MSc Dissertation: Client Causes of Variation in UAE Projects

This dissertation investigates the client-related causes of variation in construction projects within the United Arab Emirates. The study explores the impact of client involvement, project complexity, planning, communication, and stakeholder opinions on project outcomes. Through a literature review and primary research, the dissertation identifies key factors such as project size, client finance, and intentions, and analyzes their influence on project variation. The research utilizes various techniques including cross-tabulation and a questionnaire to analyze data and presents findings on the relationship between client actions and project deviations. The dissertation provides recommendations and conclusions aimed at improving project management practices and mitigating the negative impacts of client-driven variations within the UAE construction sector. The research highlights the importance of understanding and managing client-related factors to enhance project success.

Client Causes of Variation in Construction Projects in United
Arab Emirates
By
Student ID number:
Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
MSc. Construction Management
Faculty of Engineering & IT
Dissertation Supervisor:
Dr Mariam
July-2017

Declaration Release From
Student Name
Hessa Ali
Student ID
201562250
Programme
MSc. Construction
Management
Date
Jul 2017
Title:
Client causes of variation in construction projects in United Arab Emirates
I hereby warrant that the content of this dissertation is the direct result of my own work and
that any use made in it of published or unpublished copyright material falls within the limits
permitted by international copyright conventions.
I understand that one copy of my dissertation will be deposited in the University Library for
permanent retention.
I hereby agree that the material mentioned above for which I am author and copyright holder
may be copied and distributed by The University in Dubai for the purposes of research,
private study or education and that The University in Dubai may recover from purchasers the
costs incurred in such copying and distribution, where appropriate.
I understand that The University in Dubai may make that copy available in digital format if
appropriate.
I understand that I may apply to the University to retain the right to withhold or to restrict
access to my dissertation for a period which shall not normally exceed four calendar years
from the congregation at which the degree is conferred, the length of the period to be
specified in the application, together with the precise reasons for making that application.

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Abstract
The current research paper was to set to understand client causes of variation in the
construction projects in United Arab Emirates. The past literatures were studied and a brief
primary research was conducted. The study led to the finding of eleven independent variables
that are more likely to impact the dependent variable, project variation. As the goal of the
project was to identify the client causes of variation, therefore, all the eleven causes are
deeply related to the client in some way or the other. The study led to the understanding that
involvement of the client with the project, either more than required or lesser, leads to the
project variation. The research paper reviewed previous studies that were associated with the
topic to identify the causes. In addition, a primary research was conducted to understand the
gravity of the causes. The study led to the understanding that the key variation causes that are
faced by the stakeholders are size and the complexity of the project, lack of planning and
communication, different opinions among clients and other stakeholders, unsatisfied client,
and others.
Keywords:
Project Variation, Cross Tabulation, Client Causes
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Acknowledgement
I appreciate the continuous support from Dr. Marim who is my supervisor in this dissertation.
Also, I would like to say thank you to her and all facility members in University in Dubai
during my study who were helpful and cooperated.
Moreover, I would like to thank the people in my work who support me and were flexible to
me during this period.
I would not reach this point to write these words without above supports and help. Thank you
to you all!
