Determining the significant contributing factors to the occurrence of human errors in the urban construction projects: A Delphi-SWARA study approach

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Authors

  • Hadi Sarvari
  • Alireza Babaie Baghbaderani
  • Daniel W.M. Chan
  • Michael Beer

Research Organisations

External Research Organisations

  • Birmingham City University
  • Islamic Azad University
  • Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • University of Liverpool
  • Tongji University
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Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number123512
Number of pages14
JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change
Volume205
Early online date14 Jun 2024
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Abstract

The construction industry is believed to be more susceptible to human errors than other industries because of its unique characteristics, particularly when it comes to urban construction projects (UCP). Despite the considerable attention given to human errors in construction sector, there has been a lack of emphasis on analysing these errors in specific projects like construction in urban environments with distinct complexities. Hence, this paper seeks to determine and assess the critical factors influencing human errors associated with the UCP. In this vein, Three rounds of Delphi surveys were done with 17 specialists in safety and construction management. According to the Delphi survey results, 35 substantial factors that contribute to the incidence of human errors in the UCP were discovered. Then, an empirical questionnaire based on the 5-point Likert scale of measurement was developed and distributed among 37 construction experts to assess the level of impact that each factor on occurring human error in the UCP. The questionnaire had 35 influential factors related to human errors, categorised into five primary divisions (environmental, technological/information systems, individual (permanently related), individual (temporarily related), and organisational). Before the distribution, the reliability and validity of the questionnaire were evaluated and confirmed. The factors were ranked using the Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) technique at this point. The research findings indicated that the criterion of “technological factors/information systems” is the most crucial, with the criterion of “individual factors (permanently related)” coming in second and the criterion of “environmental factors” coming in third. The sub-criterion “weak maintenance management systems” scores first in the general ranking of sub-criteria, indicating traditional network systems, the absence of appropriate tools and equipment, and a lack of understanding of required resources. The sub-criterion “defects in details and information and lack of design dynamism” is placed second, while the sub-criterion “violation of safety regulations (use of drugs, etc.)” is ranked third. The study results can help industry practitioners make more educated judgements to minimise and manage human errors in the UCP.

Keywords

    Construction industry, Delphi survey, Human error, Iran, SWARA technique, Urban construction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Cite this

Determining the significant contributing factors to the occurrence of human errors in the urban construction projects: A Delphi-SWARA study approach. / Sarvari, Hadi; Baghbaderani, Alireza Babaie; Chan, Daniel W.M. et al.
In: Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol. 205, 123512, 08.2024.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

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abstract = "The construction industry is believed to be more susceptible to human errors than other industries because of its unique characteristics, particularly when it comes to urban construction projects (UCP). Despite the considerable attention given to human errors in construction sector, there has been a lack of emphasis on analysing these errors in specific projects like construction in urban environments with distinct complexities. Hence, this paper seeks to determine and assess the critical factors influencing human errors associated with the UCP. In this vein, Three rounds of Delphi surveys were done with 17 specialists in safety and construction management. According to the Delphi survey results, 35 substantial factors that contribute to the incidence of human errors in the UCP were discovered. Then, an empirical questionnaire based on the 5-point Likert scale of measurement was developed and distributed among 37 construction experts to assess the level of impact that each factor on occurring human error in the UCP. The questionnaire had 35 influential factors related to human errors, categorised into five primary divisions (environmental, technological/information systems, individual (permanently related), individual (temporarily related), and organisational). Before the distribution, the reliability and validity of the questionnaire were evaluated and confirmed. The factors were ranked using the Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) technique at this point. The research findings indicated that the criterion of “technological factors/information systems” is the most crucial, with the criterion of “individual factors (permanently related)” coming in second and the criterion of “environmental factors” coming in third. The sub-criterion “weak maintenance management systems” scores first in the general ranking of sub-criteria, indicating traditional network systems, the absence of appropriate tools and equipment, and a lack of understanding of required resources. The sub-criterion “defects in details and information and lack of design dynamism” is placed second, while the sub-criterion “violation of safety regulations (use of drugs, etc.)” is ranked third. The study results can help industry practitioners make more educated judgements to minimise and manage human errors in the UCP.",
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T2 - A Delphi-SWARA study approach

AU - Sarvari, Hadi

AU - Baghbaderani, Alireza Babaie

AU - Chan, Daniel W.M.

AU - Beer, Michael

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