Faculty Publications
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Publications by NITK Faculty
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Item Enhancing Knowledge Management in the Construction Industry: Exploring the Impact of Semantic Web Technologies(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025) Kone, V.; Mahesh, G.; Ingle, P.V.This research paper investigates the practical applications of Semantic Web technologies within the construction industry, specifically focusing on their role in knowledge management. The methodology employed for this research entails a systematic literature review, wherein relevant studies pertaining to Semantic Web technologies in the construction industry are gathered and meticulously analyzed. The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the benefits, challenges, and opportunities associated with the implementation of Semantic Web technologies for knowledge management purposes. The research reveals that Semantic Web technologies play a vital role in facilitating enhanced knowledge discovery, integration, and retrieval within construction projects. By establishing interoperability and integrating diverse data sources, these technologies effectively break down data silos and enable a comprehensive view of project information. Moreover, the study demonstrates that Semantic Web technologies support efficient collaboration, improve decision-making processes, and enable advanced analytics and predictive capabilities within construction projects. The significance of this research paper lies in its contribution to the understanding of Semantic Web technologies and their potential to revolutionize knowledge management practices within the construction industry. In conclusion, this research paper highlights the transformative impact of Semantic Web technologies on knowledge management in construction, establishing a robust foundation for future research and practical implementation in this dynamic industry. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.Item Review of concepts and trends in safety culture research of construction industry(Institute of Medico-Legal Publications, 2019) Deepak, M.D.; Mahesh, G.There is a growing concern among researchers and practitioners on improving occupational health and safety in construction industry. Organizations are encouraged to improve safety culture because it plays a significant role in preventing accidents occurring at workplace. However, a diversity in topics of safety culture studies related to construction industry makes it hard to have a clear and comprehensive overview in this field. In this regard, a comprehensive review of literature is undertaken to provide an overview of trends and issues in safety culture research of construction industry. Further, a systematic literature review of available academic literature on safety culture is conducted focusing on: Defining the concept of safety culture, identifying the factors influencing the level of safety culture and assessment tools to measure the level of safety culture in construction industry. Finally, a theoretical framework is proposed on the basis of conceptualizing the factors that affect safety culture in construction industry. This review helps in formulation and advancement of safety culture research in construction industry. © 2019, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All rights reserved.Item Knowledge management influence on safety management practices evidence from construction industry(IGI Global cust@igi-global.com, 2019) Deepak, M.D.; Mahesh, G.; Medi, N.K.Many studies have been conducted in relation with knowledge management (KM), indicating the benefit associated with KM; among which safety management (SM) improvement is one of them. So, the aim of this article is to assess the influence of KM on SM practices in construction industry. In this regard, various factors that affect KM and SM are identified through literature review. Then, a questionnaire survey was facilitated to collect data based on the identified factors. These factors are ranked using a relative importance index (RII) to ascertain the level of importance among its group. Further, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis are carried out to test and measure the strength of the relationship between KM and SM factors. Results indicate that there exists a definite and significant relationship between the factors of KM and SM in construction industry. Overall, the results obtained from the study will assist practitioners and professionals to develop and upgrade KM and SM practices in construction industry. © 2019, IGI Global.Item Developing a knowledge-based safety culture instrument for construction industry: Reliability and validity assessment in Indian context(Emerald Group Holdings Ltd., 2019) Deepak, M.D.; Mahesh, G.Purpose: Harnessing the power of knowledge management is important for minimizing accidents occurring at construction projects. Yet, knowledge management is a neglected dimension when developing safety culture in the construction industry. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a knowledge-based safety culture questionnaire and examine its validity and reliability in the Indian context. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey was formulated after identifying 69 influencing factors from a thorough literature review. In total, 210 valid responses were obtained from key stakeholders operating in Indian construction industry. Reliability and validity of the measurement scale were examined by factor analysis and inter-item correlation test. Comparison of knowledge-based safety culture scores across several demographic profiles of the respondents was utilized for testing discriminant validity. Findings: Results suggest that the new instrument appears to be a reliable, valid and sensitive instrument that will contribute in examining the effect of key factors that influence the importance of the knowledge dimension toward developing safety culture in the construction industry. Originality/value: The measurement tool developed in this study focuses on considering the importance of knowledge management in enhancing safety culture of the construction industry. This instrument can be utilized to compare the level of safety culture among key stakeholders of construction projects. This paper can contribute to the promotion of safety theory in Indian construction industry and provide practical implications for construction enterprises when they engage in improving safety conditions in their organizations. