Dr Omar Amoudi
PhD
Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management
School of the Built Environment
Role
Omar is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management within the School of Built Environment.
Before he joined Oxford Brookes University, he was the Programme Leader for the MSc Construction Management at the National University of Science and Technology in Oman. Also, he has worked for Philadelphia University (Jordan) and Damascus University (Syria).
Omar completed his PhD in Construction Management at the University of Nottingham, also he completed his BSc in Civil Engineering (Construction Management) at Aleppo University (Syria). He used to teach both undergraduates and postgraduates in the areas of Project Management, Risk Management and Procurement Methods. Omar’s research interests include: Risk Management, Performance measurement, Building Information Modelling, Procurement Methods, Construction Economics.
Also, he was coordinator for one EU-Funded Project (Erasmus+) in Syria to establishing a Centre of Excellence for Research and Training in Construction and Environment. Omar also was involved in various academic and administration activities at various universities where he has worked for.
Teaching and supervision
Courses
- Building Information Modelling and Management (MSc)
- Construction Project Management (MSc)
- Project Management in the Built Environment (MSc)
- Construction Project Management (BSc (Hons))
- Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management (MSc)
- Property Development and Planning (BSc (Hons))
- Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management (BSc (Hons))
Modules taught
Currently I am teaching both PG and UG students:
- Process management (PMAN7005)
- Construction Law and Procurement (PMAN7003)
- Construction Project Management (CONM5009)
- Project Management for Development (PLAN6018)
Research
My research interests include:
- Risk Management,
- Procurement Methods,
- Performance measurement,
- Project Management,
- Circular Economy, and
- BIM.
Groups
Publications
Journal articles
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Perez H, Amoudi O, Famuyiwa F, Tah J.H.M, 'An investigation of the impact of energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings on residential property prices in Oxfordshire: A hedonic study'
Advances in Building Energy Research [In press] (2024)
ISSN: 1751-2549 eISSN: 1756-2201AbstractThis paper investigates whether energy performance ratings measured by Energy Efficiency Certificates (EPCs) affect the sales prices of residential properties in Oxfordshire, UK. The study makes use of 186,913 sales transactions that took place between 1995 and 2023. Using a hedonic regression estimation, a nonlinear pattern between energy efficiency levels and the sales prices of dwellings, are observed. The results also show that there is evidence of a significant positive relationship between EPC ratings and detached, semi-detached, terraced houses and flats. In the second part of this study, we examine the effects of age, county, and type of dwelling on price premiums. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the only study, using the most comprehensive literature; and the largest, most up to date available data in analysing the Oxfordshire real-estate market, in terms of energy efficiency and price premiums.
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Elhegazy Hosam, Zhang Jiansong, Amoudi Omar, Zaki Joliviana Nashaat, Yahia Mohamed, Eid Mohamed, Mahdi Ibrahim, 'An Exploratory Study on the Impact of the Construction Industry on Climate Change'
Journal of Industrial Integration and Management 7 (4) (2022)
ISSN: 2424-8622 eISSN: 2424-8630AbstractPublished hereIn the last decade, the construction industry in Egypt has been booming, and many mega
projects are under construction. The lack of awareness of the construction industry's impact on climate
change could be very harmful in terms of CO2 emission, water and soil pollution, etc. This paper aims to
explore the critical factors in the Egyptian construction industry that contributes to climate change.
