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Chiu, H N and Tsai, D M (2002) An efficient search procedure for the resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problem with discounted cash flows. Construction Management and Economics, 20(01), 55-66.

Drew, D S, Tang, S L Y and Lo, H P (2002) Developing a tendering strategy in two-envelope fee tendering based on technical score-fee variability. Construction Management and Economics, 20(01), 67-81.

Idrus, A B and Newman, J B (2002) Construciton related factors influencing the choice of concrete floor systems. Construction Management and Economics, 20(01), 13-9.

Loosemore, M and Chau, D W (2002) Racial discrimination towards Asian operatives in the Australian construction industry. Construction Management and Economics, 20(01), 91-102.

Radosaviljevic, M and Horner, R M W (2002) The evidence of complex variability in construction labour productivity. Construction Management and Economics, 20(01), 3-12.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: construction; labour productivity; normal distribution; tests; chaos
  • ISBN/ISSN: 0144-6193
  • URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/01446190110098961
  • Abstract:

    The complex variability of the 12 construction labour productivity data sets has been examined by analysing the central moments of tendency, and applying the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Anderson-Darling tests of normality. The results consistently show that the productivity is not normally distributed. In addition, undefined variance causes a failure of the central limit theorem, thus indicating that some basic statistical diagnostics like correlation coefficients and t statistics may give misleading results and are not applicable. A brief comparison with volatility studies in econometrics has revealed surprising similarity with Pareto distributions, which can model undefined or infinite variance. Such distributions are typical of chaotic systems like the logistic equation, whose properties also are described briefly. Therefore, it is suggested that future research should be focused on studying the applicability of chaos theory to construction labour.

Rahman, M M and Kumaraswamy, M M (2002) Joint risk management through transactionally efficient relational contracting. Construction Management and Economics, 20(01), 45-54.

Skitmore, M R (2002) Raftery curve construction for tender price forecasts. Construction Management and Economics, 20(01), 83-9.

Sterner, E (2002) 'Green procurement' of buildings: a study of Swedish clients' considerations. Construction Management and Economics, 20(01), 21-30.

Walker, D H T and Shen, Y J (2002) Project understanding, planning, flexibility of management action and construction time performance: two Australian case studies. Construction Management and Economics, 20(01), 31-44.