-Name: Author-7-Workplace-Name: Author-8-Name: Author-8-Workplace-Name:) |
| Abstract: | "Objective - This research aims to explore how contractors managed on-site construction work during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, with a focus on the time management challenges they encountered. It seeks to determine the procedures employed, identify the challenges faced, and develop comprehensive strategies to ensure timely project delivery within contractual obligations. Methodology/Technique - The study adopts a mixed-method approach, involving an extensive literature review and questionnaire surveys to gather data from construction industry stakeholders, particularly contractors. Findings - The research reveals that the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at construction sites, mandated by the Malaysian government during the pandemic, posed significant challenges to contractors in managing work progress and productivity. Strategies developed in this study provide actionable guidance for effectively addressing these time management challenges. Novelty - This research contributes original insights into the specific time management challenges faced by contractors during the pandemic and proposes practical, industry-specific strategies to mitigate these issues. It bridges the gap in existing literature by focusing on pandemic-specific constraints in the Malaysian construction industry. Type of Paper - Empirical" |
| Keywords: | Construction work, COVID-19 Pandemic, On-site, Strategies, Time management. |
| JEL: | K11 L74 P46 |
| Date: | 2025–03–31 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gtr:gatrjs:jmmr345 |
| By: | Nassiri, Somayeh; Harvey, John; Miller, Sabbie |
| Abstract: | Transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance consume energy and finite resources, and have substantial environmental impacts, primarily from the manufacturing of cement, concrete, asphalt, and steel. New feedstock materials and technologies for producing these materials can result in lower life cycle costs, use of local materials, creation of local employment, and reduced environmental impacts. These goals point to the urgent need for adopting innovative alternatives. However, implementation requires confidence on the part of materials producers, contractors, and infrastructure owners that the new materials and technologies can achieve these goals. Implementation demands rigorous testing, risk management, and stakeholder confidence in the engineering performance, environmental benefits, and economic viability of new materials and technologies. This report introduces a structured evaluation framework, “Lab2Slab2Practice, ” aimed at accelerating the adoption of these new materials and technologies. Key strategies include leveraging social- behavioral-change models, such as the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model, to mitigate risks and facilitate adoption. A comprehensive review of prior successful government programs and initiatives, including AASHTO’s Superpave and Pavement Mechanistic-Empirical Design tools, underscores the importance of interagency collaboration and support, rapid experimentation, theoretical simulations, and engagement by owners (primarily departments of transportation), contractors, and other stakeholders. Regional centers are proposed as clearinghouses to systematically evaluate materials across Technology Readiness Levels, emphasizing engineering performance, scalability, and constructability. Public-private coalitions are proposed to fund these centers, ensuring transparent dissemination of findings and stakeholder training. With sufficient resources and alignment of federal, state and industry support, the framework targets reducing material adoption timelines from over a decade to 5 years or less, moving materials from ideas to use in standard practices, and improving cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. View the NCST Project Webpage |
| Keywords: | Engineering, low-impact materials, innovative concrete, transportation infrastructure, technology readiness level, risk management |
| Date: | 2025–04–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt7px6m4wx |
| By: | Barbour, Elisa; Thoron, Noah |
| Abstract: | In California, local option sales taxes (LOSTs) are adopted by voters to increase the retail sales tax. Revenues are used to fund specific transportation projects. Meanwhile, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are required by Senate Bill 375 to develop long-range plans to achieve reductions in vehicle miles traveled and emissions. But MPOs do not directly control the sponsorship or funding of most transportation projects in these plans. LOSTs are not bound by requirements of SB 375, even though MPOs must still account for impacts of LOST spending. In this context, an important question is whether and how LOST measures influence transportation planning priorities. To explore this question, researchers from the University of California, Davis, examined county LOST measures and regional transportation plans in California’s “big four” MPO regions—the San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento metropolitan areas. This policy brief summarizes the findings from that research and provides policy implications. View the NCST Project Webpage |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences, expenditures, financing, local taxation, metropolitan planning organizations, sales tax |
| Date: | 2025–04–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt2h40g923 |
| By: | Xu, Mohan; Tang, Yao |
| Abstract: | In the current study, we document a steady rise in the share of renewable energy projects in China's outward direct investment (ODI) in the energy sector. We examine the driving forces and find that both host country's environmental regulation and financial factors has generated different or even opposite effects on China's ODI in fossil fuels and renewable energy. Specifically, China's ODI in fossil fuels is positively correlated with endowments in fossil fuels, electricity consumption, low financing costs, and high exchange rate volatility. In comparison, ODI in renewable energy is more likely to occur in host countries with stricter environmental regulation and less likely to be impeded by tighter monetary policy. The results suggest that the combination of regulatory policies and financing conditions can have an important influence in the global transition to renewable energy. |
| Keywords: | direct investment, fossil fuels, renewable energy, environmental regulation, monetary policy, exchange rate volatility |
| JEL: | E43 F21 Q40 |
| Date: | 2025–04–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:124270 |