Moreover, given the shared features between the construction industry in Egypt and those in other
countries, this research could also shed light on the general impacts of the construction industry on the
various aspects of climate change. So, to achieve this aim, an intensive literature review was carried out to
identify various factors contributing to climate change within the construction industry. This is followed
by conducting 11 interviews with construction experts to explore any further factors throughout the
lifecycle of a construction project. The identified factors from the literature review and the interviews were
used to design a questionnaire survey to collect construction professionals' opinions on the impact of these
factors on climate change in Egypt. 48 valid responses were received. The collected data were statistically
analyzed to rank and determine the criticality level of these factors. The results revealed that the most
significant factors in°uencing climate change are the impact of industrial construction on climate change,
the use of primary renewable energy as raw materials during the construction and use phases, and the
effect of heavy civil and highway construction on climate change. The results also show that managing
these factors requires considerable awareness and proactive actions during the project life cycle and preconstruction stage. The findings could inform decision-makers and construction professionals to raise
awareness and make informed decisions to handle these key factors and minimize their potential contribution to climate change. Therefore, it can be recommended that construction clients may involve a climate change management plan as a requirement of tender documents. -
Durugbo CM, Anouze AL, Amoudi O, & Al-Balushi Z, 'Competitive priorities for regional operations: a Delphi study'
Production Planning and Control 32 (15) (2021)
ISSN: 0953-7287 eISSN: 1366-5871AbstractPublished herePerceptions and principles of competitiveness in the context of production and operations management (POM) have evolved over time towards trends in which firms compete at supply chain level. This evolution underscores the need for competitive priorities to be re-evaluated from time to time. The purpose of this article is to explore how POM experts perceive and rate competitive priorities for regional operations. The article presents a Delphi-based study with a panel of seventy POM experts from the Sultanate of Oman in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. It applies a constructivist epistemology in a three-round Delphi Exercise to identify, select and prioritise the key competitive priorities perceived by panel experts. Nonparametric statistics test the dichotomous responses and levels of concordance and discordance of ranked outcome variables among the Delphi panellists. The analysis identifies nineteen competitive priorities thematically clustered into five orientations for productivity-efficiency, relationship-building, technology-enabled, environmentally-conscious and conformance-improvement. Polled results show heterogeneity during both selection (Cochran's Q: p p
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Durugbo CM, Amoudi O, Al-Balushi Z, Anouze A, 'Wisdom from Arabian networks: a review and theory of regional supply chain management'
Production Planning and Control 32 (15) (2021) pp.1265-1281
ISSN: 0953-7287 eISSN: 1366-5871AbstractPublished hereThe purpose of this article is to present a systematic review of the supply chain management (SCM) research on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Using 75 journal articles from high quality SCM-related publication outlets, the review finds three main SCM complexities of managing supply chain uncertainty: (i) strategically selecting and integrating network resources, (ii) reliably contracting and delivering high-quality solutions, and (iii) cost-effectively controlling and financing operational expansions. The review also finds that managers configure supply chains involving GCC countries with emphasis on ‘productivity–efficiency’, ‘relationship-building’, ‘technology-enabling’, ‘environmental-consciousness’, and ‘conformance-improvement’ orientations. These orientations represent the different themes for competitiveness at chain–chain levels. With insights from the review, the article develops foundations for an orientation theory, a culturation theory and an organic view of supply chains. The article also discusses prospects for future regional SCM research.
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Al Hosni IS, Amoudi O, Callaghan N, 'An exploratory study on challenges of circular economy in the built environment in Oman'
Management, Procurement and Law 173 (3) (2020) pp.104-113
ISSN: 1751-4304 eISSN: 1751-4312AbstractPublished hereCircular economy (CE) is a sustainable substitute for the current linear model of economy, and its adoption within the Omani built environment is increasing due to resource depletion and increased waste generation. The construction industry in Oman is one of the first among countries in the Arab states to pursue sustainable development. However, understanding the implementation challenges associated with CE is important to this region, as it attempts to diversify its economies beyond oil and gas, which is vital to the success of the country. The main challenges identified within the literature in relation to CE include a lack of knowledge of the concept, unclear financial implications, misaligned regulations and a lack of transparent technical data. The aim of this study was to explore such challenges within the context of Oman, and an exploratory study consisting of ten interviews and 80 survey responses was undertaken. Factor analysis results revealed that the critical challenges of CE ultimately begin with government barriers such as the absence of a clear vision and legislation supporting CE. This was followed by a lack of government funding for research, innovation and investment, as well as technical barriers such as a lack of qualified professionals in the field.
