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Nudging for smart construction : tackling uncertainty by changing design engineer's choice architecture

Awad, S. (2017) Nudging for smart construction : tackling uncertainty by changing design engineer's choice architecture.

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Abstract:With erratic market fluctuations, ever-increasing client demands and project complexities, a huge weight is put on the shoulders of contractors. Judging by the history records, it seems that way too often contractors find themselves in critical situations with regards to making decisions in infrastructure tenders. Tender phases pose a great deal of problems for contractors, from the abundant surplus of incomplete information provided by the client, the array of decisions needed to be taken in such short time, the need to offer the best contract while considering the MEAT (most economically advantageous tender), optimism and motivation to win the contract tends to blind contractors to some of the side effects of the designs. The inability to perceive risk and uncertainties has led to late projects, over-expenditure and in many cases, the bankruptcy of construction companies. This, in turn, calls for an intervention to help prevent this vicious reoccurring cycle and sets the basis for this research. The main research question and its sub-questions are: Does changing the choice architecture (nudge) of a trade-off matrix increase risk awareness and consequently change the decision outcome in infrastructure design decisions? a) What are the factors that affect decision making under risk and uncertainty? What makes nudges so effective? b) What suitable changes in the choice architecture (nudge) of a trade-off matrix can increase risk awareness? c) Does presenting the risk and uncertainty in a more explicit way through nudging lead to more risk awareness and consequently change the decision outcome?
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:ET: Engineering Technology
Subject:56 civil engineering
Programme:Civil Engineering and Management MSc (60026)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/71628
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