PurposeThe impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on architectural education (AE) was investigated, and a framework was proposed to reduce the impacts' negative consequences.Design/methodology/approachSystematic literature review, bibliometric and content analyses were combined to gain an in-depth understanding of the effects of the pandemic on AE and projections for its future. Relevant documents were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database. Bibliometric connections in the context of AE and COVID-19 pandemic were explored using text-mining and content analysis was performed.FindingsThe challenges, development tendencies and collaboration networks in AE during the pandemic were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The most influential articles, journals, authors and countries/regions were highlighted using a bibliometric analysis. The analysis of keyword tendencies and clusters indicates that new concepts have emerged in AE research during the pandemic involving online, in-person and hybrid education. Using content analysis of 57 subtopics, 39 (18) were categorized as having negative (positive) effects. A comprehensive mitigation framework was designed to reduce the impact of the pandemic on AE.Research limitations/implicationsThe study findings can enable practitioners to construct effective solutions to COVID-19- and other disaster-related problems regarding AE. The implications, obstacles and mitigation framework presented can help identify gaps in the literature and guide further research.Originality/valueThis paper presents the first bibliometric and content analysis of AE and COVID-19 pandemic-related studies published from January 2020 to June 2022 to highlight several research directions and academic development within the field.

Being uninformed about construction management as a result of deficiencies in civil engineering and architecture educational programs has negative effects on the quality and cost of construction projects. Therefore, this study attempts to determine the failures of civil engineers and architects as they relate to the sources of their insufficient management knowledge in construction management. A questionnaire survey method was used to collect data. Data representing civil engineers and architects in Turkey were collected from 1555 architects and civil engineers mainly employed in construction-related activities. The study found that, according to the surveyed engineers and architects, construction management courses were rarely included in undergraduate civil engineering and architecture programs in Turkey. A large number of participants stated that construction management course offerings were not sufficient during their education. A lack of construction management knowledge creates serious problems that affect the success of construction-related activities during these architects' and civil engineers' careers. Most civil engineers and architects wish they had taken courses on cost and time management, contract management, health and safety and quality management.

Learning which starts with birth of human being and continues for a lifelong varies from person to person. It is known that learning style differences is an important factor that affects students' success which is evaluated by examinations. If a student has high level of test anxiety, he will not get a good grade by choosing wrong answer because of his anxiety and he cannot show expected success level. The most important factor for increasing the success of architecture students who have different learning styles and different level of test anxiety is educating students by finding out differences at their learning styles and level of test anxiety. Therefore, this study aims to determine architecture students' level of test anxiety and their learning styles. In addition, it is aimed to find out the relationship between learning styles and test anxiety. Besides, the relationship between architecture students' level of test anxiety and some particular demographical properties (gender, age) are examined. With this context, data were collected from 347 architecture students from Gaziantep University, Zirve University and Hasan Kalyoncu University in 2015-2016 academic year. Learning style Inventory (LSI II) and Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) were used as an instrument for collecting the data. Percentage and frequency tests, crosstabs and Chi-Square hypothesis tests were performed by using SPSS 17 software. As a conclusion of this study, it is determined that there is a significant relationship between learning styles of architecture students and their test anxiety level.

PurposePrefabricated construction technology enables relatively faster and easier construction of building structures at a lower project cost, providing improved quality control with minimal material waste. Despite the advantages of prefabricated construction systems, they are not extensively used in Turkey because of specific yet largely undefined challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this study aims to determine the factors currently affecting the extensive use of prefabricated construction systems in Turkey.Design/methodology/approachThe reasons for such systems not being used extensively in Turkey were examined using responses to a questionnaire distributed amongst architects working at design firms, prefabricated-building manufacturers and contractors. The obtained survey data were statistically analysed using the SPSS 22 and LISREL 8.7 software to rank the severity of the identified challenges and determine the most critical factors.FindingsEight critical factors groups affecting the use of prefabricated construction systems and their associated factors were identified according the responses provided by the participants. Potential solutions and recommendations were proposed based on these factor groups that are expected facilitate the implementation of prefabricated construction systems in Turkey.Originality/valueLittle previous research has provided insight into the specific factors limiting the use of prefabricated construction systems. This study accordingly approaches the subject considering all phases of prefabricated construction systems and presents a structural model of the factors obtained by a confirmatory factor analysis for application to expand the use of prefabricated construction systems.

Prefabrikasyon, inşaat sektöründe sanayileşmenin başlangıcı olarak kabul edilir ve bu süreçleri makineleşme, otomatik kontrol ve üretim takip etmektedir. Prefabrik inşaat teknolojisi, binaların daha kolay ve hızlı, daha düşük maliyet, daha başarılı kalite kontrol ve daha az malzeme israfı ile yapılmasına da olanak tanımaktadır. Prefabrike sistemlerin birçok avantajı olmasına rağmen, Türkiye'de prefabrike yapı sistemlerin kullanımı çok düşük seviyelerdedir. Bu araştırmanın amacı, Türkiye'de prefabrik yapı sistemlerinin yaygın kullanımını etkileyen faktörleri tespit etmektir. Bu amaçla mimarlardan, prefabrik eleman üretimi yapan firma çalışanlarından ve yüklenicilerden anket yöntemiyle veri toplanmış; toplanan verilere SPSS 22 programı aracılığı ile güvenilirlik analizi ve açıklayıcı faktör analizi uygulanmıştır. Çalışmanın sonucunda Türkiye'de prefabrike yapım sistemlerinin yaygın kullanımını etkileyen dokuz ana faktör belirlenmiştir.