Book chapters
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Alhosni I, Amoudi O, Callaghan N, 'Circular economy during project life cycle' in ALEXANDROS STEFANAKIS and IOANNIS NIKOLAOU (ed.), Circular Economy and Sustainability, Elsevier (2022)
ISBN: 9780128198179AbstractPublished hereThe construction sector is one of the highest consumers of raw and natural resources around the world, using 3 billion tons per annum (The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2013). In addition to this high consumption level, it is also responsible for the majority of the waste in the majority of countries throughout the world. For instance, in the UK, waste from the construction industry covers 50% of the total percentage of waste
(PricewaterhouseCoopers Network, 2015). In the USA, the Environmental Protection Agency (2009) reported that the construction industry generates approximately 26% of total waste. Therefore, any model that focuses on consumption rather than restoration of resources will have a negative impact on the value chain and will incur critical losses of resources including losses in the production stage, end of product life, disrobing of
ecosystem services, as well as imbalances affecting economic growth (Cheshire, 2016). While linear consumption has numerous effects on areas including economic, social, and environmental aspects, CE plays a critical role in minimizing these losses within the construction sector. The aim of this chapter is to determine the CE principles over the construction project life cycle at the micro, meso, and macro levels. There will be a critical focus on CE principles relating to buildings and materials. A conceptual framework will then be developed to demonstrate the interactions between CE principles and project life cycle stages.
The rest of the chapter briefly presents the methodology adopted, concept and principles of CE in the built environment at various levels, various techniques, tools, and circular models used to enhance circular economy (CE) in the built environment considering various project life cycle phases, and at the end, a conceptual circular model is developed to demonstrate the interactions and linkages between CE principles and project life cycles.
Conference papers
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Foseid Bjerke A J, Amoudi O, 'Toward Net-Zero Construction Projects by Applying BIM enabled Circular Economy'
(2024)
ISSN: 2366-2557 eISSN: 2366-2565 ISBN: 9783031696251AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThe Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector produces a large sum of the global carbon emissions. Emerging systems and technology coupled with a rapid modernisation within the construction industry, have been developed as a response to challenges of maintaining sustainable practices and procedures during the whole project life cycle. The technological advancement of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the focus of this research, to determine its potential to facilitate the adoption of Circular Economy (CE) principles to empower the path towards net-zero carbon within the built environment. The employed research methods include a systematic literature review, and a questionnaire survey to collect data from construction professionals on the potentials of using BIM to enhance Circularity
in the built environment projects. Existing BIM practices for sustainability within the built environment, could in this paper be identified to align with the concept of the CE, which will yield further strategies aiming to maintain the path towards net-zero carbon construction projects in the future. Following the analysis of the data collected, a conceptual framework is developed to demonstrate how BIM features facilitate CE principles and empower sustainability and resource efficiency within construction projects. To achieve
the full potential benefits emerging from the BIM utilisation in a CE context, industry professionals and stakeholders should comprehend the acquired BIM knowledge and appliance for sustainable practices. The BIM competencies currently employed by industry professionals could show the current existence of an interconnection between BIM and CE.Keywords: BIM, Circular Economy, Sustainability, Net Zero Carbon, Built
Environment. -
Alsehrawy A, Amoudi O, Tong T, Callaghan N, 'MOBILISING THEORY AND PRACTICE FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING BASED BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY AND A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK'
(2022) pp. 532-541
AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThe adoption of Building Sustainability Assessment (BSA) systems is becoming a growing trend, but it has been criticised for being inconsistent and resourceconsuming. Recent development of Building Information Modelling (BIM) could help facilitate the BSA process. There has been useful research conducted in this area but there has been limited focus on the practitioner’s perspective. This paper fills that gap by exploring the practitioners outlook on the subject. The main aim is to develop a conceptual framework that compiles the wisdom of both theory and practice. Twostep method was adopted; a survey targeting different practitioners, followed by semistructured interviews with selected experts. Lack of knowledge and data exchange limitations were ranked highest among the survey respondents, while the level of information (LOI) and BIM libraries attracted more attention by the experts. Additionally, new challenges were introduced and new research areas to promote the development of BIM-based BSA were uncovered.