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Dedication
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Table of Contents
Abstract......................................................................................................................................1
Acknowledgement......................................................................................................................2
Dedication..................................................................................................................................3
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................4
Chapter 1: Introductory Chapter................................................................................................7
1.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................7
1.2 Background: The United Arab Emirates..........................................................................7
1.3 Research Background.......................................................................................................8
1.4 Research Problem...........................................................................................................10
1.5 Research Aim.................................................................................................................11
1.6 Research Objectives.......................................................................................................11
1.7 Research Scope..............................................................................................................12
1.8 Research Questions........................................................................................................13
1.9 Dissertation Overview....................................................................................................14
1.10 Summary......................................................................................................................15
Chapter 2: Literature Review...................................................................................................16
2.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................16
2.1.1 Understanding Project Variation.............................................................................16
2.1.2 Project Variation Types...........................................................................................17
2.2 Causes of Project Variation............................................................................................17
2.2.1 Project Activity Change and Variation...................................................................17
2.2.2 Client’s Finance and Variation................................................................................18
2.2.3 Consultants’ Actions and Variations.......................................................................19
2.2.4 Project Planning and Variation...............................................................................19
2.2.5 Project Contractor and Variation............................................................................20
2.2.6 Stakeholder Intention and Variation.......................................................................21
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2.2.7 Project Complexity and Variation...........................................................................22
2.2.8 Project Size and Variation.......................................................................................23
2.2.9 Employee Inclusion and Variation..........................................................................23
2.2.10 Method of Client Approval and Variation............................................................24
2.2.11 Methods for Procurement and Variation...............................................................24
2.2.12 Client Satisfaction and Project Variation..............................................................25
2.3 Variation Impact.............................................................................................................26
2.3.1 Variation Impacting Final Output...........................................................................27
2.3.2 Project Variation Impacting Employee Safety........................................................28
2.4 Conceptual Framework..................................................................................................28
Chapter 3: Research Methodology...........................................................................................31
3.1 Primary and Secondary Research...................................................................................31
3.2 Research Design.............................................................................................................31
3.3 Saunder’s Research Onion.............................................................................................32
3.3.1 Philosophical Stances..............................................................................................32
3.3.2 Approaches..............................................................................................................33
3.3.3 Strategies.................................................................................................................34
3.3.4 Choices....................................................................................................................35
3.3.5 Time Horizons.........................................................................................................36
3.3.6 Techniques and Procedures.....................................................................................36
3.4 Pilot Study......................................................................................................................38
3.5 Ethical and Moral Considerations..................................................................................38
Chapter 4: Results....................................................................................................................40
Chapter 5: Research Discussion and Analysis.........................................................................47
Chapter 6: Recommendation and Conclusion..........................................................................49
6.1 Recommendations..........................................................................................................49
6.2 Conclusions....................................................................................................................49
References................................................................................................................................53
Appendix..................................................................................................................................57
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Research Questionnaire........................................................................................................57
Table of Figures
Figure 1: Research Paper Design (Libguides.usc.edu, 2017)..................................................14
Figure 2: Framework................................................................................................................29
Figure 3: Research Onion (Saunders et al, 2009)....................................................................32
Figure 4: Role Played...............................................................................................................41
Figure 5: Witnessed Variation.................................................................................................41
Figure 6: Project size and variation..........................................................................................42
Figure 7: Lack of Finance........................................................................................................43
Figure 8: Clients Intention.......................................................................................................45
Figure 9: Project Complexity...................................................................................................46
Table of Tables
Table 1: Identified Causes from Literature Review.................................................................30
Table 2: Questionnaire Pilot Test.............................................................................................38
Table 3: Chisquare...................................................................................................................42
Table 4: Chisquare...................................................................................................................44
Table 5: Chisquare...................................................................................................................45
Table 6: Chisquare...................................................................................................................46
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Chapter 1: Introductory Chapter
1.1 Introduction
The understanding of the client causes of variation in the construction projects in UAE is
important as it is directly associated with the failure or success of particular project in the
country (De Meyer et al, 2002). The parties that are generally involved in the construction
project are client, consultants, and contractors. The variations in the construction projects
occur due to various reasons and the involvement of these three entities are considered as
important (Abdul Rahman et al, 2012). Variations are the deviations that occur within the
projects from what has been agreed among the stakeholders at the beginning of the project.
The deviation from the actual planned project can be of various forms such as removal of
certain activity, reduction in the amount defined for the budget, or any changes in what has
been written in the contracts (Wang, 2000). Some of the variations can be visible to the
stakeholders, while others cannot be seen or assessed.
The current paper understands the variations in the project in the United Arab Emirates using
the various research techniques discussed in the research methodology section.
The next sub-section briefly states the research background upon which the entire research
study is based. The research background is followed by the research problem that is likely to
be resolved through the conduction of this research. The research problem is followed by the
research aim which states where the entire research project is heading. The research
objectives, after the research aim discusses the aspects that will be touched while moving
towards the achievement of the research aim. The research scope will define the premise
within which the research will be conducted. The research scope is likely to help understand
the limitations of this research paper. The research questions discussed after the research
scope will showcase the questions that are to be answered by the end of this research project.
