Land use types and anthropogenic activities represent considerable threats to groundwater pollution. To effectively monitor the groundwater quality, it is vital to measure pollution levels before they become severe. In our research area, located in Gilgit Baltistan in northern Pakistan, groundwater supplies are diminishing due to urban sprawl. In this study, we used a GIS-based DRASTIC model (Depth to water, Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of the vadose zone, Hydraulic conductivity) to analyze the area’s hydrological attributes to assess the groundwater susceptibility to pollution. Considering the importance of anthropogenic activities, this research primarily utilizes an adjusted DRASTIC model called DRASTICA, which incorporates anthropogenic impact as a parameter in the model. The resulting map, which depicts vulnerability to groundwater contamination, reveals that 19% of the study area is classed as having high vulnerability, 42% has moderate vulnerability, 37% has low vulnerability, and 2% has very low vulnerability to groundwater contamination. The adopted validation process (nitrate parameter of water quality) revealed that the suggested DRASTICA model achieved better results than the established DRASTIC model in a built-up environment. We used the nitrate concentration in groundwater to verify the formulated results, and the single parameter sensitivity analysis and map removal sensitivity analysis to analyze the model sensitivity. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the groundwater vulnerability to pollution is largely influenced by anthropogenic impact and depth to the water table, thereby suggesting that anthropogenic impact must be explicitly tackled in such studies. The groundwater zones exposed to anthropogenic pollution can be better classified with the help of the proposed DRASTICA model, particularly in and around built-up environments. The responsible authorities can use this groundwater contamination data as an early warning sign, so they can take practical actions to avoid extra pressure on this vital resource.

PurposeDespite the efforts of project managers and the widespread use of project management methodologies, most of the projects remain unfulfilling in terms of delivering targeted performance. This for most part can be attributed to the inability of an organization to implement control mechanisms and ineffective management of complexity risk. Keeping in view the aforementioned problem, the objective of this study is to investigate the association between control modes and project performance. Moreover, this study also examines the moderating role of complexity risk on the association among various control modes and project performance.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from 171 construction projects through a postal questionnaire survey. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was utilized for testing the hypothesized relationships of the research model.FindingsThis study found significant positive relation between formal and informal control mechanisms and project performance. It is found that complexity risk significantly moderates the relationship between control modes and project performance. The results indicate that complexity risk positively moderates the relationship between outcome control and clan control with project performance. Furthermore, complexity risks negatively moderates the relationship between behavior control and project performance. However, the association between self-control and project performance is found insignificant in the presence of complexity risk.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt to study the relationship of control mechanisms, complexity risk and project performance in the construction industry.

Effective leadership and creative performance are the predominant factors for the success of modern projects in the global construction industry. However, rigorous research has not explored the nexus between such factors and the leader–member exchange (LMX). To address this gap, this study explores the relationship between dimensions of paternalistic leadership and employee creativity achieved through LMX in the context of the construction industry. Based on social exchange theory (SET), six relevant hypotheses were proposed in this study. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire. An online survey form was used for data collection, through which 288 responses were collected from the construction industry employees working in Pakistan. The collected data were analyzed using Smart PLS in two stages, i.e., measurement model evaluation (reliability analysis, convergent and discriminant validity) and structural model evaluation (R2, F2, and path coefficient). The findings of the current study reveal a positive association of authoritarian, benevolent, and moral leadership with employee creativity. In addition, LMX significantly mediates the relationship between the two dimensions of paternalistic leadership (benevolent and moral leadership) and creativity, except for authoritarian leadership. Based on the results, this study contributes to the body of knowledge related to the appropriate leadership style in the local construction industry that can be extended to other developing countries with similar dynamics. It also helps the managers target and develops relevant skills to acquire positive outcomes from their team members.

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PurposeThis research aims to examine the influence of workers' identification with their supervisors on safety behaviour in construction projects.Design/methodology/approachEmploying the job demands–resources theory, this research tested the relationships among relational identification as a personal resource, respectful engagement as a job resource, employee safety voice as a positive work behaviour and safety behaviour as the outcome. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse 120 quantitative data collected using a questionnaire survey.FindingsRelational identification, which reflects workers' identification with their supervisors, is a significant predictor of safety behaviour. Furthermore, respectful engagement and employee safety voice sequentially mediate the relationship between relational identification and safety behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe internalisation of safety norms, values and practices in construction projects is contingent on the identification of workers with their supervisors.Originality/valueSafety behaviour of workers is a significant predictor of safety performance in construction projects. Research on numerous antecedents of safety behaviour points out that leadership is a significant predictor of construction workers' safe behaviour. Contributing to research on construction safety leadership, this research found that leader-subordinate relationship is key to make construction workers more psychologically ready to internalise the importance of safety behaviours at work.

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Job stress (JS) is a significant issue in the construction industry of developing countries. This study aims to examine the impact of error-management climate (EMC), safety climate (SC), and psychological capital (PC) (as a mediator) on employee JS in the construction industry, and establish relationships between these constructs. A questionnaire survey was conducted to gather data from 144 respondents. The study’s hypothesized relationships were tested using partial-least-squares structural-equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The analysis indicated a positive association between EMC and PC. Conversely, EMC did not have a negative impact on JS. The study also established a constructive relationship between SC and PC, and a significant negative association between SC and JS. Regarding mediation, PC was found to partially mediate the effect of EMC on JS, accounting for 55% of the variance accounted for (VAF). The study’s innovative contribution lies in exploring the limited research on PC within the construction industry, and investigating the interactions among SC, EMC, PC, and JS.

Construction contracting firms (CCFs) are functioning in a highly volatile and competitive industrial environment making it imperative to bid for the projects that can produce the most return and market share. The decision making process to bid or not is based on various factors that vary from project to project and firm to firm. The aim of this work is to analyze the impact of firm size and experience on extrinsic factors influencing the bid/no-bid decision for construction projects. The questionnaire was pilot tested and designed in three parts. The final questionnaire was sent to 300 CCFs registered with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and respondents were asked to rate the factors on a Likert scale. Out of 300 questionnaires, 167 completed responses are returned representing a response rate of 56%. The collected data are then analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings show the various degrees of differences between small and large, and young and mature CCFs with regard to factors influencing the bid/no-bid decision. Small firms need to overcome increasing market value and number of competitors in the market. They need to develop relationship with government officials in order to secure their bids. Mature firms need to review the payment practices of clients, politician pressure and business level of the client before entering into the bid. Availability of required material and skilled labor are of prime importance for the mature firms' success.