Author Archives: Will Hughes
AI and understanding
Anyone who really understands a topic knows that popularity is a very poor substitute for understanding. This has been brought into sharp focus by the development and spread of so-called AI tools, which are based on probability, not on understanding. … Continue reading
Posted in CM&E forum
Tagged decicion-making, leadership, managing complexity, mediation, organizational behaviour, organizational culture, performance management, procurement, professional practice, publishing policies, research methods, Scientific consensus, social issues, stakeholder management, student experience, sustainability, value for money, value management, Work and labour relations, Writing
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AI, intelligence, power and wealth
AI worries many people; perhaps unnecessarily. We are suspicious, fearing that something that is intelligent might seek to exert power and enslave or otherwise dominate us. Where does this fear come from? Wealth is often a symbol of success. It … Continue reading
The role of culture in the construction management improvement agenda
I often get confused when I see questions or claims about the culture of the construction industry. Culture is not something that has been consciously chosen; it is a consequence of a myriad behaviours and habits. I might be out … Continue reading
Where have all the book reviews gone?
Book reviews in the field of construction management used to be common. They seem to have gone out of existence! Have you seen any, recently? Continue reading
Posted in Books
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Work and Labor Relations in the Construction Industry: An International Perspective
A new book has just been published, edited by a team from UK and USA, covering an important topic where there is much good research that would help us to understand and improve the way that work is carried out … Continue reading
Reports on issues in construction procurement
In my work on British and International standards on construction procurement, I often come across industry and government reports that may or may not shed light on the issues. It struck me that this blog might be a useful place … Continue reading
Rapid construction and commissioning
It is interesting to see how quickly a 1000-bed hospital can be built in China. See How China Built a Hospital in 10 Days. If you wonder about the construction site near you that you pass every day and nothing … Continue reading
Posted in CM&E forum
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The Professional Academic
Something occurred to me recently. Professions share common characteristics (Elliott 1972): Body of knowledge Barriers to entry Public service Mutual recognition Thinking about being a professional architect, QS, engineer or whatever, it is straightforward to identify how these things work. … Continue reading
Posted in Academic practice, Guidance
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Termination of editorship
Will Hughes’ role as Editor-in-Chief of Construction Management and Economics comes to an end this year. Continue reading
Posted in CM&E forum, Editorial policies
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Pie charts: graphical bling?
I find pie charts so tiresome. In an exchange with an author who thought they were a good idea, I was looking at the multi-coloured, three-dimensional, textured shading of a few segments of his pie chart, and thinking that this … Continue reading
Posted in Guidance
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Management and Economics in Construction 