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.Item Dimensions for improvement of construction management practice in Ethiopian construction industry(Emerald Group Holdings Ltd., 2020) Mengistu, D.G.; Mahesh, G.Purpose: The state of the different practices in construction industry determines its performance level. Hence, improving performance of construction industry needs assessing state of the practices in the industry and devising improvement intervention. The purpose of this paper is to measure improvement requirement level of different construction management practice areas and to identify the underlying improvement dimensions in Ethiopian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: Questionnaire survey was developed for data collection based on a thorough literature review which yielded 28 construction management practice areas. Purposive sampling method was used to select respondents for the survey. Mean score was used to identify the required improvement level, and one sample T-test was carried out to identify significance of improvement requirement. Factor analysis was conducted to identify the underlying dimensions of the construction management practice areas. Findings: Findings indicate 27 areas need significant improvement. This shows the low level of adoption of good construction management practices in Ethiopian construction industry. Factor analysis resulted in the areas being grouped to four broad improvement dimensions, namely, project management, organization management, knowledge and risk management and project development and contract management. Originality/value: The findings provide information for appropriate action by the stakeholders to raise standards of adopted construction management practices. It also show areas of construction management which require more focused research in the context of Ethiopian construction industry. Considering the similarity of nature of construction industry problems in developing countries, the findings can be extended to similar countries. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.Item Identifying the performance areas affecting the project performance for Indian construction projects(Emerald Group Holdings Ltd., 2021) Ingle, P.V.; Mahesh, G.; Deepak, D.Purpose: The construction industry is facing challenges because of performance shortfalls. Construction projects are highly complex, distinctive, fragmented and do not have well-established performance assessment models to evaluate their project success. The purpose of this paper is to assess the direction through determination of performance areas that would affect project performance in Indian construction projects. Design/methodology/approach: A survey instrument was developed to gather data on the perception of industry professionals on these identified areas. Purposive sampling method was used to select respondents for the survey. These performance areas are ranked using relative importance index to ascertain a level of importance among the group. Factor analysis (FA) was conducted to identify the significant performance areas project performance. Further to identify the most influence performance areas on Indian construction projects, multiple regression analysis was carried out. Findings: Findings indicated 28 significant performance areas. This shows the low level of adoption of good construction management practices in Indian construction projects. FA resulted in the areas being grouped to nine broad significant performance areas with 59.49% of the total variance, namely, quality, schedule, environment and stakeholder satisfactions, cost, productivity, safety, communication management, customer relations and finance. Multiple regression analysis revealed two pivotal factors “customer relations” and “schedule” that significantly influence project performance in Indian construction industry. Originality/value: The outcome of the study will guide project stakeholders, who desire to improve project performance on construction projects, to prioritize their efforts. It also highlights performance areas of project management which required more focussed research in the context of Indian construction projects. The findings can be extended to the developing countries. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.Item Manpower development framework for Ethiopian construction industry(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2022) Mengistu, D.G.; Mahesh, G.Manpower development is one of the key elements for construction industry development and effective manpower development requires concerted effort of different stakeholders. This paper assesses the improvement requirements in manpower development practices in Ethiopian construction industry focusing on the role of government, academic institutes and industry organizations. Factors affecting manpower development were identified through literature review and a framework for manpower development was proposed. Questionnaire survey was used to obtain the perception of professionals on manpower development practices. Improvement requirement levels were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale and one-sample T-test was conducted to identify significance of the improvement requirements. In addition to the questionnaire, curricula of three under graduate construction programs and professionals registration directives were reviewed. The findings indicate current manpower development practices require