Realistic project scheduling and control are critical for running a profitable enterprise in the construction industry. Finance-based scheduling aims to produce more realistic schedules by considering both resource and cash constraints. Since the introduction of finance-based scheduling, its literature has evolved from a single-objective model to a multi-objective model and also from a single-project problem to a multi-project problem for a contractor. This study investigates the possibility of cooperation among contractors with concurrent projects to minimize financial costs. Contractors often do not use their entire credit and may be required to pay a penalty for the unused portions. Therefore, contractors are willing to share these unused portions to decrease their financing costs and consequently improve their overall profits. This study focuses on the partnering of two contractors in a joint finance-based scheduling where contractors are allowed to lend credit to or borrow credit from each other at an internal interest rate. We apply this approach to an illustrative example in which two concurrent projects have the potential for partnering. Results show that joint finance-based scheduling reduces the financing cost for both contractors and leads to additional overall profits. Our further analyses highlight the intricate dynamics impacting additional net profit, revealing optimal scenarios for cooperation in complex project networks.
With the rapid development of modernization and the reform and development of quality education, the main direction and goal of vocational colleges in the new era is to cultivate high-level skilled talents required by the times. With the development of globalization and the refined division of labor in industrial technology, the requirements of various industries for high-level skilled talents with the ability to adapt to market development are gradually increasing. This article focuses on exploring and analyzing the demand for hospital imaging technology talents under the rapid development of the new era industry, and discovering the problems in talent cultivation in vocational colleges. In response to the existing problems, actively utilizing college resources and practical opportunities, innovating the college school cooperation mode and teaching methods for imaging technology majors in vocational colleges, and gradually expanding into a standardized, scientific, and developable college cooperation mode for vocational education, Implement the national strategic plan for cultivating quality talents in vocational colleges, focus on doing a good job in the work of "cultivating morality and talents", adhere to the "three education" reform, and improve the quality of talent cultivation.
The rapidly growing construction industry often deals with complex and dynamic projects that pose significant safety risks. One of the state-owned companies in Indonesia is engaged in large-scale toll road construction projects with a high incidence of workplace accidents. This study aims to improve safety performance in toll road construction by implementing the Scrum framework. The study uses a System Dynamics approach to model interactions between the Scrum framework, project management, and work safety subsystems. Various scenarios were designed by modifying controlled variables and system structures, including introducing a punishment entity. These scenarios were evaluated based on their impact on reducing incidents and the incident rate over the project period. The results indicate that the combined scenario significantly reduces incidents and incident rates in different conditions. The study also finds a strong relationship between Scrum framework implementation and improved safety performance, demonstrating a reduction in incidents and incident rates by over 50% compared to existing conditions. This research underlines the effectiveness of the Scrum framework in enhancing safety in construction projects.
The architecture and engineering industry employs resource-efficient sustainable building design (SBDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate environmental damage. This study examines the understanding and practice of SBDC among Chinese architecture students. A survey of 555 undergraduates from China’s architecture universities was conducted. Two independent and seven dependent variables were analyzed to evaluate the impact of academic stages and practical experiences on students’ awareness. The findings reveal that over 70% of respondents consider SBDC important in architecture. More than half have taken courses with over 30% SBDC content. However, 45.85% of respondents only have a basic understanding of SBDC. This result underscores the significance of educational disparities, this insufficiency is likely due to inadequate coverage and representation of SBDC in the curriculum. Our study highlights the necessity of enhancing SBDC-related education within the current curriculum framework to ensure all students receive a systematic and comprehensive knowledge of sustainable building design.
