CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL SUPPLY CHAIN PROCESS IN THE LOCAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Civil Engineering

Materials require special attention while creating a project plan, since it forms a large portion of the total cost of a construction project. The absence of materials when needed is one of the main causes of loss of productivity in a jobsite. Current materials management practices in the construction industry are performed on fragmented basis with unstructured communication and no clearly established responsibilities between the parties involved. The highly fragmentation is a result of the separation of design and construction, lack of coordination and integration between various functional disciplines, poor communication, etc. All of these are the important factors causing performance-related problems such as delay in material ordering and receiving, low productivity, cost and time overrun, conflict and disputes. The aim of this research is to develop a framework for the best practice of material supply chain process through the project phases that suits the local construction industry in order to help contractors to have the right materials in the right quantities (at the right place) at the right moment at minimal cost. This will assist contractors to improve their productivity, minimize losses and increase competitiveness. To realize the research aim, a survey questionnaire was used to achieve the following objectives: exploring the current practices of material supply chain process, identifying the important activities that form the material supply chain process, studying the contractor/ supplier relationship, studying the impact of the Israeli closure of the India on the material supply chain process, providing solution to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the construction industry, identifying the most occurred problems facing the contractors through the project phases and finally identifying the key factors that may contribute in integrating the phases of the material supply chain process. Questionnaires were distributed to the contractors of first, second and third class. Some questionnaires were received back and analyzed.

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