improvement. Based on implications of the findings and in reference with the proposed framework, improvement suggestions are given to enhance manpower development practices for development of the industry. © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Item Consumer Centricity as a Delivery Strategy for Assets in the Real Estate Sector: An Analysis of the Framework and Interpretation of Law(American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2023) Krishnamurthy, A.D.; Mahesh, G.Consumer centricity (C-C) in the Indian real estate sector has gained prominence since the introduction of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act in 2016. For a growing economy such as India's, with significant dependence on the construction industry to catalyze economic development, real estate consumerism is of vital importance to spearhead growth in the construction industry. This study critically examined the positioning of consumers in the Indian real estate sector over the years and to date in order to identify areas requiring interventions. Within the framework of the law, key factors defining and contributing to consumer centricity with regard to the delivery of real estate assets were identified. Various real estate sector-specific statutes were traced back along a timeline; they were assessed for the presence of the identified consumer-centric factors. The changes in legislative intent over time were coupled with timely judicial interpretations of laws in courts and regulatory forums. Lastly statutes of significance to real estate asset delivery were probed for inherent loopholes in their frameworks. The growing impetus to consumer centricity both in the making and interpretation of real estate laws was clearly established in the present study. However, existing laws of importance to real estate asset delivery were identified to be contributors to the creation and preservation of an inherent imbalance in the design and power structure of the sector, to the detriment of consumers of real estate assets. The findings undoubtedly indicate that to stimulate growth in the construction industry, the need of the hour is to place consumer centricity at the heart of affairs through the correction of inherent loopholes in the framework of law governing real estate asset delivery. © 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.Item Enhancing SMCs’ competitiveness through improving material supply chain management practice(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2025) Bekele, A.; Mahesh, G.; Ingle, P.V.Construction material shortages have emerged as a critical issue in developing nations, resulting in increased project costs and delays. This situation strains the construction industry’s (CI) ability to meet growing demands and remain competitive in the global market. Small and medium contractors (SMCs), who heavily rely on the availability and accessibility of construction materials, are disproportionately affected by this challenge, making it a matter of utmost concern. This study aims to identify the challenges faced, develop management mechanisms to enhance the supply chain management (SCM) of construction materials in the Ethiopian CI and provide a comprehensive improvement framework. The study employed semi-structured interviews to collect the perceptions of key industry stakeholders. Thematic analysis was utilized to facilitate a holistic understanding of the participants’ viewpoints. The findings reveal major challenges such as inadequate supply chains, poor communication and coordination, and lack of standardization and certification practices. Furthermore, the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders, research and development, and the adoption of standardization and certification practices was highlighted. The proposed framework underscores the roles of stakeholders and offers valuable insights by delineating areas for improving SCM within the CI. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Item Understanding the key factors of operating environment for small and medium contractors in the developing economies: the case of Ethiopia(Emerald Publishing, 2025) Bekele, A.; Mahesh, G.Purpose: Small and medium contractors (SMCs) play a significant role in socioeconomic development. Their strong links with other sectors of the economy have a multiplier effect on any country’s growth. However, the construction business, especially for SMCs, is not an easy business as several roadblocks affect their sustenance. This study aims to examine the factors affecting the sustainable competency of SMCs emerging from the business environment in which the Ethiopian construction industry (CI) operates. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review was conducted to identify 39 factors arising from five core sources (i.e. government policies, regulatory frameworks, industry networks, competitive bidding culture and construction technology and innovation). A questionnaire survey was conducted to gather industry stakeholders’ perceptions of the identified factors, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings: Findings indicate 37 significant factors affecting sustainable competency arising from five sources, and the top factors from their respective sources were unfavorable financial policy; unfavorable economic regulatory framework; lack of trust between parties in the industry; inability of SMCs to compete with bigger construction companies; and poor linkages between CI and research and development institutions. Furthermore, factor analysis identified 12 components, and the top ones were competition and uncertainties in the supply chain; unsuitable bidding environment; and ineffective industry networks. Originality/value: The findings will contribute to the body of knowledge on the factors affecting the sustainable competency of SMCs in the Ethiopian CI. They also indicate priority areas of competitiveness improvement and have implications for decision-makers. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.