An exploratory study of research and development in construction in the developing countries of the Middle East

Abbasi, A

Abstract

Research and Development (R&D) in construction in the developing
countries, particularly in the Middle East, is an under-researched area
worthy of attention and should be of particular interest due to the
expanding role of the construction industry in the world market and the
great potential the Middle East region offers.
This exploratory research places the current practices in R&D in
construction in a number of developing countries (the Middle East
countries) under scrutiny with the intention of enhancing the overall
performance of the construction industry. The findings of the study
reported in this thesis provide academics and practitioners from the
construction industry with insights into the barriers to promoting R&D in
construction in these countries. It also serves as a useful base for
researchers to expand further research into the improvement of R&D in this
field.
The developing countries chosen for focus in this study are found in the
Middle East. The UK and the US were chosen as examples of the
developed countries as comparators. The study was applied in two stages;
the first covers the status of the construction industry while the second
explores the barriers to the enhancement of R&D in construction in these
countries. Applying the work to the Middle East region allowed for a more
coherent analysis of the interaction of factors that formed the current status
of R&D in construction in developing countries. It allowed a more cogent
picture to be formed of the impact of certain factors on the promotion of
research in these countries.
The research identified a number of key factors and observed the obstacles
and opportunities that could potentially impact the promotion of R&D in
construction in the developing countries. The study concluded an urgent
need for a regionally driven strategy to co-ordinate R&D in construction
within the Middle East. It also proposed a framework that demonstrates how the findings of this research can be employed constructively to
promote R&D in construction in the Middle East countries.

Citation

Abbasi, A. An exploratory study of research and development in construction in the developing countries of the Middle East. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 13, 2021
• Award Date: Oct 1, 2007