IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF KEY INTEGRATING FACTORS OF MATERIAL SUPPLY CHAIN PROCESS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Supply chain management (SCM) is a concept that has originated in the manufacturing industry to control logistics. It represents a management process by which enterprises administer and control the worldwide network of suppliers, factories, warehouses, distribution centers and retailers through which raw materials are acquired, transformed and delivered to customers. In construction, procurement and procurement related activities occur during all phases of a construction project. Because of inevitable complexity and fragmentation of the construction process, supplies of resources like equipment, labor, material and other services may not be always available on time, in right amounts and in the desired quality and price. 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. An overall management process like supply chain management is essential to monitor and control all such activities. 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 helps the organizations to have the right materials in the right quantities (at the right place) at the right moment at minimal cost. This will assist organizations to improve their productivity, minimize losses and increase competitiveness. To realize the research aim, the survey questionnaires and some case studies were 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, providing solution to the risks and uncertainties 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 construction organizations, received back and analyzed.