This chapter has been summarized in end under Summary section.
1.2 Background: The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is the combination of seven states and is ruled by the Supreme
Council of Rulers. The seven states that are under the United Arab Emirates are Abu Dhabi,
Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Um al-Qaywayn , Fujayrah, and Ra’s al-Khayma. In the past decades,
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the government has invested in various governments run construction projects. The focus has
been on improving the economic situation of the entire country by further bringing them
together with the help of infrastructural development.
As mentioned earlier, the variations can be signified by various forms of changes in the
construction projects. One of them can be changes in the schedule (Alzahrani and Emsley,
2013). Schedule refers to the overall duration that has been assigned for the completion of
project. The changes in the schedule can occur due to factors such as lack of resources, or the
sudden occurrence of any kind of risks (Aminbakhsh et al, 2013). It might be related to the
desire of some of the stakeholder to extend the deadline or stretch the duration without any
reason. In some cases, the variations occur when the parties vary on the requirements that
have been defined for the project. The requirements or the things that are to be achieved by
the end of the project are generally defined in the beginning of the project. However, due to
some changes in the mind of stakeholders or occurrence of any kind of situation leads to the
change in the requirements which eventually creates variations in the project.
UAE has been selected as the country of investigation as the researcher is willing to keep the
premise of investigation limited to certain region. Moreover, UAE has been the hub of
numerous construction projects and researches which will give ample opportunity to conduct
the investigation. In addition to this, the resources available to the researcher limit the
extension of the research to the external locations as the focus is to conduct primary research
also. The current research topic is interesting as it is likely to support the various stakeholders
in the construction industry in understanding the causes of the variation and take appropriate
measures to handle those causes.
The understanding of the client causes of variations in the construction projects in United
Arab Emirates will be at the core of this entire research paper.
1.3 Research Background
The existence of variations among the construction project activities is inevitable as there are
many external and internal factors in play which impact the project progress (De Meyer et al,
2002). Any effort to eliminate the variations is unlikely to be successful. The variations have
impacted almost all the associated individuals or entities with the construction projects. The
individuals or entities can be project client, the individual who has monetary investment in the
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project; the consultant, these are the individuals or entities who acts as bridge between the
client and contractors; and the contractors, who are the individuals or entities who undertake
the construction project activities (Brockmann, 2012). The variations associated with the
project are defined as the difference between the time when the particular tasks has to be
completed and the time that was actually invested to complete that task. In any form of civil
or private construction projects, it is expected in the beginning that the task will be completed
within the defined duration and allotted project budgets. However, this is not how things
turnout every time. The changes in the activities, resources, and other factors are always
observed (Guo and Shang, 2012). The projects that are of huge size, the changes can be
observed easily and their impacts are huge.
It is important that the variations in the construction projects are understood clearly to ensure
that the variations can be reduced or controlled, if not completely eliminated. The changes in
the construction projects occur due to various reasons. The variations in construction projects
have negative impact on the entire economy of the particular country along with the
individuals who are engaged in the construction projects such as consultants, contractors, and
the clients (Halwatura and Ranasinghe, 2013). The occurrence of deviations, being a common
phenomenon, is the indication that the entire construction sector is being challenged with
certain causes that are to be identified and appropriately managed.
In general, the works that are started by the engineers or the contractors for the particular
client, if faces any kind of changes in the schedule, resources, or other aspects, then such
alteration results into the unnecessary extension of the entire project duration and the budget
that has been spent on the project. This is very demotivating for all the stakeholders (Hobbs
and Besner, 2016). If the government is investing in particular civil construction project
considering that the project will be completed in certain time period and within the defined
budget, and if it does not happen, then it is likely that the credibility of the government in the
eyes of the pubic falls down. This situation is not only with the government projects. If the
private construction projects are considered, then it can be stated if the projects fail to be
completed within the certain duration and within the defined budget, then it is likely that the
parties will never meet again to work on other similar projects due to the lack of credibility or
faith in one another (Hwang and Ng, 2013). Therefore, it can be stated from here that the
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