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

Sarvari, Hadi and Baghbaderani, Alireza Babaie and Chan, Daniel W.M. and Beer, Michael (2024) Determining the significant contributing factors to the occurrence of human errors in the urban construction projects: A Delphi-SWARA study approach. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 205. p. 123512. ISSN 0040-1625

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123512
Dates:	Date Event 6 June 2024 Accepted 14 June 2024 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Human error, Urban construction, Construction industry, Delphi survey, SWARA technique, Iran
Subjects:	CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-02 - building
Divisions:	Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > College of Built Environment
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	25 Mar 2025 09:31
Last Modified:	25 Mar 2025 09:31
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16254

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