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Al Sehrawy A, Amoudi O, Tong M, Callaghan N, 'A review of the challenges to integrating BIM and building sustainability assessment'
AIP Conference Proceedings 2428 (2021)
ISSN: 0094-243X eISSN: 1551-7616 ISBN: 9780735441453AbstractPublished hereBuilding sustainability assessment (BSA) is perceived as one of the major pillars of sustainable development, its adoption is increasing and many governments are embracing them. However, in order to meet the requirements of these processes, complicated tasks which consume considerable amounts of resources are involved. On the other hand, BIM has been acknowledged as a key solution to industry issues and a leading driver for innovation. However, the utilization of BIM to support BSA is still at a premature stage compared to other BIM applications. This paper aims to review relevant literature to determine the research trends within the field and identify the possible reasons behind the slow and reluctant development of this synergy. A three-step systematic literature review approach is adopted. First, literature was surveyed to identify all published Green-BIM studies within the past ten years. Second, identified publications are filtered according to pre-defined criteria to select the most-relevant. The last step involves the analysis of the filtered articles and the categorisation of the findings. The review has indicated a significant research tendency towards the area of Green BIM. However, it was apparent that BIM has yet to be properly aligned with BSA practices. A range of challenges facing the BIM-based BSA process has been identified and classified into three-major classes: BIM-related, BSA-related and Organisation-related.
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Alhasan S, Amoudi O, Tong M, Kumar B, 'Potential of Incorporating NRM on the Incompatibility between BIM Software Applications and NRM'
(2020)
AbstractPublished hereThe quantity surveying profession on the international platform has adopted automated quantities technology through the Building Information Modelling (BIM) to provide up-to date sophisticated cost management services to take care of the implementation of time management and cost display and subsequently share the cost data with various stakeholders. This strategy aims to promote the integrated delivery approach which BIM is providing. It is fundamentally important to have a BIM model incorporated with the method of measurement to enable shifting from the traditional approach to a fully integrated platform whereby sharing and working on the same information is paramount. The difficulties encountered during the process of shifting from the traditional method to an automated system was the lack of standard between BIM and the New rule of Measurement (NRM1). This research is aimed to study the incompatibility between the software application and (NRM1) which was and is still the biggest issue to implement BIM in the construction industry. In order to bring an interface between the software application and the NRM1, the author has investigated a coding system. This coding system is made compatible with the interfaces of the software and the NRM1 so as to enable interoperability of all team parties to understand the entire principles of BIM. A BIM Model designed, incorporated the calculated coding data of elements established from NRM1 was initially tested. The results obtained, showed that the approximate Bill of Quantities derived from the model linked the standard specification of NRM1 with the BIM software interface.
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Alhasan S, Amoudi O, Tong M, Kumar B, 'Effectiveness of Adopting BIM on Quantity Surveying Profession During the Project Life Cycle'
(2019)
AbstractPublished hereDespite the significant role of the construction industry in nation’s wealth anddevelopment, the construction industry usually suffers from poor performance interms of time and cost overruns. This is due to its characteristics in terms ofcomplexity, fragmented nature, a large number of involved parties and a wide rangeof professions. Quantity surveyors (QSs) profession is one of the key professionswith many essential tasks over project life cycle. BIM has been claimed by variousprofessions in the construction industry to enhance the project performance and tacklemany problems within it. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of adoptingBIM on QS profession and its performance in a construction project. The literaturewas intensively reviewed to determine the main responsibilities of QS over projectlife cycle when it works the main project parties (client and consultant). In this partof research, the implication of the use of BIM has been specifically dealt with thework in pre-construction stage. A set of criteria were extracted and identified basedon the main responsibilities of QS profession by conducting structured interviewswith clients and consultants. Many scenarios were produced, after modelling a multi-storey building project utilizing Revit Architecture Software, to reflect theeffectiveness of using BIM with various tasks of QSs. The model facilitatesgeneration of different scenarios based on outcomes. The initial results revealed thatadopting BIM improves the accuracy and reliability of QSs outputs at early stage ofproject and enhances the documentation of project performance over project lifecycle. Also, the results demonstrate that project parties get benefits, from BIMadoption by their QSs, in terms of more reliable budgeting, less errors in quantitiesmeasurement, better documentation considering the limitation of adopting BIM, lackof BIM standard and the compatibility between the BIM software.