One of the latest advancements transforming the global architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is building information modeling (BIM). Although BIM implementation is at high level in developed countries, it is at a lower level in developing countries. BIM is new to the construction industry in Turkey, with only minor construction firms having implemented it. When making projections based on the current state of the Turkish AEC industry, it is foreseen that it will become mandatory in the near future. Considering this projection, it is doubtful that many construction companies will be caught unprepared for this situation and will not know how to implement BIM. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and model the critical success factors for BIM implementation and their impact size in order to gain insight for the fast and efficient implementation of BIM among construction firms in the Turkish AEC industry, which can be generalized for most developing countries. To reach these aims, a questionnaire was designed with 41 identified success criteria (SC) that were derived through a systematic literature review (SLR). The survey was conducted on construction professionals who actively implement BIM technology at their occupied firms in Turkey and they were asked to rank the importance of 41 SC on a five-point Likert scale. The sampling frame consisted of architects and civil engineers, and in total, 243 responses were received. The differentiation between SC and critical success criteria (CSC) was obtained by using a normalized mean cutoff value. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify the critical success factors (CSFs), and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the underlying size effects of each CSF on BIM implementation in the Turkish AEC industry. The results of this study reveal 20 CSC for successful BIM implementation, and EFA exhibited three CSFs from 20 CSC. Three critical success factors for BIM implementation in the Turkish construction industry were determined and grouped into two categories. “Awareness of technological benefits” and “organizational readiness and competitive advantages” formed one group and are the most influential critical success factors for BIM implementation. “Motivation of management regarding BIM” formed the second group of critical success factors that have a significant effect.

PurposeThe construction industry has always been regarded as a stressful and task-driven industry with high levels of work pressure. When the stressful situations are prolonged, job burnout becomes unavoidable for construction professionals. The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the critical predictors of burnout among civil engineers at construction sites in Turkey and identify the impact of those determined burnout predictors on various burnout dimensions.Design/methodology/approachThe possible causes of burnout for civil engineers at construction sites were determined using an extensive literature review and were further studied using a questionnaire. The obtained data were analysed statistically using SPSS 22 and LISREL 8.7 software. Correlation analysis, exploratory and confirmatory analysis, and structural equation modelling were performed on this collected data, and a structural model was developed.FindingsThree critical factors affecting burnout levels of civil engineers in construction sites were determined; among them “organisational injustice” and “competitive pricing and lack of contract management” were identified as the critical predictors of burnout in the emotional-exhaustion and cynicism dimensions. Based on these predictors, potential solutions and recommendations are proposed that are anticipated to decrease the burnout among civil engineers at construction sites.Originality/valueAlthough there are several works of research regarding the burnout among construction professionals, there is limited research that has provided insight into the specific factors causing burnout among civil engineers. This research presents a structural model of the predictors obtained by a confirmatory factor analysis for decreasing the burnout level of civil engineers at construction sites. The current study represents the first comprehensive quantitative determination of the factors and predictors of burnout among civil engineers at construction sites in Turkey.

PurposeThe construction industry is a crucial industry for national development worldwide. Because the construction industry is tied to national and international economic activities, the COVID-19 outbreak has limited construction projects. Therefore, this study investigates the most influential factors regarding COVID-19 and their effects on the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe potential impacts of COVID-19 on the construction industry were identified through a realistic literature review and interviews with professionals. A questionnaire was distributed via e-mail to architects, civil engineers and contractors who play vital roles during the construction processes. The data were analysed using SPSS 22 and LISREL 8.7 software to quantify the most influential pandemic-related factors faced by the construction industry.FindingsTen influential pandemic factors affecting the construction industry in Turkey were identified. Among them, “increased costs and price escalations due to shortage of raw materials and supply chain disruption” and “challenges with payment and cash flows” were determined as the most influential pandemic factors.Research limitations/implicationsThis research aims to advance comprehension of pandemic impacts and contributes an incipient assessment framework based on 10 determined pandemic factors. Therefore, contractors, architects and civil engineers may analyse their weaknesses and organise precise priorities so that their firms may remain competitive, thus minimising the adverse impact of COVID-19 and possible forthcoming waves.Originality/valueFew studies have identified the effect of pandemics on the construction industry qualitatively, forcing management to make projections to the current situation. Moreover, no study has provided insights into the influential factors of pandemics using quantitative methods. Therefore, this study comprehensively and quantitatively determines the relevant COVID-19 pandemic factors using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and utilises confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling to present a structural model of how pandemic factors affect the Turkish construction industry.