Other publications
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Thomas DJ, Amoudi O, 'Barriers and drivers associated with the adoption of circular economy in Kuwait’s construction Industry', (2023)
AbstractThe study aims to identify key barriers and drivers associated with the adoption of circular economy(CE) in Kuwait’s construction industry. 36 barriers and 24 drivers were identified upon conducting an intensive literature review. A mixed research methodology was employed to conduct 10 interviews and 39 questionnaire surveys in order to gain insights of these barriers and drivers from the perceptions of the professionals within Kuwait’s construction industry.
The findings demonstrate significant obstacles that impede the adoption of CE which include a lack of awareness and knowledge among stakeholders regarding CE principles and limited technological knowledge on how to design and operate circular projects. Additionally, a lack of client interest, demand and urgency prevents widespread adoption. The results also revealed that the key drivers that can facilitate the shift to a CE include the need for raising awareness and knowledge through education and government intervention, improve educational efforts and training programmes to advance the CE concept. Additionally, government support in the form of policies, regulations, and incentives is essential for promoting circular business practices.
The obtained findings could form the basis for both industry stakeholders and policy makers to inform their policies and investment decisions to support the nation’s overall sustainability goals, by starting to focus on education and training of construction participants on the significance of adopting CE business model in the construction industry.
Keywords: Circular Economy, Barriers, Drivers, Construction, Kuwait
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Shaikh S, Dua T, Chauhan B, Amoudi O, 'Net zero 2050: analysing the proposed alternatives for building heating systems in the United Kingdom', (2023)
AbstractHeating in buildings in the United Kingdom is responsible for nearly 17% of the total emissions generated, and addressing them is integral as we face an unprecedented climate emergency. As the UK aims to achieve a Net Zero Carbon strategy by 2050, there have been several proposals raised to counteract and replace Carbon and Fossil Fuel based heating with cleaner, more efficient systems such as Electric Heat Pumps, Hydrogen Boilers, and Bio-Methane grids. This study aims to analyse the effectiveness of the proposed alternatives to carbon and fossil based heating in buildings, evaluate their respective efficacies and address the scope and challenges to their implementation and impact on the building heating systems in the future. In order to achieve this aim, an in-depth analysis of alternative proposals was carried out, followed by a set of interviews with industrial experts and academics to obtain their view on the validity of these proposals. The findings revealed that Electrical Heat Pumps are the most viable avenue while Hydrogen has the most hurdles to widespread implementation as the research and development around Hydrogen heating has been minimal, and data supporting its feasibility is inconclusive. Bio-methane (produced using Biomass) is an unreliable source due to fluctuation in availability and expense of maintenance.
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Shaikh S, Amoudi O, 'Synergising Lean thinking and circular economy practices: a pathway to enhancing sustainability goals in the construction industry', (2023)
AbstractAs Industries across the world realign their practices with a key focus on sustainability, the
adoption in Construction and Built Environment has been glacial at best despite being one of
the top contributors to carbon emissions and waste generation. The industry must restructure
its practices to comply with net-zero goals set forth by various governments and international
authorities and this study aims to examine how an integrated adoption of Lean construction
and principles of Circular economy could help ease this transition. A survey based strategy
to collect data measured on a Likert Scale was employed for this study, aided by interviews
with professionals in the industry and academia as well as an in-depth analysis of existing
data and literature. The results indicated varied levels of awareness of Lean and Circular
Economy principles, but several principles associated with them have gradually been adopted
in the industry, i.e. greater levels of collaboration, emphasis on cleaner supply chains, waste
reduction and management etc. The awareness was also inversely related to the experience,
indicating the recency of these concepts among industry professionals and how lack of
awareness, reluctance to change and adopting new practices one of the greatest hurdles to
their widespread implementation. This study provides valuable insights for construction
stakeholders on the significance of integrating Lean thinking and circular economy practices
to maximise resource efficiency, waste minimisation, and progressing toward net zero carbon
targets.Keywords: Lean Construction, Circular Economy, Sustainability